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100 songs that defined the Noughties

Love it or hate it, the music of the Noughties was inescapable, coming from adverts, video games and that newfangled gadget, the iPod.

This is the Telegraph's list of the songs that defined the decade. Read the full article HERE...

new Queen 'Absolute Greatest' confirmed...

  

QUEEN 'Absolute Greatest' [Release Date 16/11/2009]

CD I 2-CD I Limited 2-CD I Limited 3-LP:

Queen. Someone ought to erect a monument to them. Think about it: they've ruled their game longer than many of our most famous leaders, their words can be repeated by many more than can recite our most celebrated writers, and despite more than three generations passing since they first blasted their way into our consciences, they're just as omnipresent today as they ever were. Just for starters (and more to follow): Queen are Britain's favourite band: the BPI [Britain's official recording body] records that the band's Greatest Hits 1 album is the biggest selling album since the charts were started over 50 years ago; Queen are the most successful act of all time on the British charts: research by the team behind the most popular music annual in the world, The Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, reveals that Queen have overtaken the Beatles as Official UK Album Chart champions, having spent more weeks on chart than the fab four.

Globally, that adds up to more than 300 million records sold. And let's not forget Queen's unmatched global dominance as live artists. There's not a continent in the world Queen's legendary tours haven't touched down in, in many cases arriving ahead of anyone else: think South America, Mexico, the Eastern Bloc. And who but the wisest would know that even somewhere down there in the desert of Antarctica sits a permanent plaque bearing Queen's name? Always ready to try something new, Queen broke rock convention and created a stage musical, 'We Will Rock You', and some eight years on it still sells out nightly in London and just recently their all-time worldwide audience crossed over the 10 million mark. Beyond that, Queen continue to sell out concerts, are ready to lend their celebrity power unreservedly when they see just causes - such as Nelson Mandela's 46664 campaign; have quietly collected and distributed over $15 million dollars through their own charity the Mercury Phoenix Trust - fighting AIDS worldwide, and most telling of all, continue to be held in the highest esteem by the lead runners in today's Rock Pack who cite the band's influence over them in their founding years.

Let's face it: few other acts have so embedded themselves into our lives that we can't imagine a time when Queen weren't around, or can imagine such a time in the future. So what is it about Queen that makes it all so? You have to look no further than the forthcoming 'Absolute Greatest' hits package, released November 16th in four different CD and LP, compact and luxury sets, illustrated with some fine photos and videos, to see where it all comes from. Charting over 21 years of making people rock, feel, sense and celebrate, 'Absolute Greatest' reminds us just what fine, and smart, rock and pop writers and musicians Messrs Deacon, May, Mercury and Taylor were (are). Also that they had a sense of humour, which is perhaps another thing that made them so accessible. The earliest hit presented here, 'Seven Seas of Rhye' [1974] reminds us of those days when we wondered about why they had chosen the name Queen, whether they really were just an arrogant bunch pushing their luck in Zandra Rhodes frocks and black nail varnish, or whether they really were the future of Progressive Rock?

To make us further wonder, they didn't stop there - they went on to defiantly title their next single 'Killer Queen'. Then they flashed the wit and made us all smile and feel good at the same time with those jaunty ditties like 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', 'Radio Ga Ga', and 'I Want To Break Free'. And hell, who would have thought that Roger Taylor would look so fetching in that pre-Britney schoolgirl outfit? And if you wanted a mass celebration, who better than Queen, who could bond tens of thousands of total strangers and get them chanting or arm-waving in unison to May's terse We Will Rock You or Mercury's more emotionally charged 'We Are The Champions'. They could at the drop of a hat be romantic, as Deacon proved with 'You're My Best Friend', or friends to heartbreak, as we saw in Mercury's 'Somebody to Love' or May's 'Who Wants to Live Forever'. Queen provided a mood and backdrop for every time and every occasion, and were often at their best when they went for almost breath-taking high drama: aided by David Bowie they gave us the brooding heart pounding rhythms of 'Under Pressure', the operatically ballistic 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and perhaps the ultimate curtain-call rock song, 'The Show Must Go On'.

A joyous celebration of Queen's - and many of our own - greatest moments, 'Absolute Greatest' also comes in very personalized versions in which band members Brian May and Roger Taylor share their own memories about the tracks chosen for this collection. In a limited-edition book version, the Queen photo archives are opened up with 52 pages of unseen and rare photos, and handwritten song lyrics by each member of the band (including corrections and rewrites). Certain versions provide exclusive access to online streaming of 20 of Queen's greatest live performances. OK - so it should not be expected we will see the likenesses of Queen carved into Mount Rushmore, or find their way to a Trafalgar Square plinth (now there's an idea), so for the moment let's accept that 'Absolute Greatest' will serve as a terrific tribute to a monumental music history. Ah, these are (indeed) the days of our lives.

Thursday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

ASH 'True Love 1980' [Release Date 12/10/2009]

Ltd 7": Crisscrossing the nation from A to Z, evergreen rock stars Ash promote their mould breaking A-Z Singles Collection with a 26-date UK tour. Visiting some of the country's live music back waters... Working alphabetically through the towns and cities of the British Isles from Aldershot to Zennor, Ash will be dropping in on the UK's lesser-visited concert venues. Exotic locations like Ventnor (that's on the Isle of Wight), The Havana Club (in Jersey), Upper Norwood (South London of course...) and the Devonshire seaside town of 'eXmouth', will be among those experiencing a rare visit from a major touring act; and who better to "bring the rock" than the acclaimed live act and hit factory that is Ash? The tour provides the launch pad for the bands unique A-Z Series, kicking off with the electro-ballad 'True Love 1980' on October 12th. The A-Z series will see a collection of 26 limited edition 7" singles, released fortnightly over the coming year. Rising to the challenge of the creative Everest that is a 26 single campaign, with 'True Love 1980', Tim Wheeler has delivered a typically monumental piece of pop; tapping into Ash's trademark hooks and three piece dynamism, while reveling in the possibilities of their groundbreaking studio project. 'True Love 1980' follows the critically acclaimed 'Return Of White Rabbit' dropped earlier this summer. Where 'Return of White Rabbit' showcased angular guitars and growling basslines, 'True Love 1980' delivers a perfect slice of Back-To-The-Future synth pop balladry from Ash's hit writing engine room.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part IV]

BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST Sea of Tranquility: The Polydor Years 1974-1997 [released 26th October 2009]

3-CD: Esoteric Recordings are happy to announce the release of this extensive compilation which covers the career of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST during their twenty three year tenure with Polydor Records, beginning with material from the album EVERYONE IS EVERYBODY ELSE, including tracks from albums such as TIME HONOURED GHOSTS, OCTOBERON, GONE TO EARTH, XII and ending with tracks from the German only album RIVER OF DREAMS. Including such classic tracks as MOCKINGBIRD, GALADRIEL, SHE SAID, CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE, JONATHAN, ROCK N ROLL STAR, HYMN, POOR MANS MOODY BLUES, BERLIN, IN MEMORY OF THE MARTYRS, this extensive history of the bands most successful recorded work is a long overdue reappraisal of their music. Sea of Tranquility is a fine overview of the finest music produced by the band. The release of the 3CD set coincides with John Lees BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST tour of the UK and Europe in October and November 2009. * 3CD DELUXE REMASTERED COMPILATION COVERING THE BANDS ENTIRE CAREER WITH POLYDOR RECORDS FROM 1974- 1997 * FEATURES LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA & ESSAY * BACKED BY AN EXTENSIVE UK & EUROPEAN TOUR BY JOHN LEES BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part III]

AIR 'Love 2' [Release Date 05/10/2009]

CD: Internationally revered French electronic pop duo AIR (Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin), will release their fifth studio album 'Love 2' on 5th October. It is the follow-up to 2007's acclaimed 'Pocket Symphony', and the first production to emanate from, Atlas, their very own state-of-the-art recording Studio. Nestled in the leafy backstreets of northern Paris, Atlas provided a creative haven for the band to produce these twelve new songs. Writing and producing entirely by themselves, they have cemented their association with LA-based drummer / percussionist Joey Waronker, who had previously joined them for their intimate, three-man "Close up" tour of south-east Asia in the Fall of 2008. Stéphane 'Alf' Briat, a long-time fixture of the Paris music scene, whose work with AIR dates back to some of their earliest material, also came on board for the mixdown at Atlas. AIR's 1998 debut album 'Moon Safari' struck a unanimously harmonious chord with music lovers around the globe and has since become an electronic pop classic. Since then AIR have enjoyed many career-defining moments and accolades, both at home and abroad, and have written, produced and collaborated on a breathtaking array of music projects. With 5.5 million worldwide album sales to their credit, the band has become de facto ambassadors of modern French pop. Fans are drawn back to each new musical adventure by their inventive arrangements, and a playful yet unpredictable palette of sounds and songcraft.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

SHEENA EASTON Take My Time [released 19th October 2009]

CD: Sheena's debut album Take My Time was released in the UK in January 1981 and remained in the charts for 20 weeks. It was also a big success in the US, where it was retitled Sheena Easton, quickly turning Gold shortly after release. The original album comprised of twelve predominantly pop songs with strong melodies, that cross over with ease to different genres of music, giving the album a diverse feel with mass appeal. Here are those 12 tracks with four bonus tracks which were originally b-sides to four 45s.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

MARIAH CAREY 'Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel' [Release Date 28/09/2009]

CD I Ltd CD: 'Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel' is the 12th album from the biggest-selling female recording artist in history Mariah Carey. Featuring 'Obsessed' and new single 'I Want To Know What Love Is' (the huge cover of the Foreigner classic ballad), Memoirs... is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Mariah's multi-platinum-selling album E=MC², and her worldwide 10 million selling The Emancipation of Mimi. Initial orders of Memoirs... will come in a limited edition single disc digipack featuring the album plus 4 remixes of Obsessed and a mini Elle magazine dedicated entirely to Mariah. The Emancipation of Mimi was an international smash hit and generated three Grammy awards (including Best Contemporary R&B Album). The track 'We Belong Together' hit the UK charts at #2 and was #1 on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks making it the charts' longest running #1 single of 2005. Mariah also made Billboard history when she became the first female lead artist in 47 years to hold the #1 and #2 positions on the Billboard charts with 'We Belong Together' and 'Shake It Off.' Three years later, internationally acclaimed E=MC² hit number #3 in the UK charts on release. The album's success brought total sales of Mariah's albums, singles and videos to more than 80-times platinum in the U.S. alone, and over 200 million worldwide, distancing her even further from the pack as the top-selling female recording artist in history.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

SINITTA The Hits Collection [released 19th October 2009]

2-CD: The daughter of Miquel Brown and the niece of Amii Stewart, Sinitta's impeccable pop heritage soon led her - via West End stardom in Cats and Mutiny with David Essex - to impressing Simon Cowell, who made her his first signing in 1984. Sinitta had soon produced a succession of joyful, effervescent pop moments throughout the 80s and into the 90s, selling millions worldwide. Returning to prominence via TV shows The X Factor, Grease Is The Word, Celebrity Wife Swap and Loose Women - Sinitta has also recently recorded some brand new material. * Included on this comprehensive, first-ever retrospective collection - a double-CD of 33 digitally re-mastered tracks * All the greatest hits * *11* unreleased tracks from the PWL vaults, including two never-released Stock Aitken Waterman-produced singles * Exclusive new material - a brandnew recording of Toy Boy and new song The Day You Said Goodbye, with... * A brand-new Pete Hammond Remix, in his acclaimed 'Retro' style, that's currently topping the pop charts (Alphabeat, Velvet, Wynona Judd) * A comprehensive booklet of new pictures, analysis, photo discography and an interview with Sinitta, looking back on her career highlights * Over this full-to-capacity double-CD package, the irrepressible Sinitta provides nothing less than a feast for even the most insatiable fan of classic pop

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

EUROPE Almost Unplugged [released 5th October 2009]

CD+DVD: In January 2008 the Swedish rock legends Europe performed a semi-unplugged concert for the first time in their career. The location for this event was Stockholm's famous "Nalen" club. Based on the success of the show the band now decided to release a DVD/CD Europe "Almost Unplugged". During their career the band has sold in excess of 8 Million albums and usually performs in arenas. However at "Nalen" Europe fans experienced an intimate show with never heard before semi-acoustic versions of songs from the band's successful history, spanning more than two decades.

Thursday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

SAINT ETIENNE Songs For The Dog And Duck [Released 26th October 2009]

CD: Ace Records are proud to announce a new compilation curated by Saint Etienne, the British group led by songwriters Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs and fronted by vocalist Sarah Cracknell. This compilation, the second in a series (the first was Songs for Marios Caf􀀀released back in 2004) is one of the most eclectic compilations to appear on Ace in recent years. The compilation is a tribute to the Soho pubs that have proved fertile ground for musicians, publishers and general pop-obsessed layabouts. The Dog & Duck specifically was the pub of choice for the Heavenly label, an annexe of the office on Frith Street. When they moved out of Soho this spring they left Soho with a single record company HQ. This is is a soundtrack for a session in the Dog & Duck (or the Blue Posts, or the Ship), a jukebox selection to reflect the characters and conversations taking place a stones throw from Denmark Street, the 2 I's, and the 100 Club; totemic locations in British pop history.

Thursday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

THOM YORKE 'FeelingPulledApartbyHorses' / 'TheHollowEarth' [Release Date 28/09/09]

LTD 12": 'FeelingPulledApartByHorses' is written and played by Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and is a radical rework of an old tune that's been kicking around without a home since 2001. 'TheHollowEarth' is a bass menace from the 'Eraser' period that needed a little more time. Both tracks were produced by Nigel Godrich and mastered by Bob Ludwig. They are being released on an extremely limited edition 12" (3000 copies only) with lavish inner and outer sleeves by Stanley & Tchock.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

BARBRA STREISAND 'Love Is The Answer' [Release Date 28/09/2009]

CD I 2CD: 'Love Is The Answer' is the first full-length collection of new studio recordings from eight-time Grammy award winner Barbra Streisand since 2005's 'Guilty Pleasures'. 'Love Is The Answer' provided an opportunity for Streisand to work for the first time with the Grammy-winning Canadian jazz artist Diana Krall [piano] and her quartet [guitar, bass, drums] who brought a refined and sensual poignancy to the album's spare and subtle accompaniments. Rounding out the album's smoky after hours ambience with his sublime orchestrations is the legendary songwriter and Grammy-winning arranger Johnny Mandel [who worked with Streisand on her 1993 Back to Broadway album and arranged / co-produced Krall's 1998 Grammy-winning 'When I Look In Your Eyes'].

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

MOTLEY CRUE 'Dr Feelgood - Deluxe Edition' [Release Date 21/09/2009]

2CD: Rated Billboard's No.1 album following release on September 1st 1989, selling 6 million copies in the U.S. alone and certified multi-platinum (officially Mötley Crüe's best-selling album, the band's fifth overall). * The title track reaches No.6 on the U.S. Billboard singles chart and is ranked No.15 on the VH1 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. * The singles 'Without You' reaches No. 8 and 'Kickstart My Heart' No.18 in the Billboard singles chart. * Contributors on the album include Steven Tyler, Bryan Adams, Robin Zander & Rick Neilsen [Cheap Trick], Skid Row and Jack Blades [Nightranger & Damn Yankees]. We're all familiar with the well worn phrase 'Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll', but never has this expression seemed more inadequate than when trying to encapsulate the life and crazy times of L.A.'s favourite Sleaze Metal heroes. Some say Guns N' Roses were the most dangerous band in the World. How wrong they are. The tale of Mötley Crüe is one that has been re-told and documented a'plenty over the years and it's a story that never fails to entertain, amaze, shock and repel in equal measure. One thing that often gets over-shadowed by these tales however, is the fact that the Crüe made bad ass Rock n' Roll and some of the best to come out of the California Glam Metal scene of the 80's. As you read through some of the titles ('Girls, Girls, Girls', 'Live Wire', 'Kickstart My Heart', 'Wild Side', 'Shout At The Devil') one is instantly transported back to a time when Mötley Crüe were the house band to the biggest party in the history of Rock. Time and tide hasn't seemed to slow them down either. They may be a little older (aren't we all) but they still know how to throw some of the biggest, brashest and downright lewdest parties you'll ever have the pleasure of being invited to. 'Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll'...that's just the entrée!

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

IAN BROWN 'Stellify' [Release Date 21/09/2009]

Ltd 7": Stel´li`fy: to change or be changed into a star [from Latin stella, a star] Ian Brown - NME Godlike Genius, Q Legend - returns this Autumn with a new single Stellify and his sixth studio album 'My Way'. Already critically heralded as his finest album yet, 'My Way' sees Brown reunited with long time collaborator, writer and producer Dave McCracken - the pairing that worked together on 'F.E.A.R.' 'My Way' was recorded at Battery Studios - the same place where Brown and the Stone Roses recorded their seminal debut album 20 years earlier. 'Stellify' is the first single to be taken from the album and has already received more radio and video airplay than any previous single since 'F.E.A.R.' The track was made available digitally on radio date and instantly shot to number 1 on iTunes, undeniably proving the time is right for a successful comeback. Ian Brown makes a triumphant return to the live arena as very special guest at this year's Reading / Leeds festival before headlining Dubai's inaugural Sound City event, and undertaking his own headline UK tour in Nov / Dec.

Monday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

SNOW PATROL / VARIOUS ARTISTS 'Late Night Tales' [Release Date 28/09/2009]

CD: The 'Late Night Tales' series was launched in 2001, Often called "The Rolls Royce Of Compilations" The idea: pick an internationally known artist with great musical knowledge and depth, offer them the chance to choose and mix all their favourite "home listening" and musically inspiring acts, together with an exclusive cover recording of an al time favourite song. 22 albums later and over 1 million combined sales, Late Night Tales are proud to bring you the mighty Snow Patrol... Snow Patrol are the biggest selling act to be added to the series, with more sales than previous compilers The Arctic Monkeys, Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada & Jamiroquai. Snow Patrol's Late Night Tales features a totally exclusive new recording from Snow Patrol, a beautiful cover version of INXS finest 'New Sensation'. This will only ever be available on this release The CD is not just a collection of 19 tracks, but a stunning mix, blending, re editing and remixing many of the tracks featured, The CD booklet also features "in depth" track by track comments by the band themselves discussing why each track was picked and what it means to them. As with all Late Night Tales releases we feature a bonus late night tale, this time with the one and only Will Self, better known for appearances on 'Shooting Stars' and 'Have I Got News For You', Self is one of Britain's leading satirical writers.

Beatles Week On BBC2 & BBC4

In the wake of the Beatles' back catalogue becoming available for future download, featuring new and archive content, two channels worth of Beatlemania should keep all pop fanatics happy this weekend. Don't miss!

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

SHAKIRA 'She Wolf' [Release Date 14/09/2009]

C5: The first single to be taken from the 'She Wolf' album. Includes a spanish version of the track.

Thursday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

ELVIS PRESLEY 'Welcome To My World' [Release Date 14/09/2009]

DVD: This is the inside story of the King from the early years as told by former band members, legendary Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore, his long time drummer DJ Fontana and his loyal backing vocal quartet the Jordanaires who unveil the events behind the scenes. These are the musicians who actually worked with the Elvis, shared long term friendship and trust of the King, performed on all the classic records, played live with Elvis on stage and appeared in the ground breaking television shows and movies. In addition to the documentary there are live performances of many of the King's best known hits from the beginning to the end of his career.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

THE CULT 'Love' [Release Date 21/09/2009]

2CD Edition I 4CD Edition: For nearly 25 years 'Love' has been a consistent seller (over one million copies in Europe alone), endorsing its classic status in The Cult's repertoire. The Omnibus Edition is presented as a lavish box set with the CDs in Japanese-style paper sleeves, reproducing the original vinyl cover art, accompanied by a 48 page book. 'Love' has been expanded into a 4 disc set - as well as the re-mastered original album, the box also includes bonus discs featuring all the tracks from their 1985 UK singles including the remixes of 'She Sells Sanctuary', demos and live recordings from 1985. The Expanded Edition is a 2 disc set featuring the album re-mastered from the original studio tapes alongside the bonus singles disc. The release is packaged in a slimline jewel case inside a card slipcase, with new notes by the journalist James Brown.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

DAVID GRAY 'Draw The Line' [Release Date 14/09/2009]

CD I 2CD: "one of the most respected songwriters of his generation" Q Magazine August 2009

With 12 million album sales to date and the best selling album in Ireland ever with 'White Ladder', David Gray is certainly not one to rest on his laurels. Four years after his No.1 album 'Life In Slow Motion', David Gray returns with his highly anticipated new album 'Draw The Line', out September 14th. 'Draw The Line' marks a new chapter for David Gray and his first release with Polydor. The new record will be preceded by lead single 'Fugitive', out September 7th. The album was written and produced by David in his North London studio, The Church. Gray wrote the song 'Draw The Line' in June 2007, which lit the touch paper for the rest of the record and gives the new album its title. It's the warm sound of David Gray's unmistakeable voice and intelligent song writing under a new, revitalised light. Lead single 'Fugitive' is one of the many standout tracks on the album, featuring a soaring contribution from a gospel choir. Other highlights include a joyous collaboration with Annie Lennox on the album's epic finale 'Full Steam Ahead' and a telling duet with American singer-songwriter Jolie Holland on 'Kathleen'. 'First Chance' is buoyed by the sound of a high-strung guitar, while soulful piano based 'Transformation' builds to a powerful crescendo. "I'd been very introspective for whatever reason," he admits. "Partly success, partly things that happened in my life around the time of 'White Ladder'. I guess as a singer-songwriter you're gonna have a little bit of that anyway in your makeup. My previous records were inward most of the time. But suddenly with the song, 'Draw The Line', I'd kicked the front door down and I was outside. The world was my oyster: that's what I felt as a writer." A deluxe edition of the album will also be available from release with a bonus CD featuring 8 of David's greatest hits (including 'Babylon', 'Sail Away' and 'Other Side') performed live at London's Roundhouse.