fReDiGgLe’S bLoGgIzZlE

Here it is as promised (and before 2007 no less!).  Now I’ve gotta get started on school work.  *bleckh*  I hope you like the list.  Did I leave anything out?  Was I completely wrong? Got something better?  Leave me your comments, good or bad, I’d love to hear them!

Music

Best Album

1. Mute Math – Mute Math (Released 09-26-06)

I wanted to pick something that I thought would be timeless; something that I would be listening to next year and the year after that.  I felt like Mute Math snuck in under the radar with this release and I’ve been listening to it on and off (What does that mean? Can’t listen to it if it’s off, right?  Whatever.) for most of the year.  Late last year and earlier this year Mute Math was in litigation with their record company about the distribution of this disc.  Fortunately for us fans everything worked out and we now have a solid disc of electro-funk rock magic.  I’ve never seen them in person, but I have caught them on TV a few times and it makes me like them more.  I encourage you to get this if you don’t already have it.

2. mewithoutYou – Brother [Sun], Sister [Moon] (Released 09-26-06)

It seems as though mewithoutYou’s two previous albums (A – – > B Life and Catch for Us the Foxes) were leading up to this.  The band had said themselves that this project was a new chance for them to grow.  They have certainly done that with this album.  While what I’ve read of Aaron Weiss’ beliefs about God and Jesus are a little odd, his lyrics and the way he phrases them are truly magnificent.  There is of course the trademark shrieking of Weiss’ voice, but the music swells and recedes like the tides during a lunar cycle, making this album more accessible than their previous two.

3. * * * TIE * * *

I really didn’t want to do this but I feel compelled too because I had high expectations for these next two albums and they both either met my expectations or soared high above.  Also, it’s my list and I can do whatever I want. **pthbbt!!**

Copeland – Eat, Sleep, Repeat (Released 10-31-06)

I had really high hopes for this album as I’ve been a fan of Copeland since their first album (Beneath Medicine Tree).  The first time I popped it into my CD player I was astounded.  The xylophone on the opening track is eerily beautiful like a funeral in a cathedral.  This disc really reminded me of Radiohead.  It feels as if Copeland has found a happy medium between Beneath Medicine Tree and their second release, In Motion.  Every track on here is strong and while the album stands as one complete piece of art, each song has enough weight to hold its own.

The Format – Dog Problems (Released 07-11-06)

I first saw The Format up in Boulder at a small venue called Tulagi’s.  I was afraid they were going to sound horrible and be one more band out there trying to be something they’re not.  I wasn’t disappointed with their music but with the fact that they had sold out all of their Ep’s before I could make it back to their merch table.  I freaked out (in a bad way) the first time I heard “The Compromise.”  No more was the band I fell in love with at Tulagi’s but one replaced by a carnival act.  This should be an example of never letting one song dictate ones feeling for the whole album.  As a whole Dog Problems is a solid record and rocks much like the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.  Though the subject matter is fairly deep and many times depressing, the music makes for one of the best soundtracks to summer ever.  That’s right, ever.

4. Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me (Released 11-21-06)

Arguably the most anticipated album of 2004.  Arguably the most anticipated album of 2005.  Arguably the most anticipated album of 2006.  Yes, that’s right.  Fans of Brand New (including myself) have been waiting three years for this album.  Was it worth the hype?  Only time will tell.  I did not fall in love with it right away as I did their last release (Deja Entendu) but after the first week it really became infectious.  Oddly enough, the album’s strongest and weakest point is in the loud/soft dynamic.  It makes for difficult background music but when one sits down and actually listens, the dynamics play off of the emotions of the lyrics. If you like music, and good music at that, don’t let 2007 pass by without picking up this release.

5. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade (Released 10-24-06)

My introduction to this album came by way of the video for “Welcome to the Black Parade.”  The aforementioned song takes twists and turns musically a la classic rock darlings Queen (fabulous!).  The video is both dramatic and theatrical and captures the mood of not just the song but the album as well.  I really like this album and I feel it is leaps and bounds better than their last one (considering it sold really well).  My Chemical Romance doesn’t seem to be around to cash in on the recent emo/pop/post-punk scene but are content with carving their own niche in rock and roll history.  The band’s theatrics never get in the way of them making solid song after song and therefore this is a must have for 2007.

6. Angels & Airwaves – We Don’t Need to Whisper (Released 05-23-06)

What’s to say that hasn’t already been said about Angels and Airwaves (AVA)?  It seems as though lead singer, Tom DeLonge has been hyping this band minutes after word hit that his previous multi-platinum band broken up.  While I differ with Mr. DeLonge about how AVA will forever change the face of rock music, I do think that this album as a whole was well done.  The music sounds much like U2 with a little punk influence.  Many will be turned off by DeLonge’s whiney, droning voice but I think that that is often the most enduring part of AVA.  This album is worth the listen but I’d encourage you to get 1-5 first.

7. Jeremy Enigk – World Waits (Released 10-17-06)

8. underØATH – Define the Great Line (Released 06-20-06)

9. Johnny Cash – American V (Released 07-04-06)

For any fan of Johnny Cash this disc is a must own.  When this came out I read that Cash’s producer had enough material for one more posthumous record.  Not only is this one of the possible two last albums in Cash’s discography but it also features the last song written by the late man in black.  Not as strong as American IV: When the Man Comes Around, American V still boasts a heartfelt voice that at times teeters on the brink of failing and gives each recording a precious place in fans hearts.  These are the haunting last few recordings in one man’s prestigious career and one can almost physically feel what it is like to be there.

10. Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche (B-Sides from Illinoise) (Released 07-11-06)

11. Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now (Released 04-25-06)

12. The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers (Released 05-16-06)

13. M. Ward – Post War (Released 08-22-06)

14. Pedro the Lion – Tour EP 2004 (Released 05-06-06)

 

Honorable Mentions (In no particular order)

Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity. (Released (12-26-06)

This disc just came out and so I don’t think I could objectively (as objective as I am) consider it for the “Best Album” category.  It sounds good so far and I would recommend it.

Jonzetta – Populartiy (Released 10-03-06)

The Fold – This Too Shall Pass (Released 02-21-06)

Run Kid Run – This is Who We Are (Released 05-16-06)

Brandtson – Hello, Control. (Released 05-02-06)

Waking Ashland – Telescopes Ep (Released 06-13-06)

Saosin – Saosin (Released 09-26-06)

 

Best Single

These are songs that had to be in every playlist I created on my iPod this year.

1. “White and Nerdy” Weird “Al” Yankovic – Straight Outta Lynwood (Released 09-26-06)

2. “Chinese Translation” M. Ward – Post War

 

Best Video

1. “Welcome to the Black Parade” My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

2. “From Yesterday” 30 Seconds to Mars – A Beautiful Lie (Album Released 2005)

3. “Here it Goes Again (Treadmill Version)” Ok Go – Oh No (Album Released 2005)

4. “I Will Follow You into the Dark” Death Cab for Cutie – Plans (Album Released 2005)

5. “Steady as She Goes (2^nd Version)” The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers

6. “MakeDamnSure” Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now

7. “Nobody Dances Anymore” Brandston – Hello, Control.

8. “Miss Murder” AFI – Decemberunderground (Released 06-06-06)

9. “The Kill” 30 Seconds to Mars – A Beautiful Lie (Album Released 2005)

10. “The Adventure” Angels & Airwaves – We Don’t Need to Whisper

 

Best Production

1. Copeland – Eat, Sleep, Repeat

2. mewithoutYou – Brother [Sun], Sister [Moon]

3. Mute Math – Mute Math

4. The Format – Dog Problems

5. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

6. Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me

7. Angels & Airwaves – We Don’t Need to Whisper

8. underØATH – Define the Great Line

9. Jeremy Enigk – World Waits

10. Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche (B-Sides from Illinoise)

 

Best Artwork

1. The Format – Dog Problems

2. Copeland – Eat, Sleep, Repeat

3. Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me

3. underØATH – Define the Great Line

 

Best Lyrics

1. Jesse Lacey (Brand New)

2. Aaron Weiss (mewithoutYou)

3. Derek Webb

4. Denison Witmer

 

Biggest Disappointment

1. Hellogoodbye – Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! (Released 08-08-06)

2. Various Artists – Punk Goes 90’s (Released 05-09-06)

3. Dead Poetic – Vices (Released 10-31-06)

4. ActionReaction – 3 is the Magic Number (Released 08-22-06)

 

Best Free Online Music

1. www.happybirthdaydenison.com

I stumbled upon this website via news posting on absolutepunk.net and discovered a great artist and musician.  For his 30^th birthday, Denison Witmer posted over thirty acoustic versions of his songs (and a couple of covers).  All he asks in return is that the downloader make a donation to one of his favored charities.

2. www.freedereekwebb.com

Again I found this site by accident.  While perusing various MySpace profiles I came across one that had Derek Webb listed as a “top friend.”  I liked Derek Webb’s stuff so I headed over to his page to see if there were some new songs he had posted and I then read about freederekwebb.com.  While I struggled with some of the content of his songs, I felt like he was definitely onto something.  2006 has been a significant year for me in terms of finding who Jesus is to me.  Derek Webb’s music gave my disjointed thoughts a little clarity.  Unfortunately, this site disappeared around the first week of December, however, you can still purchase the CD.

3. www.jacksmannequin.com

This was posted right about Christmas time.  There’s a great a cappella version of “Holiday from Real” and three more songs and b-sides from their debut album, Everything in Transit.  I’m game for good free music anytime of the year!

 

Online News Source

1. Drudge Report (www.drudgereport.com)

News from around the world.  When I’ve had all I can stand from local network news I go here and get the stories that are important to me.

2. Absolute Punk (www.absolutepunk.net)

If you like my list for music, check out this site for the most up-to-date news from those bands.  There is a high amount of gossip and trash talking from this site but as for (punk/emo/hardcore) music news, it can’t be beat.

3. Newsarama (www.newsarama.com)

I stumbled upon this site when I heard that Marvel’s Civil War (it’s a comic book for you non-geeks) was going to be delayed for a month or two.  I now check it everyday for new news about my favorite writers and artists.  They have some great interviews with creators, editors, artists and writers.  If you’re into comic books you should have bookmarked this site, yesterday.

 

Best Video Game

I usually only get games for my birthday and Christmas and these two I got just then.  I’m sure there’s more but I have neither the time nor money for them.  Both are excellent and have kept me from completing this list in a timelier manner.

1. Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance (PS2)

2. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (PS2)

 

Movies

Best Film

1. Superman Returns

2. Eragon

Uh, time and money (at $12 a pop, who can see every movie)… I only got to see these in the theaters.

 

Best Actor

1. Kevin Spacey

He’s so evil in Superman Returns that you end up falling in love with him.

 

Biggest Dissapointment

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

If you need to know more about this movie please read my mini review on this blog.  It stunk like a sweaty jockstrap beneath a pile of stinkier jock straps.

 

Most Anticipated Film of 2007

1. Spider-Man 3

2. Transformers

3. Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer

4. TMNT

 

Books

I’ve read a lot this past year and most of it has been for school.  I’m happy when I can read other things like… comic books!

 

Best Comic Book Author

1. Frank Millar (Cival War)

2. Brad Meltzer (JLA)

3. Ed Brubaker (Daredevil)

4. Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man)

 

Best Comic Book Artist

1. Steve McNiven (Civil War)

2. Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man)

3. Michael Lark (Daredevil)

4. Ed Benes (JLA)

 

Television

Best Show

1. 24 (NBC)

2. Heroes (FOX)

3. The Office (NBC)

4. Scrubs (NBC)

 

Best Actor(s)

1. Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura, Heroes)

2. Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer, 24)

3. Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute, The Office)

4. John Krasinski (Jim Halpert, The Office)

5. Zach Braff (J.D., Scrubs)

 

Best Actress(es)

1. Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly, The Office)