What makes a good best-of?

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

You don't have to read the review of the Radiohead best-of which got me thinking about this - the relevant bit is this: "This compilation is dominated by a pair of central ideas of what Radiohead sound like: emotionally nourishing, impressionistic balladeers, or crunchy, tech- and texture-savvy rockers. The outliers, moments when the band has dabbled more in mood, atmosphere, or a love of pure sound...aren't represented at all."

Now admittedly Scott's talking about the 2CD version not the 1CD version, which would have more room to roam, but my reaction was still "DUDE IT'S A BEST OF" - one of the things best ofs are for is to boil down an act to its essence, and with the best will in the world the experimental stuff has always been fringier to Radiohead than some might have you think.

But maybe you think best ofs are for representing a band's entire output, or spotlighting hidden depths, or presenting fan favourites, or or or - what do you look for in a compilation?

ladies&gentlemen...MISS SOLANGE KNOWLES

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

So I've hitherto known Solange solely for being Beyoncé's lil' sis and the author of some rather wonderful Myspazz blogs but new songs from her forthcoming album Sol-Angel And The Hadley St Dreams (!!!) are leaking all over the place and they are kind of mental and awesome.

She's definitely going for some sort of consciously 'retro' feel but it seems to be all possible kinds of retro at once - have some seductive 70s funk! some 20s jazz! some 60s Motown! all at once! And, as we shall see, Solange herself is quite a one.

First, 'I Decided'. Apparently produced by Pharrell but you wouldn't know it (huzzah): I can imagine Solange prancing around in a Great Gatsby era dress and flapper-style hair to this. Impossible not to start tapping your toes to. (There's a Freemasons rmx doing the rounds too but don't be fooled, it is DREADFUL, it fits the original with lead boots and removes all the nimbleness and fun.)

Next, 'Sandcastle Disco', which if all goes to plan should be the big single. This chorus is fucking incredible, it's got to the stage where I can no longer listen to the song in public because I have to sing along. Contains an "ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!" AND a "bay-ba-ba-bay-bay", also the lines "I'm a cool low Jane with a skip in my feet / I play tough as nails with my heart on my sleeve".

Finally, let's take it to the night with 'ChampagneChronicNightcap' (featuring LIL' WAYNE y'all). So smooth, so rich, so decadent, so...silly, really! LOL @ "My shovel get me to your level cuz I dig ya".

Sadly the PR response so far is: "Sorry, it's all in the very early stages. Not sure a UK release has even been confirmed!" WHATEVER.

Euro Action

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

There are two *really* good tracks - from mostlyconnect and skillextric up on Freaky Trigger as part of the Europop event.

http://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2008/06/europop-2008-quarter-final-2-poland-v-portugal/