Late as usual, here is my list of my favorite films of 09.
30. Avatar
29. Ponyo
28. The Cove
27. Zombieland
26. Watchmen
25. Two Lovers
24. Precious
23. The Informant!
22. Crazy Heart
21. Moon
20. Pirate Radio
19. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
18. Up In The Air
17. The White Ribbon
16. Drag Me To Hell
15. 500 Days of Summer
14. Mystery Team
13. Anvil! The Story of Anvil
12. The Hurt Locker
11. In The Loop
10. Star Trek
9. The Brothers Bloom
8. The Hangover
7. A Serious Man
6. Bronson
5. Sin Nombre
4. Up
3. Black Dynamite
2. District 9
1. Inglorious Basterds
Worst movie of 2009: Pandorum
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Best Albums of 2009
Here is my annual list of the finest albums of the year, in my opinion. As always, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. I'm also hammering out my best tracks of 09 CD right now, if you would like a copy, just let me know, I'd be glad to burn one for you.
30. Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3: The first half of this album would deserve much higher placement, the last half killed it though.
29. Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light: More oddly beautiful tunes from everyone's favorite weird man-who-is-sort-of-a-woman. I hope he records the versions of these songs he played at Coachella, they were much better.
28. Motor - Metal Machine: Hard electro is still alive and kicking, this album is the proof.
27. The Bran Flakes - I Have Hands: One of the year's craziest albums, an insane sugar rush of samples and carnivalesque frivolity.
26. Nero's Day At Disneyland - From Rotting Fantasylands: THIS is the years craziest album, a burst of electronic madness that is unnerving and fun at the same time.
25. The Dead Weather - Horehound: I love Jack White, I also like that other chick in the band who isn't Jack White, they make a good team.
24. Various Artists - The Sound of Wonder!: An excellent compilation of far-out Pakistani film music. It sounds like Bollywood music, but with way more synth.
23. Kid Sister - Ultraviolet: Kid Sisters old school flow works well against the upbeat electro beats, one of the most fun albums of the year.
22. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic: The Lips go all dark kraut-rock on our asses. I like it.
21. Sparklehorse - Dark Night of Soul: Not sure whether this album ever actually got put out due to rights issues, but it's a great collaborative album regardless.
20. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest: I actually think this album is overrated, but the song "Two Weeks" makes me want to piss my pants every time it's so good.
19. HEALTH - Get Color: Goal for 2010, finally see these guys live. L.A.'s favorite noise rock band are back and better than ever with this album.
18. The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love: Delightful Shoegazy pop. Listen to "Dominoes" and you'll fall in love.
17. "The Beatles" - Everyday Chemistry: Despite the ridiculous promotional claims (http://www.thebeatlesneverbrokeup.com/), this is actually a great Beatles mash-up album.
16. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms: Dreamy and intentionally nostalgic. A lovely album.
15. Dengue Fever - Sleepwalking Through The Mekong: A throw-back to Cambodian Psych-rock of the 60's (yes, that's right). I'm not that familiar with the genre, but these guys make me want to be.
14. Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport: More accessible than their previous effort, but still delightfully strange.
13. Sonic Youth - The Eternal: The old bastards still got it in 'em.
12. Minty Fresh Beats - Jaydiohead: Everyone says mash-ups are tired now, but I submit this album to the contrary. You'd never guess a Jay-Z/Radiohead mash-up could work so well.
11. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca: This is one of those bands I've heard of for ages but never really listened to, I'm glad I started now.
10. Pisces - A Lovely Sight: A lost Psychedelic gem. This album was recorded in the 60's but never released until now. The Numero group has hit another home run by releasing this.
9. Wavves - Wavvves: Yes, I am a hipster.
8. The Mountain Goats - The Life of the World To Come: The Mountain Goats do the bible, and they do it well.
7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: I honestly hadn't heard of these guys before this album came out, but I have seen the error of my ways. I don't care if they're trendy, I love this album.
6. The Antlers - Hospice: The most heartbreakingly beautiful album of the year.
5. Girls - Album: Despite being permanently scarred by their NSFW music video. This is a great album that's full of life.
4. Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM: Apparently this album won't be officially released in the U.S. until January, but I had to include it on my '09 list because it's too damn good. Even better than her last album.
3. Kutiman - Thru You: Here is my other submission to the "mash-ups are not dead" folder. If you don't already know, these songs were made entirely out of youtube videos, it's a gimmicky premise that turned into something truly incredible. Check it out here http://thru-you.com/.
2. Passion Pit - Manners: Definitely my most played album of '09. Absurdly catchy electro-pop, this album will probably sound out of date by 2010, but I'll enjoy it for now.
1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion: As previously stated: Yes, I am a hipster.
30. Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3: The first half of this album would deserve much higher placement, the last half killed it though.
29. Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light: More oddly beautiful tunes from everyone's favorite weird man-who-is-sort-of-a-woman. I hope he records the versions of these songs he played at Coachella, they were much better.
28. Motor - Metal Machine: Hard electro is still alive and kicking, this album is the proof.
27. The Bran Flakes - I Have Hands: One of the year's craziest albums, an insane sugar rush of samples and carnivalesque frivolity.
26. Nero's Day At Disneyland - From Rotting Fantasylands: THIS is the years craziest album, a burst of electronic madness that is unnerving and fun at the same time.
25. The Dead Weather - Horehound: I love Jack White, I also like that other chick in the band who isn't Jack White, they make a good team.
24. Various Artists - The Sound of Wonder!: An excellent compilation of far-out Pakistani film music. It sounds like Bollywood music, but with way more synth.
23. Kid Sister - Ultraviolet: Kid Sisters old school flow works well against the upbeat electro beats, one of the most fun albums of the year.
22. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic: The Lips go all dark kraut-rock on our asses. I like it.
21. Sparklehorse - Dark Night of Soul: Not sure whether this album ever actually got put out due to rights issues, but it's a great collaborative album regardless.
20. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest: I actually think this album is overrated, but the song "Two Weeks" makes me want to piss my pants every time it's so good.
19. HEALTH - Get Color: Goal for 2010, finally see these guys live. L.A.'s favorite noise rock band are back and better than ever with this album.
18. The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love: Delightful Shoegazy pop. Listen to "Dominoes" and you'll fall in love.
17. "The Beatles" - Everyday Chemistry: Despite the ridiculous promotional claims (http://www.thebeatlesneverbrokeup.com/), this is actually a great Beatles mash-up album.
16. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms: Dreamy and intentionally nostalgic. A lovely album.
15. Dengue Fever - Sleepwalking Through The Mekong: A throw-back to Cambodian Psych-rock of the 60's (yes, that's right). I'm not that familiar with the genre, but these guys make me want to be.
14. Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport: More accessible than their previous effort, but still delightfully strange.
13. Sonic Youth - The Eternal: The old bastards still got it in 'em.
12. Minty Fresh Beats - Jaydiohead: Everyone says mash-ups are tired now, but I submit this album to the contrary. You'd never guess a Jay-Z/Radiohead mash-up could work so well.
11. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca: This is one of those bands I've heard of for ages but never really listened to, I'm glad I started now.
10. Pisces - A Lovely Sight: A lost Psychedelic gem. This album was recorded in the 60's but never released until now. The Numero group has hit another home run by releasing this.
9. Wavves - Wavvves: Yes, I am a hipster.
8. The Mountain Goats - The Life of the World To Come: The Mountain Goats do the bible, and they do it well.
7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: I honestly hadn't heard of these guys before this album came out, but I have seen the error of my ways. I don't care if they're trendy, I love this album.
6. The Antlers - Hospice: The most heartbreakingly beautiful album of the year.
5. Girls - Album: Despite being permanently scarred by their NSFW music video. This is a great album that's full of life.
4. Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM: Apparently this album won't be officially released in the U.S. until January, but I had to include it on my '09 list because it's too damn good. Even better than her last album.
3. Kutiman - Thru You: Here is my other submission to the "mash-ups are not dead" folder. If you don't already know, these songs were made entirely out of youtube videos, it's a gimmicky premise that turned into something truly incredible. Check it out here http://thru-you.com/.
2. Passion Pit - Manners: Definitely my most played album of '09. Absurdly catchy electro-pop, this album will probably sound out of date by 2010, but I'll enjoy it for now.
1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion: As previously stated: Yes, I am a hipster.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Top 30 Films of 2008
Here is my incredibly late list of the best films of 2008, let me know what you think.
30. Choke
29. Tropic Thunder
28. Priceless
27. Synecdoche, New York
26. Snow Angels
25. Valkyrie
24. Milk
23. Iron Man
22. The Class
21. Waltz With Bashir
20. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
19. My Blueberry Nights
18. In Bruges
17. Frozen River
16. Let The Right One In
15. The Wrestler
14. Doubt
13. Vicky Christina Barcelona
12. The Visitor
11. The Fall
10. Burn After Reading
9. Revolutionary Road
8. Pineapple Express
7. Rachel Getting Married
6. The Dark Knight
5. Wall-E
4. The Foot Fist Way
3. Man on Wire
2. Frost/Nixon
1. Slumdog Millionaire
Worst movie of the year
The Happening (Please stop making movies M. Night)
Special award for most insane movie of the year that I actually kind of loved:
Pathology
30. Choke
29. Tropic Thunder
28. Priceless
27. Synecdoche, New York
26. Snow Angels
25. Valkyrie
24. Milk
23. Iron Man
22. The Class
21. Waltz With Bashir
20. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
19. My Blueberry Nights
18. In Bruges
17. Frozen River
16. Let The Right One In
15. The Wrestler
14. Doubt
13. Vicky Christina Barcelona
12. The Visitor
11. The Fall
10. Burn After Reading
9. Revolutionary Road
8. Pineapple Express
7. Rachel Getting Married
6. The Dark Knight
5. Wall-E
4. The Foot Fist Way
3. Man on Wire
2. Frost/Nixon
1. Slumdog Millionaire
Worst movie of the year
The Happening (Please stop making movies M. Night)
Special award for most insane movie of the year that I actually kind of loved:
Pathology
Friday, December 19, 2008
Top 20 Christmas Songs
Just in time for Xmas, I give you my list of the best Christmas songs ever made, ever.
20. Little Cindy - Happy Birthday Jesus (An adorable little southern girl talks to Jesus about his birthday, unintentionally hilarious and touching at the same time)
19. Atom and His Package - What We Do On Christmas (A song about what the Jews do on Christmas day, eating Chinese food and making soup of the blood of the Christian born apparently)
18. The Drifters - White Christmas (I know it's a bit blasphemous to put a non-Bing Crosby version on here, but this version is just better, in case you don't know, this is the version used in Home Alone, I rest my case)
17. Alvin & The Chipmunks - Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (C'mon, you know you love it)
16. C-3po & R2-D2 - Christmas in the Stars (From the unavailable Star Wars Christmas special, This song is teeeerrible, but I love so very much)
15. Zooey Deschanel (Feat. Leon Redbone) - Baby It's Cold Outside (Yeah, the version from Elf. I just can't get enough of Zooey's voice, plus I'm in love with her)
14. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas (Elvis gets all emo on us, but like a man)
13. Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas (I seem to always like the sad christmas songs the best, this one takes the cake for depressing)
12. The Cankles - Grandma (How can one not like a totally deadpan screamo cover of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?)
11. Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (Otris brings his silky smooth soul stylings to Christmas music, everyone wins)
10. Lou Monte - Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey (The touching story of a donkey who helps Santa climb the steep hills of Italy, because Santa apparently doesn't use his sleigh there... This song is a bonafide novelty classic.)
9. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (Trim my Christmas tree? This song is filthy, and ol' Eartha sings it better than anyone)
8. Thurl Ravenscroft - You're a Mean One Mister Grinch (The most ridiculous lyrics ever written, but they get their point across)
7. AKIM & The Teddy Vann Production Company - Santa Claus is a Black Man (Heard this one for the first time this year and it blew my mind, this is exactly what the title implies, a songs sung by a little kid explaining that Santa Claus is acutally a righteous brother)
6. The Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmastime is Here (perfectly captures the spirit of the TV special and the holiday season in general)
5. Sufjan Stevens - O Come O Come Emmanuel (A gorgeous rendition from the master, the highlight from a series of albums with plenty of highlights)
4. Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (Phil Spector is such a genius, to bad he's a murderer)
3. Copeland - Do You Hear What I Hear? (I generally don't like this song, but Copeland's stunningly beautiful rendition gets me every time)
2. Robert Shaw Chorale - Carol of the Bells (This song is the haunting Christmas tune you'll ever hear, it gives me chills)
1. Judy Garland - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (As I said, I tend to go for the sad Christmas songs, and while the lyrics of this song aren't neccesarily sad, Garland's vocals are rife with somber pathos)
Merry Christmas Everybody!
20. Little Cindy - Happy Birthday Jesus (An adorable little southern girl talks to Jesus about his birthday, unintentionally hilarious and touching at the same time)
19. Atom and His Package - What We Do On Christmas (A song about what the Jews do on Christmas day, eating Chinese food and making soup of the blood of the Christian born apparently)
18. The Drifters - White Christmas (I know it's a bit blasphemous to put a non-Bing Crosby version on here, but this version is just better, in case you don't know, this is the version used in Home Alone, I rest my case)
17. Alvin & The Chipmunks - Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (C'mon, you know you love it)
16. C-3po & R2-D2 - Christmas in the Stars (From the unavailable Star Wars Christmas special, This song is teeeerrible, but I love so very much)
15. Zooey Deschanel (Feat. Leon Redbone) - Baby It's Cold Outside (Yeah, the version from Elf. I just can't get enough of Zooey's voice, plus I'm in love with her)
14. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas (Elvis gets all emo on us, but like a man)
13. Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas (I seem to always like the sad christmas songs the best, this one takes the cake for depressing)
12. The Cankles - Grandma (How can one not like a totally deadpan screamo cover of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?)
11. Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby (Otris brings his silky smooth soul stylings to Christmas music, everyone wins)
10. Lou Monte - Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey (The touching story of a donkey who helps Santa climb the steep hills of Italy, because Santa apparently doesn't use his sleigh there... This song is a bonafide novelty classic.)
9. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (Trim my Christmas tree? This song is filthy, and ol' Eartha sings it better than anyone)
8. Thurl Ravenscroft - You're a Mean One Mister Grinch (The most ridiculous lyrics ever written, but they get their point across)
7. AKIM & The Teddy Vann Production Company - Santa Claus is a Black Man (Heard this one for the first time this year and it blew my mind, this is exactly what the title implies, a songs sung by a little kid explaining that Santa Claus is acutally a righteous brother)
6. The Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmastime is Here (perfectly captures the spirit of the TV special and the holiday season in general)
5. Sufjan Stevens - O Come O Come Emmanuel (A gorgeous rendition from the master, the highlight from a series of albums with plenty of highlights)
4. Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (Phil Spector is such a genius, to bad he's a murderer)
3. Copeland - Do You Hear What I Hear? (I generally don't like this song, but Copeland's stunningly beautiful rendition gets me every time)
2. Robert Shaw Chorale - Carol of the Bells (This song is the haunting Christmas tune you'll ever hear, it gives me chills)
1. Judy Garland - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (As I said, I tend to go for the sad Christmas songs, and while the lyrics of this song aren't neccesarily sad, Garland's vocals are rife with somber pathos)
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Top 20 Albums of 2008
Here it is, I'll be making a best of 2008 compilation soon, if you'd like a copy just let me know. Let me know your opinion.
20. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground - S/T
19. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrsing
18. Copeland - You Are My Sunshine
17. Inara George - An Invitation
16. Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
15. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
14. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
13. The Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine
12. Fleet Foxes - S/T
11. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
10. Ratatat - LP3
9. Vampire Weekend - S/T
8. The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
7. Dr. Dog - Fate
6. Sonny J - Disastro
5. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
4. She & Him - Volume One
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
2. The Dodos - Visiter
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (This album technically came out in 2007, but it was self distributed. It wasn't officially released until this year, but regardless of that fact, this album is amazing. I didn't like it at first but it slowly grew on me)
BONUS!!!! Top 5 E.P.s of 2008
5. The Bird and the Bee - One Too Many Hearts
4. The Field - Sound Of Light
3. Antony & The Johnsons - Another World
2. Joe Pug - Nation Of Heat
1. The Decemberists - Always The Bridesmaid
EXTRA BONUS!!!!!! Top 1 Comedy Album of 2008
1. Andrew Daly - Nine Sweaters (I decided to keep the top albums music only, but this would be top five for sure if I hadn't, hilarious)
20. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground - S/T
19. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrsing
18. Copeland - You Are My Sunshine
17. Inara George - An Invitation
16. Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
15. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
14. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
13. The Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine
12. Fleet Foxes - S/T
11. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
10. Ratatat - LP3
9. Vampire Weekend - S/T
8. The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
7. Dr. Dog - Fate
6. Sonny J - Disastro
5. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
4. She & Him - Volume One
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
2. The Dodos - Visiter
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (This album technically came out in 2007, but it was self distributed. It wasn't officially released until this year, but regardless of that fact, this album is amazing. I didn't like it at first but it slowly grew on me)
BONUS!!!! Top 5 E.P.s of 2008
5. The Bird and the Bee - One Too Many Hearts
4. The Field - Sound Of Light
3. Antony & The Johnsons - Another World
2. Joe Pug - Nation Of Heat
1. The Decemberists - Always The Bridesmaid
EXTRA BONUS!!!!!! Top 1 Comedy Album of 2008
1. Andrew Daly - Nine Sweaters (I decided to keep the top albums music only, but this would be top five for sure if I hadn't, hilarious)
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