Casual Reviews of Movies, Music, and Literature

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

35's at 35

Every 5 years, I make a point to reflect on my favorite books, albums, and movies. It's an unofficial tradition of mine, and since my 35th birthday is this month, a new installment is in order. Some of the entries listed below are old classics in my personal canon, while others are new discoveries that I'm currently obsessed with. Either way, I'm obviously a huge fan of all the titles you're about to see. Feel free to peruse at your leisure, and while you do, I strongly encourage you to make your own lists too! If you do, please share them with me. Thanks! Read and enjoy - and I'll see you at my next installment, when I finally hit the dreaded 4-0...

 Books
35.) Bone by Jeff Smith 
34.) Devil in the White City by Erik Larson 
33.) My Losing Season by Pat Conroy 
32.) Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine    
31.) Suicide of the West by Jonah Goldberg
30.) Flight by Sherman Alexie 
29.) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn  
28.) All the Truth is Out by Matt Bai 
27.) Run River by Joan Didion 
26.) Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
25.) Monster by Walter Dean Myers 
24.) Misery by Stephen King 
23.) Feed by MT Anderson 
22.) The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt 
21.) The Giver by Lois Lowry 
20.) Political Tribes by Amy Chua
19.) Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos 
18.) NOS4A2 by Joe Hill 
17.) Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass 
16.) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck  
15.) The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt 
14.) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
13.) The Problem with Everything by Meghan Daum 
12.) Selected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes 
11.) Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons  
10.) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
9.) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee 
8.) Another Marvelous Thing by Laurie Colwin 
7.) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 
6.) Lisey's Story by Stephen King 
5.) To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
4.) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 
3.) Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff 
2.) The Complete Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson 
1.) The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands by Stephen King 

Albums
35.) Déjà Vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young  
34.) Elephant Eyelash - Why 
33.) Somewhere in the Between - Streetlight Manifesto
32.) To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar 
31.) Revolver - The Beatles 
30.) Infinity - Journey 
29.) GLOW ON - Turnstile 
28.) Evil Empire - Rage Against the Machine
27.) Kind of Blue - Miles Davis 
26.) WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO - Billie Eilish 
25.) Skylark - Renee Olstead 
24.) Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers 
23.) Rated R - Queens of the Stone Age 
22.) POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me the Horizon
21.) Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise - The Dear Hunter 
20.) [REANIMATION] - Linkin Park 
19.) Affinity - Haken  
18.) The College Dropout - Kanye West 
17.) Sonic Highways - Foo Fighters  
16.) Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra - Bill Evans Trio 
15.) Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa
14.) Vaxis - Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind - Coheed & Cambria 
13.) Let It Be - The Beatles 
12.) ...In Shallow Seas We Sail - Emery 
11.) Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional - The Dear Hunter 
10.) <COPINGMECHANISM> - Willow 
9.) The Life of Pablo - Kanye West  
8.) Dave Grusin Presents: GRP All-Star Big Band Live! - GRP All-Star Big Band
7.) Because the Internet - Childish Gambino   
6.) Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness - Coheed & Cambria
5.) Djesse Vol. 3 - Jacob Collier 
4.) The Question - Emery   
3.) Abbey Road - The Beatles 
2.) Antimai - The Dear Hunter 
1.) Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers 

Movies
35.) Ferris Bueller's Day Off 
34.) Unforgiven
33.) Frost / Nixon 
32.) Everything Everywhere All At Once
31.) The Thing (1982) 
30.) Blade Runner 2049 
29.) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 
28.) The Monster Squad 
27.) Psycho (1960) 
26.) Rush Hour 
25.) The Shining 
24.) No Country for Old Men
23.) Inglourious Basterds   
22.) The Departed 
21.) Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
20.) Halloween (1978)
19.) The Big Lebowski
18.) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
17.) Hot Fuzz 
16.) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 
15.) Tropic Thunder 
14.) The Godfather 
13.) The World's End
12.) Jaws 
11.) Doctor Sleep  
10.) Casino Royale (2006) 
9.) Rear Window
8.) The Silence of the Lambs 
7.) 2001: A Space Odyssey 
6.) 12 Angry Men
5.) The Fugitive 
4.) Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 
3.) The Dark Knight 
2.) Jurassic Park 
1.) Michael Clayton

Sunday, December 31, 2023

2023: A Year in Books

As another year winds to a close, I'm happy to present to you the books I read in 2023 - starting back on New Year's Day and stretching all the way around to another New Year's Eve. I always try to conquer 25 books in a year, but it seems I rarely manage to pull it off. But that's alright. 24 books for the year averages out to 2 books per month, which is a pace that suits me just fine. Below you'll find the books I read this past year, presented in the order I finished them. I've dropped a silly little letter grade next to each, which indicates my overall enjoyment. My favorites of the year are highlighted in blue. 

Read and enjoy. And happy 2024! 

1.) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros ... B+ 
2.) The Word Kingdom in the Word Kingdom by Noah Eli Gordon ... D
3.) The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides ... B 
4.) Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda ... B+
5.) Educated by Tara Westover ... A 
6.) Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen ... B+ 
7.) Anthem by Ayn Rand ... B+
8.) Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson ... B
9.) In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park ... A 
10.) While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park ... A
11.) The Outsider by Stephen King ... B
12.) Run River by Joan Didion ... A- 
13.) Politics and the English Language by George Orwell ... A
14.) The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: Book Two by Bill Watterson ... A-
15.) The Regulators by Richard Bachman ... C+ 
16.) My Misspent Youth by Meghan Daum ... B+ 
17.) If It Bleeds by Stephen King ... B- 
18.) The Crossing by Gary Paulsen ... B 
19.) Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri ... D+ 
20.) Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos ... B 
21.) Last Chapter and Worse by Gary Larson ... B
22.) Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca ... C
23.) East of West: One by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta ... D+
24.) The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka ... B+ 

Friday, September 22, 2023

Terrific Tracks: 70s Edition


Last year, I posted the first entry in a series of what I consider to be 50 fantastic songs from past decades. These can be from any genre, although my biased brain definitely prioritized some over others (sorry, country fans!).  

For our second list, grab your bellbottoms and your 8-track tapes, it's time for the sumptuous 70s! As a kid growing up in the 90s/00s, there was always a certain chicness to the 70s, and artists like Led Zeppelin and Queen were on infinite repeat for me and my friends. We grew our hair long, bought vinyl records, and regressed ourselves back to the Ford administration. This means that it was tricky for me to winnow down this list to a mere 50 songs, but I gave it my best shot. Read and enjoy! And if you're adventurous, make a playlist and give these a listen. They're presented below in alphabetical order. 

PS: To my hardcore music nerds, or to anyone reading who actually lived through the 70s, this list might seem a tad basic. Many of these are absolute classics, and although I have a warm adoration for deep-cuts, I want these lists to be at least marginally acceptable to the uninitiated. 
  • 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon (1975) 
  • 2112 - Rush (1976) 
  • Baba O'Riley - The Who (1971) 
  • Barracuda - Heart (1977) 
  • Bitches Brew - Miles Davis (1970) 
  • Black Diamond (Live) - KISS (1975) 
  • Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975) 
  • Carry On - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970) 
  • Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas (1976) 
  • The Chain - Fleetwood Mac (1977) 
  • Cherry Bomb - The Runaways (1976) 
  • Dancing Queen - ABBA (1976) 
  • Don't Stop Me Now - Queen (1978) 
  • Double Vision - Foreigner (1978) 
  • Easy - Commodores (1977) 
  • Eruption - Van Halen (1978) 
  • Feeling That Way - Journey (1978) 
  • Heart of the Night - Poco (1978) 
  • Hotel California - Eagles (1976) 
  • I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King (1971) 
  • I Got a Name - Jim Croce (1973) 
  • Into the Mystic - Van Morrison (1970) 
  • Jolene - Dolly Parton (1973) 
  • Just What I Needed - The Cars (1978) 
  • Let It Be - The Beatles (1970) 
  • Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull (1971) 
  • Make Me Smile - Chicago (1970) 
  • My Sweet Lord - George Harrison (1970) 
  • Mr. Tanner (Live) - Harry Chapin (1976) 
  • Night Moves - Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (1976) 
  • No Quarter - Led Zeppelin (1973) 
  • Part of the Plan - Dan Fogelberg (1974) 
  • Peace Train - Cat Stevens (1971) 
  • Precious Lord, Take My Hand / You've Got a Friend (Live) - Aretha Franklin, Southern California Community Choir (1972) 
  • Run with the Wolf - Rainbow (1976) 
  • Shambala - Three Dog Night (1973) 
  • Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire (1975) 
  • Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (1971) 
  • Starman - David Bowie (1972) 
  • Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1972) 
  • Symphony for the Devil / Sympathy for the Devil - Blood, Sweat & Tears (1970) 
  • Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen (1975) 
  • Time - Pink Floyd (1973) 
  • Tobacco Road - Edgar Winter (1970) 
  • Use Me - Bill Withers (1972) 
  • What's Going On - Marvin Gaye (1971) 
  • Woman of the Dark - Chase (1972) 
  • You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt (1974) 
  • You Got to Funkifize - Tower of Power (1972) 
  • Your Song - Elton John (1970) 

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Favorite Albums of the 2020s (so far...)

So far, the 2020s have given us some of the most engaging, most inventive albums I've ever heard. If you've retreated into the infinite repeat of your favorite bands or songs, then I encourage you to branch out! Any of the entries presented below will do. At this point in the decade, they are the 20 albums I've enjoyed the most. I tend to be a formalist, so my picks are often informed by composition, arrangement, and performance - but other metrics like innovation and "relisten value" were also taken into consideration. For what it's worth, my taste in music has gotten real weird as of late, so please garnish this list with as many grains of salt as you like. Read and enjoy! 


20.) An Evening with Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic (2021): This throwback album is as fun as it is funky, with blistering vocal performances, velvety productions, and effortless charm. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are at their best here, delivering soulful melodies and clever lyrics in every song. Standout tracks: "Fly as Me" and "Smokin Out the Window" are as groovy as music in the 2020s has ever been. 


19.) Welcome - Daði Freyr (2020): If Silk Sonic recreates pop music's past, then Icelandic/Danish songster Daði Freyr reflects its future. This is a phenomenally funky EP, one that is both inescapably European and universally renowned. Standout tracks: The tune that hooked me was "Think About Things," but "10 Years" is a perfect portrait of my marriage at this point, so it's definitely a highlight for me.  


18.) Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar (2022): Like all Kendrick albums, I was slow to appreciate this 79-minute hip hop odyssey. But the deeper I dug, the more I enjoyed. This is Kendrick at his most versatile, his lyrics and flow running the gamut from contemplative to chaotic. But best of all are the recurring motifs - the jazz piano, the elegiac vocal melodies, the human percussion, etc. Standout tracks: I prefer the first disc - Big Steppers - in its entirety. 


17.) Pictures of Mountains - Cody Fry (2021): In an era of pop music supremacy, it's frankly astonishing that this album wasn't more popular. On Pictures of Mountains, Cody Fry has crafted an intensely personal record, one with lyrics sharp enough to slice to the bone. The entire album is effervescent in a slick, hyper-stylized way - like a luxury car fresh off the production line. Standout tracks: The sumptuous arrangement and groovy epilogue of "Wander Anymore/Dunes" are absolutely incredible. And "Make It" is just...ugh, it's heartbreaking. 


16.) Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish (2021): Elegant and melodic, trancy and avant-garde, simple and sophisticated - all words that perfectly encapsulate Happier Than Ever, Eilish's sophomore release. Standout tracks: The pop hits really do slap ("Therefore I Am" and "Lost Cause" are the post-breakup bangers to end all post-breakup bangers), but the album finds its footing in quieter moments, like the shimmering vocals of "Goldwing" or the meditative calm of "My Future." 


15.) five seconds flat - Lizzy McAlpine (2022): You may not know Lizzy McAlpine, but you should. She's a singer/songwriter who reminds me of Eva Cassidy or Suzanne Vega - a voice clear as crystal, lyrics casually cool, and melodies that are simply divine. Standout tracks: The first three songs ("doomsday," "an ego Thing," and "erase me") are some of the most unique songs of the 2020s, particularly thanks to daring arrangements and heartrending vocals. 


14.) Plastic Hearts - Miley Cyrus (2020): Say what you want about Miley, but Plastic Hearts is one of the best pop-rock records of the decade. With features from artists like Joan Jett, Billy Idol, and Stevie Nicks, a certain degree of late-80s aesthetic was bound to seep into this thing. But its identity extends beyond tribute, as Cyrus mines cliche to find plenty of gold all her own. Standout tracks: I love the punky angst of "WTF Do I Know," the sultry smolder of "Prisoner," and the throbbing synthwave ache of "Gimme What I Want." 


13.) IMPERA - Ghost (2022): Although the lyrics are sometimes a bit cheesy, Ghost always manages to deliver fun, headbanging goodness. On IMPERA, the boys have forged a metal album that somehow balances catchy ear-worm hooks with soaring rock & roll instrumentals. I think of this as a counterpart to Plastic Hearts, like it's the next installment in a series of albums dedicated to recreating the anthemic stadium hits of yesteryear. Standout tracks: "Call Me Little Sunshine" is sinister and slick, while "Spillways" is diabolically dancy. 


12.) 400LB BACK SQUAT - Bilmuri (2021): This 25-minute album is a lightning rod of creativity, one that delivers a fresh, frenetic experience. Genre-wise, I'm not sure what to even call this thing. Is it pop-punk? Aggressive dream-pop? Maybe it's psychedelic post-hardcore? However you want to define it, it's awesome. Standout tracks: the dubstep fury of "LORDFARQUADZILLA" must be heard to be believed, while the telecaster-style guitar solo of "ACOWBOYSHEAVYLOAD" is wonderfully unexpected. 


11.) IDES - Dessa (2021): I've been a fan of Dessa since about 2015, and although I think she's an inarguable talent who deserves a slot on everyone's "top 5 dead or alive" hip hop rankings, IDES is particularly impressive. If you're a fan of flirty yet ferocious rap, especially songs with razor-sharp writing and dynamic rhythms, then this is required listening. Dessa's got flow and soul to spare, with every verse oozing charisma. Standout tracks: Check out the badass bravado of "Terry Gross" or the champagne bubbliness of "I Already Like You." 


10.) SAWAYAMA - Rina Sawayama (2020): Awash in synthesizers and electric guitars, buoyed by magnetic lead vocals, Rina Sawayama's self-titled album is one of the decade's best. Honestly, each song holds a surprise, be it the Weezer-esque guitar solo of "Dynasty," the nü-metal chugging of "STFU," or the inexplicable crowd that appears for "Who's Gonna Save U Now?" Somehow these disparate parts weave together perfectly, a tapestry born of a thousand different colors. Standout track: I honestly cannot get enough of "Akasaka Sad."


9.) <COPINGMECHANISM> - WILLOW (2022): Who'd have thought that one of the best punk albums of the decade would come from Willow Smith? Not me, that's for sure - and if you don't believe me, you have to give this thing a spin. The production is great, the instrumentals are thunderous, but the best part of the record are Willow's melodies - they are some of the most unique, inventive, eccentric hooks I've heard in recent memory. Standout tracks: The breathless, stream-of-consciousness chorus of "Curious/Furious" is exhilarating, while the nimble melody of "ur a <stranger>" is, in a word, genius. 


8.) Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen - Red Hot Chili Peppers (2022): It might be cheating to put both of these albums into one slot, but this is my list, right? So who cares? 2022 was a big year for the Chilis, as it saw the release of these two monstrous double-albums, featuring the return of fan-favorite John Frusciante on guitar and backing vocals. Unlimited Love came first, and with its fuzzed-out acid guitar and energetic vocals, is a raw rock & roll record. But its successor, Return of the Dream Canteen, is funkier and more polished, emphasizing mellifluous basslines and virtuoso drumming. Standout tracks: From Unlimited Love, my favorites are "Black Summer" and "It's Only Natural." From Dream Canteen, it's "Afterlife" and "The Drummer." 


7.) GLOW ON - Turnstile (2021): I've never really liked the thrashy, full-throated power of punk. Sure, as a millenial, I have a fondness for emo/pop-punk, but I never really embraced the sweaty anarchism that's elemental to the genre's core. So really, it's this album that's helped ease me into the ethos. GLOW ON is as dreamy as its name and album art suggest, yet still manages to throwdown with the best of them. All the essential punk flavors are present, from high-energy bashers to gigantic riffs. But so too are pillowy puffs of soft electronica and shoegaze, unexpected and divine. Standout tracks: The opener, "Mystery" is gorgeously ethereal; "New Heart Design" has a bouncy guitar lick and a scintillating triangle groove.  


6.) CAPRISONGS - FKA twigs (2022): This art-pop mixtape by English singer/songwriter FKA Twigs might just be the most intriguing album in my top-ten. Why? For starters, her voice is unlike anyone else's in modern music. It's textured in all the right ways, with a honeyed timbre that elegantly expresses every emotion she wishes to convey: trepidation, infatuation, love, lust. Twigs once described this as a "going out" record, which is perfect. It somehow contains all the elements of an adventurous night in a big city - bombastic beats, drizzling ambience, chatter with friends. A thread of self-confession strings together each song, and by the end, you feel like you've been with Twigs and her mates as they traversed the busy streets of London. Standout track: "Ride the Dragon" is a hallucinogenic odyssey you need to hear to believe. 


5.) POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me the Horizon (2020): Again, I'm not the biggest fan of metal, but it's impossible to argue with the hellish roller coaster that is POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR. In many ways, this is a throwback to the nü-metal sounds of the early 00s, with gnarly guitars and percussive assaults. A bulk of the album was recorded during the lockdowns of 2020, and the panic is palpable - so too is rage, fear, and loss. There's a helpless-bug-trapped-in-a-glass-jar quality to this that really resonates, which without the pandemic, would be impossible to replicate. Standout tracks: While "Parasite Eve" is the tune that earned some notoriety, I prefer the obsidian aura of "1x1" or the stratospheric strains of "Kingslayer." 


4.) Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa (2020): What's the biggest lie that baby boomers ever told us? "Disco sucks." For anyone who doubts me, please give Future Nostalgia a listen - I'll be waiting for your apology when you're done. Yes, this gargantuan pop album by Dua Lipa is a neon dream, one chock-full of bubblegum grooves and hypnotic hooks. Yet beneath its glossy veneer are oceans of depth, with countermelodies, harmonies, and instrumental flourishes that elevate the whole affair far above top-40 frivolity: the woodblock fivelet in "Don't Start Now," the inverted expectations of "Physical," the sassy strings in "Love Again." Standout tracks: "Hallucinate" and "Break My Heart" are cooler than cool, and on "Levitating," Lipa refers to someone as her sugarboo, and I'll spend the rest of my life wishing it was me. (Yes, my wife is aware.) 


3.) Vaxis II: A Window to the Waking Mind - Coheed and Cambria (2022): Coheed is undoubtedly one of my favorite bands of all-time, and while I'm ignorant of the overarching narrative connecting their albums, the music more than makes up for it. On this album, the sequel to 2018's Unheavenly Creatures, each song is a stunner, from bard-like ballads to powerhouse pop. But don't worry, the band's trademark prog remains in tact, with time signatures aplenty, guitar heroism, and cascades of melody. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this might be my favorite Coheed record ever, although nostalgia might argue otherwise. It makes me incredibly excited about where the band is headed in the future. Standout tracks: As an aspiring novelist who beats himself up everyday for not "making it big," songs like "Comatose" and "Ladders of Supremacy" are cathartic and captivating.  


2.) Djesse Vol. 3 - Jacob Collier (2020): I've said it a billion times before, but I'll say it again: Jacob Collier is a musical mad scientist, an auditory Jackson Pollock splattering your soul with unhinged abandon. While I enjoy his other albums, there's just something to Djesse Vol. 3 that I find irresistible. Collier is a musician's musician, and he revels in sonic eccentricities. If you know what a hemiola is, or a polyrhythm, or semi/microtones, then you'll definitely enjoy this. There's a spark of alchemy at work here - making dissonance beautiful, turning synthesizers into symphonies. I understand that his style might not be for everyone, particularly as he hurls you into the proggy, jazzy abyss. But it's this dedication to ingenuity, how breathtakingly different he is, that makes the journey worthwhile. Like one of those 3D magic eye pictures from the 90s, if you're able to relax your mind and slip into Collier's dimension, it'll be an unforgettable trip. Standout tracks: God, there are too many to count. But if I had to narrow it down to one song, it would be the whirlwind bloom of "Count the People." 


1.) Antimai - The Dear Hunter (2022): If anyone actually reads these goofy little posts of mine, then you might roll your eyes at The Dear Hunter once again claiming the number one slot on a favorite music list. But how could I resist? This thing is phenomenal, a sweeping and ambitious concept album with songs just as multifaceted as the ideas explored within. Set in the dystopian nightmare of a far-flung future, each track is an exploration of a different level (or ring) of Antimai, humanity's last city. But more importantly, the album is a meditation on power, and as the band takes you from poverty to middle class to high society, you see the dehumanizing impact unrestricted power may yield. Thankfully, this doesn't seem preachy; although there are parallels to be drawn between Antimai and the present day, it's done with care and evenhandedness. Concept aside, this is an unbelievably impressive effort. Every song has its own distinct, fully-realized persona, with movements and motifs and characters throughout. This is grandiose stuff, yet it somehow retains a delicate touch. I am, and will no doubt continue to be, in awe. Standout tracks: While every track is great, the only one I'd recommend to a casual listener is "Ring 7 - Industry." For fans of Broadway, you should try "Ring 6 - Lowtown." But for my money, this album shines brightest on its opener and closer. "Ring 8 - Poverty" is notable for interlocking rhythms and engaging melodies, while "Ring 1 - Tower" is grimy and groovy, with brassy horns and overblown opulence. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

2022: A Year in Books


Happy New Year, everyone! As is tradition, below you'll find the list of books I read in 2022. They are presented in the order I read them, with letter grades for each one indicating overall enjoyment (and my personal favorites are highlighted in blue). As you can see, I really ran the literary gamut this time around: contemplative sci-fi, adventurous YA, classics from the Western canon, nuanced nonfiction, and of course, 3 novels by the incomparable Stephen King. 

I read slightly less than usual in 2022, only completing 20 novels instead of my usual goal of 25. Am I disappointed in myself? A little. But I'm taking comfort in the fact that 2022 was one of the busiest years in recent memory, and now that 2023 is here, I'm going to seriously buckle down. Will I hit my goal of 25 books for the new year? Maybe, maybe not. In the meantime, I strongly urge you to set a reading goal of your own! Even if you turn up short - perhaps way short - you'll still have read something, right? And reading is always a win. 

1.) Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen ... B+ 
2.) The Running Man by Richard Bachman ... B- 
3.) Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes ... B 
4.) Gwendy's Final Task by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar ... B- 
5.) Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel ... C+ 
6.) Forward by Andrew Yang... B
7.) I'd Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura ... B 
8.) The Silence by Don DeLillo ... C 
9.) A Man Without A Country by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. ... C- 
10.) Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos ... A+ 
11.) Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe ... B 
12.) Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake ... A- 
13.) South and West by Joan Didion ... A 
14.) The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway ... A+ 
15.) The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Stetson ... A+ 
16.) The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin ... B 
17.) The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht ... A 
18.) America, A Redemption Story by Sen. Tim Scott ... A 
19.) The Pearl by John Steinbeck ... B 
20.) The Dark Half by Stephen King ... B+ 

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Revised: 20 Favorite Albums of the 2010s


I definitely posted a version of this list a couple years ago, but you know what? I've stumbled upon a handful of artists and albums that have taken a sledgehammer to any preconceived notions I may have had about "my taste in music." So here I am, revising and updating my favorite albums of the 2010s. Many of these were on my original list, but the order has certainly changed, and of course there are some new entries to boot. 

As a reminder (allow me to quote myself here): When it comes to music, I often tend to be a formalist. This means that many entries on this list were primarily ranked thanks to excellent songwriting and composition, engaging arrangements, and masterful musicianship. However, I couldn't just cling to all that. So stuff like musical innovation, lyrics, production, cultural impact, and overall listenability were also taken into consideration. 


20.) From A Room: Volumes 1 and 2 - Chris StapletonIs it cheating to shove two albums into the very first slot on this list? Regardless, I've always been wary of country music, especially anything this side of 1980. But Stapleton is a virtuoso of the genre, and here he weaves authenticity with melodrama, genuine emotion with genre tropes. These two records can easily stand alongside anything Merle Haggard or Dolly Parton ever put out, and if that ain't divine company, I don't know what is. This is whiskey-drunk in a cheap-motel music, and I love it. Standout tracks: From Volume 1, it's gotta be the wailing bluster of "I Was Wrong." From Volume 2, it's the haunting lyricism of "Scarecrow in the Garden." 


19.) Lemonade - BeyoncéWhen this album exploded unexpectedly onto the scene back in 2016, it seized everyone in its grip and refused to let go for months. On LemonadeBeyoncé is explosive, imaginative, humble, ferocious, weepy, and everything in between. It's a pop album of epic proportions, with unforgettable melodies and truly standout vocal performances. Musicality and cultural flourishes aside, what I appreciate most about this record is its commitment to variety. In its 45-minute runtime it delivers scintillating soul, hypnotic pop, blistering rap, and unpretentious Texas-style country. With features from artists as diverse as Kendrick Lamar to Jack White, it's clear that Beyoncé worked hard to integrate as many varying styles as she could. This is middle-finger music, with as much bite and bile as the medium can conjure up. Standout tracks: I'm obsessed with the textured production of "Daddy Lessons" and the vocal ferocity of "Don't Hurt Yourself." 


18.) Everything Will Be Alright in the End - WeezerThis record not only reaffirms Weezer as a rock & roll mainstay, but also reminds listeners of the humble brilliance that pop-rock as a genre has to offer. This isn't another of Weezer's cringy ploys for popularity (of which there have been many), but isn't simply a rehash of former glory either. Instead, it's a musically diverse outing that pioneers some fresh territory, but doesn't abandon Weezer's trademark style. It's a perfect blend of the old and new, a logical connection of past to present. It has the melodies of Bluethe passion of Pinkertonthe top-40 stylings of Maladroit, and even a dash of Hurley-era goofiness. Oh, and there's also a 3-track instrumental odyssey that closes the record. What's not to like? Standout track: The honey-sweet vocals, greasy guitar solo, and casual time-signature shifts of "Cleopatra" make it one of the band's best. 


17.) Interrobang - BaysideTo any music snobs who happen to be here, if you haven't turned your noses up yet, I'm sure you're doing it now. Bayside ain't exactly top of the heap when discussing "musical sophistication," as they're often lacking trendy producers or an avant-garde sound. But with Interrobang, the boys deliver 36 minutes of nonstop punk, and each of its 10 tracks has legs of its own. What surprised me most about this album isn't how catchy it is (which, believe me, it is), but how it all flows together. The arrangements are pulse-pounding, adding thematic weight to the lyrics. Sprinkled liberally with inventive harmonies and shredding guitar solos, and you've got one of the best punk albums of the decade. Standout tracks: I love the razor-wire lyrics and obsidian-black instrumentation of "Bury Me." Oh, and the vocal harmonies of "Heaven" are pure bliss. 


16.) Family Dinner (Volume 2) - Snarky PuppyYou guys knew I couldn't leave this list devoid of jazz, right? Snarky Puppy is a band that's as surreal as they are sensational, and with this live album they prove themselves to be the best jazz group of the modern era. With rhythms that'll make your head spin, solos that are unhinged yet emotionally impactful, and grooves deep enough to make the dead tap their toes, it's no wonder this record is one of the decade's best. This is technically considered to be "jazz fusion," and the band was not screwing around with the "fusion" part. Here you'll find bebop, math rock, proggy time signatures, and soulful otherworldly folk. Every song is like a different planet, each with its own gravity, geography, and life. If you're a brave musical explorer, ready to probe the final frontier and boldly go where no one has gone before, then this album should be at the top of your list. Standout track: "Don't You Know," featuring Jacob Collier and Big Ed Lee, is the best jazz song of the decade, and one that's been a playlist staple of mine for years. Get into it. 


15.) Malina - Leprous: My buddy Austin once described Leprous as "yoga-core," and if that ain't an apt description, I don't know what is. On Malina, a strangely evocative musical landscape is erected and explored. It's tucked somewhere between ethereal mysticism and extravagant savagery - the soundtrack to a fantasy battle between warrior elves and philosopher centaurs. This is a hard album to describe (clearly), but the vocals are otherworldly and the percussion is sublime. If you're daring, give it a go. Standout track: From its stuttery syncopation to a soaring chorus, "Illuminate" is one of the my favorite songs of the decade.


14.) The Marshall Mathers LP 2 - EminemI'm just a simple fanboy from southeast Michigan, so take this with a grain of salt: Not only is The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Eminem's best album, but it might be one of the greatest rap statements ever recorded. There's something intangibly awesome about the entire project, from the throwback album cover to its overall vibe of playful pop malevolence. Eminem has never been afraid to court controversy, but here it seems to be imbued with a new sense of purpose. This ain't shock for shock's sake, and although it's easy to get lost in Em's big anthemic hooks, it's more important to dig through each line. This album finds its grace in unexpected moments - a feature, a sample, a chuckle. All in all, this thing is fantastic fun, and was a serious contender for the decade's best rap album. Standout tracks: While chart-toppers like "Rap God" and "The Monster" are tempting choices, I have to go with the songs produced by the legendary Rick Rubin - "Rhyme and Reason" and "So Far..." 


13.) Fifteen - The Wailin' JennysMy dad is famous for saying, "The best instrument of all-time is the human voice. Everything else is just imitation." Thanks to Fifteen by The Wailin' Jennys, I finally understand what he means. This a cappella album has the best vocals of the decade, with three female folk singers breathing new life into old standards. Their awe-inspiring musicality is most evident in their harmonies (which, when I played some tracks for my dad, he would not stop praising). These intertwining vocals emit auditory rainbows, shimmering auras of light and color. This album is baptism for the ears, a lush cascade of sound that is refreshing, reinvigorating, and remarkable. Standout tracks: I'm torn between the stripped-down simplicity of "Old Churchyard" or the foot-stomping fun of "Loves Me Like A Rock." 


12.) Random Access Memories - Daft Punk: I came to Daft Punk later than most, simply because I never cared for EDM or house music. My biggest complaints of the genre? Songs are too long and repetitive, they substitute hooks for melodies, and they often lack organic instrumentals. So thank God Random Access Memories was around to change my mind! It's a psychedelic soundscape that opened my eyes and ears to the possibilities of EDM. This is super funky stuff, with 13 terrific tracks all bound together by a consistently engaging production. It is glittery and polished to excess, but that's kinda the point right? This is full unbridled opulence, and it's awesome - it's a laser-light show, a night spent dancing in a fancy, upscale club. Standout track: "Giorgio by Moroder" perfectly epitomizes the album. It is extravagant and ambitious, walking you through a slew of genres that are all expertly written and performed. 


11.) Because the Internet - Childish Gambino: Here's yet another record that I was very, very late to discover. And although I didn't know it at the time, it was well worth the wait. Childish Gambino (or Donald Glover, for the uninitiated) is a mad scientist, concocting beats and melodies with unhinged brilliance. If you're new to hip hop, then this probably isn't the best place to start. It's eccentric and eclectic, sometimes to its detriment, and if you're not willing to just throw your hands up and surrender to the sound, you may as well not bother. To put this in jazz terms, think of it like super trippy bebop. Or, if you're more of a rock guy, then this album is experimental prog. Because the Internet has the freeform flow of Miles Davis, paired with the psychedelic surrealism of King Crimson. If you're like me and you love sifting through every bar and every sample that an artist has to offer, then this album is a beautiful mess to sort out. Standout tracks: "3005" demonstrates how impressive and multifaceted Gambino's flow can be, while "II. Worldstar" harmoniously synchronizes lyrics and arrangement. 


10.) The Getaway - Red Hot Chili PeppersThe Chili Peppers are my all-time favorite band, and while I'm a huge fan of their other album released in the 2010s (the fun and funky I'm With You), there's just something about The Getaway that I can't shake. Maybe it's Chad Smith's smooth percussion and how it lovingly supports Flea's melodic bass. Maybe it's the deliciously wonky lyrics of Anthony Kiedis or the waterfall-phrasing of Josh Klinghoffer's lead guitar. Whatever it is, I love how it all comes together in such a pleasant, unassuming way. It ain't the most impressive rock album of the decade, nor even the best of the Chilis, but it's satisfying in an affable sort of way. If this thing were an article of clothing, it would be a perfectly-tailored corduroy jacket. Warm, comforting, and well-made. This is music for driving with the windows down, for skateboarding down streets etched in neon. Standout track: It has to be the major single, "Dark Necessities," which is the smoothest and slickest these boys have sounded in years. 


9.) Djesse: Volumes 1 and 2 - Jacob CollierI've been following Jacob Collier's career for years, starting with a song called "Hideaway" from 2016. He is the torchbearer for modern jazz, blending funk, folk, pop, and bebop together into some new-yet-old style that is entirely his own. With a warbly baritone voice, Collier croons his heart out on these albums, but is never afraid to share the spotlight with other artists and collaborators. Yes, Djesse is stuffed to the gills with additional talent, like jazz choir Take 6, guitar legend Steve Vai, and the jazz/pop phenomenon known as the Metropole Orkest. Here, Collier adopts an ardently metamodern posture, reworking classic songs by The Beatles or Lionel Richie and infusing them with wild chord progressions, high-flying harmonies, and deliberately unusual instrumentals. Collier is a musician's musician, and he never shies away from digging into esoteric arrangements with a niche flair. With two more volumes of his Djesse odyssey releasing in the 2020s, I'm excited to see what he'll come up with next. Standout track: For Volume 1, it's "All Night Long." For Volume 2, it's "Make Me Cry." 


8.) Affinity - Haken: The 2010s were a decade inexplicably infatuated with the 80s, and Affinity certainly fits this bill. It's an ambitious prog-rock adventure that is definitely an homage to classic acts like Rush or Dream Theater - but it also has a sound all its own, one that is ambitious and impressive. Awash with synthesizers and emblazoned by hammy guitar heroism, Haken absolutely murders each track. Some spots have a real Stranger Things vibe, which I find adorable, but beyond that, this is balls-to-the-wall rock kick-assery. If you can stomach the cheese, you'll find it very enjoyable. There's a puzzle-box quality to this album, with melodies and motifs interlocking like perfectly symmetrical machinery. Standout track: No question, it's the righteously silly "1985," complete with digitized drums and a sizzling keytar solo. You're welcome. 


7.) 22, A Million - Bon IverI once described the sound of this album as either "an artist's attempt to abandon his humanity" or "a lonesome robot's struggle to be human." Somehow, these statements are both true and both false. Why? Well, give this thing a listen and you'll understand. 22, A Million defies categorization. Is it the middle ground between electronica and folk? Is it surreal, jazz-inspired post-pop? Or is it a different genre altogether, like a new species discovered on some long-lost island? I don't know. Thankfully, I don't have to categorize it to enjoy it. This is one hell of a musical statement, oozing with trippy imagery and sparse psychedelia. Admittedly, this thing has a unique appeal, and some folks might call it weird, or peculiar, or perhaps even unlistenable. But for the contrarians among us, especially those with a taste for the eccentric, then this thing is absolutely stunning. Standout track: "715 - CR∑∑KS" is a hauntingly gorgeous vocoder ballad, and is maybe my favorite song of the decade.  


6.) To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick LamarA funky foray into the farthest reaches of rap's cosmos, To Pimp A Butterfly is a fantastically freeing musical odyssey. If you appreciate the avant-garde, especially when it comes in such agreeable packaging, then this should be high on your list. Songs like "Wesley's Theory," "For Free?" and "The Blacker the Berry" are all weird, wild, and wonderful. The whole thing is both pioneering and experimental, somehow juggling influences as varied as P-Funk and Jimi Hendrix, while also exploring new, raw soundscapes. This is a high-water mark for the genre and music in the 2010s, often cited as one of the best albums of the millenium. And for good reason! Bringing together such diverse and iconic artists as George Clinton, Thundercat, Dr. Dre, Kamasi Washington, and SZA couldn't have been easy, but much like the rhythmic stylings of Kendrick himself, it all flows together beautifully. This album is better than good. It is utterly essential. Standout track: I'm a simple man, and "King Kunta" just does it for me. 


5.) Sonic Highways - Foo FightersFoo Fighters are simultaneously one of the most overrated and underrated rock bands ever. In one camp, you have hardcore fans who hold up the group as saviors of modern music and the torchbearers of everything badass. In the other camp, you have snobby music elitists who ignore the humble competence and enduring musicianship of the band altogether. Both camps have their points, yet there's no denying the mythic scope and peerless execution of 2014's Sonic Highways. It's an ambitious project, one that spanned the country and included a host of famous collaborations, from Zac Brown to Gary Clark, Jr. This is the Foo at their most sophisticated, with organic productions and sumptuous songwriting. The album has a slew of memorable moments, like the slow-burn of "Something From Nothing," the minimalist guitar solo in "Outside," and the one-two punch of slinky "Subterranean" with the righteous "I Am A River." This is the best Foo album, and a watershed moment in modern rock & roll. Standout track: My wife and I love every second of "Congregation." 


4.) The Afterman - Coheed and CambriaRegardless of how intricate the music or masterful the performance, prog-rock is often too esoteric, mathematical, and alienating for most listeners. Thankfully, The Afterman is as emotionally grounded as it is musically impressive. There are a smattering of radio-friendly ditties to keep casual listeners engaged, but mostly? This is a bold, unapologetic effort. Guitar heroism abounds, the rhythm section is pure thunder, and those vocals? Frontman Claudio Sanchez might be an acquired taste, but he's effortlessly emotive. The "Key Entity Extraction" series alone is enough to make you a hardcore fan of Coheed's sweeping story and unique vision. Standout tracks: While a few of my friends love the cinematic grandiosity of "Gravity's Union," the down-to-earth concreteness of "The Hard Sell" just tickles my brain in all the right ways. I also think the bustling percussion of "Evagria the Faithful" is as groovy as prog could ever get. Awesome stuff. 


3.) WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? - Billie EilishFull disclosure? The first time I listened to this album, I thought it was vaguely interesting garbage. I didn't understand the hype, and I was somewhat irritated by the breathy vocals and spooky instrumentation. But then, slowly, something weird happened. Without realizing it, I found myself gravitating back to it again and again and again. Before long, I'd listened to the entire record almost a dozen times, and I'd somehow been transformed into not only a fan of Eilish, but an admirer of her style. The vocals I once found breathy and limp, I now find intimate and unique. Instead of hearing a cringy Halloweenish production, I now hear inventive synths and unexpected percussion. This album is an ocean at midnight, glittering beneath a pale and distant moon. It is beautiful and foreboding, deeper than you expect and teeming with life. It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but if you listen with an open mind, you'll be surprised by what you find. Standout track: Yes, all the hits are bangers (can anyone even argue with "Bad Guy" or "Bury A Friend"?), but my all-time favorite has to be the knock-down-drag-out bravado of "You Should See Me in a Crown." 


2.) The Life of Pablo - Kanye West: {Quick note before we get started: I'm someone who approaches art with a "death of the artist" mindset, which means I try to distinguish between who the artist is, and what s/he creates. Kanye's antisemitism is appalling, yet I still think much of his music is phenomenal. And if you still listen to Michael Jackson, or read Alice Walker, or wear a Michael Vick jersey, then you already subscribe to this view, too. And when diagnosed mental illness is involved? Well, it certainly ain't an excuse, but one would be foolish to ignore it. All I'm saying is, please consider your glass house before you start chucking stones.} 

If Childish Gambino's Because the Internet is like the original Star Wars (stick with me here), then The Life of Pablo is The Empire Strikes Back. It takes everything that made its predecessor great and somehow improves upon it. I honestly don't know how Kanye was able to pull it off, but holy hot damn, does this thing deliver. It's astonishing. And while Mr. West put out plenty of incredible material during the 2010s (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Kids See Ghosts come to mind), TLOP outdoes them all. And even better? It seems effortless! 

Again, we're really diving into the avant-garde deep-end, so if you're interested in non-traditional songwriting and idiosyncratic productions, then this is definitely for you. Samples somehow morph from moments to motifs to melodies; vocals mutate into synths and percussion; lyrics that should offend or at least annoy are somehow palatable, and at times even profound. There are echoes of Kanye's past - the vocal melody on "Waves" would find company alongside anything from 808's and Heartbreak, the humorous hubris of "I Love Kanye" sounds straight out of The College Dropout. But Kanye is also foreshadowing his future, too - the neon production of "Fade" could have come from Donda, while "Ultralight Beam" has gospel roots strong enough to render Jesus is King basically irrelevant. 

But whether you love Kanye or hate him, whether you think he's a genius or a thundering idiot, the bizarre beauty of TLOP is undeniable. More fun than To Pimp A Butterfly, more emotionally resonant than Because the Internet, more psychedelic than The Marshall Mathers LP 2, it is unquestionably my favorite hip hop album of the last decade. Standout tracks: You might suffer thematic whiplash, but the first 3 songs - "Ultralight Beam," "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1," and "Pt. 2" are a microcosm of the heartfelt hilarity and surreal songwriting of the entire record. 


1.) Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional - The Dear HunterOkay okay okay, I know what you guys are thinking. Who the hell is The Dear Hunter, and why are they number one? Well, to anyone not in the know, The Dear Hunter is a prog-rock/pop band that's been around for almost two decades. Most of their lifespan has been dedicated to an ornate, grandiose rock opera told in 6 acts. The story chronicles one man's life as he grapples with love, tragedy, and war. Is it pretentious? Oh, you betcha. But is it impressive? Does it actually work? Thankfully, the answer to both of these questions is absolutely

Although I was tempted to put the equally awesome Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise on this list, it just doesn't strike me like Act V does. The subtitle is Hymns with the Devil in Confessional, a phrase that holds all the pageantry, mysticism, and elegance of the album itself. For fans of arthouse pop acts like Father John Misty or Sufjan Stevens, this will definitely tick a few of your boxes. But this album isn't as delicate or listless as those - it's also home to some seriously impressive high-concept songwriting, stuff that'll leave fans of Coheed & Cambria or Rush satisfied.

All things told, Act V is the epitome of why I loved music in the 2010s. It's the apex of metamodernity, paying respect to what has come before and pioneering innovative new ground. From a technical perspective, all the specs are spot-on, from the warm production to engaging musicianship. And the individual songs themselves? Sublime. You want pop? Check out the hauntingly beautiful "The Moon/Awake." You want folk? How about the power-pop ballad "Melpomene." How about swing? You've got the raunchy swagger of "The Revival" and the sly "Mr. Usher." You'd rather have something with a bit more edge, something punky? "Gloria" and "The March" ought to do the trick. All these genres coalesce into a single satisfying vision. Plenty of modern artists don't have a distinct identity or direction. Well, The Dear Hunter has more than enough to go around. And here? They revel in it.

Honestly, this entire album is exquisite - dusky and delightful, glittery and glum, divine yet devilish. I listen to the whole thing probably once a week. Seriously. It is my favorite album of the 2010s, and one of my favorites ever recorded. I strongly encourage you to check it out. Standout tracks? How about the whole damn thing. You're welcome.