Famous Friends Top 3s Of The Last 12 Months

Since we had such fun putting together our Top 3 Lists of the last 12 months, we invited some of our Famous Friends to partake as well - both by giving us lists, and by contributing to our blog. Check out all of our Famous Friends Top 3 Lists here, and have a look at some of the reasons why they chose their products below:

JONA WEINHOFEN'S (FROM I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN) TOP 3 CDS:


1. IN FLAMES - A SENSE OF PURPOSE:

In flames have always been a favourite of mine and while I love their complete discography it is of the opinion of many that IF's best works are 'colony' and 'clayman' and that after these records the bands material hasn't been at the same high standard. For me 'A Sense of Purpose' is a kick in the arse for anyone who thinks the band can't top their older works. This record is clearly a progression for In Flames and there are not many metal albums I can listen to from start to finish and enjoy every song but this is one I can.

Grab yourself a copy here


2. CITY & COLOUR - BRING ME YOUR LOVE

What can I say, Dallas Green has the voice of an angel and the songwriting and lyrical talent to go with it. This record is flawless! Anyone can enjoy this album, especially when you need to relax, unwind, or just want some accompanyment while doing some house work. Dallas has a way of making the same four or five accoustically strummed chords into an album full of mellowed out killer with no filler.

Grab yourself a copy here

3. MESHUGGAH - OBZEN

A similar scenario to In Flames, many consider the older works of meshuggah such as 'chaosphere' as the peak of their career in brutality. Well meshuggah just got a promotion, CEO of brutality! Obzen is one of the heaviest masterpieces I've ever heard. I'm not sure I've ever heard heavier production before, not to mention awesome, mind altering songs to go with it. Who needs to smoke weed when you can just listen to meshuggah, right?

Grab yourself a copy here



PINKY BEECROFT'S (FROM THE WHITE RUSSIANS) TOP 3 CDS:


1. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - THE BLOCK

Well it's been a long wait, but finally we can stop holding our collective breath. Handily titled, this fresh long-player from the New Kids just re-asserts their total blockness. Hmmmn.

Grab yourself a copy here


2. VARIOUS ARTISTS - MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU DRIVE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

This is a stunner. It's bold, it's eclectic, it's weird, it's cool. It's haughty enough to assume you drive home for Christmas, and if you don't, well, this album doesn't care. It's got Leadbelly, the Glass Hearts and the Butthole Surfers all on one record. But the highlight is Jim White doing "Christmas Day." Buy ten and give 'em out to the rellies. With love.

Grab yourself a copy here


3. WEEN - LA CUCARACHA

Yes OK it's nearly 12 months since this was released but goddamn it's still one of the best records of the last year. In fact it's one of the best records of any year.It's truckloads better than Quebec and probably better than Shinola too. In fact it's one of the best damn records Ween have made, and that's like describing a Tiger Woods golf shot as being one of the best damn shots Tiger Woods has done, it's like saying, boy, that punch Ali threw in the first round was probably up there with his best ever. For what is Ween but the Tiger Woods of rock, the Muhummad Ali of music, the essence of all that is good about our lives.

Grab yourself a copy here



ROBIN'S (FROM THE BOAT PEOPLE) TOP 3 CDS:

1. YEASAYER - ALL HOUR CYMBALS

I saw these guys at the Great Escape in Brighton UK and they're amazing. I never thought I would say this but they've made a song with fretless bass that I'm OK with - that's how good they are. Gabriel-free world music mixed with Brooklyn-backed cultural confidence and, dare I say it, a dash of Queen. A great headphone album that taps the secular spiritual.

Grab yourself a copy here


2. MY MORNING JACKET - EVIL URGES

If mixing the hard-touring Americana you've built your name on with some freaky Prince stylings is evil then evil me up!

Grab yourself a copy here


3. BLACK FRANCIS - SVN FINGERS

"I AM the great, SEUS!!! I am the great (seus) SEUS!!!" - trust me you'll be startling friends and relatives with that for weeks. This is a mini album but really with this amount of energy and good ideas, you won't need anything longer.

Grab yourself a copy here



DAVE HALEY'S (FROM RUINS & PSYCROPTIC ) TOP 3 RELEASES:


1. MOTLEY CRUE - THE DIRT (Book):

An amazing look at one of the world's most infamous bands - musicians around the world aspire to this level of debauchery, while parents around the world want to hide their children from it!!

Grab yourself a copy here


2. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - SEASONS 1, 2 & 3 (DVD Box-Set):

Arrested development season 1, 2 and 3the best and most original comedy series ever! Every time I watch the show, it just gets funnier.

Grab yourself a copy here


3. BEHEMOTH - APOSTASY (CD):

Such a brutal and demanding album. It comands your attention, and takes you on a dark ride. Killer stuff

Grab yourself a copy here



PETE'S (FROM WELLYN) TOP 3 CDS:


1. BONNIE PRINCE BILLY - LIE DOWN IN THE LIGHT

Will Oldham has the ability to make you feel terribly alone and hopeless one moment and full of hope and joy the next. Sometimes, as is the case on most of this album, it happens all in one song.
Oldham's real strength lies in his amazing and captivating use of melody, and it's stronger than ever in this album, his best in years.

Grab yourself a copy here


2. CLINKERFIELD - A HEAD FULL OF RAIN & HEART FULL OF PUDDLES

Clinkers have been one of my favourite live bands for years now, and I'd been looking forward to this album's release for quite a while. It contains all the cathartic brilliance that make the live shows such a pleasure to watch, but also some unexpectedly tender moments.
Easily my favourite oz release so far this year.

Grab yourself a copy here


3. HOLLY THROSBY - A LOUD CALL

Not a day's gone by where I haven't listened to at least a few tracks from this album since I first picked it up.
Gorgeous, delicate little melodies are draped over fragile acoustic guitar lines, creating a tender home for Throsby's stunning lyrical adventures. I love it.

Grab yourself a copy here

Staff Top 3s!

We've been racking our brains here at Play4me trying to put together our Top 3 Lists of CDs, DVDs, Games and Books that have come out in the last 12 months. It was a tough challenge, it caused a bit of blood, a lot of sweat and few tears. But we've all finally locked our picks in, check out all of our lists over here.

And below are some of the reasons why we love our Top 3s so much:

Annmarie's (Marketing & Running The World) Top 3 CDs:

1. HORSELL COMMON – THE RESCUE

One of THE hardest working bands in the country! Their debut album, The Rescue, celebrates the band’s gritty glory and brings the raw energy of their live performance to the studio. Horsell’s clever song structures and melodic groove make this album a repeat player. Standout tracks include “Automation”, “Annie, If You’re Listening”, “I’m Dead” and “Surgery”. Bonus points for a HOT singer!

Preview the album & buy it here


2. TRIAL KENNEDY – NEW MANIC ART

Another debut album from a bunch of Melbourne lads who travelled to the US to record. Brilliant guitar work, slammin bass and drums and a vocal that can only be described as stratospheric. Standout tracks include “Neighbours”, “Sunday Warning”, “War King” & “Mississippi Burn”. Bonus points for awesome artwork and the fact that they love hommus!

Preview the album & buy it here


3. GYROSCOPE – BREED OBSESSION

Perth lads do it again with another rocking album. Must say not quite up to the standard of “Are You Involved”, however Breed Obsession shows that you don’t need to play at 11 to have impact. Dan’s vocals on this album are top notch and as Aussie as that sounds, it doesn’t beat how Aussie proud Gyroscope are, which is evident on their single “Australia”. Other standouts include “All In One”, “Weapon. Enemy. Friend” & “These Days”.

Preview the album & buy it here


Anthea's (Newsletter & Blog Writer, Hand-dancer) Top 3 CDs:

1. PINKY BEECROFT & THE WHITE RUSSIANS - SOMETHIN' SOMEWHERE BETTER

Goodness me, Mr Beecroft has lots of different singing voices on this album.... He does gruff on the Blondie cover, "Call Me", he does poor-vodka-on-your-head style rawwwwwk on "This Hangover", he does sweet choir boy on "Floor" (which is my favourite, although I can't help but wonder about how his dance card is doing since he started singing "I might not be so good in bed, but I'm alright on the floor...."), he does sexy on "Scarlett", he does sugary pop on "This Song Has Only Got Happy Words"... Is he really just one person? I don't think he is. But I like 'em all. And I think its really interesting to listen to given how drastically different it sounds to his old band, Machine Gun Fellatio...

Preview the album & buy it here


2. THE MILLIONAIRES - SENTIMENTAL HORSES

A super grop of Australian indie heroes - David McCormack (Custard, The Polaroids, solo), Jim Elliot (The Cruel Sea) and Brendan Gallagher & Michael Galeazzi (both of Karma County). If this album had nothing on it except for the cover of "Faith", it'd still be amongst my favourites. But its got oodles more going for it as well - other standouts for me, "Girls On The Avenue", "Chicken Dance", "Since She Started To Ride". So much goodness. Its hard to do covers of songs like these without the album coming across as a novelty album. But they did it. Props to The Millionaires.

Preview the album & buy it here

3. THE BOAT PEOPLE - CHANDELIERS

I do love pianos. But, piano songs that you can also dance to - Well, that's just the best thing ever! And thus is the new album from The Boat People. They're about to head off to the US, I hope they become international superstars. Listening to the album, its not as obvious just how technically musically talented they are - you have to see them live to appreciate that I think. Favourites on this album are, "Born In The 80s" and "(You've Got A) Light Of Love" (yup, I like the dance-floor hits).

Preview the album & buy it here


Lauren's (Marketing & Whip Cracking) Top DVD:

1. The Mighty Boosh - Season 3

Pure genius, just like a Top Shop voucher, and not just becuase I have a massive crush on Howard Moon! The whimsical world that is the Mighty Boosh never fails to make me laugh, and this series setting of the Nabootique is wonderous. Look out for appearnaces by Gary Numan, the stationary village and a pesky crack fox!

Buy it here

See Lauren's full Top 3 DVD List here

Goodies

As per usual, we have lots of goodies floating around Play4me HQ at the moment...:

We've been ranting and raving about the debut album from Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians for a while now. The album, Somethin' Somewhere Better is finally out (hip hip hooooray), its getting played constantly in our office and many of our beloved Play4me members have already ordered and received it. Wooohoooo.

What we might have left out in all of our raves in the lead up to the album being released, is that they're possibly even better live than they are on CD. For a short time only, we're giving away free tickets to see the White Russians live, with every purchase of their album made before the 14th of September.

The album features a couple of re-worked Machine Gun Fellatio songs as well as a whole bundle of new ones about topics like shagging, drinking, Scarlett Johannson, driving, more drinking... There's even a cover of Blondie's Call Me (complete with cowbell goodness). That description probably makes it sound like a party-bus mix kind of an album. Its not really, its a lot darker than that. In a good way. In a very good way.

For all the details of our White Russians offer and to preview the album, head on over here.

From another realm of Australian singer-songwriters is Josh Pyke. Since his 2005 EP, Feeding The Wolves - Josh has been a staple in the music-diet of many. His new album, Chimney's Afire (which he says is the cry whalers of yesteryear made when they harpooned a whale and a plume of blood and water spurted out of its blowhole into the air... ohh sexy) comes out on the 6th of October.

Have a squiz at the video clip of The Lighthouse Song, the first single off Chimney's Afire.

We've got copies of the album, signed by Josh Pyke himself. Order yours & preview the album here.

Gigs of 2008

A few of us Play4me-sters went to see Band Of Horses last week. We all had a ball, and I have to admit to being a little chuffed that two different people told me separately that Ben Bridwell, the lead singer is like a male version of me (that comment was made because he says "WOO!" in exactly the same was as I do).

Band Of Horses played oodles of favourites off their albums Cease To Begin and Everything All The Time, plus we were treated to a few newies. Mr Bridewell was absolutely LOVELY to watch, he was so happy to be there! And even during the more melancholy numbers, he kept the little twinkle in his eye.

I kept watching the crowd as well, it was amazing watching a sea of people nodding their head in exactly the same way at exactly the same times.

Lauren (who works in marketing here at Play4me) said that Band Of Horses may well be her Gig Of 2008. Which has made me think about who the main contenders are for me...

Band of Horses are definitely up amongst the best gigs of the year so far. They're sitting pretty close to Ween and PJ Harvey on my list.

What are your favourite gigs of 2008 so far? The first 3 people to leave comments telling us will score a $5 Play4me Voucher! (Don't forget to leave your email address too).

Have a lil squiz at Band Of Horses' new clip, No One's Gonna Love You (More Than I Do):

Stock up on Band Of Horses albums (both in CD and Vinyl formats) here.

4 The Kids

Because we love to teach our children well here at Play4me, we've put together some videos of our favourite artists doing songs 4 kids!

Feist has recently appeared on Sesame Street singing a new version of 1-2-3-4 (thankfully, for all of the younger viewers, she's amended the "5, 6, 9 and 10" part of this ditty so as not to confuse any children taking notes on how to count to 4).

Have a squiz at the appearance below, it's pretty cute! There are certainly a few of us who work at Play4me who'd love the chance to dance with the Sesame Street crew. (Honest, please email info@play4me.com.au if you'd have us :-)

The original of this song appears on her Reminder album. Grab your copy, or listen to a preview of the album here.

Another favourite band here is New York funsters, They Might Be Giants. Over the years they've produced a few CDs and DVDs for the younger members of society. Since we've shown Feist teaching kids how to count above, here's They Might Be Giants teaching kids the alphabet (and a bit about geography too):

To stock up on your They Might Be Giants goodies, head on over here.

And then... From the less-informative world of Children's entertainment by our favourite rock and pop stars... There's the timeless movie, Labyrinth. It may not have taught us much that you'd find in a text book, but I can think of many a person who attributes their love of rock music, tight-pants and big hair to watching The Labyrinth as a child.

Here's our highlight:

Grab Labyrinth on DVD here, or get the soundtrack here, or check out all of our David Bowie goodies here (note: there's a lot on special!)

Have you got a favourite kids song by a performer who usually has an older audience? Let us know, leave us a comment with your email address and you might win a Play4me voucher for your efforts!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...

Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy when all your favourite albums of the moment, and all the albums you're most excited about hearing are Australian?

We're feeling so Aussie right now that... who knows, maybe we'll go crack open some tinnies and set up a BBQ.

Here are some of the most exciting CDs out at the moment, and some of the most exciting upcoming titles, all Australian, all bloody beeeaaaaauuuties!

Youth Group - Night Is Ours

The Youth Group lads have returned with their fourth album. And to celebrate that, we've got signed copies available! WOO!

Have a preview listen of the album and grab your copy here


The Boat People - Chandeliers

It's no secret that we love a bit of indie piano pop here at Play4me. And the Boat People are amongst the best at that. This is the highly anticipated follow up to their Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes album. It contains the song with the much-talked-about video clip, Awkward Orchid Orchard...:

Orders yours now from Play4me and you'll get a free Boat People badge (and they're really pretty, honest - they're everything you want from a badge ).

Have a preview listen to the album and grab your copy here.


The Grates - Teeth Lost, Hearts Won

Speaking of Brisbane bands with spectacular video clips, The Grates are about to release their second full length album which contains the single with the brightest film clip of the year so far, Burn Bridges. Have a lil squiz:

Order your from Play4me and you'll get a copy signed by the crazy Brisbane kids.

Pre Order yours now

The Vines - Melodia

The stage-trashing, guitar-breaking boys have returned! Melodia comes out on Monday and goodness we're excited!

If you're as excited as we are, order yours now - you'll get free shipping AND a signed a copy!

Order yours now

The Living End - White Noise

Ahhh the Aussie band that has come out with many-an-anthem for young rockers around the country. Everyone has a memory to associate with Prisoner Of Society (I remember going on a school excursion many moons ago when it came out, and spontaneously the whole bus-full of school kids started singing it... Those poor teachers...), then there was Second Solution, Save The Day, Roll On, Pictures In The Mirror... So many!

Grab their latest album now and you'll get a bonus guitar pick! Ohh so rock n roll!

Pre Order Yours Now

FREE SHIPPING FOR 24 HOURS!

Pssssst, here's a secret little deal just for you blog readers. Get FREE SHIPPING for 1 day only!

To claim this offer, just type the code BLOGSHIP into the promotional code box on the shopping cart page.

Head over here to start shopping!

*Free shipping applies to orders shipped within Australia only
*Free shipping does not apply to Gaming Hardware or to DVD Large Box Sets
*The deal was active at the time of publishing, the promo code will be disabled at 9am AEST Friday the 4th of July

And, here are some current offers that we're all excited about over here in Play4me land: