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The following is the most recent blog post that I've posted in my new blog, My Ears Are on Fire.
Hopefully someone enjoys it.
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The Top 15 Canadian Albums Since 2000 I've been thinking about two things musically lately. First off is the fact that the first decade of the new millennium ends at the end of this year. Yes, Y2K was ten years ago now, which is mind boggling. Secondly, I've been really enjoying a lot of music from Canadian bands lately, and I've thought about how many great Canadian bands h ave emerged in the last ten years. With those two things in mind, I now present my favourite fifteen albums from Canadian bands since 2000. The FavTape containing 30 songs from these 15 albums is at the bottom, if you'd like to hear some of the music while listening, go to the bottom, or click HERE.
The Top 15 Canadian Albums Since 2000(Sorted by Year - Not by Favourite) -------------------------------------- Gob - The World According to Gob - 2001 - For a 16 year old me, this album was pure pop-punk bliss. I've always loved Gob, but this was their pinnacle, with song after song that just make me happy. "I Hear You Calling" may be the best pop-punk song of the last ten years in my opinion. Treble Charger - Wide Awake Bored - 2001 - Containing one of the greatest Canadian singles of the last decade (American Psyho), the first three songs on Wide Awake Bored are nearly unbeatable. It's a shame they broke up, as a couple of their albums were great, especially this early 2000's classic. Matthew Good - Avalanche - 2003 - I struggled to only put one Matthew Good album on this list, but Avalanche is by far and away my favourite piece of music he's put out since 2000. Full of lengthy and lush anthems, I can listen to this from start to finish over and over, it's a brilliant album. Billy Talent - Billy Talent - 2003 - Bursting onto the mainstream in 2003, this album really brought a sense of rock and roll to Canadian music at the time. It was a real kick in the ass, adding a tonne of ferocity and almost danger to my musical choices of the time. It still holds up, as its an amazing album from start to finish. The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart - 2003 - I remember going to University and opening my eyes to a lot of music, especially this album of shimmering and hypnotic rock. I have and still can listen to the entire album on repeat and lose hours of time, with how amazing and captivating it is. Dears - No Cities Left - 2003 - This was another eye-opener, as I struggle to think of another band that sounds like the Dears did on this album. While it certainly beautiful and layered like other indie albums, this one has a layer of menace and doom that other indie bands don't dare approach; this album is equal parts uplifting and scary. Metric - Old World Underground - 2003 - Making it ok to dance to rock again, Metric blew up with this awesome album that's endlessly catchy and happy. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People - 2003 - Six years later, and this album still impresses and surprises me. Broken Social Scene really changed the landscape of Canadian music with this album (and the peripheral band albums), and it still holds up well. The Arcade Fire - Funeral - 2004 - I don't know what I can say about this album that hasn't been said before, there's a reason why it's universally hailed - it's amazing, nuff' said. Death From Above 1979 -You're a Woman, I'm a Machine - 2004 - Making hard rock danceable was DFA's MO, and this brilliant first (and last) album is nigh-perfect, and it only adds to the greatness that they broke up shortly after putting it out. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema - 2005 - Relentlessly poppy, this album is hit after hit that serve to cheer you up, in a style that no other band really emulates right now, this album's excellently unique and catchy. Moneen - the Red Tree - 2006 - After two albums and a few EPs trying to create the perfect album for their sound, Moneen struck gold in 2006 with this album that is brilliant from start to finish. I love Moneen, and while this song lacked a true single, it's one of the most complete albums I've ever heard. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - 2007 - Proving that Funeral wasn't a fluke, Neon Bible expands their sonic landscapes to create more single-friendly rock and roll, yet never giving up any of their honesty and beauty. Weakerthans - Reunion Tour - 2007 - You can pick any Weakerthans album and make a case for it's brilliance, but my favourite is their newest disc. It's unique, catchy, rocking, happy, and everything wonderful that you'd expect from a band as great and Canadian as they are. Matt Mays - Terminal Romance - 2008 - From star to finish, every song counts on this album, and every song will hook you by the end. Not nearly as complicated as some of May's previous albums, but it's certainly his best album, with song after song of glorious Canadian rock and roll. Honorable Mention
-----------------Boys Night Out - Trainwreck - 2005 - If I had to pick a sixteenth album, I'd pick this amazing concept album about drug abuse and death. I don't think I liked an album before, and they haven't done anything great since, but Trainwreck's a masterpiece. Below is a link to the FavTape I made for this list, which contains two songs off every album, except Wide Awake Bored, which only has one, so I threw on a song from Trainwreck to make it an even 30 songs, all available for streaming/downloading goodness. Any opinions or arguments? Post away. Top 15 Canadian Albums Since 2000 FAVTAPEJesse.
I cant sleep and intended to write a big long write up about school and be all sad and stuff, but I did the following on a message board, and it made me feel better. Being concise rules. PLUS MINUS + Finishing my BA Honors
+ New schedule at work/earlier hours
+ Hockey every night to watch
+ Hockey ONLINE every night to watch at work
+ This week's Lost
+ Heroes is dangerously close to being consistently good again
+ Playing darts again
+ The new Silverstein disc, a Shipwreck in the Sand
+ Wild Light's "California on My Mind"
+ The Jason Ellis Show
+ Vacation in four days - longest amount of time off in over a year.
+ Nice weather
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- Stress/worry over my academic career not panning out like expected
- Subsequent lack of sleep
- Violently puking my face off at 5am this morning, due to a combination of nerves about school and shotgunning 5 coolers at 3 in the morning
- Working all weekend
- Stern on vacation this week
- Birdshit on my car.Jesse. PS: I've still got a music blog: http://myearsareonfire.blogspot.com/
Mostly because I want to start writing again. http://myearsareonfire.blogspot.com/From now on, I'd think most of my writing/online blogging output will be on there. Check it out. Jesse.
So since the last update, I have lost pretty much all desire to own a PS3. I still may want one, but at this point in time, Ive come to my senses and know that its entirely stupid, even if I do earn it for myself. I think once that awesome looking DCUniverse game comes out my interest may get sparked again. That being said, I definately want to keep on my 25 in 2.5 months deal going, I figure Ill just transfer the end goal over to something else. I could use some new hockey equipment, my helmet is pretty old and starting to hurt to wear, plus I have a hole or two in my gloves growing. Not on the same cost-scale as a PS3, but lord knows I love to shop for hockey equipment. I am a total girl about shopping when it comes to hockey equipment. Normally I just like to get in and get out, no matter what the object of my desire is. Even for comic books I prefer not to dick around - just get in there and spend cash. Clothes - music - comics - whatever, I dont like to waste time. But not hockey equipment, I could seriously spend hours looking in Pro Hockey Life. If I do go buy some equipment, Ill have to leave Karla at home. Ive brought her a few times and I always end up feeling bad for dragging her along. Back on point, after 2 weeks Im sort of on track. I lost 4.5lbs in the first two weeks. Normally I wouldnt be overly happy with that, but I actually caught a cold right in the middle of that and was too tired and blah from sickness to actually work out. I forced myself to eat healthy while I was sick (I was mildly impressed with myself actually), and thats the only reason I lost any weight. In some ways it sickens me that I can lose almost five pounds just by changing my dietary habbits. What the fuck was I eating before - it honestly wasnt that bad in my opinion. But mostly I am just positive about the first two weeks, I figure if I can continue those eating habbits, plus double it up with exercise (hockey twice this week already - work outs tomorrow) that the 25lbs wont be an issue. I get that itll be harder as it goes along, but I still feel that with two months left, 20lbs shouldnt be an issue. Have to see how Fridays weigh-in goes. Im optimistic, but cautiously. Other notes: I think it may be a bit of me maturing, as well as a bit of the winter blahs, but I have zero desire to go out right now. Im sick of the typical winter stuff, and just dont want to go out and spend money when I can have just as much or more fun staying in. Its fun for me to stay in and just be quiet right now. I have almost no interest in drinking (which is ODD for me), and less interest in seeing people. Im sure once it gets warm and fun to be outside Ill be rareing to go and be silly and see people. But right now its march, its grey, its cold, and I just want to watch episodes of Delocated, Important Things, East Bound & Down, and Lost. God Bless Television. I had more to write, but the west coast run of How I Met Your Mother is about to start. Add it to the above list. Add Heroes too, even though I could shit out better writing. Jesse.
I really want a PS3. For a few reasons: 1. I have an HD TV in my room, and I was at Best Buy and the PS3 is gorgeous in HD. 2. Secretly I want a Blue Ray player, even though I feel they are stupid. 3. I really would like to play the AWESOME NHL games, and they are not released on the Wii. But mostly: 4. THIS I'm more of a Marvel guy, but MAN does that game look awesome. It's like a fantasy of mine. I need it. But here's the problem with me getting a PS3, I don't need it in any way, and honestly, I probably won't use it very much. It's a completely unnecessary item for me to buy. I've got the cash, it wouldn't be a big deal for me to purchase it, but deep down, I know I don't need it and that I shouldn't get it. But, at the same time, I would really like to lose some weight. Scratch that, I need to lose some weight. I've always struggled with my weight, and at some point in time I was actually in pretty good shape. Then I met Karla, fell in love, and as you would expect, I got really lazy and stopped caring about staying in shape. For the most part, I feel we only try and look good as human beings in order to attract the opposite sex. I didn't need to attract anyone, so I let myself go for a shit. Recently (past 6 months) I've started to turn it around (mostly because I was in the worst shape I've ever been in) and I've put more of an effort into getting in better shape. I've been ok at it. When I'm committed, I'm really good at it, and dropping weight isn't bad or hard at all. But I get lazy and lose incentive. Again, I've got a spouse (basically), so why do I need to try hard to do something? Basically I need a good incentive to keep up my good habbits (other then y'know, a better lifestyle and potentitally longer life), so this is the point where the two independent points of my story merge. I am now losing weight to get a PS3. I cannot justify buying it straight up. No way. BUT.... If it were a gift to myself for completing a weight goal... I could do that. Yes, this is how I trick myself into doing things ladies and germs! I would like to lose 25 pounds in this scheme. I could stand to lose more then that, but I don't want to make this too long/out of reach. I want a PS3 like yesterday. I also would like to do this probably twice, but we'll stick to the first one for now. 25 Pounds for a PS3 So today is the day that I started my scheme. February 16th. I'm giving mysef until the end of April. So 25lbs in two and a half months. I feel this is both challenging, but well within reach. I KNOW that I can that, if I stick to my regiment of execise and working out. I also thing it's somewhat helpful for me to keep something of a diary while doing this, to try and keep track of how I'm doing/how I feel about it, and keep myself on track. I think writing helps me stay focus, gives it something more tangible then just my thoughts. Plus if anyone still reads this, they can make fun of me for crying about it. In addition, it gives me an excuse to keep my LiveJournal alive. I've purged my life from a lot of online elements lately (deleted my Myspace, cut my MSN list by at least half, etc). I've felt the need lately to just get rid of some of the clutter/uselessnes, and a lot of my online accounts are useless. But, I have a strong affinity for livejournal, so I look for excuses to keep it alive. This helps. In conclusion, 2.5 months for 25lbs. I'll keep this updated, because I know you care about me wanting a PS3. Jesse
It's hard for me to look back on 2008 and not think of the recent bits of sadness in my life that seemed to define how 2008 ended. In all honesty 2008 was a pretty solid year. For the first time in a long time, it wasn't a bad year, or a good year, just a year that was average. That's good, I kind of needed it in some ways, to not have a life defining year or anything. Just nice and simple. I can't really think of what all happened, it kind of blurs together. I was busy, with work, school, family, friends, and comic books of course. Sadly in the last quarter I lost my dog and my grandfather which kind of brings the year to an end on a sour note, but I'll try to look beyond simply those two deaths when looking back on my year. In terms of 2009, I have no clue where it's going to go. It could either bring about major change (where I live, what I do, etc), or it could be far simpler where not nearly as much changes. A big indicator is where I am come September. As of right now, my academic career/plans are kind of up in the air. I know I want to do something more (presumbably getting my BEd), but I also think I may take a full year off academically to work. I'm in a good position right now in terms of work, almost too good in some aspects, so that skews my position. My job is the greatest thing in the world. I love every part of it, have so much fun at work, it's really easy, and I make a ridiculous amount to have fun. If I choose to stay around for another year, it wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Have to wait and see. In terms of everything else, I don't really know what else is going to happen in 2009, but let's hope for the best. Resolutions In terms of how I did in 2008 with my resolutions last year, I actually did a really good job, shockingly. Of my 15 resolutions, I completed 9 of them. I applied for Teacher's College, got a full time job, and worked my last shift at Shell. I feel I am more concise and willing to tell people off when they need to hear it now. I definately did some things to promote better music, and played hockey all year, both of which are great. I'm going to include my Dominican trip in two weeks in my "go somewhere" resolution, I know it's technically in 2009, but all the planning and setup was this year. And of course, I had lots of fun, as I always do. In terms of the failures, I definately ate out of the house too much. I've curbed that a bit now, but for most of the year I was bad in that aspect. The excersing was a mixed bag, at some points I was the best I've ever been, but for the other parts I was really bad - wildly inconsistent, and not what I wanted. Didn't learn a new skill (off the top of my head, maybe I did?) and I definately didn't write more, or much at all. I also didn't go vegetarian for a week, even though I could have,
I finally got around to putting together a definitive list of my favorite music of 2008. It's kind of a summary of the monthly "Best Music" emails that I send out at the end of every month (which if you aren't on the list - let me know if you want to be added).
It's pretty simple, the top 110 songs of 2008 and the top 30 albums of the year. Only the albums have some sort of comment. Too many songs to comment on. I'll respond to anything anyone has to say about any of my choices however...
I'll be back later with something more personal about the changing of the years.
Without further ado...
------------------------------------------------------------------ Top 100 Songs of 2008 ------- 1.British Sea Power - No Lucifer 2.The Verve - Love is Noise 3.MGMT - Kids 4.Bloc Party - Ion Square 5.We Are Scientists - After Hours 6.Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight 7.Weezer - Pork and Beans 8.The Stills - Being Here 9.Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire 10.Matt Mays - Terminal Romance 11.The Gaslight Anthem - the 59 Sound 12.The Killers - Spaceman 13.Senses Fail - Family Tradition 14.Finch - Chinese Organ Thieves 15.Katy Perry - Hot n Cold 16.Love in October - Petrula the Destroyer 17.Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care 18.Bon Iver - Skinny Love 19.Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock 20.Bloc Party - Signs 21.Does it Offend You Yeah? - Epic Last Song 22.The Helio Sequence - Hallelujah 23.Mobile - The Killer 24.The Enemy - This Song is About You 25.Passion Pit - Sleepyhead 26.Coldplay - Viva La Vida 27.Thrice - A Song for Milly Michaelson 28.Danny Elfman - Little Things 29.Matt Mays - Digital Eyes 30.Goldfinger - War 31. The Matches - Wake the Sun 32.The Academy Is.. - His Girl Friday 33.Mindless Self Indulgence - Never Wanted to Dance 34.Kanye West - Street Lights 35.Flobots - Rise 36.Ben Folds - You Dont Know Me 37.Matt Costa - Mr. Pitiful 38.MGMT - Time to Pretend 39.Nine Inch Nails - Discipline 40.Pink - So What 41.People in Planes - Mayday 42.The Hold Steady - Stay Positive 43.Flo Rida - Elevator 44.The Bronx - Knifeman 45.T.I. - Whatever You Like 46.Sigur Ros - Inni Mer Syngur... 47.Kings of Leon - Use Somebody 48.The Dears - Dram Job 49.Kevin Rudolf - Welcome to the World 50.Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave 51.Cold War Kids - Something is not Right With Me 52.British Sea Power - Waving Flags 53.Weezer - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived 54.Lupe Fiasco - Superstar 55.M83 - Kim & Jessie 56.Vampire Weekend - A-Punk 57.Sam Roberts - Them Kids 58.Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor 59.Cute is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect 60.Bayside - Boy 61.Panic at the Disco - Northern Downpour 62.Gym Class Heroes - Cookie Jar 63.The Gaslight Anthem - The Patient Ferris Wheel 64.Lightspeed Champion - I Could Have Done This Myself 65.City and Colour - The Girl 66.Sebastien Grainger - American Names 67.Glasvegas - S.A.D. Light 68.Shiny Toy Guns - Ricochet! 69.TV on the Radio - DLZ 70.Mllencolin - Vicious Circle 71.TV on the Radio - Shout Me Out 72.She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here 73.Sleepercar - A Broken Promise 74.Keane - The Lovers are Losing 75.Underoath - Too Bright to See Too Loud to Hear 76.Bob Mould - Old Highs New Lows 77.Nada Surf - Beautiful Beat 78.Black Kids - Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo) 79.People in Planes - Pretty Buildings 80.Say Hi - Shakes Her Shoulders 81.Crystal Castles - Untrust Us 82.Anti-Flag - The Bright Lights of America 83.Kosmonaut - The Deepest Sea 84.Playradioplay - I'm a Pirate, You're a Princess 85.Reggie and the Full Effect - N 86.Snow Patrol - Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands 87.Louis XIV - Air Traffic Control 88.Alkaline Trio - I Found A Way 89.Airbourne - Runnin' Wild 90.The Loved Ones - The Inquirer 91.Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! 92.T.I. - Swagga Like Us 93.Guillemots - Kriss Kross 94.Lil Wayne - Lollipop 95.Slipknot - Psychosocial 96.Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer 97.Foals - Big Big Love (Fig.2) 98.Small Towns Burn a Little Slower - Rooftops Won't Come To You 99.3OH!3 - Colorado Sunshine 100.The Lonely Island - Jizz in My Pants Honorable Mentions (101-110) 101.Why? - Good Friday 102.CSS - Rat is Dead 103.The Futureheads - The Beginning of the Twist 104.Protest the Hero - Sequoia Throne 105.Jack's Mannequin - Spinning 106.The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go 107.Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat 108.Anthony Green - Dear Child 109.Norma Jean - Surrender Your Sons... 110.USS - Hollow Point Sniper Hyperbole ===========================================
Top 30 Albums:
1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science - It's easy to agree with everybody else, when they're all right.
2. Matt Mays - Terminal Romance - The most overlooked album of the year, and one of the best rock records in ages.
3. Gaslight Anthem - 59 Sound - Stirring, powerful, and joyful - the perfect combo for fun and singing along.
4. Senses Fail - Life is Not a Waiting Room - A dark and emotive journey into self destruction and possible redemption.
5. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool - Technically from 2007, but either way, it's an amazing disc.
6. Reggie and the Full Effect - Last Stop Crappy Town - Depressing and ugly, every song is important, combining for a great concept album.
7. People in Planes - Beyond the Horizon - The most surprising album of the year, which rocks very hard.
8. British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? - A swirling mess of echo-y goodness, this is an album that will move you.
9. Hold Steady - Stay Positive - I never "got" this band, but after an album this great, how could I not?
10. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks - The best "emo" album this year, with its themes of loss and isolation - completely brilliant and completely unexpected.
11. Bayside - Shudder - A powerful collection of uplifting pop-punk greatness.
12. Bloc Party - Intimacy - By far the worst of their three discs, but it's wildly experimental while still being great at times, and ok at others.
13. Does if Offend You Yeah - You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into - Part rave-like techno, part uplifting pop, this is another surprisingly good disc.
14. The Stills - Oceans Will Rise - After a boring second disc, they fired back with a far more fun and exciting collection of tracks.
15. Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell - With this awesome album, they proved they were more then just a blog-hyped band of the moment.
16. Kings of Leon - Only By the Night - Another band I never really "got", but by cranking up the arena-sized anthems, they won over my interest.
17. Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead - A superb collection of synth-driven indie rock that's equal parts moving and catchy.
18. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals - More of the same mash-up greatness that you either love or hate.
19. M83 - Saturdays = Youth - Amidst swirling synth and multiple layers of sound, this album becomes almost magical at points.
20. Goldfinger - Hello Destiny - Returning to thier older sound, this album was a tremendous amount of fun, reminding me of why I loved Goldfinger in the first place.
21. The Bronx - the Bronx - Another excellent album full of dusty rock and roll, with roaring vocals and amped up guitar work.
22. TI - Paper Trail - A wonderful blend of "gangsta-rap" and straight up top 40 pop, TI hit the gold mine with a great collection of singles.
23. Hot Chip - Made in the Dark - More subdued and mellow then previous efforts, its still endlessly catchy and pretty at times.
24. Ben Folds - Way to Normal - Ben Folds is the master of upbeat and fun piano punk, and this album is no exception.
25. We Are Scientists - Brain thrust Majesty - Less straightforward then thier last disc, this is an uneven but fun pop rock album.
26. Jack's Mannqeuin - The Glass Passenger - Andrew McMahon is the master of moving and building piano punk, and this album is no exception.
27. F*cked Up - Chemistry of Common Life - A roaring punk epic that rock's extremely hard.
28. Why? - Alopecia - I won't even attempt to try and describe this album, or fit it into a genre, it's just really great.
29. Crystal Castles - Self Titled - Off putting at times and poppy at others, this album's absolutely captivating.
30. The Killers - Day and Age - The worst of their three albums, but still great at some points, and horribly boring at others.
The following blurb made me laugh really hard. They played their first gig at Duke University's Battle of the Bands in 1988 and won. They played bars and fraternity parties for a while, and eventually put out a self-produced EP sold at a few local stores called Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus (1988). The record featured only four songs, none of which were actually about Jesus. Stellar. Wed, Aug. 13th, 2008, 02:28 am
I remember...
I remember a time when nearly all of my friends had a Live Journal, and actively posted in it. It was awesome. It was a wonderful way to stay in touch and understand how we all operated, and hear stories about yourself, from a seperate POV. I know it was slightly less mature in cases, but still it was a cool situation. We bitched, we moaned, we got PMS-y, but ultimately, it was a lot of fun to read what people really close to me were thinking and trying to do with their lives. Now.... We have Facebook. Which is awesome. It kills so much time at work, and at least 10% of my day is spent trying to find stuff to kill time at work. But really, as though it may seem as it exposes us far more then LJ ever did, it really seems more closed off. Sure there are pictures, and easier commenting, and posting silly little videos from YouTube (Human Giant!), but its all so external. This is the carefully chosen posed photo. This is the carefully worded and veiled wall post that is designed to please anyone and everyone who will read it in silence. This is the carefully chosen relationship status to announce to the world that we are in fact "up in each other's guts". Sure Livejournal could be vague. It was subtle at times, definately. But, it seems like a more accurate gauge of what someone was feeling or thinking. Or at the very least, what they wanted everyone else to believe they were feeling. Regardless, it took effort, and it was fun, and it was glorious. Now, LJ feels like a barren landscape. I think regularly of ending this run of flippant posts on here, but I still cling to the notion that I'll get the urge to write, or that it'll become awesome again. Probably won't, but at the very least, it was awesome for awhile. ... I legitiately feel like I'm on the verge of a new chapter in my life, so I guess I'm feeling nostalgic. Things are happening, I'm changing, and its simultaneously amazing (and much needed), but at the same time, it's kind of sad to think of ending chapters, and long dead phases of one's life. Era's come and go, but it's always nice to think back, or read back and see what was going on 5-4-3-2-1 year(s) ago. I loved this thing so much for so long, but definately I no longer need it, but it's always a nice distraction, or cathartic release when I do feel up to the type-job it entails. Anyways, here's to change, and here's to the future. Always big things in store, naturally. Jesse. PS: Sorry for the spelling and grammar. I'm tired. No desire to English this up.
Sat, Jul. 5th, 2008, 05:05 pm
Birthday
Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 23. Woo! For my birthday, myself, Karla and a group of our friends took in the Jimmy Eat World and Moneen concert in Toronto, at the Sound Academy. To put this in perspective, both Moneen and Jimmy Eat World have been two of my favourite bands for years now. I've seen both before, but the pairing of them together on my birthday is honestly an awesome occasion. On paper, and practice it was almost too good to be true. Both bands were awesome, and played all the songs I wanted to hear. In a perfect moment, Jimmy Eat World played one of my favorite songs, 23, on my 23rd birthday. Life does not get much better then that. I think my life peaked last night.
Hey! I saw this idea posted on Val's journal, and liked it so much that I'm actually listening to instructions and duplicating it, with my own answers. It's a Jesse-Update! Jess-a-palooza! Go! ------------------------------- You know how sometimes people on your friend's list post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when are they working THERE? Since when are they dating HIM/HER? Since when???" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed to ask for clarification because it seems like info you *should* already know? It happens to all of us sometimes. Please copy mine below, erase my answers putting yours in their place then post it in your journal! Please elaborate on the questions that would benefit from elaboration! One-Word-Answers seldom help anyone out. 1. First Name: Jesse (I'd hope you would know this by now at least). 2. Age: 22. That changes by one point in an upwards direction in under two weeks. I'm not making a big deal out of it, but I will be seeing two of my favorite bands (Jimmy Eat World/Moneen) in Toronto. I'm super serially psyched. 3. Location: My Chair-My Room-My Home-Stoney Creek-Hamilton-Ontario-Canada-North America-Western Hempisphere-Earth-The Milky Way Galaxy. 4. Occupation: I am currently a full time employee of Bell Canada. It's internet tech support. It's a superb job, and I love it. I get paid far too much money to do what I do, and I'm due for a raise in the next two weeks. Zang! In addition, I am a part time student, as well as a full time nerd. Neither pays well. 5. Partner?: Karla. We've been happily dating for nearly 20 months now, going on two years, which is extremely mind boggling. I'm convinced its some sort of bet that she's sticking in out of stubborn-ness. Or maybe she lost a different bet? Either way, she's my little gambler. 6. Kids: Is a wonderful song by MGMT. It will probably be the second single, once all the MASSSSSIVE "Time to Pretend" hype dies down. I'm glad its getting a big push, I really like their debut CD Oracular Spectacular. I'm sure it will make many a top cd's list in December. 7. Brothers/Sisters: One, brother, Eli. He's 19. Currently at a costume party (yes, on a Monday night), where I think he's wearing at least one piece of woman's clothing. He's also filthy disgusting, but funny. 8. Pets: Augie, by hook or crook, is still hanging in there. Silly old bastard. 9. List the 3-5 biggest things going on in your life: 1) I'm in the process of buying a car. It will be my first one. I swore I'd hold off until I could get a hover car, but I need a car for work and school. 2) I'm also in the process of getting a better credit card. This one will be Green I'd imagine. 3) I'm building up capital via work, and as a result, think about doing Overtime a lot. Probably do more of it in the coming weeks. 4) The euphoric high yet sadness associated with finally finishing reading Brian K Vaughan's masterpiece "Y! the Last Man". I read the last book today, and its such a tragic ending, and not at all what I was expecting. It touched my heart and solidified as one of my top favorite reads ever. It's no Preacher, but it's still amazing. 5) I've been consumed by new music lately. There's like 5 songs that I've been loving lately. One is pure rockage that's basically an AC DC rip off. Another is powerful white-boy art rap. Another is a haunting and building indie rock tune. The fourth is relentlessly hard with riffage synth hardcore. The last is maybe the greatest mash up ever. I've got eclectic tastes. 10. Where and for what did you go to school for?: I am currently in the process of finishing my last bits of University, getting my BA honours in English, at McMaster University. I'll be glad as shit when it's done and already dread the ceremony. 11. Parents?: James and Deborah. They rock. But they get me to do a lot of chores. Clean the car? Suck it! 12) Who are some of your closest friends?: Outside of Karla, I've been hanging out with the boys a lot lately, specifically this weekend. Andrew. Adam. Ryan. Justin. Matt. Lots of drinks to be had, of course, especially in slushy format. I think I saw more of Andrew this weekend then I did my pillow. Drinks Friday til the wee hours. Comics at dawn (noon). A drink or two with a side of board games until the late-ish hours on Saturday night. Then more drinks, and Hot Rod in the wee hours of Sunday night. I went to bed at 5am Fri-Sat-Sun. No wonder I'm exhausted. But big ups to Tyler, Val (for this survey, nothing else), and those handsome fellas Leigh and Jeff. Sincerly, your charming prince of comic books and music obsession: Jesse.
... I would type a LOT more about the following things. Paragraphs and decriptions and what not. Now I'm tired, and just want to list, list, list. Things that rule currently: - LOST - Weezer - Secret Invasion - Subtlety - Long term planning in media - Electronic music - Crystal Castles - Having money to spend - Potential signing bonuses - Hardcovers - Quality Message Board Threads - Worms Armaggedon - Jimmy Eat World - Moneen - Jimmy and Moneen Together - Sleep - Nice weather - Windows down And more, probably.
Hey. I'm going to be busy this weekend. I work my last two shifts at Shell Friday and Sunday. These will, by all accounts, be my last shifts ever at shell. I shouldnt have to go back, since I got my other job back, except in a slightly more permanent situation. It looks like for the next 16 months I'll be doing school one credit or two at a time, and working 40 hours a week as well. It was kind of a back and forth situation, but the outcome was exactly what I wanted. Its such a relief to know that my life (up until September 2009) is settled. Finding out about it yesterday was such a weight off my shoulders. Come Monday, I start my full time position, for the foreseeable future, huzzah. So ends a six year (give or take two weeks) period of my life, where I worked at Stoney Creek Shell, on and off. Its really bizarre for me to think about how much I've changed in those six years, and despite everything in my life being so different, Shell was one weird constant. Post-Queen's, it was such a comfort for me, to go back and just fit in and have fun and feel productive and make money. Honestly, it really helped me during a weird period of adjustment. Now its just such a comfortable routine for me to go to work. Its ridiculously easy to excel at, and everyone who works there is a lot of fun, so I will miss a lot of them. However, more of them are moving on, and any one that I'd miss a lot, I'll still see somewhat regularly, as all the relationships I've developed there have gone from being co-workers, to being friendships. Here is a list of things that have happened to me since I started working at Shell: - Made all of my friends. When I started at Shell, I still hadn't even become acquainted with my "older" friends from high school. When I started there, I literally had no good friends, and now am at a point where I feel spoiled for choice among friends. - Did two years of high school, including the victory lap - Started at Queen's - Did two years at Queen's, including living in two different places - Lived in four bed rooms - Met Karla - Transferred to McMaster - Did four years of University - Read approximately 1 000 000 comic books (thats exaggerated, but not by much) - Had about 25 co-workers, most of them coming and going It's pretty nuts that something that I initially saw as something so temporary, lasted six years. I know people that worked at about ten jobs in that six year period, and I managed to stick with one (albeit with some time off - 16 months for Queen's, 4 for other job). Shell was and is a cool place to work at. Anyways... Summer: - Work - Elective Summer Classes (Natural Disasters oh! my!) - Hockey Tuesday nights - Party! Beyond: - Similar to the above. Back to not studying... One exam and I'm done full time studies... meh. Jesse Listen: PlayRadioPlay! Mindless Self Indulgence British Sea Power Thrice Foxy Shazam
Hey. I'm busy. I've got to finish my last two essays, pick a summer school class (s), and then go to my classes. Plus Shell hours to pay off my lifestyle (coke and whores cost lots apparently). So with that, it appears I'll still be a bit off from inflicting y'all with some word knowledge. With that, I leave you with, for no other reason then it's awesome and funny: Madonna 4 Minutes To Save The World Lyrics
Timbaland: I'm outta time and all I got is 4 minutes (Fricki fricki) 4 minutes eh (x8) Ha ha Yeah Ha ha Breakdown come on Justin Timberlake: Hey Uh Come on Madonna Madonna: Come on boy I've been waiting for somebody to pick up my stroll Justin: Now don't waste time, give me desire, tell me how you wanna roll Madonna: I want somebody to speed it up for me then take it down slow There's enough room for both Justin: Girl I can hit you back just gotta show me where it's at Are you ready to go? (Are you ready to go?) Madonna and Justin: If you want it You've already got it If you thought it It better be what you want If you feel it It must be real just Say the word and I'ma give you what you want Madonna: Time is waiting Justin: We only got four minutes to save the world Madonna: No hesitating Grab a boy Justin: Go grab your girl Madonna: Time is waiting Justin: We only got four minutes to save the world Madonna: No hesitating Justin: We only got four minutes huh four minutes So keep it up keep it up Don't be a pri Madonna Madonna: You gotta get em a heart Tick tock tick tock tick tock Justin: That's right keep it up keep it up Don't be a pri Madonna Madonna: You gotta get em a heart Tick tock tick tock tick tock Sometimes I think what I need is a you intervention Yeah Justin: And I know I can tell that you like it and that it's good By the way that you move Oh hey Madonna: The road to heaven is paved with good intentions Yeah Justin: But if I die tonight at least I can say I did what I wanted to do Tell me how 'bout you? Madonna and Justin: If you want it You've already got it If you thought it It better be what you want If you feel it It must be real just Say the word and I'ma give you what you want Madonna: Time is waiting Justin: We only got four minutes to save the world Madonna: No hesitating Grab a boy Justin: Go grab your girl Madonna: Time is waiting Justin: We only got four minutes to save the world Madonna: No hesitating Justin: We only got four minutes huh four minutes So keep it up keep it up Don't be a pri Madonna Madonna: You gotta get em a heart Tick tock tick tock tick tock Justin: That's right keep it up keep it up Don't be a pri Madonna Madonna: You gotta get em a heart Tick tock tick tock tick tock Timbaland: Breakdown Yeah Madonna: Tick tock tick tock tick tock Timbaland: Yeah uh Madonna: Tick tock tick tock tick tock Timbaland: I've only got four minutes to save the world\ Sadly, as with any Timbaland song, you cannot write down the lyrics to the beat, so this misses the best part. Maaaa-Doooona! Mon, Mar. 24th, 2008, 01:28 pm
Hmm
I dont quite knwo what to do with this thing anymore. My thoughts arent deep enough to post. Everything I go to post all seems so arbitrary and "Who cares?". Eventually I'll either reinvent or kill this thing. Until then I leave you with these lyrics, for no reason other then I find it really funny to post them. Jay-Z: Ahuh Ahuh (Yea Rihanna) Ahuh Ahuh (Good girl gone bad) Ahuh Ahuh (Take three... Action) Ahuh Ahuh No clouds in my storms Let it rain I hydroplane into fame (Eh eh) Come'n down with the Dow Jones When the clouds come we gone We Rocafella (Eh eh) She fly higher than weather And she rocks it better You know me An anticipation for precipitation stacks chips for the rainy day (Eh eh) Jay, rain man is back with lil Ms. Sunshine Rihanna where you at? [VERSE 1] You had my heart and we'll never be world apart Maybe in magazines but you'll still be my star Baby cause in the Dark You can see shiny Cars And that's when you need me there With you I'll always share Because [CHORUS] When the sun shines We’ll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be your friend Took an oath I'mma stick it out 'till the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we still have each other You can stand under my Umbrella You can stand under my Umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh) [VERSE 2] These fancy things, will never come in between You're part of my entity Here for Infinity When the war has took it's part When the world has dealt it's cards If the hand is hard Together we'll mend your heart Because ... [CHORUS] When the sun shines We'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be your friend Took an oath I'mma stick it out 'till the end [Umbrella lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com] Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we still have each other You can stand under my Umbrella You can stand under my Umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh) [BRIDGE] You can run into my Arms It's okay don't be alarmed (Come into Me) (There's no distance in between our love) So Gonna let the rain pour I'll be all you need and more Yeah Read let's go look.... Because ... Jay Read: Yo my umbrella's up when the world is too much We still ride for each other like Starsky & Hutch The new school Jayson & Lyric and nothing comes near it We close to Lorenze and Nia and its nothing really to it We got Love Jones we could never be seperated We always find our way home and never be decimated I'm speaking from the heart we been the shyt from start An we gone grind to the end to our life re-starts Come back in another life An see you in a different light An if I'm Superman babygirl you know you kryptonite My only weakness its hard to defeat this An even when I'm losing it feels so goooood I can't complain you everything I aint An compliment each other from the root to the base Sitting on the top is where we always wanna stay It a take a meotor to break us and that'll be tha day [CHORUS] When the sun shines We'll shine Together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be your friend Took an oath I'mma stick it out 'till the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we still have each other You can stand under my Umbrella You can stand under my Umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh) It's raining (raining) Ooo baby it's raining baby come into me Come into me It's raining (raining) Ooo baby it's raining You can always come into me Come into me  Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 12:03 am
Muah?
Being productive is hard. I managed to do all my good boy tasks this week and while I feel productive for setting a schedule and hitting almost all the points on it, I'm effing exhausted. For the hell of it, schedule: Fri - Presentation. Work on Tues' Presentation. Fri Night - Eli's birthday. Maybe Norm's. Saturday - States. Yeah! New Shoez? Sunday - Work. Sleep. Monday - Finish other presentation. Plus school and stuff. Tuesday- Other Presentation, and hockey. Wed-Fri- Essays. 4 in 9 days! Shit year! Fri Night - Falls for Kristi's birthday. Week after - Essays. Weekend After - Kingston, I need to find people to come. Post - Rest of Essays Weekend After - Valentines Day. Reading Week Ten bucks says Im broke by Reading week. Tirrrrd. Mario rules. J. Thu, Jan. 10th, 2008, 03:38 pm
So
I'd like to state right off the bat, this journal is brought to you by the whiny sixteen year old girl inside of us all. Three and a half years ago, I started at Queen's University, and nearly instantly, I knew things weren't right. For whatever reason, I hated the University experience. I kind of shrugged it off and tried my best and tried to have fun. Eventually I loathed school to the point that I would stay up not sleeping just mulling it over. Fun gave way to school and the fun made me happy, so I half-assed school, and it caught up to me in my marks. Despite feeling out of place and just generally wrong about things, I decided to go back for a second year. University is what you're supposed to do, and I assumed first year was just a culture shock from high school. I went back, to work on my degree, to try harder and prove I could do something that I knew I was capable of, but was beginning to think I didnt want to do. Then the feelings came back, and I got severly depressed. Second year was a really dark time for me, and I kind of took it out on myself mentally and physically (nothing as showy as intentionally harming myself, it was far more subtle), until I finally broke down and decided I had to do something about it. I assumed it was just Queen's, a school not only known for its arrogance and avarice, but proud of these traits. I didnt like the insititution, the framework, and the people. I was disconnected from my peers, and it seemed like the institiution did nothing to try and help me. So I left. I switched to Mac, and I figured everything would be fine, as Mac is a far more working class university then Queen's. And it was all rosey. My first term there was better. But eventually I started to get the old feelings of isolation, hatred, and depression. The place had changed, but the game didn't, and I loathed it. But, I was at home, and enjoyed life more, as I spent less time on campus, and enjoyed the people more, and at least the framework was better then Queen's. Then I met Karla, and feel so dumbly into love (which I consider a good thing), it became really easy to surpess these feelings of depression and just complete isolation and hatred for the framework of post-secondary education. Third year went pretty well, simply because I had never felt love before, and whenever things got rough, I'd just revel in my feelings of joy and happiness. Then this past summer, I worked full time for the first time in my life, and I loved it. I loved being able to work a shift, and not have to worry about it outside of work. I loved the routine, and I loved the attitudes around full time work. I enjoyed not being in school and loved working so much. For the first time since I started University, I didnt feel the lingerng or boiling feelings of just knowing something was wrong. Then this year, I started my fourth year, and last term was easily my hardest. I endured and did my work, and continually had to fight back my feelings. I skipped a lot of class, because, to be honest, when I am on campus, or even thinking of being on campus, I feel sick to my stomach, over how awful I feel when I'm there. Its not that the works hard, I'm capable of doing it, I just hate the aura and attitude about it. I hate the arrogance. I hate the self-importance. I hate the professors (with very few exceptions) and their ability to make you feel like utter shit. I hate how everything is treated like a life or death matter. Everyone thinks that thier work is what will make or break you in life, which is a lie. I hate the fact that almost no one will help you. I hate that schools seem to revel in breaking you down or outright fucking you. I hate how everyone makes it seem like your inconveniencing them by asking them a question or for a bit of help. I just hate University. Its sad, because right now, besides school, I'm the happiest with my life I've ever been. Problems that have lingered with me for my whole life don't matter.I am almost completely happy in my life. Except for school. I hate University. I've hated it almost since my very first day. Unfortunately, I wasn't smart enough to realize these problems early on. I tried the Queen's to Mac solution, and itonly half worked. It got better, but it didnt fix a glaring problem in my life. It just hid it for awhile. And now I'm forced to, nearly four years later, realize that I have made a huge mistake. Going to University was not the right path for me. I realize that now, and wish I could change it. And what do I do? I've got 9 credits left, so this term and four additional electives next year. I'd have to be a fool to completely waste the last 3.5 years of my life (and monetary investment) and throw it away. But on the flip side, I am completely miserable, and hate school more then ever right now. Its the first week of class, and I'm getting sick to my stomach thinking about and going to class. Ive been miserable for over three years and not sure I want to keep being miserable. I dont want to go into what sprung this on me. Just like when I had my anti-Queen's revelation, the spark is utterly inconsequential and unimportant. In the grand scheme of things, the event is nothing. But what it represents to me, and the time and the emotions, are tremendous. I generally didn't like high school, but I'm consider that to be more of my own fault the institution. Now, its not a matter of not being able to succeed, its a matter of simply having no desire to succeed, because if my degree is success, then I'd rather fail, because I'm much happier failing. Now, I know what I'm going to do. I'll keep going, and keep letting it break me down, but I know my will is gone. I'll complete my degree, but I have no desire to try to succeed anymore. I'm simply going to grace by doing as little as possible, working only when I need to, in order to just get by, so I can get the piece of paper. A piece of paper, that when I'm done, I'll probably burn. Well probably not, but it's never going to hang on my wall. Thats for sure. Jesse. "I think I've just made a horrible mistake."
Res-O-lutions! First 2007 wrap-up, then on to new things and new fun. Read on, nerds! 2007: 1. Do Community Work - Result: Absolute failure. Excuse: I'd like to think school really killed me this year and prevented me from doing this. In reality, I'm just lazy and need to find a cause and run with it. Ive already got some ideas swirling, and by the end of January, I hope to establish this one. 2. See Bloc Party and/or the Killers Live Result: Saw Bloc Party in October(?) and it was awesome. Killes are probably a 2009 thing, as I'd think 2008 will be spent recording a new album with limited touring by them. 3. Further Progress My School Stuff - Result: Yeah! I actually did. My mental plan is now in place and I know where I'll be for the next three years, which is a relief. Wooo! 4. Learn to Play Guitar - Result: Uh. No. Excuse: Maybe one day, but this was a complete pipedream and I never expected it to happen. 5. Regular Exercise Schedule - Result: 50-50. I was really good for parts of the year, but by the end I'd tanked it. But Ive got a good plan in place for 2008, and Im sticking fairly well by it so far in the early day of the planning (today was day one!) Excuse: Laze, but Im getting there. 6. See Certain Friends More - Result: Im not even sure who I meant by the past friends that I talked about in last years entry. But Ive made a bunch of new friends this past while, and right now, in terms of friends, Im happiest since Ive been since the initial Queen's loving. Im counting this as a victory. 7. Cook For My Self More Often - Result: Other then this past Christmas season, I do this more. I cook for Karla even more. 8. Gain a Greater Appreciation for Classic Rock - Result: Actually Ive gained a greater respect for a lot more forms of music this year, whether it be electronica, rap, or classic rock. Success! 9. Write Something Significant, at Least Twice a Month - Result: BOMBED it. Excuse: 2006 took a lot out of my writing and I think I spent a good chunk of this year finding a new outlet for my mad word skills. Ive got a plan in place right now, and by the end of the month Ill actually be starting to implement it. Look for it. 10. Keep Having Fun - Result: OF COURSE! Success: 5 for 10, which is pretty spectacular I think. 2007 was a solid year where I got all the neccessary stuff done, but none of the stuff that I'd love to do when I find the time. REALLY busy year, probably my busiest yet, except for when I was three and dominated the stock market in a dizzying display of money brokering. ---------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Resolutions for 2008: 1. By the end of the year, have applied for Teachers College. I dont see how I'd fail this, short of a life changing experience. Bad omen what?
2. Be more concise. Both verbal and written. Lets get to the point already Gottfried.
3. Other then Florida in Marpril, travel somewhere new.
4. Start working full time by the tail end of the year. Subsequently, make mad cheddah.
5. Excercise regularly.
6. Tell people off more when they deserve it. I'm fairly blunt and honest, but I think a lot of people are still getting away with too much shit. Y'all gotta learn!
7. Learn at least one new skill.
8. Pump out more writing. Lets crank up the words people!
9. Go vegetarian for a week. Its something I've wanted to try for awhile, and always forget to. Seems like a fun experiment.
10. Work my last "for real" shift at Shell. Ties to the full time working thing, but yeah, seriously, nearly 6 years.
11. Eat out of the house less. Too much cash.
12. Play hockey all year winter-summer-fall.
13. Play more Wii games. I love them shitz.
14. Get people to hear better music in 2008. Music is awesome right now, but few people look for me. I'm going to bring it to the people this year with whats good. In general, music will be a bigger part of my life in 2008 I think.
15. Keep having copious amounts of fun. Otherwise, whats the point?
Finally, here is your top 30 albums of 2007, according to moi.
1. Bloc Party – A Weekend in the City –A grower if there ever was one in music. At first, I disliked the lack of post-punk goodness that Silent Alarm perfected, but I have come to love this far more mature and powerful sophomore disc. They evolved a lot, but the departure from their old sound is all right with me, as no 2007 album created as brilliant an experience as the roaring up and downs that Bloc Party unleashed this year. STO: Hunting For Witches, Waiting for the 718, SXRT 2. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible – I almost expected a bomb after how heralded and important Funeral is to me, but Neon Bible is close to being an even better album. They cranked up the rock as well as the emotion, to create an album that’s far more powerful and less subdued, for brilliant effect. STO: Intervention, No Cars Go, Black Mirror 3. The Weakerthans – Reunion Tour – No one makes rock music like the Weakerthans, with their amazing blend of superb lyricism, punk ethos, and pop rock values, I’ve always liked them, but this album took it to a new level of love. STO: Relative Surplus Value, Tournament of Hearts, Night Windows 4. Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light – This might be personal bias, but Jimmy Eat World still move me more then almost any other band. Sure its derivative of the far superior Futures, but its still an amazing collection of poppy emo songs, which seem to be my kryptonite. STO: Big Casino, Chase This Light, Firefight 5. The Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future – The best new band of the year (even though I was listening to them in 2006, I’m a filthy hipster!), Klaxons kicked music in the ass this year, with music that sounds so unique, yet not jarring or weird. STO: Magick, Gravity’s Rainbow, As Above, So Below 6. The Hives – Black and White Album – The most fun album of the year, as The Hives just make the biggest and potentially best rock and roll around. They might be the best band in the world, and this album introduced hip-hop production and technique to their amped up garage rock for amazing effect. STO: Hey Little World, Tick Tick Boom, Try It Again 7. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver – Repetition can be good. This album takes electronic repetition and makes it something completely different, fusing it with rock and pop song writing styles, there is more emotion and meaning in any of the loops on this disc then in most musical compositions. STO: North American Scum, Sound of Silver, Someone Great 8. Hard-Fi – Once Upon a Time in the West – While not as good as Stars of CCTV, this album has hit after potential hit on it. They’re hard to pin down, as they create some amazing music, without managing to truly break out yet, like so many of their peers have done. STO: Suburban Knights, We Need Love, Television 9. Kanye West – Graduation – This album is so good that Kanye transcended genre, creating music that appeals to almost anyone, despite their musical preferences or preconceived notions. This was Kanye’s year; he was by far and away the biggest news story (that wasn’t a paparazzi meltdown like Britney). STO: Cant Tell Me Nothing, Stronger, Good Morning 10. Tegan and Sara – The Con – Another album that transcended my own established preferences, as after loathing their last album, I thought The Con was a revelation. It’s catchy, but still moody, with some great lyrics, and wasn’t the first bit annoying as I expected it to be. STO: Hop a Plane, Back In Your Head, Call It Off 11. Anberlin – Cities – This is a band that has improved by leaps and bounds since their last disc. Every song builds towards a cohesive and impressive sound, creating an album that has some superb singles, but works best when listened to start to finish. STO: Dismantle.Repair, Reclusion, Fin 12. Thrice – Alchemy Index Volume 1 – It’s a bizarre concept, but Trice make it work, especially the Water EP, which captures the tone and feel of H2O for a spellbinding and hypnotic sound. Technically, it’s incomplete with the second volume due in April, but so far, I feel the AI experimentation is a welcome addition to the Thrice discography. STO: Firebreather, Lost Continent, Night Diving 13. Feist – The Reminder – All commercialism aside, this is a wonderful collection of pop that makes me feel old. Feist’s voice is amazing, and she really hit the mark with her songwriting on this album. STO: Brandy Alexander, My Moon, My Man, One Two Three Four 14. Against Me! – New Wave – They took their punk roots and fused it with classic rock guitar riffs, and created an amazing album. I haven’t liked much of their older stuff, but New Wave left a definite impression on me this year. STO: Thrash Unreal, Stop, New Wave 15. Gallows – Orchestra of Wolves – The best punk album of the year, and the angriest collection of music in a long time, it’s a real breath of fresh air in punk music. STO: Belly of a Shark, Kill the Rhythm 16. Interpol – Our Love to Admire – It lacks the emotion of Turn on the Bright Lights and the explosiveness of Antics, but it’s a moody and haunting disc that seems to breaking them into the mainstream, despite it being their least-accessible album. STO: Rest My Chemistry, No I in Threesome, Heinrich Maneuver, Wrecking Ball 17. The Atari’s – Welcome the Night – Although most people hated the extreme departure from their old sound, I thought this dark and moody attempt to create shoe gazer yet rocking music was exquisite. STO: And We All Become Like Smoke, The Cheyenne Line, Whatever Lies Will Help You Rest 18. Voxtrot – Voxtrot – Lush and expansive indie rock with a lot of unique and experimental sounds, but still laced with all the right hooks and catches. STO: Kid Gloves, Blood Red Blood, Introduction 19. The Enemy – We’ll Live and Die In These Towns – If this first effort from this anthemic rock group is any indication their next few efforts should be nothing short of amazing. STO: Aggro, Its Not OK, You’re Not Alone 20. Gob – Muertos Vivos – Perfectly blending the worlds of pop and punk, without being annoying and juvenile like most “punk” bands of this era. STO: Wake Up, We’re All Dying, Banshee Song 21. The Color Fred – Bend to Break – I’m a sucker for the dueling vocalist style, and Fred took it from TBS and moved into folkier realms for a solo disc that rocks a lot more then most solo discs. STO: Get Out, If I Surrender, Hate to See You Go 22. Funeral For a Friend – Tales Don’t Tell Themselves – They’ve altered their sound a lot since the last record, moving more into epic rock anthems while leaving the screaming in their past, in one of the year’s most underrated discs. STO: Walk Away, Into Oblivion (Reunion), The Sweetest Wave 23. Attack in Black – Marriage – A great first record that reminds me if the Hold Steady were a punk band; AiB are going to be a big band some day soon. STO: Chimes and Church Bells, Hunger of Young, Young Leaves 24. Shout Out Louds – Our Ill Wills – A lush pop rock record that reminds me a lot of what the Smiths would have been like if Morrissey was happy. STO: South America, Impossible, Tonight I Have to Leave It 25. The Reason – Things Couldn’t Be Better – Just a fun rock record that’s great when it works (about 2/3 of the disc), but awful when it fails (the dumb “Unquestionable”). STO: We’re So Beyond This, This Is Just the Beginning, All I Ever Wanted 26. The Bravery – Sun and the Moon – Toning down the image and the synth, but adding improved guitar work and natural imagery made for an improvement (but they still seem to be chasing The Killers). STO: Believe, Bad Sun, Time Wont Let Me Go 27. Nurses – Hanging Nothing But Our Hands Down – Perhaps the weirdest thing this year, but beneath the eclectic-ness is some fine rock music. STO: Hungry Mouth, Curse of Marjorie, Way Up High 28. Motion City Soundtrack – Even if It Kills Me – Even with the energy and happiness cranked down, they’re still one of the most fun bands around. STO: This Is For Real, Antonia, Even If It Kills Me 29. Poison the Well – Versions – A great return that broke the formula, thanks to cranking up the guitars, for a classic rock meets hardcore vibe. STO: Letter Things, Naïve Monarch, Breathing’s For the Birds 30. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga – Minimalist pop rock that makes the most out of the little noise it creates. Standout Tracks: You Got Yr Cherry Bomb, Don’t Make Me a Target, Ghost of You Lingers Honorable Mentions: The National – Boxer, Matthew Good – Hospital Music, Yellowcard – Paper Walls, The Strangers Six – A Date With Daylight, Editors – An End Has a Start |
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tired
awake
nostalgic