Not in the round but here's my votes and microreviews as promised. Unless I won, Kanye would've won if I was in. Sorry all!
5. An Ocean in Between the Waves
4. Runaway
3. Eye in the Sky
2. Fundamental Values
1. Three More Days
HM: Cream x2, John Makin, Queen, The Smiths, Frank Zappa, The Kooks
Billy: Killing in the Name Of
Eye in the Sky – I had to give this a couple of listens. Didn’t think much of it at first but it got better with a second listen. Not a bad number, kind of dark lyrically yet easy to listen to, and doesn’t have that dated 80s production.
Radio Gaga – Say what you want about Queen but Freddie was the ultimate showman. THIS is what you call a live performance.
Runaway – This will undeservedly win the billy. One round after the Beastie Boys win (even though they technically didn’t), Kanye will win another despite having more talent in his left nut than the entirety of those overrated frat boys. Funny how Gen Xs will shit on Kendrick and Kanye yet praise the Beastie Boys. Blinded by 90s nostalgia. Mind you, Black Skinhead nearly broke the votes record so it’s not all bad.
Killing in the Name Of – ENOUGH
Pathetique – Bit dull, Beethoven composed better stuff.
Christmas Ad – No guesses as to whose nom this is. Your Song is probably my favourite Elton song but it’s a previous winner.
God Only Knows – Honestly? Pass.
Your Smiling Face – James Taylor? Yuck.
Fundamental Values – This is nice
Stink Foot – Zappa was one of a kind. Some of his stuff is great and some is awful. This is somewhere in the middle.
This Charming Man – **** Morrissey, Johnny Marr is The Smiths. His guitar work is what makes the band, you only need listen to Morrissey’s solo stuff to realise how grating his monotone whiny voice is.
Three More Days – This guy’s always been an HM but hasn’t quite cracked my votes yet. Will this be the time he finally breaks through?
San Quentin – Johnny Cash? Meh.
Sway – The Kooks weren't my favourite mid-late 00s British Indie Rock band. Some decent stuff but a lot of very uninspiring. This, I don't mind.
She’s Crazy – She’s crazy and this is boring.
Through the Fire and Flames – Memories… frustrating memories. I can appreciate the guitar but, in the end, this is lame paint-by-numbers metal that sounds like it should’ve belonged in the 80s. The fact it was released in the mid-00s is laughable.
DJ Team Shit - These flogs are trying too hard. Going for all substance but coming out with no style at all.
No Lie –Impressive that this is from the mid-80s, compare to this to Dragonforce which was released 20 years later and sounds like it should’ve come from when this song was released. In shorter terms, the two songs should’ve swapped release dates.
World’s on Fire- Some people like the host just want to watch the world burn so this is a fitting title for this round. Metal is a hit and miss genre for me but this is very listenable.
Badge – I often think that Cream fly under the radar when it comes to 60s rock bands. These guys were great, hardly a blip in their radar.
An Ocean in Between the Waves – In my top 3 War on Drugs songs. The first 4 minutes is perfect, chilled driving music (with a nice little solo in between) that gradually builds into that outro fitted with the brilliant solo. Granduciel is a modern-day Knopfler.
Politician – See Badge.