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.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
2009 Was Fine
But here goes anyways. Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The XX, Girls- all solid albums. But after that, I don't have too much to say (or think) about them. They feel like the expected "indie" album. So, maybe this whole "indie as a genre" thing is ready to croak already. (Maybe more about that in my decade list to come.)
My Top 11 Albums of 2009
11. (tie) Monsters of Folk/Them Crooked Vultures - (both self-titled) - It was almost impossible for these albums to be bad, just off the talent in the room.
9. Get Guilty - A.C. Newman - With apologies to Neko Case, 2009's best album by a member of The New Pornographers. Power-pop standard. Stand-out track: "There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve"
8. Songs of Shame - Woods - Of all of the fuzzy sounding, quasi-mountainy folk albums of the year, this one was the best. Stand-out track: "Military Madness"
7. Time to Die - The Dodos - A nice jump by these guys after their previous album. Stand-out track: "Fables"
6. Dark Was the Night - various artists - So good, I'm able to ignore how trendy the cast of characters is. Also has the prophetic lyric in The National song: "Praying for Pavement to get back together." Stand-out track: "The Giant of Illinois"
5. Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors - Maybe the most instantly likable album that I heard this year, surprisingly, after never listening to this band before. Stand-out track: "Useful Chamber"
4. The Hazards of Love - The Decemberists - There are maybe 5 or 6 fantastic melodies that are used over and over again. If that makes it a rock-opera concept album, so be it. Stand-out track: "The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid"
3. Dragonslayer - Sunset Rubdown - Really Spencer Krug can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. More approachable than anything else he's done, including Wolf Parade. Stand-out track: "You Go on Ahead"
2. Merriweather Post Pavilion/Fall Be Kind EP - Animal Collective - Is there anything else that can be said about this album (and the EP coda)? Big year for these guys, who might just be a new generation's Grateful Dead/Phish...which may not bode so well for the future. But, if anything, MPP is a perfectly executed album, something that it shares with my number one for this year. Stand-out track: "Brother Sport"
1. Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear - For me, this year was always a two horse race for the best album. MPP and Veckatimest both deserve the praise they're getting and (presumably) will get. Enough about the "death of the album." Start to finish, these are Albums (uppercase A). So why Veckatimest as my number one? Because it is maybe note-perfect. With the stock that these guys had built up in the past couple of years, they could have gone overboard with instrumentation and grandiose. But instead, they made a restrained album with a huge sound. Stand-out track: "While You Wait for the Others"
Tracks I liked this year not encompassed in the albums mentioned: "Games for Days" - Julian Plenti, "Animal Tracks" - Mountain Man, "French Navy" - Camera Obscura
Older music I rediscovered this year: Loaded - Velvet Underground, The Essential Toto, Alligator - The National, The Cars, Sam Cooke
My least favorite thing this year: the use of the word "meme." Give me a break. Just because you use a word derived from the Greek does not mean that a discussion on Kanye interrupting that girl has some sort of supreme relevance. We've all read Derrida.
Best TV show of 2009: A month or so ago I was all prepared to debate our best comedy, 30 Rock, versus our best drama, Mad Men. Enter: Jersey Shore. I'm going to spare you on this one, but: HOLY CRAP. Absolutely incredible. Here's what I will add for the time being (but I could talk about it forever): In 2009, the cast of Jersey Shore are the only people that deserve a reality show. It's a genre full of phonies. But these people- their lives are spent posturing already. The effect- a totally honest, authentic, hilarious, entertaining, and incredible show. I mean, the guy is called THE SITUATION.
Another Side of Julian
Thanks for the I wish it Was Christmas Today post. That is actually a great song. I'm looking forward to everyone's best of the decade list and predicting a solid debate between Is this it? and Kid A. To add the Julian conversation, I submit this video from Conan. It's awkward. The forced hand gestures, the trying too hard to be cool back up band, the set up of the stage that makes Julian look all alone (and not in a good way). I actually like the song in a weird way. The album was also produced by Mike Mogis of Saddlecreek fame (Bright Eyes et al). Full disclosure, I'm essentially paraphrasing the first paragraph of the pitchfork review of the album. In case you missed the video, it's worth watching and scratching your head.
Julian Casablancas live on conan o brien
AL3X!! | MySpace Video
Unrelated, but I wanted to mention it, A Serious Man is my pick for best movie of the year. Talk about an awesome trailer.
-Patrick
Julian Casablancas live on conan o brien
AL3X!! | MySpace Video
Unrelated, but I wanted to mention it, A Serious Man is my pick for best movie of the year. Talk about an awesome trailer.
-Patrick
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Two Christmas Mixtapes
Quick recommendation for your upcoming Christmas family gatherings (assuming you have already downloaded/purchased the severely underrated Bob Dylan Christmas album). Here are two mixtapes worth getting before Friday -- I couldn't recommend them more:
1. Andy Cirzan's annual mixtape of lost Christmas classics, via Sound Opinions
2. Chris Weingarten's mixtape of early hip hop Christmas joints
Julian, Jimmy Fallon
The musical moment of the 09 Christmas season:
Julian Casablancas collaborates with Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz on "I Wish It Was Christmas Today."
The Paulies: More Best Of Lists, 09
Hi all, A few more "best of" lists for you to peruse this week --
first, from New York magazine:
New York Mag top ten
Top Five:
5. Gucci Mane
4. Drake
3. Taylor Swift
2. Lady Gaga
1. Black Eyed Peas
Pitchfork's top 50 of 2009
Top Five:
5. Raekwon, "Only Built for Cuban Linx... Pt. II"
4. The Flaming Lips, "Embryonic"
3. The xx, "The xx"
2. Dirty Projectors, "Bitte Orca"
1. Animal Collective, "Merriweather Post Pavilion"
NPR's All Songs Considered's Top 25
Top Five:
5. Andrew Bird, "Noble Beast"
4. Neko Case, "Middle Cyclone"
3. Phoenix, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"
2. Animal Collective, "Merriweather Post Pavillion"
1. Grizzly Bear, "Veckatimest"
Et al.:
Artforum's weird-o lists
Time Out New York staff lists
first, from New York magazine:
New York Mag top ten
Top Five:
5. Gucci Mane
4. Drake
3. Taylor Swift
2. Lady Gaga
1. Black Eyed Peas
Pitchfork's top 50 of 2009
Top Five:
5. Raekwon, "Only Built for Cuban Linx... Pt. II"
4. The Flaming Lips, "Embryonic"
3. The xx, "The xx"
2. Dirty Projectors, "Bitte Orca"
1. Animal Collective, "Merriweather Post Pavilion"
NPR's All Songs Considered's Top 25
Top Five:
5. Andrew Bird, "Noble Beast"
4. Neko Case, "Middle Cyclone"
3. Phoenix, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"
2. Animal Collective, "Merriweather Post Pavillion"
1. Grizzly Bear, "Veckatimest"
Et al.:
Artforum's weird-o lists
Time Out New York staff lists
Monday, December 21, 2009
My 2009
Hey Folks, My name is Matt. I like movies and music and other things. But, I listen and watch less than I once did.
I've tried to highlight what stood out to me in a semi-succinct way. The videos are more interesting than anything I wrote. So, if you're pressed for time, click on them before reading anything I say.
#2734. PHRAZES FOR THE YOUNG/JULIAN CASABLANCAS - "Out of the Blue": catchy opening tune... great Strokes-y riffs. "I Wish It Was Christmas Today": too too fun. Everything in between? Garbage. Still, I'm years away from NOT buying a Julian Casablancas-related album as soon as it comes out. The Strokes are playing with house money, but losing it... quickly.
#2733 to 7. I didn't listen to all that much. There's plenty of great moments from the albums I heard and like that didn't feel like they deserved any special breakout in this forum...
*ALBUM/GIRLS
*NO CEILINGS (MIXTAPE)/LIL' WAYNE
*MIDDLE CYCLONE/NEKO CASE
*THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART/THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART
*BITTE ORCA/DIRTY PROJECTORS
*FALL BE KIND (EP)/ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
*THE BLUEPRINT III/JAY-Z
The things I will say are as follows. Of the above mentions, POBPAH was probably the album I liked and listened to the most. The Blueprint III? Not what I was looking for. More on this in the "Best of the Decade" post. Finally, of the above albums, I'd say my favorite song is Two Doves by the Dirty Projectors. Aqui....
#6. IT'S BLITZ!/THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS - The YYYs had all the markings of a band that would flame out... quickly. And at every inflection point, they grew and produced continually more mature music. Lacking the energy of Fever To Tell, It's Blitz! replaces with greater sonic scope and lovely synth-melodies. Besides, excellent use of "Runaway" saved one of this season's first (miserable) episodes of Gossip Girl. And that counts for something.
#5. ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX, PART 2 - RAEKWON - A lot's been said about the state of hip-hop. For people who read the New Yorker, a lot's been discussed about Sasha Frere-Jones' basic dismissal of hip-hop as a trailblazing, trend-setting genre. Frankly, this might be the most interesting question in music in 2009. I'm underqualified to speculate, but it fits within that discussion to note that the rap album of the year is a sequel to Raekwon's classic 1995 album. Not only do the beats and verses feel completely of that time, they live up to the oh-so-high standards of early Wu Tang Clan recordings, when every month seemed like it brought another essential album. All of that said, my rationale for including this revolves around two simple points: 1) I grew up on all of those early Wu Tang albums. 2) This is damn good.
Footnote: Raekwon also delivered the quote of the year in discussing his collaboration with RZA...
"One thing about RZA is he’s like the Wizard of Oz. He’ll give what he feels like giving you, but he has other shit that he doesn’t really admire too much because it doesn’t represent his growth and development process. I knew he already had it; it’s just hard to get him to go back into his bag of goodies because he’s so used to dealing with another bag right now. So that was the situation with the first album. I felt like ‘yo, I want this sound.’ But he was like ‘this is going to be the new sound!’ So now it happens to be a want situation. RZA is the type where you’ll ask for this, and he’ll give you something else. But he always has what you want [laughs]. You may have to search for a little bit, do some soul searching, but you’ll find what you need. That’s why happened on Cuban Linx II. I got what I needed from him for my shit."
Of course.
#4. MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION/ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - This album makes me feel old... or detached. I mean, it's good. It's really, really ridiculously good. A handful of songs (Summertime Clothes, Brother Sport) are flawless. Go to the 2:30 mark of "In The Flowers" and you find the moment of 2009 in music. Still, I feel zero connection to this album or band or group of songs. If Animal Collective was removed from my world tomorrow, I might shrug... and then move on with the rest of my life. Almost certainly, it will be our choice for Album of the Year... and probably deservedly so if I put on my understanding hat.
The only way this did resonate with me? I appreciate the homage, since I grew up going to shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. AC gets snaps for that.
#3. WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX/PHOENIX - Who would have thought Phoenix would be the best thing to happen to GM and SNL all year? As much as I see that Cadillac commercial, I can't get sick of 1901. Lisztomania is a hell of a second single. The definite breezy summer album of 2009. I remember seeing them play in London in 2003 and they just weren't this good.
#2. XX/THE XX - I don't know what to say about this album... at all. If my iTunes "Top 25 Most Played" list is any indication, this was what I did in fact listen to most in 2009. I actually think the Rossman's sentence or two were perfect. Not sure how I feel about this in three years. But, goodness, this is an astonishing album.
#1. LOGOS/ATLAS SOUND - So similar, but so different. If not apparent from my gushing about Deerhunter in an earlier post, I like Bradford Cox's music. At this point, I think he's doing more in the "delivering superior music consistently" department than just about any of his peers. On the surface, Logos and Merriweather Post Pavilion are cut from the same cloth (Logos is slower, more traditional instrumentation, less of a defining mood). But, Atlas Sound resonates with me. If not muddled enough, likely the best song on this album, "Walkabout," features vocals from Panda Bear. But, in contrast to MPP, these are songs I want in my life, songs that feel like background to little episodes or feelings of mine. This year, if I were sitting on a bus, walking down the street, heading to a first date, I'd put this on my iPod before anything else.
2009 IN MOVIES... THE FANTASTIC MR FOX - Return to form for Wessy. I was not a big fan of Darjeeling. I did like the Life Aquatic more than most anyone I know. But FMF put a smile on my face from the opening credits and it stayed with me after I left the theater. Not many movies get a thumbs up from my whole family, let alone a theater full of 9-year olds and 29-year olds. My favorite film of 2009, except for...
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - Bar none, film of the year. Frankly, this is the best big budget film I've seen in a long, long time. If Christoph Waltz doesn't win an Oscar for his role as Colonel Hans Landa... I don't even know what would happen. It shouldn't happen. He should win. That's it, really. So, I don't think Quentin Tarantino has ever done anything this good... maybe, MAYBE Reservoir Dogs. Clearly, not as important in the grand scheme of things as Pulp Fiction... but to paraphrase Aldo Raine, i think this is Tarantino's masterpiece.
Rudy, why you hating on Brad Pitt? What has he ever done to you?
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE - Ok, I didn't even see this movie. Seemed like a bad idea. But, it takes the 2009 Phantom Menace prize for "Trailer of the Year." Good use of the Arcade Fire, great editing. A no-brainer.
2009 MISCELLANY... JERSEY SHORE - The standout cultural moment of 2009 that doesn't involve Tiger Woods. Not only is it (through four episodes) the most important reality show of our generation, it's scintillating at every step. For a very thorough and comical breakdown, click on the 12/7 Bill Simmons podcast at the link below.
Bill Simmons Podcasts
For a sneak peek, watch this video...
THE SITUATION - Ok, Mike (aka The Situation) is a housemate on Jersey Shore. But, he demands a special mention. Not only does he have the greatest self-appointed nickname in history, he's the most compelling reality tv character of the decade. There's no ceiling to where we go with this.
SNL MEETS HULU - Saturday Night Live is one of my favorite things, for the most part, because it's perfect for the disposable internet era. Do I want to sit down and watch a terrible 90-minute show every few Saturdays? Not remotely. Do I want to watch the two funny skits Monday morning on Hulu? Yes... and we're all better for it.
ALL POINTS WEST - Along with Mr Jackson, I took the ferry across the river on a cold day Friday this fall to see the the first day of the three-day All Points West Festival in the NYC area. A festival near NYC? Great idea, and by all accounts, much of the event organization was improved from 2008's first run (though there was no Radiohead this time around). It rained, it poured... but the thunder and lightning held off. I looked like a banana in yellow shorts and a yellow poncho. In short, standout performances from the YYYs and Vampire Weekend that served as a prelude to a devastating closer from Jay-Z (who performed in place of the Beastie Boys).
This really says it all...
MONDAY NIGHT - Life is full of tough choices. Some are better than others. I don't feel bad for Justin Timberlake deciding on which ladies to single out at a bar. I don't worry for Rahm Emanuel when he gave up his power in Congress to become White House Chief of Staff. And when autumn comes around in the DVR age, I don't begrudge Monday nights when I have to decide between Monday Night Football and Gossip Girl. MNF is great. More and more, football feels like the adult sport to me. ESPN produces a good broadcast... and Gruden and Jaworski are a stellar pair of commentators. Gossip Girl? Everytime it dips in form (often), it pulls me back in with an aMAZing episode. At this point, Chuck Bass is the only thing I can count on in our fictional Upper East Side. But, he's like Dwyane Wade on the Heat: enough to justify the price of admission.
MOMOFUKU (IN SUM) - Momofuku, for those of you who don't live in New York, or most especially the East Village, is a group of restaurants owned by the now omnipresent David Chang. Conveniently, they're all located within a few blocks of my apartment. Momofuku Noodle Bar serves ramen and pork buns and other more complex quasi-Asian snacks. Momofuku Ssam Bar takes that idea to a logical extreme of American/Southern/Japanese/Korean cooking, to the tune of 3 stars from the New York Times. Momofuku Milk Bar (connected to Ssam) serves flavored milks, cereal and candy-flavored soft serve ice cream, and unlike-anything-you've-ever-seen cookies, pies and cakes. Finally, Momofuku Ko is a reservation-only 12-seat counter that serves 2-3 hour, 12-18 course tasting menu meals for between $125-$175 a person. In some order, these are my favorite restaurants on Earth. I could spend 2,000 words explaining why... but pick the Momofuku for you, and give it a shot.
Note #1: If you're a vegetarian, go the Milk Bar route.
Note #2: If you're a vegan, ignore the last paragraph and move on.
(FANTASY) FOOTBALL - As a boy becomes a man, things change. For our generation, fantasy football is better than it once was. Organizing great leagues is free and easy on Yahoo or ESPN or any number of other sites. I can keep track of live scoring on Sundays on my iPhone. The football (real football) watching experience is a lot different in HD on a 42" flatscreen than it used to be on a crappy 20" tv. At home (for some) and at bars (for all), every game can be watched thanks to DirecTV. Never been a better time to love the NFL. Never been a better time to play in leagues that compete in a currency of imaginary points based on the NFL. Just a lot to like, across the board.
REGGIE BUSH - Damn you, Reggie Bush. My man crush on you (and consequential overzealous early-round drafting of you in my fantasy leagues) has torpedoed nearly every one of my teams since you turned pro. Who am I kidding, I can't stay mad at you though.
GO FIGURE... - Who would have thought Kings of Leon would be the one of "those bands" that would be so culturally prominent today? Not me.
Alright, I'm running out of juice. Know I'm forgetting stuff... but I'll include them if I remember.
I've tried to highlight what stood out to me in a semi-succinct way. The videos are more interesting than anything I wrote. So, if you're pressed for time, click on them before reading anything I say.
#2734. PHRAZES FOR THE YOUNG/JULIAN CASABLANCAS - "Out of the Blue": catchy opening tune... great Strokes-y riffs. "I Wish It Was Christmas Today": too too fun. Everything in between? Garbage. Still, I'm years away from NOT buying a Julian Casablancas-related album as soon as it comes out. The Strokes are playing with house money, but losing it... quickly.
#2733 to 7. I didn't listen to all that much. There's plenty of great moments from the albums I heard and like that didn't feel like they deserved any special breakout in this forum...
*ALBUM/GIRLS
*NO CEILINGS (MIXTAPE)/LIL' WAYNE
*MIDDLE CYCLONE/NEKO CASE
*THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART/THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART
*BITTE ORCA/DIRTY PROJECTORS
*FALL BE KIND (EP)/ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
*THE BLUEPRINT III/JAY-Z
The things I will say are as follows. Of the above mentions, POBPAH was probably the album I liked and listened to the most. The Blueprint III? Not what I was looking for. More on this in the "Best of the Decade" post. Finally, of the above albums, I'd say my favorite song is Two Doves by the Dirty Projectors. Aqui....
#6. IT'S BLITZ!/THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS - The YYYs had all the markings of a band that would flame out... quickly. And at every inflection point, they grew and produced continually more mature music. Lacking the energy of Fever To Tell, It's Blitz! replaces with greater sonic scope and lovely synth-melodies. Besides, excellent use of "Runaway" saved one of this season's first (miserable) episodes of Gossip Girl. And that counts for something.
#5. ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX, PART 2 - RAEKWON - A lot's been said about the state of hip-hop. For people who read the New Yorker, a lot's been discussed about Sasha Frere-Jones' basic dismissal of hip-hop as a trailblazing, trend-setting genre. Frankly, this might be the most interesting question in music in 2009. I'm underqualified to speculate, but it fits within that discussion to note that the rap album of the year is a sequel to Raekwon's classic 1995 album. Not only do the beats and verses feel completely of that time, they live up to the oh-so-high standards of early Wu Tang Clan recordings, when every month seemed like it brought another essential album. All of that said, my rationale for including this revolves around two simple points: 1) I grew up on all of those early Wu Tang albums. 2) This is damn good.
Footnote: Raekwon also delivered the quote of the year in discussing his collaboration with RZA...
"One thing about RZA is he’s like the Wizard of Oz. He’ll give what he feels like giving you, but he has other shit that he doesn’t really admire too much because it doesn’t represent his growth and development process. I knew he already had it; it’s just hard to get him to go back into his bag of goodies because he’s so used to dealing with another bag right now. So that was the situation with the first album. I felt like ‘yo, I want this sound.’ But he was like ‘this is going to be the new sound!’ So now it happens to be a want situation. RZA is the type where you’ll ask for this, and he’ll give you something else. But he always has what you want [laughs]. You may have to search for a little bit, do some soul searching, but you’ll find what you need. That’s why happened on Cuban Linx II. I got what I needed from him for my shit."
Of course.
#4. MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION/ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - This album makes me feel old... or detached. I mean, it's good. It's really, really ridiculously good. A handful of songs (Summertime Clothes, Brother Sport) are flawless. Go to the 2:30 mark of "In The Flowers" and you find the moment of 2009 in music. Still, I feel zero connection to this album or band or group of songs. If Animal Collective was removed from my world tomorrow, I might shrug... and then move on with the rest of my life. Almost certainly, it will be our choice for Album of the Year... and probably deservedly so if I put on my understanding hat.
The only way this did resonate with me? I appreciate the homage, since I grew up going to shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. AC gets snaps for that.
#3. WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX/PHOENIX - Who would have thought Phoenix would be the best thing to happen to GM and SNL all year? As much as I see that Cadillac commercial, I can't get sick of 1901. Lisztomania is a hell of a second single. The definite breezy summer album of 2009. I remember seeing them play in London in 2003 and they just weren't this good.
#2. XX/THE XX - I don't know what to say about this album... at all. If my iTunes "Top 25 Most Played" list is any indication, this was what I did in fact listen to most in 2009. I actually think the Rossman's sentence or two were perfect. Not sure how I feel about this in three years. But, goodness, this is an astonishing album.
#1. LOGOS/ATLAS SOUND - So similar, but so different. If not apparent from my gushing about Deerhunter in an earlier post, I like Bradford Cox's music. At this point, I think he's doing more in the "delivering superior music consistently" department than just about any of his peers. On the surface, Logos and Merriweather Post Pavilion are cut from the same cloth (Logos is slower, more traditional instrumentation, less of a defining mood). But, Atlas Sound resonates with me. If not muddled enough, likely the best song on this album, "Walkabout," features vocals from Panda Bear. But, in contrast to MPP, these are songs I want in my life, songs that feel like background to little episodes or feelings of mine. This year, if I were sitting on a bus, walking down the street, heading to a first date, I'd put this on my iPod before anything else.
2009 IN MOVIES... THE FANTASTIC MR FOX - Return to form for Wessy. I was not a big fan of Darjeeling. I did like the Life Aquatic more than most anyone I know. But FMF put a smile on my face from the opening credits and it stayed with me after I left the theater. Not many movies get a thumbs up from my whole family, let alone a theater full of 9-year olds and 29-year olds. My favorite film of 2009, except for...
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - Bar none, film of the year. Frankly, this is the best big budget film I've seen in a long, long time. If Christoph Waltz doesn't win an Oscar for his role as Colonel Hans Landa... I don't even know what would happen. It shouldn't happen. He should win. That's it, really. So, I don't think Quentin Tarantino has ever done anything this good... maybe, MAYBE Reservoir Dogs. Clearly, not as important in the grand scheme of things as Pulp Fiction... but to paraphrase Aldo Raine, i think this is Tarantino's masterpiece.
Rudy, why you hating on Brad Pitt? What has he ever done to you?
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE - Ok, I didn't even see this movie. Seemed like a bad idea. But, it takes the 2009 Phantom Menace prize for "Trailer of the Year." Good use of the Arcade Fire, great editing. A no-brainer.
2009 MISCELLANY... JERSEY SHORE - The standout cultural moment of 2009 that doesn't involve Tiger Woods. Not only is it (through four episodes) the most important reality show of our generation, it's scintillating at every step. For a very thorough and comical breakdown, click on the 12/7 Bill Simmons podcast at the link below.
Bill Simmons Podcasts
For a sneak peek, watch this video...
THE SITUATION - Ok, Mike (aka The Situation) is a housemate on Jersey Shore. But, he demands a special mention. Not only does he have the greatest self-appointed nickname in history, he's the most compelling reality tv character of the decade. There's no ceiling to where we go with this.
SNL MEETS HULU - Saturday Night Live is one of my favorite things, for the most part, because it's perfect for the disposable internet era. Do I want to sit down and watch a terrible 90-minute show every few Saturdays? Not remotely. Do I want to watch the two funny skits Monday morning on Hulu? Yes... and we're all better for it.
ALL POINTS WEST - Along with Mr Jackson, I took the ferry across the river on a cold day Friday this fall to see the the first day of the three-day All Points West Festival in the NYC area. A festival near NYC? Great idea, and by all accounts, much of the event organization was improved from 2008's first run (though there was no Radiohead this time around). It rained, it poured... but the thunder and lightning held off. I looked like a banana in yellow shorts and a yellow poncho. In short, standout performances from the YYYs and Vampire Weekend that served as a prelude to a devastating closer from Jay-Z (who performed in place of the Beastie Boys).
This really says it all...
MONDAY NIGHT - Life is full of tough choices. Some are better than others. I don't feel bad for Justin Timberlake deciding on which ladies to single out at a bar. I don't worry for Rahm Emanuel when he gave up his power in Congress to become White House Chief of Staff. And when autumn comes around in the DVR age, I don't begrudge Monday nights when I have to decide between Monday Night Football and Gossip Girl. MNF is great. More and more, football feels like the adult sport to me. ESPN produces a good broadcast... and Gruden and Jaworski are a stellar pair of commentators. Gossip Girl? Everytime it dips in form (often), it pulls me back in with an aMAZing episode. At this point, Chuck Bass is the only thing I can count on in our fictional Upper East Side. But, he's like Dwyane Wade on the Heat: enough to justify the price of admission.
MOMOFUKU (IN SUM) - Momofuku, for those of you who don't live in New York, or most especially the East Village, is a group of restaurants owned by the now omnipresent David Chang. Conveniently, they're all located within a few blocks of my apartment. Momofuku Noodle Bar serves ramen and pork buns and other more complex quasi-Asian snacks. Momofuku Ssam Bar takes that idea to a logical extreme of American/Southern/Japanese/Korean cooking, to the tune of 3 stars from the New York Times. Momofuku Milk Bar (connected to Ssam) serves flavored milks, cereal and candy-flavored soft serve ice cream, and unlike-anything-you've-ever-seen cookies, pies and cakes. Finally, Momofuku Ko is a reservation-only 12-seat counter that serves 2-3 hour, 12-18 course tasting menu meals for between $125-$175 a person. In some order, these are my favorite restaurants on Earth. I could spend 2,000 words explaining why... but pick the Momofuku for you, and give it a shot.
Note #1: If you're a vegetarian, go the Milk Bar route.
Note #2: If you're a vegan, ignore the last paragraph and move on.
(FANTASY) FOOTBALL - As a boy becomes a man, things change. For our generation, fantasy football is better than it once was. Organizing great leagues is free and easy on Yahoo or ESPN or any number of other sites. I can keep track of live scoring on Sundays on my iPhone. The football (real football) watching experience is a lot different in HD on a 42" flatscreen than it used to be on a crappy 20" tv. At home (for some) and at bars (for all), every game can be watched thanks to DirecTV. Never been a better time to love the NFL. Never been a better time to play in leagues that compete in a currency of imaginary points based on the NFL. Just a lot to like, across the board.
REGGIE BUSH - Damn you, Reggie Bush. My man crush on you (and consequential overzealous early-round drafting of you in my fantasy leagues) has torpedoed nearly every one of my teams since you turned pro. Who am I kidding, I can't stay mad at you though.
GO FIGURE... - Who would have thought Kings of Leon would be the one of "those bands" that would be so culturally prominent today? Not me.
Alright, I'm running out of juice. Know I'm forgetting stuff... but I'll include them if I remember.
Friday, December 18, 2009
What I Didnt Hate in 2009 (And Maybe Even Kinda Sorta Liked) by Rudy
I am, once again, a little light on new music. But the important thing is ... I'm making progress! Last year I had three, this year five, next year I'm going to breakout (you'll see).
1. YACHT - See Mystery Lights
Jona Bechtolt is super talented and an old acquaintance from Portland. I was bummed when he left The Blow, but it's obvious now that he knew what he was doing. He went back to focusing on YACHT, and the new album really broke out this year. Even Kanye gave him a write-up (http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/index.php?em3106=233070_-1__0_). Also, check out his website (http://www.teamyacht.com/) as he is always designing, making videos and websites, and it seems, never sleeping.
2. DEAD WEATHER - Horehound
For when I'm wearing tight black jeans and drinking whiskey.
3. SALLIE FORD AND THE SOUND OUTSIDE - Not an Animal EP
An amazing local Portland band. They have a really old sound, a throwback to old rocknroll/folk/soul. It's so good. Here is a YouTube clip I found and if you like their music it's for sale on their website (http://www.sallieford.com/)
4. NEKO CASE - Middle Cyclone
I got this album as a gift. Even I'm surprised I love it so much.
5. BOWERBIRDS - Upper Air
For me, "Northern Lights" is the star of the album. I cut a video to this song over the summer, which means I had to listen to it at least a thousand times, and I'm STILL not sick of it.
(ps. since the Paulies began, I've found The XX, which seems pretty awesome so far.)
----------------------------------------------------------------
And now to the movies. Not a terrible year for film given the death of the independent distributor. Here is a top 9:
1. HUNGER
The cinematography is bananas. The details: crumbs falling to the floor, snow flakes melting on raw knuckles. And the movie that started everything for Michael Fassbender. Directed by Steve McQueen. No. The other Steve McQueen.
2. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Count me as a skeptic when this came out. But I loved it (as much as I can love a movie with Brad Pitt in it). The simple, drawn-out scenes were refreshing, complimented with great dialogue and performances (sans Brad Pitt).
3. HURT LOCKER
Not in love with the last few minutes of the movie, but easily forgivable. Big props to Kathryn Bigelow.
4. UP IN THE AIR
Ohhh man I read this script early and loved it. And then I saw the movie and was a little let down by the execution. But I'm sure I was just expecting too much. The script was so great that I can forgive any (possibly hallucinated) execution flaws.
5. MOON
One of those rare movies that creates a mood that stays with you for a long time. I have a feeling it had something to do with the Clint Mansell soundtrack. And if you haven't seen the poster and trailer, do so now (http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/moon/)
6. ANTICHRIST
Difficult to classify this is as "Best Movie." How about "Most Memorable Movie?" As fucked up and uncomfortable as it was, there isn't a movie that stands out as much as this one. I've never seen anything like it.
7. BALLAST
Such a small story, yet so satisfying. The characters and pacing were great.
8. FUNNY PEOPLE
Ok, some definite flaws (the movie was probably 30 minutes too long) but there was enough right to make up for the wrong. Like Jonah's plan for internet fame:
9. CORALINE
Some flaws in this one too, but I spent months of my life working on this launch, so it holds a special place.
Things Worth Noting
- I have yet to see Avatar and The Messenger
- Worst movie of the Year: Limits of Control. Soooo terrible. How terrible? My friend left half way through to get a coffee so she wouldn't fall asleep. I actually turned my head away from the screen and stared at the walls in the theater, for minutes at a time, out of spite.
- Old movies that I discovered this year that I loved: Scenes from a Marriage, Masculine Feminine, Days of Heaven.
- Innovation of the year: IFC Same Day On Demand.
---
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to seeing more entries.
1. YACHT - See Mystery Lights
Jona Bechtolt is super talented and an old acquaintance from Portland. I was bummed when he left The Blow, but it's obvious now that he knew what he was doing. He went back to focusing on YACHT, and the new album really broke out this year. Even Kanye gave him a write-up (http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/index.php?em3106=233070_-1__0_). Also, check out his website (http://www.teamyacht.com/) as he is always designing, making videos and websites, and it seems, never sleeping.
2. DEAD WEATHER - Horehound
For when I'm wearing tight black jeans and drinking whiskey.
3. SALLIE FORD AND THE SOUND OUTSIDE - Not an Animal EP
An amazing local Portland band. They have a really old sound, a throwback to old rocknroll/folk/soul. It's so good. Here is a YouTube clip I found and if you like their music it's for sale on their website (http://www.sallieford.com/)
4. NEKO CASE - Middle Cyclone
I got this album as a gift. Even I'm surprised I love it so much.
5. BOWERBIRDS - Upper Air
For me, "Northern Lights" is the star of the album. I cut a video to this song over the summer, which means I had to listen to it at least a thousand times, and I'm STILL not sick of it.
(ps. since the Paulies began, I've found The XX, which seems pretty awesome so far.)
----------------------------------------------------------------
And now to the movies. Not a terrible year for film given the death of the independent distributor. Here is a top 9:
1. HUNGER
The cinematography is bananas. The details: crumbs falling to the floor, snow flakes melting on raw knuckles. And the movie that started everything for Michael Fassbender. Directed by Steve McQueen. No. The other Steve McQueen.
2. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Count me as a skeptic when this came out. But I loved it (as much as I can love a movie with Brad Pitt in it). The simple, drawn-out scenes were refreshing, complimented with great dialogue and performances (sans Brad Pitt).
3. HURT LOCKER
Not in love with the last few minutes of the movie, but easily forgivable. Big props to Kathryn Bigelow.
4. UP IN THE AIR
Ohhh man I read this script early and loved it. And then I saw the movie and was a little let down by the execution. But I'm sure I was just expecting too much. The script was so great that I can forgive any (possibly hallucinated) execution flaws.
5. MOON
One of those rare movies that creates a mood that stays with you for a long time. I have a feeling it had something to do with the Clint Mansell soundtrack. And if you haven't seen the poster and trailer, do so now (http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/moon/)
6. ANTICHRIST
Difficult to classify this is as "Best Movie." How about "Most Memorable Movie?" As fucked up and uncomfortable as it was, there isn't a movie that stands out as much as this one. I've never seen anything like it.
7. BALLAST
Such a small story, yet so satisfying. The characters and pacing were great.
8. FUNNY PEOPLE
Ok, some definite flaws (the movie was probably 30 minutes too long) but there was enough right to make up for the wrong. Like Jonah's plan for internet fame:
9. CORALINE
Some flaws in this one too, but I spent months of my life working on this launch, so it holds a special place.
Things Worth Noting
- I have yet to see Avatar and The Messenger
- Worst movie of the Year: Limits of Control. Soooo terrible. How terrible? My friend left half way through to get a coffee so she wouldn't fall asleep. I actually turned my head away from the screen and stared at the walls in the theater, for minutes at a time, out of spite.
- Old movies that I discovered this year that I loved: Scenes from a Marriage, Masculine Feminine, Days of Heaven.
- Innovation of the year: IFC Same Day On Demand.
---
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to seeing more entries.
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