Last year I did a little “best of” list, and it was a fun exercise forcing myself to review a few of the things I enjoyed most over the past twelve months. So, I’m doing it again…
Best Album: Passion Pit Manners
Some of the things I end up enjoying most, come first as a surprise. Like my shock my when I first heard Mike Angelekos constant falsetto. After all, I’m usually drawn to the very low, nearly foreboding style of Stephin Merritt or Leonard Cohen. But as I listen to each track on Manners I’m really impressed with the tonal result. When I realized that Angelekos also managed worked in the awesome kids of PS-22 in NYC on some of the tracks, I was even more impressed. Somehow there’s something very chill behind those frantic, bubbling synths and the soaring lyrics. It’s that calm within the pep that makes this album great for so many situations.
There were other great releases this year, so it was a close call. Phoenix, Matt and Kim, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs proved they could continue rocking some good hooks. Bats for Lashes captured me in its grand soundscape infusing Kate Bush-esque vocals with new rhythms. And the understated release by The XX is unique, intimate, and excellent. But for me, Passion Pit brought the electro-pop that will remind me of 09.
Best Concert (that I saw): Snoop Dogg / The Killers @ Lollapalooza
I’ve been to a number of Lollapaloozas and, of course, they just get larger and more over the top each time. Even with the last minute cancellation of the Beastie Boys and all the rain on Day 1, nothing could dampen this year’s edition. There were so many great sets the best I can do is claim a tie between Snoop Dogg and The Killers who played back to back on the final night. With Snoop’s set I was seemingly in the middle of the biggest party of the year. With each classic song everyone shared the same nostalgic vibe of Summer days past. We were mostly white suburbanites singing about Compton, but it was guiltless fun. With the Killers, it was just a flat out great performance. From hit to hit Brandon Flowers put the throttle down and led of us all on a great ride to close the festival. Runner up: NIN|JA @ Verizon (Indy)
Best Movie: Star Trek
I will need to revisit this later after I catch up on more films in my annual Oscarpalooza, but the reboot of Trek is the movie that is still sticking with me several months later. Watchmen was very well done, Paranormal Activity was an awesome surprise, and Avatar was pretty, but I have to hand it to Trek for not disappointing and setting the Federation on a whole new course cinematically.
