Give me some lovin' 2011!

All right all you party animals and doober and balls out there, seeing as i just got off a 10 and 1/2 hour shift today and that i'll be heading back in tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM, i'm going to have to be super lame tonight, kickin' it with the wife and pup, and sipping champagne in my pajamas. But that doesn't mean you can't have some fun. If you're not already at or headed to a End-O-Year bash, check out one of these...

A bunch of local bands at Cheer Up Charlies, and it's free, free, free!

Or, spend $20 and go see The Sword, Mammoth Grinder, and Eagle Claw at The Mohawk. (And, i won't tell anybody, but i'm on the guest list, so you should totally say you're me and get in for free, +1. Hooray!)

Anyway, whatever you do, have fun, be safe, and if you're going to drink and drive, do it for a good reason...like tacos.

Earl Sweatshirt

Always the bridesmaid when it comes to hip-hop. Once again, i'm late to the party, but the dudes at Odd Future are bringing the noise. MellowHype is the shit, so i checked out Earl, as he's featured on a track. Turns out his album is fucking great too. "Lyrics About Rape, Coke, And Couches Will Be Blaring In Your Ears With The Dopest Fucking Beats To Date." Go here to download it for free.

Oh My Gawd...It's My Favorite Movies of 2010

I did not see as many movies as i would have liked to this year. Sometimes you have to go to work instead. At any rate, i loved, loved, loved three movies in particular this year. There were a lot of runners up, but these are the flicks i will watch again and again. And here we go...

Piranha 3D - Is this one of the goriest movies i've ever seen? You bet it is. Are there more big, bare boobs than you can shake a stick at? You bet there are. Did i stand up at the end of the movie and give my friend a high five? You bet i did. If you didn't see this movie, you obviously hate America.

Black Swan - Although a late entry (i saw it on Sunday), i was blown away. Tense from start to finish. Beautiful from start to finish. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. We can finally forgive Natalie Portman for making me hate The Shins.

Inception - So much has been written and said about this movie, from how good it is, to how bad it is, to how pretentious it is, to blah, blah, blah. I can't add anything to the pot, but this was one of the best movies i've ever seen. Great story. Great cast. And further proof that Christopher Nolan will one day create a film that will destroy the world.

Runners-up: Exit Through The Gift Shop, The Social Network, The A-Team, True Grit

Movies i haven't seen yet, but am pretty sure would be on this list if i had: 127 Hours, The Fighter, Four Lions, Monsters

Movies i loved that actually came out last year (late to the party): Antichrist, House of The Devil, Mystery Team

Hooray film!

Listen to Gorillaz

Damon Albarn and co. have a new 15 track album recorded on an iPad. You can listen to "The Fall" on the Gorillaz website, or download it if you're a fan club member. No update yet as to when the tunes will be available to the masses.

Die Antwoord

Every so often, some crazy people put out some crazy record that's like a shot of adrenaline to the scene. Enter South Africa's Die Antwoord. Some friends turned me on to these guys, a mix of hip-hop with techno production, South African accents, and all around explosive oddness. Naturally, i love it.

Black Swan

My family is on their way into town. Pretty soon, my house with be loud and rife with children and dogs. So, before i pour myself a cocktail and wait for all the impending madness (not to mention that there's also a Saints/Falcons game on tonight just waiting to give me a coronary), i thought i'd throw a quick film suggestion to my grand readership out there (you five know who you are).

We saw "Black Swan" last night. Easily one of the best movies i've seen all year and definitely in the top 5. It's beautiful and tense. The whole cast performs remarkably, and i'm happy to see Aronofsky return to form. He may be a tad divisive amongst you film nerds out there, but he's innovative, and he knows how to tell a story with a camera. Anyway, go see it now...and...be sure to check out my favorite movies of the year post...COMING SOON!!!!

Merry Christmas et al.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all you doobers and balls out there!

jj KILLS

Download jj's KILLS mixtape from Sincerely Yours. Pretty vocals mixed over a bunch of hip-hop tunes? Merry Christmas!

Exit Through The Gift Shop

We watched "Exit Through The Gift Shop" last night. The movie is really good, but i can't quite decide if it's about the artist Banksy, graffiti art in general, Thierry Guetta, Mr. Brain Wash, or if the whole thing is just some elaborate hoax poking fun at the art world and art collectors. It's probably all of the above. If you're a fan of art, graffiti, or just good documentary film making, check this one out.

Highly recommended.

Good Day Today

Fucked up film auteur David Lynch could pretty much do anything and surprise no one. Be it the intense, psychological art house films like "Eraserhead," "Blue Velvet," or "Lost Highway," the TV prime time soap opera murder mystery of "Twin Peaks," or last year's audio/visual collaboration with Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse ("Dark Night of The Soul"), we pretty much expect a curve ball from the artist every time he winds up. So, i suppose it's logical that the guy would be releasing a single of electronic music with his own vocoded vocals. And damn it, it's good. The two tunes, "Good Day Today," and "I Know," are great pieces of Krautrock-inspired electro-weirdness. Check 'em out here.

Clara Rockmore

Clara Rockmore was a musical phenom from Lithuania who mastered the theremin in the early stages of it's development. Mississippi Records issued an album of her work last year that i'm just getting around to checking out. It's eerie. It's haunting. It's absolutely beautiful. Kudos to me for checking it out, and kudos to you if you were already one step ahead in the game.

Violens

New York band Violens released their debut LP "Amoral" last month, and i'm just getting around to listening to it. And, it's pretty damn good. Really Smiths/Morrissey inspired, it sounds like an updated soundtrack to missing John Hughes movie, poppy and fun, but just teeming with teen angst under the surface. You mess with the bull, you get the horns.

Design A Wave

Design A Wave bring you smooth synth jams in the form of a new EP from Alter Records. All hail minimalism!

The Magic Place

This is just too pretty not to mention. Brooklynite by way of Louisiana Julianna Barwick will release her new LP on Asthmatic Kitty in February. She uses layer upon layer of her own voice a-capella, drenched in reverb and other effects. It's lush and gorgeous, and beautiful as all hell.

Christmas parties are fun...

Christmas party at Beauty Bar = success. The ugly sweaters, cheap(ish) drinks, and awkward, awkward dancing made for a great environment. Deejays Kon Karne and Lee Roi mixed it up well with some smooth R&B, funk, soul, and hippity-hop. And, what can you say about Magnifico, the greatest Queen tribute band ever? Indeed, it was magnifico!

DJ Lee Roi

Magnifico

Christmas sweater party with Magnifico!

You should all go to Beauty Bar tonight. Deejays! Magnifico! Ugly Christmas sweaters! Hooray!

MellowHype

I'm a little late to the party on this one, but if you're like me, and haven't found enough excellent hip-hop to listen to this year, check out MellowHype's "Blackened White" album. It's smooth, a bit smokey, and probably the perfect soundtrack to go out and get in trouble to. Pretty sure you can still download it here. So, light 'em up and meet me at the club...(i'm very, very white).

Jesu wishes you a Merry Christmas

Metal shoegazer and soothe sayer Justin K. Broderick from Jesu released a digital-only EP, hopefully with some vinyl to follow. So, go get in the Christmas spirit with loud, droney guitars, subdued, reverbed vocals, and a veritable soup of moodiness. Get it here.

Porcelain Raft re-re-remixed

Spacey, bedroom lo-fi pop balladeers Porcelain Raft get the remix from treatment from the likes of Keep Shelly In Athens and more all for free on Acephale Records. Pick up the "Tip of Your Tongue" limited 7" while you're there.

Neon Indian covers T Rex

Sometime local synthesizer enthusiasts Neon Indian have dared to cover one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. And, God damn it, they do a great job. Go here to listen to Neon Indian's take on T Rex's "Children of The Revolution."

The Biz

Biz Markie's set last night played like a history of hip-hop. We nodded and bounced in the chilly air, a sea of mostly white faces, smiling and having fun, fun, fun, when the Biz left the tables, got on the mic, and laid one down for all the kids. Awesome.

My buddy Sam said his little girl would be so jealous that we saw Biz (she loves "Yo Gabba Gabba"). Here's a couple of pics.

You got what i need...

I am going to attempt to get off my lazy ass tonight and go see the Biz! He's deejaying at the Scoot Inn. Check out the info here, courtesy of Knuckle Rumbler.

Face Tat

Warped drum arrangements cranked to excessive volumes cascading and echoing throughout your house, your headphones, your brain, disorienting your senses, punching you in the guts, and pulsing, pulsing, pulsing, while screeching layers of guitars, warbled vocals, and assorted noises rend your ears to shreds. Such is the album "Face Tat" by sonic acrobat and all around awesome drummer Zach Hill. Not an easy listen, but then again, what rewarding venture ever is? For fans of Lightning Bolt, Liars, and other groups prone to loud bursts of weirdness.

Check it out.

New Wise Blood

Wise Blood (aka Chris Laufman) has been crafting song after song this year that i adore. Word on the street is he's working on a proper full length album, and that he'll have an EP due out in the Spring from Dovecote Records. Hooray!

New Puro Instinct

The lovely ladies of Puro Instinct are set to release a new 7" on Mexican Summer. It also features Ariel Pink playing all manner of weirdness. Pre-order here.

Greatest Hits

I'm not really sure what to say about Greatest Hits except that throughout all that electro-disco, it's just slightly odd and disorienting. Imagine a bunch of plushies doing the robot on a glowing neon dance floor while the Universal monsters play pinata with the disco ball. It's awesome, fascinating, and confusing as hell all at the same time. Sample some tunes over here, or go grab the "Danse Pop" 7" at Olde English Spelling Bee.

Oh, and be sure to shake your boot-ay while you do.

Cookie Monster

Here's a Cookie Monster print by Rhys Cooper. That's just awesome.

And now, here's Tommy with sports.

It's official. After much speculation and rumors over the last couple of days, Texas offensive coordinator and all around schlub Greg Davis has "resigned." Good riddance.

Now, let the new speculation of who could take the job begin. Josh McDaniels? Major Applewhite? Me?

Anyway, go to firegregdavis.com for years of belly aching and some pretty funny t-shirts.

Best album art

Just in case you thought i haven't made enough lists in the last 24 hours, here's another one. These are my top 5 album covers of the year. I chose all of these for purely aesthetic reasons. Some are arty, some are kitschy, but all of them are pretty fucking cool. So, here we go...


5.
Umberto's "Prophecy of The Black Widow" looks like the cover to some awesome European horror movie from the 70's. Funnily enough, the music sounds the same.

4.

Black Mountain's "Wilderness Heart" just looks rad. I like the band, but i would have bought this record without knowing what's on it, the album art is so cool.

3.

Gonjasufi's "A Sufi and A Killer" makes yet another list. I could stare at the cover for hours. It's hypnotising.

2.

Duck Sauce's "Barbara Streisand" makes me laugh every time i see it. That's why it's at #2.

1.

"Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music from South Africa" is a great collection of inspired dance lunacy from South Africa. It also has one of the weirdest album covers i've ever seen, and i'm absolutely fascinated by it. It is my favorite by leaps and bounds.

So, there you go.

Our favorite songs of 2010...Hazaa!

The football gods did not pay any attention to my prayers today, so Oklahoma is headed to yet another BCS bowl for them to blow. So, i've been drinking. Anyway, here's my favorite 50 songs from 2010. (And just to make it a little harder for me, i can only choose one song per band. Personal restraint is something we should all strive for.)

1. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
2. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
3. Twin Shadow & Hooray For Earth - A Place We Like
4. Holy Other - YR LOVE
5. Caribou - Odessa

6. Girls - End of The World
7. Gonjasufi - Sheep
8. Deerhunter - Helicopter
9. Final Fantasy - The Great Beyond
10. Javelin - Lindsay Brohan

11. Beat Connection - In The Water
12. Waskerley Way - Cat Alert
13. Gauntlet Hair - I Was Thinking...
14. Birthdays - Software
15. The Morning Benders - Excuses

16. Coasting - Kids
17. The Sandwitches - Baby Mine
18. Maus Haus - Winter
19. Gorillaz - Stylo
20. Liars - Scissor

21. Washed Out - You and I
22. Twin Sister - Lady Daydream
23. Harlem - Friendly Ghost
24. SALEM - King Night
25. Nightsatan - Karelian Starmaster (Evil Lucifer)

26. Games - Shadows in Bloom
27. Pantha Du Prince - Stick To My Side
28. Beck - Ramona
29. Gayngs - No Sweat
30. The Black Keys - Everlasting Light

31. Tennis - Marathon
32. Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand
33. The Knife - Colouring of Pigeons
34. Dream Cop - Beach City, Carol I Know (Teen Daze remix)
35. Solar Bears - Neon Colony

36. Baths - Hall (The One AM remix)
37. Delorean - Real Love
38. Golden Triangle - Cold Bones
39. Sleigh Bells - Crown on The Ground
40. First Aid Kit - When I Grow Up

41. Big Boi w/ Gucci Mane - Shine Blockas
42. Wise Blood - B.I.G.E.G.O.
43. Dum Dum Girls - Rest of Our Lives
44. Crystal Castles - Violent Dreams
45. jj - Let Go

46. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round and Round
47. Dent May - Eastover Wives
48. Zola Jesus - Night
49. Ty Segall - Finger
50. Panda Bear - You Can Count On Me

Now, i could totally supply links to find free downloads to all the songs on this list, but i'm lazy, and i've had a bit too much to drink tonight, so you really should be able to find all of these on The Hype Machine.

Anyway, that's my list. I had to leave a lot of really good stuff off of there, but i stand by it. If you feel i have made any egregious errors, or that i've left off something that kicked you in the balls this year, let me know. I am open and ready for comments, suggestions, and ridicule.

Because you demanded it...My favorite albums of 2010

Well, it's December. So that means every music snob, computer blogger nerd, and asshole piss ant are unveiling their collective year end best-of lists. And why should i be any different? So bear with me for these top 20 albums, and then i'll retreat to my dark room, beer swilling, and indifference to what you want to read about.

So, without further ado, here are my favs of the year, in no particular order of course. (You can't make me choose between my children. What kind of monster are you?)

----------


Gonjasufi - A Sufi and A Killer
I bought this record on a complete whim, thinking that the cover was awesome and trippy and that Warp Records would not steer my wrong. Wow. This guy mixes rock&roll, pop, psychedelia, hip-hop, electronica, and world music to create a crazy awesome sonic world. If you don't like a song, just wait for the next track because it sounds nothing like what preceded it. If you held a gun to my head, this is probably the record i would choose as my favorite for 2010. There. Are you happy? I chose.

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
James Murphy and his merry band of misfits return for their final (?) record and pull no punches. It's a perfect blend of NYC dance, post-punk, 80's Bowie flair, and some Gary Numan electronics thrown in for good measure. You wanna shake your ass and dance yrself clean? Then this is the one. And who doesn't like drunk girls? I mean really.

Health - Disco 2

Is there anything better than mixing noise rock and dance music together? Probably, but this second round of remixes is fantastic. I loved, loved, loved the original Disco album, and this one keeps up the grand work. Bravo.

Liars - Sisterworld
It's a new album by Liars. Of course it's going to be on my year end list. These guys manage to get weirder and weirder, yet more accessible with every release. Honestly, you should get everything these guys put out.

Gayngs - Relayted
Who would have thought that the best R&B album of the year would be made by a bunch of Midwestern, hipster white boys? I certainly didn't. But, i could not stop listening to this bad boy. If you don't have it, it immediately needs to go on your Christmas list. Get Santa on that shit right now. Really. Prince loves these guys. You think you're better than Prince?

Final Fantasy - Heartlands
He may want to call himself Owen Pallett now, but he'll always be Final Fantasy to me. This record's great from start to finish. FF does the normal chamber pop thing, but then goes full Sufjan Stevens to create a perfect pop album. It's beautiful from start to finish.

Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
Ladies making lo-fi garage rock gives me a great big happy, and that is in no way meant to be taken sexually.

The Sandwitches - Duck Duck Goose EP

I may have talked a bit of shit about this San Fran band last year, but evidently i had no idea what i was talking about. Duck Duck Goose is one of the most hauntingly beautiful records i've ever heard. I am converted.

The Black Keys - Brothers

So much has already been written about this album, that i can't really add anything to it, except to say believe the hype. Poppy blues stomp with a touch of T Rex. It really doesn't get better than this.

Twin Sister - Color Your Life
This album's just really pretty. And, i detect a bit of Morricone influence lying beneath the dreamscape exteriors.

Wise Blood - '+'

This digital only EP is a groovy mix of soul samples and lo-fi bedroom electronic production. A recently released 7" is pretty damn good to, so i'm eagerly awaiting a proper full length release.

Games - That We Can Play
Another EP makes the list with this 80's inspired dance opus. This is the polar opposite of Oneohtrix Point Never, but just as good.

The Black Ryder - Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride

Shoegaze is back baby! Yeah!

Baths - Cerulean

LA producer takes his bleeps, sweeps, and creeps and crafts a really great pop album. Songs that get in your head and stay there. Anticon strikes again.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I didn't want to like this record as much as i do because i hate the song "Modern Man" so much. But forgetting about that one blemish, this record is probably the most cohesive thing these guys have ever done. And that's all i'm gonna say.

Girl Talk - All Day

A late entry for sure, but i've been listening to this dandy on repeat since it came out a couple weeks back. I may as well reserve a spot for Girl Talk every time he releases an album. Fun, fun, fun.

Solar Bears - She Was Coloured In
I adore 1980's aping electro records, and this is probably my favorite. They create computer music to travel space and explore the moon by. It's that awesome. I could listen to this every day.

Secret Chiefs 3 - Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini

A soundtrack for an Italian horror movie that never existed. This album feels so much like an Argento flick that you'd swear Goblin were playing on the record. Actually, it's a bunch of cats who hang out with Mike Patton and John Zorn. If you like movie scores, you will love this record. And maybe it came out at the end of 2009, but i didn't get it until this year, so fuck it.

Dangermouse and Sparklehorse - Dark Night of The Soul

Speaking of albums that came out in 2009, i actually had this on my list last year, but that's when the only way to get it was to find tracks to download online or find a copy of the promo on vinyl. I don't know if the death of Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous got this album put out, but now that this masterpiece finally gets a legit release, i feel it necessary to include it again. It's that good. Dangermouse's production is always spot on, and guests like The Flaming Lips, Julian Casablancas, Iggy Pop, the late Vic Chestnutt, and David Lynch make this an album unlike any other. Everyone should own this. It's an original.

So there's 19. What about number 20 you ask? I couldn't decide. I'm like that sometimes. So, here's a bunch of other records that were the shit this year:

Midnight Juggernauts - The Crystal Axis

Ty Segall - Melted

Twin Shadow - Forget

Emeralds - Does It Look Like I'm Here?

Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot...The Son of Chico Dusty

and on, and on, and on...