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Cab: The C TrainMorning commuters are getting restless as they shift their weight back and forth on the Upper West Side’s 72nd Street subway platform, waiting for a train they feel may never come. “This just makes me crazy,” one woman exclaims, tapping a black patent leather heel and shaking her head. Maybe that’s why they named it the C train, or maybe it’s because of the creeping, crawling way it snakes through subway tunnels, like Charon’s doomed ferry steering through the underworld—when it finally does decide to show up. Tying for the worst of the 18 subway lines as rated by NYPIRG’s Straphangers Campaign in their 2011 “State of the Subways” report card, the C has the least daytime service and breaks down more than any other line. but at least it’s clean and you’re likely to get a seat after all that heel tapping—probably because no one else wants to ride it. —

Best place to Rediscover the Comics and Memorabilia of Your Youth: Forbidden Planet840 Broadway (at E. 13th St.),fpnyc.comHave you ever found yourself walking toward Union Square and suddenly noticed a plastic Yoshi staring at you from a nearby shop? that would be Forbidden Planet, and beyond its doors is an impressive collection of comic books, manga and graphic novels. however, Forbidden Planet is perhaps best known for its multimedia-themed collectibles and merchandise. from apparel to toys to posters to virtually whatever, Forbidden Planet is a treasure trove of products to keep your closet geek at bay. but if merchandise and memorabilia don’t completely satisfy your nostalgic needs, the store also hosts regular in-store appearances and signings by comic book authors, illustrators and the like. After all, the only thing more appealing to your inner geek than an out-of-production Wolverine action figure is one that has been signed by someone from Marvel Comics.

Best New Public Transportation:East River FerryThe subway is hot and crowded and the bus can be unreliable, but thanks to this year’s latest transportation innovation, The East River Ferry, getting around Manhattan, or even to far-flung destinations like Queens or Governors Island, can be easy, cheap and scenic. A $4 ride, which you can pick up at East 34th Street or Pier 11 in the Financial District, will shuttle you quickly to a number of spots, from Williamsburg to Dumbo or even Long Island City, with the oddly is-this-really-New-York-City feeling of being on a boat. on nice days the decks are the place to be, taking in the sun and watching the East River glisten almost as if it was the Mediterranean. on less pleasant days, stay indoors and thank your lucky stars that you’re not shoved into a speeding box with a thousand other wet, unhappy commuters. Besides fostering an appreciation for the waterfront we never had before, the ferry has made heading to hard-to-reach parts of town a snap and made everyday city life a bit more like a day trip. In our experience, nautical garb only makes the journey more pleasant.

Best Outdoor Concert Series: SummerStagesummerstage.orgWorking in over 750 parties citywide, SummerStage offers what is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and interesting outdoor musical offerings in New York City. This past summer’s slate included Yo-Yo Ma, hip-hop legend Funkmaster Flex, indie rockers Friendly Fires, local up-and-comers Milagres and a whole lot more. and it’s not just music: SummerStage offers dance and theater performances as well. The main stage, where the biggest concerts take place, is at the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park near Fifth Avenue and East 69th Street and features, in addition to performance, food and drink vendors curated by The Brooklyn Flea. The best part? Most of the shows are free. and the paid ones are usually fundraisers, which is hard to say no to when you’re enjoying so much complimentary culture each summer.

Best Picnic Area in Central Park: West 100th Street near the poolLet’s face it: Central Park is too damn crowded, at least during the times you want to be there. but the tourists haven’t yet figured out that the park extends north of the reservoir, so enjoy the space while it lasts. there are quite a few nice spots up there to spread a blanket and take off your shoes, but none better than facing the pool, the charming pond near the park’s northwest corner that receives more shade than any of the main lawns, where rushing waterfalls provide the background noise.

Best place to Meet the Knicks: The Sky Room330 W. 40th St., 33rd Fl. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-380-1195There’s a world above our world in Manhattan; from the street, The Sky Room (on the rooftop of a Times Square building) blinks like a distant star. but the trip up costs only your coat (they often lose it), and when you pop up on the sky top, you may, depending on the day, feel like an alien—a midget among Knicks. but they’re gentle giants, and you’ll soon relax. and marvel: from the Sky Room’s sky-nested deck bar, Manhattan glitters like red, green and gold star shards, a metropolis unlike the one you live in. and looking down at this other Manhattan—and up at the tall, tall men—can even be affordable; just order a soda.

Best Park for Live Music: Washington Square ParkSteve Earle walks his dog here, and Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas can occasionally be seen pushing a stroller under Washington Square’s massive white arch, but it’s the impressive and varied assortment of amateur and semi-professional musicians that make this West Village park the best spot for live (and free!) music. Drum circles, impromptu acoustic jam sessions and staged sets from jazz-infused NYU trios set the soundtrack for an afternoon around the Square’s fountain. Sure, Central Park’s SummerStage brings in the big name acts, but without stilts and a pair of binoculars, you’ll have a hard time getting a glimpse of the action at those jam-packed sweat fests. instead, head over to Washington Square on an early Sunday afternoon, snag a bench or a spot by the fountain and open your eyes (people watching opportunities abound) and ears to the musical majesty awaiting.

The Best place to use the Restroom in NYC: Times Square Marriott1535 Broadway (at 45th St.), marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquisThe lines for the bathrooms can be outrageous during the intermissions of Broadway shows. Homeless people have populated the restrooms of Starbucks. So where is someone in the know supposed to duck in for the bathroom? try the Marriott Marquis’ second-floor bathrooms. clean and well-populated with stalls and urinals, the Marriott is close enough to the majority of Broadway theaters to make standing in an endless line unnecessary.

Best place to Find an Action Figure of Public Enemy’s Chuck D: Toy Tokyo91 2nd Ave. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.)toytokyo.comIs it a rubber ducky with mr. T’s head that catches your fancy? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to try a Ghostbusters energy drink? These and other unique items line the somewhat out there and completely whimsical shelves of Toy Tokyo in the East Village. The shop, which boasts exclusive items including an action figure of Public Enemy’s Chuck D, as well as classic Star Wars and Wonder Woman toys, is a collector’s dream. Cool cache from around the world arrives on shelves every week, so whether you are looking to buy another Kid Robot or your very first Monchichi doll, you’re in luck. Vending machines filled with mini action figures can be found at the front of the store not far from the Justin Bieber sticker books, the one touch of irony in this toy oasis.

Best place to Rescue a Smaller Dog: Bideawee410 E. 38th St. (betw. FDR DR.& 1st Ave.)bideawee.orgTrying to adopt a pet at the city’s pounds and countless animal rescues is a daunting task, with lots of large dogs and special needs cats. Not everyone is equipped to nurse these animals back to health. Bring in Bideawee. This no-kill animal rescue has been a New York establishment since 1903. The staff at Bideawee brings in animals from the street, kill shelters and a multitude of other places and readies them for a family. they have programs to fly in smaller dogs from California pounds that are harder to adopt there than in our small-dog-loving city. New pet parents can rest assured that they’ll have support from the organization, as each pet comes with a free vet visit to Bideawee’s animal clinic to confirm that your new friend is in good health when they go home.

Best Bookstore: McNally Jackson52 Prince St. (betw. Lafayette & Mulberry Sts.)mcnallyjackson.comThis bilevel Soho book mecca is always packed, and that shouldn’t be surprising. It’s stocked with a large but well-curated selection of books, from fiction to travel guides and cookbooks, and boasts an impressive selection of readings, in-store book clubs and seriously good-looking patrons. There’s even a coffee shop off to the side of the main level in case you find yourself under-caffeinated or unable to leave the store without tearing into your new purchase. What’s most appealing about McNally, though, is the feeling of shopping at a locally owned store that’s not at all lacking in selection. there are none of the impersonal touches that chain stores can have and all of the New York charms they could never cultivate if they tried. Sure, you can order any book you’d like online, but the experience of shopping at McNally is more than worth the effort.

Best Record Store: Other Music15 E. 4th St. (betw. Broadway & Lafayette St.), 212-477-8150Most people are downloading their music these days, whether they’re buying it on iTunes or downloading it illegally. but if you’re looking to buy records—yes, the good old-fashioned kind—or CDs, Other Music in NoHo is the place to go. Staffed by knowledgeable if slightly aloof young people who seemingly live in hip Brooklyn rock clubs, the shop stocks not only the best in new, must-have music but a nice collection of used LPs and CDs that are discounted in price and offer a bit more eclectic a selection. The real secret about Other is that while the staff can seem a bit too cool, they’re actually quite helpful, whether you’re looking for the newest release from a practically unheard of band or something a bit more mainstream. If you’ve ever missed the classic record store experience or found yourself looking for something that hasn’t yet hit the store that lives in your computer, give Other Music a spin.

Best Reason Not to Miss Law & Order: All TV Shows still Filming in New YorkSome of them (The Good Wife) use New York to stand in for some place else. some of them (Boardwalk Empire) film in New York to evoke days of yore. and some of them (Bored to Death, damages, Gossip Girl, White Collar) take advantage of their filming location to show off the big Apple’s many trendy and hidden sites in all their glory. All of them, mercifully, provide employment for the many local performers who feared they’d lost a home when the Dick Wolf evergreen came tumbling down in 2010. and as a result, terrific actors like Jayne Atkinson, Heather Burns, Len Cariou, Santino Fontana, Lisa Joyce, Danny Mastrogiorgio, Laila Robins and Paul Sparks don’t have to flock across the country to find work.

Best Tourist-Free Outdoor Shopping Mall: 5th Ave. betw. 14th and 23rd Sts.Let’s face it, sometimes New Yorkers just need to step into an H&M that doesn’t make us feel like we’re in the middle of a strange, touristy, pop-music-filled torture chamber. sometimes we need to impulsively buy a leopard-print shirt from Zara that we’ll only wear once because it’s been a long week and we don’t want to battle attractive Italian people who can afford to buy the entire store. Other times we may need to walk down the street and not worry about crashing into large, immobile groups of midwesterners in Hollister T-shirts holding maps on Broadway because we just want to pop into a J. Crew, Club Monaco or Madewell to scan the sale racks. That’s why lower Fifth Avenue is a New York shopper’s “safe space.” Spacious sidewalks allow you to avoid the tourist obstacle courses that usually end in passive-aggressive shoulder checks and nine times out of 10, the stores will have your size. It’s our very own private Mall of America—let’s just pray the out-of-towners don’t catch on.

Best $20 Gym Not in a Creepy Basement: Blink FitnessE. 4th St. (at Broadway)blinkfitness.comTiny basements with limited ventilation and budget-friendly gyms just don’t mix. Blink Fitness manages to buck tradition with spacious, light-filled, airy facilities so pleasant, you will actually find yourself wanting to go to the gym. A little sister of Equinox, Blink has every piece of up-to-date equipment your fancier gyms have, minus the classes to keep costs down. but who really enjoys those sweat-filled rooms full of Zumba-dancing strangers anyway? at $20 a month, there’s no reason not to join.

Best Busker: Asian Hipster at the 1st Ave. L StationThere’s something about the hipster Asian gentleman who often sits at the first Avenue L station, guitar in hand and harmonica perched on his neck. his voice isn’t classically good. his notes are not exactly crisp. He kind of sounds like a drunken, high-pitched Tom Waits at times. his accent is a bit off, as is his pronunciation of certain words, but I’ll be damned if he doesn’t melt you heart every single time you hear him. He just sits there on the benchs, playing a Rolling Stones cover, unperturbed by the masses walking by, singing his heart out. What he lacks in correct enunciation he more than makes up for with his perfectly mournful tones. There’s nothing better to hear when you’re returning to Brooklyn after a night that didn’t exactly go as planned.

Best Subway to Occupy (and Work On) Wall Street: No. 2 & 3While other trains are stuck in the station, you can beat your broker Downtown and Occupy Wall Street with a 15-minute ride from the Upper West Side. While the A train has the largest “big play” express jump in Manhattan from 59th to 125th streets—which made for comic fodder in the indie classic The Brother from Another Planet—and the additional glamour of inspiring a jazz standard (“Take the A Train”), stop for stop, nothing moves you up and down Manhattan quicker than the 2 and 3 trains during rush hour. Added bonus: the No. 1 is often waiting across the platform if you are looking for a local station.

Best Street Exemplifying the Excesses of Capitalism: Freedom place, Trump Place66th Street at Freedom PlaceThis street is actually named in honor of three civil rights workers slain during the Freedom Summer of 1964. but like all idealistic endeavors, it eventually succumbed to the pressures of capitalism and is now lined with residential towers emblazoned in gold lettering with the namesake of Donald Trump. If you haven’t had enough development in the 14 years since its groundbreaking, Trump place is expected to expand by another seven buildings before it’s complete. by then, you may be able to watch the Donald sporting an oxygen machine, sitting at a boardroom table in outer space tell a 39-year-old, fresh-out-of-rehab Justin Bieber, “You’re fired.”

Best Lawn That’s empty on a Weekend Afternoon: Rockefeller University campus, Turtle BayOn-campus housing is limited at Rockefeller University, so you pretty much have this oasis to yourself when class is out of session. between ignoring your cell phone and getting engrossed in a novel, be sure to explore Manhattan’s forgotten campus, home to one of the world’s best biological sciences program. The rustic sculpture installation on the campus’ north end makes you question whether the old cliché about scientists in lab coats never seeing the light of day could possibly be true.

Best place to Experience New York like It’s 1608: Inwood Hill Park Indian CavesInwood Hill Park (at Dyckman St.), 212-304-2278Some folks would probably argue that NYC has been going downhill ever since Henry Hudson started poking around out in the harbor. That’s fine, because in New York City, there’s even a place for the naysayers. The Wiechquaesgeck indians used the caves in Inwood Hill Park as a sort of pre-Columbian summer camp, complete with shellfish feasts and cool summer breezes. It is one of the very few places in Manhattan where it is actually conceivable to pitch a tent and frolic in the woods. Imagine a slightly more rustic version of the Hamptons and you get the idea.

Best Off-the-Beaten-Path first Date Spot: Les Enfants Terrible37 Canal St. (at Ludlow St.)lesenfantsterriblesnyc.comWay down on the Lower East Side there exists a radius of a few blocks that avoid the collection of sidewalk stumblers, women walking barefoot while holding their high heels and guys in collared shirts fighting in the middle of the street. In that space is a hip little French (or is it Brazilian?) restaurant/bar full of attractive people, good music and dark lighting. Les Enfants terrible can get a little crowded, but it’s intimate and not too bustling and has a general vibe and out-of-the-wayness that will give your date the idea you’re in the know. Sure, your date’s eyes might linger a little too long on the younger version of Audrey Tautou seated next to you or the scruffy, scarf-wearing cigarette smoker hanging outside, but chances are that will end up rubbing off on you by the end of the night.

Best place to Live a Jimmy Buffett Lifestyle: West 79th Street Boat BasinW. 79th St. (at the Hudson River), 212-496-2105Everyone knows that living on a boat is just about the coolest thing you can do. but living on a boat and simultaneously paying $417 a month for rent may also be the smartest decision you ever make. there are only 116 slips and the waiting list is a mile long, but register now and there may be a chance you could spend those golden years sipping rum drinks under the roar of the West Side Highway. there are only three prerequisites to starting your Manhattan yacht life: A boat, a sweet beard and a weathered stash of urban-themed Hawaiian shirts.

Best Small Outdoor Dog run: Madison Square Parkmadisonsquarepark.orgOn the west side of the park near 25th street, just north of the regular dog run, is a nice play space for smaller canines. A friendly assortment of owners bring an equally interesting array of dogs to play, chase balls and, frankly, tire them out. Here people know their little darlings won’t get seriously pounded by a Siberian husky 50 times its size as in the bigger dog park. Water bowls are provided and if they’re not full, you can enter the big dog park and fill them with the hose at the south end. The small dog run is a great place for puppies to get socialized without getting traumatized. The first time I brought my new puppy there, she was filmed by CUNY.TV for a promo about how animals can keep you healthy. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Best place to See the Stars: Columbia University Stargazing and Lecture SeriesThe Roof of Pupin Hall, 538 W. 120th St. (betw. Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.),outreach.astro.columbia.eduDuring the 2004 blackout, the Milky Way was visible from New York City for the first time in decades. some people called 911 because they didn’t know what it was. Light pollution is an urban astronomer’s nightmare, washing out nearly all of the heavenly bodies. but Columbia University’s astronomers understand that people shouldn’t be deprived of seeing the rings of Saturn, the Seven Sisters or the mighty Orion. Every other Friday night, stargazers can enter Pupin Hall’s observatory and peer through their five telescopes at the night sky. even on cloudy nights, the free movies and lectures on black holes, colliding galaxies and the latest in astronomical discoveries make the trip worthwhile.

Best Meatpacking District Hot Spot Hotel: Dream Downtown355 W. 16th St. (betw 8th & 9th aves.),dreamdowntown.comMove over Standard, step aside Jane, and forget you, Soho House—these days, there’s no topping The Dream Downtown. A hospitality mecca, the sprawling hotel boasts two restaurants: a steakhouse called Marble Lane run by the same team that operates Tao and Romera, which specializes in “neurogastronomy” and has one seating per night of an 11-course, $245-a-person dinner prepared by acclaimed chef and neurologist Dr. Miguel Sánchez Romera. to top it off, The Dream Downtown boasts a spacious penthouse lounge, PH-D, equipped with an elevated DJ booth and a state-of-the-art sound system housed between two floor-to-ceiling glass walls, one of which opens onto an expansive outdoor terrace. down below there’s a basement lounge, Electric Room, run by Rose Bar’s Nur Khan. one things’s for sure: this is one hotel where few people come to sleep.

Best NYC Afternoon Without Spending a Cent: Hudson River Parkhudsonriverpark.orgBegin your journey at 23rd Street, cross the West Side Highway and enter the Hudson River Park. once you get beyond the bedlam known as the bike path, you’ll find a delightful pedestrian walkway that moves at a much more civilized pace. Wander, perambulate and rejoice in the beauty of the river, the fresh air, the sky and the immaculate landscaping. Remember and celebrate the fact that you live on an island. Sit on a bench and read a book you’ve been meaning to get to, feel the sun on your face, reflect and hang out. Be aware of each moment in the present as it cascades into the next. Sit in the sun or find some shade and rest on the totally dog-free lawns. Stroll for hours. Revel in the idea that you’ve found joy without money for just one day.

Best Home Brewing Supply Store: whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room95 E. Houston St. (at Bowery), 212-420-1320With the closest home brew shop a lengthy subway ride into Brooklyn away, I was relieved when the whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room opened at the Houston Street whole Foods. Besides having one of the most impressive local beer selections in the five boroughs, they have anything and everything you’d need to get your own brew started in your very own kitchen. Bottles, hops, tubes and the all-important, hard-to-find beer yeast are all there for the perusing. Sure, this stuff is all available online, but it’s always better to see the stuff in person. Cheers to a welcome addition to the do-it-yourself landscape of Manhattan!

Best place to Feel like Edith Wharton: The old Mercantile LibraryCenter for Fiction, E. 47th St. (betw. 5th & Madison Aves.),centerforfiction.orgAscend the staircase of The old Mercantile Library, select a clothbound novel from the shelves, settle down in a wingbacked leather chair and visualize yourself a regency noble or Bostonian spinster poetess. Or ride up in the gloriously claustrophobic, rickety elevator and read literary quotes from the decoupaged newspaper pages and clips that line its walls. It’s practically a ghost town during weekday business hours, when members can treat the Henry Otis Chapman-designed spaces as their personal drawing rooms. Don’t forget to visit the stacks in the recessed bowels of the building. Dark and empty, we imagine more than a few live bodice rippings might have taken place among the tomes.

Best by-the-Hour Cubicle: Paragraph35 W. 14th St. #3 (betw. 5th & 6th Aves), paragraphny.comIf you find yourself without an office and are sick of writing at home, Paragraph—a rental space for writers—awaits. Grab a first-come, first-served cubicle and silently glance at the Wooly Cap Guy, the Literary Glasses Girl or the Intellectual Loner while you pretend to work, basking in the glow of your laptop. for around $150 a month, there’s free coffee and candy in the kitchen, along with the chance to strike up a conversation about Rilke or Egan with someone who might actually know who they are.

Best Subway Art—Official: 14th Street A/C/E PlatformMost MTA art ranges from the spectacularly inoffensive—mosaic waterfalls and literary snippets under the NYPL—to the hopelessly misguided—the “interactive sound experience” on the 34th Street N platform that begs tourists and drunks to bombard innocent bystanders with a cacophonous din of rain sticks and xylophones. none of it inspires any emotion—that is, except for Tom Otterness’ “Life Underground.” In a corner of the system used primarily by Meatpacking clubgoers lurks a world of featureless, mildly sinister characters going about the same business of subway-riding as everyone else, only cuter. Otterness’ signature figures scrounge for change (in sacks of gold coins), sleep on benches (with top hats pulled over their eyes) and get pulled down open manholes by equally adorable crocodiles. Equal parts Rich Uncle Moneybags and the industrious Doozers from Fraggle Rock, the foot-high figurines will inspire at least one emotion while you wait for the train: delight.

Best Subway Art—Unofficial: MTA “Service Advisories”Since the sanctioned art scene below-ground is so dull, many industrious artists have taken it upon themselves to liven up the scene, bringing the mountain to the MTA’s Mohammed. Of course there’s the graffiti and Poster Boy’s (née Henry Matyjewicz) iconically iconoclastic corruption of station billboards, though recent legal hassles have slowed his once-prolific output, but for the best of the bunch, our money’s on the fake MTA posters. About six years ago, a genius with an ax to grind and some amazing Photoshop skills discovered they could perfectly replicate the MTA’s service advisory posters and created their own, warning riders about the transit corporation’s corruption, greed and indifference to its customers. Though the format has since been cracked and is now available for any average Joe to crank out a poster, the biting, politically strident originals used the medium to subvert itself and its viewer’s expectations, the true test of high art.

Best Neighborhood to Wind up an Extra on TV: TribecaIn the space of 10 blocks below Canal Street you can go from the pan-Asian bustle of Chinatown past the imposing monuments to justice of the court system down to a world of wider-than-average cobblestoned streets and family-friendly, post-industrial lofts. Nowhere else in New York has less of a unifying aesthetic, making Tribeca the perfect choice for those trying to simulate just about anywhere in America, from big-shouldered Chicago to tony West Hollywood as well as New York City itself. Though Law & Order no longer films daily in and around The Tombs, a number of series have picked up the slack and neighborhood residents are now immune to the thrill of walking past craft services tables and sneaking a peek inside trailers. Walk down any street and you’re sure to end up in a crowd scene or two—hang around long enough and you may just get discovered.

Most Color-Coordinated Brownstone:48 W. 10th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.)10th Street is, end to end, quite possibly the most beautiful residential street in the city. from St-Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery on the east side through the restored brownstones of the middle Village to the starchitect high rises on the Hudson River, it’s enough to inspire severe homeowner’s envy. Best (or worst) of all is the block between Fifth and Sixth avenues, a perfect row of brownstones with verdant window boxes and baroque ironwork that ends at the gorgeous clocktower of the Jefferson Market Library. Nestled in its center is a scene that has to have been planned: a single-family dwelling of brighter-than-usual red brick with vibrant turquoise shutters, outside of which is parked a trim turquoise Vespa with a brick-red seat. We’re convinced the Vespa’s for show only; in at least five years, it’s never once been away from its post. You want to resent the excess, but it’s just too perfect a picture.

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Published on Tue Nov 01 19:10:55 GMT 2011

James Morrison: the Awakening

JAMES Morrison may be considered as one of the UK’s premier soul talents, but the Warwickshire singer appears to have a bit of a downer on his career of late, having recently stated he’s “sung too many love ballads”, and that he hated making his last album, Songs for You, Truths for me, after being pressured by his former Polydor label to repeat the formula of his million-selling debut.

With several songs relating to his alcoholic father’s death on his third effort, the Awakening, the husky-voiced guitarist appears to have rectified one of his issues. but despite the presence of Suede’s Bernard Butler as producer, it’s difficult to hear how he’s made any attempt to deal with the other.

Seemingly designed to make Radio 2 listeners’ hearts flutter, I Won’t Let You go follows the same heartfelt, acoustic, tearjerker template as his previous two lead singles – the toe-tapping Motown pastiches beautiful Life and forever show that Morrison’s retro leanings are still very much apparent, while there’s even a Broken Strings-style duet with Jessie J on the orchestral, mid-tempo up.

Pleasantly inoffensive and lushly produced as they are, they don’t exactly live up to the radical reinvention that his rather dismissive comments indicated, and it’s only on the funky R&B beats and Michael Jackson-esque chorus of Slave To the Music, and the sparse, gospel-tinged blues of Right by Your Side, where Morrison begins to show some of the invention that was allegedly so heavily restricted on his previous effort.

However, lyrically, he’s never been better, with the heartbreaking themes of loss on In My Dreams, 6 Weeks and Person I should Have Been, the latter based on a poem inspired by the last conversation he had with his late father, more than fulfilling his ambitions of “wanting to go a bit deeper and find more substance”.

But until Morrison manages to infuse some of this raw honesty and emotion into his sound, he’s always going to struggle to create that one great record that his impassioned and soulful voice deserves.

Release Date: September 26

Mayer Hawthorne: how Do You Do

MAYER Hawthorne’s 2009 release A Strange Arrangement was a revelation.

His sophomore album continues his journey into sweet soul territory, and it’s clear from his consummate grasp of the genre that he’s both a fan as much as he’s a hugely talented composer.

These 12 fine songs are a million miles away from mere pastiche. mr Hawthorne (nee Andrew Mayer Cohen) has learned his lessons well at the feet of the masters, and knows how to both spin a good tune and get our fingers snapping and toes tapping in time too.

He has a splendid voice and a pitch-perfect falsetto, heard to striking effect on opening track I get To Know You. He’s well up there with Daryl Hall in his grasp of laid-back soulful exposition. Music for late night lovers!

Other than the just mentioned cracker, there are a feast of other delicious performances on offer. Standout numbers include the crisp summer shuffle of A Long Time with its slick backing vocals; the string-infused clap-along Californian bonhomie of Dreaming; You Called me, with its joyous Motown horns and beats and the simply beautiful You’re not Ready, a song to melt the hardest heart!

Final track no Strings is a model of bright and breezy economy.

How Do You Do knows just what to do, and does it with style and panache.

Release Date: October 10

Annie Mac Presents 2011

IT’S October and it’s time for Annie Mac’s annual review of the hottest dance records of the year that she has been instrumental in introducing to the nation’s pleasure-synapses through her groundbreaking Radio 1 Friday show and packed DJ schedule.

Since her first Annie Mac Presents compilation in 2009, Annie has supported acts that have gone from being favourites on her show to national stars (Magnetic Man, plan B, Nero, Katy B) and helped define the dance music zeitgeist.

On this comp, 2011’s finest moments are represented. Azari & III Reckless for Your Love, Toddla T’s Take It Back, SBTRKT’s Wildfire, Jamie XX’s remix of Adele’s Rolling In the Deep. if you’ve been out clubbing this year this neat comp brings together the highlights, as well as pointing to some names likely to be lighting up 2012 (Jai Paul).

Annie has continued to take her signature sound worldwide in 2011; continuing what Diplo has called his “favourite party on the island” in Ibiza, as well as gigs coming up across North America and Australia this autumn. Meanwhile, the Annie Mac Presents nights remain one of the biggest nightlife brands across the UK, with a run across all four compass points of the country in the coming months to accompany this compilation.

Release Date: October 24

LA Guns: Acoustic Gypsy Live

I THINK everyone agrees ttwo touring versions of LA Guns is ridiculous.

And most would say they want to hear the original singer. so I had my doubts about this album.

Always thought the first three LA Guns albums were great. loved Phil Lewis on vocals. With that said, I have to give Jizzy Pearl major credit. he sounds great on this album, and does an awesome job of keeping the original songs true to form.

The band sounds great, and it’s nice to hear all the Guns’ classic songs stripped down. if you’re a fan of the early Guns sound, and can be open minded, definitely check this album out. You won’t be disappointed.

Release Date: October 24

Black Swan Lane: Staring Down the Path of Sound

STARING Down the Path of Sound comes out fighting with the single, Fall, featuring its infectious guitar riffs and potent vocals.

The album continues to develop into a story that seems to reflect cautious optimism through an overall narrative of struggle and confusion. Background vocals by former Messenger’s member Lauren Faye complement the dreamy soundscape created by Kolbeck’s guitar and Sobel’s deep, soulful voice, particularly on the second half of the album. the addition of keys on this record adds another layer to key tracks, particularly Illuminate and Thaynara, giving the album a well-developed feel compared to some of the band’s earlier work.

This is a record that’s truly best absorbed as a single experience, with enough time and space to allow the music to permeate into the listener’s heart. Key songs for cranking up the volume include Fall, low, Resurrect me, anyone but You and Bang Your Hands. for quieter, yet equally powerful experiences, take the time to experience Blue always, Alvea, and Everything You Want It To Be with headphones on. the latter is destined for a movie soundtrack for sure. It’s only a matter of time!

Black Swan Lane have continued to develop by leaps and bounds with each new release, and this is arguably their most refined yet complex offering to date.

Release Date: October 24

Girls: Father, Son, Holy Ghost

GIRLS frontman Christopher Owens is a true gem in the indie rock world – not because of his back story in the Children of God, or his drug use, or his personal life, but because he’s great at what he does – making songs.

Although the songs stand on their own, it’s true that knowing details from Owens’ life make them more interesting. for instance, he and Chet ‘JR’ White used to play the riff from track 3 (Die) on opiates over and over again until one of them fell asleep.

Vomit is about an ex-girlfriend, and comes from a verse in Proverbs that goes “A fool returns to his folly like a dog to his vomit”.

My Ma is a heartfelt ballad about Owens’ complicated relationship with his mother. the closer Jamie Marie is a delicate dedication to a girl he left behind in Amarillo, TX, when he moved to San Francisco.

Owens’ honesty in song-writing is both disarming and refreshing in an era of rock that seems so eager to prove it’s too cool for you.

The music is also excellent on this album. there are really good guitar solos, well-placed backing vocals and an affecting song progression that balances serious, light-hearted, humorous and reverent. the production is excellent, and Owens’ vocals are surprisingly good.

Regardless of how he comes across, Owens is an overachiever, and it shows through on this album. Father, Son, Holy Ghost has a timeless appeal that will endure, and may even grow long after most of the other albums of 2011 are forgotten.

Release Date: October 24

Ane Brun: It all starts With One

THERE seems to be a new, irresistible, if rather gentle force blowing in from Sweden.

Ane Brun is from Norway, but is pretty much an honorary Swede, having lived in Stockholm for the past decade.

Her fourth album, It all starts With one, could well be a major breakthrough for her, coming as it does on the back of tours with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Ani DiFranco.

Brun’s sound has developed from her original folk and blues influences, with more orchestration present and, on the single Do You Remember, a frantic burst of tribal percussion. yet it remains Brun’s voice that’s the focus, a marvellously clear, sometimes tremulous instrument capable of transmitting so much emotion with a single syllable.

The guest spots on the album help to flesh out the sometimes spectral, minimal atmosphere. the aforementioned Do You Remember is a particular surprise, with a truly massive drum sound and backing vocals courtesy of the young Swedish folk siblings first Aid Kit. its irresistible rhythm is reminiscent of Lyyke Li’s get some, which isn’t so surprising when you discover that Li’s drummer per Eklund has a credit.

Even better is the appearance of José González, who lends his unmistakeably downbeat vocals to Worship. he blends beautifully with Brun’s similarly paced voice and, over a stately six minutes, gently produces one of the best moments of the album. the similarly gorgeous Oh Love is also a standout, an acoustic ballad lifted to a higher plane by a lovely, subtle string arrangement.

Although the mood is generally sparse and low key, there’s a dramatic flourish to one that brings an almost cabaret feel to proceedings. that segues nicely into sister track the Light From one, both tracks being inspired by the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations earlier this year.

Undertow closes the album, simply Brun’s voice accompanied by a stark piano and occasional rolling drums.

It’s the perfect end to a blissfully gorgeous album – one that showcases Ane Brun as being at the forefront of the new wave of Scandinavian pop music.

Release Date: October 24

Justice: Audio, Video, Disco

IMAGINE if the Bee Gees decided to make a prog-rock album, or that Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds was conducted in a disco.

That’s how Justice have played out on their follow-up to one of the greatest dance albums of the past ten years, Cross.

They’ve dropped the samples and have made an electro-instrumental album with tinges of progressive rock.

A wonder to behold, Audio Video Disco contains nods to some of the greatest rock of the 70s, but keeps the great elements of experimental dance from the 00s. Highlights include Canon – a club-stomper built for Daft Punk – and Helix, a nod to the past album but with bigger and bolder synths.

It’s not Cross, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a bold, guitar-laden album built on rock instead of experimental dance. Rejoice.

Release Date: October 24

Magazine: no Thyself

PLENTY of templates amongst their peers – Gang of Four, Wire, Death in June, Nick Cave – for them to reform, return back or continue to mine the 1978/79/80 golden years of the flowing imagination, a renaissance of the spirit before commercialism provided a smother blanket around the brain cells.

Here Magazine create a follow-on from correct Use of Soap that’s less intense than Songs From under the Floorboards, but this isn’t the bland sounds of Roxy Music take two either.

This returns to 30 years ago to gather the materials and ingredients then creates something less edgy and dark, but neither does it bounce along for a housewife reverie. It’s as if they’ve thawed during 30 years from the deep freeze of emotional permafrost to keep themselves burning and, more importantly, alive. they still, however, retain the memories of this era, and this is what they recreate. A trip backwards, with the certainty of the knowledge of the future.

This has more of the Mourinho wink to the vocals, as Howard sinks his teeth into image and reality, based on the pornography of the soul, the necrophiliac crush of the dead, the failure of reality to deliver and the imagination to fill in the gaps. the music veers from pop Bowie with that twist of vocal flourish from those Uriah Heep vocals as Howie becomes sinister whilst playing the joker.

Not as dark as Motorcade or as heavy as Shot by Both Sides, it does have those special moments of Howard relating his inner voice – of Course Howard 1979 is a duet with himself from 30 years ago … spooky!

And it’s this attention to the detailed psyche of the era that shifts this album from being a pastiche of a time long gone to a 4D creation that stands out above the current morass, as Howard is still forever loyal to his deepest obsessions … himself!

And if you like what you hear, catch Magazine live and local at Sheffield Plug on November 9.

Release Date: October 24

Lindi Ortega: Little Red Boots

LINDI Ortega’s got the goods.

Not only does she have a fantastic voice, but she’s got the great songs to go with it. I’ve seen where she’s been compared to Dolly Parton and even Johnny Cash, but I think I also hear some Neko Case and Buffy Sainte-Marie influences in there as well.

You can’t help but be impressed by the musicians and the recording. Centre stage, though, is Ortega’s voice, and rightly so. she can do sad, she can do yearning and she can do attitude. I understand she’s been around for a while on the indie scene, so maybe that explains how mature this recording sounds.

I especially liked the title track, so Sad, all My Friends, Little Lie and Jimmy Dean. if you like Neko Case, Jenny Lewis, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Jessi Colter and good country music (as opposed to the current cookie-cutter Nashville country pop), you’ll dig Lindi Ortega. Buy it and tell your friends. This woman deserves a larger audience.

Release Date: October 24

Michael Buble: Christmas

CHRISTMAS is an absolutely beautifully recorded and sung album by the velvety rat pack voice of Michael Buble.

The arrangements are stellar, featuring big band and full orchestra backings by some of the best musicians in the business with a great deal of input from Michael himself and genius producer David Foster.

Additional production by Bob Rock gives an especially rewarding rework of Mariah Carey’s all I Want for Christmas Is You. Michael slows the tempo way down and turns Mariah’s festive version into a very romantic and longing song of desire and passion. what a great version of one of the best Christmas songs written in the past 20 years!

Also quite amazing is Michael’s version of Christmas (Baby please come Home). here he wisely sticks to Darlene Love’s original arrangement, though the brass and drums are recorded so well and sound so bright it might almost make you forget her original version. Buble modestly said he might not have her pipes, but he sure made up for it with his own punch and swagger. another classic is given the Buble treatment, and the listener cannot help but get drawn into the singer’s desire to get his baby home as soon as possible.

There are an amazing 15 songs on this version, which includes all traditional songs except for one original written by Michael and his piano player Alan Chang, cold December Night – another romantic and well sung ballad that would go quite well with an eggnog sitting by the fireplace! there are spicy versions of Holly Jolly Christmas and Jingle Bells, as well as an awesome duet with Shania Twain on White Christmas that borrows a great deal from the Drifters version featured in the Home Alone movie.

Michael sings a hauntingly beautiful version of Ave Maria, where he really shows the richness and clarity of his amazingly beautiful diction and singing technique. Remember this is a guy who closes out many of his concerts by putting the microphone down on the stage and singing the last song without amplification. silent Night features a tender brass arrangement at the beginning that segues into a beautiful children’s choir that sings along with Michael.

Michael Buble’s Christmas ranks right up there with the greatest holiday records of all time by Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. This album is immaculately sung and well produced, and is a timeless masterpiece for the ages.

Release Date: October 24

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The other day, our staff put together a list of the television shows with the best soundtracks. Now, it was certainly hard to omit the dun-dunn-dudun-dun-dun from the 400 episodes of Law and Order that air daily, and it was hard not to include the show Friends: some of us wanted it listed for no other reason that Ross’s magical keyboard performances (Intergalactic love Room, anyone?). But, when it came down to it, these series’ just didn’t fit the bill. The following five shows, however, are the ones we are not only happily watching, but also happily hearing.

Grey’s Anatomy: is there anything this show doesn’t have? great writers, check. great cast, check. great story line, check. great catch phrases, double check…seriously. a show watched by seemingly everyone, Grey’s Anatomy takes time to not only focus on the plot, but to focus on the songs playing in the background. this show never forgets about the McMusic.

Grey’s succeeds in matching up scenes with songs that make moments that much more memorable, and it also gives chances to a lot of undiscovered musicians. Known for featuring songs and artists that aren’t yet famous, their soundtrack is a virtual Who’s Who of performers no one knows. with music from Alamo race Track, Adam Merrin, and Let’s Go Sailing, this concept of untapped talent works wonderfully. Grey’s is great at bringing fresh tunes to the operating table.

Scrubs: It’s silly, it’s funny, it’s downright ridiculous at times, but Scrubs, when it comes to the foundation, is all about heart: the music featured allows this to show. Whether viewers are learning through J.D.’s internal monologue or from a patient with an incurable disease, the music that is coupled with lessons of morality and mortality are always a perfect fit. when lyrics echo in the background of each scene, it’s hard to think of a song that would be better suited.

Like Grey’s, this show is also well apt at including unique songs and staying away from the mainstream madness of other television shows. recent music featured on Scrubs have included songs by The Mavericks, G Tom Mac, Rhett Miller, and the Cary Brothers. when it comes to this series, the music doctors are in.

The Hills and Laguna Beach: so, these are technically two separate shows, but, because they really share similar casts, soundtracks, and plots, they get placed under one entry: sorry Lauren and Kristin, you two are just going to have to learn to skip and hold hands.

What these shows lack in, well just about everything, they make up in music. It should be no surprise that both these series, created by the folks at MTV, feature more song sequences than a record collection. But this abundance works well (and helps to keep the reality stars from acting). in fact, a ton of songs on my Ipod are songs I was introduced to through The Hills and Laguna Beach, and not songs that I was introduced to through Meet the Press and The O’reilly Factor like I keep telling everyone.

Recent artists featured on these shows include Avril Lavigne, The Weepies, and Katharine McPhee. with a good mix of songs by performers you know and performers you don’t, MTV makes sure the hills (and the beaches) are alive with the sound of music.

House: I know what you guys are thinking, Could there be any more medical related shows on this list? Sorry about that, but it’s not our fault that the folks who put medical shows together are also great song picker-outers (if you want to go with the technical term). House is just another example of a show filled with the devastations of illness and death, but the sprinklings of humor and, say it with me, great music.

The music picked for House does two things: it reminds people of the humanity involved in any medical setting, fictional or otherwise, and it makes Hugh Laurie’s lead character seem a little less callous. The songs picked teeter between filling our hearts with hope and filling our eyes with tears.

Recent music featured includes songs from KC and the Sunshine Band, Ben Harper, and Ella Fitzgerald. with an eclectic range of tunes and artists, this series makes sure that good music is in the, well, house (sorry, that tagline was begging to be used).

Friday Night Lights: in a world where so much of the sports industry seems to be quickly becoming less and less about heart, it’s nice to see a sports-themed TV show that is still beating. Friday Night Lights tells us the tale of a high school football team in Dillon, Texas. Not only does this show showcase the pressures placed on high school football players (particularly in Texas) but it also portrays the support offered by a small town who lives and dies with each first down.

Omitting the hard, fist pumping songs of many sports-related features – Eye of the Tiger, mind you – the songs featured on Friday Night Lights are subtle, welcoming, and often instrumental. Still, when the moment calls for it, gears are switched over to songs that are lively enough to make anyone viewing get up to go running, or at least get up to get another beer.

Explosions in the Sky, an Indie Rock group based in Texas, provides a lot of the music for the soundtrack recent other artists featured include Ryan Adams, Pink, Outkast, and Pearl Jam. with a soundtrack like this, you’ll never want the Friday night lights to go out (again, so sorry, it’s almost over).

There are a lot of TV shows that have great soundtracks, these are just our favorites. Each of these shows are enriched, and made more appealing and endearing, by the songs they feature, leaving us to vow to continue watching even if our television screens suddenly stop working.