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!
Monday, January 7, 2008
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$
Friday, January 4, 2008
A Free One from PGJ
Because it's Friday night, I'm at home in New Orleans, sitting in my living room, and my mom is sitting at her laptop (separate from my laptop) watching the Crank That instructional video.
Please shoot me.
Let's see some more lists before I post more hip hop instructional videos.
AND
While we wait for the final round of lists to come in, here's another great moment from 2007. Patrick is a big fan of these guys, along with most critics in America. And this is the best thing I've heard from Sound of Silver.
LCD Soundsystem : North American Scum
-PGJ
Please shoot me.
Let's see some more lists before I post more hip hop instructional videos.
AND
While we wait for the final round of lists to come in, here's another great moment from 2007. Patrick is a big fan of these guys, along with most critics in America. And this is the best thing I've heard from Sound of Silver.
LCD Soundsystem : North American Scum
-PGJ
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Matt.07
Hi Folks,
My name is Matt Levine. I live in New York City and my roots in this annual exercise are deep. That said, in 2007, I found myself in a, perhaps, Cichra-like boat. I did not buy much new music; I have no illegal download programs on my computers; I'm not sure that physical record stores remain in existence in this late age; I don't and refuse to succumb to iTunes... although I did buy an iPhone.
In a lot of ways, my iPhone belongs on any list I create this year. I strongly recommend buying one if you're sick of Verizon or just feel the urge. What's curious is that I immediately had a sense of buyer's remorse, probably due to the price-tag. It took time for me to appreciate the convenience and value of a do-it-all multimedia device... and it's both convenient and valuable.
(MUSIC)
So, back to music, yeah. The lists so far are all nice lists... and some brought to mind bits of 2007 I enjoyed. Namely, Itty reminded me how much I liked the Good, the Bad & the Queen... and Mark's analysis of the particular strengths and weaknesses of the Bloc Party album was spot-on.
But, really, there was only IN RAINBOWS.
For me (and presumably others on this list), IN RAINBOWS comes with a whirlwind of baggage and subtext. Some of it stems from the oh-so-ballyhooed release method the band employed: the name-your-own-price download and the pay-through-the-nose-because-you-need-it box set. Some. More because I like reading reviews about Radiohead albums... and completely overblown articles about how they changed the music industry. Ironically, they've left a major imprint on modern music in different ways over the years... and their quirky release system is NOT one of those ways. It will change little, but it did leave me full on anticipation when I went to sleep on October 9... and that I liked. I cant tell you how much I loved listening to webcasts of my favorite band playing Joy Division and Smiths covers.
...and the album is very, very good. It's no OK Computer, no The Bends, no Kid A. But, it is beautiful throughout and thrilling in moments. The second disc doesn't offer as much, but I'm the better for owning it.
All in all, it's hard to look at the pupu platter above and pretend to act like it's apples-to-apples with [ENTER BAND HERE].
Mostly, my consumption isn't about the greatness of IN RAINBOWS. I don't know that I'll get my head around something like that for years. But, its release meant that Radiohead, new and old, was more prominent in my life and in the general consciousness than it regularly is. And that's a good thing.
One final note about music. I heard I AM THE WALRUS on the radio the other day, which I hadn't heard in a long time, for whatever reason. The song's electric resonation was something I haven't felt in a while... probably since I fawned over Wolf Parade and Bloc Party's first albums.
(MOVIES)
While the new album by the quintessential Matt Levine band dominated my year of music-listening, the newest film by the quinessential Matt Levine film-maker was a blip on the radar. After reconsideration, I'm gonna save from commenting on THE DARJEELING LIMITED much until I see it a second time... but suffice to say that when Paul Jackson & I walked out of the theater, we talked more about the ice cream we bought immediately after exiting than the actual movie.
The two really good popular movies I did see were JUNO, note perfect from start to finish, and LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, the first movie that made me sob in... well, I can't remember. Ryan Gosling killed it.
(TELEVISION)
I truly believe that we're lucky to live in the richest era of television ever known. THE AMAZING RACE, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, THE HILLS, PROJECT RUNWAY. Frankly, it's the only one of the listed formats which, at the most mainstream level, is getting better by the day (save for a writers strike here or there). Words don't explain how excited I am for Sunday's debut episode of AMERICAN GLADIATORS.
I'm not really finished, but I'll press "SEND" due to Paul's peer-pressuring...
In closing, here's my top 5 list.
(CHEESE)
5. Valdeon (Spain)
4. Constant Bliss (Vermont)
3. Majorero Pimenton (Spain)
2. Tete de Moines (Switzerland)
1. Parmigiano-Reggiano (Italy... still the King)
Paul's List and Listitude
Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome -
Gluklich zu sehen, je suis enchante, happy to see you.
Bleibe, reste, stay!
With that said, here 's my list:
So what was the 2007 story in music? "Umbrella"? "Rehab"? Britney? Free Radiohead? Maybe it was the lack of story - did anything really give us pause, shake us like "Sexy Back" or "Crazy" did in 2006? Was "Umbrella" really that good anyway, or is Rihanna just that sexy lovable?
Maybe it was the Dap Kings? Think about it, there they were backing not only Sharon Jones on her acclaimed record, but also Amy Winehouse, hanging out so coolly in the Rehab video. What sweetness!
Was this the year indie disappeared, at least conceptually? What I like best about my oV compilation list (click here) is that the most mainstream of places - Rolling Stone, Spin, Associated Press - are all covering the same albums as the most 'indie' of places like Filter and Pitchfork. Is music just music again? Maybe; if so, that sounds like a good thing to me. Let's hold Starbucks responsible. For the first time, Starbucks sold indie giants like Ryan Adams, right next to Paul McCartney and his mandolin. How about those never ending ITunes commercials with Sir Paul et al, can't they be given credit for breaking down this wall - Feist and Mary J. Blige on equal footing? How strange.
In the true spirit of rock n roll, Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd was as good as anything else from 2007; maybe Johnny Depp is the story of the year, taking a brilliant Sondheim musical and giving it rock vocals. Of course.
How did music 'change' this year? I'd point to two things I read in '07, one from Da Capo's Best Music Writing 2007 and one from the current issue of Rolling Stone, which treat in detail the production of contemporary records - i.e., equalling a record's troughs and peaks, raising the overall recorded volume, and clipping the high end and low end, to make a record that is heard at the same incessant loud volume. And the great majority of records, from the Arctic Monkeys to the White Stripes do this, not just dance pop records. So maybe music changed by becoming more innocuous across the board; we're seeing the full result of it only now.
My '07? The seventy seven drummers in Brooklyn (see below) was a cultural moment I won't soon forget - even if I was barred from entering. A couple of my favorite artists (Kanye and Damon Albarn) made classic records, but neither provided much of a story. Kanye might be the rapper of his generation, but phony feuds with 50 Cent and mock tantrums are boring stuff. As Niki pointed out, Of Montreal live was an easy highlight, along with the Beastie Boys first ever show in Brooklyn. The '07 New Orleans Jazz Fest was a highlight certainly, so was seeing Jarvis Cocker live, even in he wasn't surrounded by Pulpmates.
The Boredoms and 77 Drummers in Brooklyn:
With that said, here 's my list:
____________
10. Beastie Boys : The Mix Up & In Concert
The record was clearly their strangest to date - no vocals, all instruments, and even then, few funked out jams. But surprisingly musical, and in concert it translated well. The highlight as already mentioned was the Brooklyn show. When Ad-rock yells out "HELLO BROOKLYN" from the Paul's Boutique closing medley (and as sampled by JayZ this year on "American Gangster") he's yelling that for the first time to his homeland. And when the guitar from "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" charges the crowd, and we in turn lose our mind, it's a cultural moment of sorts.
9. "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse
For me, this is easily the track of the year. How to incorporate Amy's biography into feelings about the song is your problem. For me it just feels like a new direction in sound, one fresher than Kanye's sped up samples or Timbaland's beats or anything from indie rock (sans LCD Soundsystem). Whatever she is - alcoholic, modern day Bille Holiday, Ronette - she's a real original; let's enjoy the moment.
Amy Winehouse & Dap Kings on Letterman:
8. Lil' Wayne.
Maker of lots of bootlegs I didn't hear, but his guest spots on American Gangster and Graduation were enough for me. The New Yorker called him the best rapper alive and few people disagree at this point. Except maybe for number 6 on my list. Also supplier of my favorite New Orleans inspired rhyme of the year : "Where Brooklyn at, where Brooklyn at / Have you seen her, and when she tell you something you better believe her / she told me she like my New Orleans demeanor / and so I said goodbye Katrina / And hello Brooklyn."
7. Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip
For my thoughts on this, check out the oV here.
But more to the point, as a lifelong Anglophile and occasional critical snob, this was like a gift from on high. Scroobius is like a British LCD Soundsystem, a guy who can just get by on wit and a clear sense of exactly what is happening in the culture, and RESPONDING.
Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip:
6. Jay-Z : American Gangster
At times you can see Jay cheating a bit - stealing rhymes from past records, referencing Austin Powers in a needless, uncool way, even quoting his now rival, Kanye West. But even though the rhymes were written in haste, Jay is still king. Rolling Stone gave "Roc Boys" song of the year, and that's a fair claim. As already mentioned "Hello Brooklyn" with Lil Wayne and the B Boys sample drops a Grand Canyon bass, that shit is deep!
5. Menomena : Friend & Foe
Still the best band from Portland, OR, and with another layered, strange record to their credit. I haven't gotten around to Animal Collective's latest or Panda Bear, but Menomena filled my 2007 quota for eclecticity. Sidenote: when Menomena learn to write proper lyrics - emote, tell stories, get weird, whatever - they'll become one of the great American bands, a Spoon-like popularity awaiting them. Until then, no chance.
4. Feist : The Reminder
The best 'adult' record of the year, this is an album you can listen to thirty years from now (can I say that about Kanye or Lil Wayne?). True, this isn't a necessary quality in a pop record, or to paraphrase Nik Cohn on Sgt. Pepper, It's brilliant, musical, layered, smart instrumentation, inventive vocals, but since when did any of that matter in pop music. Still, good stuff. 1, 2, 3, 4.
3. Modest Mouse : We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
The best indie record of the year, bar none. Well, minus the records I still don't know with any depth - LCD Soundsystem, White Stripes, Of Montreal, Spoon, Arcade Fire, M.I.A., Animal Collective, !!!. But kidding aside, Modest Mouse were doing just fine in their career, and adding Johnny Marr just made them that much better. Ever wonder what Radiohead after OK Computer could have done? Try Modest Mouse after The Moon & Antartica. I.e., so very much indeed.
2. Kanye West : Graduation
I can safely say these last two will be with me over the next decade - not so sure about the others. So, Graduation. It's Y'e's most egorific records (which is saying something), but still full of the clever, precise wordplays. Highlights range from Kanye's best career jam "Everything I Am" to the Lil Wayne infused "Barry Bonds." "Stronger" with that Daft Punk sample is ultra-overrated, but everything else on here soars.
1. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen : S/T
From January 2007 this began as my favorite record of the year. Nothing came near it. As Itty pointed out, Damon Albarn has a body of work few of his peers can touch (can you name an artist who has fronted 3 totally different, but GREAT bands ever?). Here Damon sings moody songs of England in the 21st century (no accident his organ was covered in a Union Jack when they performed on Letterman). As with the Gorillaz, he pulled together an eclectic group of artists - here from The Clash, The Verve, and Fela Kuti - to a unique effect. And as a nice counterpoint to Jarvis's adult record from 2007, this takes a more nuanced view of modern liberalism in a failing political climate.
____________
The 2007 Rivers Cuomo Award for Failed Expectation:
Air & Radiohead
Air just made a bad record, plain and simple. This is not shocking necessarily, but disappointing all the same. We've given up on Moon Safari Part Two, but at this point we'll settle for Talkie Walkie Part Two. Radiohead made a good record, but one grossly overhyped in the press. And as mentioned in an earlier comment, one that does little to stir the soul or provoke - two things Radiohead used to trade in with ease.
______________
And finally, David Bowie on Extras:
And that's it for me. See you in 2008.
-Paul
Monday, December 31, 2007
itty's list
Hi everyone. I am Itty. Here is my list, which comprises both concerts and albums that I liked. I'm going to keep it short and sweet. My reasons don't require many words.
1. Dr. Dog @ Maxwell's
A Dr. Dog concert makes my #1 for the second year in a row. Seeing them is like frolicking in a meadow on a sunny day, except with amazing musicians and dancing.
2. !!! @ Studio B and Webster Hall
You like to dance and get excited? See !!! live! Nic Offer will do the same old schtick and I will never get tired of it.
3. Menomena - Friend and Foe
This is the album I listened to the most this year. When I listen to this album, I feel like Neptune, with bountiful chest hair, surfing on a dolphin. .
4. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
This album is fresh. I liked Summer in Abaddon a lot, but was really taken aback by how good this is.
5. !!! - Myth Takes
I feel like over the years, !!! has really transformed from dance-punk to straight on dance. It's hot. I miss Out Hud though.
6. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen
I kind of forgot about this album, but listened to it the other night and remembered how good it was. Damon Albarn has not done much wrong in my opinion, and this shouldn't be forgotten.
7. The Aliens - Astronomy for Dogs
Psychedelia via Beta Band
8. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
The crooner of our generation does not disappoint.
9. Dr. Dog - We All Belong
Only slightly less fun than their concerts.
10. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Probably the best album of the year. I just didn't listen to it enough to put it that high.
Stars (to those not already mentioned):
Bikeride - The Kiss
Gravenhurst - The Western Lands
M. Ward @ World Trade Center
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum
Iron &Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Blonde Redhead - 23
New Old:
The Bee Gees
Gordon Lightfoot
Moondog
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
1. Dr. Dog @ Maxwell's
A Dr. Dog concert makes my #1 for the second year in a row. Seeing them is like frolicking in a meadow on a sunny day, except with amazing musicians and dancing.
2. !!! @ Studio B and Webster Hall
You like to dance and get excited? See !!! live! Nic Offer will do the same old schtick and I will never get tired of it.
3. Menomena - Friend and Foe
This is the album I listened to the most this year. When I listen to this album, I feel like Neptune, with bountiful chest hair, surfing on a dolphin. .
4. Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
This album is fresh. I liked Summer in Abaddon a lot, but was really taken aback by how good this is.
5. !!! - Myth Takes
I feel like over the years, !!! has really transformed from dance-punk to straight on dance. It's hot. I miss Out Hud though.
6. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen
I kind of forgot about this album, but listened to it the other night and remembered how good it was. Damon Albarn has not done much wrong in my opinion, and this shouldn't be forgotten.
7. The Aliens - Astronomy for Dogs
Psychedelia via Beta Band
8. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
The crooner of our generation does not disappoint.
9. Dr. Dog - We All Belong
Only slightly less fun than their concerts.
10. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Probably the best album of the year. I just didn't listen to it enough to put it that high.
Stars (to those not already mentioned):
Bikeride - The Kiss
Gravenhurst - The Western Lands
M. Ward @ World Trade Center
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum
Iron &Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Blonde Redhead - 23
New Old:
The Bee Gees
Gordon Lightfoot
Moondog
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
Sunday, December 30, 2007
1, 2, 3, 4 tell me that you love me more, Paulies
Hi- I'm Michael, and you probably remember me from Paul Awards of years past. I am co-creator with Paul of obsoletevernacular.com.
My musical sensibilities generally hover around what ever is worthy of listening to, which until recently, aimed towards something that was called "indie," but now is without a name.
The year 2007 was full of new music to listen to, much of it good, some of it very good, and a small portion of it great. As much as music has been deconstructing itself lately, we are finally seeing some promising reconstructions. In preparing my top 10, my short-list was about 25 deep, and tons of deserving bands were left out (LCD Soundsystem, The New Pornographers, Stars, Octopus Project, Sigur Ros, etc etc etc). On to the list:
10. Marry Me - St. Vincent
Being a part of the Polyphonic Spree or one of Sufjan's back-ups isn't the worst thing in the world. But at the end of the day, you're just part of a cavalcade of talented people that blend into one weighty avalanche of sound. Annie Clark, a. k. a. St. Vincent, is way too beautiful in every way, shape, and form for that kind of homogeneous fate. If you don't believe me, check out her media at Take-Away Shows, which strips the sonic layer of her album and leaves the naked melodies.
9. Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird
Long story short with Andrew Bird- a "solo" act that doesn't sound like Jack Johnson or Ben Harper on a bad day. His unconventional arrangements force this point home.
8. Graduation - Kanye West
I'm really glad that the minimalist approach that Kanye started using on Late Registration has filled out. The rage and determination that he approaches things with is one of my favorite things about the Louie Vuittton Don, and it shows more on this album than any other.
7. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
A late entry to my list, coming out in mid-December. Lupe gives a nice mix of old-school and new-school sounds, with a sharp, literate wit. Between Kanye and Lupe, I'm excited to see hip-hop do new things and move towards something sylized, and not just style-obsessed.
6. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
I'm going to say it: I like it better than Funeral. The "follow me to doom" shtick works well when it's coming from 50 people (that's how many people are in the band, right?). And while "My Body Is a Cage" is not the album's banner song, it haunts me every time I hear it.
5. Easy Tiger - Ryan Adams
I read an article on cnn.com this year reporting that after playing 70 minutes of a set, he left the stage because he was frustrated with the sound system. Is this what passes for a Ryan Adams tantrum these days? Regardless, Adams is a superb songwriter, and prolific as can be. I think after "Stars Go Blue" went big for The Coors and some country singer (his name slips my mind), Adams focused his craft even more. This set of songs is his tightest to date- and allegedly he still has a war chest still ready to be released.
4. Friend and Foe - Menomena
Did people forget about this album? I see a separation happening where a portion of people really like atmospheric leaning indie (i. e. Panda Bear and Grizzly Bear) and others prefer something more traditional (i. e. The National and The Ponys). I think that Menomena satisfies both sides. The unique rhythms and invigorating harmonies made this my surprise album of the year.
3. Kala - M. I. A.
This is easily the most influential album of the year from the most influential person in music. M. I. A. is both fun and sharp, chill and ingenious. The huge irony of the album is that it is drastically different from the indistinguishable Timbaland sound that dominated the year, all the while featuring the man himself- playing second fiddle to drastically varied lyrics and beats.
2. Random Spirit Lover - Sunset Rubdown
I love this album and I am perfectly fine with the fact that it is not for everybody. But the complexity and richness of its tracks is irrefutable. Spencer Krug can write a complete song like nobody else can right now. It is uber-dramatic indie mixed with whatever he feels like. The electronic bagpipe sound of "Upon Your Leopard..." is the most descriptive sound of this album: it doesn't make sense, but sounds exquisite and perfect. Thematically, the lyrics match the music, huge ideas and paradoxes abound.
1. In Rainbows - Radiohead
Besides the cultural implications and impact of this album's release, this is my number one album of the year. From start to finish, In Rainbows is distinct and a rebirth in the Radiohead catalog. I always felt as if Hail to the Thief was the "promised" album- the follow-up to OK Computer with guitar theatrics and a long-playing time. It seemed like most listeners did not totally love it, though, having been diluted with Kid A and Amnesiac. But that's what Radiohead fans have been: growers. The best illustration of this is a memory I have from the last Radiohead show I was at. They played "Creep." The most common response that I noticed from the crowd was laughter. It was as if the audience felt like they had outgrown the band- but stayed with them. Accordingly, In Rainbows gives the listener something new- Radiohead at their loosest, which still sounds incredibly calculated- and incredibly moving. The biggest band in the world is more personal than ever through free releases, webcasts, blogs, and most importantly, solid music.
***
Songs of the year: "1, 2, 3, 4" by Feist, "Stronger" by Kanye West, "Is There a Ghost" by Band of Horses, "Paper Planes" by M. I. A.
Soundtrack of the year: I'm Not There OST
Best old albums I discovered/re-listened to: Post-War by M. Ward, Street Legal by Bob Dylan, Graceland by Paul Simon
People who are putting out albums in 2008 that I cannot wait for: Stephen Malkmus, Silver Jews, Destroyer, Wolf Parade, Radiohead (I would not be surprised if we get another album/EP in 2008).
My musical sensibilities generally hover around what ever is worthy of listening to, which until recently, aimed towards something that was called "indie," but now is without a name.
The year 2007 was full of new music to listen to, much of it good, some of it very good, and a small portion of it great. As much as music has been deconstructing itself lately, we are finally seeing some promising reconstructions. In preparing my top 10, my short-list was about 25 deep, and tons of deserving bands were left out (LCD Soundsystem, The New Pornographers, Stars, Octopus Project, Sigur Ros, etc etc etc). On to the list:
10. Marry Me - St. VincentBeing a part of the Polyphonic Spree or one of Sufjan's back-ups isn't the worst thing in the world. But at the end of the day, you're just part of a cavalcade of talented people that blend into one weighty avalanche of sound. Annie Clark, a. k. a. St. Vincent, is way too beautiful in every way, shape, and form for that kind of homogeneous fate. If you don't believe me, check out her media at Take-Away Shows, which strips the sonic layer of her album and leaves the naked melodies.
9. Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew BirdLong story short with Andrew Bird- a "solo" act that doesn't sound like Jack Johnson or Ben Harper on a bad day. His unconventional arrangements force this point home.
8. Graduation - Kanye WestI'm really glad that the minimalist approach that Kanye started using on Late Registration has filled out. The rage and determination that he approaches things with is one of my favorite things about the Louie Vuittton Don, and it shows more on this album than any other.
7. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool - Lupe FiascoA late entry to my list, coming out in mid-December. Lupe gives a nice mix of old-school and new-school sounds, with a sharp, literate wit. Between Kanye and Lupe, I'm excited to see hip-hop do new things and move towards something sylized, and not just style-obsessed.
6. Neon Bible - Arcade FireI'm going to say it: I like it better than Funeral. The "follow me to doom" shtick works well when it's coming from 50 people (that's how many people are in the band, right?). And while "My Body Is a Cage" is not the album's banner song, it haunts me every time I hear it.
5. Easy Tiger - Ryan AdamsI read an article on cnn.com this year reporting that after playing 70 minutes of a set, he left the stage because he was frustrated with the sound system. Is this what passes for a Ryan Adams tantrum these days? Regardless, Adams is a superb songwriter, and prolific as can be. I think after "Stars Go Blue" went big for The Coors and some country singer (his name slips my mind), Adams focused his craft even more. This set of songs is his tightest to date- and allegedly he still has a war chest still ready to be released.
4. Friend and Foe - MenomenaDid people forget about this album? I see a separation happening where a portion of people really like atmospheric leaning indie (i. e. Panda Bear and Grizzly Bear) and others prefer something more traditional (i. e. The National and The Ponys). I think that Menomena satisfies both sides. The unique rhythms and invigorating harmonies made this my surprise album of the year.
3. Kala - M. I. A.This is easily the most influential album of the year from the most influential person in music. M. I. A. is both fun and sharp, chill and ingenious. The huge irony of the album is that it is drastically different from the indistinguishable Timbaland sound that dominated the year, all the while featuring the man himself- playing second fiddle to drastically varied lyrics and beats.
2. Random Spirit Lover - Sunset RubdownI love this album and I am perfectly fine with the fact that it is not for everybody. But the complexity and richness of its tracks is irrefutable. Spencer Krug can write a complete song like nobody else can right now. It is uber-dramatic indie mixed with whatever he feels like. The electronic bagpipe sound of "Upon Your Leopard..." is the most descriptive sound of this album: it doesn't make sense, but sounds exquisite and perfect. Thematically, the lyrics match the music, huge ideas and paradoxes abound.
1. In Rainbows - RadioheadBesides the cultural implications and impact of this album's release, this is my number one album of the year. From start to finish, In Rainbows is distinct and a rebirth in the Radiohead catalog. I always felt as if Hail to the Thief was the "promised" album- the follow-up to OK Computer with guitar theatrics and a long-playing time. It seemed like most listeners did not totally love it, though, having been diluted with Kid A and Amnesiac. But that's what Radiohead fans have been: growers. The best illustration of this is a memory I have from the last Radiohead show I was at. They played "Creep." The most common response that I noticed from the crowd was laughter. It was as if the audience felt like they had outgrown the band- but stayed with them. Accordingly, In Rainbows gives the listener something new- Radiohead at their loosest, which still sounds incredibly calculated- and incredibly moving. The biggest band in the world is more personal than ever through free releases, webcasts, blogs, and most importantly, solid music.
***
Songs of the year: "1, 2, 3, 4" by Feist, "Stronger" by Kanye West, "Is There a Ghost" by Band of Horses, "Paper Planes" by M. I. A.
Soundtrack of the year: I'm Not There OST
Best old albums I discovered/re-listened to: Post-War by M. Ward, Street Legal by Bob Dylan, Graceland by Paul Simon
People who are putting out albums in 2008 that I cannot wait for: Stephen Malkmus, Silver Jews, Destroyer, Wolf Parade, Radiohead (I would not be surprised if we get another album/EP in 2008).
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