Best of the Rest 2011

Best Live Album

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy - "Made in Stoke, 24/7/11"

Myles Kennedy takes over on vocals, as comfortable singing Guns, Snakepit or Revolver songs as he is his own and the others from Slash's solo album. And while Kennedy shines, this excellent live set shows that Slash is a guitarist who hasn't lost a beat since the late 1980s.

Best TV Show

Game of Thrones (HBO (US) Sky Atlantic (UK))

 In a year that stuttered TV wise, as a lot of debuts failed, and some long running shows lost their way, there were some highlights. A few good pilots came to the forefront, and some continuing shows put out some of their best work. Game of Thrones blew them all away. A stunning ten episode season that didn't falter for a single second. George RR Martin's characters came to life on screen, and the shocking twists and turns along the way meant you couldn't take your eyes from it. The last scene of the season was one of those iconic television moments. Roll on season 2.

Best Film

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I refuse to see this as a remake of the Swedish film, and more of a fresh adaptation of Steig Larsson's original book. David Fincher has done an incredible job of capturing the dark, brooding feel of the book, and Rooney Mara's portrayal of Lisbeth is beyond oscar worthy. A triumphant dark masterpiece.

Best Live Act

Motley Crue

Fireworks, flamethrowers and a loop-de-loop drum rollercoaster. Motley Crue were technically only second on the bill on their December tour with Def Leppard, but absolutely stole the show. The songs are as good as ever, and Vince Neil has never sounded so good. I saw a lot of great performances this year (and the Foo Fighters almost nicked this award for their Milton Keynes spectacular in July), but Motley's spectacle pipped them all to the post.

Best Theatre Show

War Horse

Playing at The New London Theatre just off Covent Garden, War Horse was absolutely spectacular. The full size horse puppets need to be seen to be believed, and the performances from the cast were mesmerizing. Spielberg's big screen adaptation is out this weekend, but to see War Horse at its best, get to the New London Theatre. 

Biggest Surprise

Metallica - "Beyond Magnetic"

After a year of farting around with Lou Reed and planning their 30th anniversary shows, Metallica surprised everyone by leaking a couple of new songs to the internet. A week later, this 4 track EP appeared. Containing songs that didn't quite make the cut for "Death Magnetic", we see a glimpse of both the past and the future. Rather excellent stuff.

Most Bonkers Release

The Flaming Lips - "The Strobo Trip EP"

Released on USB stick with a strobe light and a spinning reflective disc, this project sounds bizarre enough already. But not be be outdone by his own packaging, Wayne Coyne released, as the second song on this EP, "I Found A Star on the Ground", a song with a 6 hour running time. I've not managed to find a spare six hours to listen to it in full, but have heard bits and pieces. Let's just say Mr Coyne's crown as King of the Eccentric isn't going anywhere for a while...