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The NME 2004 Cool List Announced

added 23 November 2004 at 11.06

The third annual NME Cool List has just been announced and it sees former and (just about) current Libertines Pete Doherty and Carl Barat reunited in the top two places with Mike Skinner and Eminem not far behind.

The magazine’s new cool list, published in this week’s new issue, sees Doherty and Barat in the equal number one spot, despite a turbulent year that has included cancellations, bandmember firings, prison spells, addiction and failed rehabilitation.

Close behind in the Top 20 are Mike Skinner (a re-entry from last year) and Eminem (up from 16) followed by Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell, Nick McCarthy from Franz Ferdinand and Morrissey, making a new entry.

Other new entries in the list include Kelle Okereke from Bloc Party (7), Brandon Flowers of The Killers (9), Ana Matronic from Scissor Sisters (10), The Others’ Dominic Masters (11) and that debonair chav about town The Maggot from Goldie Lookin Chain (12).

NME Deputy Editor Alex Needham explained in a statement, “This is the most diverse Cool List yet - a testament to the vitality of music in 2004, featuring sexy saxophonists, wannabe robots, bearded folk troubadours - and a winner who provoked tears, tantrums and all-out morality warfare in the NME office when the votes were polled”.

It’s claimed that everyone on the list “…must epitomise and embody everything cool - in what they do, what they sing about, say, dress and act.” and while Pete Doherty obviously has prestigious talent, is a remarkable performer (and natty dresser) and is an important and massively influential figure in the music scene, it could be said that bestowing such a title on someone so closely and publicly associated with heavy and constant drug abuse (especially one so admired by so many young people) is dangerously irresponsible.

What do you think? Email us here.

The magazine has also published a ‘Fool List’ which (not surprisingly) has George W. Bush in the number 1 place, with Pete Waterman, 50 Cent, Abi Titmuss and oddly Missy Elliot and Jesus not far behind.

The NME Cool List Top 20 (new position + name + 2003 position)

1. = Pete Doherty - The Libertines (NEW)
1. = Carl Barat - The Libertines (5)
2. Mike Skinner - The Streets (Re-entry)
3. Eminem (16)
4. Johnny Borrell - Razorlight (NEW)
5. Nick McCarthy - Franz Ferdinand (39)
6. Morrissey (NEW)
7. Kelle Okereke - Bloc Party (NEW)
8. Martin Tomlinson - Selfish Cunt (49)
9. Brandon Flowers - The Killers (NEW)
10. Ana Matronic - Scissor Sisters (NEW)
11. Dominic Masters - The Others (NEW)
12. The Maggot - Goldie Lookin Chain (NEW)
13. Andre 3000 - Outkast (14)
14. Kim Deal - Pixies (NEW)
15. Kyp Malone - TV On The Radio
16. Carlos D - Interpol (NEW)
17. Devendra Banhart (18)
18. Meg White - The White Stripes (3)
19. Gwen Stefani - No Doubt (NEW)
20. Serge Pizzio – Kasabian (NEW) 

The Fool List

1. George Bush
2. Pete Waterman
3. 50 Cent
4. Abi Titmuss
5. Missy Elliot
6. Stuart Cable
7. Tom Chaplin - Keane
8. Justin Hawkins - The Darkness
9. Robert Kilroy-Silk
10. Jesus

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