Year after year, I’ve managed to put together a list of my favorite music, movies, etc of the previous year. As if I am some illustrious journalist writing for a prestigious magazine. I tell myself, my opinion matters. And, to me, it does. It probably doesn’t to you. I am fully self-aware of the smug, selfishness that tends to be behind a list like this from a nobody like me. But, for almost the tenth year in a row, here’s a list of what I loved about music in 2011. What can I say, I’m an elitist.
ALBUMS
20. The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow
19. Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers
18. Lady Gaga, Born this Way
17. Adele, 21
16. Childish Gambino, Camp
15. The Weeknd (No, that’s not a typo), Thursday; and House of Balloons
14. Washed Out, Within and Without
13. Florence and the Machine, Ceremonials
12. M83; Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
11. My Morning Jacket, Circuital
10. The Head and the Heart, The Head and the Heart
9. Cults, Cults
8. Youth Lagoon, The Year of Hibernation
7. Smith Westerns, Dye it Blonde
6. Girls; Father, Son, Holy Ghost
5. The Antlers, Burst Apart
4. Panda Bear, Tomboy
3. Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues
2. Cut/Copy, Zonoscope
1. Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Ok, a few things on the list above: 1. Bon Iver put out one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. Ever. I want it played at my funeral. 2. Putting the Dog to Sleep by The Antlers was the best song of the year. 3. The Black Keys’ El Camino severely disappointed me. 4. The album in the 21st spot would have been Foster the People.
SHOWS
10. Sleigh Bells, Bonnaroo
9. Explosions in the Sky, Bonnaroo
8. Ratatat, Bonnaroo
7. The Civil Wars, A Prairie Home Companion, The Ryman
No video, but it was awesome and Garrison Keillor’s commentary made it even better.
6. Childish Gambino, Cannery Ballroom
5. Deerhunter, Bonnaroo
4. Robyn, Bonnaroo
3. Scissor Sisters, Bonnaroo (Wait for the 1-minute mark on the video)
Hello! I’m bored which means you get to read a blog post by yours truly. It’s really the only time I ever post on here. But, since I am bored, I’d like to tell you about some of my favorite things from the year so far. Mostly I am going to talk about the best books I’ve read, movies I’ve seen and music I’ve heard. Feel free to leave at any time or bitch and complain in the comments below.
BEST BOOK (And the only one I’ve completed…ssh!)
Yes it may be the only one I’ve read this year, but it was also one of the best books I’ve read in years.
BEST ALBUMS (No specific order, saving that for the end of the year post!)
Bonnaroo is in 60 days, and all but the cafe acts have been announced. Just thought I’d make a ranked list of which shows I am most excited to see. This is the fun part before Bonnaroo releases the schedule and I have a ton of conflicts. But for now, these are the shows I will see.
1. Scissor Sisters – Sure to be the gayest thing at Bonnaroo this year, how could I miss them? Plus, they’re the best group in pop music nowadays. Win-Win.
2. Arcade Fire – Will most likely end up being the best headliner show. I’ve been dying to see them for years. I’m glad my first time will be on the What stage at ‘Roo.
3. My Morning Jacket – Like Arcade Fire, I’ve been wanting to see them live for a long time. Their 2008 late night show at ‘Roo is still the show every show is compared to (or so I hear). I’ll be there hoping to see something pretty spectacular. High hopes, indeed.
4. Florence and the Machine – This show is going to be a blast. And, I’m sure I’ll cry my little eyes out when she sings Cosmic Love. Oh. My. Gawd.
5. The Black Keys – I’ve managed to miss these guys twice. Last year they played Bonnaroo and conflicted with Daryl Hall & Chromeo (Still the best decision I made last year). I’m really hoping nothing conflicts with them this year. Although seeing as they’re pretty high on my list, I’m hopeful there won’t be.
6. Explosions in the Sky – Your Hand in Mine holds so much sentimental value for me, I’ll be a sobbing puddle when it’s played. And I’m sure it will be played. It’s on their current setlist for this tour. I pry to Gawd, they have a late night spot. Cue tears in 5… 4… 3… 2…
7. Deerhunter – Because their last two albums are two of my favorite albums of the last several years. Huge fan. Cannot wait.
8. Ratatat – They will be late night. It will be awesome. Cue the glowsticks!
9. Sleigh Bells – I was mad they weren’t a Bonnaroo last year then I missed them when they played Exit/In. Their show will be insaaaaaaaaaaaane.
10. Bassnectar – Because he’s the new Girl Talk, and I’ve already seen Girl Talk. And I missed him last year.
11. Lil Wayne – Duh.
12. The Black Angels – Their newest album was one of my favorites last year. Really looking forward to seeing this new fave of mine.
13. Robyn – Second gayest show at ‘Roo.
14. Pretty Lights – It will be one hell of a late night show.
15. The Strokes – I just know they’re going to put on an awesome show. The epitome of Bonnaroo epic shows.
16. Eminem – I’m really hoping he plays a lot of his old stuff. Not a huge fane of his newer stuff, but if he plays a few songs from Marchall Mathers I will be thrilled.
17. Mumford and Sons – Caught them at The Station In a few months ago. Can’t wait to see them again.
18. Beirut – The freshman year nostalgia will be overwhelming.
19. Loretta Lynn – Come on… How old is she now? This will be incredible.
20. The Decemberists – If I hadn’t already seen them before (on a tour with my favorite album of theirs no doubt), I’d have them much higher. But it will be great to see my favorite band from my senior year of high school for the second time.
21. Alison Krauss and Union Station – I don’t talk about my love for good country music very much, but Krauss has always been one of my favorites.
22. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Just now starting to get into them, but her voice is pretty extraordinary.
23. Wavves – Hometown boys from Memphis. I’ve seen them before and I’d love to see them again at Bonnaroo. They would make a great band for Thursday night.
24. Best Coast – Hopefully they won’t have her conflict with her boyfriend in Wavves, but she’d also make a great Thursday evening act. Although, I could also see her as a midday either Friday or Saturday.
25. The Walkmen – Classic.
26. Ray Lamontagne – Because I will need a place to sit and relax for an hour two. And he’d be perfect for that.
27. Superjam Feat.: Dan Auerbach and Dr. John – I’ve never experienced a superjam at Bonnaroo before, but I hear they’re pretty incredible.
28. Wanda Jackson – Because she’s great, and you know Jack White is gonna show up.
29. Devotchka – Another band I’m just now getting into. Pretty excited to get to really experience them.
30. Robert PLant and the band of Joy – It’s freakin’ Robert Plant.
31. John Waters/Iron and Wine - I wanted to make this an even 30, but I couldn’t leave these two off. I’d love to go over to the Comedy Tent and catch John Waters. Although, I’m doubtful that will happen. And Iron & Wine is just some good classic indie music. Don’t really listen to them as much as I used to, but hopefully I can reconnect.
All right, It looks like a great year to me. I’m sure once the schedule is announced I’m going to have to make some tough decisions, but there you have it. My most anticipated acts of Bonnaroo 2011!
Happy Bonnaroo!!
EDIT: Finally got around to seeing what the Shpongletron Experience was. Consider it part of this list:
Clearly, just by offering a list of my favorite albums (year after year after year) I give off the impression that I have listened to and adequately judged every album of 2010. This is not the case, nor has it ever been in years past when I have made similar lists. However, I did get to hear a lot of great music this year, and here are my favorite albums I had the pleasure of experiencing. Granted, some albums that came out at the very end of 2010 may have managed to break the top 10 with just a few more listens (i.e. Sufjan Stevens, The Age of Adz), but these 11 albums will forever define my 2010.
10 b. Local Natives, Gorilla Manor
10 a. Broken Bells, Broken Bells
9. Dr. Dog, Shame, Shame
8. Sleigh Bells, Treats
7. Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
6. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
5. Beach House, Teen Dream
4. Vampire Weekend, Contra
3. Yeasayer, Odd Blood
2. The Black Keys, Brother
1. The National, High Violet
And my favorite song of 2010:
SHOWS
7. Local Natives, Cannery Ballroom, Nashville
6. Vampire Weekend, The Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
5. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Bonnaroo, Manchester, Tenn.
4. Jay-Z, Bonnaroo, Manchester, Tenn.
3. Stevie Wonder, Bonnaroo, Manchester, Tenn.
2. Deadmau5, Bonnaroo, Manchester, Tenn.
And my favorite show of 2010:
1. Daryl Hall & Chromeo, Bonnaroo, Manchester Tenn.
I thoroughly enjoyed making this post. It was difficult but for every video I looked up, it was like walking through this past year. As you can tell, it was a great year for music. Here’s hoping 2011 is half as good.
I should begin by saying that I am a Bonnaroo virgin. Always wanted to go, but never have. However, this year is different. I’ve had my ‘Roo 2010 ticket since Christmas, and haven’t been able to think about anything else. The lineup was finally released this passed Tuesday. And, as with most other things, I have my opinions on the lineup. So, here we go…
Most Anticipated Acts
The XX
The Flaming Lips performing The Dark Side of the Moon
Deadmau5
Regina Spektor (I’ve missed her every time she’s come to Nashville)
Phoenix
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
The Dead Weather
She & Him
Tenacious D
Bassnectar
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (This is one of my favorite bands of the last several years. Really cool stuff.)
Daryl Hall and Chromeo (Such a bizarre combo, there’s no way I’ll miss it.)
As I look back on the first decade of the 21st century, there are certain films that stand out as the films that defined the ’00s. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say, so there is a possibility that my favorite film of 2002 doesn’t even make it in the top 10. It takes a while for a film to really find its place in history, which is why a yearly top 10 list isn’t always accurate. Having said that, this may be the most accurate film list I’ve ever wasted the time to make. Enjoy.
God, I love this time of year. Recently, I was able to catch showings of An Education and Precious. Both terrific films.
An Education is the story of an English girl, Jenny Miller (Carey Mulligan), getting ready to finish her last year of high school when she will then go on to Oxford to complete her education. However, the title of the film, I don’t think, refers to her academic education, but the education she receives from a man she comes to know very well.
One day on her walk home from school in the pouring rain, Jenny is offered a ride from David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard). Thus begins a very intimate relationship between the two that eventually spirals out of control. As Jenny gets closer to David she begins to notice that things aren’t what they seem, that David may not be the good guy his exterior makes him out to be. But Jenny begins to accept these shortcomings and to some extent support them until it is almost too late.
An Education is a great film only to be dragged down by its quick-fix, happily ever after ending. The ending in no way ruins the film, but considering everything that precedes it, the ending could have been much more dramatic. However, none of that takes away from Carey Mulligan’s nearly flawless performance as the love-struck Jenny. She gives a star-making performance guaranteeing herself an Oscar nomination. Sarsgaard is good, but he plays the creep so often that it’s becoming monotonous. But overall, this is a rich, engrossing film that at times plays it too safe.
***
Now, onto Precious.
As I think about what to say about this film, I’m afraid any summary of the plot will most likely turn anyone, well anyone without much knowledge about the film, into a skeptic. I say this because any summary must involve mentioning of the cast which includes Mo’nique and Mariah Carey. But I beg you, trust me when I say that this is the most moving, most gut-wrenching, most near-perfect film I have seen this year and quite possibly in the last several years.
Precious is about, surprise, Precious (Gabourey Sidibe), an over-weight, illiterate girl living in Harlem and at age 16 she is pregnant with her second child and not by choice. Her mother Mary (brilliantly, yes brilliantly played by Mo’Nique) takes every moment to violently abuse her. Precious is kicked out of her school for being pregnant, and is sent to an alternative school. It is here that Precious blooms, but not without explosions in her life along the way.
Precious is an unflinching look at the darkest side of human life. It doesn’t patronize its audience, and it doesn’t turn its characters into clichés. Both of which could have easily been done in the wrong hands.
Both Sidibe and Mo’Nique give award-worthy performances, and I am going to go out on a very strong limb and say Mo’Nique has just won herself an Oscar. I kid you not. Also, Mariah Carey makes an appearance, and I promise you that if I hadn’t told you she was in it, you wouldn’t even recognize her. I knew the actress looked familiar, but it wasn’t until the credits rolled that I realized it was her. That really says something. If Mariah Carey, someone with an internationally recognizable face, can become next to unrecognizable, both in appearance and acting, you know she is doing something right.
At this moment, I honestly have nothing negative to say about this film. That would probably change with a second viewing, but this is about as good as movies get these days.
When the film ended, I was paralyzed. I coudn’t move. I was fucking blown away.
