Hi there. After lots of flip flopping and hand wringing, I've settled on my favorite 10 albums of the year. These aren't ranked. They're split into four categories for easier digestion. A rather thorough list after the jump.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Marisa's '09 Favorites
Hi all. I dedicated my 2008 Paulies entry to painstakingly dissecting the merits of the year's top Project Runway episodes, but I'll spare everyone that again and try to write a more traditional list for 2009. Here are my favorites of '09 amongst not just music but also books, film, television, and fashion.
ALBUM: Hands down, top album of the year honors go to Fever Ray. Karin Dreijer Andersson, the sister half of the brother-sister Swedish electropop duo The Knife, released this self titled album in the beginning of '09, and talk about prayers being answered. While this is a solo album, Andersson distorts her voice in both low and high pitches to create three distinct voices layered on top of each other, all of which are so awesomely creepy they make your spine tingle upon listening.
CONCERT: I was also fortunate enough to see Fever Ray live in October, cementing my vote for concert of the year as well. Andersson performed the entire album (no more, no less) behind a curtain of thick fog penetrated sporadically by laser light beams, which had the effect of making her virtually invisible except for an outline of the enormous fur headdress she was wearing. I felt as if an alien Eskimo had been beamed into Webster Hall for a night to bring us secret messages from her distant planet, via synthesizers.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Animal Collective/Merriweather Post Pavilion: I know when I dust off my old MP3s from this album in ten years, they're going to bring back distinct memories of 2009. Particularly enduring a bitterly cold January and February by listening to "Summertime Clothes" on repeat.
Dan Deacon/Bromst: Not to be confused with the soundtrack for Alvin & the Chipmunks--The Squeakuel.
BOOK: Keeping with the Scandinavian theme here, my vote for best book of '09 goes to Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played with Fire, by a loooooong shot. I can't recommend this book enough. Be forewarned that if you start it, be prepared to clear the next two weeks of your schedule and explain to loved ones/bosses why you'll be unreachable. The follow-up to 2008's bestseller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, this intelligent thriller surpasses its predecessor by maintaining an action-packed pace, supported by intense character development, throughout all 500+ pages. And unlike The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, this one steers clear of rape-dungeons and incest themes, making it a lot more palatable. Looking forward to the third and final book to round out this thriller trilogy (thrilology?) in 2010: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
MOVIES: I was pleasantly surprised by 2009's yield of several semi-mainstream fashion films: Valentino: The Last Emperor, The September Issue, and three (!) biopics of Coco Chanel: Coco before Chanel with Audrey Tautou, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, and the made-for-TV movie Coco Chanel, staring Shirley McClain as the couturier in her later years. I'd like to imagine that this upsurge is due to an increased general interest in fashion and fashion history, but in reality it's more likely a result of the current obsession with the lives of celebrities. We've simply run the gamut of the more famous celebs, and now are forced to delve deeper into more obscure and niche names to satiate our desire for the exposé--for better or for worse.
A note on The September Issue--I loved this documentary, and would definitely recommend it as a top movie of 2009. (As an aside, can I just remark on how so few movies stood out this year overall, especially compared to '08?). While The September Issue was marketed as an inside look into the inner world of in/famous Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, it is less E! True Hollywood Story and more just a captivating behind-the-scenes study of how a large scale--yet incredibly fleeting--project comes together. I came away from it fascinated by how much creative energy goes into creating a single issue of a magazine. It's also eye-opening to see how much power a single person (and just an editor, at that) wields within an entire industry.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: (500) Days of Summer: Much to the chagrin of a certain Paulies administrator--ahem--I want to note how much I loved this indie rom-com for so skillfully portraying the modern dating scenario: one plagued by indecisiveness, unwillingness to commit, and a reluctance to slap labels on relationships. Ok, maybe that's just MY modern dating scenario. Still. And a Hall and Oats dance sequence--come on!
Two Lovers: With some wonderful acting from pre-bearded, pre-crazy Joaquin Phoenix, this Brooklyn-based film came out at the beginning of the year amidst all the Oscar hoopla and was widely overlooked. If nothing else, watch it for the completely implausible sex scene at the top of the McCarren Pool facade. In winter. Brrr.
TV: I started watching Mad Men and Battlestar Galactica on DVD this year, which are both stellar shows but essentially yesterday's news. So to be slightly more topical, I want to give a shout out to It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia for producing some hilarious moments in its fifth season, i.e. Kitten Mittens. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up on Hulu and laugh your ass off.
FASHION: Yeah, I know, fashion is cyclical, and since we've spent the past four years or so revisiting the '80s its only par for the course that early-'90s grunge is the next trend. But can we PLEASE scale back on the flannel shirts? A trip to to H&M, Uni Qlo, or Top Man now feels like I'm attending a hipster lumberjack convention. On a more positive note, kudos to Target for continuing its Designer Collaboration project and signing on Anna Sui and Rodarte to produce some really beautiful and original pieces this year. I'd love to see Target spreading the love a little and getting a high-end menswear designer to create a line for the store. I'm thinking Paul Smith for Target in 2010? That could really help stem the collateral damage of the impending flannel epidemic.
ALBUM: Hands down, top album of the year honors go to Fever Ray. Karin Dreijer Andersson, the sister half of the brother-sister Swedish electropop duo The Knife, released this self titled album in the beginning of '09, and talk about prayers being answered. While this is a solo album, Andersson distorts her voice in both low and high pitches to create three distinct voices layered on top of each other, all of which are so awesomely creepy they make your spine tingle upon listening.
CONCERT: I was also fortunate enough to see Fever Ray live in October, cementing my vote for concert of the year as well. Andersson performed the entire album (no more, no less) behind a curtain of thick fog penetrated sporadically by laser light beams, which had the effect of making her virtually invisible except for an outline of the enormous fur headdress she was wearing. I felt as if an alien Eskimo had been beamed into Webster Hall for a night to bring us secret messages from her distant planet, via synthesizers.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Animal Collective/Merriweather Post Pavilion: I know when I dust off my old MP3s from this album in ten years, they're going to bring back distinct memories of 2009. Particularly enduring a bitterly cold January and February by listening to "Summertime Clothes" on repeat.
Dan Deacon/Bromst: Not to be confused with the soundtrack for Alvin & the Chipmunks--The Squeakuel.
BOOK: Keeping with the Scandinavian theme here, my vote for best book of '09 goes to Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played with Fire, by a loooooong shot. I can't recommend this book enough. Be forewarned that if you start it, be prepared to clear the next two weeks of your schedule and explain to loved ones/bosses why you'll be unreachable. The follow-up to 2008's bestseller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, this intelligent thriller surpasses its predecessor by maintaining an action-packed pace, supported by intense character development, throughout all 500+ pages. And unlike The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, this one steers clear of rape-dungeons and incest themes, making it a lot more palatable. Looking forward to the third and final book to round out this thriller trilogy (thrilology?) in 2010: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
MOVIES: I was pleasantly surprised by 2009's yield of several semi-mainstream fashion films: Valentino: The Last Emperor, The September Issue, and three (!) biopics of Coco Chanel: Coco before Chanel with Audrey Tautou, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, and the made-for-TV movie Coco Chanel, staring Shirley McClain as the couturier in her later years. I'd like to imagine that this upsurge is due to an increased general interest in fashion and fashion history, but in reality it's more likely a result of the current obsession with the lives of celebrities. We've simply run the gamut of the more famous celebs, and now are forced to delve deeper into more obscure and niche names to satiate our desire for the exposé--for better or for worse.
A note on The September Issue--I loved this documentary, and would definitely recommend it as a top movie of 2009. (As an aside, can I just remark on how so few movies stood out this year overall, especially compared to '08?). While The September Issue was marketed as an inside look into the inner world of in/famous Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, it is less E! True Hollywood Story and more just a captivating behind-the-scenes study of how a large scale--yet incredibly fleeting--project comes together. I came away from it fascinated by how much creative energy goes into creating a single issue of a magazine. It's also eye-opening to see how much power a single person (and just an editor, at that) wields within an entire industry.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: (500) Days of Summer: Much to the chagrin of a certain Paulies administrator--ahem--I want to note how much I loved this indie rom-com for so skillfully portraying the modern dating scenario: one plagued by indecisiveness, unwillingness to commit, and a reluctance to slap labels on relationships. Ok, maybe that's just MY modern dating scenario. Still. And a Hall and Oats dance sequence--come on!
Two Lovers: With some wonderful acting from pre-bearded, pre-crazy Joaquin Phoenix, this Brooklyn-based film came out at the beginning of the year amidst all the Oscar hoopla and was widely overlooked. If nothing else, watch it for the completely implausible sex scene at the top of the McCarren Pool facade. In winter. Brrr.
TV: I started watching Mad Men and Battlestar Galactica on DVD this year, which are both stellar shows but essentially yesterday's news. So to be slightly more topical, I want to give a shout out to It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia for producing some hilarious moments in its fifth season, i.e. Kitten Mittens. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up on Hulu and laugh your ass off.
FASHION: Yeah, I know, fashion is cyclical, and since we've spent the past four years or so revisiting the '80s its only par for the course that early-'90s grunge is the next trend. But can we PLEASE scale back on the flannel shirts? A trip to to H&M, Uni Qlo, or Top Man now feels like I'm attending a hipster lumberjack convention. On a more positive note, kudos to Target for continuing its Designer Collaboration project and signing on Anna Sui and Rodarte to produce some really beautiful and original pieces this year. I'd love to see Target spreading the love a little and getting a high-end menswear designer to create a line for the store. I'm thinking Paul Smith for Target in 2010? That could really help stem the collateral damage of the impending flannel epidemic.
Bartley's lists
I'll not pretend like I listened to 10 new albums this year. Middle Cyclone won. The Blueprint 3 was good, and Jay-Z is well worth seeing live. Embryonic was, uhh, kinda grating? Haven't listened to it all that much yet. Tori Amos put out a holiday album that was pretty damn awful, but Abnormally Attracted to Sin wasn't bad. Feed the Animals scratched an itch, but I'm concerned it may cause a rash.
For the decade. Huh. I stopped at 15 because I didn't read the rules initially and now don't want to go back and consider more album. It doesn't really matter anyway since the list would likely be different if I did it again next week. Comments will be brief or non-existent.
15. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere: yep.
14. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3: Actually, Tha Carter 3 was here until I remembered I like his mixtapes better than the albums. You know why? NO FUCKING SKITS. ARGH.
13. Rasputina - Oh Perilous World: Do not miss seeing Rasputina live with a hateful friend. It's like shooting poorly-dressed, socially retarded fish in a barrel. Don't get the wrong impression, the band is actually excellent live; but they're far outstripped by the people watching.
12. M.I.A. - Kala: Just remember a time before The Pineapple Express.
11. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood: Everything's so easy for Pauline.
10. Radiohead - Kid A: This may be on here just because "Everything in Its Right Place" still gives me chills.
9. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - No More Shall We Part: I miss Blixa. They're not nearly as good since he left the band.
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science: This is more of a decade-long achiement. Dear Science is just the least uneven of their albums.
7. Outkast - Stankonia: Despite being plagued by FUCKING SKIT TRACKS. ARGH. this album is chock full o' hits. Play B.O.B. in your car and try not to look like you have some sort of movement disorder and a stutter. It can't be done.
6. Portishead - Third: I'm still surprised this album didn't suck. I hope they make more?
5. PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her: Why won't PJ Harvey play within 1500 miles of where I live?
4. Jay-Z - The Blueprint: Yep.
3. Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer: No, really, it's an awesome album. Why does no one believe me?
2. Arcade Fire - Funeral: Yep.
1. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone: Always a terrible Idea to put an album from the current year at the top of your best of the decade list. Oh well.
Did the formatting work this year? Let's hope so.
For the decade. Huh. I stopped at 15 because I didn't read the rules initially and now don't want to go back and consider more album. It doesn't really matter anyway since the list would likely be different if I did it again next week. Comments will be brief or non-existent.
15. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere: yep.
14. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3: Actually, Tha Carter 3 was here until I remembered I like his mixtapes better than the albums. You know why? NO FUCKING SKITS. ARGH.
13. Rasputina - Oh Perilous World: Do not miss seeing Rasputina live with a hateful friend. It's like shooting poorly-dressed, socially retarded fish in a barrel. Don't get the wrong impression, the band is actually excellent live; but they're far outstripped by the people watching.
12. M.I.A. - Kala: Just remember a time before The Pineapple Express.
11. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood: Everything's so easy for Pauline.
10. Radiohead - Kid A: This may be on here just because "Everything in Its Right Place" still gives me chills.
9. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - No More Shall We Part: I miss Blixa. They're not nearly as good since he left the band.
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science: This is more of a decade-long achiement. Dear Science is just the least uneven of their albums.
7. Outkast - Stankonia: Despite being plagued by FUCKING SKIT TRACKS. ARGH. this album is chock full o' hits. Play B.O.B. in your car and try not to look like you have some sort of movement disorder and a stutter. It can't be done.
6. Portishead - Third: I'm still surprised this album didn't suck. I hope they make more?
5. PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her: Why won't PJ Harvey play within 1500 miles of where I live?
4. Jay-Z - The Blueprint: Yep.
3. Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer: No, really, it's an awesome album. Why does no one believe me?
2. Arcade Fire - Funeral: Yep.
1. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone: Always a terrible Idea to put an album from the current year at the top of your best of the decade list. Oh well.
Did the formatting work this year? Let's hope so.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Patrick's Best of the Decade
Happy New Years everyone! As I reflect on the decade in music I think about how my relationship with music has changed so dramatically over the past ten years. Coming out of high school I thought I was into music because I really liked Weezer and Rage Against the Machine. What followed was a series of transitions: going to college, studying abroad, my senior year of college (and living with Paul Jackson and his NME bias), doing JVC, moving to Seattle, going to grad school, moving back to Seattle, getting married. At each of these transitions, I can think about the music that captures those moments. In many ways a best of the decade list makes more sense than the year end list, because it offers more perspective. There are many albums I got into a year or two too late. Looking back over my previous Paulies I saw selections that I ranked too high (Crystal Castles) and others that have grown on me (LCD Soundsystem). Yes, music has changed too, the biggest being how it's all digital (mp3, iPods, Napster, blah, blah, blah). One could make the case that Girl Talk is the artist of the decade. iTunes have given me a way to organize and put my music in one place, which I appreciate. But at the same time I don't sit and listen to a full album as often as I should. Hell, I don't even own a cd player anymore! But I love a good album. Something that I can obsess over. Something that I can go back to and find something new. Something that takes me back to a memory or time. With that being said, here are my top 25.
1. The Strokes: Is This It? (2001)
Hands down number one. No other album better captures this decade for me. A flawless album.
2. Radiohead: Kid A (2000)
I'm a reluctant Radiohead fan, but I must admit they're one of the best bands of all time. Following up with one of the best album of the 90s, Kid A does it all. Let me go on the record and say the bass line in National Anthem is the greatest bass line in music. I would give them band of the decade nod. I must also apologize for not liking In Rainbows as much as I should have originally. However, Hail to the Thief was nothing special and everyone who had that album on top in 2003 is crazy.
3. The Arcade Fire: funeral (2004)
Still love it.
4. Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People (2003)
Listen to it again. Do it.
5. Interpol: Turn on The Bright Lights (2002)
I listened to this album so much my senior year of college. Paul, thank you for introducing me and taking me to their show. Remember how cool they once were? Carlos D wore a gun holster without a gun for God's sake.
6. The Unicorns: Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? (2003)
How was this album made? It's like it just appeared out of the blue into my life. It's an album that feels it was made just for me. The Islands have not been able to live up to this.
7. TV on the Radio: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004)
A good way to measure your favorite bands is to look at what songs you put on mix tapes. Staring at the Sun goes on most mixes I make for people.
8-10 Tie. Animal Collective: Feels (2005)
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
Panda Bear: Person Pitch (2007)
This is my cop out approach to these three very different albums. Sometime around 2007 I realized I became a big AC fan. I'm not entirely sure how this happened.
11. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver (2007)
I liked this album at first listen, but I didn't fully appreciate it until a year later. Many try to match James Murphy, but LCD Soundsystem is the best of their class.
12. The Streets: A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004)
This is what I wrote in 2004: " I may be a sucker for a concept album, but this is really such a good story. I mean it starts out with a guy not being able to return a dvd and what happens when you lose a thousand quid, but evolves into dealing with relationships and friendships. There are some beautiful songs as well as some fun ones. It may not be your cup of tea, but I love it."
13. Daft Punk: Discovery (2001)
One of the best live shows of the decade.
14. DJ Danger Mouse: The Grey Album (2004)
It's odd to me to hear songs from the Black Album without Beatles samples.
15. Outkast: Stankonia (2000)
For all the BC people in the crowd, how on earth did we manage to get them to come to our campus? This was after Ms. Jackson blew up.
16. Modest Mouse: The Moon and Antarctica (2000)
Didn't know them at the time this came out, but have grown to love this album.
17. The Hold Steady: Boys and girls in America (2006)
Craig Finn: still makin' BC proud.
18. Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury (2006)
Interesting fact about me, I like to wash dishes to this album.
19. Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer (2007)
I loved, loved, loved this album in 2007.
20. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)
In five years will this album be higher or lower on my best of the 2000s list?
21. Joanna Newsome: The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)
Did anyone see the music video for MGMT's kids? It's a pretty creepy/funny video, but Joanna Newsome is it.
22. Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours (2008)
This one flew under the radar for me, but it's worth another listen. I would give it best of 2008 if I could change it.
23. El Perro Del Mar: El Perro del Mar (2006)
So sad, so beautiful.
24. Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
I'm probably putting this here out of obligation, but it's still good and represents the decade.
25. White Stripes: White Blood Cells (2001)
I'm probably putting this here out of obligation, but it's still good and represents the decade.
There you go. There are my top 25 of the 2000s. There are only three artist on my list that I haven't seen live: DJ Danger Mouse (or the Beattles or Jay-Z to be fair), Clipse, and the White Stripes. In addition to listening to great music this decade, I also saw so much great music. That could be a whole other post and I've already written enough. I look forward to seeing other people's list and any comments you have of mine.
Later,
Patrick
1. The Strokes: Is This It? (2001)
Hands down number one. No other album better captures this decade for me. A flawless album.
2. Radiohead: Kid A (2000)
I'm a reluctant Radiohead fan, but I must admit they're one of the best bands of all time. Following up with one of the best album of the 90s, Kid A does it all. Let me go on the record and say the bass line in National Anthem is the greatest bass line in music. I would give them band of the decade nod. I must also apologize for not liking In Rainbows as much as I should have originally. However, Hail to the Thief was nothing special and everyone who had that album on top in 2003 is crazy.
3. The Arcade Fire: funeral (2004)
Still love it.
4. Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People (2003)
Listen to it again. Do it.
5. Interpol: Turn on The Bright Lights (2002)
I listened to this album so much my senior year of college. Paul, thank you for introducing me and taking me to their show. Remember how cool they once were? Carlos D wore a gun holster without a gun for God's sake.
6. The Unicorns: Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? (2003)
How was this album made? It's like it just appeared out of the blue into my life. It's an album that feels it was made just for me. The Islands have not been able to live up to this.
7. TV on the Radio: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004)
A good way to measure your favorite bands is to look at what songs you put on mix tapes. Staring at the Sun goes on most mixes I make for people.
8-10 Tie. Animal Collective: Feels (2005)
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
Panda Bear: Person Pitch (2007)
This is my cop out approach to these three very different albums. Sometime around 2007 I realized I became a big AC fan. I'm not entirely sure how this happened.
11. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver (2007)
I liked this album at first listen, but I didn't fully appreciate it until a year later. Many try to match James Murphy, but LCD Soundsystem is the best of their class.
12. The Streets: A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004)
This is what I wrote in 2004: " I may be a sucker for a concept album, but this is really such a good story. I mean it starts out with a guy not being able to return a dvd and what happens when you lose a thousand quid, but evolves into dealing with relationships and friendships. There are some beautiful songs as well as some fun ones. It may not be your cup of tea, but I love it."
13. Daft Punk: Discovery (2001)
One of the best live shows of the decade.
14. DJ Danger Mouse: The Grey Album (2004)
It's odd to me to hear songs from the Black Album without Beatles samples.
15. Outkast: Stankonia (2000)
For all the BC people in the crowd, how on earth did we manage to get them to come to our campus? This was after Ms. Jackson blew up.
16. Modest Mouse: The Moon and Antarctica (2000)
Didn't know them at the time this came out, but have grown to love this album.
17. The Hold Steady: Boys and girls in America (2006)
Craig Finn: still makin' BC proud.
18. Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury (2006)
Interesting fact about me, I like to wash dishes to this album.
19. Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer (2007)
I loved, loved, loved this album in 2007.
20. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)
In five years will this album be higher or lower on my best of the 2000s list?
21. Joanna Newsome: The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)
Did anyone see the music video for MGMT's kids? It's a pretty creepy/funny video, but Joanna Newsome is it.
22. Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours (2008)
This one flew under the radar for me, but it's worth another listen. I would give it best of 2008 if I could change it.
23. El Perro Del Mar: El Perro del Mar (2006)
So sad, so beautiful.
24. Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
I'm probably putting this here out of obligation, but it's still good and represents the decade.
25. White Stripes: White Blood Cells (2001)
I'm probably putting this here out of obligation, but it's still good and represents the decade.
There you go. There are my top 25 of the 2000s. There are only three artist on my list that I haven't seen live: DJ Danger Mouse (or the Beattles or Jay-Z to be fair), Clipse, and the White Stripes. In addition to listening to great music this decade, I also saw so much great music. That could be a whole other post and I've already written enough. I look forward to seeing other people's list and any comments you have of mine.
Later,
Patrick
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