Class of 2006

It's that time of the year again where we unleash the music that rocked the Sophiamusic.net headquarters in the past year. As usual presented in alpabetical order.
And this is also a good moment to update the blog radio, something I hadn't done in over a year. Gulp.
This wasn't the greatest year in rock music, but it sure was a tremendous 'live' year. I really had trouble whittling down all those great gigs to a 10-ish number (I only managed to get it down to 11. All Spinal Tap fans will agree that this is actually one better than 10!).
Head over to the forum to boast about your favourites.

Albums:
Aereogramme - My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go
Japanese import. Official European release isn't until 2007. The 'gramme show a more poppy side on this album.

Daan - The Player
Eurotrash from one of Belgians biggest talents and greatest voices. On this album he examins the borders of good taste.

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
'Crazy' probably was this years best single. I know it was a bit of a hype, but who cares, as long as the music's good. And it is.

Goose - Bring It On
Block rocking beats from a rockband.

Morrissey - Ringleader Of The Tormentors
Not his finest album, but hey: it's Morrissey!

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos
A superb double live album.

Serge Gainsbourg - Les 100 Plus Belles Chansons (box set)
Various Artists - Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited
Bow to the master. The box set includes the full 'Histoire De Melody Nelson'. I'm not speaking with you again, if you don't have that album.

Sophia - Technology Won't Save Us
You might have heard of this band before...

Tool - 10.000 Days
See Morrissey. Not their finest album, but hey: it's Tool!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
If 'Crazy' wasn't the single of the year, then YYY's 'Turn into' sure is. This album is a classic.


Honourable mentions for accomplishments in songwriting go to:
Badly Drawn Boy - Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind
Balthazar - Lorraine
I Love Sarah - De Gokchinees
The Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control (original and Soulwax remix)
The Hickey Underworld - Mystery Bruise
Vito - Arrested By These Phenomena

And a kiss from the teacher for excellent live performances:
Beck (Pukkelpop)
dEUS (Forest National)
Morrissey (AB)
My Morning Jacket (Pukkelpop)
Pearl Jam (Sportpaleis)
Radiohead (Pukkelpop)
Sophia (Vooruit)
The Hickey Underworld (SOS cafe)
Tool (Forest National)
Ugly Papas (Petrol)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Pukkelpop)

Fiction discovers its back catalogue

In a recent interview for Swiss magazine '20 Minuten Week' Robin was asked about a possible re-release of The God Machine albums:

"Have you ever considered re-releasing old God Machine records? They're being sold on eBay for a shitload of money.
Robin: Yes, I know. The problem is, I don't own the rights. Universal (who own the rights, ed.) recently asked me if I want to re-release them. And I'd love to do this, but they want to add some old shit stuff to it. But instead, they should just give me my music back!"

The God Machine records were originally released on Fiction Records. Fiction was founded in 1978 as a home for The Cure but folded in 2001. All rights were bought by Universal who revived the label in 2004. One of the current Fiction label bosses is Jim Chancellor, brother of Tool bassist Just Chancellor. Both of them are big God Machine fans...

VITO's Other Disturbed Areas

Christmas is upon us, so VITO have put together a collection of songs that didn't make it onto their debut album 'Make Good Areas Disturbed'. The collection also features remixes of album tracks done by some very good friends of the band. You can dowload the 7 tracks and some artwork to accompany it from the website, should you want to print it out and put it in a case.
VITO will be back next year with a new album.

RTBF news

Sophia was in the RTBF (television station for the French speaking part of Belgium) news this week. They interviewed Robin and showed some footage from a session he did. You can watch it HERE. (footage probably won't be online for very long!).

Star Club poster

Just like last time, the Star Club in Dresden made a poster for the Sophia gig. This time the poster is even for sale from the designer's web site. It's quite pricy though!