Favorite albums of the decade

Well its been forever since I blogged and I am going to throw up a random non movie related one up. Hoping to get back into this. Its a bit late but these are my favorite albums of the decade, starting with year 2000!

At The Drive In - Relationship of Command

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmTSQZjR3DE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJtAqXbZ1c&feature=related

Granted I wasnt listening to this album in 2000 I did discover ATDI in high school and this was on NON STOP. This album is perfect and jams so hard. I wish they would get back together, TMV is legit and all but ATDI is forever.

Kalmah - Swamplord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07AqoB5H2bU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jmj_ochRjk

There arent many metal bands I enjoy anymore and Kalmah is one I can still listen to. Swamplord is really great, heavy and reminds me of a better more polished version of Children of Bodom.

Binary Star - Masters of The Universe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nVzSr3yDcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnD_CXnXEB8&feature=related

Binary Star like Blackstar only released one album and that one album is hip hop perfection. 10 years later im still waiting for Masters of The Universe 2 (or something like that)

OK THESE NEXT TWO ALBUMS GOT ME THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUyGziAjES4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzKaEFHqBo4&feature=related

Linkin Park is by no means a great band and Hybrid Theory is not a great album. But when you are 13 you do not care about all the technicalities of music and this was my SHIIIITTTTT. I thought it was the most brutal thing ever, now its nothing more than a fun nostalgia album when all the friends are together.

Deftones - White Pony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPpDyIJdasg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um7ySTHsCf0

Unlike Linkin Park I still have some respect for Deftones. They never really fizzled out and they still sound good...I would not really say im still a fan though. White Pony though I will still occasionally put on because its a pretty solid album, not just for nostalgia either.

2001

Muse - Origin of Symmetry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdOHxh9-1Yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjm3NyQ6DYw&feature=avmsc2

Album rocks so hard. Really nothing else to say about it.

DJ Krush - Zen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2SAR7N6m_0

The end of the 90's was also to my knowledge the end of great Trip-Hop...except for DJ Krush. Zen is fantastic and soooooo chill.

2002

George Harrison - Brainwashed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-pfOKPX4Cs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1E5XPzBSBY&feature=related

Released after his death Brainwashed stands as one of George's best works. Right there with All Things Must Pass and Cloud Nine if you ask me. RIP George.

RJD2 - Deadringer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq38_MFTEm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPuv6QE28yc&feature=related

Deadringer to me is the best trip-hop release of the decade. Its very true to the roots of the genre and very very dope.

People Under The Stairs - OST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY5P3ZQiu9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C32z9OBE3lo

PUTS are one of the few hip hop artists from the West Coast I really like. OST is ridiculously good and the beats are sooooooo fresh.

2003

Viktor Vaughn - Vaudeville Villain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbaDMp8LuSs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxcqTiLVYa0

Look I am going to say it. MF Doom (and all his alias) are the single best MC on the mic right now and possibly of all time. His flow and lyrics are so unique that they are unparalleled by anyone else. Long live DOOM.

Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros - StreetCore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zty2WxVnklI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kd7RtD4ZKc&feature=related

Its Joe Strummer, do I really have to tell you how good this album is?

Little Brother - The Listening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVq4Ft9bgOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYLKWTwMSE8&feature=related

Little Brother was the best hip-hop group of the decade. Sure I might have some local bias seeing how I am from Chapel Hill, NC but it doesn't make it any less true. I really thought they were going to save hip-hop after hearing this album.

Jamie Cullum - Twentysomething

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g76UDCBjRcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFdHZ-wzGM0

In 2003 I discovered Frank Sinatra and loved him so much. So I was looking for some modern vocal jazz and discovered Jamie Cullum and Michael Buble. Gotta love the internet. This is a really good album and has some really fun covers.

Hieroglyphics - Full Circle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIKquKdJN24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNZfqzoqZ84&feature=related

I always think of Hieroglyphics as the Wu-Tang Clan of the West Coast. They are a super group in every sense no one in this group is wack.

Manic Hispanic -Mijo Goes To Jr. College

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iH5MOxW-BE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak_quitC7pg&feature=related

My first two years of High School I was very very into 70's punk rock. This album covers a bunch of classic punk songs but they are humorous, so its good if you listen to old punk.

The Mars Volta - De-loused in the Comatorium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCySloH18MQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTywRY0sYG4&feature=related

After At the Drive In, Cedric and Omar formed The Mars Volta. I was not expecting the debut album to be bad but I also was not expecting it to be so damn good.

2004: The year I discovered music.

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrmS6ayKv8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6e5vnJcRYo&feature=related

I can not remember how I found out about Animal Collective, it was most likely one of the numerous music review sites I checked. The first time I fully listened to Sung Tongs my mind was blown, I really did not know what to think of it but after numerous listens you realize that yes this album might be "weird" but its also fucking genius. To me Animal Collective was the best band of the decade, they did not release one bad album at all.

Arcade Fire - Funeral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEKC5pyOKFU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5ZenaNpN4g

I would say Funeral is on par with Sung Tongs in terms of greatness the only difference is that its way more accessible lol.

Madvillain - Madvillainy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpaonSDPw7Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NjpsJuwxhw

Like I said previously, I think MF Doom is the greatest MC around right now and possibly of all time. Well Madvillainy is the best record of the decade by one single MC, you can not go wrong with MF Doom + MadLib.

Mastodon - Leviathan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6D-ys43DMo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=labytsb3gfI

Like I said I do not listen to much metal. I find it quite boring. But this album is far from boring, its super technical, fun and all the songs are wonder BR00TAL. Plus look at that album art work, how could it be bad!?

Beastie Boys - To The 5 Boroughs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRTi6sVJnUg&feature=related (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iul3ujcBGwU

Beastie Boys are my favorite hip hop group of all time. They have never released a bad album (fact not opinion) after a six year we got 5 Boroughs and it did not disappoint. It was great to hear sick samples still being used on their albums, most notably The Dead Boys "Sonic Reducer" sample.

Death From Above 1979 - You're A Woman, Im A Machine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wnl9PpnTXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZNQNELfd0g&feature=channel

This album introduced me to Drum N Bass. This album jams so fucking hard. Listening to this album today makes me really sad because DFA1979 broke up shortly after its release :(

The Black Keys - Rubber Factory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-CukK3eYt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nThv8ZLWCLk

Modern Blues/Rock at its finest.

The Go! Team - Thunder, Lighting, Strike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4FaGacwtd4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQg7qOB5Heg

This album is sooooooooooooo much fun, probably the most fun I really had with any record in 2004. All the songs are so energetic, exciting and The Go! Team really sounds like nothing you have heard before.

Prince - 3121

(its impossible to find Prince songs on Youtube...sorry)

The first time I ever heard/saw Prince was when he was preforming on SNL while promoting this album. He was electric, I remember thinking "HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS GUY!?" I find out later he is a big deal. This album contains a lot of amazing songs and the song with Madonna perfect. Hope he can match this soon.

2005

Little Brother - The Minstrel Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLReIhRgVS8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKXlmyKBCOU

After The Listening I was very eager to hear what Little Brother would drop next. Two years later they release The Minstrel Show which is a great sequel. The production is much crisper and the raps are more matured. Listened to this 24/7.

Jaga Jazzist - What We Must

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZdSx9kxlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs7SouXYsV4

I actually just got this album this year but have been listening to it so much. It is a very beautiful album and very relaxing. Great for nighttime driving.

ONE.BE.LO - S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2i4uvmKkw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYSNbdpI8P4

ONEBELO is the most underrated MC of all time. Dude is so sick and this album was so slept on, no surprise seeing how its a smart album with no wack club songs.

Michael Buble - Its Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edwsf-8F3sI&feature=avmsc2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gYD5sidJg

Buble is modern day Frank Sinatra. His voice is golden.

2006


J Dilla - Donuts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh_DkwNguSY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSaQdhDRVnU

J Dilla is the greatest hip hop producer of all time. He recorded this album on his death bed and it was released three days before he passed. RIP DILLA.

The Beatles - Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzG5O6EUSgw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNTJ-j_y-_0&feature=related

Love may not be anything new in terms of songs but the songs are remixed and mashed up for the most part which makes it really neat.

Ugly Duckling - Bang for the Buck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsoKLzdPqmw&feature=avmsc2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZorzCz9eTfs

Ugly Duckling reminds me of Little Brother except their word play is much wittier and they are from the West Coast.

2007

Little Brother - GetBack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkP4oZzYQAk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD-2eQuq3Hg

Shortly after the release of The Minstrel Show, Little Brother's producer 9th Wonder left the group. There was a lot of speculation that the group itself would suffer and the next album would not being on par with the previous two albums. Well when GetBack finally dropped the speculation was over, Little Brother was just as strong as they had always been. GetBack is definitely their most mature release and at times almost dark.

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNXrkBSp_o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp_kQmJLDZw&feature=related

Such a great album. Its so crazy that he is so old and can still write such good songs.

Kanye West - Graduation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ila-hAUXR5U&feature=avmsc2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E58qLXBfLrs&feature=avmsc2

Im not a very big fan of Kanye. I think he is annoying and arrogant...just because you are one of the more "talented" mainstream rappers does not make you god. But I bought Graduation because I hoped to put 50 out of work. The album itself ended up being quite good, the production often outshines Kanye which was fine, I had it on repeat for a month or two.

Pharoahe Monch - Desire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OartmQRh9yQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4yZmNd9yq8

Monch is very touchy for me. He is either really great or just decent. But Desire is pretty fire, with a track produced by Black Milk and then his cover of Welcome To The Terrordome!

Bitter End - Climate of Fear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kDezm9niyA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDtekYaklY

Sounds straight out of the 80s hardcore movement. Which is enough for you to listen to it.

2008

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk6prGk9Hyw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5mFKeL67Dk&feature=channel

Dig Out Your Soul is a bitter sweet album for me. It was Oasis getting great again. I do believe this album is just as good as Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory.

Nas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xvcXkKzd7Y&feature=avmsc2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6eErYzSG1Y

This may have not been Nas best album of the decade but it proved he was still without a doubt the BEST rapper when it comes to mainstream artists. You will not find one dumb ass club song on this album, you will not find Nas boasting about money or bitches....you find him rapping about fried chicken and how Fox News is the devil. Its a very socially conscious album and other rappers need to learn from him.

Thenewn02 - You are Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50qz50HJIr0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWhj_WEuVZI

Led by Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison...yes THAT George Harrison) thenewn02 released the ultimate sleeper album of last year. I really would not know how to describe it other than "indie-ish" but its great and Dhani SOUNDS just like his dad.

2009

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxhaRgJUMl8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zol2MJf6XNE&feature=avmsc2

Released in January 2009 and with 11 months left in the year most music publications were calling it album of the year...and it really was. Animal Collective closed out the decade with their best work since Sung Tongs (imo). It is easily their most accessible album, which makes it slightly better to me.

Zombi - Spirit Animal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvj5ETfafNw

Spirit Animal is an album I normally wouldnt like because its all instrumental and spacey. For some reason though this one works for me and I loovvvveeee it.

Mos Def - Ecstatic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT-hYXqTN38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdqG6EfOe6g&feature=related

After BlackStar Mos Def has had quite the mediocre run. Sure "Black on Both Sides" was great but after that he fell....fast. Then his movies weren't that great either. The first time I heard Ecstatic I felt like I was hearing Mos again for the first time. He is on top of his game again on this album, it has wonderful guest appearances and is even more wonderfully produced (Dilla and Madlib!)

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmiSeIRNuY8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQX4R9yHWc&feature=related

Easily The Flaming Lips best release of the decade...not to say they had a bad one but this tops everything else they put out.

The Kickdrums - Just a Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuUNCZW_1oA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJGvRUheKjo&feature=fvw

Read about this album on hiphopdx.com and I had never heard of The Kickdrums before. I wouldnt exactly call it a hip hop album but it definitely has the influence.


So those were my favorite albums of the decade. Im sure I left some out but I feel thats pretty much all the stuff I jammed to for 10 years.

My reaction to The Golden Globes

Ok now that we have that out of the way. I turned on the ceremony with about a hour to go, I do not watch TV so I do not care about those awards. Scorsese's Life Time Achievement was without a doubt the best part of what I saw and De Niro was brilliant in his speech for ol Marty. Then Up winning was not unexpected at all same with Christoph Waltz for his supporting role in Inglorious Bastards...so lets get to what I opposed with.

1) Robert Downey Jr winning Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical for his role in Sherlock Holmes. Ok correct me if I am wrong but when did Sherlock Holmes become a Comedy or Musical? I still have yet seen the movie and I know it isnt. I think even RDJ himself was surprised he won, hell he did not even have a speech set up!

Who should Have Won: Joseph Gordon Levitt for his role in (500) Days of Summer. JGL gave an heart-felt tour de force which I did not expect at all when I saw the movie, no disrespect to RDJ but seeing how Sherlock Holmes is neither a comedy/musical makes the win a comedy in itself.

2) The Hangover was a great comedy, it was grown up, pretty smart and really had no corny moments. But I feel as if I had seen the movie before and I never had one moment of gut busting laughter, though I did enjoy the fact that I was watching a comedy with no big names and it granted some nice laughs.

What Film Should Have Won: Ok I might have a slight bias for this movie but...(500) Days Of Summer should have won for best comedy. Not only was it innovative, clever, as well as well acted but it was a Rom-Com! How many Rom-Com's are even 1/4 creditable? Not many. But this award is just my own personal view, I am not really surprised (500) Days lost.

3) Avatar bagging the biggest awards of the evening is by far the worst moments of the night. I get it, Avatar is revolutionary in its technical qualities and James Cameron deserves ample technical awards for his master in those areas...but if you obliterate all of that you are left with one big very dull, poorly acted movie. Not only was it all those things it was also predictable, my dog could figure out what was going to happen next. Also why should he win best director? I have not seen any "Behind The Scenes" but I can imagine the majority of it was done in front of a green screen while he sat in a chair...very hard work.

Who/What Should Have Won: Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker. The Hurt Locker did something that had not been done yet, it is a contemporary war movie that is not only good but flawless. The story is unique, back that with awesome performances and edge of your seat suspense then you have a movie that not only warrants but got robbed of Best Picture. Kathryn Bigelows directing had to be much more difficult than Cameron, she shot on location! Maybe I would feel better if Cameron was not shooting in a big air conditioned warehouse, but I think directing a film in the desert very close to risk is much more impressive and award worthy.


Overall: What I saw was more disappointing than rewarding, it was like a glammed up version of the Peoples Choice Awards. The bad thing is The Golden Globes are sometimes a preview of what The Oscars will be, I really hope Avatar only wins technical awards at The Oscars because thats all it really deserves.

Favorite movies of 2009

Ok I kind of stopped posting after the few posts but I want to try to do more this year. Starting with my favorite movies of last year. I did not see very much but I did see a few films I enjoyed, so I will start with number one and go from there.

1) (500) Days of Summer

I waited forever to see this, so I broke down and downloaded it. From the opening text I knew I was going to love it but I did not expect to love it as much as I did. Without a doubt the best romance movie I have seen, it is very realistic and runs through so many emotions.

2) Moon

09 was a great for Sci-Fi and to me Moon was the best. Its a total Sci-Fi throwback with its awesome story and fabulous performance from Sam Rockwell, which I think is pretty Oscar worthy. Moon was also made on a pretty small budget yet it looks so damn good, I thought they were really on the moon!

3) The Hurt Locker

Most war movies as of lately have been pretty weak, all Iraq war themed movies have sucked...until now. The Hurt Locker is the most unique war movie I have ever seen, its so well acted and gritty. Probably my favorite war movie behind Platoon.

4) IP Man

If you know me and know me well then you know I have a soft spot for a great kung-fu movie. IP Man is the 2nd best kung-fu movie of the past decade behind Crouching Tiger. Its story is about the Wing Chun master Yip Man (played by the awesome Donnie Yen) who taught Bruce Lee..how could it fail!?

5) District 9

My anticipation for District 9 was insane, when I saw it I wanted to see it again and I could not wait for the sequel. Not only is it a instant classic sci fi movie but it was a summer blockbuster that was smart and original, all around amazing movie.

6) Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Rarely do I watch documentaries, when I do its not like I really connect with the content. Anvil you see the guys and all the struggles they have gone/still continue to go with. Its very emotional, more on the sad side but they continue to keep their head high and push push push! I know after seeing this I got some of their stuff and they are awesome! \m/

7) Watchmen

Was it 110% true to the book? No. Do I care? No. Having finished the book just weeks before its release I thought Watchmen did the book justice, the directors cut even more-so. It looks like the pages jumped onto the screen. Jackie Earle as Rorschach robbed the movie as the character robbed the novel, everyone else also did their characters spot on I thought. The only thing I did not really like was the somewhat overbearing soundtrack...should have been a score.

8) Star Trek

Without a doubt the most entertaining of all the Sci-Fi films that came out this year. Not knowing anything about Star Trek its past I really really enjoyed it because I heard Star Trek was quite boring. Walking out of the theater I had the same feeling that im sure those leaving "A New Hope" had, fucking awesomeness. The only other movie this year that I am excited to see a sequel.

9) The Damned United

Sports movies never really do anything for me but The Wrestler did it in 08 and now The Damned United in 09. It's a kind of biopic which was cool but it flips through time between two era's of Brain Clough's (Michael Sheen) managing career. Michael Sheen also carries this movie with his superb performance the character development was so good.

10) UP

It may have not been Wall-E but Pixar still delivered my favorite animated film of the year. I loved the fact that the story had very adult tones yet kept it pretty subtle for kids. The characters are so funny and lovable too.

11) Inglorious Bastards

Sure it was typical Quentin Tarantino but I loved the whole premise of the movie and the cast ensemble was perfect. Christopher Waltz as Hans Landa delivered one of my favorite performances of the year and had he been the main character it would have probably been my favorite dude tore it up. The one thing I did not like was that it did not stay with the Bastards enough for me...but thats Tarantino for ya.

12) Paranormal Activity

Without a DOUBT the best horror film wide released in the past decade. The pacing was genius and I thought the they did a great job with the story, it could have easily gone wrong. Pretty much The Blair Witch Project in your fucking house!

Oh and I know a lot of my "peers" did not like the movie, but those same people probably think Saw is a worthy horror movie...so do not listen to them.

13) I Love You, Man

I was very excited to see ILYM because Paul Rudd always robs the movie for me in all the other comedies he is in...he was great in this but honestly Jason Segel took it from him. His character Sydney Fife was so funny and realistic that I wish he was REAL so we could "Pop a Squiznot". Favorite comedy of the year easily.

14) Black Dynamite

Genius homage/parody to the 70's blaxplotation films. It looks, sounds and the actors make it feel like its from the 70's which makes it even better and it's got some truly hilarious moments. Its the grown up, smart, and funny version of "Undercover Brother".

15) Adam

Adam is a very interesting romance, the main character has aspergers syndrome so he is really bad socially. It makes the movie very funny but sad at the same time and to my knowledge there isnt another romance film out there like this one. Hugh Dancy as Adam is another one of my favorite performances of the year too, very well done.

Honorable Mention) Avatar

I went into Avatar not expecting anything but amazing CGI/3D. It delivered OVER 9,000!!! in that spectrum, it is easily the best looking movie I have ever seen some of the scenes were jaw dropping. But that did not hold the movie fully together for me, the story was flat and the acting was sometimes laughable. I do highly recommend seeing it in the theaters (3D duh) because there would be really no other real way to give its beauty justice.


So thats the list, let me know what you think. I will be posting my top 100 favorite movies of the past DECADE soon. Cant wait to get this year underway, I think it's going to be a good one!