"Born To Die" is number one on iTunes in a whole lot of countries now. It's number two for Australia, behind some folk-pop Idol alumni, but that's a rant for another day.

Considering the ridiculous hype, nobody should be surprised. Video Games was probably one of the best songs of 2011. Every post about her on ONTD receives a good amount of attention. People there seem to love the album. Members seem to agree that the best song is either Dark Paradise or Radio. Some are even saying that Video Games is one of the weaker tracks.

I think one could predict how the record sounds, and how it did critically from how popular it is on ONTD, a celebrity gossip blog/community predominantly occupied by people who are interested in stuff like Gaga and Ke$ha.

Has anyone stopped to think that people may like this album even more because it's being critically panned? The mainstream thinks critics are bullshit anyway, and that is the audience that the record is aimed at, after all. Marketing genius.

In the absence of someone to argue with (I miss you!), I'm going to post my thoughts here.

100. Mr Little Jeans - The Suburbs
This is interesting, though the sound doesn't really suit the lyrics.

99. The Beards - You Should Consider Having Sex With A Bearded Man
First time I've heard this. This is a novelty song, so I can't say much about it. I think it's rather weak.

98. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Niggas In Paris
Surprised that this isn't higher. That shit cray.

97. Foo Fighters - Arlandria
Hello, generic rock song. I have a feeling that I'll be saying that a lot today.

96. The Strokes - Machu Picchu
This Is It was great. This isn't terrible, but it's not that impressive either. Typical British stuff.

95. Grouplove - Naked Kids
Mercury Rev? Pixies? Is this one of those opportunistic indie bands that copies a bunch of sounds?

If Hype Machine is still going with their Zeitgeist thing, then it's not too late for me to waffle about my ten most-played artists of 2011.

"Yes, I do like Philip Glass."
"Oh, thank God, I thought I was going to be judged for that for some reason."

My old piano teacher came over for dinner last night. I didn't talk much, because I had just woken up from a nap on the sofa.

She talked a lot about how awful the people were at wherever it was that she was working. Somewhere north, I think. She had also been studying religion. All of our family friends are always a bit irritatingly religious. She also complained about her neighbours, in the same way that my mother complains about her co-workers. That was dull. I think a lot of women have nothing to talk about except to complain about other people they know.

Playing in the background was a carefully curated playlist of well-known, influential, critically acclaimed, etc. songs designed to elicit some kind of response (e.g. wtf is an Arcade Fries?). That did not work in the way that I intended, so I tried playing a Pixies album. No response, so I gave up politeness and put on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, which is practically impossible to ignore. She made a face, and asked if I actually liked this kind of thing. Yes, I got the side-eye for liking Stravinsky. I don't even...

She was unfamiliar with the Vienna Philharmonic, didn't know anything about Bruckner, didn't recognize Arvo Pärt, and didn't seem to approve of Mahler. I expect better from teachers. I learnt everything I know of music just this year, and just from hanging around the music classroom. For free.

Then again, the first music teacher at QASMT bought Maroon 5 and Jet music books. Ha.

Only the categories that I actually can have an opinion on. Might be updated as I get around to listening to them. Brought to you by my music teacher's campaign to convince me that there is good Australian music.

Edited on 13/10/11. Mr H completely disregards country, and we both laughed at the Adult Contemporary category's nominations, except for one, who was some guy from Hunters & Collectors. Also, I should check out something from the Fine Arts categories.

Edited on 1/12/11 to add winners and some comments, because I was too busy to do it on the night.