Acclaimed Music Forums

And now the top town. The best of the best!


Here, votes are worth only one point. Pick the song from each pairing you want to see advance. Ties broken now by sudden-death overtime.

We're all caught up now. Every round from here on out need only cross ONE week!

Voting for this round ends 1/15 at 11:59 pm.

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother vs. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

Cymande-The Message vs. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

Jac Berrocal-Solaris vs. Devo-Beautiful World

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique vs. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

Deodato-Super Strut vs. Ray Baretto-Cocinando

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta vs. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo vs. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

Laura Viers-July Flame vs. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

Thank you and happy voting!

10. Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother
3. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

2. Cymande-The Message
4. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

16. Jac Berrocal-Solaris
11. Devo-Beautiful World

8. Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique
15. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

14. Deodato-Super Strut
9. Ray Baretto-Cocinando

7. Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta
6. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

12. Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo
13. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

1. Laura Viers-July Flame
5. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

No songs I don't like though.

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother
vs.
Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

Cymande-The Message
vs.
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

Jac Berrocal-Solaris
vs.
Devo-Beautiful World

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique
vs.
Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

Deodato-Super Strut
vs.
Ray Baretto-Cocinando

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta
vs.
The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo
vs.
Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

Laura Viers-July Flame
vs.
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

All easy choices except for the last two

4. Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother
9. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

13. Cymande-The Message
1. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

14. Jac Berrocal-Solaris
6. Devo-Beautiful World

5. Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique
7. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

8. Deodato-Super Strut
10. Ray Baretto-Cocinando

3. Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta
2. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

11. Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo
16. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

12. Laura Viers-July Flame
15. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

I will be happy if at least 1 of these bold choices win the unacclaimed 2016 game.

Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun
Jac Berrocal-Solaris
Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl
Ray Baretto-Cocinando
The Cinematic Orchetra-Man with the Movie Camera
Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over
Laura Veirs-July Flame

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother
The Rotary Connection - I Am the Black Gold of the Sun
Devo - Beautiful World
Dukes of Stratosphear - Vanishing Girl
Ray Baretto - Cocinando
Ananda Shankar - Streets of Calcutta
Amy MacDonald - Don't Tell Me That It's Over
Laura Viers - July Flame

Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

Devo-Beautiful World

Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

Deodato-Super Strut

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo

David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

1. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi (MLI) def. 3. Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother (NWY)

2. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (USA) def. 6. Cymande-The Message (UK)

8. Jac Berrocal-Solaris (FRA) def. 11. Devo-Beautiful World (USA)

5. Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique (FRA) def. 7. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl (UK)

12. Deodato-Super Strut (BRA) def. 13. Ray Baretto-Cocinando (USA)

4. Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta (IND) def. 16. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

9. Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo (BEN) def. 14. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over (UK)

10. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here (USA/SWE) vs. 15. Laura Viers-July Flame (USA)

We're nearing the end! How exciting!

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother vs.
Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

Cymande-The Message vs.
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

Jac Berrocal-Solaris vs.
Devo-Beautiful World

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique vs.
Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

Deodato-Super Strut vs.
Ray Baretto-Cocinando

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta vs.
The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo vs.
Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

Laura Viers-July Flame vs.
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

I like all but one.
Winning guesses, 6/8 remain: "Cocinando", "July Flame", "The Man with the Movie Camera", "I'm Waiting Here", "Sans logique" and "Je Pense a Toi"
Preferred winners: "July Flame", "I'm Waiting Here", "Sans logique" and "Eagle Brother"

If I was forced to make a single prediction, like everyone else I'd probably say Amadou & Miriam will win.

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother 8
Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi 9

Cymande-The Message 7
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun 8

Jac Berrocal-Solaris 9
Devo-Beautiful World 5

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique 9
Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl 6

Deodato-Super Strut 8
Ray Baretto-Cocinando 5

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta 8
The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera 10

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo 7
Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over 8

Laura Viers-July Flame 8
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here 8

This week, I devoted some extra listening to Devo and Ray Baretto to try to figure out why they're not connecting with me. (Obviously, they've made it this far based upon the nominations/votes of people whose taste I highly respect, and both are from genres I generally like.) Unfortunately, no luck yet, but I'll keep trying!

14. Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother vs. 9. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

1. Cymande-The Message vs. 3. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

12. Jac Berrocal-Solaris vs. 8. Devo-Beautiful World

15. Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique vs. 7. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

2. Deodato-Super Strut vs. 11. Ray Baretto-Cocinando

6. Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta vs. 4. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

13. Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo vs. 16. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

5. Laura Viers-July Flame vs. 10. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun
Jac Berrocal-Solaris
Mylene Farmer-Sans Logiquel
Deodato-Super Strut
The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera
Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

3. Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother vs. 2. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi

12. Cymande-The Message vs. 6. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun

14. Jac Berrocal-Solaris vs. 16. Devo-Beautiful World

9. Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique vs. 13. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl

11. Deodato-Super Strut vs. 1. Ray Baretto-Cocinando

4. Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta vs. 15. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera

5. Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo vs. 10. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over

8. Laura Viers-July Flame vs. 7. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here

Interesting to see how "Mari Boine" and "Amadou & Mariam" perform against each other. A very painfull choice for me.

I'm on a plane, so just votes this time.

Amadou and Mariam
The Rotary Connection
Devo
Mylène Farmer
Ray Baretto
The Cinematic Orchestra
Angelique Kidjo
Laura Viers

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother (3.5) vs. Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi (4.0)

Cymande-The Message (3.5) vs. The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (4.0)

Jac Berrocal-Solaris (3.5) vs. Devo-Beautiful World (3.0)

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique (3.5) vs. Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl (3.5)

Deodato-Super Strut(3.0) vs. Ray Baretto-Cocinando (3.5)

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta (2.5) vs. The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera (3.5)

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo (3.0) vs. Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over (3.0)

Laura Viers-July Flame (3.5) vs. David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here (4.0)

Last call!

No ties due to an uneven number of votes, but there are FIVE matches within one point. Please take this into account when voting.

In fact, let's have two votes today!

whuntva wrote:Last call!

No ties due to an uneven number of votes, but there are FIVE matches within one point. Please take this into account when voting.

In fact, let's have two votes today!

I check one match and I found a 7-7 (14 voters) !

whuntva wrote:Last call!

No ties due to an uneven number of votes, but there are FIVE matches within one point. Please take this into account when voting.

In fact, let's have two votes today!

Hey whuntva, you may want to recount, I checked and there are 14 votes, with 2 ties...

Romain wrote:

whuntva wrote:Last call!

No ties due to an uneven number of votes, but there are FIVE matches within one point. Please take this into account when voting.

In fact, let's have two votes today!

I check one match and I found a 7-7 (14 voters) !

Forgot Moonbeam. Thanks!

In which case, we only need one vote.

Je pense à toi (I've finally given in)
I Am the Black Gold of the Sun
Beautiful World
Sans Logique
Super Strut
Man with the Movie Camera
Don't Tell Me That It's Over
July Flame

It took till the last ballot for this one.

Glad we were not buried under the deluge of Rank the Tracks.

Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja / Eagle Brother 4
Amadou & Mariam-Je Pense a Toi 11

Oh how the mighty have fallen! Two tournament favorites met and I expected a much closer match.

Cymande-The Message 3
The Rotary Connection-I Am the Black Gold of the Sun 12

Rotary Connection does it again.

Jac Berrocal-Solaris 7
Devo-Beautiful World 8

A shocker! Though don't feel too bad for Jac. This was tied until the last minute.

Mylene Farmer-Sans Logique 10
Dukes of Stratosphear-Vanishing Girl 5

A match that started close ended up being a decisive win for a possible down-bracket favorite.

Deodato-Super Strut 8
Ray Baretto-Cocinando 7

Ray's luck ran out as he came in for the tie but got the win snatched from him at the very end.

Ananda Shankar-Streets of Calcutta 6
The Cinematic Orchestra-Man with the Movie Camera 9

Was tied 6-6 but the Cinematic Orchestra took the last three votes.

Angelique Kidjo-Olofoofo 8
Amy MacDonald-Don't Tell Me That It's Over 7

Tied 6-6, then Angelique went 2-1 to snag a close victory.

Laura Viers-July Flame 9
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here 6

On to the Quarterfinals. Due to the Deodato/Cinematic, we are guaranteed at least one male-fronted act in the Final Four. But what's even more impressive is she beat THREE potential favorites (Nujabes, Archie Shepp, and now Lynch and Li). I thought all those songs stood a chance at the championship.

Laura Viers could well be the next "Soretsu"; a song that comes back from losing its group to win it all.

whuntva wrote:Laura Viers-July Flame 9
David Lynch and Lykke Li-I'm Waiting Here 6

On to the Quarterfinals. Due to the Deodato/Cinematic, we are guaranteed at least one male-fronted act in the Final Four. But what's even more impressive is she beat THREE potential favorites (Nujabes, Archie Shepp, and now Lynch and Li). I thought all those songs stood a chance at the championship.

Laura Viers could well be the next "Soretsu"; a song that comes back from losing its group to win it all.

"July Flame" lost with only one point to "Sans Logique", which is also in the elite 8, so it's not that surprising.