Monday, January 12, 2009

Brit Music Scene

Brit Music Scene

2008 was the year of Coldplay

Posted: 11 Jan 2009 04:12 PM PST

2008 was a great year for British music, as you can see by reading my review of the year (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4). But which British artist had the best year? That was the question I asked in my most recent poll and Brit Music Scene readers decided that 2008 was the year of Coldplay.

This was, of course, a very non-scientific poll and the results could be skewed somewhat. Even though this is a blog solely about British music, the majority of my readers are actually American. So no surprise then that the artist who won was the one likely to be most well known in the States.

Which British artist had the best 2008?

Coldplay - 86
Amy Winehouse - 35
Duffy - 31
Oasis - 22
Take That - 19
Ting Tings - 16
Girls Aloud - 15
Keane - 7
Late Of The Pier - 4
The Foals - 2
Scouting For Girls - 2
The Blockheads - 1
Radiohead - 1

So, regardless of the validity of the result, how good a year did Coldplay have?

2008 saw the release of Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. The album has done fantastically well, becoming one of the fastest-selling records of all time in the UK. It’s also spawned two hit singles in the form of Violet Hill and Viva La Vida, the latter of which is soon to be the subject of a court battle between the band and Joe Satriani.

Amy Winehouse at number two is a little bizarre seeing as she didn’t release any new material and was only in the press due to either hitting people, taking drugs, or being taken to hospital. However, there was one huge thing that happened at the start of 2008 - those five Grammy Awards. Yes, that would make for a good year.

Winehouse is the subject of my new poll, in which I ask what her ultimate destiny is likely to be. It’s meant as a fun poll so please don’t give me grief about it being in bad taste. Results as and when I feel like it!

[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]

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