By winning the Mercury Prize alt-J's An Awesome Wave doesn't need me to heap any more praise upon it, but I will be choosing it as my album of the year purely based on number of plays. There have been few albums that I have listened to more this year, and all the albums I have been listening to above this album were released in 2011; Future Islands, Baths and Youth Lagoon are the only albums that surpass alt-J. Please go and check it out. In fact check it out below:
I would also like to give a quick shout out to the song of the year Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. What you havn't heard of it? Well aren't you in for a treat.
Elyse
I have revisited no album more this year than Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die. As someone who is generally ambivalent towards pop singers, I could never have predicted this based on Video Games, the single that piqued everyone’s interest back in 2011. The album, and Del Rey herself, have not been entirely well received. Musically, some of the album tracks have clear weak points, while her “ghetto Nancy Sinatra” persona has been heavily criticised given her wealthy roots and family history. These are valid criticisms which I fully take on board: in fact, it took me over two months to listen to the album for the first time. Then, I felt it to be distinctly average.
Yet, somehow, I slowly but surely was hooked. It is difficult not to become engaged with Del Rey’s stage persona, her subject material, her dreamy, vintage-imitation voice. Her version of all-American girl attitude is the antithesis of the Taylor Swift brand of the same product and there’s something so utterly appealing about it.
Standout tracks include ‘Blue Jeans’, ‘Diet Mountain Dew’ and, of course, title track ‘Born to Die’. November’s extended “Paradise” edition of the album adds extra layers of darkness and beauty: ‘Blue Velvet’ is an instant classic, while ‘Yayo’ and ‘Bel Air’ are smooth and dusky, at times reaching ethereal heights. Lana Del Rey’s fragility and husky beauty won me over in 2012.
I struggled with the choice of 2012 album, there are jameshallison casino several albums that I have listened to extensively but I felt it was cheating to choose Rumours by Fleetwood Mac or every single Bruce Springsteen album. Instead I whittled down albums released in 2012 that I listened to a lot (not necessarily because they were good) the list came down to two a guilty pleasure and a genuinely good album. These were Red by Tayler Swift and My Head is An Animal by Of Monsters and Men both solid albums, I'll leave it up to you to guess which was the guilty pleasure.
Hitch
I've not been keeping tabs on the music industry as much as I'd have liked this year. It's hard to know what's going on, with release schedules so dramatically diffused that an album's official entry into the world has no purchase any more unless you really try to find it. That said, when David Byrne releases anything it becomes an event – and his collaboration with St Vincent “Love This Giant” is something you'd have to struggle to ignore. Never conceding to modern trends, Love This Giant still feels fresh and original, and works with some remarkably strong harmonies combined into a punch record that is really something else. It defies pop cheesiness without becoming anything it isn't afraid to be. In fact, I think I know at least one person who is getting this for Christmas.
Other Contenders: Django Django//Django Django, Hot Chip // In Our Heads
It was too close to call with my favourite Edinburgh based experience so I apologise but I opted for a cop out. My strangest Edinburgh based experience occurred during the 24hr fresh fringe broadcast, which FYI was on the short list for best Edinburgh based experience alongside watching Chris Hoy win gold with some really excitable bankers and my 21st which was a piss-up at a brewery. Now during the 24hr broadcast I won two tickets exactly 1hr30 before the show starts, the show was An Evening with David Hasselhoff. Easily the strangest show I saw this year, because of the timing I had to go directly after work by myself and be serenaded with the peculiar back catalogue of Mr D Hasselhoff. Sitting amongst the somewhat drunk hen parties and thoroughly ironic students I realised that the Internet and 1990's television have a lot to answer for.
Sam
Seeing Frightened Rabbit perform live in Avalanche Records, and meeting Alan Davies whilst working at the Fringe.
Michelle
Can I just choose the Fringe as a whole? Is that cheating? It probably is, but I’m choosing it anyway. This was my first year of living in Edinburgh during August and without the burden of having to catch the last train home to Glasgow in the evening, I got to truly experience the madness that is the Fringe festival. It’s crazy how different the city is compared to during university term time…I wish we had an upside down purple cow on campus all year round.
There truly is something for everyone at the Fringe, which explains why everyone in the world seems to be crammed onto the Royal Mile, especially prominent if you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Personal highlights of this year’s festival include spending a whole day trying to see as many shows as possible without spending a penny (the Free Fringe is full of delights), watching a performance of Camus’ ‘The Stranger’ with the worst hangover of my life, and meeting American stand-up Hannibal Buress at a party and thinking I was hilarious while telling one of his jokes to a group of people while he watched on. Facepalm.
Elyse
I had a great time during my first full Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer (including meeting Suggs in the Pleasance Courtyard – just had to mention that!). I got to conduct and produce many interesting interviews, as well as reviewing numerous shows, some good and some bad. However, my favourite part of the Fringe was seeing Edinburgh in a different light to the student-centric hub that it usually presents itself as to me. I visited new places in Leith and the West End, as well as taking the time to simply take different routes around my regular haunts.
This continued into the second half of the year, and my first trip to Stockbridge allowed me to see a whole new side to Edinburgh. Along with Nanu contributor Ellie, I visited Stockbridge’s numerous vintage clothing and jewellery stores, stopping for tea in a quiet café and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. I have since been back to enjoy even more hipster activities: namely, record shopping.
Quite simply, I have explored a lot more of Edinburgh this year, and been less afraid to get lost in a city I now consider home. It’s been very pleasant, and I’m sure it will continue into 2013.
Finlay
The Edinburgh Fringe is the busiest time of the year for most people in the city. It can
be exhausting at times but filled with experiences that make it a joy to return to each year. This year Fresh Fringe (the August broadcast of freshair.org.uk) organised a 24 hour show on the 22nd of August. I was lucky enough to host this marathon show with Christian, manager of Fresh Fringe and fellow Nanu contributor. This resulted in load many wonderful Edinburgh based experiences; being served dinner by the cast of Faulty Towers, interviewing Michael Winslow and a live session from Frightened Rabbit. Even after all that my absolute highlight of the Fringe was meeting and interviewing Diane Spencer twice for Fresh Fringe, once on the 6th for the Album Show and again on the 22nd for the 24 Hour Show.
Hitch
Usually an Edinburgh experience comes from something at the festival, but this year's festival felt… empty. There was definitely less people knocking about to watch shows, and many of the acts too struggled to make an impact – despite the standard being raised exponentially. But without this glitz and glamour, Edinburgh can provide you with some wonderful experiences with it's own terrain – and nothing beats being sat on Blackford hill and looking at the city below to make you appreciate what this city has to offer, and that its real value is that which is already there all year round.
Other Contenders: Discovering the exact kind of well priced Chinese Takeaway that I wanted in Keane`s House, Arthur's Seats, Inverleith Park, Trying Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream and a Mayan hot chocolate at the Chocolate Tree
To my shame, I've only been to the cinema a handful of times this year, and twice of those were in the IMax. Very few films have been worth the trip unless they are special and deserve to be seen in a cinema, as opposed to in the comfort of my own warm home. Both Skyfall and Batman made me want to and in both there was something to be experienced, and IMax suited them perfectly Both commented in part on something of our culture too – Batman played with notions of revolution and occupy, poverty and injustice (see Zizek), where as Skyfall tangentially discussed the increasing role of the digital in questioning authority and particular hierarchies of power. But both had their faults, and neither managed to capture my attention or do something that really made me think – but the re-release of Star Wars Episode 1 Phantom Menace in 3D really made me… just kidding. The cinematic experience of Beasts of the Southern Wild felt to me like something special. It told a story that hadn't ever been told before – and by many accounts maybe could never have been told before, for a community which is rarely given a voice – and employed magic and invention, over and above big budget action and explosions, in a remarkable way which made going to the cinema so much more essential.
Other Contenders: Cabin In the Woods, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Battleship
Angus
Skyfall
Well Bond at 50 is as exciting as Bond has ever been, with Sam Mendes tackling the major characters in a way that hasn't ever been attempted in the on screen franchise. 2012 was a pretty big year for blockbusters with the Avengers tying together marvel films stretching back to Iron Man and blowing every nerds mind and load. I also had my first real IMAX experience with the fun and interesting if a bit early reboot of the Spider-Man series (better than 2001 Spider-Man, not as good as Spider-Man 2 and streets ahead of Spider-Man 3). Sadly I fund Dark Knight Rises dissapointing but after re watching it I realise that maybe its my own high standards for Nolan that let the film down (it is still slow and long). Out of all that however the best film I saw at the cinema this year was Jaws at the Cameo and the best film I saw at the cinema that was released this year was the brilliant Skyfall.
Elyse
Given that I have seen a grand total of five new film releases this year, I am hardly a qualified film buff – but I’ll give it a go. In no particular order, those films were: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (cringe-inducing); Ted (awful); The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (mildly entertaining); Last Shop Standing (fascinating but far too short documentary on the rise and fall of the UK’s record shops) and, my film of the year choice: Skyfall. Nanu contributors, including myself, gave Skyfall the once over here: http://nanu-nanu.com/nanu-contributors-review-skyfall/ and all I said there still stands.
Importantly, however, I’m still interested. In mid-December, months after its release, I found myself trawling the internet for interviews with the film’s stars and creators, desperate to find out more about their characters and the ideas behind the plot development. This desire for a fuller understanding and an even greater depth of character knowledge speaks wonders about how Skyfall truly is a departure from Bond films of the past – there’s a lot more to modern Bond than misogyny and gadgets.
(And, let’s be honest, I still can’t get the wonderfully homoerotic scene between Bond and Javier Bardem’s villain, Silva, out of my head…)
Sam
Moonrise Kingdom or Looper
Finlay
This year has been unexpectedly good for Hollywood. With blockbusters like The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises and Skyfall being particular highlights of quality as well as the usual popcorn fair. Many of the films at the Edinburgh International Film Festival were also noteworthy. MNL 143 was my personal highlight from the EIFF. However my choice was made for me in February with the release of Cabin in the Woods. Not being the biggest horror fan in the world I was not expecting to enjoy this meta-horror, but Drew Goddard surprised with help from nerd god Joss Whedon. It was my love for Whedon's television work that drew me to this film but everything about this was cinematic while still very much keeping the charm of that previous work. Wanting to buy a ticket to see the film again as soon as you have left the screen is a rare feeling.
Michelle
There has to be something pretty special about a film for it to warrant me paying to see it twice at the cinema. I am a student, after all. I first saw Bart Layton’s stranger than fiction (cliché, but true) documentary, ‘The Imposter’ at its UK premier at this year’s Edinburgh Film Festival. After allowing myself to mull over what
I had seen for a couple of months, I just had to go and see it again on its general release.
The film is one part documentary, one part intense thriller, although at times it is hard to believe that there is any trace of reality in it whatsoever. The film documents the strange case of the disappearance of a 13 year old boy in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later the missing boy’s family receive a phone call to say that their missing son has been found…in Spain. Overjoyed to have found their missing child, the family welcome their son home with open arms. However, there is something strange about their newly-returned son, not least that his eye and hair colour have miraculously changed and that he now speaks with a French accent. Their son is not the sixteen year old boy they believe him to be, but Frédéric Bourdin, a twenty three year old French con-artist. Bourdin manages to fool not only the boy’s own family, but US officials and police in both the US and in Spain.
Nanu Contributors have been putting forward playlists of their favourite Christmas music. In classic Christmas tradition it is time to decide who wins. Listen to the playlists and C'è ancora molta strada per raggiungere un alto livello, ma il percorso intrapreso, con giochi in esclusiva e un sito facile e veloce, è quello giusto. vote below:
Buying gifts for a nerd can be a difficult process. A friend who likes Star Wars or video games would really appreciate a gift that shows you know them and are interested in their interests. The problem is you aren’t. Well don’t fret because Nanu is here to help. Over two parts I will be exploring some of the more unique gift options out there for the pop culture obsessive in your life. Thanks to Georgina who helped me compile this list.
Star Wars Art Prints – £38.41 from Etsy For a slightly different take on the Star Wars Trilogy why not try these minimal prints re-imagining the films as children’s books? These are almost stylish enough to not look nerdy at all. Almost.
Knitted Star Wars – £8.64 each from Etsy Perhaps the cutest of all Star Wars toys. These handmade toys come in all sorts of variations and if there is a character you really want but isn’t listed you can contact the artist to request one. Princess Leia as Boushh for me please.
For the Animation Geek
Regular Show and Adventure Time are the biggest shows in the animation world right now. These rather brilliant shows are served by a huge array of merchandise. Unfortunately said merch isn’t widely available in the UK, the American imports on Amazon are overly expensive and not everyone lives near a Forbidden Planet.
Redbubble is the answer. With a simple search for either show and you will find hundreds of product that would satisfy the most rabid fan. If you are worried about shipping from America don’t fear all posters and are shipped from the UK. So you will be fine for Christmas. Highlights include this simple Regular Show poster. Available for £14.00
Adventure Time Sword – £23.99 from Amazon There isn’t much cooler in this world than a toy sword. Well this toy sword is Adventure Time themed. That’s right. Buy this and a lightsaber and you’re going to have the best Boxing Day ever.
For the Video Gamer
Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device – £99.99 from Forbidden Planet If your budget stretches to £100 then you should look no further than the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device replica. Admittedly a bit out of everyone’s price range this is never the less a very cool present for anyone who enjoys Portal.
Minecraft Lego – £34.99 from the Lego Shop It would be hard to find two properties that went better together than Lego and Minecraft. These sets are the result of a fan campaign on Cuusoo the Lego version of Kickstarter and have been selling extremely well. Grab this set for the video game or Lego lover in your life and you will be their favourite person.
Next time Star Trek, Doctor Who and Comic Books. Oh and some weird alternatives, nerdy nipple tassels anyone?
been released there will be a chance to vote on your favourite as well as the Nanu Nanu Ultimate Christmas Playlist, released just in time for your journey home.
During the early 90s Christmas compilations were filled with classics from the 80s and as a result I grew up on Shakin' Stevens, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Mel and Kim. This list could have very much been made up of the best of that era but I decided to broaden it out to cover a variety of Christmas themes. Enjoy.
An era of Christmas songs that always deserves to be brought out at this time of year is that of The Rat Pack.
Track 4: The Pouges and Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York
The 80s classic.
The most listened to Christmas track of the 21st century, really I'm not making that up, and a regular on top ten lists of Christmas songs. I'm just happy to have it on my list.
Track 5: Bob Dylan – Here Comes Santa Claus
The personal choice
Where as all the above choices are tracks that I thought everybody would enjoy. This one is just for me. It brings me more joy than I can describe to imitate this song, much to the annoyance of anyone unlucky enough to be in my vicinity.
Nanucation is a series of documentary podcasts which take a closer look at the music you love. This episode, focusing on New Rave, will be the last in the current series. Series three will return in January with another run of 5 episodes.
Tonight's Nanu LIVE is back to being exactly that, live. Tune in to freshair.org.uk at 7pm for our most packed episode yet.
Alex Howard, cast member of Twelfth Night 1912, will be joining the team in the studio to chat about Laura Witz's adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tale presented by Charlotte Productions. If you have any questions for Alex comment below. For more information on the play check out www.charlotte-productions.co.uk and to buy tickets head to xtspro.com/-/twelfth-night/.
Discussion this week will turn to two photography exhibitions currently in Edinburgh. A Hero Of The True West is currently on
display at Summerhall showcasing Jim Marshall's work with Johnny Cash, more information can be
61.html”>dog food recalls 2012
m-marshall/”>found here. The Edinburgh International Festival appointed Sally Jubb Festival Photographer 2012, an exhibition of her work can be found at The Hub on the Royal Mile. Information about the exhibition can be found here and Sally's website can be found here.
Elyse will also be covering the intimate Franz Ferdinand gig that she attended on Friday at Mono in Glasgow, to celebrate we will be playing some Franz Ferdinand B-Sides. Check out Elyse's review of the show here.
This weekend The Vagina Monologues visited Edinburgh and two of our contributors to this weeks show went to see it, it was the guys. We will also have our weekly Edinburgh culture and lifestyle recommendations.
