tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39415951145598465172024-03-13T02:52:52.559-07:00Boriginality BLOGBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-22778725511328117192019-12-31T15:26:00.001-08:002019-12-31T15:26:39.979-08:00Top Films and Music of 2019<br />
<br />
<u>Top Films of 2019</u><br />
<br />
1. <i>Avengers: Endgame</i><br />
2. <i>JoJo Rabbit</i><br />
3. <i>Knives Out</i><br />
4. <i>Rocketman</i><br />
5. <i>Last Black Man in San Francisco</i><br />
6. <i>Dark Waters</i><br />
7. <i>Parasite</i><br />
8. <i>Honey Boy</i><br />
9. <i>Joker</i><br />
10. <i>Uncut Gems</i><br />
<br />
<u>Top Albums of 2019</u> - Playlist available <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/538FhGhpwYJE4Nnh9CXAPN?si=hwzrZBdJTrGbIaPhh2D3KA">here</a><br />
<br />
<br />
1. <b>Bedouin Soundclash</b> – <i>Mass</i><br />
<br />
The hype for this album began building for me with the release of the excellent “Salt-Water” in 2018. It sounded like nothing the Canadian duo had released before, and nothing like anything else out there. With each subsequent single released, I grew more exciting for what was sounding like an amazing comeback for the band, who hadn’t released a full album in eight years. And then suddenly…all the songs disappeared. It wasn’t until some months later the group announced they had signed to a new label and the album would now be released in October of 2019. This was in February 2019 – the waiting would kill me! But it didn’t – and the album lived up to all my hopes. On top of the incredible tracks previously released, every new song previously unheard took interesting risks and musical gambles that paid off in spades. From the jazzy moment of “Full Bloom” to the feel-good afropop of “Better Days”, the group accomplished the herculean task of exceeding expectations. Welcome back Bedouin Soundclash.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Sam Fender</b> – <i>Hypersonic Missiles</i><br />
<br />
The debut full-length album from this young British rocker was aptly titled, as Fender seemed to shoot out of nowhere and lighting speed and left an explosive mark on everyone who heard his music. After building buzz playing events like SXSW, and gaining fans in his home country (including Elton John), Fender played the Troubadour in LA and showed he could translate his incredible songs to a live venue with ease. The album itself brings notes of Jeff Buckley and The Killers, while lyrically Fender showed himself unafraid to tackle serious subject matter (see the searing “White Privilege” and devastating “Dead Boys”), but also had no trouble kicking up a heartfelt romantic ruckus (“Will We Talk?”). This is one of those albums that make you excited to see what comes next from them. If Billie Eilish is the current queen of the new alternative movement, Fender should be in deep consideration to be its king.<br />
<br />
3. <b>The Glorious Sons</b> – <i>A War on Everything</i><br />
<br />
The second group of Canadians on this list, but bringing to the table a much more traditional brand of rock ‘n roll. But they REALLY brought it. Infusing healthy doses of southern rock and punk rock into their sound, the band capitalized on the stateside success of their single “S.O.S.” by delivering an album packed full of barn-burning rockers (the glorious “The Ongoing Speculation Into the Death of Rock and Roll”), foot stompers (“Panic Attack”) and even some fine-tuned balladry (“Pink Motel”). Every song on the album came packed with hooks aplenty, as well as lyrics that laid bare a surprising amount of vulnerability under the muscular riffs. I would speculate that rock is far from dead as long as these guys stick around.<br />
<br />
4. <b>The Menzingers</b> – <i>Hello Exile</i><br />
<br />
Philadelphia’s The Menzingers have always excelled at spikey melodic hooks behind meaningful messaging, but on this year’s Hello Exile, their songwriting advanced to the next level, with songs drawing from the deeply personal to the literary, all packed into incredibly memorable punk rock melodies. Tracks like “Anna” and “Strangers Forever” hit an equally powerful emotional nerve and showed off a maturity in outlook and maturity. It’s pop punk for adults who grew up with the band’s music.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Dave Hause</b> – <i>Kick</i><br />
<br />
Similar to The Menzingers, Hause also comes from the punk scene, though has taken his solo work further towards a singer-songwriter/Americana direction. Following his great album Bury Me in Philly, Hause came back with a collection of songs even more fine-tuned and anthemic songs for Kick. “The Ditch” bled with a delicate balance of desperation and acceptance, and “Saboteurs” should be co-opted as a modern rally cry. And some songs were just plain catchy as hell, like the fast-paced “Weathervane” or “Eye Aye I”. Hause has classed himself in with the rising group of solo rock songwriters like Brian Fallon and Craig Finn, who merge the songwriting of classic rock with a rebellious punk spirit, with timeless results.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Alex Lahey</b> – <i>The Best of Luck Club</i><br />
<br />
Thank god for Australia’s Alex Lahey, if only for keeping the saxophone alive and well in modern rock. And for playing the blistering sax solo on lead single “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” herself! Lahey is a multi-talent, continuing to gain fans in the states. This year, she was included in one of Taylor Swift’s personalized playlists, and made headlines with her spot-on cover of My Chemical Romance‘s “Welcome to the Black Parade”. And all of this praise is duly deserved. Her second album’s songs are consistent earworms, from the outcast anthem “I Don’t Get Invited to Parties Anymore” to the friendship ode “Isabella”. She’s a force to be reckoned with.<br />
<br />
7. <b>blink-182</b> – <i>Nine</i><br />
<br />
I will be the first to say that these pop-punk legends’ last album, California, underwhelmed me. The lyrics felt basic, and they seemed to still be figuring out how best to utilize Matt Skiba, as his voice didn’t provide the same dynamics against Mark Hoppus’ as departed member Tom Delonge’s. Nine has completely renewed my faith in them. First single “Blame it on My Youth” still felt a bit pandering to younger audiences, but it still continued to get caught in my head. The kinetic “Darkside” also grew and grew on me, helped by its mesmerizing video. When the full album finally hit, songs like “Heaven”, “No Heart to Speak Of” and “Hungover You” affected me like few other blink songs have in the past. These were certainly darker songs, but felt like an organic growth from the band’s previous work. With an EP containing some interesting collaborations due next year, my enthusiasm for the band has been reborn, and I await future work with high anticipation.<br />
<br />
8. <b>The Raconteurs</b> – <i>Help Us Stranger</i><br />
<br />
Not only was it a surprise to hear Jack White and Brendan Benson’s The Raconteurs were returning this year, but it turned out to be one of the most welcome surprises, as Help Us Stranger is hands down their best album. The tracks flow with a loose spirit that remains lively throughout. If someone had told me this album was released in the seventies, I would believe them. All the best trappings of classic rock are there (album stand-out “Somedays (I Don’t Feel Like Trying)” sounds like a lost Lynyrd Skynyrd track as it opens), and White and Benson sound like they’re having a great time on every song. From the propulsive “Born and Razed” to the moseying “Now That You’re Gone”, the band sounds like they were ready to come back and make us appreciate them more than ever. Mission accomplished.<br />
<br />
9. <b>Reese McHenry</b> – <i>No Dados</i><br />
<br />
The first moment I heard Reese McHenry‘s song “Detroit”, I was an instant fan. Sounding like Janis Joplin fronting The Stooges, the song was pure rock ‘n roll soul and hit like a freight train. Then I learned Reese’s story – the stroke and illness that had her on bed rest for two years and almost took her life, and her fight to recover and return to making music. That someone who nearly died came back with an album as strong as this made the music all the more powerful. And No Dados is powerful. The songs here are packed with mean riffs, haymaker drumming and McHenry singing like a blues siren. Dare I say, it’s life affirming.<br />
<br />
10. <b>Strand of Oaks</b> – <i>Eraserland</i><br />
<br />
Timothy Showalter’s Strand of Oaks excels at taking alt. country and Americana formulas the dosing them with psychedelic influences and classic rock power to create sweeping and swirling songs that grow more infectious the more they seep into your being. On the excellent Eraserland, Showalter takes his sound even further with beautiful results. Opening single “Weird Ways” opens as an elegant, longing elegy and expands into a soaring anthem. “Hyperspace Blues” has hints of mod and classic punk in its propulsive beat, while the vocal melodies twist from powerfully emotive to spacey and distorted. “Moon Landing” struts with an 80’s Clash pomp, and “Ruby” is simply a perfect love song. Eraserland is adventurous, gorgeous and fantastically weird. Can’t wait to see what he does next.<br />
<br />
<u>Honorable Mentions:</u><br />
<br />
11. <b>Los Coast</b> – <i>Samsara</i><br />
<br />
Great blend of rock, soul and psychedelia out of Austin, TX. “Battles” is a rager, and “The Morning Weight” is a classic soul gem that Sam Cooke would have been envious of.<br />
<br />
12. <b>Karen O & Danger Mouse</b> – <i>Lux Prima</i><br />
<br />
Moody, haunting tunes from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ punk siren and the famed DJ/Producer.<br />
<br />
13. <b>Anderson .Paak</b> – <i>Ventura</i><br />
<br />
Funk-infused rap that pushes boundaries while not leaving the party behind.<br />
<br />
14. <b>Vampire Weekend</b> – <i>Father of the Bride</i><br />
<br />
Indie rock heroes make a trippy R&B Grateful Dead album and it works for the majority of this double-LP. “Harmony Hall” is the song of the year.<br />
<br />
15. <b>The National</b> – <i>I Am Easy to Find</i><br />
<br />
Joined by an array of female co-vocalists, the normally brooding band finds some gorgeous lighter touches on their best album in years.<br />
<br />
16. <b>Catfish and the Bottlemen</b> – <i>The Balance</i><br />
<br />
British indie rockers write songs that open up and leave their mark the more you listen to them.<br />
<br />
17. <b>G Flip</b> – <i>About Us</i><br />
<br />
Australian drummer’s debut album is filled of simple, sad confessional bedroom pop songs that will take anyone back to their most vulnerable days in life.<br />
<br />
18. <b>Maggie Rogers</b> – <i>Heard it in a Past Life</i><br />
<br />
Pharrell Williams-annoited viral star’s debut album shows off the excellent songwriting that impressed the rap/R&B tastemaker. “Light On” is the AAA answer to Robyn‘s “Dancing On My Own” and a hit in any decade.<br />
<br />
19. <b>Kishi Bashi</b> – <i>Omoiyari</i><br />
<br />
Stunningly orchestrated, lush classical pop.<br />
<br />
20. <b>Better Oblivion Community Center</b> – <i>Better Oblivion Community Center</i><br />
<br />
Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers team up and write a whole slew of super-smart, clever folk rock songs that was tailor made to soundtrack hipster parties for years to come.<br />
<br />
<u>EP OF THE YEAR:</u><br />
<br />
<b>Darlingside</b> – <i>Look Up & Fly Away</i><br />
<br />
Runner Up: <b>Scott Ruth</b> – <i>Telephone</i><br />
<br />
<u>Top Songs of 2019:</u> - Playlist available <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Cbbgu04Xl7degoY7eqj0Y?si=iGju5SWDThOMIMXq5U26Qg">here</a><br />
<br />
1. <b>Vampire Weekend</b> – Harmony Hall<br />
<br />
The first track released from the indie rock stars’ double album Father of the Bride, and man was it harmonious perfection. Mellow acoustic guitars and saloon piano, perfect production and some of the most memorable lyrics of the band’s career (“Anger wants a voice, voices want to sing. Singers harmonize, until you can’t hear anything”). When the chorus comes in, with the gospelish harmonies and swirling melodies, you know you’re listening to something special. It’s a song that makes you feel good about the world on first listen. It sounded like nothing else Vampire Weekend had done before, but continues to make me excited for what they will do next.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Alex Lahey</b> – Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself<br />
<br />
There’s so much to love about this song. The track’s narrative, a plea to a friend who overburdens themselves to be take it easy, was one I had never heard in a song before, and was clearly personal, but also hit a universal note any workaholic could relate to. Next, the track was incredibly catchy, with a bouncy hook that is pure sing-along goodness. And then there’s that SAX SOLO. It blares and buzzes and booms and makes a great song into one of the best songs of the year.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Dave Hause</b> – The Ditch<br />
<br />
The synthesis of heartland rock and punk isn’t something new, but it’s something Dave Hause has been mastering with each new album, and on Kick‘s “The Ditch”, he shows he’s perfected it. Singing a tale of trying to overcome struggle, or simply learning to live with it, it’s the perfect anthem for the underdog, and in a year when most Americans probably feel like an underdog, it’s the song we all need right now.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Ryan Bingham</b> – Wolves<br />
<br />
“Wolves” is a coming-of-age story given life through moving Americana. Bingham’s dusty, sorrowful vocals spin a tale of learning to stand up to the bullies in our lives, creating a musical paean for finding inner-strength. The acoustic guitars ring out crystal clear thanks to pristine production, creating an indelible atmosphere the brings the song to visual life in your mind. It’s a credit to Bingham’s songwriting that he can evoke such strong imagery through his craft, and leave an emotional mark that doesn’t fade.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Reese McHenry</b> – Detroit<br />
<br />
The term “barn-burner” was coined for songs like this. McHenry’s rails against a lover trying to get away from her in Detroit, and upon one listen you know she’s serious. An old-school garage rocker that bulldozes anything trying to get in it’s way, the track explodes with soul, with the band laying down a tight rhythm that helps propel McHenry’s wailing into the stratosphere.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Bad Religion</b> – My Sanity<br />
<br />
Despite being nearly forty years into their existence as a band, Bad Religion are still making punk rock that sounds as urgent and necessary as ever, and with “My Sanity”, they proved they can still churn out hard-hitting yet radio friendly rock ‘n roll as well as ever. It’s not hard to see where the song is coming from in these crazy times, but “My Sanity” is as much an ode to the music that keeps Bad Religion going as it is a commentary on the current state of our world.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Darlingside</b> – Rodeo<br />
<br />
There’s an otherworldly quality to Darlingside‘s music, with it’s exquisite, ethereal harmonizing. “Rodeo” uses these harmonizing moments to bring a nostalgic warmth to this movie folk ballad. The power of this song is its ability to reach in and pull out memories from the far corners of your brain as the lyrics roll out the kind of details that we leave behind in our youth. The track’s sadness is countered by a breathtaking hopefulness as our protagonist “pushes out the door to the front gate”, preparing to leave move forward in life.<br />
<br />
8. <b>The Rembrandts</b> – How Far Would You Go<br />
<br />
The band best known for the Friends theme song have not lost their ability to write power pop that brims with hooks and harmonies. “How Far Would You Go” is the kind of shamelessly romantic nugget that should be playing at the end of every romcom, as the hero races to make-up for whatever stupid mistake they made and try to win back their lover. It’s all heart, and if you don’t smile while listening to it, then you may not have one.<br />
<br />
9. <b>Strand of Oaks</b> – Weird Ways<br />
<br />
“Weird Ways” goes in so many strange directions that it’s hard to fully grasp it all on first listen. At times delicate and pining, at others a spacious and sprawling rocker, what grounds it is Timothy Showalter’s virtuoso ability to turn subtle melodic changes into gripping moments of thoughtful drama. As he sings “It’s a weird way to say goodbye” over and over in the chorus, he rings out heartbreak and longing from every note, while never turning the song saccharine. The psychedelic guitar solos also let the track revel in its weirdness.<br />
<br />
10. <b>The Glorious Sons</b> – The Ongoing Speculation Into the Death of Rock and Roll<br />
<br />
There is of course some irony in a band writing a kick-ass rock and roll song about…the death of rock and roll. And while I’m sure The Glorious Sons are aware of the irony, they simply sound like they are having a blast with this rollicking jam. A stadium-ready ode to the genre they love, and how it’s been commoditized to the point of being “a poster now, and nothing more”. At the end, we are all responsible for it’s death, but bands like The Glorious Sons are some of our best hopes for bringing it back to life.<br />
<br />
11. <b>The Killers</b> – Land of the Free<br />
<br />
The Vegas rockers release their most political and uplifting track to date.<br />
<br />
12. <b>Yungblud</b> – 11 Minutes (feat. <b>Halsey</b> and <b>Travis Barker</b>)<br />
<br />
A cinematic, melancholy slice of punk-styled musical drama.<br />
<br />
13. <b>Sam Fender</b> – Hypersonic Missiles<br />
<br />
A kinetic blast of high energy, with a chorus that explodes<br />
<br />
14. <b>J. Cole</b> – Middle Child<br />
<br />
The best rap song of the year. Cole’s thoughtful lyrics and sick flow show why he’s one of the greatest out there.<br />
<br />
15. <b>AJR</b> – 100 Bad Days<br />
<br />
AJR have proven themselves masters of the smart pop song with depth, and this one comes with a thoughtful outlook to boot.<br />
<br />
16. <b>Thoughts</b> – No Heart<br />
<br />
Part pop rock, part classic R&B, and all together a great piece of music.<br />
<br />
17. <b>The Comet is Coming</b> – Summon the Fire<br />
<br />
I dare anyone to listen to this jam and not dance uncontrollably.<br />
<br />
18. <b>The Raconteurs</b> – Somedays (I Don’t Feel Like Trying)<br />
<br />
Starting off like a lost Lynyrd Skynyrd track, the song evolves into a head-banging ode to life that we all can use.<br />
<br />
19. <b>Kaiser Chiefs</b> – People Know hot To Love One Another<br />
<br />
The UK rockers find their inner Jackie Wilson with this anthemic paean to loving your fellow man.<br />
<br />
20. <b>The Menzingers</b> – Strangers Forever<br />
<br />
Inspired by Anna Karina, a poignant pop punk song for anyone left heartbroken and searching for a way to move forward.<br />
<br />
21. <b>Fang Fang</b> – Hey Church<br />
<br />
Catchy pub rock from this up-and-coming Philly band.<br />
<br />
22. <b>Spanish Love Songs</b> – Losers<br />
<br />
SLS have gotten the formula for sardonic, self-flagellating punk rock down perfectly.<br />
<br />
23. <b>The Strumbellas</b> – Salvation<br />
<br />
An instant, feel-good anthem from the Canadian folk rock troupe.<br />
<br />
24. <b>Bedouin Soundclash</b> – Better Days<br />
<br />
A song we should all be singing to ourselves to get through these dark times.<br />
<br />
25. <b>Lana Del Rey</b> – Looking for America<br />
<br />
Even after releasing her critically acclaimed album this year, Lana still found time to record this one-off, anti-gun single with Jack Antoff. And it’s a stunner.<br />
<br />
26. <b>Kishi Bashi</b> – Summer of ’42<br />
<br />
Epic orchestral pop from this accomplished violinist.<br />
<br />
27. <b>Avril Lavigne</b> – Souvenir<br />
<br />
Love her or hate her, there’s no denying Lavigne’s ability to write an Uber-catchy pop rock gem.<br />
<br />
28. <b>Steve Gunn</b> – Vagabond<br />
<br />
Gunn’s fantastic guitar playing elevates this drifting folk rock track into elegant stratospheres.<br />
<br />
29. <b>Mike Posner</b> – Wide Open<br />
<br />
Moving, open-hearted ballad with electronic touches.<br />
<br />
30. <b>Fitness</b> – Yellowjackets<br />
<br />
Clever indie rock that will have you singing out loud “I’ve been young since the day I was born”.<br />
<br />
31. <b>Blink-182</b> – Heaven<br />
<br />
The pop-punk kings take a heavier turn in this tribute to the victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting.<br />
<br />
32. <b>Machine Gun Kelly</b> – I Think I’m OKAY (feat. <b>Yungblud</b> and <b>Travis Barker</b>)<br />
<br />
Yungblud proved himself a master collaborator this year, joining rapper Machine Gun Kelly for this bouncy pop-punk anthem.<br />
<br />
33. <b>DJ Shadow</b> – Rocket Fuel (feat. <b>De La Soul</b>)<br />
<br />
Shadow creates the best old-school rap jam in ages with help from some of the best in the game.<br />
<br />
34. <b>Bob Mould</b> – Sunshine Rock<br />
<br />
It’s all in the title – a shining blast of energetic guitars and soaring vocals.<br />
<br />
35. <b>Los Coast</b> – The Morning Weight<br />
<br />
Brooding and moving soul rock from this talented Austin band.<br />
<br />
36. <b>Matthew Ryan</b> – On Our Death Day<br />
<br />
Ryan’s lyrics are at another level here on this beautiful, spacious folk song.<br />
<br />
37. <b>Angels & Airwaves</b> – Rebel Girl<br />
<br />
Tom Delonge brought back his AvA band this year with one of the catchiest tracks he’s written in years.<br />
<br />
38. <b>Sara Bareilles</b> – Fire<br />
<br />
A song that blazes and burns with heartache and passion.<br />
<br />
39. <b>Broken Bells</b> – Shelter<br />
<br />
Quirky alt. pop that floats along like an elegiac dream.<br />
<br />
40. <b>Third Eye Blind</b> – The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down)<br />
<br />
A power-house, pile driving rocker dedicated to Greta Thunberg and all the kids like her doing what it takes to save our world.<br />
<br />
41. <b>Rob Thomas</b> – One Less Day (Dying Young)<br />
<br />
Thomas manages to age gracefully and write a great song about appreciating growing old.<br />
<br />
42. <b>Tim Barry</b> – Big Ships<br />
<br />
This track is an emotional gut-punch through and through.<br />
<br />
43. <b>The Growlers</b> – Who Loves the Scum?<br />
<br />
Apocalyptic lyrics set to a cheery sing along<br />
<br />
44. <b>Illenium</b> – Good Things Fall Apart (feat. <b>Jon Bellion</b>)<br />
<br />
Captures the experience of an ending relationship with a delicate balance of acoustic guitars and dance beats.<br />
<br />
45. <b>Anderson .Paak</b> – King James<br />
<br />
A soul funk banger, straight up.<br />
<br />
46. <b>Jackie</b> – New at Drugs<br />
<br />
A cautionary tale of what happens when youth are sheltered too much, without the caution.<br />
<br />
47. <b>Davila 666</b> – Huesos Viejos<br />
<br />
Puerto Rican punk that has the edge of Iggy and the verve of the Ramones.<br />
<br />
48. <b>Dessa</b> – Grade School Games<br />
<br />
Dessa’s songwriting is always on-point, melding rap and pop melodies to create perfect songs.<br />
<br />
49. <b>John Mayer</b> – I Guess I Just Feel Like<br />
<br />
Mayer gets thoughtful on this easy-going acoustic track.<br />
<br />
50. <b>Landfill Crew</b> – Worldwide Warfare<br />
<br />
If dance-hall punk wasn’t a thing before, this track from Tim Armstrong’s animated band makes it one.Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-29216303022795838172019-01-11T15:04:00.000-08:002019-01-11T15:27:13.526-08:00Top Films and Music of 2018<br />
Below is my roundup of my favorite films and music of 2018. In all honesty, I missed a lot of films, but this is the best of what I managed to see. <br />
<br />
<u>TOP 10 FILMS OF 2018</u><br />
<br />
1. <i>Sorry to Bother You</i><br />
2. <i>Avengers: Infinity War</i><br />
3. <i>Bodied</i><br />
4. <i>Isle of Dogs</i><br />
5. <i>Destroyer</i><br />
6. <i>RBG</i><br />
7. <i>Blindspotting</i><br />
8. <i>Beirut</i><br />
9. <i>Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse</i><br />
10. <i>Three Identical Strangers</I><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>HONORABLE MENTIONS:</u><br />
<i>Annihilation</i><br />
<i>Vice</i><br />
<br />
<u>TOP ALBUMS OF 2018:</u><br />
<br />
Listen to all the below albums on my <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/brknghstgames/playlist/3oy0X19YeLi7qGKmQTz2Z4?si=bHDI0cqqTRehs0KiJks6qw">Best Albums of 2018 Playlist</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>Janelle Monáe</b> - <i>Dirty Computer</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2sKlE86loRDkIsNmKDLtaAhNzLRCHb0KbqIU7a6wH8Ru7LBlIgPgcs_-3itBXeFxeOEvX5MDNzBu-vg4Mdlnf17nlyOugvq9Wi19fJ8ltzfH_PYSjlUj6v-dcHCh6VKmADtIvhGRVoUM/s1600/220px-dirtycomputer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2sKlE86loRDkIsNmKDLtaAhNzLRCHb0KbqIU7a6wH8Ru7LBlIgPgcs_-3itBXeFxeOEvX5MDNzBu-vg4Mdlnf17nlyOugvq9Wi19fJ8ltzfH_PYSjlUj6v-dcHCh6VKmADtIvhGRVoUM/s200/220px-dirtycomputer.png" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="220" data-original-height="220" /></a></div><br />
In a world without Prince, we can all be thankful we have Janelle Monáe. Like the Purple One, Monáe seamlessly melds rap, R&B, pop, and rock with a masterfulness that is unseen in the current music industry, and her skills shine through on Dirty Computer. From the opening track, backed with Beach Boys-styled harmonies (courtesy of Brian Wilson himself), it's clear that the album is going to be something fresh. Wilson's group famously wrote about songs about pure teen Americana, girls, cars, and parties, and on "Crazy, Classic Life", Monáe revitalizes this formula with a perfectly modern sheen that reflects on our current times. Monae tackles being a black, pansexual woman in America throughout this opus, but always keeps the lyrics and musical totally accessible. Whether it's the lascivious bubblegum of "Screwed" or the sharp topical rap on "Django Jane", every song has character, a message, and stands on its own merits while never feeling out of place on the album. It's monument to modern music, and is one that will hold up for generations to come.<br />
<br />
2. <b>U2</b> - <i>Songs of Experience</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqG6VBzgVnYNNbNoNRg1PYsqNesRHLYaPNlY5oim2eBcUl6T5X6gzTJ6x1DSX9qnmMtMu02f9W-sa1yQjb9TPl1PteqovSTPpwGO5ipSfU593sLUvwHUHRCiGX5GMu1UCUwWLXnxTQa4L/s1600/105286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqG6VBzgVnYNNbNoNRg1PYsqNesRHLYaPNlY5oim2eBcUl6T5X6gzTJ6x1DSX9qnmMtMu02f9W-sa1yQjb9TPl1PteqovSTPpwGO5ipSfU593sLUvwHUHRCiGX5GMu1UCUwWLXnxTQa4L/s200/105286.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="402" data-original-height="402" /></a></div><br />
U2 have not had the best last decade. Bono suffered a serious run-in with death, receive less radio play, and their albums have met with disregard (No Line on the Horizon) or outright scorn (Songs of Innocence) - though the latter was more due to the method of distribution more than the actual music. And that may be at the heart of the issue - people have spent more time paying attention to the band as a brand or a representation of Bono's oversized personality than actually listening to their music. With Songs of Experience, the Irish rockers flip the script and have returned the focus to what they are - amazing musicians and songwriters. Throughout this collection, it feels like U2 have got their groove back, whether it be hard rockers ("American Soul", "The Blackout"), danceable new wave ("Red Flag Day", "The Showman") or the big anthemic ballads they do better than anyone else ("You're the Best Thing About Me", "Landlady"). The songs both hearken to the band's classic songs while sound completely part of 2018. The lyrics at times touch on the political climate, but with the right amount of attitude to wash over any preachiness. It's simply the best U2 album since All That You Can't Leave Behind. If you're one of the people who wrote off U2 after that album, now is the time to revisit them.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Ben Howard</b> - <i>Noonday Dream</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28_0UViQh1-7WlL3d06u4a04d6KaFQHvSariXY1_7Hi5rsip7Gb_Ym0By9z2yfxI6Vuc4HcIjF67YDUZJ091qR0jrfQOhnI1ZEMUygya9SGFQiSrIXAmM17Bj4sxmVCraZfwI6TM9C0Jk/s1600/220px-bhoward_noondaydream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28_0UViQh1-7WlL3d06u4a04d6KaFQHvSariXY1_7Hi5rsip7Gb_Ym0By9z2yfxI6Vuc4HcIjF67YDUZJ091qR0jrfQOhnI1ZEMUygya9SGFQiSrIXAmM17Bj4sxmVCraZfwI6TM9C0Jk/s200/220px-bhoward_noondaydream.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="220" data-original-height="220" /></a></div><br />
With his third full length album, Ben Howard has continued his evolution from an adept pop rock songwriter to a composer of complex, moody and atmospheric musical tapestries that flow and breathe. While this all sounds very elitist and artsy, it needs be said that Howard does all of this without abandoning gorgeous melodies that ruminate in your head for weeks to follow. The melancholy highlight "Nica Libres at Dusk" emotes longing through a dreamy haze, "Towing the Line" drifts elegiacally like an indie folk sea ballad...I could go on touting the majesty of each track. This album is truly mean to be a headphone journey, to be listened to closely in a quiet room while you lay back and let each song breach your defenses and take you away into Howard's world.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Dessa</b> - <i>Chime</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuxQWcrzkZYQArKOw1EfbvqF1Qsz1-wJP6ypwvrgRZ41G0G7E0cWMPEoDeUedU1C0Erxs2Xnc3pJFhZ895Vo0ujiKH3b-V97fYyQwRN_lCtk5HZx3RMih_KSoyIWicA9ccgiVS7_Yesad/s1600/3c8f18-20180223-dessa-chime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuxQWcrzkZYQArKOw1EfbvqF1Qsz1-wJP6ypwvrgRZ41G0G7E0cWMPEoDeUedU1C0Erxs2Xnc3pJFhZ895Vo0ujiKH3b-V97fYyQwRN_lCtk5HZx3RMih_KSoyIWicA9ccgiVS7_Yesad/s200/3c8f18-20180223-dessa-chime.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="372" data-original-height="372" /></a></div><br />
Dessa is a true multi hyphenate - a rapper, singer, composer...the list goes on. On Chime, she has all of these talents on display, and creates an album that leaves you wanting more. Chime is possibly her most diverse album to date as well, with laments on loss ( the moving "Good Grief"), bangers ("Fire Drills", "5 Out of 6"), and even a straight-up pop ("Half of You") - and it's excellent throughout. While she's yet to reach the full mainstream, the mainstream knows she's where it's at - Lin Manuel Miranda chose her for the Hamilton Mixtape and also included her on his Puerto Rico benefit song, and you certainly can't argue with that man's taste!<br />
<br />
5. <b>Darlingside</b> - <i>Extralife</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5kZWmDyUNOBTcZ-MXfATMXdBNI93R4CQsoYk0AVTuNHa4gpcDSdC2X91K-iuphTGWrWCnCFIvfmHEL6JDm86owzojqNFqL48X8UZooaKfuad2g68rUInRF2K2-yWBLGKYOqzl0Mn1c5y/s1600/extralife-digital-art_sq-0fbd1d78dd2c013fb20aaad2c24bd4447c75a98a-s800-c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5kZWmDyUNOBTcZ-MXfATMXdBNI93R4CQsoYk0AVTuNHa4gpcDSdC2X91K-iuphTGWrWCnCFIvfmHEL6JDm86owzojqNFqL48X8UZooaKfuad2g68rUInRF2K2-yWBLGKYOqzl0Mn1c5y/s200/extralife-digital-art_sq-0fbd1d78dd2c013fb20aaad2c24bd4447c75a98a-s800-c85.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="370" data-original-height="370" /></a></div><br />
One of the best discoveries of this year, Darlingside craft songs enriched by perfect folk harmonies that imbue everything they touch with an extra warmth and depth. Drawing influences from The Byrds to the Beach Boys, the group boast pitch-perfect harmonies that shine even on the simplest tracks. Unlike similar groups, the songs on Extralife won't put you to sleep. The soul and advanced musicianship on tracks like "Singularity" feel like the soundtrack to a hero's journey, while "Indian Orchard Road" invokes the nostalgia and warmth of an east coast autumn day. "Futures" vibes like Simon & Garfunkel, while "Eschaton" mixes electronic touches in with the folk for a sound that is entirely Darlingside's. This is a group to watch.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Brian Fallon</b> - <i>Sleepwalkers</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLqOcA1V6qDYlPQ9biCXIcic1kpBWvD3pajqmcfPJwZ4GFzmcz8nRSemvtBf_jSasIqEvqF1BoGYenw0O5_RoF7YSegLEzZIH3SuFR4yIwYqw-J3YMIwFm2AMczurMdsiBKr8Bk0F8p0/s1600/91uh2geyogl-_sy355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLqOcA1V6qDYlPQ9biCXIcic1kpBWvD3pajqmcfPJwZ4GFzmcz8nRSemvtBf_jSasIqEvqF1BoGYenw0O5_RoF7YSegLEzZIH3SuFR4yIwYqw-J3YMIwFm2AMczurMdsiBKr8Bk0F8p0/s200/91uh2geyogl-_sy355_.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="355" data-original-height="355" /></a></div><br />
Brian Fallon has spent most of his music career escaping comparisons to his influences, and on his second solo album, he successfully comes into his own, making music that sounds wholly his own. Fallon's songwriting remains ever strong, writing upbeat rockers about death ("Forget Me Not") and mournful love songs ("Watson") that grow stronger on repeated listens. He also branches out musically, incorporating 80's influences and ska riffs ("Come Wander With Me"), all the while continuing to elevate his storytelling lyricism ("Yes, and you always believed there was some kind of diamond in me/Oh but if you still burn every night in the hurt/I know a place where the pain doesn't reach"). Fallon isn't quite at the level of his musical heroes like Springsteen, Knopfler or Strummer yet, but with albums like Sleepwalkers, he's certainly on his way.<br />
<br />
7. <b>The Coup</b> - <i>Sorry to Bother You</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTRzDL3MEJ6YlecJpSyQdWpVk1Dkz1CrQB769HNGmiBfxHre7Y1_9P7THXr9dAoyyALG7e5KvznMFvnx0o0gla1PsxVKUY7vjZzdFo2wZU9_Ern3kLituN0tLdSV15iLjbFJHSVzLFsfA/s1600/sorry-to-bother-you-ost-stream-soundtrack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTRzDL3MEJ6YlecJpSyQdWpVk1Dkz1CrQB769HNGmiBfxHre7Y1_9P7THXr9dAoyyALG7e5KvznMFvnx0o0gla1PsxVKUY7vjZzdFo2wZU9_Ern3kLituN0tLdSV15iLjbFJHSVzLFsfA/s200/sorry-to-bother-you-ost-stream-soundtrack.png" width="200" height="157" data-original-width="324" data-original-height="254" /></a></div><br />
An incredibly original and provocative movie like Sorry to Bother You deserves an equally incredible soundtrack, and the director Boots Riley's rap group The Coup delivered, with a little help from Tune-Yards, Janelle Monáe, Killer Mike and others. Riley's lyrics are sharp, smart and clever throughout, rewarding multiple listens, and like the film, the album's tone runs the gamut without feeling like a mixtape. Whether it's hard riff-rap on opener "OYAHYTT", the addictive party anthem "Hey Saturday Night", or the unsettling trance rap of "Monsoon", each track feels like it naturally fits onto the album as well as it fits into the wildly unique film.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Dirty Projectors</b> - <i>Lamp Lit Prose</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR7JKpEP1YhLsk1HU6oiuFhjH3kKM9_NsBoUgdx7fL43eWFZ-lKsRMUvVuvZInNjv3KBV_0Mqas2m9F0zD5r6hBvRVShiQpgKZM7R8S6URtjr9kJz-j2FGHlTWuhq_8uFfB1-C3ndfe3Y/s1600/lamplitprose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR7JKpEP1YhLsk1HU6oiuFhjH3kKM9_NsBoUgdx7fL43eWFZ-lKsRMUvVuvZInNjv3KBV_0Mqas2m9F0zD5r6hBvRVShiQpgKZM7R8S6URtjr9kJz-j2FGHlTWuhq_8uFfB1-C3ndfe3Y/s200/lamplitprose.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="320" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
I never responded to strongly to the Dirty Projectors until listening to 2018's Lamp Lit Prose. Finding a balance between their quirkier indie tendencies and sticky, afropop melodies and pop hooks, the album twists and bends in crafty ways that keep it fascinating throughout. The warbling electronic noises on "Break-Thru" create an almost-danceable groove, while lead single "It's a Lifestyle" embraces a wistfulness that you will feel though may not understand. The group's lyrics are certainly still esoteric, but like a masterful art film, the meaning and emotion imbued within it still connect<br />
<br />
9.<b>Tony Molina</b> - <i>Kill the Lights</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLJB9OS1pIrn4AKCm-0nn5Zl1-D4R5OAxsxW12NKOcVwkhcDTjL0GwSdffB23cZ-esLHza1X_wIZukPA2djiCKw0__2amd5obJy9IQ043tenTylBSZQyn96r5Cg1vBhHPLDdim3-l0VP_/s1600/a3350258821_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLJB9OS1pIrn4AKCm-0nn5Zl1-D4R5OAxsxW12NKOcVwkhcDTjL0GwSdffB23cZ-esLHza1X_wIZukPA2djiCKw0__2amd5obJy9IQ043tenTylBSZQyn96r5Cg1vBhHPLDdim3-l0VP_/s200/a3350258821_10.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="354" data-original-height="354" /></a></div><br />
Tony Molina began his career in the hardcore scene, where he showed an incredible knack for writing 2 minute punk ragers that never overstayed their welcome. While the length of Molina's songs hasn't changed, Kill the Lights show an incredible growth and evolution as a songwriter. Molina has traded in his Black Flag influence for The Byrds, The Beatles and The Beach Boys. The songs here shimmer with jangling guitars and lilting indie rock vocals, weaving melancholy and hopefulness through every lovely song. Each track leaves you wanting more, making repeat listens a must as you try to absorb the nuanced musical touches and thoughtful lyrical prose.<br />
<br />
10. <b>The English Beat</b> - <i>Here We Go Love</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xgBn7f4pHOgKX8V5TIqKV99LWilt9ChyphenhyphenbvsUPWv9FxFYkOvE9IzjFR-GpYubcOTLX3wqvqVU5FLhSW6HNPMl5b1BMmHlTO3lvupTkvNyMAIk0UTnZhx1XfrFIZzbtctstVs5BdP8GyH-/s1600/the-english-beat-inlay-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xgBn7f4pHOgKX8V5TIqKV99LWilt9ChyphenhyphenbvsUPWv9FxFYkOvE9IzjFR-GpYubcOTLX3wqvqVU5FLhSW6HNPMl5b1BMmHlTO3lvupTkvNyMAIk0UTnZhx1XfrFIZzbtctstVs5BdP8GyH-/s200/the-english-beat-inlay-01.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="368" data-original-height="368" /></a></div><br />
No one gets to say ska is dead as long as albums like Here We Go Love keep getting made. The English Beat, featuring Dave Wakeling, sail through the songs on their latest album like Elvis Costello on a sugar buzz. The music pops, the vocals are silky smooth, and through all of the fun, skank-ready rhythms, the lyrics aren't afraid to touch upon weightier topics (see the excellent "If Killing Worked"). That's not to say some of the songs on here aren't meant for pure fun; the title track is all about the party, and with the rest of the album, is one you'll want to throw on when you need a glorious pick-me-up from our rough world.<br />
<br />
<u>HONORABLE MENTIONS:</u><br />
<br />
<b>Albert Hammond Jr.</b> - <i>Francis Trouble</i><br />
<br />
<b>American Aquarium</b> - <i>Things Change</i><br />
<br />
<b>Family of the Year</b> - <i>Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Nighttime</i><br />
<br />
<b>Fat Tony</b> - <i>10,000 Hours</i><br />
<br />
<b>Femi Kuti</b> - <i>One People One World</i><br />
<br />
<b>George Ezra</b> - <i>Staying at Tamara's</i><br />
<br />
<b>Imarhan</b> - <i>Temet</i><br />
<br />
<b>Miguel</b> - <i>War & Leisure</i><br />
<br />
<b>Nathan Gray</b> - <i>Feral Hymns</i><br />
<br />
<b>Peter Bjorn & John</b> - <i>Darker Days</i><br />
<br />
<b>Shannon and The Clams</b> - <i>Onion</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Struts</b> - <i>Young&Dangerous</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Top Fifty Songs of 2018:</u><br />
<br />
Of the thousands of songs I heard in 2018, about one hundred and fifty managed to shine brightly enough to be worth considering. From these, I once again went through the difficult process of pairing that list down to the fifty best of the best.<br />
<br />
Like all lists of its kind, it's purely subjective and there are likely hundreds of other songs I missed that I look forward to discovering as similar lists hit the internet. For now, below are my favorite songs of 2018 (and a few that came out LATE 2017 so are included here). Listen to all of these songs on my <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/brknghstgames/playlist/0AcmGhjHRrVuYYYPjIfuSe?si=YHFeFZSVT-qvx4yN9x-omQ">Top 50 of 2018 Playlist</a>:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Dan Mangan</b> - Fool for Waiting<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2h_55Wq4IjI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Released towards the beginning of 2018 as the first single from Dan Mangan's album More or Less, "Fool for Waiting" is at once gorgeous and heart-wrenching. Though stripped down to little more than piano, guitar, and Mangan's deeply resonant vocals, this song struck a chord on multiple levels after just one listen. It's a love song for anyone who's a bit crazy, while also endearingly showing the craziness of love. As Mangan pleads "If you try to be with me, I will try to get by. Some say I'm a fool for waiting, they don't know this fool doesn't mind" it's impossible to not relate (I certainly can in very specific ways). While it's been a while since a ballad like this took top honors, there simply has not been another song this year that was as moving and pure.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Dessa</b> - 5 Out of 6<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3WauMPwyW5s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Dessa is a true multi-talent; a singer, rapper, composer, and songwriter able to balance aggressive rhymes with engaging melodies. "5 Out of 6" captures everything that Dessa does well as an artist. The verses have bite, while the melodic chorus is dark and empowering. As she sings "I'm the phoenix and the ash", you'll feel prickles down your spine as you raise your hands in the air, entranced by the waves of rhythm Dessa's hypnotic delivery. The song is more proof that Dessa is one of the most underrated artists working today.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Editors</b> - Magazine<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/08h4wVssYJM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
When they first started, Editors received numerous comparisons to goth rock groups like Interpol, but never fairly. The British band traversed similar dark roads in its music, but with incredible amounts of emotion and soul, able to break a heart or send your spirits to heaven through bombastic, U2-style melodies. This soul runs through the veins of "Magazines". The track disarms with its pedantically paced lines, teasing nefarious breadcrumbs like "I got a little secret for you, it's in a magazine", before turning into a booming political rally cry, "Now talk the loudest, with a clenched fist". Digging at the pompous, fascist-leaning leaders in power, the track manages to not let the pointed lyrics overpower the club-ready rhythm, finding a perfect balance that is one of the group's best songs in years.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Brian Fallon</b> - Watson<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eVvrzVhr2vY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Best known as the lead singer of The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon is continuing to solidify himself as an incredible solo artist. With his second album, Sleepwalker, Fallon filters his romantic trials and fears of death and loneliness through poetic lyrics and elevated metaphors, no better than on "Watson". The romantic ballad finds Fallon longing for a woman he meets in London, unsure of how a relationship will work, but struggling with the fear of not taking the chance on her. Comparing his fears of losing her to England's famous detective duo trying to track down "the one that got away", the song builds to a cathartic denouement, filled with mournful slide guitars that would make Tom Petty weep. Is pure heart-on-your-sleeve Jersey songwriting in the best possible way.<br />
<br />
5. <b>The Vaccines</b> - I Can't Quit<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6z6wMZAYaxE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
British rockers The Vaccines came back in a big way this year with their best album in years, and an irresistible lead single that was made for shouting along while jumping on a club floor. It's the kind of rock song that could have been a huge hit in any of the last three decades, filled with timeless, pogoing melodies and the perfect "fuck all" delivery that UK rockers do so well.<br />
<br />
6. <b>U2</b> - Red Flag Day<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mri7vYapWEU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Coming back with their best album since All That You Can't Leave Behind, the veteran Irish rockers managed to sound reinvigorated and relevant throughout Songs of Experience, but nowhere more than on "Red Flag Day". Reminiscent of classics like "New Years Day", the song finds the Edge shaking and swerving with angular guitar spikes that play off Adam Clayton's funky bass lines, until Bono swoons out with subtly melancholy chorus that smartly reigns in some of U2's normal pomp to make the track a dangerously sharp, solid modern rocker.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Bedouin Soundclash</b> - Salt-Water<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xN0_9PRX628" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
After a long hiatus, Canadian trio Bedouin Soundclash made a triumphant return this year, releasing six singles over the course of the year, all of which were incredibly eclectic, original and memorable, but the strongest had to be the Preservation Hall Jazz Band-assisted first single "Salt-Water". Melding various influences, from New Orleans brass to island calypso, the group created a song that manages to be warm and haunting, bubbly and poignant. I'm all the more excited for 2019 knowing that there are more songs to come from the group.<br />
<br />
8. <b>The Interrupters</b> - She's Kerosene<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yq2jJLswL8I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
The Interrupters did what many thought was impossible - they brought ska back! Aimee and the Bivonas took North America by storm with their positive and unifying brand of ska punk, and earned a very well-deserved radio hit with the infectious first single. While it was difficult to decide between this track and the incredible "Gave You Everything", the sharp and clever lyrics ("I'm a match, and she's kerosene. You know she's gonna burn down everything") helped "She's Kerosene" edge out its placement on the list.<br />
<br />
9. <b>The Coup</b> - Hey Saturday Night (feat. <b>Tune-Yards</b>)<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzFc86t-3W0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
For the soundtrack to Boots Riley's first feature film, Sorry to Bother You, Boots and his group The Coup teamed up with the ever-eclectic Tune-Yards to create a soundtrack that is as crazy, quirky and awesome as the film itself. Of all the great tunes on the album, the highlight has to be the handclap-happy "Hey Saturday Night". An excitably upbeat, good-time party song from the generally socially and politically minded rap group, the song still manages to be as smart as it is catchy, with Boots spitting rhymes like "Entice us with the future, say our destiny's a shopping mall, but we gon' be the looters".<br />
<br />
10. <b>Janelle Monáe</b> - Django Jane<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mTjQq5rMlEY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
While her incredible album Dirty Computer shows off Janelle Monáe as the true heir to Prince, the second single from the diverse album, "Django Jane" stays true to Monáe's hip hop roots without forgetting the black female empowerment message she exalts on the album. "And we gonna start a motherfuckin' pussy riot, or we gon have to put 'em on a pussy diet" may have been a more effective campaign slogan for Hillary than the one she used to rally more women to her cause. Monáe remains an incredible writer and trailblazer, both in her music and her voice.<br />
<br />
11. <b>Dashboard Confessional</b> - We Fight<br />
<br />
Emo favorite refinds his inner stadium-rocker with this uplifting anthem.<br />
<br />
12. <b>Vance Joy</b> - Saturday Sun<br />
<br />
A perfect piece of summer acoustic pop from the Australian hit maker.<br />
<br />
13. <b>The Fratellis</b> - Starcrossed Losers<br />
<br />
The Scottish rockers' very catchy ode to Shakespearian lovers<br />
<br />
14. <b>Jukebox the Ghost</b> - Jumpstarted<br />
<br />
Queen couldn't have done this multi-part stadium rock composition any better.<br />
<br />
15. <b>Alan Silvestri</b> - Even for You<br />
<br />
A powerful and moving piece from the excellent Avengers: Infinity War score.<br />
<br />
16. <b>Frank Turner</b> - Blackout<br />
<br />
Turner turns in his most full-realized rock song yet that perfectly hits both political and personal notes.<br />
<br />
17. <b>A Perfect Circle</b> - So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish<br />
<br />
A surprisingly touching farewell to some of the famous lights lost.<br />
<br />
18. <b>Better Than Ezra</b> - Grateful<br />
<br />
An unabashedly feel-good slice of pop rock from the 90's hitmakers.<br />
<br />
19. <b>The Parrots</b> - Soy Peor (Bad Bunny cover)<br />
<br />
A garage rock cover of the Latin trap song that is so much better than the original it became the only cover to make this list.<br />
<br />
20. <b>Nathan Gray</b> - As the Waves Crash Down<br />
<br />
Passionate acoustic punk from the lead singer of BoySetsFire.<br />
<br />
21. <b>Skizzy Mars</b> - American Dream<br />
<br />
Mars turns a screed about the economic disadvantages facing young black men in America into an insightful banger.<br />
<br />
22. <b>Gin Blossoms</b> - Break<br />
<br />
The classic 90's rockers returned with a new single that slowly dug it's way into my consciousness with a simple but extremely effective hook.<br />
<br />
23. <b>Ben Howard</b> - Nica Libres at Dusk<br />
<br />
A sparse but hauntingly beautiful track from Howard's excellent new album.<br />
<br />
24. <b>88rising</b> - Midsummer Madness<br />
<br />
The embodiment of a summer jam, the Asian rapper collective kill it on this hazy addictive opus.<br />
<br />
25. <b>Dirty Projectors</b> - That's a Lifestyle<br />
<br />
Quirky afropop-influenced indie rock with an undeniably memorable chorus.<br />
<br />
26. <b>Lord Huron</b> - Ancient Names (Part 1)<br />
<br />
Folk rockers return with a hints of psychedelia added to their sound.<br />
<br />
27. <b>Tony Molina</b> - Jasper's Theme<br />
<br />
A short and sweet Byrds-esque tune.<br />
<br />
28. <b>Amy Shark</b> - The Idiot<br />
<br />
Recalls classic Alanis Morissette in her perfect cadence and delivery. Gets stuck in your head too easily.<br />
<br />
29. <b>Passengers</b> - Survivors<br />
<br />
Hummable and evocative with true emotional desperation.<br />
<br />
30. <b>Gorillaz</b> - Humility (feat. George Benson)<br />
<br />
One of the most breezy and summer tunes to ever come from this animated band.<br />
<br />
31. <b>Plan B</b> - Guess Again<br />
<br />
A British rap/dancehall banger, pure and simple.<br />
<br />
32. <b>Marshmello X Bastille</b> - Happier<br />
<br />
One of the year's biggest songs, and deservedly so. Melancholy, heart-felt lyrics meld with club-ready production for an anthem to all those who care more for those they love than themselves.<br />
<br />
33. <b>Kokoroko</b> - Abusey Junction<br />
<br />
Jazz meets afrobeat for a moody, beautiful instrumental.<br />
<br />
34. <b>Muse</b> - Something Human<br />
<br />
A surprisingly warm acoustic song about longing to return home from the road that hits the right emotional notes.<br />
<br />
35. <b>Family of the Year</b> - Let Her Go<br />
<br />
Family of the Year manage to infuse pristine melancholy into their Laurel Canyon folk rock.<br />
<br />
36. <b>P.O.S.</b> - Catch a Vibe (feat. <b>Zamora</b>)<br />
<br />
A chill summer rap gem from an up-and-comer (note: this is a different rapper than the one on the Doomtree label)<br />
<br />
37. <b>Spanish Love Songs</b> - Aloha to No One<br />
<br />
Angsty punk band writes a perfect, self-effacing acoustic song about wanting to be better even if you'll never be your best self.<br />
<br />
38. <b>Imarhan</b> - Tumast<br />
<br />
This Algerian desert rock group bring insane guitar riffage that would make Muse jealous.<br />
<br />
39. <b>Eminem</b> - Like Home (feat. Alicia Keys)<br />
<br />
Eminem eviscerates Trump while lauding what makes our country great.<br />
<br />
40. <b>Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness</b> - Ohio<br />
<br />
McMahon takes us on a nostalgic journey that is both sad but hopeful as a family leaves Ohio in hopes of finding a fresh start.<br />
<br />
41. <b>Peter Bjorn and John</b> - Gut Feeling<br />
<br />
The Swedish trio comes back with their catchiest single since "Young Folks", and don't even need a whistle solo to sell it.<br />
<br />
42. <b>Alice Merton</b> - Hit the Ground Running<br />
<br />
New artist Merton writes an empowering song that will be on running playlists for decades to come.<br />
<br />
43. <b>The English Beat</b> - If Killing Worked<br />
<br />
Political indictments of war and brutality have never sounded so sugary sweet as this soulful ska song.<br />
<br />
44. <b>Ball Park Music</b> - The Perfect Life Does Not Exist<br />
<br />
Australian band Ball Park Music help keep us grounded with this ode to accepting the world we have.<br />
<br />
45. <b>Tar & Flowers</b> - This Machine<br />
<br />
A thoughtful folk song that summons the living spirit of Bob Dylan in its eloquence and elevated writing.<br />
<br />
46. <b>Elohim</b> - Fuck Your Money<br />
<br />
One of the year's best dirty pop songs with an eternally relevant message.<br />
<br />
47. <b>Interpol</b> - The Rover<br />
<br />
Interpol return with a straight-up post-apocalyptic rocker that make guitars sound necessary again.<br />
<br />
48. <b>Barbarossa</b> - Don't Enter Fear<br />
<br />
Gorgeous harmonies give an ethereal quality to this somber piece of indie pop.<br />
<br />
49. <b>The Mighty Mighty Bosstones</b> - Wonderful Day for the Race<br />
<br />
Boston ska heroes return with a horn-filled, uplifting ode to the best of humanity.<br />
<br />
50. <b>Rare Americans</b> - Cats, Dogs & Rats<br />
<br />
A rabble-rousing, scuzzy punk singalong with an irresistible chorus.<br />
<br />
<u>BEST OF THE REST (in alphabetical order):</u><br />
<br />
<b>Adam Sandler</b> - Farley<br />
<br />
<b>Albert Hammond Jr.</b> - Far Away Truths<br />
<br />
<b>American Aquarium</b> - Tough Folks<br />
<br />
<b>Anamon</b> - Iron Bill<br />
<br />
<b>Bear Hands</b> - Back Seat Driver (Spirit Guide)<br />
<br />
<b>Big Red Machine</b> - Gratitude<br />
<br />
<b>Bob Schneider</b> - Blood and Bones<br />
<br />
<b>Big Mother Gig</b> - Alvarado<br />
<br />
<b>Blue October</b> - How to Dance in Time<br />
<br />
<b>Boygenius</b> - Me & My Dog<br />
<br />
<b>Chance the Rapper</b> - Work Out<br />
<br />
<b>Charlie Fink</b> - My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm<br />
<br />
<b>Childish Gambino</b> - Feels Like Summer<br />
<br />
<b>Chris Cornell</b> - When Bad Does Good<br />
<br />
<b>Cloud Nothings</b> - Offer an End<br />
<br />
<b>Cornershop</b> - Double Denim<br />
<br />
<b>CHVRCHES</b> - Get Out<br />
<br />
<b>Damien Jurado</b> - Over Rainbows and Rainier<br />
<br />
<b>Dan Romer</b> - Annie and Owen<br />
<br />
<b>Dave Matthews Band</b> - Idea of You<br />
<br />
<b>Deer Tick</b> - Hey! Yeah!<br />
<br />
<b>Descendents</b> - Who We Are<br />
<br />
<b>Dude York</b> - What Would You Do If You Had Some Money Now?<br />
<br />
<b>ELEL</b> - Tequila<br />
<br />
<b>Fall Out Boy</b> - Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)<br />
<br />
<b>Fat Tony</b> - Got it Out the Mud<br />
<br />
<b>Femi Kuti</b> - Na Their Way Be That<br />
<br />
<b>Four Fists</b> - 6666<br />
<br />
<b>The Get Up Kids</b> - I'm Sorry<br />
<br />
<b>Goodbye Blue Monday</b> - Misery-Punk Ruined My Life<br />
<br />
<b>The Go! Team</b> - Chico's Radical Decade<br />
<br />
<b>Great Lake Swimmers</b> - Side Effects<br />
<br />
<b>Hinds</b> - Tester<br />
<br />
<b>The Hold Steady</b> - Eureka<br />
<br />
<b>Hop Along</b> - Prior Things<br />
<br />
<b>Jack White</b> - Over and Over and Over<br />
<br />
<b>Jade Bird</b> - Uh Huh<br />
<br />
<b>James Bay</b> - Pink Lemonade<br />
<br />
<b>Jay Rock</b> - Win<br />
<br />
<b>Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros</b> - London is Burning<br />
<br />
<b>John Doe</b> - Comequando<br />
<br />
<b>John Nolan</b> - Half a Block to Go<br />
<br />
<b>Kacey Musgraves</b> - Space Cowboy<br />
<br />
<b>Kamasi Washington</b> - Fists of Fury<br />
<br />
<b>Keegan DeWitt</b> - Hearts Beat Loud (feat. Kiersey Clemons)<br />
<br />
<b>Keenan</b> - Mahattan (feat. <b>Marc E. Bassy</b> & <b>Skizzy Mars</b>)<br />
<br />
<b>King Tuff</b> - Psycho Star<br />
<br />
<b>The Knocks</b> - Shades<br />
<br />
<b>The Kooks</b> - All the Time<br />
<br />
<b>Lagartija Nick</b> - Strummer/Lorca<br />
<br />
<b>Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers</b> - Apocalypse Now (& Later)<br />
<br />
<b>Lauren Ruth Ward</b> - Well, Hell<br />
<br />
<b>Lauv</b> - Chasing Fire<br />
<br />
<b>The Living End</b> - Otherside<br />
<br />
<b>The Love-Birds</b> - Hit My Head<br />
<br />
<b>LSD</b> - Thunderclouds<br />
<br />
<b>Lucero</b> - Bottom of the Sea<br />
<br />
<b>Lucius</b> - Tempest<br />
<br />
<b>Macy Gray</b> - Cold World<br />
<br />
<b>Matt Costa</b> - Sharon<br />
<br />
<b>MGMT</b> - When You Die<br />
<br />
<b>Milo Greene</b> - Worth the Wait<br />
<br />
<b>More Giraffes</b> - Dinosaur<br />
<br />
<b>Moscow Apartment</b> - Orange<br />
<br />
<b>The Motorleague</b> - Everyone is Digital<br />
<br />
<b>Mt. Joy</b> - Jenny Jenkins<br />
<br />
<b>Murs</b> - Powerful (feat. <b>Propaganda</b>)<br />
<br />
<b>New Found Glory</b> - 20 Years from Now<br />
<br />
<b>The Night Game</b> - Summerland<br />
<br />
<b>Novo Amor</b> - Birth Place<br />
<br />
<b>Open Mike Eagle</b> - Relatable (peak OME)<br />
<br />
<b>Ozomatli</b> - Coming War<br />
<br />
<b>Panic! at the Disco</b> - Dying in LA<br />
<br />
<b>Paul McCartney</b> - I Don't Know<br />
<br />
<b>Paul Weller</b> - Aspects<br />
<br />
<b>Quinn Devlin & The Bridge Street Kings</b> - Answer Me<br />
<br />
<b>Rainbow Kitten Surprise</b> - Matchbox<br />
<br />
<b>Rat Boy</b> - Internationally Unknown<br />
<br />
<b>Razorlight</b> - Japanrock<br />
<br />
<b>Rivers Cuomo</b> - Medicine for Melancholy<br />
<br />
<b>Rod Stewart</b> - Didn't I (feat. Bridget Cady)<br />
<br />
<b>Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever</b> - Talking Straight<br />
<br />
<b>Ruston Kelly</b> - Asshole (demo)<br />
<br />
<b>Salt Cathedral</b> - Rude Boy<br />
<br />
<b>Shannon and the Clams</b> - The Boy<br />
<br />
<b>Sloan</b> - Right to Roam<br />
<br />
<b>Sparta</b> - Cat Scream<br />
<br />
<b>Sting & Shaggy</b> - 44/876<br />
<br />
<b>Strung Out</b> - Town of Corazon<br />
<br />
<b>The Struts</b> - In Love With a Camera<br />
<br />
<b>The Tallest Man on Earth</b> - Forever is a Very Long Time<br />
<br />
<b>Tash Sultana</b> - Blackbird<br />
<br />
<b>Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra</b> - Chienowa (feat. <b>Kazunobu Mineta</b>)<br />
<br />
<b>Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers</b> - Keep a Little Soul<br />
<br />
<b>Trampled by Turtles</b> - Thank You, John Steinbeck<br />
<br />
<b>The War and Treaty</b> - Healing Tide<br />
<br />
<b>Waxahatchee</b> - Slow You DownBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-13924633580155806102018-05-02T18:18:00.002-07:002018-05-02T18:18:26.029-07:00It's Gotta be MAY<br />
<br />
It's clear I have neglected this blog, and will likely continue to do so. What can I say - I've been as busy as I suspected I would be. I am now working as a Creative Executive at an incredible company called <b>The Young Astronauts</b>, working on everything from TV, Films and music videos to apps and games. It's kind of a creative's dream job.<br />
<br />
The first day on the job, I wrote the treatment which would become this video:<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uKqMNQkjHmI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Outside of work, I am still writing for <a href="theindyreview.com">TheIndyReview.com</a>, and have completed two courses at Otis College of Art and Design, with a third one starting in June. I hope to begin painting again soon, but don't know exactly when (May is going to be busy). <br />
<br />
<i>Automated Irritation</i> has finished it's festival run (I will be attending the Feedback Film Festival in Los Angeles tomorrow where it will be screening), and we are actively developing an anthology series within the same world based on it. <br />
<br />
The creativity goes on in many new ways.<br />
<br />
Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-55980260809604134722018-01-05T07:32:00.000-08:002018-01-05T07:32:00.500-08:00Top Films and Music of 2017Below are my collected Top Films, Albums and Songs of 2017.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Top Ten Films of 2017</u><br />
<br />
1. <i>Wind River</i><br />
2. <i>Kong: Skull Island</i><br />
3. <i>Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing Missouri</i><br />
4. <i>Brigsby Bear</i><br />
5. <i>Logan</i><br />
6. <i>The Post</i><br />
7. <i>Logan Lucky</i><br />
8. <i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i><br />
9. <i>The Big Sick</i><br />
10. <i>The Shape of Water</i><br />
<br />
Honorable Mention: <i>Patty Cake$</i>, <i>Thor: Ragnarok</i>, <i>Blade Runner 2049</i>, <i>The Disaster Artist</i>, <i>Get Out</i><br />
<br />
<u>TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2017</u><br />
<br />
1.<b>Bleachers</b> - <i>Gone Now</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCqoRUXPrVgUFcH4A5trcr4LuzJY84mXDz-ZHP5iWqiiFbvu-75YAhMFSlE5flRbrimgKoIILxbHofd9AQBcxCno58NoqFr5gnR3nb9X45d6BzTgQYk0oL1ZuIgglXXx7dRuprYRAtm0/s1600/4296bc60.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCqoRUXPrVgUFcH4A5trcr4LuzJY84mXDz-ZHP5iWqiiFbvu-75YAhMFSlE5flRbrimgKoIILxbHofd9AQBcxCno58NoqFr5gnR3nb9X45d6BzTgQYk0oL1ZuIgglXXx7dRuprYRAtm0/s200/4296bc60.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="600" /></a><br />
Over the last two years, Jack Antoff has proven himself an expert in pop songcraft, writing and producing tracks for <b>Lorde</b>, <b>Taylor Swift</b>, and more importantly, himself. With his latest venture under the moniker <b>Bleachers</b>, Antoff has created an album that is both cohesive as a singular piece of musical art, and overflowing with radio-ready singles. Gathering influence from 80's pop and stadium rock, songs like "Don't Take the Money" and "Hate That You Know Me" could have ruled the radio and MTV during its heyday, yet also sound completely in-tune with our modern aesthetic. The ways in which Antoff calls-back to certain phrases and melodies throughout the album feels natural instead of gimmicky, and overall helps infuse this work with a romanticism and nostalgia that no other pop album released this year managed to capture so well.<br />
<br />
2.<b>Matthew Ryan</b> - <i>Hustle Up Starlings</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKANY6VQdj9h_XWTzvyTpEThqiALP_bE7CikLDBziVQ8umaVrAfcMsRgZ5gBQOXDCo78FzILzT7CmV6kpYMbjZ-yH7iP7mIoa0pTzMUjKF0kykZ61hB4hyphenhyphenI0xdPTvHT9AQMif7Q7pbaQE/s1600/a3236554635_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKANY6VQdj9h_XWTzvyTpEThqiALP_bE7CikLDBziVQ8umaVrAfcMsRgZ5gBQOXDCo78FzILzT7CmV6kpYMbjZ-yH7iP7mIoa0pTzMUjKF0kykZ61hB4hyphenhyphenI0xdPTvHT9AQMif7Q7pbaQE/s200/a3236554635_10.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1200" /></a><br />
<b>Matthew Ryan</b> is one of the most consistently strong and underrated song-writers working today, and his latest release only continued to solidify that. Ryan's throaty, near-whispered vocals are an emotional weapon, capable of inducing a nuclear impact of hurt, regret, wistfulness and longing. What gives this album an extra adrenalized boost is the production work of <b>Brian Fallon</b>, upping the tempo on excellent tracks like single "(I Just Died) Like an Aviator". It's an extra burst of power to a collection of songs that are at once beautiful and emotionally devastating. <br />
<br />
3.<b>Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires</b> - <i>Youth Detention</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lCKEwJsvXK911tA1fYZISzWHkJAujZuXsNvvBPEXT9CthOCYL_-ho_ii-DBN0Zk89LZVfHPs67TNCUiQ4eEvXrZqJhlOy1ar-_EIqaXSLrTzbJ6Dp-GjOWtPNRgHJf0AJxYR4Apk52E/s1600/LeeBainsAlbum.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lCKEwJsvXK911tA1fYZISzWHkJAujZuXsNvvBPEXT9CthOCYL_-ho_ii-DBN0Zk89LZVfHPs67TNCUiQ4eEvXrZqJhlOy1ar-_EIqaXSLrTzbJ6Dp-GjOWtPNRgHJf0AJxYR4Apk52E/s200/LeeBainsAlbum.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="512" data-original-height="512" /></a><br />
The best true rock n' roll album of the year. Mixing the southern rock heft and hustle of the <b>Drive-By Truckers</b> with the eclectic songwriting of <b>R.E.M.</b>, the songs on <i>Youth Detention</i> explode with punk energy, cracklin' hooks, and stadium-worthy jams.<br />
<br />
4.<b>Matthew Good</b> - <i>Something Like a Storm</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifD67fh-zg8kP2ZZYtRsFuPqK7NCtn-KT8czgkS0VcPOYsbhBDl0aXeAk9bV7o9xlu5NvGrW5udYLbguNGn_iS3v8RYM43BTy62KNjrQpB_rferQMhqCCYO0TaSeTIByLDOtBSB77k4w/s1600/image001.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifD67fh-zg8kP2ZZYtRsFuPqK7NCtn-KT8czgkS0VcPOYsbhBDl0aXeAk9bV7o9xlu5NvGrW5udYLbguNGn_iS3v8RYM43BTy62KNjrQpB_rferQMhqCCYO0TaSeTIByLDOtBSB77k4w/s200/image001.jpg.jpeg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="406" data-original-height="406" /></a><br />
If the title of the album didn't convey it clearly enough, <b>Matthew Good</b>'s latest release is brimming with drama, dread and an impending sense of darkness encroaching on us, and it's a perfect soundtrack for a year that encompassed all of these fears and uncertainties. From the bitter acceptance in "Bad Guys Win" to the contemplative title track, Good's evocative imagery and poetic lyrics bring artfulness to a bleak landscape.<br />
<br />
5.<b>Dispatch</b> - <i>America, Location 12</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtVdivGF_46D9qpbBKtJzM55z5NTBSFAvMlN5MKxiQWZNN7-Qoqu54Win3mNcd-y1tL1OT68IQbqxIHl2-FmtcnIUADf0hsr9ByZ9Ov_vwdD0oZ-o_ljT_g-pomLMjk7-aXKvD21ObFo/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtVdivGF_46D9qpbBKtJzM55z5NTBSFAvMlN5MKxiQWZNN7-Qoqu54Win3mNcd-y1tL1OT68IQbqxIHl2-FmtcnIUADf0hsr9ByZ9Ov_vwdD0oZ-o_ljT_g-pomLMjk7-aXKvD21ObFo/s200/download.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="225" data-original-height="225" /></a><br />
There is a journeyman's quality to <b>Dispatch</b>'s latest work, but one where the person journeying eventually returns to the reality of American life and has to face it. While tracks like "Only the Wild Ones" and "Painted Yellow Lines" evoked carefree times and youthful romance, they are balanced with political scorchers like "Skin the Rabbit" or "Rice Water". Even as the lyrics shift, there is no arguing that it's one of the group's most musically consistent works, blending folk rock with sparks of reggae and hard rock. A great showing that proves why they are one of the most successful independent bands around.<br />
<br />
6.<b>Lucky Boys Confusion</b> - <i>Stomchasers</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mRfoLh38dLGhKSmMCTPHiqJEfkSJvBwmF207nGhEUdMIxRJT3yFB0MpP8odIlpr5c7QnSSpeY4RTNHRtvx58gqhRngMbz9uhEeHsc8Put6T2pRRe-5rDzdUhd3chfmC0AFt74OrbMyI/s1600/a4015870279_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mRfoLh38dLGhKSmMCTPHiqJEfkSJvBwmF207nGhEUdMIxRJT3yFB0MpP8odIlpr5c7QnSSpeY4RTNHRtvx58gqhRngMbz9uhEeHsc8Put6T2pRRe-5rDzdUhd3chfmC0AFt74OrbMyI/s200/a4015870279_10.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1200" /></a><br />
These Chicago boys made their long-awaited comeback this year with an album that shows the pop-punk sound is far from dead. But then, LBC have always been more than just pop punk, incorporating more mature songwriting and doses of ska, reggae and dub into their style to expand it beyond the typical Warped Tour fair. And with tracks like "Sun in My Eyes" and "Good Luck", you'll be wondering why this group isn't yet playing arenas with the <b>Green Day</b>s and <b>Fall Out Boy</b>s of the world.<br />
<br />
7.<b>Sorority Noise</b> - <i>You're Not as __ as You Think</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpXZcmFKTmmqkuuw_NrVthDwZ_2ENWMVmY8t29t4Zgwh3OctDQ3gt5pZ6BHHXkrOTiyicucPnBkNta4YhtWVFjc6yY2zedVPJY0UMqMUDuO2twKv0VQntMPhVqHhbf9K_1Rw5AVPyFh0/s1600/a2994278168_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpXZcmFKTmmqkuuw_NrVthDwZ_2ENWMVmY8t29t4Zgwh3OctDQ3gt5pZ6BHHXkrOTiyicucPnBkNta4YhtWVFjc6yY2zedVPJY0UMqMUDuO2twKv0VQntMPhVqHhbf9K_1Rw5AVPyFh0/s200/a2994278168_10.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1200" /></a><br />
There's been a lot of talk online about an "emo revival", and <b>Sorority Noise</b> are the first group I've listened to that makes me believe it's real. Combining indie rock melodies, punk wails and thoughtful and funny lyrics about struggles with mental health and suicide, <i>You're Not as ____ as You Think</i> rewards repeated listens to unpack the depth of each song.<br />
<br />
8.<b>Chastity Brown</b> - <i>Silhouette of Sirens</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGAUhUs1lQonzVTdV3RBTcrDF3UL8mVoor9POckQeHtr2hIAScjqu5wTJtq68odY5khWSv91YnD5xS7lk-Mv2cT1CheXVePL80WQDn5eSSMzGG7OBvwlAuHsGQ3J6A8gYcE9ID6spbos/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGAUhUs1lQonzVTdV3RBTcrDF3UL8mVoor9POckQeHtr2hIAScjqu5wTJtq68odY5khWSv91YnD5xS7lk-Mv2cT1CheXVePL80WQDn5eSSMzGG7OBvwlAuHsGQ3J6A8gYcE9ID6spbos/s200/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="600" /></a><br />
Lovely, swooning folk rock from a soulful chanteuse. Brown shows an incredible range on <i>Silhouette of Sirens</i>, from delicate to expansive. One could picture these songs playing during a long drive, a rainy evening, or a protest march, and they would only enhance those moments.<br />
<br />
9.<b>Japandroids</b> - <i>Near to the Wild Heart of Life</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlzFDD_ITrR1wdR14ikulWpBbjOGTqQkqjBZSvUw7ap8dFZ5OUSO3KICxt5Mv2u-Emkjc4D0u_MAvMW3V1xznu-5772uWRuK0Sm4SpkJriruO5o669GmfqWSsx2-7RsjVEAF7rXTeuxg/s1600/a2519070406_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlzFDD_ITrR1wdR14ikulWpBbjOGTqQkqjBZSvUw7ap8dFZ5OUSO3KICxt5Mv2u-Emkjc4D0u_MAvMW3V1xznu-5772uWRuK0Sm4SpkJriruO5o669GmfqWSsx2-7RsjVEAF7rXTeuxg/s200/a2519070406_10.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1200" /></a><br />
While not as impactful as their <i>Celebration Rock</i>, the <b>Japandroids</b>' third album is still chock full of power punk pile-drivers driven by Springsteenian storytelling about breaking out of small towns and chasing big dreams. It's crisp open road rock n' roll with a bursting romantic heart at its center.<br />
<br />
10.<b>Miles Mosley</b> - <i>Uprising</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3JlyHEHVWOd2gyiTqjCoCfG4GyyYWPYs2gSv6o48lv1ebX4XAuQHxVv8NyOohiXbhR93-PUaYpqnej5KxavVwsPGF-4XqV55ZnFXx2XDI6WgV7aIhVPLWSBaNRh20pkEPs-kzZNyOTo/s1600/Miles-Mosley-Front-Cover.Photo-by-Aaron-Woolf-Haxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3JlyHEHVWOd2gyiTqjCoCfG4GyyYWPYs2gSv6o48lv1ebX4XAuQHxVv8NyOohiXbhR93-PUaYpqnej5KxavVwsPGF-4XqV55ZnFXx2XDI6WgV7aIhVPLWSBaNRh20pkEPs-kzZNyOTo/s200/Miles-Mosley-Front-Cover.Photo-by-Aaron-Woolf-Haxton.jpg" width="200" height="200" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Barn-burning soul from <b>Kamasi Washington</b>'s stand-up bass player. Rave-ups like "Young Lion" will hit you like a bulldozer, and if you don't get caught up in the piano-driven jam "Abraham", then you certainly should never claim an affinity for funk, because it's the funk song of the decade.<br />
<br />
<u>TEN HONORABLE MENTIONS (In Alphabetical Order)</u><br />
<br />
<b>Brand New</b> - <i>Science Fiction</i><br />
<b>Brian Owens</b> - <i>Soul of Cash</i><br />
<b>Flobots</b> - <i>Noenemies</i><br />
<b>The King Blues</b> - <i>The Gospel of Truth</i><br />
<b>Mexican Institute of Sound</b> - <i>Disco Popular</i><br />
<b>Murs</b> - <i>Captain California</i><br />
<b>Ryan Adams</b> - <i>Prisoner</i><br />
<b>Talib Kweli</b> - <i>Radio Silence</i><br />
<b>Ted Leo</b> - <i>The Hanged Man</i><br />
<b>The War on Drugs</b> - <i>A Deeper Understanding</i><br />
<br />
<u>TOP 50 SONGS OF 2017</u><br />
<br />
1. <b>Paramore</b> - Hard Times<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEB6ibtdPZc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
If you had told me in January that my favorite song this year would be a <b>Talking Heads</b>-inspired pop jam from <b>Paramore</b>, I would have done a double take. Not that the group hasn't written some good songs ("Ain't It Fun" made my Best of 2013 list), but I was definitely blindsided by this one. Maybe it's how the lyrics seemed to directly address what was one of the roughest years of my life, or how Haley and the team did this through one of the most effortlessly cool, quirky, grooving songs they've ever written. Whatever it is, this infectious concoction won the year hands down.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Strand of Oaks</b> - Radio Kids<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qSEdhB9faEs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
A song that touches on the power of music and youth, with guitars that send shivers up my spine and soul. <br />
<br />
3. <b>Bleachers</b> - Don't Take the Money<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B06qqB7bp-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Shiny guitars and 80's production wrap around eccentric pop with stadium ambitions and a hopeless romantic's heart. If <i>Say Anything</i> were released today, it wouldn't be far-fetched to see John Cusack blasting a song like this from his stereo. It hits all the right chords and then some.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Japandroids</b> - No Known Drink or Drug<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKs0IKmPek8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
The Japandroids reveal themselves to be grand romantics with this anthemic rocker. "No known drink, no known drug, could ever hold a candle to your love" is a line that should win over the hardest hearts.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Miles Mosley</b> - Young Lion<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9l9nkfX-YI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
This soul-funk number rages in all the right ways as it blasts out of the speakers with a glorious fire.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Mac McCaughan</b> - Happy New Year (Prince Can't Die Again)<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJCgSKZjP8g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
The best song to address our current political climate this year. Written at the very end of 2016, it sadly stays completely relevant, with the one uplifting note of it being that <b>Prince</b> truly can't die again.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Gorillaz</b> - Ascension (feat. <b>Vince Staples</b>)<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBA0PUQCvIA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
On the outside it's a high energy hip-hop track for the dance floor, but listen to the lyrics, and you'll find Staples demolishing America's gun culture and race relations. A subtly powerful track that will take you by surprise.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Matthew Ryan</b> - (I Just Died) Like an Aviator<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7PlwrwVwFqw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
One of Ryan's most propulsive songs to date. For anyone who has ever lost someone close to them, try listening to Ryan's pleading at the end "Don't die, don't disappear. I swear to God we need you here" without getting choked up. It certainly got to me.<br />
<br />
9. <b>Son Volt</b> - Back Against the Wall<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qkw8RPMjvIk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
This steady folk number has the timelessness of Dylan's best work, with a understated vocal performance that adds an emotional heft to the track.<br />
<br />
10. <b>Bash & Pop</b> - On the Rocks<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zXNkz_awcOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
The most welcome surprise of this year was Tommy Stinson reforming his post-<b>Replacements</b> band to tour and release a new album. The lead single contained all that made the group's first album so strong; catchy guitars, boozy vocals, and a lively spirit.<br />
<br />
11. <b>GospelbeacH</b> - Strange Days<br />
12. <b>Tash Sultana</b> - Jungle<br />
13. <b>Matthew Good</b> - Bad Guys Win<br />
14. <b>Frank Turner</b> - The Sand in the Gears<br />
15. <b>Valerie June</b> - Got Soul<br />
16. <b>ZZ Ward</b> - Domino (feat. <b>Fitz</b>)<br />
17. <b>Dave Hause</b> - The Flinch<br />
18. <b>Lucky Boys Confusion</b> - Sun in My Eyes<br />
19. <b>Aloe Blacc</b> - Real Slow<br />
20. <b>Kesha</b> - Let 'Em Talk (feat. <b>Eagles of Death Metal</b>)<br />
21. <b>Mexican Institute of Sound</b> - Mi T-Shirt De La Nasa<br />
22. <b>Ryan Adams</b> - Doomsday<br />
23. <b>Missio</b> - Middle Fingers<br />
24. <b>311</b> - Too Much To Think<br />
25. <b>Rise Against</b> - House on Fire<br />
26. <b>PnB Rock</b> - Horses (feat. <b>Kodak Black</b> & <b>A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie</b>)<br />
27. <b>Fastball</b> - Just Another Dream<br />
28. <b>Foo Fighters</b> - Run<br />
29. <b>Julien Baker</b> - Distant Solar Systems<br />
30. <b>Our Lady Peace</b> - Drop Me in the Water<br />
31. <b>Earl St. Clair</b> - Ain't Got It Like That<br />
32. <b>Portugal. The Man</b> - Number One (feat. <b>Richie Havens</b> & <b>Son Little</b>)<br />
33. <b>Low Cut Connie</b> - Revolution Rock n Roll<br />
34. <b>Dispatch</b> - Only the Wild Ones<br />
35. <b>Captain We're Sinking</b> - Trying Year<br />
35. <b>Lana Del Rey</b> - Love<br />
36. <b>Flogging Molly</b> - Reptiles (We Woke Up)<br />
37. <b>Alex Cuba</b> - Todas las Cabezas Estan Locas<br />
38. <b>Wyclef Jean</b> - Hendrix<br />
39. <b>Liam Gallagher</b> - Wall of Glass<br />
40. <b>Murs</b> - 1000 Suns<br />
41. <b>Machel Montano</b> - Beat It<br />
42. <b>Brand New</b> - 137<br />
43. <b>Hurray for the Riff Raff</b> - Rican Beach<br />
44. <b>Anti-Flag</b> - Racists<br />
45. <b>Manchester Orchestra</b> - The Gold<br />
46. <b>Cold War Kids</b> - Can We Hang On?<br />
47. <b>Dessa</b> - Good Grief<br />
48. <b>Buyepongo</b> - Sueltan Fuego<br />
49. <b>Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit</b> - If We Were Vampires<br />
50. <b>Tyler Bates</b> - Guardians of the Frickin' Galaxy<br />
<br />
<u>Best of the Rest (In Alphabetical Order)</u><br />
<br />
<b>1 AMVRKA</b> - Raised in the Wild<br />
<b>The Afghan Whigs</b> - Toy Automatic<br />
<b>Aimee Mann</b> - Goose Snow Cone<br />
<b>Ariel Pink</b> - Feels Like Heaven<br />
<b>Authority Zero</b> - Bayside<br />
<b>Beck</b> - Seventh Heaven<br />
<b>Ben Nichols</b> - Stormy Eyed Valentine<br />
<b>Benjamin Booker</b> - Witness<br />
<b>Benjamin Francis Leftwich</b> - Pure Morning<br />
<b>Big Head Todd and the Monsters</b> - Damaged One<br />
<b>Blink-182</b> - Misery<br />
<b>Blondie</b> - Long Time<br />
<b>Brian Fallon</b> - Forget Me Not<br />
<b>Charlie Parr</b> - Dog<br />
<b>Charly Bliss</b> - Glitter<br />
<b>City and Colour</b> - Rain<br />
<b>Curtis Harding</b> - As I Am<br />
<b>Cyril Morin</b> - Arthur and Gena<br />
<b>Damian Marley</b> - Slave Mill<br />
<b>Dan Auerbach</b> - Malibu Man<br />
<b>David Ford</b> - A Hundred Streets<br />
<b>Desmond Dekker </b>- Have Courage<br />
<b>The Dogs</b> - Why is the Flesh So Strong<br />
<b>Dr. Dog</b> - Survive<br />
<b>Drive-By Truckers</b> - The Perilous Night<br />
<b>Father John Misty</b> - Pure Comedy<br />
<b>Flamin' Groovies</b> - End of the World<br />
<b>Flobots</b> - Dancing in the Light of a Burning City (Phoenixes)<br />
<b>Frightened Rabbit</b> - Roadless<br />
<b>George Ezra</b> - Don't Matter Now<br />
<b>Gill Landry</b> - Berlin<br />
<b>Glen Hansard</b> - Time Will Be the Healer<br />
<b>Goldfinger</b> - See You Around<br />
<b>The Goo Goo Dolls</b> - Tattered Edge/You Should Be Happy<br />
<b>Gregg Allman</b> - My Only True Friend<br />
<b>Haim</b> - Want You Back<br />
<b>Holy Oak</b> - Basilisk<br />
<b>Hot Water Music</b> - Never Going Back<br />
<b>J. Roddy Walston & The Business</b> - The Wanting<br />
<b>Jessica Lea Mayfield</b> - Maybe Whatever<br />
<b>Jillette Johnson</b> - Love is Blind<br />
<b>John Legend</b> - Woodstock<br />
<b>Kendrick Lamar</b> - Feel.<br />
<b>The Killers</b> - Run For Cover<br />
<b>The King Blues</b> - Heart of a Lion<br />
<b>King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizards</b> - Rattlesnake<br />
<b>The Knights</b> - Stevens/Arr Atkinson: Suite from Run Rabbit Run: I. Year of the Ox<br />
<b>LCD Soundsystem</b> - Call the Police<br />
<b>Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires</b> - Underneath the Sheets of White Noise<br />
<b>Lee Fields & The Expressions</b> - Time<br />
<b>Lillie Mae</b> - Wash Me Clean<br />
<b>Linkin Park</b> - Heavy (feat. Kiiara)<br />
<b>LP</b> - Switchblade<br />
<b>Mark Mothersbaugh</b> - Ragnarok Suite<br />
<b>Martin Simpson</b> - Thomas Drew<br />
<b>Matt Pryor</b> - I Won't Be Afraid<br />
<b>Mick Jagger</b> - Gotta Get a Grip<br />
<b>Milo Greene</b> - We Kept the Lights On<br />
<b>Mo Kenney</b> - Unglued<br />
<b>Mondo Cozmo</b> - Thunder<br />
<b>New Politics</b> - CIA<br />
<b>The New Pornographers</b> - This is the World of the Theater<br />
<b>The Night Game</b> - The Outfield<br />
<b>Noah Gundersen</b> - The Sound<br />
<b>Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds</b> - Holy Mountain<br />
<b>Olatunji</b> - Ola<br />
<b>P.O.S.</b> - Thieves/Kings<br />
<b>P!nk</b> - Whatever You Want<br />
<b>Palmas</b> - Floating in the Dark<br />
<b>Palolo Deep</b> - Surf Ghetto<br />
<b>Passenger</b> - A Kindly Reminder<br />
<b>Preservation Hall Jazz Band</b> - Santiago<br />
<b>Propagandhi</b> - Failed Imagineer<br />
<b>Ray Davies</b> - Poetry<br />
<b>Red City Radio</b> - Rebels<br />
<b>Robert Plant</b> - The May Queen<br />
<b>Roger Waters</b> - Déjà Vu<br />
<b>Sam Outlaw</b> - Bougainvillea, I Think<br />
<b>Save Ferris</b> - New Sound<br />
<b>Sébastien Tellier</b> - Lovely Blonde<br />
<b>The Shins</b> - The Fear<br />
<b>Slaughter Beach, Dog</b> - Your Cat<br />
<b>St. Vincent</b> - Pills<br />
<b>Starsailor</b> - All This Life<br />
<b>Talib Kweli</b> - Traveling Light (feat. <b>Anderson .Paak</b>)<br />
<b>Tinariwen</b> - Arhegh ad annagh<br />
<b>Travoltas</b> - Until We Hit the Shore<br />
<b>Van Morrison</b> - Transformation<br />
<b>Vic Mensa</b> - We Could Be Free (feat. <b>Ty Dolla $ign</b>)<br />
<b>Vieux Farka Touré</b> - Ouaga<br />
<b>Walk the Moon</b> - One Foot<br />
<b>The War on Drugs</b> - Nothing to Find<br />
<b>Waxahatchee</b> - Silver<br />
<b>Weezer</b> - Mexican Fender<br />
<b>The White Buffalo</b> - Avalon<br />
<b>Wild Cub</b> - Somewhere<br />
<b>Willie Nelson</b> - True Love<br />
<b>Wiretree</b> - Louisiana<br />
<b>The Wombats</b> - Lemon to a Knife FightBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-36717097901947235132017-10-11T16:14:00.000-07:002017-10-11T16:14:06.293-07:00First Published Story on Popularium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARjEIGZBCS2f_ZRLK33BLVuuHQxevIAdmqhBzv1y4HSm_14ebPje8Ir9A3EiTiuwgomFzjNP_AIGAf1NMS4Opueeb7aMYNHubJvXkiRrtz6kKv6tWKvpExraJx-8XxzrHlraExWLfdczu/s1600/hero_moshing-in-his-memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARjEIGZBCS2f_ZRLK33BLVuuHQxevIAdmqhBzv1y4HSm_14ebPje8Ir9A3EiTiuwgomFzjNP_AIGAf1NMS4Opueeb7aMYNHubJvXkiRrtz6kKv6tWKvpExraJx-8XxzrHlraExWLfdczu/s320/hero_moshing-in-his-memory.jpg" width="320" height="113" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="563" /></a></div><br />
I'm proud to announce the publishing of my first story on Popularium, <i><a href="https://popularium.com/story/moshing-in-his-memory/">Moshing in his Memory</a></i>.<br />
<br />
For those of you unfamiliar with the site (which I was before sending in my pitch), they focus on sharing stories and experiences built around the things we love. Whether it's a song, a movie, a type of alcohol, a strain of weed - if it had an impact on a memorable moment from your life, then it could be a Popularium story.<br />
<br />
I hope you all enjoy. I'm hard at work on finishing my next collection of short stories (on #9, with at least 2 more to go). My short film <i>(A)utomated (I)rritation</i> has now gotten into 11 film festivals, and I've started a Drawing & Composition course at Otis College of Art and Design, so focusing on that before returning to painting. <br />
<br />
I know I've been neglecting this blog and the creator's journey, but as so often happens with creative folks - we drop certain projects so we can focus on more immediate ones.<br />
<br />
Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-59348493857498487112017-09-06T07:22:00.002-07:002017-09-06T07:24:29.459-07:00September UpdateI have no kept my word about updating this blog as much as I had promised, but it's only because I've been working on so many other creative ventures!<br />
<br />
1. I have had a blog post accepted on the BlckLst's blog of <a href="https://blog.blcklst.com/essential-rock-n-roll-films-bo-liebman-on-six-string-samurai-1ffd9d1a2eb8">Essential Rock n Roll films</a>.<br />
<br />
2. <a href="http://www.theindyreview.com/">The Indy Review</a> is still going strong with interviews, reviews and recommendations for all types of music.<br />
<br />
3. I am writing the 7th story for my next collection of shorts.<br />
<br />
4. I am developing a script with my friend Tyler Werrin for us to co-author.<br />
<br />
5. I am writing a script with my wife.<br />
<br />
6. I just finished an original piece of artwork for my sister's upcoming food blog. I'll premiere the piece when her blog goes live.<br />
<br />
7. While going through some of my old saved artwork from junior high, I found a piece I liked that had gone unfinished, and am finally finishing it!<br />
<br />
8. I've been revising my pilot <i>The Beaten Path</i> and my short <i>The End Walks</i>.<br />
<br />
9. I've had a story pitch for <a href="https://popularium.com/">Popularium</a> accepted, and need to finish the final draft over the next couple weeks. I'm getting paid for this one!<br />
<br />
On top of all this I've still been job hunting and doing volunteer work. In one of my previous posts I discussed stretching oneself too thin, and I have definitely fallen victim to that. I'm enjoying being busy, but I'll be working on whittling down my number of projects, especially as I have also signed up for a Drawing & Composition course at Otis College of Art and Design, as a prerequisite for taking a storyboarding class next semester.<br />
<br />
God help me if I finally get a full-time job. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq_1SGF3NBExjrAIAkXvlG2C6GZ4KKHVHLE1v2XQvRI34J3ZSLavxFlf1aPEz5DgfraN3awrpzeag8CcbYQ5cUsrx_pFJR9yhfDhN4m3Vo3YqYHTe1uq7pOMr_1Rg2kV0mqzAK1pfrg5Z/s1600/shutterstock_5135089-e1288119215166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq_1SGF3NBExjrAIAkXvlG2C6GZ4KKHVHLE1v2XQvRI34J3ZSLavxFlf1aPEz5DgfraN3awrpzeag8CcbYQ5cUsrx_pFJR9yhfDhN4m3Vo3YqYHTe1uq7pOMr_1Rg2kV0mqzAK1pfrg5Z/s320/shutterstock_5135089-e1288119215166.jpg" width="320" height="239" data-original-width="250" data-original-height="187" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-4409225825342333082017-07-28T13:24:00.000-07:002017-07-28T13:24:12.831-07:00The Indy Review Returns!Those of you who know me that along with a passion for film, television and painting, I am a complete music junkie. In past years, I have contributed to a number of music blogs, most often The Indy Review.<br />
<br />
After being deactivated for a couple years, <a href="http://www.theindyreview.com/">The Indy Review</a> is finally back up and running. Featuring album reviews, new music recommendations, and much more, if you love discovering new music, old music, hearing about shows in your area, or want to share some of your favorite new music, please visit the site.<br />
<br />
We also have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theindyreview/">Facebook page</a> to follow.Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-14291937302783878482017-07-26T16:58:00.003-07:002017-07-26T16:58:42.101-07:00Discipline and DistractionsBetween 2009 - 2010, I was unemployed. And this was one of the most creatively productive times in my life. My schedule would be as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Exercise<br />
2. Spend 1-2 hours looking for jobs<br />
3. Either write 5 pages or write for 2 hours<br />
4. Practice guitar<br />
5. Work on an art project<br />
6. Free time<br />
<br />
I wrote 5 feature screenplays (and completely revised a 6th). I did a number of mixed media pieces (some you have seen on the site like Willie Nelson, Brandon Flowers, and Tom Morello). And I even wrote a bunch of songs (meaning I had to teach myself to actually write songs). Lucky for all of you I didn't have access to good recording equipment or I may have tried pushing a poorly produced EP on your ears.<br />
<br />
Since my unemployment ended in August 2010, a lot has changed. I got a smart phone, with a number of distracting games and apps. I was just on Facebook in 2010, and now I manage a Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter account (the latter two just for art). I have accounts with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and HBO GO, with way too many shows and movies calling my name. Marriage and maintaining a home and relationship also require a good amount of attention (if you have any sense at all).<br />
<br />
And I'm currently unemployed again. <br />
<br />
I would truly like to make this time period as productive as possible. I have a number of creative projects I could be working on at any one time (including this blog), but it just feels...harder. The last seven years have shortened my attention span, and I am doing what I can to fight this urge for distraction with discipline.<br />
<br />
Every day is a battle between these two D's. If I'm able to sit myself down in a chair with some light music in the background, I find I can make myself write for at least an hour. And then the pull comes. The urge to see what's on YouTube. To read through the Facebook wall. To see how many more "likes" my art has gotten on Instagram. To waste my time with the million of entertaining but meaningless actions that will do little to further my career or finances. Or just take a walk to remember there is an outside world.<br />
<br />
During my first stint as an unemployed human, I still had hope that one of the screenplays I was writing could sell and make me a professional writer. Since then, I've worked in the film/television industry, and have learned what it takes to get even a minor-budget film made. With learning how the sausage was made went my appetite for the meat. I have not lost confidence in my scripts, just the ability to get anything produced that isn't branded IP or stemming from the mind of a bankable actor or director. There are so many avenues to get content shown, but so few to earn actual living wages from. <br />
<br />
When it comes to art, despite enjoying the process of making and completing a piece, we are in an economy where few people can enjoy the luxury of buying art (even art as inexpensive as mine ;) ). So what's left to inspire a creative person to discipline themselves as strictly as is really needed to be successful, when the hopes of monetizing ones creativity becomes more and more remote? <br />
<br />
I guess you got to love creating more than playing Words with Friends. It certainly reaps greater, longer-lasting rewards than landing the word "spewing" on a Triple Word tile. Though if I could get a $1 for every point I got in WWF, I would be happily retired by now.<br />
<br />
How do you discipline yourself when trying to finish a project? Please don't say Adderall. Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-27485912000942536692017-07-19T22:24:00.003-07:002017-07-19T22:24:52.165-07:00Copies of Copies of CopiesI have always felt the true value of art comes in it being one of a kind. A singular, unique creation, sprouted from the mind of the artist. When someone is buying that piece of art, they can do so with the piece of mind that no one else will have it. They have acquired something wholly their own, that reflects their tastes and interests just as it's creation reflected the world view of the artist.<br />
<br />
But as an artist, we need to make money. And unless you're Pablo effin' Picasso, you probably can't make a living selling just original pieces. You need to sell prints, and posters, and as much merchandise with your "original art" slapped on as you can.<br />
<br />
Until recently, I had never made a print of any of my pieces, but when an interested buyer came asking about a water color pic I did that was auctioned off years ago, I took a chance and offered to make a print for him (ie: printing out a copy of the piece on high-quality paper and Kinkos). He agreed, and I made a bit of extra money. I had an extra copy made as well that was a bit smudged, and found two people who wanted that one. So my mind percolates, wondering if I can actually make some real money selling prints and posters of some of my more popular pieces. <br />
<br />
But can I? Should I take a risk and invest money in making good quality copies of my art to sell to those who can't afford the originals, with no guarantee they will actually sell? Or should I wait for the demand, and then make the supply? I'm prone to the latter, but if potential customers don't know I have prints/posters, will they know to ask?<br />
<br />
And at what point are the original pieces cheapened by flooding the universe with knock-offs? It would be a bit funny if I could sell a ton of prints of a piece and not actually sell the original. <br />
<br />
At this time, I am seeing if people would be willing to pay for posters of HOW FLUFFY GOT TO HEAVEN and prints of ROCK RESTAURANT. I could certainly use the money, and having one's art hanging in a home, in any form, can often pay off as free advertising.<br />
<br />
As long as the original customers doesn't let their friends make a free copy for themselves. I'm sure there are people out there who don't mind copies of copies. Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-54287835448282660452017-07-01T20:04:00.002-07:002017-07-01T20:04:57.849-07:00July 2017 UpdatesHello Everyone,<br />
<br />
As I finish the first drafts of two new short stories, my first collection THE JESTER AND OTHER MYTHS is now available to order on Amazon in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jester-Other-Myths-collection-Stories/dp/1521560978/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498796878&sr=8-2&keywords=the+jester+and+other+myths">paperback</a>!<br />
<br />
I'm greatly appreciative of all of you whom purchase it, and if you enjoy it, please leave a review!<br />
<br />
I also recently finished my first art piece painted on the front of a discarded freezer door (a lucky find while I was out on a run). The painting was inspired heavily by the recent loss of a close friend to cancer, who loved surfing, as well as by the new single by Manchester Orchestra, "Gold". <br />
<br />
I plan to start my next painting soon, and am actively plotting more short stories for another future collection.<br />
<br />
Thank you for checking in and all continued support.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<br />
Bo<br />
<br />
Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-25556454492391345052017-06-28T16:22:00.000-07:002017-06-28T16:22:03.680-07:00Making Life Meet ArtArtists of all sorts are recommended to draw from their own experiences to influence their work. But how far is it appropriate to go when putting your life on paper/canvas/the screen? <br />
<br />
I recently went through a very tragic personal experience that has definitely had a profound effect on me. There were moments during it where I could see a beautiful, sad painting, and others that had more true drama than anything I've seen on television or film recently. The question I'm left with is should I let this experience influence my creative work,and if so, to what extent?<br />
<br />
For the majority of my early years as a writer, I avoided letting any of my personal experiences appear in any form in my writing. Of course, my influences would appear, whether it was the music I was listening to, other films I had watched, or emotions I was feeling at the time. I'm sure there were characters which sounded like me, as I let my voice go through them. But I purposefully made it so when reading one of my scripts or stories, you would not see stories or people from my life that anyone would recognize.<br />
<br />
This changed after college, with my short film WASTED ON THE YOUNG. Inspired very directly by a friendship I had with a girl who would fall from grace due to drug addiction, and eventually find her way out, it was the most personal film I had written, and when I was deciding on whether I should make it, I had to ask myself three main questions: would the girl ever see the film; if she did, what would she think of it; and should it inform my decision to make this film either way? <br />
<br />
In the end, I made the film. I didn't think she would ever see the film, and if she did, it shouldn't matter. This was my story as much as it was hers, and nothing used in the story was information told to me in confidence (parts came directly from a blog she posted on MySpace).<br />
<br />
The film came out okay (I am still a much better writer than I am a director), but it was something I could stand by, as even if not every detail was true to life, the emotions of the story came through and reflected reality as I saw it.<br />
<br />
<br />
But what happens when the story you want to tell isn't just yours? My recent experience is one I share with a number of people, some who are far closer to it than I am. Part of me wants to paint an image based on a photograph I took, but I feel it would come across as exploiting a tragedy if I tried to sell that piece. And there is a truly moving film in the story, but who's story is it to tell? Do I have a right to tell this story, and if I were to try, should it be from my perspective (the one I know best)? If I go in that direction, how do I make the story not about me? How can I do justice to this very personal tale in a way that's respectful to everyone involved? How do I avoid making it sentimental, shmaltzy crap?<br />
<br />
These are all questions creative people should ask before creating art based on their personal experiences. I don't claim to have an answer, as each experience will differ and it's up to the artist to decide how they would like to handle.<br />
<br />
Or you can just do what I usually do - tell stories about stupid gangsters, alien wrestling leagues, music mystery hunters, and fake crack babies. Only bits of my personal life in those. Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-75575766616238786852017-06-21T10:27:00.000-07:002017-06-21T10:27:34.568-07:00Rookie MistakesGetting out of college, I truly wish there had been a wise guru available to tell me what not to do as I tried to get my writing career started. If I could be that wise guru to future creatives (in this case, writers specifically), I would give them this urgent warning:<br />
<br />
Don't blow your load on a first date.<br />
<br />
When presented with the opportunity to meet with someone way above your station, sending them your material should not be the first thing on your mind. Ask them questions, learn what they are looking for, what the current trends are, how they identify talent, and if you want to ask one favor before leaving, see if it's okay if you stay in touch once in a while to ask questions and seek advice. Show you're thoughtful and looking to learn, and not just an excited kid desperate to get someone to tell them how great your work is.<br />
<br />
<b>Example 1:</b> Shortly after I graduated, I was given the opportunity to meet with a high-level agent at Paradigm (I honestly don't remember how this came about, but I think it was a friend or acquaintance of my mom who knew him and set-up the meeting). At this point, I had 1-2 features and a few short screenplays written. Being the naive little creative that I was, I felt my scripts were good (or good enough) that they would show off my talents as a writer and my breadth of creative genius welling up in my noggin. I was eager to talk about my scripts, get the agent interested in reading them, and then of course have him instantly want to sign me.<br />
<br />
Foolishness. Absolute foolishness. Yes, the meeting went okay - I was of course nervous and the agent could tell I was (he had to tell me to relax and get comfortable). I didn't prepare at all (rookie mistake #1), so I didn't know who is clients were, or anything about him aside from that he was an agent. Without any solid preparation, I didn't have any intelligent questions to ask. It's hard to engage with people and make them care about you if you don't show any interest in them. <br />
<br />
At the end of the meeting, the agent offered to have me send him my scripts to read. What I should have said, "Thank you so much for that offer, and I would definitely like to take you up on that further down the line. Right now, I would love to just be able to reach out once in a while to get your thoughts and advice, until I have a screenplay I think is truly worth sending to you."<br />
<br />
What I said (I'm guessing, as this was a decade+ ago) "Yes, that would be great! How many should I send?" I think I ended up sending the two feature to his assistant (Rookie mistake #2 - you're lucky if a person will read one of your scripts). I followed up a few times. And after a few placating responses, I never heard back from them. A silent pass. A wasted opportunity to have a great contact.<br />
<br />
<b>Example 2:</b> I had spent two summers interning at the newly formed production company Strike Entertainment during college, getting my first introduction to script reading/coverage, and handling the basic duties needed by assistants. It was a great introductory experience, and I'm still in touch with their former creative executive, who now runs his own company at Sony. On occasion I was able to say hello to the head of Strike, but didn't get much 1:1 time with him. <br />
<br />
Once again after college, in my haste to get my written work out to as many people as I could, I had my connection to Strike (a family friend at Universal who knew the company head), arrange for me to submit some of my writing to the company's head. This time I went all out: two features, my award-winning short (Rookie mistake #3 - don't waste executives' time with short scripts, unless they are the greatest things ever written), and a couple bottles of wine to sweeten the deal (cause maybe he'd like the scripts more if he were drunk while reading them). <br />
<br />
Once again, my response on the script was silence. <br />
<br />
Rookie Mistake #4 - do not send scripts that are not ready to be read. If you're just out of college and you think your scripts are awesome and you have had a friend or two read them and agree, guess what? The scripts aren't awesome. They are likely not even good. You'll likely need to cut them down by 15 pages, improve all your characters, make the emotional arcs stronger, and overall spend the next year revising them. Until you've done this, do not send the scripts to anyone who isn't a close friend. 99% of the time, you will get one shot at getting someone big to read your screenplay, and if they don't like it, they won't read another one. <br />
<br />
Don't blow your load on a first date. Establish a relationship. Get to know the person. Get them to see you as more than just another wanna-be writer trying for the big score. Develop your craft, gain some loyalty, and when the time is right, and you're confident you've put the work in, then submit away.Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-57660351705983644572017-06-19T11:21:00.003-07:002017-06-19T11:21:50.882-07:00A Creative's JourneyTrying to make a career our of creative pursuits is hard. It's boxing Mike Tyson hard. It's asking a super model out on a date hard. It's climbing Mount Everest in gym shorts and sandals hard.<br />
<br />
No matter how hard you train for it, no matter who confident you are in your abilities, you will still find you are ill-equipped and under-prepared to face the daunting task of trying to earn a living with a creative pursuit, whatever it may be.<br />
<br />
For myself, I entered the entertainment industry with my heart set on becoming a storyteller for the screen. I wanted to write movies, and eventually direct some. I had a couple of feature scripts written in college, as well as some short films under my belt, and a whole list of script ideas I was hungry to tackle. All of which added up to squat once I was out of school. My features weren't good (or at least, good enough). Nor did anyone care to watch my shorts. <br />
<br />
After a couple years of employment, I used my next period of unemployment to refocus myself. I joined the Writers Boot Camp program, and worked on improving my craft and making connections. I wrote five new features (and revamped a sixth), all of which I felt very proud of. I also used my free time to return to my artistic roots (leading eventually to the Boriginality site) and even had enough time to practice my guitar playing and write a handful of songs. My creative energies were renewed and I was able to keep up that traction even once I found gainful employment again.<br />
<br />
As I am back in a period of unemployment, I am going to use this time to:<br />
<br />
1) Refocus myself again creatively, promoting my art and writing skills as I search for my next position<br />
2) Use this blog to look back at some of my early struggles and failures as I tried to pursue a creative career, in hopefully a way that can educate others who come across this site.<br />
3) Look at methods and tools that creative people can use to grow themselves and their brand as they fight the upward battle to make it in their chosen industry. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Bo<br />
Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-6889554401546048312017-06-15T08:52:00.001-07:002017-06-15T08:52:52.124-07:00New Art, New Film Festivals, New Creative DriveHello Interested Art and Film Fans,<br />
<br />
I am making it my goal for the month of June to become more active in the social media landscape (in a way that hopefully won't drive my friends bonkers). I've created Facebook pages for my art (Boriginality) as well as for my latest short, (A)UTOMATED (I)RRITATION.<br />
<br />
In regards to the former, I've just completed my first piece of new art since my art show in January, "The Great Plains, 2231". Acrylic paint on paper, 12 x 18. The image highlights some of my strengths as an artist (animals, water), with a quiet social commentary regarding our changing climate and possible future. Hoping to find a nice home for this piece!<br />
<br />
I've continued to get good news on (A)UTOMATED; we have now been accepted into six film festivals, and recently won the Best Future Tech award at the Sci-On! Festival in Reno, NV. As the response to the film has been so positive, I've taken the leap and entered the film into some higher profile fests (including ones that are Academy-qualifying). <br />
<br />
On the writing front, I have been editing my short THE END WALKS, as I have a couple people interested in directing it. I'm also working on another short story, as I hope to one day have enough to release another collection like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jester-Other-Myths-collection-Stories-ebook/dp/B01N18L6Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497541739&sr=8-1&keywords=the+jester+and+other+myths">The Jester and Other Myths</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you to all my friends, family, and hopefully new followers for your support!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<br />
BoBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-85138526511865327192017-04-06T21:04:00.002-07:002017-04-06T21:04:41.098-07:00General UpdateIt has a been a long time since I've posted any real update on my work. Here is a rundown of 2017 so far:<br />
<br />
1. Artists Night at the Mattress - I co-hosted my first art show this January, working with two other talented artists to display m work. I sold a few paintings, and auctioned off one of the newest pieces, RESIDENT DUMP, to raise money for the ACLU. Since then, I have found homes for two other works, and sold my pieces SOME ELSEWHERE and WILLIE NELSON to an art collector. <br />
<br />
2. THE JESTER AND OTHER MYTHS - I published a collection of short stories as a kindle book on Amazon. Titled THE JESTER AND OTHER MYTHS, it's available for sale <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jester-Other-Myths-collection-Stories-ebook/dp/B01N18L6Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486330896&sr=8-1&keywords=jester+and+other+myths">here</a>.<br />
<br />
3. (A)UTOMATED (I)RRITATION - The short film I wrote and produced at the end of 2015, (A)UTOMATED (I)RRITATION, has been completed and is being submitted to film festivals. It just today was accepted in the First Fridays Film Festival in Kansas City, MO. <br />
<br />
I will attempt to be a more active blogger as this year continues!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
<br />
BoBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-70845295810274156382016-12-31T19:59:00.000-08:002016-12-31T20:00:24.274-08:00Top Films of 2016<br />
<u>TOP TEN FILMS OF 2016</u><br />
<br />
1. <b>ARRIVAL</b><br />
2. <b>CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR</b><br />
3. <b>SWISS ARMY MAN</b><br />
4. <b>HELL OR HIGH WATER</b><br />
5. <b>SHIN GODZILLA</b><br />
6. <b>LOVING</b><br />
7. <b>OTHER PEOPLE</b><br />
8. <b>LION</b><br />
9. <b>DEADPOOL</b><br />
10. <b>CAPTAIN FANTASTIC</b><br />
<br />
<u>HONORABLE MENTIONS:</u><br />
<br />
<b>LA LA LAND</b><br />
<b>HIDDEN FIGURES</b><br />
<b>MANCHESTER BY THE SEA</b>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-25627840777299455012016-12-04T16:41:00.001-08:002016-12-05T17:06:37.996-08:00Top Albums and Songs of 2016<u>Top Ten Albums of 2016</u><br />
<br />
1. <b>Drive-By Truckers</b> - <i>American Band</i> - No album I heard this year felt more “of the moment”. Tackling gun violence, racial tensions, climate deniers, and so much more, all within their best songs since <i>Brighter Than Creation’s Dark</i>. A true album of 2016.<br />
2. <b>Brian Fallon</b> - <i>Painkiller</i><br />
3. <b>You Won’t</b> - <i>Revolutionaries</i><br />
4. <b>Baaba Maal</b> - <i>The Traveller</i><br />
5. <b>Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam</b> - <i>I Had a Dream That You Were Mine</i><br />
6. <b>Bombino</b> - <i>Azel</i><br />
7. <b>Joseph</b> - <i>I’m Alone, No You’re Not</i><br />
8. <b>Michael Kiwanuka</b> - <i>Love & Hate</i><br />
9. <b>NOFX</b> - <i>First Ditch Effort</i><br />
10. <b>The I Don’t Cares</b> - <i>Wild Stab</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Honorable Mentions</u><br />
<br />
<b>De La Soul</b> - <i>...And the Anonymous Nobody</i><br />
<b>Butch Walker</b> - <i>Stay Gold</i><br />
<b>Augustines</b> - <i>This is Your Life</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Top 50 Songs of 2016</u><br />
<br />
1. <b>Brian Fallon</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OReOjoDaVQ">A Wonderful Life</a> - In a year where I got married, switched jobs, and watched both the worlds of my friends and family, as well as the world at large, go through more major changes than I can remember ever happening in a single year, this song drove me through the hard times and soundtracked the great ones. Fallon was already one of my favorite song-writers, and I actually was not impressed by the track at first, but as the year went on, nothing else stuck to me as strongly.<br />
2. <b>American Authors</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_guBE6TBhoM">Pride</a><br />
3. <b>Drive-by Truckers</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTt0k3GvmOY">What It Means</a><br />
4. <b>Baaba Maal</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab_prEg1IYw&list=PLMDkAIvdUEDIYFOt6-tfPhDZOjnf8HIAH">Traveller</a><br />
5. <b>Sting</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtEIuz71tEk">I Can’t Stop Thinking About You</a><br />
6. <b>Joseph</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3kXDMPwfMc">White Flag</a><br />
7. <b>Taking Back Sunday</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_csSRZdo34g">Tidal Wave</a><br />
8. <b>Hayes Carll</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA4ALuo3Nyw">Good While it Lasted</a><br />
9. <b>David Bowie</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8">Lazarus</a><br />
10. <b>Billy Talent</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4jNU3Jq7d0">Leave Them All Behind</a><br />
11. <b>Panic! At the Disco</b> - LA Devotee<br />
12. <b>Mumford & Sons</b> - There Will be Time (feat. <b>Baaba Maal</b>, <b>The Very Best</b>)<br />
13. <b>You Won’t</b> - No Divide<br />
14. <b>Bombino</b> - Akhar Zaman (This Moment)<br />
15. <b>DJ Shadow</b> - Nobody Speak (feat. Run the Jewels)<br />
16. <b>Elton John</b> - Blue Wonderful<br />
17. <b>Judah and the Lion</b> - Folk-Hop Sound<br />
18. <b>RJD2</b> - Peace of What<br />
19. <b>Goo Goo Dolls</b> - Boxes<br />
20. <b>Junior Empire</b> - West Coast<br />
21. <b>Matagi</b> - Valley Isle<br />
22. <b>Silver Torches</b> - Cal<br />
23. <b>The I Don’t Cares</b> - King of America<br />
24. <b>Big Head Todd and the Monsters</b> - Wipeout Turn<br />
25. <b>Aesop Rock</b> - Rings<br />
26. <b>Dogbreth</b> - Cups and Wrappers<br />
27. <b>Macklemore & Ryan Lewis</b> - Kevin (feat. <b>Leon Bridges</b>)<br />
28. <b>Glass Animals</b> - Life Itself<br />
29. <b>Damien Jurado</b> - Exit 353<br />
30. <b>John Doe</b> - Voar (feat. <b>Dito Rodrigues</b>)<br />
31. <b>The Last Shadow Puppets</b> - Aviation<br />
32. <b>The Naked & Famous</b> - Laid Low<br />
33. <b>The Menzingers</b> - Lookers<br />
34. <b>Butch Walker</b> - Descending<br />
35. <b>The Hotelier </b>- Sun<br />
36. <b>Descendents</b> - Smile<br />
37. <b>Third Eye Blind</b> - Cop vs. Phone Girl<br />
38. <b>Babymetal</b> - Road of Resistance<br />
39. <b>Miranda Lee Richards</b> - 7th Ray<br />
40. <b>Bryce Vine</b> - Glamorama<br />
41. <b>Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam</b> - In a Black Out<br />
42. <b>James Blake</b> - I Need a Forest Fire (feat. <b>Bon Iver</b>)<br />
43.<b>Band of Horses</b> - In a Drawer (feat. <b>J. Mascis</b>)<br />
44. <b>Spookyland</b> - God’s Eyes<br />
45. <b>Courtney Barnett</b> - Three Packs a Day<br />
46. <b>Leonard Cohen</b> - On the Level<br />
47. <b>Alex Da Kid</b> - Not Easy (feat. <b>X Ambassadors, Elle King, Wiz Khalifa</b>)<br />
48. <b>Tegan and Sara</b> - Stop Desire<br />
49. <b>The XX</b> - On Hold<br />
50. <b>Japandroids</b> - Near to the Wild Heart of Life<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Best of the Rest (Alphabetized)</u><br />
<br />
<b>Against Me!</b> - Crash<br />
<b>Alicia Keys</b> - Holy War<br />
<b>Allah-Las</b> - Could Be You<br />
<b>The Americans</b> - The Right Stuff<br />
<b>Anthony Hamilton</b> - Love is an Angry Thing<br />
<b>Astronautalis</b> - Papillion<br />
<b>Augustines</b> - No Need to Explain<br />
<b>Barns Courtney</b> - Hands<br />
<b>Bastille</b> - Winter of Our Youth<br />
<b>Beach Slang</b> - Punks in a Disco Bar<br />
<b>Ben Harper </b>- How Dark is Gone<br />
<b>Blink-182</b> - Sober<br />
<b>Bob Mould</b> - Hold On<br />
<b>Bon Iver</b> - 00000 Million<br />
<b>Caveman</b> - Never Going Back<br />
<b>Charles Bradley</b> - Change for the World<br />
<b>Craig Finn</b> - Screenwriters School<br />
<b>Delicate Steve</b> - Winners<br />
<b>Dinosaur Jr.</b> - Be a Part<br />
<b>Empty Houses</b> - Daydream<br />
<b>Eric Bachmann</b> - Mercy<br />
<b>Face to Face</b> - Double Crossed<br />
<b>Federale</b> - Chango<br />
<b>The Game</b> - What Your Life Like<br />
<b>Gary Clark Jr.</b> - Take Me Down<br />
<b>The Hunna</b> - We Could Be<br />
<b>James Wyatt Crosby</b> - Wild Dog<br />
<b>Jamie T</b> - Joan of Arc<br />
<b>The Jayhawks</b> - Lovers of the Sun<br />
<b>Jimmy Eat World</b> - The End is Beautiful<br />
<b>John K. Sampson</b> - Postdoc Blues<br />
<b>Josh Kelly</b> - The Rock Who Found a Rolling Stone<br />
<b>Lucius</b> - Gone Insane<br />
<b>LUH</b> - I&I<br />
<b>Mako</b> - Into the Sunset<br />
<b>Matisyahu</b> - Crash Landings<br />
<b>Matt and Kim</b> - Haunting Me<br />
<b>Mona</b> - In the Middle<br />
<b>Nada Surf</b> - Believe You’re Mine<br />
<b>Nahko and Medicine for the People</b> - San Quentin<br />
<b>Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds</b> - Skeleton Tree<br />
<b>P.O.S.</b> - Sleepdrone/Superposition<br />
<b>Paul Simon</b> - Cool Papa Bell<br />
<b>Rayland Baxter</b> - Mr. Rodriguez<br />
<b>Red Hot Chili Peppers</b> - Dark Necessities<br />
<b>Rogue Wave</b> - Take it Slow<br />
<b>Sam Feldt</b> - Summer On You<br />
<b>Santana</b> - Anywhere You Want to Go<br />
<b>Santigold</b> - Who I Thought You Were<br />
<b>Skylar Grey</b> - Kill for You (feat. <b>Eminem</b>)<br />
<b>Stephen Marley</b> - It’s Alright<br />
<b>Van Morrison</b> - Too Late<br />
<b>Violent Femmes</b> - Memory<br />
<b>The Virginmarys </b>- Motherless Land<br />
<b>White Denim</b> - Holda You (I’m Psycho)<br />
<b>White Lung</b> - Below<br />
<b>White Sea</b> - Arcadia<br />
<b>The White Stripes</b> - City LightsBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-9024112554031909112016-01-01T10:25:00.000-08:002016-01-01T10:25:25.782-08:00Best of 2015<br />
Top 10 Films:<br />
<br />
1. ME & EARL AND THE DYING GIRL<br />
2. SPOTLIGHT<br />
3. INFINITELY POLAR BEAR<br />
4. SICARIO<br />
5. HATEFUL EIGHT<br />
6. THE BIG SHORT<br />
7. SPY<br />
8. AVENGERS 2: AGE OF ULTRON<br />
9. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD<br />
10. INSIDE OUT<br />
<br />
<br />
Top 10 Albums:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Butch Walker</b> - <i>Afraid of Ghosts</i><br />
2. <b>Mumford & Sons</b> - <i>Wilder Mind</i><br />
3. <b>Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds</b> - <i>Chasing Yesterday</i><br />
4. <b>James Bay</b> - <i>Chaos and the Calm</i><br />
5. <b>Hop Along</b> - <i>Painted Shut</i><br />
6. <b>Kurt Vile</b> - <i>b'lieve I'm Going Down</i><br />
7. <b>Beach Slang</b> - <i>The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us</i><br />
8. <b>Royal Headache</b> - <i>High</i><br />
9. <b>Kristen Diable</b> - <i>Create Your Own Mythology</i><br />
10. <b>The Very Best</b> - <i>Makes a King</i><br />
<br />
Honorable Mentions:<br />
<br />
<b>Millencolin</b> - <i>True Blue</i><br />
<b>Dustin Kensrue</b> - <i>Carry the Fire</i><br />
<b>J.D. McPherson</b> - <i>Let the Good Times Roll</i><br />
<br />
Top 50 Songs:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Lucero</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j8d9ZKySPs">Went Looking for Warren Zevon's Los Angeles</a><br />
2. <b>Josh Ritter</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ5wNPMERmw">Getting Ready to Get Down</a><br />
3. <b>Butch Walker</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvrgkBJSQw8">21+</a><br />
4. <b>J.D. McPherson</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLRZqKJe9Y">Let the Good Times Roll</a><br />
5. <b>Fidlar</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztlZq_qqu-4">West Coast</a><br />
6. <b>Doomtree</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Oj8hqkB7w">My Own Nation</a><br />
7. <b>Mumford & Sons</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW6SkvErFEE">Believe</a><br />
8. <b>Kendrick Lamar</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRK7PVJFbS8">King Kunta</a><br />
9. <b>Andy Grammer</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go7gn6dugu0">Honey, I'm Good</a><br />
10. <b>Red City Radio</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhVakGeVERw">Two Out of Three Ain't Rad</a><br />
11. <b>Awolnation</b> - Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)<br />
12. <b>The Fratellis</b> - Imposters (Little by Little)<br />
13. <b>Metric</b> - The Shade<br />
14. <b>Lil Dicky</b> - Molly (feat. Brendon Urie)<br />
15. <b>Royal Headache</b> - Carolina<br />
16. <b>Death Cab for Cutie</b> - The Ghosts of Beverly Drive<br />
17. <b>Desaparecidos</b> - City on the Hill<br />
18. <b>Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts</b> - Youth Quake<br />
19. <b>Blues Traveler</b> - Matador (feat. Thompson Square)<br />
20. <b>Bloodhoung Gang</b> - Uncool As Me (feat. Joey Fatone)<br />
21. <b>Public Service Broadcasting</b> - Go!<br />
22. <b>Mexican Institute of Sound</b> - La Llama<br />
23. <b>Jason Isbell</b> - Something More Than Free<br />
24. <b>Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds</b> - You Know We Can't Go Back<br />
25. <b>Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney</b> - FourFiveSeconds<br />
26. <b>Jamie T </b>- Magnolia Melancholia<br />
27. <b>Major Lazer</b> - Leon On (feat. MO & DJ Snake)<br />
28. <b>Beach Slang</b> - Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas<br />
29. <b>Hop Along</b> - Sister Cities<br />
30. <b>Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear</b> - Silent Movies<br />
31. <b>Violent Femmes</b> - Fast Horses<br />
32. <b>Crow Bait</b> - Separate Stations<br />
33. <b>Kristin Diable</b> - I'll Make Time for You<br />
34. <b>Millencolin</b> - Bring Me Home<br />
35. <b>Dustin Kensrue</b> - Back to Back<br />
36. <b>James Taylor</b> - Montana<br />
37. <b>GZA</b> - The Mexican (feat. Tom MOrello)<br />
38. <b>Catfish and the Bottlemen</b> - Cocoon<br />
39. <b>The Milk Carton Kids</b> - Shooting Shadows<br />
40. <b>X Ambassadors</b> - Unsteady<br />
41. <b>Mark Knopfler</b> - Beryl<br />
42. <b>Modest Mouse</b> - The Ground Walks, With Time in a Box<br />
43. <b>Local H</b> - Mansplainer<br />
44. <b>Hiss Golden Messenger</b> - He Wrote the Book<br />
45. <b>Action Bronson</b> - Only in America (feat. Party Supplies)<br />
46. <b>Jose Gonzalez</b> - With the Ink of a Ghost<br />
47. <b>Leon Bridges</b> - Better Man<br />
48. <b>Jackie Greene</b> - Light Up Your Window<br />
49. <b>Holy Holy</b> - You Cannot Call for Love like a Dog<br />
50. <b>The Barr Brothers</b> - Burn Card<br />
<br />
And the rest of the songs I loved this year, in alphabetical order:<br />
<br />
<b>Anderson East</b> - Devil in Me<br />
<b>Bhi Bhiman</b> - Up in Arms<br />
<b>Big Wild</b> - Aftergold<br />
<b>Boysetsfire</b> - One Match<br />
<b>Brandon Flowers</b> - Lonely Town<br />
<b>Brian Wilson</b> - The Right Time<br />
<b>Buddy Guy</b> - Flesh & Bone (feat. Van Morrison)<br />
<b>Calexico</b> - Falling from the Sky<br />
<b>Cayucas</b> - Moony Eyed Walrus<br />
<b>Chris Cornell</b> - Let Your Eyes Wander<br />
<b>CHVRCHES</b> - Never Ending Circles<br />
<b>Craig Finn</b> - Maggie I've Been Search For Our Son<br />
<b>David Ramirez</b> - Harder to Lie<br />
<b>Destroyer</b> - Dream Lover<br />
<b>Don Henley</b> - The Cost of Living (feat. Merle Haggard)<br />
<b>Elle King</b> - America's Sweetheart<br />
<b>Enter Shikari</b> - The Last Garrison<br />
<b>Frank Turner</b>- Glorious You<br />
<b>Hit the Lights</b> - Fucked Up Kids<br />
<b>Houndmouth</b> - Sedona<br />
<b>Gang of Youths</b> - Magnolia<br />
<b>Go! Team, The</b> - Reasons Left to Destroy<br />
<b>Imagine Dragons</b> - Shots<br />
<b>Jack Garratt</b> - Weathered<br />
<b>Laura Stevenson</b> - Jellyfish<br />
<b>Libertines, The</b> - Gunga Din<br />
<b>Life of Dillon</b> - Bluebirds<br />
<b>Lord Huron</b> - Until the Night Turns<br />
<b>Mac McCaughan</b> - Our Way Free<br />
<b>Maine, The</b> - Miles Away<br />
<b>Matt Nathanson</b> - Bill Murray<br />
<b>Mikky Ekko</b> - Smile<br />
<b>Mountain Goats, The</b> - Heel Turn 2<br />
<b>Of Monsters and Men</b> - Crystals<br />
<b>Pops Staples</b> - Friendship<br />
<b>Protoje</b> - The Flame (feat. Kabaka Pyramid)<br />
<b>Raury</b> - Devil's Whisper<br />
<b>Rocky Votolato</b> - White-Knuckles<br />
<b>Ryan Adams</b> - In the Dark<br />
<b>Sam Outlaw</b> - Who Do You Think You Are?<br />
<b>Sharon Van Etten</b> - Pay My Debts<br />
<b>Strung Out</b> - Spanish Days<br />
<b>Sufjan Stevens</b> - No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross<br />
<b>Tallest Man on Earth</b> - Sagres<br />
<b>Tal National</b> - Zoy Zoy<br />
<b>Tenement</b> - I'm Your Super Glue<br />
<b>Wale</b> - The White Shoes<br />
<b>Weepies, The</b> - Early Morning Riser<br />
<b>Will Dailey</b> - Castle of Pretending<br />
<b>Wiz Khalifa</b> - See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth)<br />
<b>Zedd</b> - Transmission (feat. Logic, X AmbassaBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-37752365800749747942015-07-14T21:48:00.002-07:002015-07-14T21:48:28.789-07:00DUCK IT ALL TO HELL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw4rLWNQu-s7q-N5BDEKshTdW-H50CjOTTKHLo2JrfE5tPRhrNsbGvhmuJGXCA9CYB1gfWsmfF1wlk5Bjl3aKMjnz0ixvXaI208fr6WAKACiWCUlKE2vc0XVkRGlPIY4OhKht0jZpZb8S/s1600/DUCK+IT+ALL+TO+HELL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw4rLWNQu-s7q-N5BDEKshTdW-H50CjOTTKHLo2JrfE5tPRhrNsbGvhmuJGXCA9CYB1gfWsmfF1wlk5Bjl3aKMjnz0ixvXaI208fr6WAKACiWCUlKE2vc0XVkRGlPIY4OhKht0jZpZb8S/s400/DUCK+IT+ALL+TO+HELL.jpg" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-82197272587551873722015-02-13T17:39:00.000-08:002015-02-13T17:39:23.719-08:00Club Scene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QjFk4-58KXTrtANMoVdlB65V3mNoPd_lIgUb3nxUgm1BMv4fqgLYwR2vEduOqWjI0X0wtVtc0DTVEHCwKT5C-jX6e5XRO6jjgJUt70sfI7J0KtfSS5flUwphMVcGbV99RT8QJIW768oM/s1600/Club+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QjFk4-58KXTrtANMoVdlB65V3mNoPd_lIgUb3nxUgm1BMv4fqgLYwR2vEduOqWjI0X0wtVtc0DTVEHCwKT5C-jX6e5XRO6jjgJUt70sfI7J0KtfSS5flUwphMVcGbV99RT8QJIW768oM/s320/Club+scene.jpg" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-75895039287001898702015-01-03T16:44:00.000-08:002015-01-03T16:44:06.242-08:00Best of 2014As I did last year, below find my favorite films and music of 2014. I sadly didn't see as many films this year as I would of liked, so there may be some glaring omissions.<br />
<br />
<b>Top 10 Films:</b><br />
1. ST. VINCENT<br />
2. SKELETON TWINS<br />
3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY<br />
4. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL<br />
5. X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST<br />
6. WHIPLASH<br />
7. INHERENT VICE<br />
8. BOYHOOD<br />
9. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER<br />
10. DOM HEMINGHWAY<br />
<br />
<b>Honorable Mentions:</b> IMITATION GAME, BEGIN AGAIN<br />
<br />
Top 10 Albums:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Crow Bait</b> - <i>Sliding Through the Halls of Fate</i><br />
2. <b>First Aid Kit</b> - <i>Stay Gold</i><br />
3. <b>Curtis Harding</b> - <i>Soul Power</i><br />
4. <b>Broken Bells</b> - <i>After the Disco</i><br />
5. <b>Augustines</b> - <i>Augustines</i><br />
6. <b>Ben Howard</b> - <i>I Forget Where We Were</i><br />
7. <b>Delta Spirit</b> - <i>Into the Wide</i><br />
8. <b>Roll the Tanks</b> - <i>Broke Til Midnight</i><br />
9. <b>Mariachi El Bronx</b> - <i>Mariachi El Bronx III</i><br />
10. <b>Future Islands</b> - <i>Singles</i><br />
<br />
Honorable Mentions: <b>The War on Drugs</b> - <i>Lost in the Dream</i>, <b>Drive-By Truckers</b> - <i>English Oceans</i>, <b>The Hold Steady</b> - <i>Teeth Dreams</i>, <b>You+Me</b> - <i>Rose Ave</i>, <b>Atmosphere</b> - <i>Southsiders</i><br />
<br />
Top 65 Songs:<br />
<br />
1. <b>Crow Bait</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB42LdcNPY8">83</a><br />
2. <b>James Bay</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Eh-LDFS5Q">If You Ever Want to Be In Love</a><br />
3. <b>Bryce Vine</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLs3xaUInB8">Sour Patch Kids</a><br />
4. <b>Willie Nelson</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wum5CnbNE7w">The Wall</a><br />
5. <b>Curtis Harding</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auzf2UzWdKk">Surf</a><br />
6. <b>Broken Bells</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E36_UiCiIxk">Leave it Alone</a><br />
7. <b>Circa Zero</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2O4WQnCUX0">Levitation</a><br />
8. <b>First Aid Kit</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syPzVZXrSlc">Stay Gold</a><br />
9. <b>Lake Street Drive</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRrjDhQLw9s">Bad Self Portraits</a><br />
10. <b>Bleachers</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5osPtE7kXI">I Wanna Get Better</a><br />
11. <b>Future Islands</b> - Seasons (Waiting On You)<br />
12. <b>Jamie T</b> - The Prophet<br />
13. <b>Jack White</b> - Lazaretto<br />
14. <b>Bruce Springsteen</b> - American Skin (41 Shots)<br />
15. <b>The War on Drugs</b> - Red Eyes<br />
16. <b>The Fray</b> - Wherever This Goes<br />
17. <b>Atmosphere</b> - My Lady Got Two Men<br />
18. <b>The Madden Brothers</b> - We Are Done<br />
19. <b>Damon Albarn</b> - Photographs (You Are Taking Now)<br />
20. <b>The Both</b> - Milwaukee<br />
21. <b>Foster the People</b> - Coming of Age<br />
22. <b>David Gray</b> - Gulls<br />
23. <b>Walk the Moon</b> - Shut Up and Dance<br />
24. <b>Ben Howard</b> - I Forget Where We Were<br />
25. <b>Augustines</b> - Walkabout<br />
26. <b>Max Collins</b> - Sports Bar<br />
27. <b>Taking Back Sunday</b> - Stood a Chance<br />
28. <b>Nikki Lane</b> - Seein' Double<br />
29. <b>The Gaslight Anthem</b> - Sweet Morphine<br />
30. <b>Death</b> - We're Gonna Make It<br />
31. <b>Strand of Oaks</b> - For Me<br />
32. <b>Passenger</b> - Scare Away the Dark<br />
33. <b>Kevin Miso</b> - Zombie<br />
34. <b>Drive-By Truckers</b> - Grand Canyon<br />
35. <b>Blanco, Husalah & Kokane</b> - Grief and His Due<br />
36. <b>Bon Iver</b> - Heavenly Father<br />
37. <b>Cloud Nothings</b> - No Thoughts<br />
38. <b>Against Me!</b> - Dead Friend<br />
39. <b>Ryan Adams</b> - Tired of Giving Up<br />
40. <b>Afghan Whigs</b> - Algiers<br />
41. <b>The Lawrence Arms</b> - Paradise Shitty<br />
42. <b>Robert Plant</b> - Rainbow<br />
43. <b>The Hold Steady</b> - Oaks<br />
44. <b>Bike for Three!</b> - Heart as Hell<br />
45. <b>Cold War Kids</b> - First<br />
46. <b>Damien Rice</b> - The Greatest Bastard<br />
47. <b>Taylor Mcferrin</b> - Postpartum<br />
48. <b>George Ezra</b> - Budapest<br />
49. <b>Foo Fighters</b> - In the Clear<br />
50. <b>Sun Kil Moon</b> - Carissa<br />
51. <b>Gruff Rhys</b> - American Interior<br />
52. <b>Tove Lo</b> - Habits (Stay High)<br />
53. <b>The Decemberists</b> - Make You Better<br />
54. <b>Ray LaMontagne</b> - Supernova<br />
55. <b>Wild Cub</b> - Thunder Clatter<br />
56. <b>Yelawolf</b> - Till It's Gone<br />
57. <b>Eno . Hyde</b> - Daddy's Car<br />
58. <b>Antemasque</b> - In the Lurch<br />
59. <b>Pixies</b> - Snakes<br />
60. <b>Lagwagon</b> - Reign<br />
61. <b>Young the Giant</b> - Mind Over Matter<br />
62. <b>Brody Dalle</b> - Underwold<br />
63. <b>Tune-Yards</b> - Water Fountain<br />
64. <b>Sturgill Simpson</b> - Turtles All the Way Down<br />
65. <b>Chrissy Hynde</b> - Dark SunglassesBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-82209150799414807122014-11-28T11:18:00.002-08:002014-11-28T11:18:57.585-08:00The Dance (or Wrong Way, Tick)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmclmVWmfHkl0_-bltJ4T6ZbXmN6uJv8pAssrND3gY3mKRJnr96O9i56f7SffHn1z-L-xjhhwkghfkHWr_wHlzX2d7trtRsfKKA5LahiWBnic4B6uKSgHtGjwZ_1-8TzM9povuxxFxSBO-/s1600/The+Dance+(aka%2BWrong%2BWay%2BTick).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmclmVWmfHkl0_-bltJ4T6ZbXmN6uJv8pAssrND3gY3mKRJnr96O9i56f7SffHn1z-L-xjhhwkghfkHWr_wHlzX2d7trtRsfKKA5LahiWBnic4B6uKSgHtGjwZ_1-8TzM9povuxxFxSBO-/s400/The+Dance+(aka%2BWrong%2BWay%2BTick).jpg" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-82495405319575710992014-11-28T08:03:00.000-08:002014-11-28T08:03:27.039-08:00Bitches Be Tripping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDWsUuLDQSSSdmZpc0jzUw74yikdbpCJYkjT2wAPAx2v4mhWnLj7j8xCLoba9YKbr6PhObNp35Hn6m07VnJPEPOOObNm80nz8CS703OM0ldqhT3lTIqbwjmTTaDfXUVV5qqoC75_gue9/s1600/BItches+Be+Tripping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDWsUuLDQSSSdmZpc0jzUw74yikdbpCJYkjT2wAPAx2v4mhWnLj7j8xCLoba9YKbr6PhObNp35Hn6m07VnJPEPOOObNm80nz8CS703OM0ldqhT3lTIqbwjmTTaDfXUVV5qqoC75_gue9/s400/BItches+Be+Tripping.jpg" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-20261615601666142512014-08-19T15:26:00.002-07:002014-08-19T15:26:58.132-07:00Giraffster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0FVHYf9LtiyVuFXIEc_UKjOIAhOJGeqEo6nRxu8fyi3ev5DoBAEYcY_1pxtx3IVNbibcL2itWytuvvJ5KcQ-i2-sv_nrEJMZ0nwgBbzlVxrGANKbxXnxHpNALQwhTWkv7BkG1RkyzBla/s1600/Giraffster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0FVHYf9LtiyVuFXIEc_UKjOIAhOJGeqEo6nRxu8fyi3ev5DoBAEYcY_1pxtx3IVNbibcL2itWytuvvJ5KcQ-i2-sv_nrEJMZ0nwgBbzlVxrGANKbxXnxHpNALQwhTWkv7BkG1RkyzBla/s400/Giraffster.jpg" /></a></div>Bohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3941595114559846517.post-49320884439418004942014-08-12T19:45:00.000-07:002014-08-12T19:45:04.604-07:00Words for Robin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI5y8-pSDQXKyWF7ZS4CkGOMO_qxy4CQkFknaSzDzx-eSwkndXecRHTciUNHj2UN7NtqVZQ3l0S95734_gElLR6FE-KVaMCM6peym4pjJXht0hfhGIXsJOyl8MCZm375NfdUmla3zXN-i/s1600/10360187_10103314797146777_382281891926356296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI5y8-pSDQXKyWF7ZS4CkGOMO_qxy4CQkFknaSzDzx-eSwkndXecRHTciUNHj2UN7NtqVZQ3l0S95734_gElLR6FE-KVaMCM6peym4pjJXht0hfhGIXsJOyl8MCZm375NfdUmla3zXN-i/s400/10360187_10103314797146777_382281891926356296_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I normally avoid personal posts on this site, but I had to take some time to pay tribute to Robin Williams. Like so many out there, I grew up with Robin in my life. I was a fan from early on, watching MORK & MINDY reruns with my mom, but that fandom never died. His wonderful films taught me so much about comedy, and how to infuse it with heart (of which he had so much). His work with Comic Relief and other great causes showed how comedy could be used as a force for good in the world. He influenced my sense of humor and I'm sure is one of the reasons I am trying to be a comedy writer today (I dreamed of him starring in my screenplay CRACK BABY BLUES). Watching his HBO Live on Broadway special with my dad and brother, all of us laughing, is one of those memories I have where I truly felt bonded with my family. But I was lucky enough to have a personal memory of Robin as well. <br />
<br />
The picture above was taken on the set of TOYS. A close family friend (the wonderful Julie Pitkanen) who was working on the movie brought me there, knowing I was a big MORK AND MINDY fan, and loved Robin Williams. Getting to watch him in person did nothing to assuage that love. During the scene, Robin was just walking down a hilly room. After a few takes, out of nowhere, he produced a red clown nose and put it on just for that take. The shot couldn't be used, but he had everyone laughing. When he finally got to take a break to eat some chili, I was brought over and introduced. He was completely friendly, and seeing that I was nervous, began to speak in a creepy foreign voice "don't worry, I will not hurt you". He went on and on, making it impossible for me to keep a straight face while the picture was being taken. This memory would be a highlight of my youth, and I am so grateful for it.<br />
<br />
I miss this man so much already. He literally brought joy to the world, and it will forever me a little darker and less whimsical without him here. #RIPRobinWilliamsBohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205382508156542793noreply@blogger.com0