Lily Allen

I do love me some videos. And I do love me some Lily Allen. As much as I love Lily Allen, I have found the last record a bit drab, good but not great. But her newest videos are killing it. Please to enjoy:

Lily Allen- 22


And also check out:
Lily Allen- Fuck You

Lily Allen Companion Mix

So I have been planning this forever, but finally sat down and got it sorted. This is by no means a response or anything to Music Like Dirt's assessment of the Lily Allen samples or a definitive statement of any nature.

I basically found that the real reason I love Lily Allen's Alright, Still is because it reminds me so much of other UK artists I love. It is almost a document on the breadth of the British musical palette in one slick candy coated pop gem.

But I also know that lots of folks might miss out on these allusions so I thought I'd do a public service by putting together a companion mix. In my opinion, the following tracks greatly inform the album in some way or other. Some have similar hooks, some have similar subject matter or ethos and others were simply important cultural moments that musically educated a hip twenty-something Londoner like Lily Allen.

I have not included the Lily Allen songs in this mix, (for best results) go buy the record then create an Ipod playlist in this order.

Lily Allen Companion Mix
Lily Allen- Smile
Saint Etienne- Split Screen
LA- Knock Em Out
The Streets- Fit But You Know It
LA- LDN
Bodysnatchers- Let's Do Rocksteady
LA- Everything's Wonderful
Morcheeba- Love Sweet Love
LA- Not Big
Neneh Cherry- Buffalo Stance
LA- Friday night
The Specials- Gangsters
LA- Shame for you
Portishead- All Mine
LA- Littlest Things
Saint Etienne- Sylvie
Happy Mondays- Loose Fit
LA- Take What You Take
Robbie Williams (featuring Kylie Minogue)- Kids
LA- Friend of Mine
The Clash- The Guns of Brixton
Junior Murvin- Police and Thieves
LA- Alfie
Madness- House of Fun

Honestly, I wanted to avoid using Saint Etienne twice but those two fit too well to avoid. Hopefully this exercise helps people understand my love for Lily and also turns you on to stuff you might not know and/or reminds you of some songs you haven't heard in a long time. Enjoy!

The Kooks

Here's a band that I tried to avoid. I don't know why. I somehow perceived them to be something I didn't or wouldn't like. Either too fey or too faux, something. I don't know and I can't explain it. But prejudice be damned, I like the Kooks.

In fact, I really like the Kooks. I will say in advance that I am surprised this hasn't been on the soundtrack to all of those TV doctor dramas and isn't in every movie trailer. I'd say there is very little separating this from the Snow Patrol's and Keane's of the world. But there is something that makes these tunes a bit more real and a bit less saccharine.

I can guarantee that after one listen you will have these songs in your head. And I think that counts for a lot. In fact, in the case of the Kooks, I think it will probably propel them into my top 10 for the year. Catchy, man, catchy.

The Kooks, Inside In, Inside Out gets an 8, only brought down by a couple of songs that noodle a bit too much and lean into hippy territory. Otherwise, it's stellar.

The Kooks- She Moves In Her Own Way
The Kooks-Ooh La

... and just cuz I love her with all my heart: Lily Allen covers The Kooks- Naive