We’re now entering not only a new year but a new decade, with the noughties giving way to the tens. So, as we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010, it’s time to sum up what we listened to over the last decade.

There must have literally thousands of tracks released over the last decade, but there’s only a relatively small amount that make it past the first few listens and enter or collective consciousness.
Music licensing company, PPL, has compiled the top 50 most played songs of the noughties. The full list is available to view on its Web site, …read more

The Feeling are a strange band, and I mean that in the best sense of the word. They are a proper band, who all play instruments, and who write their own material, but they’re derided by the fascist music press because they are clearly ‘pop’ and proud of it.
I would classify them as indie pop, but I really don’t see that it matter when the music they produce is of such a high order. Yes it’s cheesy, no they’re not going to ever be an NME band, but so what? They produce catchy music and albums which are as addictive …read more

The music channel here at b5 is so extensive, and has such a broad range of tastes, that sometimes we feel the need to come together to explore each other’s musical loves.
To that end, today sees most of us sharing two songs which we think should be added to your iPod playlist. Two may not seem much I know, but it comes to over 40 songs if you compile the list created by us all working as a team. What’s more, it’s guaranteed to be a diverse mix.
Here are my two picks for the day, which are both by …read more

Some of the bloggers here on the b5 music channel decided to record our Soundtrack For A Day yesterday. This could take different forms, be it all the songs you listened to on that day, a selection from certain moments, or a particular album.
I decided to stick my media player on random and note down the first 50 songs it played, and here is the result.
As a full time blogger who works from home, music is very important to me as it can change the mood of my day. Pressing the random button is therefore a bit of a gamble …read more

A few of us here on the b5 music channel have decided to get together and talk about our favourite gigs. I’ve been to far too many to list them all, so instead, I’ll focus on my experiences of the last year.
I have quite a broad taste in music, loving everything from Bjork and Joanna Newsome, through the Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party, up to Megadeth and The Hives, so my gig history is kind of fragmented.

My first gig was the Stereophonics back in the day (when they were good, or at least better than they are at the moment), …read more

The Feeling are a band who are never going to be cool, never going to get on the cover of NME, and never going to be the next big thing.
But you know what? None of that matters, as they put out some incredibly well written, and well composed pop songs, and after seeing them live, I know they’re fantastic in the flesh too. I’d even go as far to say they push Muse for title of Best Live Band in the UK right now.
This is actually the second time I’ve seen The Feeling live, the first being in the …read more