Top Albums of 2010

1. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
What else can I say except that this band is on the mountain top and I don’t see them coming down for a long time. No other rock band comes close to the energy, passion, and joy of Arcade Fire. I’ve had the privilege to see this band live in 2007 and 2010, and every time I’ve left with chills. It’s hard to explain if you haven’t experienced them in the here and now. They are products of this modern age. The Suburbs wonderfully captures the plight of young people as they are called to explore the world even if it challenges the core of their existence.


2. The Black Keys – Brothers
I have to be honest, I slept on this CD and band for awhile. It was only until a few weeks ago was I totally blown away by the Black Keys. These guys are raw and they have an edge that I haven't seen in a band for a few years (e.g. Kings of Leon). Even Hollywood has The Black Keys fever because it seems that every other commercial has a Black Key's jam playing in the background. 2010 was without question the year of The Black Keys.

3. Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
It might be easy to peg this band from Ireland as another Vampire Weekend or Phoenix. However, they are so much more. These energetic indie rockers bring an incredible amount of enthusiasm and their CD Tourist History is catchy from start to finish. It does not let up. During the past year, I felt that there weren't as many musical discoveries unlike in 2009. This group gets award for best discovery of 2010.


4. Mark Ronson & The Business International – Record Collection
I've known of Mark Ronson for a few years and when I caught wind of his new solo project I knew that the results would be positive. A wild blend of electronica, hip-hop, and indie pop, this record was a home run. A collaborative effort, Mark Ronson brings Q-Tip, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow), Boy George, & MNDR to produce an album that is a tour-de-force.


5. Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had The Blues But Shook Them Loose
This album gets the prestigious honor for most times listened to while at work. Time and time again, I heard this album often at a high volume level. It always put me in a good mood, thus fulfilling the name of the album title.


6. Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
This year, it seems as if there were dozens of indie pop folk bands that broke through into the mainstream. Band of Horses have consistently been churning out fantastic harmonies and southern rock rhythms for the better half of the last decade. With the release of Infinite Arms, Band Of Horses have arrived and with a Grammy nomination, it is a sign that this Seattle act is finally getting the recognition they deserve.


7. Broken Bells – Broken Bells
A CD that released last winter, the Broken Bells is still high on my most memorable records of the year. Solid throughout, this self-titled release remains on heavy rotation on my iphone and itunes. This album made the Gorillaz CD very forgettable.



8. Vampire Weekend – Contra
Any record released in January and that is remembered in the month of December is a success. In the span of a year, Vampire Weekend has catapulted to the top of indie rock stardom. Now, one can't turn on the tv (thanks Honda) without hearing "Holiday" on the airwaves. I still recall posting on my twitter in January that Contra was one of the best albums of the year. 11 months later, I still believe that.


9. Yeasayer – Odd Blood

I know these guys draw instant comparisons to MGMT & Passion Pit but Yeasayer reaffirms why I am a fan of the indie experimental electronic genre. Although I did not post their video for Madder Red that features Kristen Bell, I felt it deserved an honorable mention for the weirdest video of 2010. YouTube it.

10. Keane – Night Train (EP)
I was extremely disappointed with Keane’s last full length album, Perfect Symmetry and I approached Night Train with great trepidation. I had no idea what to expect. Usually, EP’s are a band’s excuse to release a few forgetful B-Sides and to show off their creative muscle. In Night Train, the group added more guitars and a touring bass player. Although losing a little of their charm as a three piece group, their stage presence is superior today than in previous years. I feel that Keane has finally found a sound they are comfortable with. Night Train restored my faith in this band and I hope 2011 brings renewed vigor and material from these lads.

TRON: LEGACY - Daft Punk's "Derezzed"

This is going to be one hell of a movie and soundtrack.

Band to Watch: The Naked And Famous

For the past few months, I've been hooked on a fresh, new band from the beautiful island of New Zealand. After a first listen, The Naked And Famous will certainly draw the immediate comparison to Passion Pit and Yeasayer. It remains to be seen if that will be a handicap or will propel their music as they venture further away from their island surroundings. Even though the only song available in the States is "Youngblood," it will challenge the limits of my patience until the full length is released. The Young And Famous are certainly a group to be watchful of in the months to come. I love discovering emerging bands and I am looking forward to following this band as they navigate the waters of the indie music scene.

Mona - Listen To Your Love

I found this group on NME's top 100 new bands of 2010. If the Kings of Leon were still good, they would sound a lot like Mona. This song is dynamite!

"All Hallows Eve"

It would not be Halloween, without "The Horrors."

BOO!

Commercials

I get excited when my favorite bands are featured in commercials. It makes me feel as if I'm ahead of the curve when it comes to music. It's vindicating.

Buick Regal x Miike Snow


HTC x Fitz and The Tantrums

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB | UNDERCOVER MARTYN

The more I listen, the more I love.

Delphic - Doubt

Childhood Classic - An American Tale

I watch this, and I want be young again.

Album of the Week - Fitz & the Tantrums

I've been waiting for this CD for almost an entire year! In recent years, there has been an resurgence in 60's influenced soul music. Based out of LA, Fitz and the Tantrums explode on stage with the energy of an atomic blast.

But Wait, There's More!

My oh my, how the tables have turned.

Built for the Long Haul

I've come a long way in the last year and a half. After getting my heart and soul trampled upon last spring, I knew it would be a long haul on the road to recovery. One of the things that has helped me reclaim my self worth has been working out. Losing 10 pounds was a tremendous milestone. I was never fat but I felt it. Living an active lifestyle has done wonders. I am more motivated in nearly every area of my life and I am enjoying it.

Opulence, I has it

THIS IS THE BEST COMMERCIAL EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elbow - Grounds For Divorce

I freaking love this song. The more I listen to rock and as I mature in my musical tastes, the more I recognize & appreciate the blues. Rock 'n Roll was borne out of the blues. You won't understand one without the other. The only proper way to listen to this track is at max volume and to be in a lousy mood. Its liberating.

Athlete - Black Swan Song

I'll be honest and say that I don't normally read song lyrics. If it has a good beat and if I like the vocals, the chances are I won't care about much else. However, the first time I heard this song by Athlete I was captivated. Grandiose with lots of strings, Black Swan Song brings an emotional & personal ballad that will leave you at the edge of your seat.

Victorious

Tonight, the Lakers beat the hated Boston Celtics. From my earliest days, I've watched the highlight reels from the 60's and the 80's of the epic battles between the Celtics and Lakers. As the rivalry faded during the 90's and the new century, I would often wonder if the Lakers and Celtics would ever square off again in the Finals. In 2008, the stars aligned and the rivalry was renewed. That year, the Celtics celebrated as the Lakers were embarrassed in the worst loss ever in an NBA Finals elimination game. I was devastated after that defeat and it forever coalesced my animosity towards the Celtics.

From day one of the playoffs, I wanted the Boston Celtics. They made an amazing run defeating the Heat, Cavs, and the Magic. The Celtics are a tough and gritty team. I would consider them as a dirty squad but that's just the Boston way. The Lakers needed to raise their level of physicality to a new strata.

The 2010 Finals were a roller coaster. Unpredictable, it was tough to determine which team was superior. I will always be reminded of the adjustments each team made game to game. These were juggernauts in an epic struggle to add upon their own storied legacies. Game 7 was emotionally exhausting. I am drained. Its currently 1:30 in the morning but I don't want to go to sleep on this historic day.

I was always jealous of anyone who was around during the Lakers/Celtics duels of the 80's. My parents would often tell me of how great the Laker teams of the 80's were and how exciting it was to play the Celtics in the Finals. Now, I can tell those stories to my kids but instead of Kareem, Magic, Worthy, & Cooper; I will proudly remind my young of Kobe, Gasol, Fisher, and Artest.

Seattle Cop Punches Girl in Face - Jaywalking Stop 6-15-10

Call me crazy, but if a police officer asks you to do something then just do it. Don't resist. Don't give them attitude. Don't lecture them about not "knowing your rights." If you obey, the odds are that you probably won't end up like these stupid women for lack of a better word...

K'NAAN - Wavin' Flag

The stage does not get any larger than the World Cup. K'naan strikes gold with his original song Wavin' Flag. Picked by FIFA as the official song of the 2010 World Cup, K'naan has arrived! The son of a Somalian poet, K'naan caught my interest a few months ago when he performed on KCRW. I think American rappers should take notes. K'naan is from one of the dangerous corners of the world. It makes jokers like "Fifty Cent" appear as if they grew up in Newport Beach. Detroit is not Mogadishu.

Palm x Miike Snow

I always thought it would be a cool job to select the music played in commercials & movies. I feel validated when I hear music from bands such as Miike Snow in commercials. The ground floor is an amazing place to be.

Miike Snow - 5/30/10

There are certain bands that just seem to meet you where your at in life. In 2009, Miike Snow was exactly what I needed. Their dark brand of experimental electronic indie rock picked up where bands such as Keane & Justice left off. On Sunday, I made the solo trek to LA's El Rey to see them for the second time. Let me tell you, it was very worth it!

"Black & Blue"


Outro to "Silvia"

Carney

For me, this year has been a relatively quiet when it comes to discovering new music. That is, until I overheard a discussion at work of a band called, Carney. After one listen of their new album Mr. Green: Volume 1, I was hooked. Blending the blues, jazz, and classic rock 'n roll, these guys show off their talents in every song. Adding to the band's lore, lead singer Reeve Carney, was actually chosen to play Peter Parker in the Broadway production of Spider-man that was composed by U2's Bono & the Edge. With those credits, it will be hard to ignore Carney in the months and years to come. If you like real music played by real musicians then Carney is for you.

My Favorite Movie

Three words: Wit, imagination, & animals!

Mayer Hawthorne - One Track Mind

Mayer Hawthorne. Fresh.

Doves - Andalucía

I love the movements, colors, and textures in this video. Andalucia is the region in Spain that sprouted Flamenco dancing. This is truly a beautiful video rich in culture & passion.

Doves do something to me. Their music resonates deep within my heart. Its a wonderful feeling.


Doves - Andalucia

Doves | MySpace Music Videos

Passion Pit - The Reeling

In a few days, Passion Pit is opening for Muse at Staples Center. I would seriously buy a ticket just to see Passion Pit and leave before Muse.

The Man's Guide To Love

My good friend Lolo introduced me to this ingenious new website called, "The Man's Guide to Love." Guys are always ready to rant, pontificate, and counsel when their fellow brother-in-arms is in the dumps because of a girl. Every guy has their own "proven" method to get a girl, convoluted hotness scale, flirting technique, or revelation about the mind of a woman. These discussions are thoroughly intriguing. Here are a few of the nuggets that I found:

The Man's Guide To Love #57 from themansguidetolove on Vimeo.

The Man's Guide To Love #3 from themansguidetolove on Vimeo.

The Man's Guide To Love #23 from themansguidetolove on Vimeo.

Winter Update: The Proof Is In The Pudding

Recently, I've been thinking that I've posted a lot about politics, music, sports, and other stuff but nothing much about me. With that in mind, I think that the time is about right for an update.

If any of you know me, you know that 2009 was the year from hell. Relationships crumbled, my truck broke down on the 55 fwy at 12:30 am, work stress, brokenness, and at least one mental breakdown.

From the outset, I purposed in my heart that 2010 would be a better year for me. I took some proactive steps and they have paid off. The biggest and hardest thing to do was to cut off any and all communication with someone that I dated for 3 years. That was incredibly difficult. I tried to be a friend but towards the end, I just couldn't handle it anymore. It was a toxic relationship and I had to be done with it once and for all. So, on December 5th, I sent my last text and I haven't looked back since. About a week before Christmas, was eating lunch with a good friend of mine who was dealing with a similar situation. She empathized with my problems and supplied me with the resolve that I needed to continue on. I don't know why everything all of a sudden clicked in my brain but after that conversation, I was determined to take the next step in reclaiming my life. I lost my way for a few years. Of course, there were moments that I will always cherish but the level of heartache that I endured overshadowed everything else.

Since then, lo' & behold, my life has gotten dramatically better. My mind is clear and I feel restored. I am making decisions for myself and not just to please someone. I am myself. Joe Pena is back again! The clouds have parted and everyday is getting easier. I am working out 4x a week, my debt is almost gone, and with any luck I'll be able to put a good down payment on a car in a few months. This process was a tremendous learning experience. I've learned just about every lesson one could endure in a situation such as my own.

Now to wrap this up, if there is one word that could best describe my year so far, it would be: focused. I feel that I've layed the ax to the root of my problems and this entry has demonstrated that the proof is in the pudding. 1/3 of the year is almost in the books. I have great expectations for what the rest of 2010 holds!

"Dan Blather"

It should be common knowledge by now that Dan Rather is a crack-pot. After airing false stories about President Bush's military record (which eventually forced Rather to resign from CBS), Mr. Rather made this brow raising comment on the Chris Matthew's Show on March 7th.



Now, if Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney would have uttered Rather's words then a firestorm would have ensured. Denouncements and apology demands from the ACLU, NAACP, the Black Caucasus, and the media elite would dominate the news cycle. Still think there isn't any bias in the mainstream media? Then my friend, I have some swamp land that I want to sell you.

Presidential Reunion

This might be the funniest thing Will Ferrell has ever done.

Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion from Will Ferrell

A Pandora's Box

A few of my friends and I were discussing the comments made by Seattle-area Pastor Mark Driscoll about the movie Avatar.

Watch.


Delving into the film's worldview, Driscoll did not mince words as he called Avatar the "most demonic, satanic film" he had ever seen. I agree 100% with his analysis of the film's overt paganism. To be more precise, Pantheism is the belief that Nature and God are identical. "All is God" a pantheist might say. Only through nature would one find the sacred essence of existence. From a Protestant perspective, this is false doctrine that stands in direct opposition to Scripture. What do you think about Driscoll's statment? Too strong? Not strong enough? Or just right?

R.I.P. Doug Fieger

A few months ago, my co-worker introduced me to the late 60's pop sensation, The Knack. Last night, the band's frontman Doug Fieger passed away due to cancer. The band was catapulted to the heights of rock stardom with their hit "My Sharona". Their other hits include Good Girls Don't, Let Me Out, and Baby Talks Dirty. Goodbye Doug. You'll be missed!

La Bamba!

I think every Latino boy that learns the guitar has dreams of becoming the next Ritchie Valens. For those of you gringos who don't know who I'm talking about, Ritchie Valens was a rock and roll phenom in the late 1950's. His story became popular in the 1988 film, La Bamba. Valens was from the San Fernando Valley. My great aunt knew the Valenzuela family from their early days in Pacomia. Ritchie's life ended in a tragic airplane crash while on tour with Buddy Holly in 1959. He was only 17.

When I was little, I would watch La Bamba with my family and I would always break out my plastic guitar and act out the concert scenes. Those are some of my fondest memories as a young child. Anytime, La Bamba is on TV, everything stops. I found a clip from YouTube. =)



As a Mexican American, I am proud and grateful for the groundwork that Valens laid for generations of latino musicians. He broke through the sterotypes and people of all races loved his music.

WOW!!!

I haven't had much time to blog of late. Time and inspiration are two of the reasons why I was silent for most of January. Finding time is a fairly obvious problem. Work has been crazy the past few weeks and I'm barely getting my head above water. Inspiration can come in any form. Usually, I am influenced by current events or music and my posts will flow from there.

New Staples Commercial

I LOVE being right (especially about politics)

When the Presidential campaign was at fever pitch, I vividly remember talking with an ardent Obama supporter about the country if then Senator Obama were elected president. I knew that Obama was too good to be true and I told her bluntly that in one year, the public would have buyers remorse. She was pissed when I said that and I honestly think that she thought I was crazy. However, I WAS RIGHT! Obama's approval ratings have tanked since last summer mostly due to his push for Universal Health Care and wasteful spending. Even his merchandise isn't selling like it used to! Click Here



I was right. And, I'm loving every second of it.

Blast From the Past: Pioneer Chicken

Pioneer Chicken was a popular chain of fried chicken restaurants until the early 90's when Popeye's purchased the franchise. When I was young, we lived close to a Pioneer Chicken and it was the absolute best. It was by far the greasiest chicken anywhere and it was delicious! I loved it! I did a little research and found out that there is one location in Downtown LA on Olympic Blvd. I think a field trip may be in order!

Bill Withers

Do you want to know what good music sounds like? Then look no further. Bill Withers is the man.

The Halo That Shines Dimly

Today was another sad day for Angel fans across the globe. In less than one year we've lost a respected coach, a pitcher on the brink of stardom, and now we've lost our voice. Rory Markas died today at the age of 54. Since 2002, Rory did the radio play-by-play for the Angels. I always thought Rory was one of the luckiest guys on the planet. His first year on the job, Rory was the radio voice during a magical season that culminated with a thrilling World Series championship.
Rory had a perfect voice for radio. As the AM frequency would crackle through my car speakers, I enjoyed listening to his call on those endless summer nights. Every Angel fan will never forget Rory's booming voice as he trumpeted after each Angel win, "Just Another Halo Victory!" I admired Rory's professionalism. He was a natural & in an area that has been blessed with the voices of Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, Dick Emberg, Don Drysdale, and Bob Miller, this is a tremendous loss for LA media. I will never forget Rory and he will be missed by this Angel fan. Tonight, in front of the stadium, the Big A is lit in honor of Rory. Though bright, it will be dimmer than normal and Angel victories will not be the same for a long time.