Lava Lamp Awards

1999

Looking at the best of 1999

A reveiw of the year we have just left behind, or a few hundred words of self-indulgence on the part of the GlamGuru. Call it what you will but the third annual Lava Lamp Awards are with us again.

BEST MUSIC RELATED WEBSITE:- The Clone Zone. Originally just one page of the already well respected Psychedelic Shack, now a massive site in its' own right. With many of the great bands now defunct, their fans can re-live the golden days by following the excellent tribute groups. No-one knows more about this growing trend than the Psychodemon. Whether you are looking for a Meatloaf clone (Peteloaf) or a Spice Girls tribute band (such as Super Spice), visit the biggest clone band portal site for all you need to know at www.theclonezone.co.uk

BEST SINGLES OF 1999:

1) BECK - Sexx Laws :- See review below. Don't know where this guy came from, but I like his style. Definately one of those late 90s feelgood records with its' roots in 70s funk.

2) TEXAS - In Our Lifetime:- Unpretentious quality song from the Scottish band the music press slagged off as being dead after their late 80s releases, until they bounced back two years ago with a motown influenced string of hits.

3) CAST - Magic Hour:- Addictive hook line delivered by a singer that sounds like a 90s Gerry Marsden, this track sounded even better when played unplugged.

4) SUGAR RAY - Every Morning:- If only for the reason it got me playing the guitar again...

5) LENNY KRAVITZ - Fly Away :- Consistantly perfect R&B tunes from this guy who has joint responsibility with Sugar Ray for my rediscovery of the six stringed axe ! Now my neighbour knows who to blame..

BUBBLING UNDER:- Matchbox 20 with Real World, Van Morrison - Precious Time, New Radicals - You Get What You Give, Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much (it did !) etc etc. So much good music around this year. There is hope !!

BEST COMEDY PROGRAMME:- League Of Gentlemen:- If you watched this and didn't rate it, watch it again as the exploits of the inhabitants of Royston Vasey will make compelling viewing, trust me ! This is a style of comedy that has never been done before and the 2nd series starts in the UK in January 2000 !

THANKS:- As we enter our 4th year of operation, the GlamGuru continues to be amazed at the interest and dedication of the Naff Caff visitors. Whether you visited once or several times, I would like to thank you for your support. Special thanks to me old mate Ian "Clonezone" Shackleton for his round the clock encouragement (must not forget that Ian and wife Eileen provided the best news of 1999 with the arrival of baby Nyle in September - destined to become a future Naff Caff devote !). Thanks too to Jonathan Lambert (not 'arf), David (Captain Spellcheck) Boocock, Liz and Warren, Suzanne Hartley, PK the DJ, David F and others for their tolerance of a site that hasn't always been updated as much as it should during last year. I would also like to thank Jim Thomas and Sweet Loretta from the 70s Preservation Society for many hours of great 70s revival radio, for their encouraging words and for introducing me to the 70s Flashback Webring. A happy Millenium to all of you !

1998

Best Singles

1 . Brimful Of Asha - Cornershop : Remix Master Norman Cook deserves a pat on the back for a complete uptempo remaster of the song that sounded so unique, even Cornershop themselves couldn't really follow it up.

2. Life Is A Flower - Ace Of Base: The feelgood factor summed up in a single. Ace Of Base prove they are more than 1993's one hit wonders and continue to enjoy further hits.

3. So Young - The Corrs : Quality AOR music is back !

4. Perfect Ten - Beautiful South : You just can't stop singing this one, can you ? Classic single from the Heaton/Rothery stable.

5. Outside - George Michael : see below ! ...

Welcome Return Award :-80s hitmaking icon Pete Waterman and the chart success he is enjoying with Steps. We'll rapidly skip over 5,6,7,8 and enjoy the refreshing single Last Thing On My Mind with the distinctive hallmark that ran through his earlier chart hits.

Never Really Been Away Award :- Boy George and the reformed Culture Club hit the top five with their best ever single I Just Want To Be Loved. George sounds even better than he did back in the 80s and I didn't think the 80s version could ever be better !

It May Have Been Naff, But I Wish I'd Written It Award : The perfect pop song doesn't necessarily need to be a good one. C'est La Vie by B*Witched is one of those I would have liked to have penned anonymously, then retired to a villa in Cyprus to watch the royalties float in.... ahem !

That Was The Year, That Was......

Disco Revival : Yes, according to the music press, 1998 saw a 70s disco revival. If, like me, you were there the first time round, you could be forgiven for thinking Disco Revival translates into a collection of talentless artists rapping over samples of the era's dance anthems. Noteable exceptions could be found in the form of Stardust's Music Sounds Better with You and it's creative use of a trance-like sample from a Chaka Khan track. Another artist employing this technique and doing it with orginality was George Michael, the short, unobtrusive extract from a Chic hit boosting his autumn hit Outside.

The Naff Caff is about to enter its third year and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to surf on in. Whether you contributed, signed the guestbook, answered an appeal for information, exchanged a link or simply browsed some of the pages - thanks for your support. I would particularly like to thank Ian "Psychodemon" Shackleton the Java King, Suzanne "Bop Showaddie-waddie" Hartley, Jonathan "Stay Bright, Not 'arf" Lambert, Liz and Warren the "Quiz Demons" and many others for their continuing support and encouragement.

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