News

'Is This It': The Strokes Win Album Of The Decade

• 17th Nov 2009

It has been revealed today that NME have named The Strokes' ‘Is This It’ as album of the decade. An esteemed panel of judges came to this decision i.e. a selection of artists, music experts, record labels and industry figures all sat round a table and decided that this indeed is it. Poll’s like this are always met with hour long debates about whether the number one spot goes to the fully deserving artist or not. People tend to get passionate about this type of thing. However, it is all only opinion. So what’s my opinion on this? Yeah it’s a good album, but best of the decade? I wouldn’t go that far. I do own a copy of this album but I have to confess the front cover is turned around. The close up of the woman’s va–jay-jay makes me vomit in my mouth. Don’t get me wrong I’m not opposed to va-jay-jay in anyway, in fact I have one of my own that I’m quite fond of but a close up of someone else’s on a cd cover, no thanks. Maybe there is some artistic explanation that I’m missing? So what would my album of the decade be? Well, the one that stands out musically, lyrically and the one that was the soundtrack to one hell of a good time for me has to be At The Drive In’s ‘Relationship Of Command’. It only made it to number twelve on the NME list- the fools- in my humble opinion it should be higher on the list. Although let’s be thankful we didn’t have another Kerrang! Incident where Green Day's 'American Idiot' was voted best album of the 21st century and 'Relationship of Command only came in at number 47 (they were robbed). However, I must say the NME poll was voted for by industry peeps and the Kerrang! Poll was voted for by the readers, hmm interesting. I may have to do me a constellation graph to see if there were any correlations (see GSCE science did pay off after all).

This poll highlights the fact that at this time of year we see the music media go poll crazy. Plus as it’s the end of the noughties, it throws up even more possible poll combinations. Of course there’s the obligatory artist of the year, album of the year, gig of the year, ones to watch for next year, how many pies you ate this year and so forth. Also this year we will have artist of the decade, album of the decade et cetera. Oh joy, but here at Glasswerk we are no different I have my orders that we to have to participate in poll fever, so you can guess what the gist of forthcoming editorials will be from December onwards! Although, I’m starting to wonder if people actually read the editorial? Is anyone still reading? If so leave me a comment- tell me your album/artist of the year and decade, even better email me at mail

So if you are still reading here’s what is on the website this week…as always we have all the latest news and reviews. We have brand spanking new videos from John Mayer, Lady GaGa and Good Shoes. Interviews with Soundpool and Therapy?, live reviews from Moby, Biffy Clyro and many more. Also you could be in with a chance of winning a copy of the new Creed album and NME’s ‘The Album 2009’ all you have to do is answer an easy peasy question. This week’s Glasswerk gigs are Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Chris Helme (ex-Seahorses), The Fall, Ocean Reid Tour and The Wailers. Enjoy!