Yes, yes, y'all (Yes, y'all!). Jake here. I worked with Paul for a spell. I'm also a Brooklynite, by way of Boston and Charlottesville. I'm excited to be a part of this plan! Great idea, and some really great lists. It's an honor to be among you all. Here's some of what I was into last year...
MUSIC
ALBUMS:
10. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Better than Funeral? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Ask me again in a couple of years.
9. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
My sister dragged me to their concert at Summerstage this summer. I was vaguely familiar with them beforehand, though I think I had a pretty substandard view of them. In short, they kicked my ass. They are cocky, to be sure, but in a sort of "wink-wink, we know we're full of shit, but we're going to have fun anyway" vibe. Just 'avin' a laugh, eh? They are almost the anti-Oasis. All the swagger and none of the assiduous brooding. Good, driving Brit-Pop. Plus I'm a sucker for a discernible British accent, and the drummer is a force to behold.
8. Feist - The Reminder
I love you more. Especially loved you on Letterman with a large chunk of the indie scene backing you in sparkly forearm bands. Mates of State, The National, Grizzly Bear, Broken Social Scene, The New Pornographers = a pretty good chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmEHauRTzJI
7. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
I don't know what I can say that other folks haven't already, except to note that this album was a creeper for me. I'm still getting a little bit more enjoyment out of it each time I listen to it.
6. Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
As any fan of The Band would no doubt agree, Levon Helm was their heart and soul. His deep Arkansas twang and steady drumming gave them so much of their sound. He had surgery for throat cancer in 1998 and couldn't speak for something like a year. To hear this album, you'd never know it. This is sweet American Roots music, perfect for a long Sunday drive in the country - ideally a fall trip to go apple picking. Keep that in mind...
5. Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth
It's good to know that even in this Soulja Boy-obsessed ("Macarena" anyone?) climate there's still someone out there dropping tight, socially conscious rhymes. On this his second album, Minneapolis's albino MC delivers a scathing, introspective rumination on life in Dubya's America. "Uncle Sam Goddamn" takes me right back to the days of P.E. and KRS-One.
4. Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy
Unlike many of my college friends, Sonic Youth was always a band I admired more than loved. Their music was too dissonant to really draw me in, unlike say Pavement. Maybe it just took them growing really old (they've got to be in their 70s by now) for our tastes to converge. I liked Rather Ripped quite a bit, and I love this album. It manages to be both contemplative and driving.
3. Ola Podrida - Ola Podrida
I can't get enough of this album. It's such an easy go-to. I've admired David Wingo's music on David Gordon Green's films, but this is so much more fulfilling. This is the one for Sunday afternoons spent on the couch with a good book. Looking forward to the Ola Podrida concert at Union Hall in a couple of weeks...
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Right now it's my fourth favorite Radiohead album. Given time, well, it's unlikely that it will leapfrog The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A, but who knows what the future has in store for us (me and Radiohead). It's a welcome return to real emotion for Thom and the boys, as they reassert their humanity for the first time since OKC. The "Nude"/"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"/"All I Need" trifecta represents, along with "Reckoner," exactly what I've missed about this band for the last seven years - and reminds me why they used to be my favorite band.
1. The National - Boxer
This one's easy for me. No other album got nearly the amount of play on my ipod this year. For me, 2007 was the year of The National. I found both Alligator and Boxer this year, and I continue to play them constantly. You want to talk about a constant go-to album? This has been mine since last spring. That should be good enough for top billing.
Honorable Mentions:
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Bishop Allen - The Broken String
Feist - The Reminder
Kanye West - Graduation
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Lucinda Williams - West
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River
Tegan and Sara - The Con
A SMATTERING OF SONGS:
"23" - Blonde Redhead
"Almost Ready" - Dinosaur Jr. Good as they ever were.
"As You Wish" - Aqueduct The Princess Bride. Nuff said.
"Australia" - The Shins
"Back In Your Head" - Tegan and Sara
"Bros (edit)" - Panda Bear
"Champion" - Kanye West Steely Dan samples? Yup, love 'em.
"Collarbone" - Fujiya and Miyagi
"D.A.N.C.E." - Justice
"Detlef Schrempf" - Band of Horses Seriously, how could I not love a song named for the original German baller?
"I Feel It All"/"1,2,3,4" - Feist Good, poppy fun.
"Impossible Germany" - Wilco It's definitely light rock, but this song gets it right. Nice seventies vibe, and Nils Cline just kills his solo.
"Myriad Harbour" - The New Pornagraphers I've never been real fan of theirs (though I love me some Neko Case), but I like this song a lot.
"North American Scum" - LCD Soundsystem Wait, are you talking about me?
"Oxford Comma" - Vampire Weekend Brooklyn's own. Looking forward to their full LP at the end of the month.
"Paper Planes" - M.I.A. She's generally too scattered and blippy for my taste, but this song is the shit. My wife hates the gun sounds and cringes every time I play it, which is often.
"The Shape is in a Trance" - Thurston Moore
"Umbrella" - Rihanna
"West Coast" - Coconut Records Schwartzman, oh how you slay me.
FILM
I didn't see nearly as many films as I wanted to this year, though of those that I saw, I particularly enjoyed Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, No Country For Old Men, Paris, Je T'aime, and Zodiac. Juno? Why didn't she get an abortion again? Oh right, it was the fingernails thing. Riiiiight...
TELEVISION
1. The Wire, Season 4 on DVD
Is this cheating? I don't care, because it is the best show that's ever been produced, and I just got this for Christmas. If you're not watching this already, Netflix it now. Right now.
2. Friday Night Lights
This show is just plain good. A little something for everyone, and Texas drawls to boot.
3. Flight of the Conchords
"I don't know if Stu is keen to, but if you want we could double-team you."
4. The Office
5. 30 Rock
6. The Unit
David Mamet+Army Special Forces=me glued to the television. Plus it turns Scott Foley (yes, the Scott Foley of Felicity fame) into a badass.
7. The Red Sox World Series Victory
How sweet it is.
8. Kitchen Nightmares
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy this nearly as much if Gordon Ramsey was American. Watching him dress down sad-sack Long Island restaurateurs with his Britishisms makes for riveting telly time.
9. The Sopranos final scene
I for one loved it. The Journey was perfect. The tension (Meadow unsuccessfully parallel parking) was perfect. When the screen went black, I literally cackled and shot out of my chair.
10. Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" video featuring Zach Galafianakis and Will Oldham
Even after what seems like 100 viewings, this still makes me laugh but good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x0TumWdlhk
BOOKS
Fiction:
A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian - Marina Lewycka
Tomcat in Love - Tim O'Brien
By Night In Chile - Roberto Bolano
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold - John Lecarre
various mysteries by Andrea Camilleri
Nonfiction:
Heat - Bill Buford
The Argument - Matt Bai
Love is a Mix Tape - Rob Sheffield
PODCASTS
Slate's Political Gabfest
Nadia and I are slobberingly, bloodshot eyes hooked on this. Smart, funny, and informative. We listen to it every week.
The B.S. Report
I love Bill Simmons. and I'm not afraid to admit it.
Uhh Yeah, Dude
I was recently turned on to this weekly, hour-long bullshitfest featuring John Larroquette's son and a friend of his riffing on whatever suits them. I find it is perfect to do the dishes to. It's decidedly middlebrow, but the funnier for it.
Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my largest time suck, Hattrick. It's a free online manager-based soccer game, and it's as dorky and much more addictive than it sounds. If you like soccer at all, I suggest you check it out. A million dorks worldwide can't be wrong, can they? Be sure to look for AC Tatonka... www.hattrick.org
Thanks to Paul, and to y'all. Peace.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Katie's Paulie's
My name is Katie. I live in 10. The Wii
I know, I know, I started my list with something completely un-music, but I am suffering from a severe rotator cuff injury due to Wii tennis, so it's all that is on my mind. Patrick and I purchased the Wii a few months ago...I will admit I play it less, but I am the better person for it (injury aside). It has it's social merits...and I am able to whoop him in various games that involve patience. So I like it.
9. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
I can’t believe this album came out this year. I don’t think I had it on my mental list until I read some of the other entries. I feel like that ship has sailed for me, but in reality I loved this album when it first came out. I also wanted to put it on here to make Paul squirm.
8. Darjeeling Limited, Hotel Chevalier
I know, it's also not music. But, I feel the music made this short what it is. I could watch it over and over and over. Mainly because the music is great (also because there are some classic lines). It made me want to go back to France and disappear.
7. Jose Gonzalez: In Our Nature
I became an aunt for the first time this year. I have been affected by this significantly as I am the lone trusted babysitter. When you have a screaming child in your arms and the only thing to make her stop is the soft guitar picking of Jose, this album would fall in your top 10 as well. Puts Johanna to sleep. So it wins. As long as we are showcasing hot videos, how about this one?
6. The Long, Lost Album Cover
As someone who still buys CDs, I appreciate a good album cover. They rarely come around, but some of my favorite albums made a real effort (and succeeded). Bright Eyes Cassadaga came complete with fortune cookie and decoder window to read various hidden messages. I could look at the Panda Bear cover for hours. It reminds me of better times...when I would lie on the floor studying the Mama's and the Papa's self titled album: "What if Mama Cass had Michelle Williams' chin?".
5. Feist: The Reminder
I have loved Feist ever since my first Broken Social Scene show, but her last album just didn’t showcase how great she is. I would say she is this year’s Neko Case. I’m hooked. And I love I-tunes. Apparently she does too.
4. Of
I would hate to jump on the bandwagon here, but this is a great album from start to finish. Full of some good rock songs-some nice head-bobbing music. With that sweet little voice.
3. Panda Bear: Person Pitch
I love Pet Sounds, why would I not love this?
2. Caribou: Andorra
I bought this album on a whim after a brief visit to the music shop. Loved it from first listen and did not remove it from my rotation for the rest of the year. As Patrick mentioned-easy listening. My favorite genre.
1. Bjork Live at Sasquatch.
No Question. The best show I have ever or will ever see. I wasn't a huge fan of Bjork's album this year (hence it not making the list) but holy shit Vespertine? Post? Live? Not to mention the fact that she puts on a great show. She writes a mean love song "I go through all this before you wake up so I can feel happier to be safe again." Oh. It was amazing. I am a bit of a sap, but live music rarely makes me cry. This did.
Additional music-related comments:
I wish that my boyfriend would have told me about Miracle Fortress in the year 2007. Would have most likely made the list, but I feel dishonest adding it now.
Most disappointing club-closing: The Crocodile-Seattle, WA
Owned by Peter Buck’s ex-wife, this is one last nail in the coffin of grunge. The Crocodile is a Seattle legend where bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam got their start. They even hosted a secret Beastie Boys show earlier this year. Also of note: this was the first bar where I was ever admitted with a fake ID. It was to see a Smiths cover band. Needless to say, I felt pretty cool. What a bummer.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2004079046_croc180.html
Most promising club-opening: The Slowdown-Omaha, NE
This is the music venue middle-America has been praying for. Saddle Creek records finally opened a proper club this summer, which allows bands to play somewhere other than the Polish community center. The place operates as a bar full-time, complete with a free (stellar) jukebox, photo booth and bartenders from your favorite bands such as Azure Ray and Tilly and the Wall. They did plenty of research on what makes a good venue, and it has paid off. The sound is better than anything I’ve ever heard from a small rock club. It’s worth a visit. I’m sure everyone on this list will add it to their vacation calendars.
http://www.timmcmahan.com/slowdownopens.htm
Best new (for me) band: Russian Circles
Based out of St Louis, they are recording their next album in Seattle. They played a free show in my neighborhood. I guess I would call it metal…maybe, but I’m no expert on the genre. No singer…just sweet guitar, bass and drums. I had so much fun listening to them wail on their axes. Pretty awesome.
Other things to mention: Aprons: the costume for the kitchen, The Colonial Ponytail, Michael Cera, Traveling by float plane, and finally, I do still love Royal Lyme cologne, but might I recommend something in the Roger and Gallet family this year?
That’s it. Thanks.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
LIST
I am Eamonn, a participant in several past lists, unattentive in the past couple years. A photo-shooter and record-recorder in the DC area who recently spent far too much money on grad school in NYC.
10. The Besnard Lakes - Are The Dark Horse
Husband and wife team from Montreal mix Beach Boys-esque vocals with the droning fuzz and reverb soaked arrangements of mid-90s American indie/post-shoegazers like UltraVividScene and Galaxie 500.
9. Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
Wainwright pushes melodramatic over-emoting ten times further than any other vocalist/songwriter could ever hope to get away with and still sounds believable. Where some performers may have been content to let their incredible vocal talents carry the full weight, Wainwright betters his peers by proving himself again a clever, eclectic, and ambitious songwriter.
8. Feist - The Reminder
Hopefully someone sent this one to Jeff Tweedy to show him you can make a pretty, low-key, singsongy album and still have it be interesting to listen to. The second half of "I Feel It All" is awesome - how often can you totally rock out to a quiet acoustic song? I'm sure she's endured/enduring a horrific wave of spiteful backlash slogging from the too-cool set, but dammit! It's a great collection of songs stripped of the usual female-singer/sonwriter fare and instead offering up great vocal melodies, live, loose sounding instrumentation, and is at once bittersweet and totally *fun*.
7. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
Paul's assessment of this record being both heavenly and hellish at once is spot on. Wolf Parade's slightly freakier, forgot-its-meds cousin. Too cool, yea?
6. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
It's already been mentioned a few times and there's not much I could add to what's been said. I like it for the same reasons I liked Feist and Wainwright - a talented vocalist who puts as much attention into the orchestration of their songs as their vocals. Recorded largely in a basement home studio, which pays off. You know how at home people are always a little more comfortable with their weirdness and indulge it a little more? Bird's slightly eccentric lyrics are a great foil to the more traditional, yet superbly executed instrumentation.
5. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Yea, it's not Funeral. It rocks so much more! There's no moment of beauty like, well, the entire first track of Funeral, but come on... in a year where all the sudden Springsteen musical-nods were popping up left and right (and about time, yea?) was there any one better than that turn in the second verse of Intervention at around 2:06? Antichrist Television Blues? Holy Shit. That song blaring out busting down the turnpike headed back to Virginia in the middle of the night is borderline transcedental experience. Musically, lyrcically, performancewise, an absolutely majestic record.
4. Caribou - Andorra
The Doves and The Flaming Lips team up with guest vocal arranger Elliott Smith to do an homage to the soundtrack of a late '60s espionage adventure movie? Amazing balance of sounds - electronics and acoustics and massive arrangements, fantastic synthesis of classic psychedelia and modern production. So enjoyable in so many contexts.
3. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
It's so awesome. So, so awesome. LSF return and do something amazing. They got a little more normal, a little less chaotic and abrasive. It could have meant "BORING" in the hands of many bands, but LSF bring all the weird savage energy and wirey postpunk guitars that made past releases so exciting (and sometimes barely tolerable) to a new set of songs that proves the versatility and prowess of the band beyond, uh, pretty much all their peers. Tim's vocals retain their snap and snarl while also embracing a pretty keen melodic sense. I can't say enough good things. 2007's best rock record. Also the most insanely insane live band around. Wear protective gloves.
2. The National - Boxer
For what appears to be such a "normal" record, I can't think of anything else that really sounds like it. It's the sum of many fairly mundane parts turned into a record that stands above it's lineage. Little bits of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Springsteen, New Order, and Tindersticks float around a decidedly nocturnal soundstage. The drummer! Listen to him! Produced by Peter Katis (who also did the first two Interpol records) it's also probably my favorite *sounding* record of the year - huge, rich, gritty immersive tones. Apparently a remarkable live band, as well - I'll find out Feb 22. Ho ho ho!
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
My download finished a little before 4am that morning, and I sat in front of my laptop with my headphones on until past 9 listening to it in sequence over, and over, and over. For me this is their best thing since OK. Though sounding totally different it feels to me like the How Am I Driving EP, chronolgically - fights so nicely between OK and Kid A. There isn't a single song on here that seems a mis-step to me. The Arpegii/All I Need back to back combo is my favorite since Exit Music/Let Down. I don't really read any music magazines or websites so I never had to pay any mind to the hype, and then the hype about the hype, and then the backlash to the hype about the hype, and really, who cares. It's a stellar record, and Radiohead truly feels like a BAND again.
let downs: Spoon and Wilco. Each comes on the tail of each band's respective best record to date, and each, while not bad, falls utterly short of what the bands can do. Though You Got Yr Cherry Bomb is essentially perfect, the rest of Gax5 just doesn't measure up. Wilco, pleasantly boring background music does not suit you. A couple strong songs but nothing nearly rivetting enough to save the record.
2006 mention. I didn't get a list together in time but for Mark Cichra, I will say this: Battle of Mice. BATTLE OF MICE! Crushing.
--
www.eamonn-aiken.com
10. The Besnard Lakes - Are The Dark Horse
Husband and wife team from Montreal mix Beach Boys-esque vocals with the droning fuzz and reverb soaked arrangements of mid-90s American indie/post-shoegazers like UltraVividScene and Galaxie 500.
9. Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
Wainwright pushes melodramatic over-emoting ten times further than any other vocalist/songwriter could ever hope to get away with and still sounds believable. Where some performers may have been content to let their incredible vocal talents carry the full weight, Wainwright betters his peers by proving himself again a clever, eclectic, and ambitious songwriter.
8. Feist - The Reminder
Hopefully someone sent this one to Jeff Tweedy to show him you can make a pretty, low-key, singsongy album and still have it be interesting to listen to. The second half of "I Feel It All" is awesome - how often can you totally rock out to a quiet acoustic song? I'm sure she's endured/enduring a horrific wave of spiteful backlash slogging from the too-cool set, but dammit! It's a great collection of songs stripped of the usual female-singer/sonwriter fare and instead offering up great vocal melodies, live, loose sounding instrumentation, and is at once bittersweet and totally *fun*.
7. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
Paul's assessment of this record being both heavenly and hellish at once is spot on. Wolf Parade's slightly freakier, forgot-its-meds cousin. Too cool, yea?
6. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
It's already been mentioned a few times and there's not much I could add to what's been said. I like it for the same reasons I liked Feist and Wainwright - a talented vocalist who puts as much attention into the orchestration of their songs as their vocals. Recorded largely in a basement home studio, which pays off. You know how at home people are always a little more comfortable with their weirdness and indulge it a little more? Bird's slightly eccentric lyrics are a great foil to the more traditional, yet superbly executed instrumentation.
5. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Yea, it's not Funeral. It rocks so much more! There's no moment of beauty like, well, the entire first track of Funeral, but come on... in a year where all the sudden Springsteen musical-nods were popping up left and right (and about time, yea?) was there any one better than that turn in the second verse of Intervention at around 2:06? Antichrist Television Blues? Holy Shit. That song blaring out busting down the turnpike headed back to Virginia in the middle of the night is borderline transcedental experience. Musically, lyrcically, performancewise, an absolutely majestic record.
4. Caribou - Andorra
The Doves and The Flaming Lips team up with guest vocal arranger Elliott Smith to do an homage to the soundtrack of a late '60s espionage adventure movie? Amazing balance of sounds - electronics and acoustics and massive arrangements, fantastic synthesis of classic psychedelia and modern production. So enjoyable in so many contexts.
3. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
It's so awesome. So, so awesome. LSF return and do something amazing. They got a little more normal, a little less chaotic and abrasive. It could have meant "BORING" in the hands of many bands, but LSF bring all the weird savage energy and wirey postpunk guitars that made past releases so exciting (and sometimes barely tolerable) to a new set of songs that proves the versatility and prowess of the band beyond, uh, pretty much all their peers. Tim's vocals retain their snap and snarl while also embracing a pretty keen melodic sense. I can't say enough good things. 2007's best rock record. Also the most insanely insane live band around. Wear protective gloves.
2. The National - Boxer
For what appears to be such a "normal" record, I can't think of anything else that really sounds like it. It's the sum of many fairly mundane parts turned into a record that stands above it's lineage. Little bits of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Springsteen, New Order, and Tindersticks float around a decidedly nocturnal soundstage. The drummer! Listen to him! Produced by Peter Katis (who also did the first two Interpol records) it's also probably my favorite *sounding* record of the year - huge, rich, gritty immersive tones. Apparently a remarkable live band, as well - I'll find out Feb 22. Ho ho ho!
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
My download finished a little before 4am that morning, and I sat in front of my laptop with my headphones on until past 9 listening to it in sequence over, and over, and over. For me this is their best thing since OK. Though sounding totally different it feels to me like the How Am I Driving EP, chronolgically - fights so nicely between OK and Kid A. There isn't a single song on here that seems a mis-step to me. The Arpegii/All I Need back to back combo is my favorite since Exit Music/Let Down. I don't really read any music magazines or websites so I never had to pay any mind to the hype, and then the hype about the hype, and then the backlash to the hype about the hype, and really, who cares. It's a stellar record, and Radiohead truly feels like a BAND again.
let downs: Spoon and Wilco. Each comes on the tail of each band's respective best record to date, and each, while not bad, falls utterly short of what the bands can do. Though You Got Yr Cherry Bomb is essentially perfect, the rest of Gax5 just doesn't measure up. Wilco, pleasantly boring background music does not suit you. A couple strong songs but nothing nearly rivetting enough to save the record.
2006 mention. I didn't get a list together in time but for Mark Cichra, I will say this: Battle of Mice. BATTLE OF MICE! Crushing.
--
www.eamonn-aiken.com
Meta Paulies
Patrick again. Ok, I shot my wad early and I want an excuse to post again. Instead of making a lot of comments on everyone’s post. Here is my top ten comments connected to other Paulies post.
1. Simpsons Movie was and is a disappointment. Niki argued this point nicely and I have to agree. Although I did get to go to a 7-11 that was turned into a quickie mart and it made me smile. I bought a six back of buzz cola.
2. In Rainbows. Personally, I don’t get why Radiohead always gets a free pass. I’m not really upset over In Rainbows, because I kind of like it. Now Hail to the Thief...
3. El Perro Del Mar is great. You’re welcome. I also want to give a thank you to everyone who mentioned Liars last year. I listened to that album repeatedly (It’s over 50 on my iTunes play count).
4. Y’all need to listen to more music. It’s not respectable. Seriously, hit me up and I’ll send you some. G2P is something I use that is an easy alternative to scary bittorrents and p2p networks.
5. M.I.A. I don’t know how I feel about her anymore, but paper planes is a fun one. Gun shots as percussion is the new hand clap.
6. Television. I generally hate TV and generally don’t watch it. However, Top Chef hasn’t been mentioned. I kind of got hooked on the reruns this summer when I was home for a week with nothing to do. I ended up buying all the episodes on iTunes and watching season 3 like crazy. I became a little obsessed with cooking and food this year.
7. Flight of the Conchords…good, good...Just got season one on DVD. A full length album comes out in April on Sub Pop. Here’s a clip that makes me laugh.
8. Have you all seen the short for Darjeeling Limited, Hotel Chevalier? You were able to get it free on iTunes, but it doesn’t look that way anymore. I’m curious to hear more reactions to this movie. I loved it, but it sounds like some would disagree.
9. College Radio. Love it too John. Growing up in Iowa the radio sucks. Actually growing up anywhere, the radio sucks. I was lucky enough to have KRUI, Iowa’s college radio. In grad school I came to realize what I truly like about weird college radio. They play stuff you have never heard and may never hear again. It’s like never walking in the same river twice type of stuff.
10. How bout this blog huh? I think it’s turned out pretty well. Thanks for all the submissions.
1. Simpsons Movie was and is a disappointment. Niki argued this point nicely and I have to agree. Although I did get to go to a 7-11 that was turned into a quickie mart and it made me smile. I bought a six back of buzz cola.
2. In Rainbows. Personally, I don’t get why Radiohead always gets a free pass. I’m not really upset over In Rainbows, because I kind of like it. Now Hail to the Thief...
3. El Perro Del Mar is great. You’re welcome. I also want to give a thank you to everyone who mentioned Liars last year. I listened to that album repeatedly (It’s over 50 on my iTunes play count).
4. Y’all need to listen to more music. It’s not respectable. Seriously, hit me up and I’ll send you some. G2P is something I use that is an easy alternative to scary bittorrents and p2p networks.
5. M.I.A. I don’t know how I feel about her anymore, but paper planes is a fun one. Gun shots as percussion is the new hand clap.
6. Television. I generally hate TV and generally don’t watch it. However, Top Chef hasn’t been mentioned. I kind of got hooked on the reruns this summer when I was home for a week with nothing to do. I ended up buying all the episodes on iTunes and watching season 3 like crazy. I became a little obsessed with cooking and food this year.
7. Flight of the Conchords…good, good...Just got season one on DVD. A full length album comes out in April on Sub Pop. Here’s a clip that makes me laugh.
8. Have you all seen the short for Darjeeling Limited, Hotel Chevalier? You were able to get it free on iTunes, but it doesn’t look that way anymore. I’m curious to hear more reactions to this movie. I loved it, but it sounds like some would disagree.
9. College Radio. Love it too John. Growing up in Iowa the radio sucks. Actually growing up anywhere, the radio sucks. I was lucky enough to have KRUI, Iowa’s college radio. In grad school I came to realize what I truly like about weird college radio. They play stuff you have never heard and may never hear again. It’s like never walking in the same river twice type of stuff.
10. How bout this blog huh? I think it’s turned out pretty well. Thanks for all the submissions.
Monday, January 7, 2008
this is sarah's list
Hello Paulies! My name is Sarah Lowe. I know Paul through co-contributor Jeff Moran. This is my 2nd year contributing to the list. I live in Boston, where I'm in year 2 of 5+ in a clinical psych program.
I spent much of this year being a workaholic, which meant that I spent more of my free time being a more couch potato than a music connoisseur. This is reflected in my list. Also, I'm not good at making top 10 lists or ranking things that I like. Or describing why I like things. That being said, my list is short + sweet
So, here are some things I liked this year.
MUSIC – ALBUMS
Kanye West – Graduation
He makes the hits and has an awesomely ridiculous personality to go with them.
M.I.A. – Kala
Fantastic sophomore album. Loved "Paper Planes" the best. Didn't love the excessive pimping on MTV, though.
Lavender Diamond – Imagine Our Love
Appeals to the girly girl in me. I can't endorse the whole album, but I love "Here Xomes One," "Open your Heart," "Oh No" and "You Broke my Heart."
Coconut Records – Nighttiming
I like Jason Schwartzman, and I really like this album. Really upbeat and fun. "West Coast" is a must for long distance relationship peeps.
Mika – Life in Cartoon Motion
I felt like this album may have come out in 2006, but alas, I checked and it is indeed 2007. Maybe this is b/c he sounds so much like Scissor Sisters. Regardless, this album is great bouncing around music.
Kate Nash – Made of Bricks
"Foundations" is the jam, and her other songs are great, too. Some quirky lyrics, but mostly not annoyingly so.
The Bird & The Bee – The Bird and the Bee
Some more girly, fun, bouncy music.
MUSIC – SINGLES
Rihanna – "Umbrella"
It would be a vicious lie not to include this on the top of my list. There was a point during the summer of 2007 where I was literally walking up to friends and being like, "have you heard that ella ella song?" The song is funny, danceable and sweet. Like the Scott Simons cover, too.
Lil' Mama – "Lip Gloss"
When I first heard this song, I was like… what is this crap? But then, a few months later, I had memorized the lyrics. So, I'm not sure if that makes this a good song, but definitely says something. I also like the LM remix of Avril's Girlfriend.
Ola Podrida – "Instead"
A beautiful, low-key tune for the morning commute.
Sugarland – "Stay"
#1 reason to get into country music (#2 = Carrie Underwood's "Wasted")
Bishop Allen – "Rain"
Upbeat, fun, positive indie pop jam!
Lupe Fiasco – "Can You Let Me Know"
I'm confused about what album this is on, but I somehow came across this song and love it. Great hiphop and old school sample.
Yelle – "Ce Jeu"
Bouncy, fun, French.
TELEVISON
Project Runway
The long-awaited return of my favoritest show. My current top 4 = Rami, Gillian, Kit and Kevin. Chris March is the cutest!
30 Rock
The show gets better and better. Is it cheesey for me to say that I'm glad there's Tina Fey to be a smart, funny and pretty role model for young women?
Intervention
Like Jeff mentioned, this show can make the stomach turn, but is great television. Fascinating, sympathetic to its subjects, and well-paced.
American Idol
My guiltiest pleasure did not let me down in season 6 (except for when Tom Lowe didn't make the top 24!). I wanted to babysit Sanjaya.
Family Feud
Best game show ever. I know I mentioned this last year, too, but John O'Hurley hosting is a definite upgrade (Sorry Tool Time guy / Ray Combs is still the best). My favorite moment of the year was the recent NBA players vs. NBA mothers week.
Flight of the Concords
I love Jermaine and Brett's lack of emotional expression. The songs are hilarious and actually good, too. I want a full-length album ASAP.
South Park
I feel like this show gets better with time. The World of Warcraft epp was awesome.
Degrassi
I love this show!!! This year's spotty season – advertised as the "go-there-iest" yet – wasn't the best, but there was certainly dramarama. I'm still deciding whether the Degrassi-Lakehurst merger was the official end of the show or an exciting new beginning. Not that that means anything to all you non-watchers. Also exciting was that one of its stars was in Juno. Yay!
"Bad TV"
This year I became obsessed with shows that I considered pretty despicable. Thanks MTV/VH1 for gems like The Pick-Up Artist, I Love New York, Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, Rock of Love with Brett Michaels, and Scott Baio is 45 and Single. I also was a bit too into watching recap shows like The Soup and Best Week Ever. There's something about Mo Rocca's commentary on bad reality episodes that I've already seen that keeps me wanting more.
BOOKS
The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver
The literary "Sliding Doors." For anyone who has ever considered the "what ifs" of small but significant interpersonal decisions. The book alternates between two parallel worlds – one in which the main character kisses a family friend, and another where she decides to go home instead.
Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited by Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein
Just finished this one. Two women, one a filmmaker and the other a writer, discover that they were twins separated at birth as part of a study on nature vs. nurture. Great read.
The Sabotage Café by Joshua Furst
A schizophrenic mother speculates on her runaway daughter's whereabouts, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and reliving her days in the Minneapolis punk rock scene.
Grotesque by Natsuo Karino
2 Japanese prostitutes are murdered, and the narrator (the sister of one prostitute, and a classmate of the other) tells their life stories, as well as that of their murderer.
Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann
I love animals, and maybe that's why I liked this book so much. A flock of sheep solve the mystery of their shepherd's murder!
MOVIES
Lars and the Real Girl
I've seen this on some Worst lists this year, and I can see why people might not like it… but I thought this movie was sweet, funny, sad and moving. Great performances by Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer. I was worried that the premise would get old after about 20 minutes, but the movie had much more depth than I anticipated.
Enchanted
Amy Adams is adorable!
MAGAZINES
Wired
This mag keeps me learned about tech stuff and informed about crazy stories like Internet stalker murders and alleged scientist molesters.
Jane
I have to mention the end of my once favorite magazine. Jane had definitely declined since Jane Pratt left, but I was still sad to find out that the mag was officially done-zo. It will be missed.
CUTEST CHARACTER
Japan's Rilakkuma
I love this little guy, as well as Korilakkuma (the little white bear friend).
http://www.san-x.co.jp/relaxuma/top.html
And, check out this commercial he's in. Love that Maroon 5 is in the background.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9pt-ICMq7PI
AWESOME EMBARRASSING MOMENTS
Britney's VMA Performance
I've been a Britney fan and genuinely hope she gets good help… but, wow, I could not believe my eyes when I saw her performance. It was definitely worthy of a post-performance mass-text.
Zac Efron – "Bet on It"
I found this clip from HSM 2 to be absolutely hilarious, especially the sand throwing at 1:34
http://youtube.com/watch?v=omCFKGhe5j8
THANKS
Lastly, thanks to the list-writers, and to the people who recommended El Perro del Mar last year (love it). And, of course to Paul for his organizing and monthly-or-so lists of new releases!
I spent much of this year being a workaholic, which meant that I spent more of my free time being a more couch potato than a music connoisseur. This is reflected in my list. Also, I'm not good at making top 10 lists or ranking things that I like. Or describing why I like things. That being said, my list is short + sweet
So, here are some things I liked this year.
MUSIC – ALBUMS
Kanye West – Graduation
He makes the hits and has an awesomely ridiculous personality to go with them.
M.I.A. – Kala
Fantastic sophomore album. Loved "Paper Planes" the best. Didn't love the excessive pimping on MTV, though.
Lavender Diamond – Imagine Our Love
Appeals to the girly girl in me. I can't endorse the whole album, but I love "Here Xomes One," "Open your Heart," "Oh No" and "You Broke my Heart."
Coconut Records – Nighttiming
I like Jason Schwartzman, and I really like this album. Really upbeat and fun. "West Coast" is a must for long distance relationship peeps.
Mika – Life in Cartoon Motion
I felt like this album may have come out in 2006, but alas, I checked and it is indeed 2007. Maybe this is b/c he sounds so much like Scissor Sisters. Regardless, this album is great bouncing around music.
Kate Nash – Made of Bricks
"Foundations" is the jam, and her other songs are great, too. Some quirky lyrics, but mostly not annoyingly so.
The Bird & The Bee – The Bird and the Bee
Some more girly, fun, bouncy music.
MUSIC – SINGLES
Rihanna – "Umbrella"
It would be a vicious lie not to include this on the top of my list. There was a point during the summer of 2007 where I was literally walking up to friends and being like, "have you heard that ella ella song?" The song is funny, danceable and sweet. Like the Scott Simons cover, too.
Lil' Mama – "Lip Gloss"
When I first heard this song, I was like… what is this crap? But then, a few months later, I had memorized the lyrics. So, I'm not sure if that makes this a good song, but definitely says something. I also like the LM remix of Avril's Girlfriend.
Ola Podrida – "Instead"
A beautiful, low-key tune for the morning commute.
Sugarland – "Stay"
#1 reason to get into country music (#2 = Carrie Underwood's "Wasted")
Bishop Allen – "Rain"
Upbeat, fun, positive indie pop jam!
Lupe Fiasco – "Can You Let Me Know"
I'm confused about what album this is on, but I somehow came across this song and love it. Great hiphop and old school sample.
Yelle – "Ce Jeu"
Bouncy, fun, French.
TELEVISON
Project Runway
The long-awaited return of my favoritest show. My current top 4 = Rami, Gillian, Kit and Kevin. Chris March is the cutest!
30 Rock
The show gets better and better. Is it cheesey for me to say that I'm glad there's Tina Fey to be a smart, funny and pretty role model for young women?
Intervention
Like Jeff mentioned, this show can make the stomach turn, but is great television. Fascinating, sympathetic to its subjects, and well-paced.
American Idol
My guiltiest pleasure did not let me down in season 6 (except for when Tom Lowe didn't make the top 24!). I wanted to babysit Sanjaya.
Family Feud
Best game show ever. I know I mentioned this last year, too, but John O'Hurley hosting is a definite upgrade (Sorry Tool Time guy / Ray Combs is still the best). My favorite moment of the year was the recent NBA players vs. NBA mothers week.
Flight of the Concords
I love Jermaine and Brett's lack of emotional expression. The songs are hilarious and actually good, too. I want a full-length album ASAP.
South Park
I feel like this show gets better with time. The World of Warcraft epp was awesome.
Degrassi
I love this show!!! This year's spotty season – advertised as the "go-there-iest" yet – wasn't the best, but there was certainly dramarama. I'm still deciding whether the Degrassi-Lakehurst merger was the official end of the show or an exciting new beginning. Not that that means anything to all you non-watchers. Also exciting was that one of its stars was in Juno. Yay!
"Bad TV"
This year I became obsessed with shows that I considered pretty despicable. Thanks MTV/VH1 for gems like The Pick-Up Artist, I Love New York, Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, Rock of Love with Brett Michaels, and Scott Baio is 45 and Single. I also was a bit too into watching recap shows like The Soup and Best Week Ever. There's something about Mo Rocca's commentary on bad reality episodes that I've already seen that keeps me wanting more.
BOOKS
The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver
The literary "Sliding Doors." For anyone who has ever considered the "what ifs" of small but significant interpersonal decisions. The book alternates between two parallel worlds – one in which the main character kisses a family friend, and another where she decides to go home instead.
Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited by Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein
Just finished this one. Two women, one a filmmaker and the other a writer, discover that they were twins separated at birth as part of a study on nature vs. nurture. Great read.
The Sabotage Café by Joshua Furst
A schizophrenic mother speculates on her runaway daughter's whereabouts, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and reliving her days in the Minneapolis punk rock scene.
Grotesque by Natsuo Karino
2 Japanese prostitutes are murdered, and the narrator (the sister of one prostitute, and a classmate of the other) tells their life stories, as well as that of their murderer.
Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann
I love animals, and maybe that's why I liked this book so much. A flock of sheep solve the mystery of their shepherd's murder!
MOVIES
Lars and the Real Girl
I've seen this on some Worst lists this year, and I can see why people might not like it… but I thought this movie was sweet, funny, sad and moving. Great performances by Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer. I was worried that the premise would get old after about 20 minutes, but the movie had much more depth than I anticipated.
Enchanted
Amy Adams is adorable!
MAGAZINES
Wired
This mag keeps me learned about tech stuff and informed about crazy stories like Internet stalker murders and alleged scientist molesters.
Jane
I have to mention the end of my once favorite magazine. Jane had definitely declined since Jane Pratt left, but I was still sad to find out that the mag was officially done-zo. It will be missed.
CUTEST CHARACTER
Japan's Rilakkuma
I love this little guy, as well as Korilakkuma (the little white bear friend).
http://www.san-x.co.jp/relaxuma/top.html
And, check out this commercial he's in. Love that Maroon 5 is in the background.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9pt-ICMq7PI
AWESOME EMBARRASSING MOMENTS
Britney's VMA Performance
I've been a Britney fan and genuinely hope she gets good help… but, wow, I could not believe my eyes when I saw her performance. It was definitely worthy of a post-performance mass-text.
Zac Efron – "Bet on It"
I found this clip from HSM 2 to be absolutely hilarious, especially the sand throwing at 1:34
http://youtube.com/watch?v=omCFKGhe5j8
THANKS
Lastly, thanks to the list-writers, and to the people who recommended El Perro del Mar last year (love it). And, of course to Paul for his organizing and monthly-or-so lists of new releases!
Jeff Moran's Paulie List
I know Paul from college. I'm all about the hits.
10. Kate Nash, "Foundations" - A Brit-pop Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=orACIBjHuI4
9. Gwen Stefani, "The Sweet Escape" - I'm absolutely sick of the song now, but back in the summer this was the jam. Thank God someone found a way to use Akon's voice to great effect.
8. Simply Apple - You know those plastic OJ carafes that are sold near the dairy section at most supermarkets? They now make this stuff in apple juice form and it's fabulous. The first time I purchased it I drank 64oz in 1.5 days and got pretty bad diarrhea. That's why it's #8.
7. MIA, "Paper Planes" - This Clash beat is slammin. What is MIA singing about?
6. "Rob & Big" on MTV - They own a mini-horse.
5. CRS (Kanye, Lupe, Pharrell) "Us Placers" - A very cool, laid back track that samples a Radiohead song that I don't recognize. Paul/Grandone/Matty, can you help me out here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xz8FXgLpI4
(3-way tie)
5. X-Games Skateboard Wipeout - This is nuts. The guy's shoes come flying off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTeXKHkNqgk&NR=1
(3-way tie)
5. Cody Paul featuring Fat Joe, "Make it Rain" - This middle schooler is truly making it rain on dem hoes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqSV1wnN5oQ
4. 50 Cent, "I Get Money" - First line off the first single on his new album: 50 comes out blazing with a commentary on the Coca-Cola purchase of Vitamin Water. Now that is gangsta. Best hip-hop beat of the year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbM9EP2G0LM
3. Kanye West/Fall Out Boy, "Remix to This Ain't a Scene..." - Kanye at his best. Makes fun of Fall Out Boy on a remix of their own song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY1BcGlkCO4
2. The Game featuring Kanye West, "Wouldn't Get Far" - This came out in November 2006. I don't care. This is best song of 2007. Kanye enters the video by unzipping his face out of a BAPE shark hoodie. What the hell else do you people want?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTnwEKQEs-I
1. "Intervention" on A&E - One of the toughest shows to watch on TV.
This "Pam" episode is one of the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6B-hXqqlY
Disappointment of the Year: It's a well-established idea that Jay-Z has nothing else to say about the streets and expensive purchases, so though his songs differ in beat and structure, they're all basically a retread. But there's one really interesting idea that he keeps hinting at and then avoiding, which makes me wonder if there's any substance.
"Before Ronald Reagan got Manhattan to blow
Before I was cappin' it there back and forth
Before we had it all day, poppin' in the hallway
Cop one offa someone to give you more yey
Yea, but that's another story" (Jay-Z and Punjabi MC, "Beware of the Boys Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCsT1d428z8
"Blame Reagan for making me into a monster
Blame Oliver North and Iran-Contra
I ran contraband that they sponsored
Before this rhyming stuff we was in concert"
(Jay-Z, "Blue Magic" off
American Gangster)
Can he please focus just one song on the topic of Reagan's role in fueling the late 80s drug trade? Rather than just referencing it? He's asking for some big intellectual leaps. Thank you.
Erin's Arrival at the Party
Hello All! Tis Miz Fitz here, former fellow Cardinal Law with Paulie from the BC yrs. I'm an ol' vet of this New Years top-ten-ing (but have been a bit negligent these last two years.) I'm also from Washington DC which means I'm a lot less cool than you, so I spared you a Top Ten with a Top Five:
MUSIC
1. Daft Punk - Alive 2007
I've never been so excited about dance music after seeing this French duo in Chicago this summer. My heart was breakdancing. Can't say any more than that, and this live concert encompassed in "Alive 2007" explains why. As I mentioned to my buddy at the show, I had to kneel down and pat the beer-soaked, butt-strewn grass to find my face...Daft blew it off. There's nothing really "new," per se, about the diddies on Alive 2007, but it is packed with adrenaline in a way that makes you completely oblivious to your aching feet and back ...and spastic dance moves They put an extreme amount of thought into the quality of their sounds, how the entire performance flows, and how they can keep you dancing like your life depended on it for the 50+ minutes it lasts. take a first listen at Prime Time of Your Life and see what you think. These unassuming, low-key Frenchman are perfectionists at a genre on which they have left a permanent fingerprint. In fact, I'm up way past midnight writing this list for Daft alone. It's all for you, Daft! Fecilitations!
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Shocking that I've placed my favorite band of all time at #2 and not 1 -- particularly as their song-writing was superior to anyone else on this list (Nude, the Reckoner, Videotape, even Bodysnatchers for its edge...just when I thought we'd heard the limits of where this band
could go, they surprise us AGAIN. What I loved even more about this album is that the lyrics are clearly coming from a band who have matured, who have learned from their mistakes, and prob have entirely different priorities and other things that consume their heads than when they began as On a Friday...Videotape is soul-arresting for this reason. They seem wiser, in short, and it pours through the music.
My only criticism is that after listening to this bootlegged concert they did (before the release of Rainbows, all the same songs), I realized some of the live versions of the same diddies were far better than what In Rainbows has to offer. This is the second time I felt that formal production somewhat neutered the music -- as if you're hearing the music in an elevator. I felt the same way after Hail to the Thief. Perhaps it's my bad karma for listening to bootlegs in the first place? Regardless, Radiohead remains my favorite band of all time for albums such as this. They still have it in them (and taking the p*ss out of record labels with basically free downloads pre-release. Brilliant!)
3. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
As I've said many times before, if Johnny Depp had a band, it would probably open for the Stripes...then after the show, Jack and Johnny would probably reinvent new story lines involving charming raunchy social outcasts to compliment their music while downing whiskey in
Jack's trailor. What I'm trying to say is I LOVED how Jack invented characters on this record and brought them to life -- particularly with Rag and Bones, Little Creme Soda and Conquest. And better yet, how Meg playfully joined in, shy as she is. I think indie rockers forget that music is just like the page -- endless room for storytelling...and to no threat to the rock...too often the same cliche story lines are the focus of indie rock music and it's a darn shame. (Unless you're Interpol and lazily dump random words in a blender, dump them out on the floor, scotch tape them in strings and say "voila, lyrics! how ironic -- and hip!") Lastly, I loved this album because you could hear M&J having the time of their life - and it's infectious. Well done, Stripes!
4. The National - the Boxer
This album had me at the intro of "Mistaken for Strangers." It's Johnny Cash meets Interpol except -- and thank goodness -- they add something of their own to the mixture to make it just gosh darn cool. Makes the nerdy Washingtonian in me feel like a New Yorka.
5. Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
A truly truly talented artist Andrew is -- esp for his fusion of traditional Asian instruments, accoustics, drums, all topped with a gorgeous voice. Fiery Crash and Cataracts are worthy of the first listens, I promise you'll be sold from there. I'm really not familiar with an artist quite like him -- perfect for a long drive in the car on a sunny day.
Other noteworthy mentions: Rodriguo and Gabriela (incredibly talented performers, jawdropping!); Elliott Smith's "New Moon" - esp for 'Angel in the Snow"; Live performance of "!!!"; Feist.
2007 disappointments: I have traditionally loved these bands but I'd have to say Spoon and Interpol were disappointing this year. The latter's album grew on me to a degree -- esp track 1 and 5 -- but all in all, seemed like the majority of these diddies were underdeveloped.
FILM
"Once" -- This film was just heartbreakingly good...so good, in fact, that I probably will never see it again, but for all positive reasons. And better yet, it has a great backstory: big hollywood-type backs out of playing the main character at the eleventh hour and the singer of
the Frames -- who was doing the music for the movie to begin with -- steps in and NAILS the role. (For those who have seen it, do you recall that first scene when he's playing at night on the street? my jaw dropped then and I pushed it back into place 2 hrs later.)
"Paris Je T'Aime" -- I haven't finished this one in its entirety, but I really loved some of the 8 min stories ...esp those that pull the rug out from under you such as the one about the postal service woman touring Paris for the first time. Any story that exposes you to your own stereotyped mode of thinking --subtley--is worth taking in.
TELEVISION
The HBO series "Flight of the Conchords" is just about the most funniest thing I've ever seen on a screen. Seriously, those two kiwis changed my life. No exaggeration. Simply "ixcellent." Bowie: "On your face, Bret, on your face!" If you don't have it already, get it get it GET it.
That's my two cents from 2007. Now whatcu got, 2008?!
A list, or sorts
Hi. I'm John, friend of Paul, friend of the Paulies. This year I lived for the most part in rural West Virginia, and most the music that hit my ears came from old cds and a great fiddle playin' workmate of mine. The best new song I heard this year had to be "There's a Crawdad on my Dick", as sung by Abram Racine. Trust me, it's epic, and hopefully coming to I-Tunes any day.
Everyone seems to be begging off this year in terms of music, pop culture, et cetera, and I'll be the latest to do so. I think that I've listened to one new album this year, Sunset Rubdown, that a friend burned for me. It was good, but served as background music during its listen. And the "I'm Not There" soundtrack, which is excellent, in large part thanks to Sonic Youth, a Paul favorite. There are a few things that I've unearthed this year that I think are valuable, and I'll move on to 'em.
The Exquisite Benefits of College Radio
I arrived back in Boston in time for the holidays and have spent an inordinate amount of time driving around in my truck, visiting family, friends, and various mountains. My truck is beautiful, but only has a radio (no tape, cd, or ipod hookup going on). What originally seemed a downer became a major boon when i changed my view (and my dial) and found Emerson College's radio station on the dial. I had always thought of college radio as a bit too esoteric for my tastes, but I'm a convert. Here I've heard many, many, many! new songs, just no full albums. Mixed in things like new Dr. Dog and Iron and Wine are old hits from Gram Parsons and Stevie Wonder and old Modest Mouse. So good! And no advertisements!
When I tire of this station (or when my seventeen year old cousin is riding shotgun, which happens surprisingly often) we go to more mainstream venues, where I like the Kanye song I've heard and surprisingly never turn away from the new Jack Johnson song ("eyes like that", or something). Eyes are kind of underrated, I think, of late, and maybe so is Mr. Johnson. And I heard every top 40 hit of this spring from riding around in vans with wild eighth graders and they were all pretty garbage from what I remember...
The Ponderous Evils of College Radio
A Cappella hour. What. The. Fuck. I mean, I'm pretty sure that A Cappella loses all of its charm when not viewed live, if it has any charm in the first place. The sheer democracy of college radio, the well-springs that feed everything good about college radio, is also to blame for bringing you shit like this. Does anyone want to hear this? Even for irony's sake? Did someone donate 100 grand with the stipulation that several hours each week had to be devoted to A Cappella and showtunes? I mean, I love the "tender spot" (not its real name: whatever it is, it's devoted to soul music and always brings an image of panties to my mind along with Mos Def and "Bad Mamma Jamma" to my ears) and some of their other bits, but A Cappella must not take away my only radio station for hours a week! You reap what you sow, assholes! (I was going to pun on "if you sow A Capella, you reap dischord", but it seems kind of lame and certainly not angry enough.
The Benefits of 19th Century Novels
Ever since I was given a collection of Dickens' novels in seventh grade I've been leery of this entire century's novels. Then a year ago I was a serial reader of Jane Austen's novels which collectively blew me away. I read Moby Dick this year, which was surprisingly modern and unsurprisingly good. And I'm as close to becoming a Francophile as I'll ever be. Early this year I read several of Flaubert's novels (they were handsomely recommended by Mark Cummins in last year's Paulies), which were good, especially Bovary. But the last month of my year was in large part devoted to Stendahl (and getting too boozy at Christmas parties. Any connections here?) The Charterhouse of Parma was my favorite book I read this year, only possibly outdone by Stendahl's The Red and the Black. These books, especially Charterhouse, are in that uncharted area where realism and fairytales converge and are hilarious and most savage in their mockery. Cummins on Flaubert:
"His misanthropy is inspiring, a testimony against society that in its absolute materialism is bleaker than anything I've ever read without at all being nihilist in spirit."
Mark, you have to read Stendahl. His books aren't as perfectly composed as Flaubert's, but this ends up as a merit. The most generous and merciless, the most romantic and realistic novels I've read in a long, long time.
Movies I saw this year that you should see
The only films I saw this year were The Darjeeling Limited and I'm Not There. Both are well worth watching.
Runnin' This Rap Shit
I listened to lots of older rap in the past year. Atmosphere, Lauryn Hill, Common (Sense), and Talib Kwali are all pretty great.
And There's Always Next Year
Magnetic Fields, Steve Malkmus, and the Silver Jews, my personal indie triumvirate, are all putting out new albums this year. Dave Berman, the lead singer of the Silver Jews, promises his release to be "Faux Heroic", or at least "Foe Heroic". Kind of dickboy (it's indie rock, right?), but I can't wait.
That's all for now.
-J
Everyone seems to be begging off this year in terms of music, pop culture, et cetera, and I'll be the latest to do so. I think that I've listened to one new album this year, Sunset Rubdown, that a friend burned for me. It was good, but served as background music during its listen. And the "I'm Not There" soundtrack, which is excellent, in large part thanks to Sonic Youth, a Paul favorite. There are a few things that I've unearthed this year that I think are valuable, and I'll move on to 'em.
The Exquisite Benefits of College Radio
I arrived back in Boston in time for the holidays and have spent an inordinate amount of time driving around in my truck, visiting family, friends, and various mountains. My truck is beautiful, but only has a radio (no tape, cd, or ipod hookup going on). What originally seemed a downer became a major boon when i changed my view (and my dial) and found Emerson College's radio station on the dial. I had always thought of college radio as a bit too esoteric for my tastes, but I'm a convert. Here I've heard many, many, many! new songs, just no full albums. Mixed in things like new Dr. Dog and Iron and Wine are old hits from Gram Parsons and Stevie Wonder and old Modest Mouse. So good! And no advertisements!
When I tire of this station (or when my seventeen year old cousin is riding shotgun, which happens surprisingly often) we go to more mainstream venues, where I like the Kanye song I've heard and surprisingly never turn away from the new Jack Johnson song ("eyes like that", or something). Eyes are kind of underrated, I think, of late, and maybe so is Mr. Johnson. And I heard every top 40 hit of this spring from riding around in vans with wild eighth graders and they were all pretty garbage from what I remember...
The Ponderous Evils of College Radio
A Cappella hour. What. The. Fuck. I mean, I'm pretty sure that A Cappella loses all of its charm when not viewed live, if it has any charm in the first place. The sheer democracy of college radio, the well-springs that feed everything good about college radio, is also to blame for bringing you shit like this. Does anyone want to hear this? Even for irony's sake? Did someone donate 100 grand with the stipulation that several hours each week had to be devoted to A Cappella and showtunes? I mean, I love the "tender spot" (not its real name: whatever it is, it's devoted to soul music and always brings an image of panties to my mind along with Mos Def and "Bad Mamma Jamma" to my ears) and some of their other bits, but A Cappella must not take away my only radio station for hours a week! You reap what you sow, assholes! (I was going to pun on "if you sow A Capella, you reap dischord", but it seems kind of lame and certainly not angry enough.
The Benefits of 19th Century Novels
Ever since I was given a collection of Dickens' novels in seventh grade I've been leery of this entire century's novels. Then a year ago I was a serial reader of Jane Austen's novels which collectively blew me away. I read Moby Dick this year, which was surprisingly modern and unsurprisingly good. And I'm as close to becoming a Francophile as I'll ever be. Early this year I read several of Flaubert's novels (they were handsomely recommended by Mark Cummins in last year's Paulies), which were good, especially Bovary. But the last month of my year was in large part devoted to Stendahl (and getting too boozy at Christmas parties. Any connections here?) The Charterhouse of Parma was my favorite book I read this year, only possibly outdone by Stendahl's The Red and the Black. These books, especially Charterhouse, are in that uncharted area where realism and fairytales converge and are hilarious and most savage in their mockery. Cummins on Flaubert:
"His misanthropy is inspiring, a testimony against society that in its absolute materialism is bleaker than anything I've ever read without at all being nihilist in spirit."
Mark, you have to read Stendahl. His books aren't as perfectly composed as Flaubert's, but this ends up as a merit. The most generous and merciless, the most romantic and realistic novels I've read in a long, long time.
Movies I saw this year that you should see
The only films I saw this year were The Darjeeling Limited and I'm Not There. Both are well worth watching.
Runnin' This Rap Shit
I listened to lots of older rap in the past year. Atmosphere, Lauryn Hill, Common (Sense), and Talib Kwali are all pretty great.
And There's Always Next Year
Magnetic Fields, Steve Malkmus, and the Silver Jews, my personal indie triumvirate, are all putting out new albums this year. Dave Berman, the lead singer of the Silver Jews, promises his release to be "Faux Heroic", or at least "Foe Heroic". Kind of dickboy (it's indie rock, right?), but I can't wait.
That's all for now.
-J
Sunday, January 6, 2008
party like it's 1999
hello from celeste, i am a tampon comic artist / illustrator from portland, oregon; on halloween i was just a tampon (used). with 2007, i was fond but not in love.
did i spend 2007 in a cave? trapped in r. kelly's closet? stuck in front of my computer watching tv on the internet? i have yet to catch up on many things, including the new wu tang clan album, david lynch's inland empire, and all of the sopranos. although i got some good laughs out of the movie knocked up, WHY DIDN'T SHE JUST GET AN ABORTION??
and now some things i liked:
hair of the dog - blue dot imperial ipa [drink]
one of my favorite beers is back on top and in bottle!
animal collective - strawberry jam [music - album]
animal collective could probably poop on a stick, and i would still enjoy it.
californication [tv]
my friend recommended this show to me with this description:
"david duchovny plays a struggling writer in l.a. who sleeps with a lot of women and tries to get back with his ex."
yes, the former fox mulder is a fox without his shirt on.
twin peaks - the definitive gold box edition, the complete series [tv on dvd]
it is true that twin peaks has been kicking it since the 90s, but due to property rights issues or something of that nature, the second season has only recently been released on dvd alongside the first. this show is so amazing; i don't even know what to say about it (david lynch, agent cooper, log lady..!).
r. kelly - trapped in the closet: chapters 13-22 [dvd]
the conclusion of r. kelly's rap opera made me hope/fear for more. did you catch the nytimes article about it? they had a pretty amazing diagram of all the characters' relations, interconnections, and incestual ties (it kind of reminded me of college).
beirut - the flying club cup [music - album]
this gypsy-ish music is so pretty and fun to listen to. and this guy is younger than me!
a shot at love with tila tequila [tv]
this mtv dating show begins with tila tequila (famous for having the most myspace friends ever) shocking the contestants by announcing that she is a BISEXUAL! by the way these jocks and lesbians react, you would think that maybe they have spent their years of sexual maturity in a box. things quickly get out of control with cat fights, petty masculine gesturing / punching, heavy petting, anal waxing, etc. plus, you have to love domenico (at least i do), the strange (and strangely attractive) italian man who is set to have his own reality dating show "that's amore!" coming soon.
(note: the next season of <a href="http://www.shotatlovecasting.com/">a shot at love is currently casting</a>)
50 cent - straight to the bank [music - single]
in a way that is perhaps pathetic in regards to my personal character / experience of life, this song is perhaps the one thing in 2007 that has given me the most joy again and again. i often found myself with friends in a non-sober state singing along to the chorus, "ha ha hahaha ha." oh god. so great.
A Lame List for a Lame Year
Hello, my name is Gilberto, but you can refer to me as "-G$" (pronounced: gee-muhnee). I went to college w/Paul, and I spent 3 hours with him in NYC this summer. Oh, and Paul will always be known in my family as that tall guy who is really really funny in his 5 minute appearance on my wedding video (trust me, it's a total show-stopper).
I'm a veteran contributor to this list, and I was particularly proud of the list I submitted last year. But I must be upfront about this: This year's submission is pathetic. Between one thing & another (grad school; looking for, buying & getting settled in a new home; busy travel schedule; finances, etc.), I simply did not get to much by way of pop culture this year (especially music). I mean, I used to be tha man at this sort of stuff, but this year I didn't even get myself to download In Rainbows! Now if I want that damn CD I'll have to pay for it, and I'm not certain it'll be worth it (A couple years ago I bought Hail to the Thief and only heard it once; that was enough). The bright side is that things are (slowly) beginning to change, and I expect to have my groove back soon (more so w/movies, courtesy of a new Netflix subscription).
Music
In 2007 I bought two albums that were released in 2007, both on the same trip to Best Buy. They are Smashing Pumpkins, Zeitgeist, and The White Stripes, Icky Thump. The former is a mediocre disappointment (which I sorta expected anyway).
The White Stripes, though, continue to surprise me. When are they going to release their Hail to the Thief? When are they going to release that album that will prevent me spending more money on them? For some reason with The White Stripes, I keep fooling myself into thinking that I don't like them anymore, or that their new music doesn't have that same fire that "Fell in Love With a Girl" lit under my ass. And then I hear that bag-pipe-driven beat of "Icky Thump", or the unbridled joy of Meg & Jack's repartee on "Rag and Bone", or any one of the creative-yet-simple-&-catchy songs on this brilliant album. I'm convinced Jack & Meg can find toothpicks on the ground and make a catchy tune with them. What an amazing band.
Those are the two 2007 albums that I bought in 2007. In 2008 I bought one 2007 album: Coheed & Cambria's Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World for Tomorrow. I haven't heard it yet. Paul's been busting my chops to get this list in, so I decided not to wait until I hear it, since every Coheed album is about 2 weeks long. But I'm willing to bet that if I had heard it by now, it'd be at or near the top of this list.
I also bought one 2006 album this year: My Chemical Romance, The Black Parade. I should have bought it last year. A masterpiece of its kind.
Ok, now I will list in no particular order, some of the singles of 2007 that got my attention (at least the ones I can now recall):
The White Stripes, "Icky Thump"
Kanye West, "Stronger"
Good Charlotte, "I Don't Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)" (Yes, you read that right)
The umbrella -ella -ella song
So as you can tell, my encounters w/music this year were lame, lame, lame. If I had checked out some of the stuff that made it on these other fine lists, I'm sure some of it would have shown up here.
Television
I am addicted to Two and a Half Men. Here is a show whose every joke can be seen coming from a mile away, and yet I admire the way the screenwriters & actors go for it with such gusto (plus, I got to visit the set while I was in LA! I was standing in that same living room you see on TV!). Rules of Engagement is another terrible show that makes me laugh, almost entirely because of the way Patrick Warburton delivers his lines. He was funny on Seinfeld, but was he this funny?
But the best comedy on television is 30 Rock, hands down. The comedy comes fast & furious, and it hurts my gut to repress my laughter so that I won't miss the next joke. It's Ludi-Christmas!
Finally, House continues to be where it's at.
Movies
Unless you're a movie critic who gets to see all the "important" films before they get released, it makes little sense to devise a best-of-the-year list until just before the Oscars. So I'll just make a few comments.
I didn't think I could laugh much harder than I did when I saw Knocked Up. And then a month later I saw Superbad.
Atonement is excellent, but not flawless. No Country for Old Men is flawless. Juno is not flawless, but perfect.
A word on The Simpsons Movie. True, it doesn't belong among the best movies of the year. Springfield & its residents did not translate so well onto the big screen. But let me suggest that this movie will translate very well onto the small screen. Let me suggest that what we have in The Simpsons Movie is not a movie, but a long, wacky Simpsons episode. Let me also suggest that, like many Simpsons episodes, the movie may grow on you upon multiple viewings within the comfort of your own home, until it becomes a Simpsons episode that makes you laugh & smile at the same time. Welcome to Alaska, here's a thousand dollars.
-G$
P.S. How could I forget to mention Across the Universe? Here's a film that could stand to be 20 minutes shorter, but nevertheless kept me grinning for days after I saw it.
-G$
I'm a veteran contributor to this list, and I was particularly proud of the list I submitted last year. But I must be upfront about this: This year's submission is pathetic. Between one thing & another (grad school; looking for, buying & getting settled in a new home; busy travel schedule; finances, etc.), I simply did not get to much by way of pop culture this year (especially music). I mean, I used to be tha man at this sort of stuff, but this year I didn't even get myself to download In Rainbows! Now if I want that damn CD I'll have to pay for it, and I'm not certain it'll be worth it (A couple years ago I bought Hail to the Thief and only heard it once; that was enough). The bright side is that things are (slowly) beginning to change, and I expect to have my groove back soon (more so w/movies, courtesy of a new Netflix subscription).
Music
In 2007 I bought two albums that were released in 2007, both on the same trip to Best Buy. They are Smashing Pumpkins, Zeitgeist, and The White Stripes, Icky Thump. The former is a mediocre disappointment (which I sorta expected anyway).
The White Stripes, though, continue to surprise me. When are they going to release their Hail to the Thief? When are they going to release that album that will prevent me spending more money on them? For some reason with The White Stripes, I keep fooling myself into thinking that I don't like them anymore, or that their new music doesn't have that same fire that "Fell in Love With a Girl" lit under my ass. And then I hear that bag-pipe-driven beat of "Icky Thump", or the unbridled joy of Meg & Jack's repartee on "Rag and Bone", or any one of the creative-yet-simple-&-catchy songs on this brilliant album. I'm convinced Jack & Meg can find toothpicks on the ground and make a catchy tune with them. What an amazing band.
Those are the two 2007 albums that I bought in 2007. In 2008 I bought one 2007 album: Coheed & Cambria's Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World for Tomorrow. I haven't heard it yet. Paul's been busting my chops to get this list in, so I decided not to wait until I hear it, since every Coheed album is about 2 weeks long. But I'm willing to bet that if I had heard it by now, it'd be at or near the top of this list.
I also bought one 2006 album this year: My Chemical Romance, The Black Parade. I should have bought it last year. A masterpiece of its kind.
Ok, now I will list in no particular order, some of the singles of 2007 that got my attention (at least the ones I can now recall):
The White Stripes, "Icky Thump"
Kanye West, "Stronger"
Good Charlotte, "I Don't Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)" (Yes, you read that right)
The umbrella -ella -ella song
So as you can tell, my encounters w/music this year were lame, lame, lame. If I had checked out some of the stuff that made it on these other fine lists, I'm sure some of it would have shown up here.
Television
I am addicted to Two and a Half Men. Here is a show whose every joke can be seen coming from a mile away, and yet I admire the way the screenwriters & actors go for it with such gusto (plus, I got to visit the set while I was in LA! I was standing in that same living room you see on TV!). Rules of Engagement is another terrible show that makes me laugh, almost entirely because of the way Patrick Warburton delivers his lines. He was funny on Seinfeld, but was he this funny?
But the best comedy on television is 30 Rock, hands down. The comedy comes fast & furious, and it hurts my gut to repress my laughter so that I won't miss the next joke. It's Ludi-Christmas!
Finally, House continues to be where it's at.
Movies
Unless you're a movie critic who gets to see all the "important" films before they get released, it makes little sense to devise a best-of-the-year list until just before the Oscars. So I'll just make a few comments.
I didn't think I could laugh much harder than I did when I saw Knocked Up. And then a month later I saw Superbad.
Atonement is excellent, but not flawless. No Country for Old Men is flawless. Juno is not flawless, but perfect.
A word on The Simpsons Movie. True, it doesn't belong among the best movies of the year. Springfield & its residents did not translate so well onto the big screen. But let me suggest that this movie will translate very well onto the small screen. Let me suggest that what we have in The Simpsons Movie is not a movie, but a long, wacky Simpsons episode. Let me also suggest that, like many Simpsons episodes, the movie may grow on you upon multiple viewings within the comfort of your own home, until it becomes a Simpsons episode that makes you laugh & smile at the same time. Welcome to Alaska, here's a thousand dollars.
-G$
P.S. How could I forget to mention Across the Universe? Here's a film that could stand to be 20 minutes shorter, but nevertheless kept me grinning for days after I saw it.
-G$
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