God Bless, This Great Nation

I'm glad I live in a country that allows me to download the PDF of Anna Nicole Smith's will.

CNN- Lowering the Brow of America, one news story at a time.

On another note, Vegas succesfully thwarted the rise of Adolf Hitler in the body of a cat. They slaughtered 1,000 animals in a shelter to cover the bigger leak that this mitty was evil incarnate. I hear that this cat wasn't that great of an artist and was breeding a master race of kittens with blonde hair and blue eyes, yet this kitty has black hair and green eyes. Hmmm... Kitler has been stopped.

I'm glad I live in a country where this abortion of a film is number one at the box office. Oscar Nomination? Wtf! I know it's not for this movie, but Eddie Murphy, you are no longer Gumby, Dammit!

What is the world coming to?

Regardless, on more musical notes, Tickets for the Shins went on sale today. I'm going this time. Thank GOD! No 30 page script due the next day to thwart me from seeing these dudes. I will be swimming in 14 year old girls who only want to hear "New Slang" as I chant for them to rock out "Baby Boomerang."

Times are good.

Tenderness on the Block

As you may have noticed, there are two new linkys on the right. Let's give a firm welcome to Nighttime at the Switching Yard and Carmelita to the ranks of awesome Zevon links.

Other news, new Dinosaur Jr. album coming this year. A new track "Almost Ready" has been released and I am loving it. It's the orig Dino Jr. line-up too!!

And a band I love called The Earlies has a new album out this year too! YEAH! Join the nighthawks if you wanna get one of their tracks in the next week or so.

Also, new Arcade Fire album is totally sexy. The Neon Bible comes out soon, but thanks to leaks, I can listen to it now before I buy it. Also, iTunes has the three songs Bowie did with Arcade Fire at the Fashion Awards. SO GOOD!

I like music I guess...

Random Rules

I'm stealing this from the A.V. club website. I'm not famous. You don't care what I listen to, but I want to put my iTunes on random and explain why or what the next few songs mean to me.

1) Black Rebel Motorcycle Culb's "Weight of the World"- BRMC was introduced to me by a guy who worked next door to Wow video. He introduced to me several bands, but this album Howl in particular was one of the best. It was 2005 I believe when this one came out. Seems so long ago, but I still really like this disc. BRMC did a lot more grungy, harder stuff and then they decided to listen to Neil Young, Bob Dylan and The Band to make this more folksy, bluesy rock album. Not particularly the most impressive song on here, but it's definitely a good track.

2) The Beatles' "Come Together"- I don't care how many millions of times I've listened to this song, it still is one of my all-time favorite tracks. Abbey Road is awesome, duh. I don't know what it's about (bukkake?) and I don't care. It's just a fun jammy song. There is something minimal about this song too as compared to stuff from other albums. Not too much going on besides the bass riff, a simplistic drum beat, the occasional guitar riff and the organ solo. The organ a la Billy Preston definitely makes it better.

3) The Roger Sisters'"Why Won't You"- The new album wasn't as good as Purely Evil which was an awesome debut of straight outta CBGB rock. Needless to say The Invisible Deck is a decent album. This is probably the best track, which is a shame because it's the first track. I hate when that happens because if the first track overwhelms the whole album, why should I continue listening? In hopes of more likely songs. But when the rest is just meh, then we have issues.

4) Mose Allison's "I Love the Life I Live"- Mose was a great discovey for me the past month. He wrote several songs that the Who later would cover ("Young Man Blues" and "Eyesight to the Blind") and many other artists of the late 60's and 70's would go on to emulate his jazz/blues style. Van Morrison is one of those. His piano on this track is pretty standard, but it's definitely great stuff.

5) The Earlies' "Low Man's Dream"- Here is one of those bands who probably won't release another album. But I don't know why. This disc came out in 2004, but I only have had it for a year. It's a melding of the Flaming Lips, The Beach Boys and ambience. This is an instrumental from their album These Were the Earlies. I first heard these guys on the Jeff & Tim Buckley tribute album. They do an immaculate version of "I Must Have Been Blind" by Tim Buckley. One of my all time fav. covers. This track is a great meditation piece with sweeping arrangements, flute, oboe, piano and various percussion. It sounds like a Brian Wilson track produced by Eno. Definitely great stuff.

6) Bob Dylan's "Ballad in Plain D"- Here is my kind of Valentine's Day song. Heartbreaking songs are my all time fav Dylan songs. This, "If You See Her, Say Hello" and "Girl From North Country" are so good. I haven't listened to Dylan in a while, but that might have to change. Anyone else get a chance to listen to Modern Times yet (I'm looking at you Lou.) I like it. I like this song too.

7) Jeff Buckley's "New Year's Prayer"- This song is awesome. Buckley has raw power. Everytime I listen to him, I get really angered that he is no longer alive. Just imagine the ouput of music he would have given us. But, alas, two albums worth is all we get. This song is spacey good times. Haunting.

8) The Flaming Lips' "Right Now"- This is from Telepathic Surgery which I rarely listen to. But these early Lips albums are so strange. Much harder rocking is done, much more guitar work and I wonder if they even tour songs like this one anymore.

That's all I feel like doing.

Other updates, FFXII is consuming my life. So many sidequests to do! So much need for leveling up! I love it.

No Valentine for me this year. Good.

And Paul is in need of some D.M.S.R.

RANT WARNING!

After reading Justin's blog, I checked out the trailer for this Across the Universe movie that is coming out.

Here's why I'm not going to like it.

I don't want to see some fruity as musical take a dump on the music of the Beatles and put it together in a Rentesque story of issues and the like. There are a few things that make it look intriguing, but I'm all for musicals. But why not make original music and songs? Are songwriters no longer good enough? What happened to the Andrew Lloyd Webbers and Tim Rice's of the world who made stylistic songs that go with the times but are original?

I'm not saying this is going to go the route of Moulin Rouge which used pre-written songs out of context and from all different eras (seriosuly?? Like a Virgin? Smell's Like Teen Spirit? Silly Love Songs?? Come on now... ) I know the arguement FOR Moulin Rouge is that it was doing something different with those songs but it didn't do a good job of it. Spend the money, hire songwriters and music artists and make something original. That and Nicole Kidman singing is probably not the best way to go... oh wait... she was up for an Oscar for that movie. Jeez-oo.

Across the Universe looks more intriguing, however, cuz they are using the songs of the time and place for the setting of the story. But I garuntee it won't transfer over well. It's just going to look silly seeing some fruit cake butcher "Hey Jude" and "Girl" as can be heard in the trailer.

The visuals look pretty sweet, but I dunno. That can't be the only reason why I want to see it.

The other negative thing this movie is going to do is teach new generations that these shitty singers are the ones who sing songs like "Across the Universe" and "All You Need Is Love" and, even though The Beatles were not my generation, will piss me off to high hell. I know Kevner isn't a huge Beatles guy, but this is going to misinform so many youths about the real music artists behind such classic songs.

That being said, I am going to see this in the theater and hopefully will be pleasently surprised.

I'm looking first here for objections from Kevner who loves Baz Luhrman's over-the-top bloated film fests. Seriously dude. Moulin Rouge? *shudders* And don't try to act like I'm Stev writing off a movie I've never seen just because Bow Wow is in it before seeing it (seriously 3 Fast 3 Furious is the best in the series). I had to sit through MR several times when working at Wow and with girlfriends. So I know the movie and I've given it a chance. (No offense Stev, I just wanted to make sure that you know that I appreciate the Bow Wow genre a little too much, so i still value your opinions [sometimes {shut ups Hymen, I mean Simon.]])

Also, Leo, any reason why you think this is going to be good? Just because its Beatles songs in a musical? Seriously. The one line in the trailer "I got a date with Uncle Sam??" sounds ridiculous.
If their isn't a scene where the comedic relief sings "Fixing A Hole" while doing silly dance moves a la "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' in the Rain, or a scene where the mom and dad of the young girl sing "She's Leaving Home" duet style in a heart felt moment, I will hate it.

P.S.- Anyone notice the radio single version of "Let It Be" has a shitastic guitar solo, but the UK album version has an awesome one? Hate that.

P.P.S.- I plan on doing a post-WWII German epic with the songs of Kraftwerk soon. The 22-minute tap dance extravaganza to "Autobahn" is going to be mind numbing.

Updates Abounding!!!

New Look!

Warren Zevon songs. He's been in my head for a long long time so I figure it's time to pay homage to the man on my blog.

Nothing really of interest to update.

So yea.

Suck it.

P.S.-Why should we care that Anna Nicole Smith died?

The Pipes of Pan

Finally! I got to see Pan's Labyrinth. What a phenomenal film! Definitely lived up to all the praise it has been getting. Between the stunning visuals of Ofelia's fantasy world and the gruesome realities of Franco's Spain, the gothic fairy tale care of Guillermo del Toro is definitely one of the finest cinema moments all year. This movie has raw power. The performances in this film are spectacular. Ivana Baquero, who plays the 12-year old Ofelia not only drives the emotions of the entire movie, her innocence and love of her mother and brother show us the glimmer of hope in such a dark, dank time in history. Doug Jones, who plays the mythical faun, dons some of the most amazingly realistic makeup work (garunteed to win the Oscar for that category.) Here is a film that proves that very little CGI can make all the difference. If this were a George Lucas film, Pan would have looked like Jar Jar Binks. Yes the fairies are CGI and yes some of the other creatures have moments where they are CGI, but overall the movie is great set design, great costumes and great make-up. Now, where some fantasy films get lost in the visuals and turn out to be nothing more than just a festival for the eyes, Pan's Labyrinth is a festival for the emotions and for the mind. The themes of brutality vs. innocence and fantasy vs. reality are well fleshed out in the story. It's a flawless film. I believe this should clean up most of the awards that it was nominated for, at least it should if the Academy knows what they are doing.

So after viewing this, there are really only two must see films that I missed from 2006 that are no longer in theaters (The Prestige and Science of Sleep.) I am going to try to see Babel and Letters From Iwa Jima ASAP. The other important movies I missed will make my list whence I see them on DVD. This should be in the next few weeks.

Reelin' in the Years

January is almost over. Yuck. I'm losing ground on 2007 already! Regardless, some updates.

1) No one has died in the Dethpul yet. I know it's early yet, but come on! I'm itching for one of these bastards to go down! If you don't know about the celebrity Dethpul yet, check it out. Here are my selections in picture format.
1. Eli Wallach














2. Peter O'Toole










3. Stan Lee

















4. Jack Klugman















5. Dick Cheney (wishful thinking)









6. Muqtada al-Sadr (Under 60)


Not gonna lie, my list is pretty sweet. I don't count on any, but if they do... sweet cash.

Also, updates on other things, good chance Noringo will be getting back for a rawkus show on the day of March 31st. It's for Ryan Carey's big party with Black Market Dynamite. So far, three of us say hell yes, but others are still incognito on whether or not they can join for the show. Let's hope they can cuz that would make my year fantastic.

Hanging out with a great variety of people this weekend. Tonight should be good to see some younger La Sallians. Tomorrow is Sarah Deal and Co, Sunday is Ms. Lavender. Oh yeah!

Check out Mr. Dogg for a review of The Good, the Bad & The Queen. It's a pretty acurate description of the album. I was kinda let down, but I still enjoy it at times for what it is. It reminds me of the moodiness of The Eraser (shut up, Hymen) where it really depends on what kind of mood I'm in. It was a let down overall.

As far as Oscar nods go, duh. The Academy sucks and the technical and writing awards are always where the money is. I'm just happy that Penelope Cruz is up for an Oscar. She needs to win although when Dench and Mirren are there, it's tough times. She's got it though in that movie, I'm telling ya.

I need something to do this weekend

CHICAGO—As Brian Urlacher triumphantly hoisted the George Halas Trophy Sunday, it was a symbol of more than just the Bears' 39-14 victory over New Orleans—it was a symbol of hope to the thousands of Chicagoans who are still struggling to resume normal lives after the fire that swept through a 2,000-acre swath of downtown, killed over 300 people, injured hundreds more, destroyed a third of Chicago's buildings, and left 100,000 residents homeless this past Oct. 8 through Oct. 10, 1871.
~The Onion

So yea. I can't wait for this super bowl game only because 1) the Gaytriots aren't in it and 2) the Eagles fans don't need to worry about losing the game and 3) these two teams are probably going to make it exciting. I'm not roting for the Colts. Peyton may be a way better QB than Grossman, but something about Da Bears that makes me want them to win. Even though it's not Ditka coaching and such. It's just something I want to happen. So for my prediction, it's Bears 31- Colts 28.

As for this weekend, nothing really happening. Two things need to happen however.
1) I need to see Pan's Labryinth. WTF! This happens to me way too often. This time I act ually treid to see it but it was sold out. If anyone wants to see it sunday night or Saturday-day, lemme know.
2) Go out somewhere Saturday night. I work Sunday, but I want to hit the Philly bars. Anyone interested?

That's that.

Addendum to my last post:

Red Octane, you guys should include a new feature where the songs you play randomly shuffle. So say the shuffle starts with The Doobie Brothers, then it goes to Slayer, then it goes to Steely Dan, then it goes to some Freezepop bonus trakk entitled Rokk Out With Your Cokk Out. I think it would be a fun feature. Maybe carry over the meter to see how you are doing. And then when you get hit like 10 songs, the encore kicks in. Just a thought.

Dear Red Octane

Here is my sales pitch for Guitar Hero 3. There are a lot of awesome goups on here that I figure you, as developers of video games, probably enjoy but might not jump the gun and just put them on here. You have surprised me in the second edition with such bands like Butthole Surfers, Avenged Sevenfold, The Sword and other crazy off the wall groups. My list digs a little deeper at times in more 70's power rock and also into some other bands from the 90's and now that are worthy of Guitar Hero status. Heed my words of wisdom and try to get the rights to some of the powerhouse bands on here that are clearly in desperate need to be on such a game. I figure the next edition will either be more than 40 major songs, but I set it up just like the last edition and in those specific categories. I tried to be as versatile as possible. Enjoy and make the next edition arleady!

1. Opening Licks
Alice Cooper- "School's Out"
The Doobie Brothers- "China Grove"
Dinosaur Jr.- "Feel the Pain"
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- "American Girl"
~Encore~
The Velvet Underground- "Rock & Roll"

2. Amp-Warmers
The Clash- "Clampdown"
Pavement- "Date With Ikea"
The Fall- "Vixen"
Steely Dan- "Reelin In the Years"
~Encore~
Pink Floyd- "Have a Cigar"

3. String Snappers
Def Leppard- "Foolin'"
Collective Soul- "Heavy"
Weezer- "My Name is Jonas"
T-Rex- "20th Century Boy"
~Encore~
Foreigner- "Double Vision"

4. Thrash and Burn
Pearl Jam- "Dissident"
The Who- "Young Man Blues"
George Thorogood & The Deleware Destroyers- "Who Do You Love?"
The White Stripes- "Blue Orchid"
~Encore~
Yes- "I've Seen All Good People"

5. Return of the Shred
System of a Down- "Innervision"
Priestess- "I Am the Night, Colour Me Black"
Grand Funk Railroad- "Sin's a Good Man's Brother"
Radiohead- "My Iron Lung"
~Encore~
Led Zeppelin- "Dazed and Confused"

6. Relentless Riffs
Neil Young- "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)"
My Morning Jacket- "One Big Holiday"
Built to Spill- "I Would Hurt a Fly"
James Gang- "Funk #49"
~Encore~
Dire Straits- "Sultans of Swing"

7. Furious Fretwork
Muse- "Stockholm Syndrome"
UFO- "Lights Out"
Man or Astro Man?- "Put Your Finger in the Socket"
Adrian Belew- "Writing on the Wall"
~Encore~
Metallica- "For Whom the Bell Tolls"

8. Face Melters
King Crimson- "21st Century Schizoid Man
Refused- "The Deadly Rhythm"
Soundgarden- "Jesus Christ Pose"
Slayer- "Raining Blood"
~Encore~
Ted Nugent- "Stranglehold"

Post your lists somewhere. You know it's brewing inside you. I think this would work. Maybe not enough metal bands or enough recent stuff or classics, but then again it's good to mix it up. Some are unconventional guitar heroes (Malkmus, Young, Martsch, Greendwood) but then again, they are pretty excellent to be mixed in with the likes of those who need to be put into the game (Page, Townshend, Thorogood, Walsh, Knopfler.) So that is sorta what I went for.

Enjoy!

Oscar Predictions

Tomorrow the Oscars are going to be announced. I will still go on record as saying that 2006 was pretty weak, but then again, I missed afew key films. So once all of them come out in February (most of the stuff I missed is due out in the next month!) then I will reevaluate 2006 as a movie year.

So here are what I consider to be the five best in the five major categories and highlighted is who I would choose to win. None of the films I haven't seen will be included in this list. It's not predictions as much as fantasy draft style choices.

BEST PICTURE

The Departed

Children of Men

Volver

Thank You For Smoking

The Proposition

So Children of Men pretty much blew my mind. A lot of people harsh on it's conclusion, but there really was no other way of ending it. Beyond that, it's story was funny, dark, bleak and had some of the most intensely artistic and visually breathtaking camera work in any movie I have ever seen.

BEST ACTOR

Leonardo DiCaprio- The Departed

Matt Damon- The Good Shephard

Clive Owen- Children of Men

Aaron Eckhart- Thank You For Smoking

Joseph Gordon-Levitt- Brick

Yeah, Leo deserves this one. I mean, he was on fucking Growing Pains for Godsake. However much I used to hate him and think he was a terrible overactor, he finally subdued it a bit and gave his character a shattered personality almost virtually unable to feel. His psyche o being undercover for so long unable to connect with society pretty much topped most of all the other performances this year. Owen and Damon are a close second, however, but I don't even think they will get a nomination from the real Academy.

Best Actress

Penelope Cruz- Volver

Emily Watson- The Proposition

You know its bad when you can't think of any other leading performances by women this year. Suffice to say I haven't seen Little Children, Notes on a Scandal or The Queen yet. Regardless of that, Penelope will probably not get either the award or the nod for that matter. If she does, she won't win, but she should. I don't think anyone would think of Penelope Cruz as such a great actress (Vanilla Sky and Capt. Corelli's Mandolin come to mind) but thankfully she knows how to act. She's not just a pretty face and a nice pair of cleavage as her American roles lead you to believe. She actually brings a slew of emotions to her character Raimunda in this Almodovar effort. She literally will make you swoon and care for her in the strange situation that she is in.

Best Director

Martin Scorcese- The Departed

Pedro Almodovar- Volver

Alfonso Cuaron- Children of Men

John Hillcoat- The Proposition

Robert DeNiro- The Good Shephard

Two things here: 1) Although he deserved to win an Oscar many times, I will be half pissed, half overjoyed if Marty wins and 2)If for some reason the Academy noms DeNiro and he wins in directing BEFORE Marty, I will be half pissed and half mega pissed (although his direction in The Good Shephard is FAR superior than his debut film A Bronx Tale.) Regardless, Alfonso Curon deserves the award. His cinematographer should not only get the Oscar but a blumpkin on stage from Rachel Weisz. His direction of the actors, his structure of 6 minute tracking shots, his idea of realism and his sheer excellent driving suspense is pure cinema magic. Half entertainment, half social ideals. It's uncanny.

Best Script (Adaptation)

Thank You For Smoking

I'm not listing the other films here. I think this script was by far the tightest. Children of Men and The Departed were also excellent scripting, but the work in Thank You For Smoking was just impeccable. I was really impressed by this film (as you probably noticed,) and I was not expecting it at all.

Best Script (Original)

Volver

Not only does Almodovar write really unique awesome stories, but he can write womens roles like WHOA! There were literally three male actors in this movie and all the female roles were so taught and great. The dialogue he writes is pure gould.

So that's that. I missed a lot of good films this year, but whatever. I didn't think the Coppolla film looked any good as well as Babel and the Eastwood first flick. Letters from Iwa Jima however is probably awesome. It's somethign different for Clint, esp. since its an all Japanese cast. Pan's is garunteed to be amazing, The Prestive looked awesome and Little Children looked like a damn good drama. Oh well... I'll have to wait. Once I see these on DVD, my list of best films for 2006 will be posted.

Quick and to the Pointless

Because I have nothing to say...

Step 1: Open your iTunes or other MP3 player.
Step 2: Put all of your music on random.
Step 3: Write down the first fifty songs it plays, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 4: Bold your top ten favorites.

1. Soundgarden- Jesus Christ Pose
2. Rush- Rivendell
3. Pete Townshend- Fake It
4. Radiohead- Where I End And You Begin (The Sky is Falling.)
5. Wolfmother- Dimension
6. The Who- Leaving Here
7. The Who- Pinball Wizard (Live)
8. Pete Townshend- Vivaldi (Baba M5 from Psychoderelict)
9. Stevie Wonder- Do I Do
10. Rage Against the Machine- No Shelter
11. Neil Young- Good to See You
12. Petra Haden- Our Love Was
13. Rage Against the Machine- Vietnow
14. Yes- I've Seen All Good People
15. Pink Floyd- Scarecrow
16. Warren Zevon- Rub Me Raw
17. Radiohead- 2+2=5 (The Lukewarm.)
18. Otis Redding- Try a Little Tenderness
19. The Beach Boys- Long Promised Road
20. Refused- Life Support Addiction
21. The Stranglers- Dry Dry
22. Neil Young- T-Bone
23. Pavement- Maybe Maybe
24. Neil Young- Revolution Blues
25. The Living End- 'Til The End
26. Queens of the Stoneage- Quick and to the Pointless
27. Us- The Refugee
28. Mike Doughty- Frog and Banjo
29. Temple of the Dog- All Night Thing
30. The Who- Someone's Coming
31. The Stranglers- In Celebration Of (The European Female)
32. The Shins- Girl Inform Me
33. Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart- Symphony #41 (Jupiter 1st Movement)
34. Pavement- Flood Victim
35. Van Morrison- Crazy Love
36. Red Hot Chili Peppers- Hump De Bump
37. Steely Dan- Show Biz Kids
38. The Who- Time is Passing
39. Rush- Bastille Day
40. Robert Fripp- Urban Landscape
41. The White Stripes- Now Mary
42. The Who- Rael 1
43. The Racantuers- Steady, As She Goes
44. Neil Young- Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes
45. Radiohead- High and Dry
46. Neil Young- Pardon My Heart
47. Steely Dan- Midnight Cruiser
48. Priestess- Talk to Her
49. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists- Building Skyscrapers in the Basement
50. The Reverend Horton Heat- Love Whip

Holy Shit

I just saw the one movie that was probably made especially for me and is the reason I love film.

Just go see it already. I really can't talk about this until you have seen it.

So this is the new year...

...and I don't feel any different.

No shit. Anyways, Happy 2007! Same shit, different day. Working, hanging. Trying to turn a new leaf, but don't we all when the calender changes?

Goals for 2007:
1. Get into shape- Not a diet, but more like get active. I want to be able to run again, especially since Frisbee season will be here before you can say "huck me!" Maybe actually go to a gym *shudders*. Maybe I can ask if I can get a discount here at CHT with the personal trainers that started.

2. SAVE SAVE SAVE!- I don't mean hit the sales at the mall, I mean squirrel away some money so I can..

3. Move Out of the House- This may just happen. All available applicants apply. Let's move into a house or something so we can save moolaa. I'm talkin you, Danno. August. Let's do it.

4. Re-learn some Italian- Since my rents are taking me on a trip and I had three semesters of Italian, it's time to go back to night class!! AHHH! Re-learning the language may help when we actually go on the trip.

5. Get a Date- Sounds lame, but ya know what, I need to mix up my social life. It's been kinda stale the past year. Time to meet some new people and meet some new ladies. No offense everyone I see on a weekly basis, but let's be honest... a shake up is in the works.

6. Begin Planning 2009 Trip to Greece- This is the year of saving and preparing for such an adventure. A whole year in Greece? Don't know. It may just be three months. Regardless, it will be an extended amount of time to myself. All friends are welcome to plan a trip to visit, but no offense, I don't want a roomate for all this time. My plan is to live simply, not to move around all that much and to soak up my heritage that I feel a little less connected to then my Irish side. They are all Philadelphians anyway and I know that city like I know my backyard. Here is the plan:
a) Live on the island of Nisyros where my father was born and raised.
b) Read a ton of books.
c) Take care of a relatives house while they are on another more populated island working their business.
d) Write a lot.
e) Get a monstrous tan.
f) Live as simply as possible.

Thats that for 2007. Saving money, working out and getting out of the house with new people and hopefully a new lady. Ya never know.

Coming Back

So my films of 2006 list probably won't be published until I see more films from 2006. It has been a pretty week year. However, I did just see one of the best films I have seen in a long time (probably since Brick.) This film will also give Brick a run for its money as best film of 2006. From Pedro Almodovar comes Volver, his new comedy about life, death, ghosts and women. With an amazing cast of women and a quirky story, the idea of small town life, death, insanity and family is studied with a really funny and dark eye.

The thing about Almodovar that makes his work so good is the flow of his stories. They are quirky just like Jean Pierre Juenet, but obviously with a Spanish flair. The opening scene where all these women are cleaning the grave stones of their dead husbands and relatives is flat out hilarious. The whole movie, every character is another version of that character. Most of the women are, or become, widows, were abused by their fathers or by other men, have many questions about their own identity but all are powerful role models who are close to each other and their families. The cast spans three generations of one family and they have a beautiful relationship.

This film also proves that Penelope Cruz can actually act. She is astonishing in this. She may be a gorgeous face, but thanks to this movie, I now know she is more than just that. She isn't very good in English speaking roles, so Penelope, stick to Spanish roles. This one should land her an Oscar nod at the very least if not an actual award (unless Helen Mirren takes it for The Queen), but at least Penelope is playing a unique and original character. I'm still half and half on actors playing other people and winning the awards for it. Some original characters need to get noticed!

This film will probably be up for screenplay and foriegn film as well. Should win both as Almodovar one for Talk to Her a few years back. This movie might be better than that one.

So as of now, before I see anymore films, these are the hopefuls for my top films of the year in no order:

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Volver

Brick

Thank You For Smoking

Borat

Inside Man

The Departed

Movies I still need to see that I bet will make the cut:

Pan's Labrinth

Children of Men

Letters From Iwa Jima

The Prestige

The Good Shephard

Any other suggestions of movies I should see before I do this? It's gonna be a while till I see all of these esp. since The Prestige is probably gone from all theaters.

Escapism

For my next list, I will share the one thing that I will one day spend good money on: Travel.

There is nothing better than a well planned trip to another country/state/city that you have never seen. I plan on continuing my world travels throughout my life. So far, I have accomplished two of my top places to see and recently saw the need to rehab my "Must See" list of places. I have already been to Italy, Greece, Austria and Switzerland with the first two being major must sees that are now complete. Needless to say, I plan on re-visiting all of these places with Italy being a return trip in June of 2007. Can't wait. Now on to the ones I need to see.

10. Glacier National Park- Montana isn't exactly a state I would want to live in, but Glacier National Park looks so amazingly gorgeous that I have to see it for myself. I haven't been many places in the states and the latter half of this list will probably consist mostly of those places (because I like foreign countries more), but something about Glacier really intrigues me. It's beautiful and when I was a youngster, I used to want to do environmental studies and geological stuff so I definitely have a weird obsession with that kind of stuff. The USA has some amazing places to see and I think this is one of the ones you never hear about.

9. Arches National Park- I guess I'm a big fan of this park due to good ol' John Ford westerns, but the monuments and arches of Utah boggle my mind. They seem almost not of this planet yet they are right here in the USA. The arches are so memorable from film that westerns became cliched because of the unique structures and backdrops that the arches became due to those movies. Being a film lover, it's almost like visiting the set of a film, yet it's nature too. Double edged sword of yes.

8. Paris, France- Kind of a new one to the list (as is number 5) but something about the city of light wants me to visit it. Maybe I'm a moth and I don't know it. But Paris is a gorgeous city from what I've heard and being a fan of anything European, I definitely want to see it sometime. And maybe sometime soon. I wish I could just travel all the time. Maybe I need a job that allows me to do that. From the Eifell Tower to the Boulevard St. Germaine... I want to see it. Also, the Louvre, which I believe is in Paris, if not I will still go to it, is one of my must sees and actually high up there with the next few monuments and other such places. Art has been a big changing factor in my interests as of late and what better place to see art then The Louvre. Anyone want to come with me? I don't know... the French are assholes.

7. Giza, Egypt- This one may never be accomplished thanks to US/Middle East tensions, but the Pyramids in Giza are something I need to see in person. Pictures of things like this and my #5 are awesome, but garunteed to be totally breathtaking when you actually see it. Just like the David statue or the Sistine Chapel's frescos, you have to witness it first hand. Any man made structure from days of yore is something to see. The Acropolis was sweet ass and I'm sure Giza will trump that. Plus I want to see if it will be some weird other wordly experience since Aliens created them years ago and such. Maybe I'll find the Stargate... It may just be a pile of sand and rocks, but it's still something that I bet is much more awesome in person than in pictures.

6. Tokyo, Japan- For a while, I didn't really want to go to Japan because, well, it's a whole different world and culture unlike anyhtring European and so I wasn't interested. But now, after movies and such about that very topic, I feel as if maybe I need a strange place to visit to see just how complex the human species really is. As a whole, Europe and the USA are the same thing (except that Europe has a much more interesting history and is cleaner.) I've never been anywhere that wasn't Western. So maybe an Eastern country will give me a better world view. Japan from what I hear is awesome. A ton of things to do, very nice people and safe and clean. The major thing that makes me not want to go their sooner is the language barrier. With European counries, I feel more people peak english and I can understand some Italian/Spanish if I try or can leanr common phrases in German or other Euro languages much easier than, say, Mandarin or Japanese. That is pretty tough to learn for travelling, but it won't stop me for wanting to go.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru- In the vein of the Pyramids except much more green. Machu Pichu supposedly takes a few hours to drive to, but the payoff would be breathtaking. Here is the way I would do it:
"Another option is to hike the Inca Trail, on either a four-day or two-day version, both of which are controlled by the government. They require travelers to be reasonably fit. The trip takes a few days, and involves sleeping in tents."
This would probably be the best way to experience the trip. Get a group of likely candidates to trek it up to the ruins. I love hiking and the four day journey would be something of a sweet retreat. Any takers?

4. London, England- I was originally going to lump the British Isles together, but I want to give these two proper justice. Lowest on the list, yet still top five material is London. I hear nothing but great things about London. I really want to visit all the British Rock and Roll history, like famous clubs where The Who and The Stones have played and whatnot. Also, London is high up because BAM! no language barrier. I have traveled to countries where lanquage got in the way of a 100% awesome time. People in other European countries do speak English, but I feel very narrow minded not knowing their language. So London would probably be a lot more comfortable even though they have different words for things. But that would easy be able to get over. Muller was there last year and my parents went and said nothing but good stuff so it gets its own seperate trip.

3. Prague, Czech Republic- I love medieval cities. Medieval architecture is probably my favorite this side of the classic Greek white washed villages. The cities of Europe that date back to the middle ages are gorgeous. Prague is probably the most beautiful one I've seen pictures of. The city is showcased in tons of movies for its windy streets and gorgeous bridges and buildings. It's something of a site to see. Also, they had recent crazy flooding that threatened some of the structures just a few years ago so I believe it is a big priority I see Prague before it can get destroyed. Hopefully it won't, but to be safe, I'm going to check it out sooner than later. Also, any city that is famous for having hundreds of Gargoyles is a place I want to czech out.

2. Ireland- So no set exact city in Ireland. I want to see all of it. Maybe even Belfast, but before you judge me for wanting to see those traitors from the north...

Ireland is the other half of my heritage. Don't let the Greek name confuse you. I'm 50% McIrish. I can hold my whiskey as well as my ouzo. I love my potatoe's just as much as my spanikopita. So SHUT IT! Anyway, the Emerald Isle is the other half of the kind of Europe I love. Sweeping green grass. Greece is pretty dry and not too many plants and trees. Ireland is gorgeous from what all my buddies who have been to have said. Lou posted amazing pictures from his trip on his blog earlier this year and it made me want to go even more. It seems most of the people I am really close with have been there and thats the one thing they have one-up on me in travels around the world. I'd like to boast my several times in Europe, but I haven't even been to an English speaking country yet! What's my problem? I'm thinking 2010 will be when I can feesibly go. I'm going back to Italy with the family in 2007 and 2009 is my possible year abroad in Greece staying mostly in my dad's home town. So I need to get the ball rolling on Ireland. Maybe when I purchase my ticket back home I will plan some time in Ireland in 2009. Maybe I'll split my adventure year between these two places. Who knows. Regardless, I need to see the motherland as I have seen the fatherland.

1. Australian Outback- I don't even care about the cities of Australia as much as I want to see the Outback. I know its pretty much like a desert, but ya know what, I have a reason to want to see Australia. It's called nostalgia. I have never been there but ever since I was five years old, I have been obsessed with Australia, namely Uluru. What is Uluru you might ask? It's more popularly known as Aeyers Rock, but it is a rock formation that is sacred to some of the aboriginal tribes that live in the Outback. In a relatively flat area of land, there is a giant rock stucture. For some reason, this seems amazing and is something I have always wanted to see in the flesh. Not to mention just to travel in a totally different area of the world and still be able to speak English again makes it more desirable to see. And although I stress the outback, I heard amazing stories of Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef from Jack when he went there a few years ago. It's a rugged culture that I relate to for some reason. There is a side of me that just loves nature and the natural world beyond my love of music and film that seems to over power that. But as you can see in this list, both culture and nature are two things that drive the passion in my life.

Ten Proper Nouns

10 Proper Nouns that impacted my life in 2006:

10)Mononucleosis- Should be number one, but this goddamn virus almost ruined my life, but gave me a presepective on death, illness, sicknesss unto death, getting down with the sickness and having a liscense to ill. For that reason it makes the list, but I ain't giving it #1. However much it sucked that I was laid up for a month and then some, it gave me a time of solitude that definitely was enriching in a somewhat depressing way. And a quick not to whoever gave me this: FUCK YOU AND I HOPE YOU DIE IN DARFUR! I think things would have been much different if I didn't get mono, but for some strange reason, I'm sort of thankful for that shitty experience.

9) Fighting Cock, Rolling Rock and Citra- Nothing like cheap liquor, beer and wine. The flavor revolution has begun. And I can save money! Fighting Cock was 103 proof and like 15 bucks for a bottle, Rolling Rock is tasty and usually costs 2 bucks at the bar or $5.99 for a twelve pack of longnecks and Citra is a tasty 2005 red wine that is $3.79 cents at Total Wine. I have a job, but cheap drunk nights are always welcomed especially when it comes to things that are good and cheap. Many a night in Kevner's basement, out to dinner with the rents or down teh shore have been enhanced by these tasty brews. The only problems here is the fact that 1)Fighting Cock can't be found anywhere in Jersey anymore.. that was a one time deal. 2) Rolling Rock is moving from Latrobe and 3)Citra was bastardized by someone who recommended it and turned out to be a phony.

Fuck that! They are cheap and tasty! They rule!

8) The Met- So this was the best (and possibly one of three) date(s) that I went on during the year of 2006 and I love museums. But this one, out of all of the museums I have been to in the USA is the best. When you get to get close-up to a Dali painting, or a Piccaso and study the brush strokes, you just get some strange invigorating feeling. The Asian art section was super cool. It was set-up like you were in a Tea House or something in China. My personal favorite was the special exhibit they had on Robert Rauschenberg. His stuff was mixed media which included stuffed birds, cars, tires, paint and anything else really. Some of it was haunting, some of it was really just neato. For a long time, I really didn't dig all that kind of modern art, but this hit me. And I thank the Met for the great presentation that it was.

7) Snakes on a Plane- What would 2006 have been like if it weren't for Samuel L. doing his finest role this side of Deep Blue Sea? I don't really know. Regardless, Snakes on a Plane was not only the biggest summer event (more fun than my birthday) but it became a cult film before it was even released. I hadn't seen a single screen shot or clip for this movie and already planned on going to opening night bombed out of my skull. It was also the catalyst for copius amounts of awesome fake trailers, clips, posters and "spin-off" films like Sharks on a Rollercoaster or Snakes on Billy Zane. It was surreal. And then when it came out and I was drinking rum in the theater and chanting "SNAKE VISION!" and enjoying the balls out of it, it was even more rewarding then I could have ever imagined. Kudos, Sam Jax. I can't wait till Jan. 2 when the DVD comes out. I'm gonna buy it and let the drinking games commence!

6) BroG!- SO without this man's retardedly awesome American Media class, I would not have been able to accomplish the following things: making a final project based on the Y2K tape, filming a scavenger hunt short film that won me 2nd place in the Charlie's and a cool $75 bucks (soon to be on youtube... it's coming), run around the classroom singing CSNY's "Ohio" whilst reinacting the brutal shootings at Kent State with paperballs and army fatigues, galavanting around New York and leaving a student behind (fuck you, Bush), seeing him flip out over a Little Nicky clip in a shitty presentation care of Megaclef and many other joyous moments. I was glad to have him for class because, well, it was quite the spectical. My class was stacked with awesome people that I wouldn't have met and enjoyed times with without said class. Also, going to the bars with Brog was quite the great times.

5) Electric Six- So I pretty much have seen this band four times, but only three times (so far... one more time before the end of the year, biatches) in 2006. As far as entertainers go, E6 has proven to be one of the best. Besides their albums which are great, they have a live show that is one of the greatest times I have ever had. They constantly play (as seeing them 4 times in one year warrants) and they are always cheap tickets. 14 bucks to get into an awesome disco punk dance party sounds pretty excellent to me. The newest album Switzerland wasn't brilliant, but it still rocks and is so much fun. It made my albums list because, well, the songs are fun and they sound amazing live. They opened with "There's Something Very Wrong With Us So Let's Go Out Tonight" into "Dance Epidemic" in DC and it was amazing. Dick Valentine knows how to work a crowd and the rest of the band brings their brand of music with a kick.

4) Maximum Carnage!!- Although originated in 2005, Carnage was the slogan on 2006. It led me through terrible courses in college like my Mass Comm Seminar. It was the embodiment of my Senior Year. It led to the official film of Max Carnage (A History of Violence), the official band of Max Carnage (Gwar), the Official Soda of Max Carnage (Surge), the official youtube video (originally the Nintendo 64 video, but dethroned by this masterpiece) and to other things be claimed worthy of the highest level of carnage. Our Mass Comm Seminar group was about violence, so naturally we named ourselves Team Maximum Carnage. In our final boring survey project, I donned a wolf mask and hosted a show entitled Maximum Carnage Theater. It was a silly absurd phrase, but everyone enjoyed screaming it. So next time you feel so inclined, smash someones face in Viggo style after downing a 2-Liter of Surge.

3) Richard Russo's Straight Man- This was one of the only things that kept me going while #10 ravaged my body earlier this year. Reading in general has helped me a lot this year. I read some amazing books, but none so flat out hilarious as this one. Straight Man is about a professor going through a mid-life crisis. He has fantasies about a student, is worried about losing his job (even though he's tenured) and threatens to kill a duck a day unless he is given the budget he wants for the English department... all while wearing the fake nose and glasses gag. He gets on the local news, gets his co-workers pissed and hilarity ensues. Even the opening epilogue which has a pet dog dying is hilarious. It's definitely the book of the year for me even though its not from this year. I need someone to make this a movie. Like, now.

2) Chez Geek & Apples to Apples- Thanks to Danno and Ryan (respectively to those games), the slacker revolution has been re-ignited with such epic party games. First, Chez Geek is just what it sounds like. It's a card game. You get a job, you buy weed, booze, food, cigs and other stuff, you sleep, watch TV and go bar hopping and you can get live in significant others, and other friendly guests to your apartment OR you can invite shitty people over to runi you roomates day. The entire idea of the game is based on slacking off more than someone else (one job card is a Slacker!) What more could you want! It's pretty nerdaliscious, but hey... I yam what I yam and it's fun to play a game that reflects my reality. We play it at bars, in attics and basements and get drunk whilst doing it. No harm in a little fun. Another game that made this year hilarious was Apples to Apples. This game permutated into a monster of a game. Originally, the only point is to pick words that match up well with adjectives, which is fun when someone submits the word AIDS for the adjective funny. Then we tweaked it and made custom rounds where we made up Beck lyrics, did this is the new this and Snakes on a Plane sequels that would blow your mind. It was a social revolution. And a very good one at that.

1) Hink on the Guero- A few years ago, it was the Viper, this year, it's the Hink face. In all it's glory and all it's absurdity, the Hink face has been the embodiment of this year. I mean, whats better than sneaking behind someone and giving them the hink? It's so great. The Trout wishes it was the hink, and comes close to being as awesome, but The Hink Face has spread to random groups and random people. Warren Minnix LOVES the Hink. Sarah Deal LOVES the hink. I can't wait to teach my 4 year old cousins this face on the day after christmas. It's going ot be mind numbing. So, why is the Hink #1? It's probably the one universal thing that can make someone laugh and all my friends from several social circles have embraced it. It led to great Paint jobs like the one to the right. it's led to people flying into barstools or other furniture, it's led to many a story of Buks and Manatees. It's the solidifying gesture of 2006.

Here's hopin' 2007 can top this! Although all these things rule, it was a pretty harsh year. Onward and Upward!

It's called you can take it with you

So Wednesday was the Lemonheads concert at the North Star. God I love that venue. Anyway, the night started with some Yards and yet another random encounter with a girl I know dated one of my friends and ended in an awkward big bang of sorts. Good thing I had long hair then and am pretty much invisible now to random people I met whence the locks were in place. Anyway, the first band to play was called Hymns. It was kind of a lame name for a band. But I'm glad they played as they did a mean cover of Neil Young's "Don't Cry No Tears" from Zuma which was the highlight of their longer-then-it-needed-to-be set. The other reason why I was glad Hymns played was because the next band on the line-up was simply named Vietnam. Hmns and Vietnam. Doesn't get much better than that.

So it was this...

Then this...

Then this...

Anyway, the guys in Vietnam take the stage. They looked like they were going to rollick with some insanely loud, obnoxious punk. However, that was not the case. Vietnam was a classicly rock sounding jammy band that had some amazing hooks and awesome stage presence. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a guy wandering to and fro drinking Stella and I immediately ID him as none other than Evan Dando of the nights headlining act, The Lemonheads (duh.) He kept chugging away and wandering the crowd pretty much incognito. Anyway at one point he walks in front of me and stands next to Kevner right on the edge of the stage. He stumbles back into me and apologizes. THen turns around and goes "Isn't this band awesome?" Of course I agreed because, well, they were. Anyway, it was just fun to see Evan Dando wandering around.

So the Lemonheads crew is setting up and the guy plops down a huge 2-pager set-list filled with amazing song selections including and not limited to "Hannah and Gabi", "Rudderless", The Turnpike Down", "The Great Big No" and new tracks like "Pittsburgh" and "Let's Just Laugh." He gets on stage, stumbles over his words ridiculously and Kevner, Ryan and myself know that its gonna be good. He kicks it off with "Confetti" which if you saw the set-list was the second song to be played. The rest of the night was a train-wreck of jumping all over the place and such to rock out songs. He played songs so out of the order that was on the set-list that it was a free for all. It was glorious. At one point when he was really drunk, he fell over and demanded the roadie hold his mic up to him for the next song. He started to replay a song he already did. Halfway through the song "Tenderfoot", he stops playing and is like, "wait a second... we did this one!" Overall the show was a delightful riotous train wreck of sorts. The tour has 2 more dates so it was nice to see artists just having fun and getting blackout and playing songs they dont really want to play. He even did "Mrs. Robinson" with some douche fag from the audience "doing the vocals" even though he didn't know the lyrics. What an ass. It sucked too because the girl he was psuedo with (we still aren't too sure about that as she looked both displeased to be associated with him and was ignoring this kid in a Cobra shirt [I bet that was the only draw]) was amazingly gorgeous and sweet. Plus when Ryan screamed "Play some Toadies", she turned and was like "that was my first concert! Are they even still touring?" What an awesome lady. Anyway, they closed with "Rudderless" than attempted to plug a casio into his guitar amp, a hollow bodied into the bass amp and Sir Dando started playing a lefty bass but put it on like it was a right handed bass so the strings were facing his chest. We left about 3 minutes into the riot that was happening on stage as it was kinda hard to watch and we assumed it was done since it was like 1:20am.

In other news, new animal added to the extinction list. That kinda rules because it was a freshwater dolphin... and you know what dolphins can do.

Last night was Kildare's in the Yunk this time for Alicia of Psy D @ La Salle university fame. That ruled. I didn't want to leave as the attractive lady quotient was through the roof. Dancing was done, the sandwich sucked, but the Guiness was as always tasty.

Today is yet another work Christmas party. That should rule. Dinner at the Bistro. No money, no honey. All expenses paid.

It's going to be a good weekend. Saturday, work and then probably the Arbor Records Christmas show. Sunday is work then Back to Back to Back to the Future at Mullers. Monday is work, but I have off Tuesday so that means I need to get blackout monday night.

Christmas is right around the corner too. Jesus. I can't even belize it.

Until next time.

Top Albums of 2006

Year in Review 2006! The best albums!

Honorable Mention 1- The Decemberists "The Island/Come And See/Landlord's Daughter/You'll Not Feel The Drowning" off of The Crane Wife.- I like the Decemberists and the album as a whole is good, but this song definitely marks the peak of the band's career. Redefining indie folk with it's complex lyrics, it's ornate structure and haunting ending. It might be bad news from here on out for these guys as it overshadows almost everything I heard them record. It seems with this much power behind one 11 minute song, the rest of the album can easily be forgotten. Well, minus "The Perfect Crime 2." But this sounds like a Talking Heads rip-off.

Honorable Mention 2- The Who's Endless Wire- So I love the Who and this album is really great. It's a new Who feel, but there are other albums that need to be noted before this one just because I am a die hard fan. The songs fit in well with the old classics live, but it's a new Who that I'm not 100% attuned to yet. It will happen soon enough as more and more of the tracks on the disc are in my LOVE LOVE LOVE list, but it's still something missing.

11. Lemonheads- So usually when one says that an artist's new album has changed much, that seems like a bad thing. Well, when that artist is the Lemonheads and they finally release an album after a few years of nothing (Car Button Cloth was in '97), it's a welcome return to form. Lemonheads, aptly named as their comeback to what they are, is a time warp to the mid 90's alt rock that they defined (for the most part.) With touches of punk rock, basic production, greatly down to earth and personal lyrics and not missing a beat throught the album as you get socked in the face with some J. Masics guitar craftsmanship and Evan Dando's backyard lyrics, gah... it's just great. I can't stress how much I love these guys.

Standout Tracks- "Become the Enemy", "Pittsburgh", "Rule of Three"

10. Muse- Black Holes and Revelations - Muse writes epics. That's that. They don't relaly stray far from the last few albums and thankfully they didn't. It's between powerhouse guitar hooks, bone-crushing drum beats and ear popping bass thumps that will get you grooving. The main thing they do different here is try a few different genre touches to their already post-apocalyptic rock feel. Songs infused with Prince qualities and straight up social commentary acoustic songs are spruced within the usual Muse framework of the album that make this one a special treat.
Standout Tracks- "Supermassive Black Hole", "Starlight" "Soldoer's Poem"

9. Electric Six- Switzerland/Senor Smoke- I include both here because I didn't include Senor last year since we ahd to import it and steal it from the interweb. Senor Smoke released finally to the USA in the spring and Switzerland given to us in the fall. Yes. 2006 for me was the year of E6. I will see them 4 times in 2006 alone with 5 concerts under my belt in a span of one year and two and a half months. The only thing that we can safely say about E6 is that they are pure fun and that's that. They don't really bring substance to their songs (which isn't exactly true... some social commentary, but it's mostly tongue in cheek politicism.) They only bring the party. Switzerland can lag at some points, but it's still a solid album.
Standout Tracks:
Senor Smoke- " Devil Nights", "Dance Epidemic", "Future is in the Future"
Switzerland- "Slices of You", "I Buy the Drugs", "Night Vision"

8. Secret Machines- Ten Silver Drops - Usually a band will slump in their sophmoric release. Secret Machines decided to say s*ck it to the phrase sophmore slump and deliver yet another amazingly spacey and tasty album. Ten Silver Drops has an isolated darkness to it that the first album did not have. THe songs are about loss, heartbreak and distance from the ones you love. This was generated throught their last tour for their debut. The music is still grandiose and beautifully produced and played. Filled with melodies and harmonies that melt your ear drums, their ain't a single wrong thing with this album.
Standout Tracks- "Faded Lines" "Daddy's in the Doldrums" "Lightining Blue Eyes"

7. Paul Simon- Surprise - When Mr. Simon teams up with Mr. Eno, you get the goods. This album is as far away from any other Paul Simon I have ever heard, yet it still has that touch of Simon's clever lyrics and subdued guitar playing. It also has a spacey ambient element thanks to the production of Brian Eno. With social commentary, love songs and songs of sheer joy at the birth of his new child, the songs still have the meaning and strength that we love from Paul Simon. It's just a reinvention of an amazing sound that came out of left field. I feel as if this album has gone virtually unheard of by anyone and heard nothing of it when it came out earlier this summer, but I feel the need to tell you to get it.
Standout Tracks- "Everything About It Is A Love Song", "Another Galaxy"

6. Cursive- Happy Hollow- Shit. How did I forget this!! Anyway, a late edition making this a top "these go to" eleven list of albums. Cursive was introduced to me via the Ugly Organ, Kev Ketners all time favorite album. It was so awesome that I had to get more of this bands material. Their b-sides and rare stuff disc was ok, but I was yearning for that pseudo-rock opera feel that The Ugly Organ had. Well, Happy Hollow delivered the money, and I really love this album. Like, a lot. I listened to it non-stop for about 3 weeks when I got it from Giles. It's themes of suburban demons and blatant problems with the catholic church definitely were a delightful backdrop to tell the story of the small titular fictional town. The songs rock, the added horn section fits in well and lead singers lyrics and vocals were at a blistering all time rock factor that I really got behind. So sorry you were forgotten at first, but thanks to a random thought I remembered that you needed to be on this list.

Standout Tracks- "Dorothy at Forty", "Bad Sects", "So-So Giggolo"

5. Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton- Knives Don't Have Your Back- The woman behind Metric and a member of the prolific Broken Social Scene goes psuedo-solo on this album and revels on the death of her father. The songs are dripping with melancholy much in the way Beck's Sea Change. Ms. Haines drops the keyboards and picks up the piano and the rest is history. This dark horse top 10 candidate is definitely an amazing peice of music. I can;'t express enough my love for Emily Haines. It really is a triumph to be able to go from
Standout Track- "Doctor Blind", "Our Hell", "The Maid Needs a Maid"

4. Sonic Youth- Rather Ripped - Sonic Youth has created a newish sound for themselves in the latter half of their career. Dropping most of the ridiculous distortion and anger and picking up more a sense of ambience is a great move for them. They still are edgy, but they have a more accessible and awesome sound. Rather Ripped is a step better than Sonic Nurse from a few years back. It just has better songs overall. Their live concert this year was pretty amazing. The new records might have a subdued atmosphere, but they still can pack a punch when they want to. A band that has been around for 25 years can still put out amazing stuff.
Standout Track- "Incinerate", "Do You Believe In Rapture", "Pink Steam"

3. Built to Spill- You in Reverse- Why isn't this bad more popular? Beats the hell out of me. Built to Spill is the reason rock and roll is not dead. With the feel of Neil Young and other great rockers of the 70's but with an updated jammier feel, You in Reverse has a modern rock and roll feel that is so awesome. Not a single bad song on this album. The guitar work is some of the best around and the lyricism is poetic and gorgeous. For some reason, I feel like Built to Spill will get recognition later in their life, even though they are already more than 10 years deep in that said career. This music is timeless.
Standout Track- "Goin' Against Your Mind", "Traces", "Conventional Wisdom"

2. The Flaming Lips, At War With the Mystics - I don't know why this album seemed to not get as much praise when it came out from fans of the Lips and others, but At War With The Mystics is pretty damn great. Although the first two tranks are jaunty and strange, they still rule with their world view and politically charged nature. The rest of the album flows just as beautifully as any other Lips album and this one is lacking that rock opera feel that the last two Lips albums had. Each song has its own identity, yet they work together. I feel like I will never get old of these songs. I won't hate their hilarious moments and their heartbreaking moments ever. It's silly, psychedelic and touching all in one package.

Standout Tracks- "It Overtakes Me...", "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion", "Vein of Stars"

1. Yo La Tengo- I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass- Again, a terrible album name, but don't let that fool you. The songs contained on this disc are all amazing. An album of schizophrenic genre changing, it might be a little harsh for the first listen. The first song is a ten minute guitar jam that abruptly ends and goes into a jaunty piano riff with goofy lyrics and lyric delivery. It has 60's Brit invasion tunes, ambient piano ballads, songs with ridiculous horn sections and avante garde shoegazing. For any Tengo fan, this is a true gem among their albums (if not their best?) For a musical adventuerer, this is a workout that you will appreciate. For someone who knows neither of those feelings, stay away. It's pretty intense at times with how much of a 180 the songs will take. It's a welcome thing, in my opinion, but for most it wouldn't be. Go out and get it! I swear, it's awesome and it tops my 2006 list.

Standout Tracks- "Mr. Tough", "Black Flowers", The Room Got Heavy",

As you may have noticed, several amazing albums did not make the cut. Beck's The Information, Thom Yorke's The Eraser and RHCP's Stadium Arcadium are not on this list. I love those three albums, but Beck lost steam for my listening surprisingly fast, The Eraser is too moody for me to love it all the time and Stadium Arcadium is better song based than album based... with 28 awesome tracks. Needless to say, they deserve mention, but they don't make the list. Sorry guys.