NME Awards 2012


BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/IV)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr

 

The awards season has continued with the ceremony held by NME, one of the most popular British music magazines. The NME Awards have always been more relaxed in comparison with other "serious" ceremonies. (Maybe this image comes from the award's statuette.) In addition, although some decisions contradict this idea, these awards recognize artists who are really deserving, rather than the most "popular" artists or bands. Noel Gallagher, The Horrors, Florence and the Machine, The Vaccines, Kasabian and Pulp performed during the evening, and Kasabian won the "Best British Band" award. Here is the list of the winners:

Best British Band
Winner: Kasabian

Best International Band
Winner: Foo Fighters

Best Solo Artist
Winner: Florence + The Machine

Best New Band
Winner: The Vaccines
Best Live Band
Winner: Arctic Monkeys

Best Album
Winner: The Horrors - "Skying"

Best Track
Winner: Florence + The Machine - "Shake It Out"

Dancefloor Anthem
Winner: Katy B - "Broken Record"

Best Video
Winner: Hurts - "Sunday"

Best TV Show
Winner: "Fresh Meat"

Best Festival
Winner: Glastonbury

Best Film
Winner: "Submarine"

Best Music Film
Winner: "Back And Forth" - Foo Fighters

Greatest Music Moment Of The Year
Winner: The Stone Roses reunite

Best Reissue
Winner: The Smiths  - "Complete Reissues"

Best Book
Winner: Noel Fielding - "The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton"

Hero Of The Year
Winner: Matt Bellamy

Villain Of The Year
Winner: Justin Bieber

Worst Album
Winner: Justin Bieber - "Under The Mistletoe"

Worst Band
Winner: One Direction

Best Album Artwork
Winner: Friendly Fires - "Pala"

Best Band Blog Or Twitter
Winner: @LadyGaga

Best Small Festival
Winner: RockNess

Most Dedicated Fans
Winner: Muse

Hottest Male
Winner: Jared Leto, 30 Seconds To Mars

Hottest Female
Winner: Hayley Williams, Paramore

 

What Songs Are There in My Playlist?
Some bands have prepared anticipated albums during the first quarter of the year and started to present some new pieces, while others had released new singles by the beginning of March. Here are some tracks that I'm listening to nowadays:

The Cribs - Better Than Me
I've gotten excited about The Cribs' fifth studio album, "In the Belly of the Brazen Bull," and the band has released a bonus track from the album, "Better Than Me." It seems that The Cribs have preserved their sound in this new album, which will be in stores by May 7. This song is a nice one for fans to listen to while they anticipate the whole album.

Noel Gallagher - Shoot A Hole Into The Sun
After Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds released their first, self-titled album, Noel stated that he would be continuing with experimental pieces in forthcoming works. This song may be the messenger for his psychedelic forthcoming album. He has collaborated with Gary Cobain and Brian Dougans to recreate the "If I Had A Gun" track into "Shoot A Hole Into The Sun." It's extremely worthwhile.

Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?
The albums, songs and movies touched by Alex Turner have no chance to fail. Although he has forthcoming projects, he still hasn't given up working with Arctic Monkeys. They released a single called "R U Mine?" last week. This track, released on a video clip, was not in their last album.

The Drums - I Don't Wanna Go Alone
This Brooklyn indie pop band entered most of our lives with a self-titled album in 2010, which was followed by their second studio album, "Portamento." The Drums, showing that they aren't just sitting around doing nothing, have released a new single from the album. The single's B-side has "I Don't Wanna Go Alone," which was not included in "Portamento." This track can be listened to on the Internet right now.