Various Artists - Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 14 (Album)
Augie March! The Killers! Muse! Beck! Yeah Yeah Yeahs! Regina Spektor! My faith has officially been restored in the Australian public.
With Hinder recently topping the charts I thought there was no hope left in the music industry, but here it lies and it comes from the hands of Triple J listeners none-the-less.
With Triple J having an impressive back catalogue of Hottest 100 compilations I was expecting some good stuff and was not let down.
It’s no secret who features on this delicious double disc album so the line-up itself has sparked some familiar interest. But the songs! Oh the songs!
As it should be, they are the greatest from ’06 (making me a tad nostalgic). Songs like: 'Smile' – Lilly Allen, 'Here It Goes Again' – OK GO and 'Chasing Cars' – Snow Patrol (live version: nice touch JJJ) define the year and will make you all gooey inside with happiness.
What’s also impressive about not just this “Hottest 100” but to all, is the support of the Aussie acts. It’s great to see a trend of Australian acts topping the list (top 3, all Aussies) and Augie March of this list certainly deserve it. 'One crowded hour' is such a special song, no wonder it got the top spot. It gave chills down the spine of all its listeners and helped Augie, after many years, achieve the recognition they deserve.
But no review is complete without slight criticism. Through its appeal to all music fans and listeners alike, it does contain some bombs. Hot Chip? Why people?! And AFI, I thought Triple J listeners were above that.
Apart from some slight disappointments, the Triple J Hottest 100 – Volume 14 is officially the greatest compilation in my CD collection (and would be to yours!) and defines the year in the best form possible. Music. Sweet, sweet music.
