Favourite albums/ bands/shows of 2010

Wow. 2010 just flew by didn't it? With 2011 coming up close, it's time for myself to reflect on some of my favourite albums and bands I've discovered this year.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Ted Leo + The Pharmacist's The Brutalist Bricks takes the number one slot. So many great songs make up the record including "Even Heros Have to Die", "Bottled in Cork", "The Mighty Sparrow" and others.

Alkaline Trio's This Addiction was quite good as well. Better then Agony and Irony, but some hit-or-miss songs present as well. Danny didn't get enough songs on the album. "Kick Rocks" should have been on there. It could have easily taken a place of a Skiba song.

Less Than Jake's TV-EP was quite funny. I'm hoping for a new record next year from these great guys.

Sundowner's We Chase The Waves is awesome! Chris and Neil of TLA did a great job. Now all we need is a NEW Lawrence Arms album. Not another EP. Another album, please.

Jimmy Eat World's new record Invented was alright. Some good songs here and there. A little melancholy, but it's not bad.

Matt Skiba's Demos was...strange. Maybe one song or so was okay.

Local band Conrad Plymouth released an EP as well and it's very good. It's good ol' americana and it's great! Fergus Falls is a great one to hear live. They're fun to play with to. Chris is always a riot.

The Newloud is a cornucopia of good dancy punk/pop/ music. My guitarist works for their front man, and every once in a while I'll listen to their bandcamp site. They're unique.

Eric and Magill-I participated in the recording of this album by contributing some vocals on a song. Another mellow-americana album and it's awesome. These guys did a great job.

Favourite shows for 2010-

Modern Family is STILL great. Great acting, great story line.

Hells Kitchen-Still watching this one religiously.

The Big Bang Theory-NEW fav show. My in-laws got me into it one day, and I love it. It's too funny. Bill Parsons is a genius.

Conan-No reason to explain this one. It's Conan O'Brien at his best.

Here's to 2011.

Alkaline Trio-This Addiction-Strangely addictive, with some side effects

Alkaline Trio recently released their 7th studio album This Addiction, on their new label they started called Heart & Skull, which is a sub-label off Epitaph. They also returned to Chicago studio Atlas Studio to record with Matt Allison (Lawrence Arms/Less Than Jake) to record the album. They stated in 09, that it'd be a stripped down record while returning to their punk-rock roots. While their 2008 release of Agony and Irony which promoted health, happiness and better things, This Addiction has a different vibe. It may be because Guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba recently went through a divorce, & they've had some personal losses over the last year. So after a week and a half of listening to the album in my car, This Addiction is a decent 7th album. I first heard their first song and single "This Addiction" a few months back and it defiantly peaked my interest in the new record. It's straight forward with the classic Trio style. It's Matt's comparison of drugs and love, and is super catchy. Great way to start off the record. "Dine Dine My Darling" is next and the first song sung by bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano. It's catchy as well, with a great hook. "Lead Poisoning" is third. Matt's leading the vocals on this one too. The critics are hating it because of the NOFX-style trumpet part, but overall, it's an alright song.

"Dead On The Floor" is fourth. Another Skiba-sung song. It's one of my favourite off the album, if not THE favourite. The opening riff is similar to an older track "San Francisco". The lyrics are great, the chorus is simple and wonderful. There's some light chimes highlighting the track, which really add to it. "The American Scream" is next. Skiba sings on this one. It has a darker feel to it since it's about a Army soldier coming back from over seas and killing himself over his mother's grave. It's a rare political song for the group, but works. "Off The Map" is next. Dan sings on this one. This is my favourite track, by far. The lyrics are your typical witty Dan-style with a great melody. Matt sings on the next track "Draculina". Probably my least favourite track. It's just not as exciting as I'd like to hope. "Eating Me Alive" follows it, which is once again, sung by Matt. This is the track that's got everyone scratching their heads, or perhaps even skipping the album. The synth part is very obnoxious, but since they're influenced by bands such as The Cure, it sort of shines through. The chorus is alright, but that damn synth part is hard to ignore. "Piss and Vinegar" follows that which is the third song in a row, sung by Matt. The guitar riffs on this one sounds pretty similar to "Eating Me Alive". Part of it. Chorus is alright for the most part. "Dorothy" follows it which ONCE again is sung by Matt. It's not a bad one. The drum part is interesting for the intro part. Lyrics are 'eh'. "Fine" sung by Dan, finishes out the album. Live, they're switching instruments around with Dan on guitar, Derek on bass and Matt on drums. Kinda freshening things up and keeping it interesting. This one sounds great. Dan captures great lyrics & a great melody. Now if you have the Deluxe addition, you've got the extra songs "Kick Rocks" and "Those Lungs" as well as three acoustic tracks. "Kick Rocks" is perfect. Danny sings on this one as well as "Those Lungs" and both are absolutely great. The drum part on "Those Lungs" on the intro sounds too similar to "Time To Waste" but it's still a solid song.

So as you can see, Matt clearly dominates the album with songs he leads on versus Dan who sings on just three (not including the B-sides) He's got some good songs, but there are a few that could be substituted for the B-sides. Dan shines very brightly leaving the listener wanting more on his side. Overall, not too bad. Less glossy then Agony and Irony, yet some tracks fall slightly.

My Favourite Albums and Movies of 2008

With 2008 in the past, it's time to check out the best albums and movies in 08.
My favourite album of the year was Less Than Jake's GNV FLA. With a slew of solid songs, this was easily my pick. My favourite songs is defiantly "Conviction Notice".

Alkaline Trio's Agony and Irony rounds up second place. They moved to a major label with this album, and it worked alright for them. "Love Love Kiss Kiss" and "Do You Wanna Know" are my favourite songs.

Ben Fold's Way To Normal picks up third place. Songs For Silverman was a bit slow and lacked his famous energy he so often puts forward, but with Way To Normal, he lets loose. "Hiroshima", "Bitch Went Nutz" and "You Don't Know Me" are some of the gems.

As for movies I only have two favourite films.
The Dark Knight was absolutely amazing. Heath Ledger played one of the greatest villains of all time. His character knew how to psychologically twist you into a pretzel you didn't think could happen.

WALL-E places second. It has a great message, and a robot love story. The art was upped by Pixar, and I just loved it. They never cease to amaze me.