NHL - 'Our Way Of Life' HD

I. Love. This.

Top Albums of 2011

1. Metronomy - The English Rivera

2. Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys

3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Self Titled

4. Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

5. The Black Keys - El Camino

6. Foster the People - Torches

7. The Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

8. The Horrors - Skying

9. Mayer Hawthorne - How Do You Do?

10. Kasabian - Velociraptor!

It's Been Awhile..

It's been a LONG time since my last entry.

Chill out to this Arcade Fire remix by Mr. Little Jeans

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...