Nancy’s Top Ten Albums of the 00’s

I’d have to say this is probably the most anticipated post of the year. So unlike Sean, I won’t distract you, I’ll just let you see the list the will cause most people to say, “Oh yeah, that’s cool.”

Honorable Mention:
American Idiot by Green Day (2004)
The Execution of All Things by Rilo Kiley (2002)
The Crane Wife by The Decemberists (2006)
Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs (2007)

10. Everthing Goes Numb (2003) by Street Light Manifesto
I had this dream back when I was trying to go to school in Portland, that I would get down there, meet a bunch of sweet musicians, and start an awesome ska band. This is what I wanted to sound like. I saw these guys live and it was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. They play like 3 times as fast as the actual album and play so tight and together which is incredible for how many musicians are in the band. And when you have sweet musical theory song names like “Point / Counterpoint” that remind you of your evil Russian theory teacher, what’s not to like?

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9. Here, Not there. (2008) by Heathers
This album is kind of embarrassing to really get into once you realize that you are listening to high girls whine about there lame high school problems. But all of that lameness is canceled out by the fact that these chicks can really sing. They are all over the place with these incredible harmonies and when you take their age into account, I just find it really impressing. I can only dream of being that talented.

8. X&Y (2005) by Coldplay
All I have to say about this album is that “Fix You” is like the greatest song ever. EVER.

7. Give Up (2003) by The Postal Service
This is just one of those albums that I could listen to no matter what my mood is. If I don’t know what to listen too, I just play this. I was never really that impressed by the concept, just by the great songs. This is really Ben Gibbard’s finest hour lyrically and melodically. If you like Deathcab and have never listened to this, well, go talk to David Bowie.

6. The Con (2007) by Tegan & Sara
Departing from there more poppy sound, the BC twins took much more somber tone and teamed up with one of my favorite producers, Deathcab guitarist Chris Walla*. There was a point when this album came out where this was basically the only thing I was listening too. Over and over and over. My Shnoo co-workers were not happy. But they should have been, because its awesome. My only complaint is that it is really short, and when that is your only complaint you are in pretty good shape.

5. Monsters of Folk (2009) by Monsters of Folk
This is also an album that I could not put down when I first got it. Usually long albums are a turnoff for me, but I’ve never heard one that was this good all the way through. Besides the first song, I’m basically hooked. I love the fact that instead of a super group where its basically four guys’ left over solo stuff jammed into an album, there is a real sense of comradery. Every song has tons of backup vocals and sharing lead vocals. I can’t really tell which song is written by who except for a few. It really is a unique musical experience.

4. Sun, Sun, Sun (2006) by The Elected
This is another time period album for me. Basically Joey “the Rat” Epstein’s solo project, I was skeptical at first because I had never particularly liked the songs he sings for Rilo Kiley. But once again I listened to the shit out of it because that’s what I do. To this day it takes me right back to Kamola 368, trying to fall asleep whilst my roommate and that beezy get it on.

3. Challengers (2008) by The New Pornorgraphers
After a somewhat disappointing album in “Twin Cinemas” I knew good ol’ Carl Newman wouldn’t let me down. Starting out with a great melody in “My Rights Versus Yours” and taking it to the Max Steel with “Adventures In Solitude” this album is truly a triumph and I am so glad I got to see them live. Thanks Colin.

2. More Adventurous (2004) by Rilo Kiley
Besides Bright Eyes, these guys are probably my other favorite band. Jenny Lewis has the most pure singing voice in the world. Everything she sings is just effortless and the song writing is nothing short of spectacular here. I really wish she would stop fucking around with trying to reinvent her solo career and her band, because this shit is where it’s at. Give me more of this.

1. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005) by Bright Eyes
The sweet electronicish counterpart to I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning, this is what got me hooked on Bright Eyes. Even though I still love all their early whiny emo stuff, this is definitely where Connor Oberst hit his stride. These two albums really show how great of a song writer Oberst is and how diverse he can be. I don’t know how many times I can recommend this album. Get your shit together and listen to it. DO IT NOW!

No one put MOF on your list? Man, F**K you guys.

*Chris Walla’s solo album is so bad. Just thought I’d let you know. SOO BAD.

Sean’s Top Ten Albums of the ’00s

I know, you just wanna see my list right? In fact, you’re just gonna go scan over it, right? Did you do that already? OK, now let’s talk about me. I grew a lot musically in this decade. I went from liking like disco music and shit like that to enjoying alternative rock that is so indie my friends give me a hard time for it. It’s a shame I never really got into a musical instrument and plugged into the modern music scene early on, as I missed out on the gems that everyone gathers around, like Is This It, and was late to the party with other groups like The White Stripes. So since I can’t really do a list of the albums that meant the most to me at the time, because that list would pretty much just be from 2007-2009, I instead decided to list the ten albums of the decade that I listen to the most now.

Honorable Mentions

All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) by U2
Dear Science (2008) by TV on the Radio
Vampire Weekend (2008) by Vampire Weekend
Hold on Now, Youngster… (2008) by Los Campesinos!
Black Holes and Revelations (2006) by Muse
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) by the Flaming Lips

10. Stadium Arcadium (2006) by Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’ve really liked what RHCP have been doing post-Californication, and Stadium Arcadium is them at their most triumphant. A double album is a dangerous thing, and generally I find that they are overly long and get boring. Somehow, the Chili Peppers were able to make this whole damn thing engaging, which is an incredible accomplishment. Not only could I not pick a favorite song off this album, I couldn’t easily pick a top five. It’s really that good. Yes, you could argue that they haven’t really done anything that different since Californication, but when I like it so much, I’ll do more than allow it, I’ll encourage it.

9. Because of the Times (2007) by Kings of Leon
Pretty much all of my honorable mentions could have taken this spot. Which is weird, because this is number nine, not ten, but that’s how my mind works. Stadium Arcadium is really good, definitely among my top ten albums of the decade, but this and the honorable mentions have been more important to me at different points in time. I even wrote a whole thing for All That You Can’t Leave Behind before I finally made up my mind. No, I don’t like “Charmer.” But this album is all kinds of good. Like, if I was driving somewhere, and I stopped at a light, and there was someone next to me with their windows down and Because of the Times blasting, I’d be like, “I like the music you listen to.” But they wouldn’t hear me, because the music is too loud.

8. Good News for People Who Loves Bad News (2004) by Modest Mouse
Gotta give love to Washingtonian bands. I’ve got some vivid memories of this album, from the time I accidentally started listening to it with my iPod turned all the way up in math class to some other time that I should remember. Now, some people are going to tell you that The Moon & Antarctica is the great Modest Mouse album of the decade. Those people are wrong. Sure, “3rd Planet” and “Gravity Rides Everything” are great. No, the band did not sell out. Good News for People Who Love Bad News is just really good, from beginning to end. And We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is good too, damnit.

7. Our Ill Wills (2007) by Shout Out Louds
It is rare that an album captures me as much as the sophomoric release from Shout Out Louds. Which is why I was bummed out when my friends didn’t really respond to it at all. I guess this really was the start of me going off in my own direction musically. But Our Ill Wills isn’t on this list because of some strange guilt or because it was a turning point, it’s here because I love it. The strange, dark lyrics coupled with some cheery instrumentation make for one of the most engrossing albums I’ve ever heard. When I coupled this with that great album from Peter, Bjorn and John, I was pretty excited about the Swedish music scene. Then PBJ turned up the suck and Shout Out Louds still haven’t released a followup album yet. But unlike PBJ, I’m sure Shout Out Louds will not disappoint.

6. Sea Change (2002) by Beck
Beck was one of the great rising stars of the 1990s, with immortal classics like Mellow Gold and Odelay. When his long-time girlfriend left him, he was hurt. This brought about a massive transformation, a sea change, in the kind of music he was creating. The resulting album was less absurd and sample- and rap-heavy, less ironic and funny, and a lot more personal. It’s beautiful. There’s no album better suited for when you’re feeling a little down, but it’s appeal is greater than that too. I could have gone with the albums that Beck released after this one, since I like them a lot, but Sea Change is undeniably the most important record Beck put out in the decade.

5. Z (2005) by My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is a really good band with countless great songs and several of my favorite albums. So I hope you won’t take it lightly when I say Z is thus far their greatest achievement. From the astounding beauty of “Wordless Chorus” to rocking “Off the Record,” Z shows how a great rock band becomes an important one. As they say, “we are the innovators, they are the imitators.” Colin says that My Morning Jacket is like the American Radiohead, and you can definitely hear that in this album. It’s like Radiohead went down south, put on a few pounds and pumped up the rock to new heights.

4. Funeral (2004) by Arcade Fire
I’ve talked about the white appeal of this album already, so there’s not much left to say. Ever since Where the Wild Things Are, “Wake Up” has gained even more power, because I can’t not think of that film when the song comes up. Frankly, if you ever meet a white person who says they don’t like this album, they are lying. Either they haven’t heard it yet or they are trying to impress someone. David freaking Bowie likes these guys, I’ve even watched a YouTube video where they play some songs together. Are you telling me David Bowie is wrong? I ought to punch you in the throat.

3. Takk… (2005) by Sigur Rós
Ágaetis Byrjun probably should have been on my 1990s list, I honestly don’t know why I didn’t have it there. There’s something so magical about this band, and especially that album, that really resonates within me. That album and Takk… have always been fighting for the position of my favorite from the band, and I honestly still can’t decide. Takk… maintains the bands trademark resonating sound, while introducing new elements that feel both organic and mechanical, resulting in a lush sound that just blows my mind. As I’ve always said, the Icelandic vocals just make it seem even more magical. Truly profoundly good music, unlike anything else I’ve ever heard.

2. A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) by Coldplay
I’m always writing about Coldplay because I really like them. Yes, they are popular. Yes, it probably isn’t the most manly thing in the world to like Coldplay. I don’t care. Each album they’ve released is really good. With A Rush of Blood to the Head they went from Radiohead-esque in a more U2 direction. That’s a pretty sweet equation if you ask me. The fact that I probably know the lyrics to this whole album is pretty telling too, since I usually don’t really pay much attention to lyrics. Oh, and here’s a funny fact: I got this CD from my mom. She had bought it already, I’m not sure if she liked it, but I found it one day and brought it down to my computer. The rest is history.

1. In Rainbows (2007) by Radiohead
Everyone likes talking about their favorite modern bands, and I can’t think of anybody that’s more reliable than these rockers from England. After rewriting what an alternative rock album can be with Kid A, kinda doing the same thing again with Amnesiac, and then reestablishing their ability to rock with Hail to the Thief, Radiohead capped off their decade by rethinking the digital distribution of music. In Rainbows is everything that I like about Radiohead, there’s honestly not a weak track here. I could have easily gone with Kid A or Hail to the Thief, but In Rainbows is straight up my go-to album. Whenever I’m writing a paper, bored, whatever, it is In Rainbows where I find solace. In fact, I’m listening to it right now.

John’s Top Ten Albums of the 00s

This is some serious shit right here. “Favorite Albums of the Decade?” tough stuff but I think I got it down. So much sweet tuneage, I even wrote an additional review until I realized I had eleven (Louis XIV was originally on my list). Anyhow let’s go forth and gain a little insight into the musical likings of a man named John.

Honorable Mention
The Best Little Secrets Are Kept by Louis XIV
Broken Boy Soldiers by The Raconteurs
Fever to Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
X&Y by Coldplay
Sam’s Town by The Killers

10. Jet – Get Born (2003)
A fan from the first single, nothing rocked quite like Get Born upon it’s debut. Definitely an influence on my music, Jet brought back classic rock fundamentals on this raw and bluesy debut. Nic Cester’s scratchy howls give it a real punch and the songs, although strangely familiar are all pretty solid. I mean The Defenestrators covered two of their songs, that’s gotta count for something.

9. Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand (2004)
What a great debut from this swinging Glasgow quartet complete with the instant modern rock staple “Take Me Out”. I’m all about every single track, from their catchy riffs to discoesque bass lines and drum beats. There’s a great dynamic between front-man Alex Kapranos and guitarist Nick McCarthy, playing off each other and singing together, makes a hell of a live show (just watch out for charging fat guys) This is one of those acts that will probably never live up to their debut but boy, what a debut.

8. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (2008)
Gotta dig this hip preppy quartet which was probably my most listened to album of 2008. Inventive “look how smart I am” lyrics with some great rhythms behind em’ and simplistic yet entertaining arrangements. It’s the perfect album to pump up while strolling around a college campus. I have not a single complaint here and am thrilled to see what these guys will dish out next time round.

7. Radiohead – Hail to the Thief (2003)
Ah my first taste of Radiohead is still the sweetest. Being initially sucked in by the haunting and eerily beautiful single”There, There” my favorite all-time Radiohead song, Hail to the Thief is a dark yet moving piece from some of the most inventive guys in music. Thom Yorke’s soaring tenor and falsetto is as usual a highlight but the production and instrumentation are just out of this world. It’s an album that still gives me the chills every-time I listen to it.

6. The Vines – Winning Days (2004)
Even after seeing The Vines suck balls live in concert in 2004 I was still intrigued to check out one of their albums and I’m glad I did. Winning Days is by no means considered a notable album or was even that well received of an album but somehow I was totally absorbed by it. Going back in forth between crunchy grunge rockers like “Ride” and British Invasion style pop music seen on the title track, Winning Days is one of the most exciting and best produced albums I can recall hearing in this decade. Front-man/head songwriter Craig Nicholls although insane, truly is gifted in the studio. He’s a great singer (when he wants to be) and his songs were never better than on this trippy pop rock record. The Vines are definitely not for everyone and they’ve only gone downhill since this album but I’ll always hold this dear to my heart, after all it inspired me to write The Defenestrators classic “Wish I Were Flying.” Well that and The Monkees.

5. The Killers – Day & Age (2008)
Somehow The Killers have become my favorite band of this decade but I’m not ashamed to announce that as all three of their albums especially Day & Age have really been top notch entries into the modern rock. Synthy goodness with U2 inspired guitars and My Name is Earl on drums…. How can you lose? I’m just amazed by how many tracks on Day & Age feel like they could be singles. They got it down in the song-writing department and really excel from a production standpoint. Day & Age almost sounds like a greatest hits album and I don’t know what else to say but “I am Dancer.”

4. Kaiser Chiefs – Employment (2005)
This energetic debut from these english rockers is just too much fun. With songs powered by shouting sing-along chorus complete with hella “ohhhs!” and “La la la la la” backup vocals, The Kaiser Chiefs keep the spirit of Brit Pop alive while proudly wearing one of their greatest influences The Jam on their sleeve. But the Chiefs really kick it up a notch with some poppy numbers perfectly suited for shouting out during any sporting event, which isn’t that surprising as the group took their name from a South African soccer team.

3. Oasis – Don’t Believe the Truth (2005)
The album that made me the huge Oasis fan I am today, “Don’t Believe the Truth” was in my opinion this Brit Pop groups true comeback creatively. New members Gem Archer (Guitar) and Andy Bell (Bass) prove to be perfect editions to the band, being the first members aside from Liam or Noel to write songs, pretty damn good songs at that. Not to mention Noel and Liam are at the top of their game bringing on their trademark rock swagger in some excellent stadium rockers. Add in excellent drummer Zak Starkey (You know Ringo’s son) and you have one of Oasis’ best albums period. Seeing these guys perform this live at the Everett Events Center in 2005 was the concert going experience of my life, I was in the third freakin’ row too. It’s a damn shame that creative force Noel Gallagher quit the band this year but I have a feeling the Gallagher brothers will reunite someday.

2. The Strokes – Is This It? (2001)
The Strokes are one of those bands that just blew me away the first time I heard them. They just seemed so unique to me when I became a fan in about 2003. For some reason I just couldn’t get enough of this New York Quintet’s slick debut. Great guitar riffs and progressions all tied together with Julian Casablancas’ crooner like vocals. I even remember talking to Colin and Nancy over AIM when we all first heard it as we all listened to it at the same time… Something like that I don’t know it was awesome, good times.

1. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
: It seemed like a breeze picking a favorite album for my “Best of the 90s” list but picking a favorite album of the decade your still in? It’s hard to say how time will treat certain albums but eventually I decided that my top spot would go to whatever album has most greatly affected my life and that would easily be Spoon’s triumph Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Buying this album was the first thing I did after I got my drivers license, I pumped it up after getting my first and current job and it’s only left my car a total of three times. I’m not sure why I have so much affection for this album but I’ll try to explain.

I was never a Spoon fan before (I’d never really even heard them) but their minimalist style somehow really spoke to me. Instantly I fell in love with Britt Daniels’ vocals and along with Jim James he’s probably my favorite vocalist currently in rock music. The compositions and arrangements are simple but so damn catchy and it all flows together perfectly. It’s probably the best album this band will ever make and has more or less become the soundtrack to my life, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it, hell I’m gonna listen to it right now.

Colin’s Top Ten Albums of the 00’s

Here we go. We’ve finally decided to start our top ten albums of the decade lists, as well as top albums of ’09 as this crazy mixed up decade comes to an end. I’m not sure quite how this is all gonna work out, but I figured we should get through all of these lists without dragging it out too much. I think all of the members of Da Morgue are ready to post their favorites albums of the “aughts”, even Nancy, so this should be an exciting week.

Honorable Mentions:

All That You Can’t Leave Behind by U2 (2000)

Love And Theft by Bob Dylan (2001)

A Rush Of Blood To The Head by Coldplay (2002)

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens (2005)

It’s Never Been Like That by Phoenix (2006)

In Rainbows by Radiohead (2007)

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium (2006)

With this album RHCP somehow pulled off the feat of creating two hours of consistently impressive tunes. Sure, the Chili Peppers didn’t really break any new ground with Stadium Arcadium, but they made an album that was able to bring out all of the things this band does best, the funkiness, the in-your-face rockin’, and the beautiful guitar work from musical powerhouse John Frusciante. It’s too bad that Frusciante recently quit the band, it’s seems the Chili Peppers have only been able to reach their full potential with him involved.

9. My Morning Jacket – Z (2005)

This was pretty much the album that made My Morning Jacket one of my favorite bands. They were already a pretty cool little Southern Rock jam band at this point, but this album showed them taking their music to the moon and back. Evil Urges was a great follow-up but I think I like this one a little better just because it rocks a little more, and I like John Leckie’s spacey production. But either way, with this album these guys earned that line in “Wordless Chorus” that goes like “we are the innovators/they are the imitators”.

8. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (2008)

This album didn’t place all that high on my best albums of 2008 list, but since the year ended I’ve continued listening to this album way more than anything else to come out last year. Some people can’t help but hate on them for flaunting their upper-class preppy background by singing about things like oxford commas and Louis Vuitton, but I don’t think anyone can deny how incredibly well crafted these songs are. And these great pop songs combined with the whole afropop influence have made them quite unlike anything happening in indie rock in the latter half of the decade.

7. The Hold Steady – Boys And Girls In America (2006)

I think these guys are just amazing, I mean how many other recent bands can say they put out 4 outstanding albums in just 5 years? Really any of them could of made this list but I think this is where their sound really came together. Craig Finn already showed that he was one of the most unique lyricists in modern rock with The Hold Steady’s first two albums, but with this album there’s plenty of big sing-along choruses and the rest of the band sounds like a real well-oiled machine instead of just a vehicle for Finn’s tales of wasted youth, crazy parties, and Midwest geography. There’ve been plenty of bands throughout this decade that have tried to revive classic rock, but in my opinion this is the only band that managed to pull it off while still managing to sound like true originals.

6. Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)

When I first heard this album it really struck me in a weird way because when it came out emo was at the height of it’s popularity, and this was an album that was full of emotion that actually felt sincere. So much so that Sean can’t listen to the song “Wake Up” without getting a little choked up. Another thing that amazed me and still amazes me about this album is how incredibly ambitious the production of this album is, it seems like every song just builds to these huge symphonic climaxes and it’s just incredible to me that a band could make such anthemic, fully-realized work on their debut, it’s got to be one of the most epic debut albums of all time. But I think that’s also kind of been a crutch for this band. When their second album came out I barely even gave it a chance, I guess I just couldn’t help but think “what’s the point? They’ll never even come close to Funeral.“

5. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

Why it took me until this year to finally get in to this album I’m not sure, I just know I spent way more time this year listening to it than anything else. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is truly an inspired blend of alternative, country, and experimental rock, and the songs are easily the best batch from Wilco’s now nearly fifteen years of existence. The album is probably best known for the fact that it was the first album to be independently released by a band over the internet, after the album was rejected by the band’s record label. It’s definitely sad to see how the record industry basically went to crap in this decade, but you can obviously see that the industry was pretty fucked up when a major label would refuse to release an album as brilliant as this one.

4. Brian Wilson – Smile (2004)

The release of Brian Wilson’s Smile, an album that Wilson started recording with The Beach Boys in 1966, is truly one of a kind. How many times does a genius of Wilson’s stature get a second chance to finally finish an unfinished masterpiece, and actually pull it off? This album could have turned out to be a huge disappointment, but Wilson and his backing band give these songs the care and attention they deserve, and it’s just hard not to get swept up with the whole sunny disposition of these songs. Yeah, it probably doesn’t quite have the effect it would of had if it had been completed as the follow-up to Pet Sounds in 1966, but it still stands as a great album regardless of what decade it was released in.

3. The White Stripes – Elephant (2003)

Meg and Jack White had already showed the world that all you really needed to make great raunchy rock n’ roll was a guitar and drums on White Blood Cells, but I think this is the album where The White Stripes really came alive. It’s just amazing what a huge sound Jack White was able to achieve on songs like “The Hardest Button To Button” and “The Air Beneath My Fingers”, but do it so sparingly. Plus you’ve also got plenty of acoustic songs like “You’ve Got Her In Your Pocket”, on which Jack White sounds downright charming, something he seems to have lost a bit over the years. It’s also hard not to mention the song “Seven Nation Army”, which has what I would say is probably the definitive guitar riff of the last decade or so.

2. Radiohead – Kid A (2000)

I really can’t think of anything original to say about this album that hasn’t already been said, so I’m not gonna try very hard. This album quite simply defines why Radiohead was, and still is the most creative, innovative, and important band of their generation. They had already taken alternative rock in to uncharted territory with OK Computer, but they somehow managed to take themselves even further with Kid A. There’s barely any guitars on this album, barely any real drums, it seems like Thom Yorke’s vocals were the only thing not created synthetically. But it’s the album’s venturing into electronic music that makes the album seem like something that truly defines this technology-driven decade that was the 00’s. In fact most people seem to be hailing this as the album of the decade and I have a hard time arguing with that, but….

1. The Strokes – Is This It (2001)

The Strokes were just so damn cool. They defined the swagger, frustration, and energy that seemed to be lacking in rock n’ roll at the turn of the century. They had such a simple, bare bones approach to all of their songs, but the songs were so catchy, so rockin’, and yet they seemed like they didn’t even care how good they were, they just were. The Strokes even managed to cause a “garage rock revival” movement that was supposed to save rock music, and even if things didn’t quite turn out that way, the influence of this album on alternative rock is hard to deny. And besides that this is quite simply the album of this decade that I found myself coming back to more than any other. So whether I truly believe this is the best album of the 00’s I can’t say for sure, but more than any other this was the album that got me through the decade.

Sean’s Top Tens of 2006

I didn’t forget! I just… you know, wanted to put it off until after Shocktober. And then I wasn’t going to do it while I was busy with classes. Anyway, this is the last of these, as I don’t want to revisit 2007 once again and what’s the point of doing 2008 again? So enjoy the final part of my monthly retrospectives and start getting ready to work on your top tens of the decade, you know I am.

Top 10 Films of 2006

10. Bubble
An interesting little experiment by Steven Soderbergh about a tiny community of and a terrible incident. It’s bleak and enigmatic and short and really good. Bubble will get you thinking, that’s for sure.

9. Pan’s Labyrinth
I totally get why this is a good movie and a lot of critics latched onto it. But it’s so dark and unexpectedly violent that I probably will not ever watch it again. Drop it in the “one time is enough” can, along with A.I.

8. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
OK, hear me out on this one. Yes, Babel was a powerful film, but it had its flaws. V for Vendetta was kind of interesting, but also kind of boring. The Queen is for old people. For Your Consideration kind of missed the mark, and then kind of was a little too on the mark. The Pursuit of Happyness was sweet, but a little manipulative. There, have I answered for all the potential movies that could have taken this spot? No, I did not see The Last King of Scotland, United 93, Volver, The Science of Sleep or that other movie you’re thinking about.

7. Stranger Than Fiction
I wish Will Ferell did more movies like this. He actually has to act, and he’s alright. So are his A-list co-stars. A fun little story with a nice soundtrack. John knows what I’m talking about.

6. Thank You for Smoking
It’s rare to see a film so intelligently written and funny. But I guess we should have expected that from the son of the director of Stripes and Ghost Busters. Then again, he’s also the son of the guy who directed Junior and My Super Ex-Girlfriend… Good going Jason. Liked Juno and am looking forward to Up in the Air too.

5. Letters from Iwo Jima
Never got around to seeing this film’s companion, Flags of Our Fathers, and I never really worried about that either. Eastwood is in top form with this unique look at the Japanese side of the bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theatre.

4. Half Nelson
You know, I don’t get why this movie is called “Half Nelson.” It’s all about dianetics, sure, and that is really explicitly drilled into the viewer. An inner-city inspiration teacher with a drug problem. How real, how yin and yang, how “grey.” Where does the wrestling come into the equation?

3. Brick
Ah yes, the grand high school film noir. JGL is great, as is the dialogue throughout the movie. This movie didn’t get around as much as it deserved, if you haven’t checked it out, please do so soon. You’ll enjoy it.

2. Children of Men
I’m predisposed to like most sci fi, but Children of Men is remarkably good no matter what genre you assign it to. On a pure cinematographic level, it’s quite a feast. Remember all the long shots? Those were so cool. I wish there was more Chiwetel Ejiofor.

1. The Departed
Of course this is my number one. Scorsese returns to crime drama and scores his belated best picture and director Oscars. That’s no accident, this is a damn fine movie. From the crazy tense scenes between DiCaprio and Damon to the hilarious ones with Wahlberg and Baldwin, this is just something that you can’t help but enjoy. And, yes, Jack Nicholson is terrific.

Top 10 Albums of 2006

10. Kasabian – Empire
Honestly I could have gone either way between this and Keane’s Under the Iron Sea, but I find Kasabian less embarrassing to listen to in public. I mean, you can’t really be blastin’ “A Bad Dream” with your windows down, know can you. But “Shoot the Runner”? You go boy.

9. TV on the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
Not as refined as the masterpiece Dear Science, TV on the Radio are nonetheless in tip top shape for these delightful 11 tracks. “Wolf Like Me” is seriously one of my favorite songs ever.

8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones
It turns out I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I knew I liked “Maps,” but this I’ve been on-and-off listening to their catalog for a few years now and I keep coming back for more. At this point I doubt they’ll ever leave my iPod.

7. Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That
Just a few months ago Colin turned me onto an amazing album called Wolfgang Amadeus Pheonix. Then this summer he told me to check out its predecessor, claiming it was even better. I don’t think it is, but it’s still quite good. I like these Frenchmen.

6. The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers
This was some hot shit back in ’06. Hell, it’s still pretty warm, even after all this time. “Steady as She Goes” is probably the song I associate most with the year.

5. The Flaming Lips – At War with the Mystics
Why didn’t I like Embryonic more? I liked this a lot. What’s my problem? Maybe it’s the lack of drugs and booze in my body. Who knows? Anyway, this is pretty good.

4. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time
It’s kind of like My Morning Jacket meets Death Cab for Cutie… Oh wait that exists as Monsters of Folk and is even better than Band of Horses. But these guys are good too. You guys don’t listen to my music recommendations anyway, but this is one of the most accessible of them.

3. Beck – The Information
I seriously enjoy each Beck release more than the last. Well, that’s probably not true, but The Information is some tight shit. That expression sounds really unpleasant. Unlike this album.

2. Muse – Black Holes and Revelations
By a significant margin my favorite Muse album. It’s just awesome. The best part, as we all know, is the outstanding “Knights of Cydonia” music video.

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium
OK, I know a lot of people totally hate that RHCP had pretty much been continuing on the Californication sound. But you know what? That’s a really good sound. As a double album, there’s always a pretty high chance a lot of the tracks would be duds. But they aren’t. If only “Snow” was easier in Rock Band.

Top 10 Video Games of 2006

10. Excite Truck
I really had no idea what game to put here. I could have easily gone with Brain Age, since, you know, it got people excited about math, which is pretty cool. Okami was pretty neat, but I barely played it for some reason. It’s been sitting in my collection for years now. So I’m going with Excite Truck, and why the hell not. It’s simple fun.

9. Chromehounds
Um, build giant robots and fight. How could I not like this game?

8. Elite Beat Agents
While the song selection is a lot lamer than its Japanese counterpart, for some reason I feel it would be shady to put Japanese games on these lists. Like, then I’d have to do foreign movies too, and change when movies came out to their original countries instead of the U.S… It all gets too messy. So this one’s here instead.

7. New Super Mario Bros.
“A new sidescrolling Super Mario Bros. game would be a good idea,” we said for years. Nintendo agreed.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Oh Zelda, when did you get less fun? The magic just wasn’t there for the series foray into the Wii. It’s still fun, but with a distinct “been there, done that” feel. Maybe next time.

5. Guitar Hero II
They finally really did it. You maniacs! You added bass in! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to Hell!

4. Dead Rising
Turns out this is pretty much Dawn of the Dead the game. Also the first real next gen gaming experience for the 360. So that’s good.

3. Half-Life 2: Episode One
The only game on this list to only last a few hours. But those are some fine hours. Fine hours indeed.

2. Wii Sports
This was astounding back in the day before we figured out how disappointing Wii technology and Wii games in general would turn out to be. Oh well.

1. Gears of War
Pretty much the game that sold me on the Xbox 360. It looked so good and played so well. Nothing like giant dudes cutting up aliens with chainsaw bayonets.

Shocktober: Top Terrors of the 2000s

So often I hear people discussing the decline of horror movies in this day and age. Where it would appear that remakes and the “Torture Porn” genre ruled most of the decade there’s surprisingly been a handful notable bone-chillers as well, you just got to know where to look. Though good American horror films may be somewhat of rarity these days, I think you’d be surprised by how many good foreign horror films were released in the 2000s. Unfortunately I could only tackle so many movies this year, here’s some flicks I’ve heard good things about but haven’t seen.

– Thirst (2008)
– Slither (2006)
– Inside (2007)

And now on to my list, enjoy.

10. Dog Soldiers (2002)
It was tough picking a number ten, it really could of gone to any of my honorable mentions (listed at the bottom) but I went with my gut and chose the gory, tongue and cheek U.K. flick Dog Soldiers. Following a squad of British soldiers training in the highlands of Scottland, all seems well until the team discovers a wounded Special Forces captain and the last remains of his men. So next thing you know we have our cast, lead by Kevin McKidd (Trainspotting) facing off against seven foot tall werewolves for an action packed, blood filled 100 or so minutes. It’s not one to be taken too seriously but there’s still some good scares and impressive makeup effects.

9. Paranormal Activity (2009)
Maybe it’s a little premature to add a film that I just saw yesterday but seeing that it’s already topped The Blair Witch Project for most successful indie film must account for something significant. I’m confident that this is one that horror fans will remember and cherish for years to come. It’s scary, unique and a definite highlight in this era of low budget shaky cam films.

8. REC (2007)
Jesus Christ! Remember when I said I’d mention the scariest movie I’d seen in years? Well this is it and this Spanish horror film is a relentless 75 minutes of non -stop shit jumping out at you like some high adrenaline monster thrill ride. I assume most people are probably more familiar with this film’s American remake Quarantine (2008) but this is where it all started and it’s another triumph of the handheld video camera era. Ángela Vidal (Manuela Velasco) is a television reporter in Barcelona who along with her cameraman Pablo is filming a segment for a show about people who work various nightshift jobs. For this night Angela accompanies a couple of firefighters as they’re called out on a disturbance to a local apartment building. What starts out as routine call soon escalates into a viral breakout transforming residents into enraged psychopaths. The building quickly becomes quarantined and the next thing you know, everyone is trapped in a frightening fun house of thrills and chills. Wanna see a freaky flick? Check out REC.

7. Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Sam Raimi’s return to horror is another gooey, gross out instant classic (classic in cult horror sense.) An offbeat take on the infamous “Gypsy curse” scenario, Drag Me To Hell may be the closest we’ll ever get to another Evil Dead movie. Alison Lohman stars as Christine Brown an ambitious loan officer attempting to get ahead. Though what she didn’t anticipate was an encounter with customer Mrs. Sylvia Ganush (Lorna Raver), of course Christine denies her an extension on her mortgage and from then on, all hell breaks loose. All in all it’s basically a dark comedy that’s good for a quick laugh and a few “jump out of your seat” moments.

6. The Mist (2007)
Although a bit of downer particularly the ending, The Mist has an outstanding ensemble cast, entertaining creature effects and a striking atmosphere. Based off the Stephen King short story, The Mist is about a group of citizens in a small town in Maine that hold up in grocery store after the appearance of a mysterious fog. Waiting for it to pass, things only get worse after a man arrives warning everyone of “something in the fog” and the next thing you know all hell breaks loose as waves of bizarre creatures attack the townspeople. This film seemed to go more or less unnoticed when it was released but it still did well financially and critically. I guess it really struck a chord with me, I love those “isolation” type movies that pin people against each other.

5. The Host (2006)
Not only South Korea’s most successful film of all time but perhaps the best “giant monster” movie in years. Opening with a U.S. run military base dumping formaldehyde into the Han River, four years pass when suddenly a vicious tadpole-like monster emerges attacking the people of Seoul. We follow Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) a slow witted man who along with his oddball family attempt to track down the creature to rescue Gang-Du’s daughter. Almost as much a comedy as a horror film The Host is an excellent creature feature with a lot to say, check it out if you’re in the mood for a monster.

4. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
A great horror fan himself it’s no surprise that Guillermo Del Toro had a great horror movie brewing within him. The Devil’s Backbone set in an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, is about Carlos and his experiences with ghosts and a cruel caretaker. It’s powerful and fascinating film that although chilling has a lot of heart. If you liked Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth than I highly recommend this film that Guillermo calls the “brother companion piece” to Pan’s Labyrinth (Pan’s Labyrinth of course being the sister companion.)

3. Let the Right One In (2008)
Still a relatively new movie, (that’s soon to be remade for American audiences) Sweden’s own vampire romance story is both a dark and moving film. Oscar is a bullied young boy living between divorced parents in Blackeberg, Stockholm until one evening when he finds love and revenge through Eli, a young gil who turns out to be a vampire. Now I’m sure everyone’s pretty damn tired of vampires in this day and age but this one is a return to tradition and respects the mythology. It’s a wonderful story, the cinematography is magnificent and the acting between the two young leads is worth high note. This is definitely one that will go down as one of the great horror films of this decade.

2. 28 Days Later (2002), 28 Weeks Later (2007
At this point I’m not sure about my order. I’ve really come to appreciate the seemingly bleak but fascinating 28 Series but whether I like it better than Let the Right One In? I don’t know it’s a tough call. I doubled these two up because for some reason I can’t think of one without thinking of the other. They’re both violent, yet human views at a post-apocalyptic world. It’s funny too how they reflect a lot of issues that our world has faced in this decade. 28 Days Later is definitely the better film but they’re both notable highlights in the genre and have definitely made a big impact.

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Perhaps the best homage/tribute to the genre Shaun of the Dead is an incredibly layered horror comedy that’s endlessly quotable, a little creepy and all out hilarious. Out of all of these films it’s just the one I enjoy watching the most and has quickly become one of my favorite movies of this decade. I’ve discussed it before so I’m gonna keep it brief and say that Shaun of the Dead is perhaps the greatest horror/comedy film of all time (at least in my eyes) and will continue to be remembered through it’s already large cult following.

Finally it’s done and I have a few honorable mentions below, Happy Halloween.

Honorable Mention
Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
Cloverfield (2008)
Mothman Prophecies (2002)

Shocktober: Frightening Followups

No genre has seen the dark side of sequels quite like the horror genre. With movies like Saw VI or Friday the 13th Part VII it’s easy to see that a lot of studios just take it too far. They pinch out the last few pennies of a once good idea but sometimes they can’t even capture what made the first film popular in the second installment. Most horror franchises simply up their kill counts in sequels but every once in awhile you’ll get lucky. I didn’t plan on including multiple movies from the same franchises but surprisingly, good horror sequels don’t happen that often.

10. Halloween II (1981)
Though it was released almost three years after the original, Halloween II starts right from where the last one left off and it’s seamless. It’s almost like an extension of the original film, like it’s some expanded directors’ cut with essentially the same people (minus director John Carpenter, though he did film some additional scenes). It may not have the same atmosphere or charm of the first but it’s still an entertaining slasher filled romp (set entirely within a hospital) and it’s a hell of a lot better than any of the following sequels or remakes.

9. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
Who would of expected the Nightmare series to make comeback with it’s seventh installment? Well actually this one is set outside of the series continuity. You see Wes Craven was more or less fed up with all the terrible sequels to A Nightmare on Elm Street (according to him only the first one and this one truly count) so he set this film in a universe where the original movie was no more than a movie. Thus we follow Heather Langenkamp the star of the original being stalked by Freddy who’s made his way into reality. It’s a bizarre concept but fairly clever and a solid horror film.

8. Scream II (1997)
I’ve always loved how the Scream series are slashers movies that parody the genre and here that’s brought to an even more amusing level. The characters are still self-aware of the “rules of horror” and there’s even a cheesy movie within the movie called Stab based on the events of the first film. The same cast, director and writer return and it’s just as much bloody fun as the original.

7. Day of the Dead (1985)
Set on a larger scale than any other installment in the Dead Series, George A Romero’s third dead movie is a zombie blockbuster. There’s just a ridiculous amount of walking dead swarming all around a group of scientists and soldiers trying to survive in an underground military base. It may sound kind of stupid and in certain parts it is a little melodramatic or conventional for horror but if you ask me this is scariest installment of the series. This is a perfect example of why slow zombies are scarier than the fast zombies of this day and age. It’s not the chase that’s scary it’s the idea of waiting to die as their numbers grow and grow everyday. Thus the climax is excellent and the makeup effects (by the legendary Tom Savini) are just outstanding.

6. 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Set well uhh… 28 weeks after the initial outbreak 28 Weeks Later presents a world that is seemingly under control in certain quarantined areas and slowly overcoming the pandemic, at least for a little while. We follow the journey of two children along with their grieving father (Robert Carlyle) as they attempt to survive a world crumbling at the seams. Lessening some of the drama for a significantly more action packed experience, 28 Weeks Later is a violent, high adrenaline thrill ride that still manages to capture the spirit of the original. The opening is one of the most exciting I’ve ever seen in a film and a strong supporting cast including; Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner and Harold Perrineau that give the film a good deal of heart and soul.

5. Army of Darkness (1993)
Slapstick comedy meets Jason and the Argonauts is how I’d describe this zany horror comedy. The third installment in the Evil Dead Trilogy picks right up from where the last one left off. Ash is sucked back into the dark ages and now must face an entire army of the undead (though the whole fiasco is his own fault). Great fun, though it’s not much of a horror film it’s inventive and incredibly quotable. “Give me some sugar baby”, “See This? This is my boom stick!”, “Hail to the king baby”, or how about ” Good, bad… I’m the guy with the gun.” and the list goes on. This overly macho version of Ash would of course go on to inspire video game tough guy Duke Nukem and reel in an even wider Evil Dead fan base. Plus it’s even cooler to me after realizing that the head sorcerer was played by Ian Abercrombie (he played Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld.)

4. Evil Dead II (1987)
Edging out it’s more comedic followup, Evil Dead II is strange in that it’s both a sequel and a borderline remake. Ash returns to the same cabin but it’s presented as his first time through a collection of confusing recaps. That all aside it basically takes the original idea and kicks it up a notch. There’s more gore, more elaborate effects, more comedy all packed into one smorgasbord of blood filled chaos and I love it. Actually Now I have trouble deciding which Evil Dead movie I like better. The first one has an independent charm to it but this one is just hilarious and obserd. Gotta love Ash using that chainsaw as well.

3. Aliens (1986)
Though I’m not sure if you’d technically call Alien a horror movie, it was damn scary so that’s good enough for me. Aliens, although still creepy really takes the series in a more action packed direction. James Cameron takes on the role of director/writer and really pumps some adrenaline into a series that was originally a slow, brooding monster movie. Sigourney Weaver returns in an Oscar nominated performance as Ripley and is joined by a strong cast including; Michael Biehn, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen and Carrie Henn.

2. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
A film that’s definitely “out there”, Bride of Frankenstein is a spooky classic that rivals the original for horror greatness. Giving Boris Karloff an even meatier part, as the Monster learns to speak, this is definitely Boris’ best performance in the series. There’s a lot of oddball characters and a great deal of humor as well, plus you got James Whale returning to direct. All in all it’s a classic horror flick of the golden age of cinema.

1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Arguably George A. Romero’s greatest accomplishment as a filmmaker, Dawn of the Dead is a milestone in the genre. The sequel to Night of the Living Dead (released almost ten years after the original) Dawn tells the story of four people held up in a mall attempting to make the best of a bad situation, in this case an all out zombie invasion. With commentary on consumerism and the decadence of the 70s lifestyle Dawn of the Dead is a complex film and excels in just about every department, if you haven’t seen it than maybe someone should eat your brain.