Beyond Olden Acre, The Dirty 9s, Elaine Mai, Milan Jay, and the Spook of the Thirteenth Lock all pick their top five albums of 2011.
The Dirty 9s have released a Christmas tune to remind you all of their existence during that difficult lull in between albums 1 and 2. The song entitled 'Into the Winter's Night' is a lovely atmospheric acoustic song which showcases Fergal's fine vocals. Get the song for free here: Into the Winters Night by The Dirty 9s with Niamh Doyle More info: http://www.breakingtunes.com/t hedirty9s/
Watch the Dirty 9s' new Christmas single 'Into the Winter's Night'.

Superb debut album from rock/pop band Storyfold. 'Rocket Science' is full to the brim of catchy tunes which are composed to make you bop your head, tap your foot and sing the songs. Even though reviewing an album isn't rocket science I found it very difficult to review this album. Storyfold write songs which follow a certain formula. The tracks on 'Rocket Science' are all of a very high quality in composition, musicianship and execution. Any one of [...]
![List: Top 50 [6 - 10]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3400349_lg.jpg)
This is part 9 of my rundown of the Best 50 Irish Acts out there at this moment in time. 50. Clockwork Noise 49. The P Affection 48. The Elective Orchestra/Nick Carswell 47. TKO 46. Pete Courtney 45. Friend? 44. EleventyFour 43. Norabelle 42. Mark Black /with The Roots Orchestra /with The Trips 41. [...]
![List: Top 50 [11 - 15]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3397727_lg.jpg)
This is part 8 of my rundown of the Best 50 Irish Acts out there at this moment in time. 50. Clockwork Noise 49. The P Affection 48. The Elective Orchestra/Nick Carswell 47. TKO 46. Pete Courtney 45. Friend? 44. EleventyFour 43. Norabelle 42. Mark Black /with The Roots Orchestra /with The Trips 41. [...]
![List: Top 50 [16 - 20]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3394524_lg.jpg)
This is part 7 of my rundown of the Best 50 Irish Acts out there at this moment in time. 50. Clockwork Noise 49. The P Affection 48. The Elective Orchestra/Nick Carswell 47. TKO 46. Pete Courtney 45. Friend? 44. EleventyFour 43. Norabelle 42. Mark Black /with The Roots Orchestra /with The Trips 41. [...]
Part 2 of our Festival Memories comes in a week where there's been so many announcements regarding festival line-ups. The Sea Sessions line-up was announced which includes Villagers, Bell X1, Fred, The Delays and more. Temple House Festival added a whole bunch of Irish artists to it's line-up. The best news of the day is that Yo La Tengo was added to Forbidden Fruit . Here are some Festival Memories from musicians and music lovers: Colin Devlin [...]

Have a listen to 10 songs from some of the best acts playing Vantastival in a few weeks! Vantastival Lineup for 2011 Friday 29th April Donal Dineen & Niwel Tsumbu Windings Windings - Cathedrals by OOAL Louisiana Joyride Bill Coleman Rainy Boy Sleep The Fontanels DC Tempest [...]
![Mixtape: Canadian Music Fest [The Irish Mix]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3230827_lg.jpg)
The list of bands performing in Canada during the Canadian Music Fest are Autumn Owls Butterfly Explosion Funeral Suits Halves James Vincent McMorrow Kill Krinkle Club Kormac's Big Band Lost Chord Miracle Bell Preacher's Son Sacred Animals The Dirty 9s Windings Check out the music below: Autumn Owls: Butterfly Explosion: Butterfly explosion-sophia by sanitash Funeral Suits: [...]
The Dirty 9s will play at the Grand Social in Dublin tomorrow night.
The Dirty 9s will headline their last Irish show before their Toronto Canadian Music Fest slot, this Thursday inThe Grand Social. Support comes from Satellite Generals & Railway Reunion. Afterwards, former Creation Records boss Alan McGee will DJ until late. Entrance is €10 (€7 with student ID). McGee is no doubt in town due to the screening of Upside Down , the story of Creation Records which is showing at Jameson International Film Festival.
Dublin quintet covers on 'I'm on Fire'

I'm on Fire (Bruce Springsteen cover) by TheDirty9s I heard this cover live on Friday night when The Dirty 9s played Boyles of Slane and it was immense. The Dirty 9s are close to being the best band in Ireland in my humble opinion! See them on Thursday in The Grand Social . Canadian Music Week's showcase in Toronto will [...]
How was 2010 for you? If I'm being honest I'd say 2010 was personally a great year. Many good things happened this year. However I'm in the minority in Ireland and share many of the same worries that affect people in Ireland today. So feck your IMF, feck your Fianna Fail and feck your recession I got music in my life! Here's my musical highlights! Top 3 Live Performances [From an Irish Band] Even [...]
![List: Best 50 Songs of 2010 [21 - 30]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3054439_lg.jpg)
This top 50 list contains the 50 tracks from 50 different artists and like all lists they represent the music which I adore at this very moment in time. 21: Fia Rua - More Magic I love the conviction with which Fia Rua sings this song with. It's a charming warm song which delivers a great chorus. [...]
Dirty 9s, I Am Not Lefthanded, Bat Kinane, Milan Jay, and Solar Bears list their favourite albums of 2010.

Here's a superb idea for a Christmas present for your music loving friend or family member. Just select one of the amazing photos from http://ruthlessimagery.wordpre ss.com/ and email Ruth to order the framed print, signed and numbered by Ruth. Here's a selection of my favourite photo shoots from the website: Reader's Wives [...]
This Thursday's lineup for the regular Live at Boyle's session is as fantastic as ever.