Best Albums of 2008 Revisited. Part 1

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I am going to do a quarterly revisit of my best of the year albums. I am doing this, in part because, it is funny how albums stay the same as you change. You realize that overtime you are listening to some albums more than others, and some you are not listening to at all after the luster wears off. But also, upon reviewing my 2007 list, I would have changed so much in retrospect. So, this is to document how my mind is evolving throughout the year.

Below you will see the album in its new order with the December 18th 2008 ranking in parentheses. I will also keep my original introduction and reviews listed with any new thoughts added to the end in italics. Enjoy.

My life in music took a turn this year. If you know me, you know I am helplessly addicted to what I deem as Pussy Rock. You know, that singer songwriter that guys put on the jukebox to be sensitive and impress the nerdy girl at the bar. And, I have never shy'd away from the persona, I really do love Singersongwriters, and this Best Albums list, will have its fair share, however, my life has been a rollercoaster this year. It’s been a pile of pretty little shambles, and I have expanded my musical tastes to fill the holes whole.

These thirteen albums were released between Oct. 2007 and Dec. 2008. Yes, I realize this is longer than a year, but some albums need a couple months to gain traction, or are possibly released on an indie level and do not quite make their way to the Great Northwest until the following year.

Last year, I afraid to rank them in order, and I took the wuss way out and just did them alphabetical. However this year, I am more of a man, so... enjoy, in order, the Best Albums of 2008.

1. B-Sides and Rarities - The Format. (1)

Ok, so yes, this is an album from last year, but it is the only one on here, I promise. I purchased this release in January because of a song I heard online, "Faith in Fast Cars" on my friends Stevie's Myspace page. This band, and more particularly, this Album (which you will find on my Top 50 Albums, Top 100 Songs [Stevie’s as well] and my Top 50 Artists entries) is a beautiful mix of quirky melodies, insanely well written lyrics and a sorrow-ridden, nursery rhyme enriched vocals.

This album will not move from this spot. It is one of my all time favorite albums and I still listen to it on a weekly basis.

*Tracks Not to Miss – The aforementioned “Faith in Fast Cars”; “For You”; “Seven Digit Pin Code”; “Threes”

*Tracks that Miss – “Does Your Cat Have a Mustache?”; Do You Believe In Magic (Cover)”

2. Hold On Now Youngster! – Los Campesinos! (3)

Whirlwind. Whirl! Wind! This seven piece band out of Cardiff, Wales is the most divisive band that I have exposed to my friends in the last year. I have gotten several, “wow, this is amazing”’s, I have gotten more than a few, “I could not listen to a whole record of this stuff, but I like it”’s, and just as many “No”’s. This is high energy, beat the drums til music comes out, harmonize-like-kindergarten-choir-practice, music. The band has every instrument going full tilt, full time. The two lead singers, sing like bickering brother and sister, and I would not have it any other way. This albums is brilliant, the lyrics are insightful and biting. The melodies would get a paraplegic to tap their toe. And this is only the first appearance of this band on my list.

If I could do a tie for #1, I would do it in a beat. I listen to this album more than any other, and more than likely it will end up somewhere on my top 50 albums of all time when all is said and done. This album only gets better. Tracks I did not LOVE at first are now soaring with their chaotic complexities.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Death to Los Campesinos”; “You! Me! Dancing!”; “Don’t Tell Me To Do The Math(s)”; “Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats”; “This Is How You Spell ‘HAHAHA, We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux-Romantics’”

*Tracks That Miss – None

3. Visiter – The Dodo’s (9)

This album was a surprise. I fell in love with the track “Fools” and anyone who has had access to my MySpace page, can attest that this song made at least 4 appearances on my playlist. It is driving, urging, steady, sturdy music. But, I, never picked up the album, I figured that “Fools” was such an interesting song by composition standards alone that it was probably an anomaly. I was wrong. This, drum driven band does not disappoint. If someone in a lab would genetically create a cross between African Tribal Drum Circle Music, Folk, and Indie, they would be left with The Dodo’s. Pick up this album, and send me an email for enriching your life.

I think this album makes the biggest jump. I knew when I first put this on that it was something special. However, I did not give it time to sink in. Upon 4th, 5th, 10th, and 18th listenings it only gets better and better. There is a driving freshness to this album, and will be in my rotation for a long time to come.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Fools”; “Eyelids”; “Walking”; “God?”

*Tracks That Miss – “Red and Purple”

4. Holly – Justin Nozuka (2)

Justin Nozuka is a chameleon. Every song on this beautiful album could be accompanied by a different persona. From the bluesy Johnny Lang like rifts and lyrics on “Be Back Soon,” To the Jason Mraz campfire acoustic bliss on “After Tonight,” and finally to the lyrical heart break in the vein of Damien Rice on “Save Him.” This is a complete album, but, a relatively overlooked one as well. I believe that the same reason I have become so enamored with him, his ability to break the mold of the typical Singersongwriter, is the same reason, so many people missed this slice of gold.

There is nothing wrong with this album. It is solid, and any other year, would have been secure at number 2. I still visit it frequently, it just got surpassed by surprising material.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Be Back Soon”; “After Tonight”; “Save Him”; “Down In a Cold Dirty Well”

*Tracks That Miss – “Criminal”

5. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (7)

I fought this band for most of the year. You know, they were the new “it” band, and although I had heard of them, I was not in the know, and I hated that. But eventually, I caved, picked up the album and, like everyone else, was blown away. Biting and clever lyrics litter this album from beginning to end. They do not sing down to us as a band, nor do they dumb themselves down either. They are very happy just being who they are and saying, “like us, or don’t, whatever,” and that, to me is endearing.

To be frank, I only purchased this album about 3 weeks before this list. Yes, it says something that it made this list on such short notice, but it was also not really given a fair shake. I resented it for being the "blog-band" of the year. No artist was as talked about on the indie scene than Vampire Weekend, and I did not want to like them because of it. But you cannot help but love this album.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “A-Punk”; “Oxford Comma”; “M79”; “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance”

*Tracks That Miss – “Walcott”; “One (Blake’s Got a New Face)”

6. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (12)

I will be honest, I just got this album last week, and by knowing that, you would think, that it probably has no right to be included on this list. But with in one listen, it made its case. If I would have picked up this record in July, I can almost promise it would be number one on this list. It is that good. Now, I do not know enough to give a proper full review, so I just beg of you, give this band a listen. Judge for yourself.

In my honest non-review, I admitted that it was premature to place them on this list. However, I am guilty of another injustice, placing time 12th. This is the perfect album to listen to when you are doing just about anything. It is life's elevator music in the best way possible. I really dig it.

*Tracks Not To Miss – Check Back. "White Winter Hymnal"; "Oliver James"; "Meadowlarks"; "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song."

*Tracks That Miss – Check Back. None

7. We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (Extended iTunes Version) – Jason Mraz (5)

I am not sure this would make my list if the extended version with acoustic and b-sides adaptations of the songs was not released. Yes, the album is solid as a whole, but would it have beat out 13 others in such a good year for music if not for 14 bonus tracks? Doubtful. This is typical Jason Mraz, great wordsmith, nearly perfect vocals, and just right hint of self-deprecating humor. Jason knows himself, and he does not try to be anything he is not. And it’s this kind of quality that will always keep him on my Top Artists of all Time list.

After re-reading my review, I feel I was a little harsh on this album, although I did rank it at number 5. This is a very fine album. From beginning to end it does shine, some tracks brighter than others, but overall it is a gem.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Butterfly(both the album and bonus version”; “Details in the Fabric w/James Morrison”; “I’m Yours”; “Coyotes”; “Life is Wonderful (Bonus)”; “Man Gave Names to All the Animals(Bonus)”

*Tracks That Miss – None

8. When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold – Atmosphere (8)

Hip-hop albums do not make standard best of lists. They are often too flawed with throwaway tracks, nonsensical intros, and over reaching beats. However, that is not at all the case with Atmosphere. This is intelligent hip-hop, with rhymes about the state of the economy, family, and real trials and tribulations that we all go thorough. I will let some lyrics do the rest of this review, just to prove my point;

My better half is mad at makin' magic outta can goods
My tax bracket status got her questionin' my manhood
My shorty got caught smokin' weed at a concert
And if I smack 'em everybody treats me like a monster
My neighbors ain't doin' much better
And we makin' competition instead of stickin' together
Can't save no nest egg, in fact this nest is rented
In fact that rent is late, wait
The money ain't here, the raise ain't comin'
Just me and my son and that crazy woman

-Guarantees

No change in my feelings on this album. One of the best Hip-Hop albums to be released in the last 3 years.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Guarantees”; “Her Music Box”; “The Waitress” “Shoulda Known”

*Tracks That Miss – “You”; “The Skinny”

9. For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver (4)

This is the kind of album that you have to take pause with. When listening to, you have to sit back and realize that you are invading on Justin Vernon’s very soul. This album was recorded as basic as they get, in a wooded cabin deep in the Wisconsin wilderness. The subtleness and tenderness of his voice can only be appreciated in doses. Now, that does not at all mean that this is the kind of album that you need to be cautious of, or that you will get sick of easily. In fact, just the opposite, when I say “doses,” it is more of a warning of addiction. This will stick with you.

This album experienced the biggest drop, and it is easy to understand why. Yes, this is a beautiful heartbreak romp of a disc, but I was overvaluing the amazingalities of the song "Skinny Love" which is my favorite song out of any of the discs released in 2008. But one track does not make an album.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Skinny Love”; “Re:Stacks”; “Blindsided” “Wolves (Act I & II)

*Tracks That Miss – None

10. Songs for You, Truths for Me – James Morrison (11)

I have an unnatural fear of Sophomore Releases. They always disappoint and never live up to the standard that brought the artist into our sights in the first place. I could write a whole blog about sophomore albums that fell short of their freshmen counterparts. However, there are exceptions. James Morrison is not one. His second album, in no way surpasses Undiscovered, but, it does not fall that short. Considering that Undiscovered was tied for my favorite album last year I have to give credit where credit is due. James Morrison is the man. He skillfully blends Singersongwriter/blues/R&B into a beautiful mess of melody and lyric and allows you to just get lost. I will admit, I do enjoy broken hearted James a bit more than this Happy-Go-Lucky guy presented on this disc, but it is still a masterpiece.

I had to switch Ray and James around, it just feels better this way, and I have felt this since the first posting. Oh, and "Broken Strings" has really grown on me.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “You Make It Real”; “Sitting on a Platform”; “Once When I Was Little”; Precious Love”

*Tracks That Miss – “Broken Strings” I really, really want to like this song, and I think acoustic I would love it, but the synth bothers me.

11. Gossip In The Grain – Ray LaMontagne (10)

There are two factions of music people. Damien Rice people and Ray LaMontagne people. And for years, I was all Damien, and fought off the offers of people to “introduce” me to Ray. But then a couple years ago I picked up “Live from the Mountain Music Lounge” a compilation disc that is released annually by KMTT in Seattle (pick it up every year if you can, it is jam packed full of one of a kind tracks) and I fell in love with a song called Trouble with out even knowing who it was. Turns out, that man, was the Bearded Musical Messiah himself. And now, I am still a Damien Rice person, but I have more than made room for Mr. LaMontagne. This album is a slight departure from the previous two. It is on a slightly grander scale musically, but still sung in a breathy whisper. Its beautiful.

There is nothing about this album that deserves it demotion, however, James is just a better album.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Let It Be Me”; “He me, Hey Mamma”; “You Are The Best Thing”

*Tracks That Miss – “Meg White”

12. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed – Los Campesinos! (13)

Its rare when a band will release a second album nearly as good as their debut (see James Morrison) Let alone, release it within 7 months. This band just does not let down or slow down for that matter. This album was originally intended to be released as an online “B-Sides” treat, however, it was soon evident that these songs did not belong as the b-side of anything. There is not much that separates this album from Hold On Now Youngster! which made number 3 on this very list. In fact, if both discs were put on shuffle with each other, they would feel very much at home. However, this fact does not detract from the quality of this record as one might think it would. I mean how much would you expect a band to change with in 7 months. If anything else, they have the best song titles in music.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “You'll Need Those Fingers for Crossing”; “Miserabilia”; “We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed”;” It's Never That Easy Though, Is It? (Song for the Other Kurt)”

*Tracks That Miss – None

13. Magic Vs. The Machine – The Nextdoor Neighbors. (6)

This is a local all girl two-piece band that has not had a major release just yet, but Bicycle Records in Olympia, WA, helped them put out this gem of a record. To me, this sound, self-defined by the band as electro-folk-hop, is 100% unique. The dynamic of this band is what makes it so special, the coming together of these two beautifully talented souls is magic. The incredible melodies are sweetened by the haunting vocals and inspired lyrics. I do not know where in the pantheon of radio these girls would fit in, however, this album is hypnotic.

Honestly, when the next quarterly review comes around, I will be surprised if this albums still sits on this list. I loved it when it first came out, but I think I loved it on principle. I had loved this local band, and their EP release "These Songs Wrote Themselves" so much, that I was already enamored with this record before I even really heard it. It does not live up to their demo, at all. It is still good, and if I had never heard that EP I would probably honestly love it.

*Tracks Not To Miss – “Town Full Of Mannequins” (although, the EP version of this song was slightly better); “Liars”; “The Body Song”; “The Train Song”; “Magic Vs. The Machine”

*Tracks That Miss – “We Are The Future”

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Just Missed the Cut.

Nick & Norah Infinite Playlist; “Alopecia” – Why?; “Where the Light Is” John Mayer

Cryptic List 2

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...continued be to

Don't let them see you cry. When the dam breaks down and the city is covered in water. Cause I believe we fly. When the moon takes shape and I dose off, on your shoulders./ We get distracted by dreams of our own. But nobody's happy while feeling alone. And knowing how hard it hurts when we fall. We lean another ladder against the wrong wall/ The little cracks they escalated. And before we knew it was too late. For making circles and telling lies./ I don't know if you notice anything missing. Like the leaves on the trees or my clothes all over the floor. And I don't know if you even notice at all. 'Cause I was real quiet when I closed the door./ I know what you're doing, I see it all too clear. I only taste the saline when I kiss away your tears./ We tried to make it work, you in a cocktail skirt. And me in a suit, and it just wasn't me./ You say love is a hell you cannot bare. And I say gimme mine back and then go there - for all I care./ I feel must interject here you're getting carried away feeling sorry for yourself. With these revisions and gaps in history, So let me help you remember. I've made charts and graphs that should finally make it clear. I've prepared a lecture on why i have to leave./ This is becoming a problem I’m hurting it’s unfair. But somehow your words, The way that I heard are haunting me, You’re under my skin. You’re breaking in, And the tasteless fights that filled our nights are starting to cave in, You’re under my skin./ Plunge your hand, rip out my spine. Replace it with a UV light. So I can be the beacon of hope that you'd always expected/ I liked the way my hand looked On your head. In the presence of my knuckles. But the beauty of this vision alone. Just like yesterdays sunset, Has been perverted by the sentimental, And mistaken for love./ I live here on my knees as I try to make you see that you're everything I think I need here on the ground. But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go. The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down.

My US Travels

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Haven't done a blog in a while because I've been traveling, so with that in mind I decided to make a list of the US states that I've visited. I didn't include any states that I've just flown into and stayed at the airport. Here's to my quest to see America...

States I've been to in no particular order...

1. Washington
2. Oregon
3. California
4. Idaho
5. Montana
6. Nevada
7. North Dakota
8. Wisconisn
9. Minnesota
10. Illinois
11. Indiana
12. Michigan
13. North Carolina
14. Virginia
15. District of Columbia *I had to put this one on there even though it's not technically a state
16. Maryland
17. Delaware
18. Pennsylvania
19. New Jersey
20. Conneticut
21. Massachusetts
22. New Hampshire
23. Vermont
24. New York
Now States I'd like to see: Louisiana, Rhode Island, Maine, and Texas (okay, just Austin)

Bakers Dozen: Edible Music

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So, as one or two of you may know, I recently made a list of my favorite bands with numbers in their names. It was a fun and difficult challenge, considering there is no database that stores this info, just my memory and 5th grade research abilities. Well, considering how much fun that list was for me to put together, I am going to do something along the same lines.

All of these bands are edible, and a part of one of the major food groups. I will rank them in my personal preference. I hope you mildly enjoy.

Oh, rules... yeah.... it has to be a food that I am willing to eat, so, Buffalo Springfield, um, Eels and etc are excluded from these rankings, mostly becuase I am afraid to eat Eel and I have never tried Springfield.


1. Damien Rice (Yes, I am aware, that this is his real name, but it counts, and you try and think of some I missed. Also, one of my favorite artists.)




















Where did Damien Rice get his name?

His mum, duh.

2. The Smashing Pumpkins
















Where did "The Smashing Pumpkins" get their name? According to D'arcy Wretzky, bass player, as interviewed by The Washington Post(11/19/93).

"The name of the band is a stupid name, a dumb bad joke and a bad idea, OK?" she says. "Billy named the band before there even was a band. He was like, 'I'm gonna have a band and it's gonna be called this.' 'Smashing' is not a verb, it's an adjective. It's not like we like to smash pumpkins or anything. And we are not amused by pumpkin jokes anymore."

3. Pearl Jam






















Where did "Pearl Jam" get their name?

According to Eddie Vedder, the long winded Eddie Vedder....

"I remember throwing words and meanings around for band names,..... I was writing songs daily and they seemed more important than the name of the band,.... I didn't grasp at the time how representative it may become,....not to mention we were just making a little record that few people would ever hear,...... so the words came, 2,... one of which was Pearl. The name of my great grandmother,..... married to a contortionist...... He used to fit himself into a suitcase.... One in a long line of peculiar individuals. Pearl is also a surfing term when you go headfirst and eat it on the face of a wave.... Janis Joplin's greatest record was called Pearl,..... And of course, Earl the Pearl Monroe who shared the court with Phil Jackson, I believe,.... (I often tell people that it was Phil's initials that led us to our name..... ) I thought that was much better than the rumor that Pearl Jam was some sort of slang for "ejaculated liquid"..... harsh,.....No,..... I feel that the best justification for the name is in reference to the pearl itself,... and the natural process from which a pearl comes from,...... Basically, taking excrement or waste and turning it into something beautiful,...... This is how our band began,..... taking emotions that we wrestled with personally and letting them evolve into songs,..... In this way the songs became vehicles in which to deal with it all,..... Add the volume of loud instruments, amplified vocals,..... moving chord changes,.... And it wasn't just shit anymore,.... It was kind of beautiful,.... powerful,,...... UNCULTURED! As Johnny Rotten would say later, Anger is an Energy...... And Shit can be Beautiful. the proof is in the pearl."

4. Eminem (I realize this should not count. But I think in 20 years, he will be looked back on as we do KRS-One and Sugarhill Gang, so I had to get him on some list.)













Where did "Eminem" get his name?

It is the rap name he started using at age 14. It is the combination of his first and last initials.

5. Fiona Apple
















Where did Fiona Apple get her name?

She was born Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart, but understandably and thankfully, she dropped the second half of her name.

On a personal note, I was never the biggest fan of Fiona, outside of a few great tracks (one of which will be featured in my favorite cover songs list soon), that is, until I saw her live. She opened for Coldplay and stole the show. Amazing performer.

6. Red Hot Chili Peppers





















Where did "Red Hot Chili Peppers" get their name?

According to the always on point and reliable Wiki

The band was originally known as "Antoine the Swan and the Mystical Masters of Mayhem." But they only envisioned playing one show together, due to other commitments. However, due to the response from the audience and the high demand for booking new gigs, the band changed their name to "Red Hot Chili Peppers" to describe how they felt at the moment.

7. CAKE





















Where did "CAKE" get their name?

The band claims it is simply named after a delicious pastry treat. I don't believe them.

8. The Cranberries





















Where did "The Cranberries" get their name?

The band was originally named "The Cranberry Saw Us." But after some failures, the band placed an ad to attract a new lead singer. Dolores O'Riordan responded to the advertisement and auditioned by writing lyrics and melodies to some existing demos. When she returned with a rough version of "Linger", the group hired her on the spot. After they hired O'Riordan they recorded their home-made demo tape. They made 300 copies. After the original run of 300 copies sold out, the group changed their name to "The Cranberries" and sent another demo tape, which featured early versions of both "Linger" and "Dreams," to record companies throughout the UK. Changing their name gave the a fresh start in the eyes of the same record companies that passed on them in the past.

9. Cream



















How did "Cream" get their name?

The band was named "Cream", as Clapton, Bruce, and Baker were already considered the "cream of the crop" amongst blues and jazz musicians in the exploding British music scene. Before deciding upon "Cream", the band considered calling themselves "Sweet 'n' Sour Rock 'n' Roll".

10. Blind Melon (Look for this band to grace my "Eulogy/dead-to-soon" list, coming rapidly





















How did "Blind Melon" get their name?

"Blind Melons" is the name Brad's (Brad Smith – bass, flute, backing vocals) father used to refer to his not-so-likely-to-succeed neighbors. The legend has it that one day Brad asked "What’s happening, blind melons?" and the name stuck.

11. Meatloaf





















How did "Meatloaf" get his name?

He often makes up a different answer, but the story most people consider to be true, is that while in high school, he stepped on his football coaches foot, and instead of swearing, the coach yelled "Meatloaf!" And it stuck. This one I did not even have to look up, I just knew it. That kinda makes me feel lame.

12. Black Eyed Peas















How did "Black Eyed Peas" get their name?

After several names, the group named themselves 'Black Eyed Pods' after the death of their lable owner (Ruthless Records) Eazy-E due to AIDS associated illness. The group eventually changed their name to 'Black Eyed Peas' for the reason that will.i.am considered their group as the food for the soul – as explained on the front cover of their Monkey Business album.

13. Mudhoney





















How did "Mudhoney" get their name?

The band took this name from the 1965 Russ Meyer film of the same name. I have not seen and it just pulled this fact from the bands website. Yeah, like I said, 5th grade research skills.



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Also considered, in whim order.
Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Bread, Tonic, Humble Pie, Bannaramma, Meat Puppets, Vanilla Ice, Salt-n-Pepa, Phish, Vanilla Fudge, Veruca Salt, Strawberry Alarmclock.

Comments?

My life in films.

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This undertaking was daunting from the start. It is the primary reason I have been unable to post a new list lately. This project, and yes, it was a hell of a project, consumed me.

This is my life in movies.

Ok, so I have tried to write some eloquent introduction for this list, maybe something profound and interesting, but this is a hard list to make symbolic. This was just a challenge I gave myself, I wanted to find the 5 best movies for every year that I have been alive. Some of the years, it was hard to find more then two, and some, it was very hard to limit it to five. I was amazed how wonderful 1994 and 1999 were in the lexicon of film.

I have the films ranked within each year.

Films marked with italics are featured on my *Bakers Dozen* Best All Time Movies. (plus 7 others) either by being ranked or honorable mentioned.

1981

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Stripes
3. The Evil Dead
4. Arthur
5. Chariots of Fire

1982

1. E.T.
2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
3. Poltergeist
4. Annie
5. The Toy

1983

1. Gandhi
2. Wargames
3. The Big Chill
4. Trading Places
5. Risky Business
6. A Christmas Story

1984

1. Ghostbusters
2. Gremlins
3. The Killing Fields
4. This is Spinal Tap
5. The Killing Fields

1985

1. The Breakfast Club
2. Saint Elmos Fire
3. The Goonies
4. Back To the Future
5. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

1986

1. Stand By Me
2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
3. Hoosiers
4. Lucas
5. Top Gun
6. Platoon

1987

1. The Princess Bride
2. Good Morning, Vietnam
3. Radio Days
4. Full Metal Jacket
5. Lethal Weapon

1988

1. Heathers
2. Rain Man
3. Die Hard
4. Mississippi Burning
5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
6. A Fish Called Wanda

1989

1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Say Anything
3. Field of Dreams
4. Glory
5. Little Monsters

1990

1. I Love you to Death
2. Pump Up the Volume
3. Dances With Wolves
4. Ghost
5. Joe Vs. The Volcano

1991

1. JFK
2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
3. The Man in the Moon
4. Boyz N the Hood
5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
6. What About Bob?

1992

1. Newsies
2. Aladdin
3. A League Of Their Own
4. Reservoir Dogs
5. My Cousin Vinny
6. A River Runs Through It

1993

1. Schindler's List
2. The Piano
3. The Fugitive
4. Sleepless In Seattle
5. Sister Act 2

1994

1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. Leon (The Professional)
3. Forrest Gump
4. The Usual Suspects
5. Hoop Dreams
6. Interview With A Vampire
7. Clerks
8. Speed

1995

1. Hackers
2. Empire Records
3. Braveheart
4. Kids
5. Apollo 13
6. Dead Man Walking

1996

1. Romeo + Juliet
2. Swingers
3. Trainspotting
4. Shine
5. Jerry Maguire

1997

1. Good Will Hunting
2. Titanic
3. As Good As It Gets
4. The Ice Storm
5. Surburbia

1998

1. SLC Punk
2. American History X
3. The Truman Show
4. Saving Private Ryan
5. Shakespeare in Love
6. Rushmore

1999

1. The Boondock Saints
2. American Beauty
3. Virgin Suicides
4. Fight Club
5. 10 Things I Hate About You
6. The Matrix
7. Election
8. Being John Malkovich
9. Three Kings
10. The Green Mile
11. The Sixth Sense
12. The Talented Mr. Ripley
13. The Cider House Rules
14. Girl, Interrupted
15. Man on the Moon
16. The Blair Witch Project

2000

1. Almost Famous
2. Requiem for a Dream
3. Wonder Boys
4. High Fidelity
5. Memento
6. Gladiator

2001

1. Life as a House
2. Fellowship of the Ring
3. A Beautiful Mind
4. I Am Sam
5. Moulin Rouge

2002

1. The Pianist
2. The Dangerous Lives Of Alter Boys
3. The Two Towers
4. Gangs of New York
5. The Good Girl

2003

1. Big Fish
2. The Return of the King
3. Finding Nemo
4. Mystic River
5. Pieces of April

2004

1. Garden State
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Million Dollar Baby
4. Closer
5. Ray
6. The Incredibles
   

2005

1. Hustle & Flow
2. Murderball
3. Crash
4. Me and You and Everyone We Know
5. Junebug
   

2006

1. Children Of Men
2. Flags of our Fathers
3. Bobby
   
4. Little Miss Sunshine
5. Half Nelson
6. Stranger Than Fiction
   

2007

1. Once
2. Across the Universe
3. Into The Wild
4. Juno
5. No Country For Old Men
   

2008

1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
3. The Dark Knight
4. Milk
5. Wall E

Worst Valentines Day Gifts

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By request... The Worst Valentines Day Gifts to Give your Honey (so do it, because I'll at least be entertained by it)
10. Flannel Pajamas. Nothing says sexy time like flannel!
9. A t-shirt with your face on it that says I Love You Snuggle Butt.
8. An expired fruit basket. That has a note from grandma.
7. A box of chocolates... with all the good ones already eaten.
6. A baby kitten... wrapped in a box... that you forgot about for a week (thank you Kyle)
5. A gym membership
4. The Ultimate Andrew Dice Clay Collection on Laser Disk
3. Food poisoning
2. An STD
1. Divorce Papers

Cryptic List

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This is a letter/list. Each line is written for the you, but via a single lyric from a different song. So, I did not write this, I collected it to fit my needs.

It is not so much a list, but I have no where else to hang it, and the fridgedoor is already cluttered.


Maybe I shouldn't have called, but someone had to be the first to break./When I’ve thrown off the weight of this crazy stone. When I've lost all care for the things I own. That's when I miss you, that's when I miss you, that's when I miss you./ What I give to you is just what I'm going through. This is nothing new, no, no just another phase of finding what I really need is what makes me bleed./The trick of love is to never let it find you. It's easy to get over missing out./I kept falling over. I kept looking backward. I went broke believing. That the simple should be hard./I guess I'm looking for the right way to do this. I guess I'm looking for the right things to call pretty./ I'm quiet you know. You make a first impression. I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind./With your breathing, filling up my lungs. I can almost believe that I'm almost enough. Spent all of my life emptied of anthems. And bracing for something that never did come./ So I run fast I can. Die tomorrow half a man. Finish the story she said to me. I can't sit here and watch you bleed./ You pulled me under, If I had to give in. Such a beautiful myth, That's breaking my skin. Well I'll hide all the bruises, I'll hide all the damage that's done. But I show how I'm feeling until all the feeling has gone./Oh, I've found, that I'm bound. To wander down that one way road. And I realize all about your lies. But I'm no wiser than the fool I was before./Wordlessly watching he waits by the window and wonders at the empty place inside.


To be continued....

Bakers Dozen: Best DVD Commentaries

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Yes, I am. I am that asshole that watches and enjoys the commentaries that are often ignored by most viewers.

Here is the list of my favorites. To make it a bit easier for me, I have only pulled from my own personal collection of movies, which currently stands at 208 selections.

So, here goes. (I am only going to comment on my top five. I mean, commentaries are commentaries)

**Edit** I forgot to include Accepted on this list. I am sorry. I am dumb. I bumped Dodgeball off the list to make up for this obvious lapse of judgment.

1. Once
















This may be due to the fact that it is my all time favorite movie, but this is truly an excellent DVD with two seperate commentaries. One with with actors and director talking about making the film and second one that just focuses on the music itself. It is very insightful.

2. Made
















One of the funniest movies and commentaries you can find, and a 100% original one at that. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau not only speak about every possible aspect of making the film, but they also do something they call "Action Commentary" in which they actually draw, Madden-style, on the screen to point out details otherwised missed. This concept hits its peak when, without speaking, they tally all the F-bombs in one scene across the whole screen. I tried to find a clip of this so you can see what I am talking about, but to no avail.

3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
















Easily my favorite movie of last year. The DVD does not let down either. Gathering the whole cast (excluding Kristen Bell, who cannot get her cellphone to connect properly, which is in itself very funny), this commentary does not give you much insight, but will make you pee yourself.

4. Garden State
















Great commentaries x2. First you get the Zach and Nat combo that is just undeniably enjoyable to listen too, and is personally my favorite. Second you can also listen too the behind the scene commentary by writer-director-actor Zach Braff, director of photography Lawrence Sher, editor Myron Kerstein, and production designer Judy Becker. Both are very, very insightful for different reasons.

5. Two Weeks Notice
















This should be seen as a testament that I really will listen and watch almost any commentary. But, I hope you are not shocked by this selection. Put Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock in a room together and record. Not often are they actually talking about the film, but not often are you not laughing. So much fun.

6. The Boondock Saints
















Off topic. Sequel scheduled for release next year.

7. The Notebook
















Ok, so I know I said I would only talk about my top five, but I want to point something out. Generally, the commentaries I enjoy the most are those that feature the actors, talking about their experiences, not so much the movie. However, this is the best example of the antonym of that. This commentary only features the director, alone. And it could not be more riveting or insightful.

8. Accepted
















9. Wedding Crashers
















10. Say Anything
















11. Murderball
















12. Holes

















All the kids get together and bash on eachother, lots of fun.

13a. Step Up
















13b. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

















Also considered ------ Dodgeball - Casablanca - Fame