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Top 10 Singles of 2011
B Magazine, Published on 01/01/2012
» This year has seen the tragic loss of geniuses such as Gil Scott-Heron and Amy Winehouse, and an unprecedented number of indie gigs (the Drums, Vivian Girls, the Whitest Boy Alive). The year also saw the return of some of our favourites, including Radiohead, Florence and the Machine and M83, as well as a crop of exciting new artists such as James Blake and Lana Del Rey. Without more ado, and in no particular order, here are our Top 10 tracks that defined 2011.
Sino-Siamese sensibilities
Life, Published on 04/01/2012
» Thais with Chinese blood constitute over 30% of the country's population. Since the Sukhothai era 700 years ago, Siam and China have maintained a strong relationship on many levels. Evidently, the Chinese quality has in many ways become part of the representation of Thainess, old and contemporary; it is the main foreign culture whose influence on the Thai lifestyle, value and creativity remains strong.
Toying with terror
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 16/01/2012
» Loners in Roberto Bolano's stories drift from anxiety and obsession into something darker. Like poetry, bibliophilia, murder, madness. The downward spiral is gradual and unstoppable, its path littered with symbols, graveyards and black humour. Very black. And very humorous. You emerge from one of his books _ and so many of them have been released in English in the seven years since his death, aged 50, in 2003 _ soaked in a cold sweat, like one of those amateur detectives in his novels who stray too close to the abyss and limbo.
Musicians for president?
Life, John Clewley, Published on 17/01/2012
» One of Africa's most well-known musicians, Youssou N'Dour, announced recently that he would run in Senegal's presidential elections next month. N'Dour was one of the first African musicians to ride the "world music" boom that started in the mid-1980s and his first international release, Immigres (Earthworks, UK), remains one of the standout albums of that period.
Snow patrol's latest release stirs up a creative storm
B Magazine, Published on 22/01/2012
» The Irish alt rockers embrace change on their sixth studio album, 'Fallen Empires', while still managing to satisfy their ballad-craving fans
Another version the three Bs
Life, Ung-Aang Talay, Published on 24/01/2012
» In a note accompanying this recording, conductor Alan Gilbert refers to the programme as "our version of The Three Bs" _ with Berg replacing Beethoven _ and describes it as a "serious" and "sad". It spans three centuries and encompasses music dissimilar enough in style to make it challenging to the audience, whose ears will have to do quite a lot of style-sensitivity gear-changing.
Maccabees make an impression in third outing
B Magazine, Published on 29/01/2012
» After two less than impressive albums, the London indie rock quintet finally break through with their masterfully produced 'Given to the Wild'
Film festival needs direction
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 01/02/2012
» If the Red Carpet works, the film festival works. That seems to be the motto of the hype machine behind last weekend's Hua Hin International Film Festival, which proudly paraded stars down the sandy, horse-free beach of the InterContinental while the cinemas were haunted by ghosts. Nothing's wrong with using a movie festival to support tourism, as long as some attention is paid to what it's all about: film, and the film-going experience.