My top albums for 2009 - part 2

Alicia Keys has blown me away with her new album. The Element Of Freedom is DOPE. She's singing her truth in this! She's hot, her voice is amazing. I got this about two week ago, and I can't stop listening to it. "All at once, I had it all, but it doesn't mean anything, now that you're gone" OMG....she's the best! Get this album already!



I knew of Neko Case, but I never owned any of her albums. Fortunately, Middle Cyclone stole my heart. This was one album I played non stop throughout the summer. The intro of This Tornado Loves You is astounding. Her voice is strong and soothing. Just look at her album cover! Neko is ready to fuck shit up! ;)



Mos Def is back y'all!! The Ecstatic is off the chain! I feel like he went back to his OG beat and rhythm. I wasn't a big fan of The New Danger (2004) and True Magic (2006). Perhaps he had to make those tho, to produce the greatness of this one! Boogie man is back in full effect!! Holler.



Monsters Of Folk is a super group including Bright Eyes, M. Ward, Jim James from My Morning Jacket. I fucking LOVE this album and secretly want to have sex with all of them. Listening to Dear God (sincerely M.O.F) for the first time brought tears to my eyes. All musicians collaborate well together. I love this band!

Side Note: While looking for the image of this album, I read the Wikipedia description. USA Today called the album a "harmonious and occasionally electrified blend of folk-rock, country and white soul" White soul?!? really? But, then again, USA Today is stupid anyway. But still...WTF?


One more post to go....woot woot.

r.r.r.

My top albums of 2009 - part 1

2009 was the year for music. Some of my favorite bands blew me away, along with discovering albums I never thought I would like. I can't put these albums in any order, because I appreciate all of them!! So, my next two or three entries will be about albums I LOVED in 09. Let's begin....



How can I NOT mention Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel by Mariah Carey?!? This album takes you on a journey!!! How can you forget such lyrics as "He's all up in my George Foreman", and "No one can deny it, we were flying like United". She's talking about TRUTH in this album! Reflecting on past relationships, appreciating the new love in her life, along with missing past lovers. But it's not just this tho....the beats are also SICK!! This album is great in the car, club or at a party. I've always liked Mariah Carey, but I was surprised how much i L-O-V-E-D this album.



I downloaded Actor by St. Vincent earlier this year, and I didn't listen to it right away. I did this because all the indie blogs were talking about her so fucking much. I was turned off by the hype. But I got over my hang up, and finally gave St. Vincent a chance. Her voice is beautiful, haunting and graceful...even though she's telling you her life is fucked up. Save Me From What I Want and The Party are my two favorite tracks. I think this is her first official album, and I am looking forward to her second. I also can't WAIT to see her at the El Rey in Feb 2010. :)



WTF Sunset Rubdown?!? You fucking blew away 2009 with Dragonslayer!! Honestly, I didn't think I would like this one. Their first album had a few tracks I liked. But it didn't impress me as much as Dragonslayer did! They are rocking OUT on this one for real!! The guitar and their harmonies are in FULL effect! Each track has its own unique sound. The lyrics are also awesome as well. For example, take Black Swan...

there was a rumor of a ghost in the bedroom,
hanging in and around the bed
but by the time the moon rose, you had taken off your clothes
and had the pillow under your head

These lyrics might sound crazy reading, but the song itself is AMAZING! I can't recommend this album enough.



See Mystery Light by YACHT is a GREAT album. The first track, Ring The Bell is fucking sick! "Will we go to heaven, or will we go to hell, it's my understanding that neither are real" That lyric alone made my heart jump for joy! Another new edition to YACHT is Claire Evans! She's awesome in this album!! Both are YACHT! There isn't a singer or a main star, both collaborate and compliment each other! Psychic City, I'm In Love With The Ripper, and Don't Fight the Darkness are a few of my favorite tracks.


More to come y'all. Stay tuned.

RIP Brittany Murphy

WTF?!? Brittany Murphy went into cardiac arrest and DIED last Sunday morning?!? Why 2009 why?!?!

Some might think I am overreacting. "She's only a movie star, genocide is happening throughout the world, and all you care about is Brittany Murphy dying?!?" Blah, blah, blah. Hold the phone. I care about genocide too foo....but I also got to give a moment to talk about an actor that impacted my life. You may think I'm being dramatic, and you're entitled to your own opinion. Honestly....Britney Murphy is DEAD people!!

I remember when I first saw her in Clueless. I fell in love with her awkward style, and how she was a complete spaz throughout the film. She was hysterical as Ty!! I wanted to be like her, and find my gnarly white skater guy. She MADE Clueless, ok!! Let's be real. Alicia was GREAT, but you can't deny the fact, you were singing "rolling with the homies" when you left the theater. I rest my case....

After I saw Clueless, I wanted to see more Brittany Murphy. Years pass, and a friend recommended Freeway. Her tiny role as the crazy girl in prison was great. She also stole my heart in Girl Interrupted, King Of The Hill, and Sin City. I know she was in 8 Mile, but I didn't see that because I hate Eminem. But, I will give it another chance. She was in Spun, Just Married, Uptown Girls, etc. Her bio is here. She also did a bunch of cool late 90's/early 00's gay flicks too!

Now everyone is up in her business. Paparazzi talking about her weight issues throughout her career, her past with drugs, etc. I'm not denying any of these things...it's odd to hear about a 32 year old dying from cardiac arrest. 32, really? But, let's take a moment folks...

We lost an awesome actor yesterday morning. We lost Ty. We're still rollin' with ya Ms. Brittany Murphy. You will be missed. :*(

Michael Jackson - This Is It - Directed by Spike Lee

i saw this the other day, and it made me weepy at my desk. amazing tribute

Michael Jackson - This Is It - Directed by Spike Lee from 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks on Vimeo.

yay rob brezsny

I've been getting his horoscopes for years. But, this one is right on the money for me.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I bet your relationship life will be a source of
revolutionary teachings in 2010. Adventures in intimacy and partnership
will draw you into some highly educational fun and games. You will be
invited to dramatically expand your understanding of the nature of
commitment. You will also be asked to dig deeper to discover your real
desires, which up until now have been partially camouflaged by more
superficial longings that were grafted onto you during the darker days of
adolescence. How should you prepare for the interesting tests of the next
12 months? How can you get yourself in shape to earn the demanding
gifts that will be within reach? Now is an excellent time to start thinking
about those questions.

AAAHHH! I feel like I've been thinking about these questions since I got with Matt. Every now and then, my horoscope matches with what I am really thinking about. Crazy shit.


I love you Mr. Brezsny. XOXOX

http://www.freewillastrology.com/