My Top Albums of 2010

The following albums are what I consider the best released this past year. They are only in alphabetical order.

Corinne Bailey Rae - "The Sea"

Bailey Rae's sophomore album is a true testament to an artist's emotions producing great work. She began writing for the album until she went on hiatus after the accidental death of her husband, saxophonist Jason Rae. A couple of years later, she returned to her writing and produced what is probably one of the most emotional albums I've heard this year. With undertones of one of my favorite jazz/blues/soul singers, Nina Simone, Bailey Rae proves that you don't need a quick release to keep on top of your game, you only need tap into that true emotion which shines through to all audiences. Favorite track: "The Sea"

B.o.B - "The Adventures of Bobby Ray" 

I'm really not that into hip-hop/rap, but B.o.B's "Adventures of Bobby Ray" is that good ... for a rap album. Like Kanye West before him, B.o.B has produced an album that features fierce rap along with R&B for the Top 40 radio crowd. He's also recruited some pretty impressive talent to assist on the vocals for the album: Bruno Mars, Lupe Fiasco, Paramore's Hayley Williams, T.I., Janelle Monae, and Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, and Eminem. This fills the void that rap almost left me with the disappointing production of the Black Eyed Peas' "The Beginning" album. Favorite track: "Airplanes"

V.V. Brown - "Travelling Like the Light"

Wow! Where did V.V. Brown come from!? Of course, the literal answer is England. But to call her eclectic is an understatement. She takes R&B and blends it just perfectly with pop rock, admitting that the album was inspired by 1950s music and electronic music. I saw a show on MTV called World of Jenks where the documentarian Andrew Jenks followed Brown while she was an opening act on tour with Maroon 5. I was surprised and also disgusted with the audience's reaction to Brown and how easily they discarded her music just so they could listen to some uninspiring adult contemporary Top 40 rock. Sometimes, the masses don't realize how truly good original music can be even if it hits them on the head. Luckily, I don't think Miss Brown is going anywhere. Favorite track: "Shark in the Water"

The Gaslight Anthem - "American Slang"

I have to admit that I'm a little late to the party when it comes to rightfully praising The Gaslight Anthem (my first album I bought by them was "The '59 Sound"), but I've listened to all of their albums before that and now am a certified fan. So when I heard they were releasing a new album, I was more than excited. They are Bruce Springsteen meets Social Distortion ... with maybe a little of The Clash thrown in. Although "The '59 Sound" still reigns as my all-time favorite, this album of pure, unadulterated rock ranks above most released this year. Favorite track: "Bring It On"

Michael Giacchino - "Lost: The Final Season"

The fact that Giacchino has not received a Grammy or Emmy for best score for Lost (he's been nominated) is true evidence that the academies that vote for such awards have something seriously wrong with them. Each season's scores are all works of art ... especially when set with the brilliant visuals. Still, his score for the final season is his masterpiece! If you like any kind of score soundtracks and aren't even a fan of the TV show, I still recommend purchasing this album. Favorite track: "Moving On"

Glee Cast - "The Rocky Horror Glee Show"

With episodes dedicated to Madonna and Britney Spears, all Gleeks wonder what the show has next on its list for dedication. Luckily, they tackled one of the best musicals around, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For a show that focuses on outcasts and freaks, it was only fitting that the show tackle the ultimate musical dedicated to outcasts and freaks. Favorite track: "Time Warp"

Glee Cast - "Glee Soundtrack, Vol. 4"

Why stop there with Glee? Yes, I love the show. But that's not the only reason the soundtracks on here grace this list. Say what you will, but the show's cast puts ANY American Idol wannabe's rendition to shame. There are so many good songs on here that it's difficult to pick just one favorite. I look forward to more from this talented cast (and hope that Springsteen may be on the horizon). Favorite tracks: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Forget You"

Cee Lo Green - "The Lady Killer" 

Gnarls Barkley's Cee Lo Green has gone and accomplished something that I was hoping would eventually happen: he's released a true male soul/R&B album in the vein of a 1960s soul concept album (albeit it is a very contemporary concept). Touches of Motown soul and pop R&B make this a hit! Nearly every song on this album is infectious head-bobbing, dancing, singing-in-your-head-for-days music. Plus, his hit song "F*@k You" is a great empowerment song that can be blared after a break-up/being dumped. This may not sound like your cup of tea, but, at least give it a try. Favorite track: "F*@k You"

Jimi Hendrix - "Valleys of Neptune"

With 12 previously unreleased studio recordings (including alternate takes of "Stone Free," "Fire," and "Red House," this release was one of the most wanted albums of any Hendrix fan. The songs were originally recorded in early 1969 but were not officially released until this year. With the other release of Hendrix's box set, "West Coast Seattle Boy," it's been a banner year for Hendrix fans. But this is the most affordable. Favorite track: "Valleys of Neptune"

Mumford & Sons - "Sigh No More"

One of the best imports to come out of England this year, the folk rock band Mumford & Sons released probably my favorite album of the year. Every track on here is nothing short of great ... especially the uptempo ones. It's a wonderful diamond in the rough amongst music that is geared directly toward dance and pop radio. I could go on and on about this album but I'll simply state that it's at the top of good releases this year. Favorite track: "The Cave"

My Chemical Romance - "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys"

Although I was excited for My Chemical Romance's newest release since their wonderful epic concept album "The Black Parade," I was still skeptical about how good it would be. Sometimes when a musician/band has such a good album, they have nowhere else to go but down. And while "Danger Days" is no replication whatsoever of "Black Parade," it does prove that MCR is no flash in the pan. The concept of a nihilistic future road war (a la The Road Warrior) and the band's alter egos seems a bit forced but the music works. Favorite track: "The Only Hope for Me is You"

Kate Nash - "My Best Friend is You"

Not every critic appreciated Nash's sophomore album but I enjoyed her mix of 1960s girl groups with the punkish Riot Grrrl-type music. Her English cockney accent and clever lyrics make for a great album. Plus, I love the girl group sound of tracks like "Paris," "Kiss That Grrrl," and "Do-Wah-Doo." Another favorite is the cheekiness of "Early Christmas Present." If you're looking for a female artist that is straight-up talent and not just mere mindless dance fodder, then Nash is the pick (it also doesn't hurt that I have a little celebrity crush on her). Favorite track: "Do-Wah-Doo"

Bruce Springsteen - "The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story"

This was at the top of my Christmas list this year, and it was well worth it! For those who don't care much for the 3 DVDs or bonus reissue of Springsteen's 1978 classic "Darkness on the Edge of Town" (and the price that comes with it), a two-disc CD was released with Springsteen's previously unreleased tracks, called "The Promise." But, let's be honest, any die-hard Springsteen fan is going to want the entire package! The extras (which includes an impressive full-size reproduction of Springsteen's spiral notebook in which he originally wrote the lyrics for the "Darkness" album) are well worth the price and I know there's got to be more unreleased music out there. So let's hope a reissue of "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle" or "The River" are forthcoming (hey, I can dream, can't I?)! Favorite track: "The Little Things (My Baby Does)"

Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor"

When I first heard the first two tracks of this album, I thought this is my idea of punk rock!!! It's not the most hardcore, it's got melody, and the songs reach epic (time length) status. But, damn, if it isn't good! Then I heard the rest of the album and I got more of a vibe equivalent to that of The Replacements, The Pogues, The Hold Steady, or even a punk rock version of Bruce Springsteen during his "Greetings from Asbury Park"/"The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle" days. Taking their name from the William Shakespeare play, Titus Andronicus is a New Jersey band who uses the Civil War as a concept album here (i.e., their album title is taken from the USS Monitor, the first warship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during that war; and the song "Four Score and Seven" a homage to a particular 16th President of the U.S.; and quotes from said President spread throughout the album). It's not all fast tempo ruckus, though; songs like "Four Score and Seven" and "To Old Friends and New" feature a slow, swaying, drunk singalong in bits of their music before breaking back into pure rock. The excessive cussing, catchy lyrical hooks and hard-driving guitar licks make this album founded in punk and it's one of my new favorite albums. Special props go to the rockabilly punk "... And Ever" for the use of the classic rock saxophone! Favorite track: "Richard II Or Extraordinary Popular Dimensions And The Madness Of Crowds (Responsible Hate Anthem)"

 Various Artists - "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Soundtrack"

One of the best soundtracks this year! With tracks from Beck, Plumtree, T. Rex, Broken Social Scene, Black Lips, The Rolling Stones, (the best of them all) Metric (whose song poses in the film as belonging to The Clash at Demonhead) and more, this soundtrack completely rocks! The best I can compare it to is last year's successful film soundtrack to (500) Days of Summer. However, while that soundtrack is more likely to have a larger audience due to its alternative sound while this one has more of a garage band rock sound, "Scott Pilgrim" still gives those yearning for a great mix of music a reason to celebrate in 2010. Favorite track: "Black Sheep" (Metric)

My Christmas Playlist: Movie Edition

Christmas movies are formulaic, saccharine, and predictable (just like romantic comedies). And both Christmas movies and rom-coms provide a happy, warm feeling. But, to me, unlike rom-coms, Christmas movies are rewatchable and tolerable. They make me all happy and warm because of the feeling and memories they evoke of family and gratitude for the blessings in my life. Every year, there are go-to films that I simply have to watch around Christmas time. Some are unconventional and some are very traditional. Either way, though, they are my essential Christmas films (in no particular order).

1. It's a Wonderful Life

When I was a kid, this was the film that played on every network constantly. However, after NBC finally acquired the rights, the film is now only shown once or twice. When the film was released, it wasn't meant to be a "Christmas movie." Frank Capra's masterpiece was made in 1946 and premiered in New York in December of that year, but it was released nationwide on January 7, 1947, after Christmas. In a 1984 Wall Street Journal interview, Capra admitted that he "didn't even think of it as a Christmas story when [he] first ran across it. [He] just liked the idea." It was based on a short story called "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern, and has moved on to be the top Christmas classic movie. I love the epicness of it and the overall message, plus that scene where a broken, emotional, teary-eyed Stewart -- whom is facing bankruptcy and jail time -- grabs his youngest son and smothers him with a hug and kiss might be just one of the best scenes ever (then again, there's a lot of them in this one). Although married to childhood sweetheart Mary (the beautiful Donna Reed) with a loving family, George Bailey (James Stewart, one of my favorite actors of all time) is a man that feels trapped -- trapped in a small town and particular life while everyone around him moves up and on in life. However, it's his guardian angel, Clarence, that shows him that every man's life touches many more lives than he will ever know, and that George's life means so much more to so many. GREAT film!

 2. Scrooged

 Not as contemporary (1988) of a version (but it's the best), Charles Dickens' classic tale A Christmas Carol is retold with Bill Murray taking on the Scrooge persona as media mogul Frank Cross, who is visited by the three spirits: the Ghosts of Christmas Past (David Johansen), Christmas Present (Carol Kane), and Christmas Future (Robert Hammond). Nothing beats Murray's comic timing, sarcasm, and improv. This is a retelling of a classic that I never get tired of.

3. White Christmas

Another essential Christmas film that revolves around the holiday but has nothing to do with Santa, presents or religion. This 1954 classic -- a partial remake of the 1942 film Holiday Inn (which also starred Bing Crosby) -- tells the tale of two World War II Army buddies (Crosby, Danny Kaye) who, after the war, go into business as music/theater producers. They meet struggling singers, the Haynes sisters (Vera-Ellen and the beautiful, there's-just-something-about-her Rosemary Clooney), and you can imagine the romance that ensues while they detour to Vermont to reunite with their old Major General Tom Waverly (the splendid, underrated Dean Jagger) and attempt to save his rundown bed-and-breakfast. I still get choked up at Jagger's reaction (in the first clip) when his Army division surprises him and sings "We'll Follow the Old Man." The look on his face is just plain touching. And the second clip still resonates strongly today what with so many men and women in the armed forces who are stationed away from loved ones during the holidays. Look at the expressions on the mens' faces as Bing sings "White Christmas." This is still one of my faves.

4. A Christmas Story

Believe it or not, I almost didn't put this one on the list simply because it plays ridiculously too much (24 hours on TBS is overkill). I'm as big a fan of this one as the next critic (especially when it first came out and I first discovered it), but TBS needs to curb their laziness and at least get another film to add to their playlist. The best thing about this film is the way the kids are portrayed; they're the closest to actual little adults that I've ever seen in a Christmas film. Plus, the mix of Jean Shepherd's voice narration, Peter Billingsley's facial expressions and Darren McGavin's "Old Man" are gold! Many things to learn from this film: 1) your tongue can stick to a flagpole in ridiculously cold temperatures, 2) Life Buoy soap = YUUCCKK!!!, and 3) RE: an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle will result in shooting your eye out.

 5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Along with Bill Murray, Chevy Chase is tops with the comedy. So it's no surprise that his return as Clark Griswold, along with his hysterical family, make for one of the quintessential Christmas films. There is no other movie that best fits in all of the traditions (picking out a Christmas tree, going sledding, reminiscing of Christmas during our youth, putting up the lights, Christmas shopping, letting the in-laws visit, etc.) of Christmas vacation as this National Lampoon classic.

6. Love Actually

Yes, I do enjoy this rom-com for the holidays. Screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones' Diary) knocks one out of the park by penning -- and directing -- the ultimate romantic comedy Christmas film. There are several vignettes focusing on different types of love, with an all-star (mostly British) cast. I've always said that Liam Neeson kicks butt in pretty much everything he does ... and rom-coms are no different. If you haven't seen this film 'cause you think it's some mushy, nonsense film, well, it is mushy, but it's a good kind for the holidays; plus, the acting is great and the stories are nicely developed. Definitely check it out.

7. Die Hard

This is it. One of my favorite Christmas movies! For those who scoff my choice. This is a Christmas movie in the same sense that any movie that happens around the Christmas holiday is a Christmas movie. Plus, this is the beginning of all the non-stop action films. Michael Bay, Jerry Bruckheimer, McG, Joe Carnahan and every other modern-day action film director owe their careers to Die Hard director John McTiernan and screenwriters Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza; this movie truly was the beginning of the action-style production that is seen in most action films and TV shows today. The quintessential Christmas film for those action buffs out there. But, hey, it's got kids, plenty of the color red and lots of explosions ... er, I mean, lights!

8. The Family Man
Taking the idea from It's a Wonderful Life and turning it on its head is this 2000 sleeper starring Nicholas Cage who is a bit of a Scrooge. Then, on Christmas Eve, he's given a glimpse of what his life would like if he had stayed with his college sweetheart (Tea Leoni) rather than left her for an internship in London 13 years prior. The culture shock to his new -- in his eyes -- "subpar" life is a bit frightening and intense. However, he warms up to his endearing, loveable family and he realizes what the more important things in life are. My favorite part is at the end when he's describing their children to an oblivious Leoni. The way he describes them is just plain touching.

9. Fred Claus

Ever wonder if Santa Claus had/has any siblings? It is on this premise that this 2007 film focuses. Vince Vaughn stars as Santa's (Paul Giamatti) troublesome big brother, Fred. But he's not as saintly as his little brother; in fact, he's downright naughty. Fred is somewhat caught in a perpetual stage of rebellion. But when Santa comes under attack by an efficiency expert (this was the only lame plot point as the audience is never told from where he comes from), it's up to Fred to save his little brother's -- Santa's -- job and save Christmas. Co-written by Dan Fogelman (Tangled, Crazy Stupid Love), and featuring a great cast (Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Miranda Richardson, Kevin Spacey, John Michael Higgins), this film has a good heart and has plenty of laughs. It's not just about Christmas, but also about familial love and supporting them.

10. Four Christmases

Yes, it's a romantic comedy. But, for a Christmas movie, it's pretty damn funny. This film centers around an unmarried, childless couple (Vince Vaughn & Reese Witherspoon) who cherish that each Christmas, rather than be subjected to their crazy families, they fly off to exotic warm locales. But this Christmas, their plans are publicly foiled, forcing them to visit their four sets of parents (Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight), their step-spouses (Dwight Yoakam, Patrick Van Horn), and siblings (Tim McGraw, Jon Favreau, Kristin Chenoweth). As they meet each other's families, the couple find out things about each other and their supposedly perfect life is thrown for a loop. Let the hilarity ensue! "Mistletoe."

 

11. Elf
When I first saw this film, I wasn't terribly impressed by it. However, with every viewing, I find myself liking this film more and more. When baby orphan Buddy crawls into Santa Claus' (Ed Asner) sack one Christmas, it is decided that he be raised by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) as an elf. At first, all is well but when he grows bigger and bigger than the other elves and feels out of place, even amid claymation forest creatures and Snowman (in an homage to all of us who grew up watching Christmas TV specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Jack Frost) -- via Burl Ives (only this time it's singer Leon Redbone), Buddy (Will Ferrell) decides to search for his birth parents Walter Hobbs (James Caan) and Susan Wells by traveling to Manhattan. While there he meets his new family (Mary Steenburgen and Daniel Tay), and a love interest (Zooey Deschanel), while also trying to win the affection of his father. It's a story with not just humor but also heart as Buddy struggles to find his place in two worlds in which he seems to fit neither. Only Ferrell could pull off the devoted childlike wide-eyed innocence that makes up Buddy. Plus, with cameos from actors such as Peter Dinklage, Amy Sedaris, Michael Lerner, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, and Jon Favreau, this film has plenty of good Christmas laughs!

And even though it's not a Christmas movie, I still would be remiss if I didn't post this classic clip from a TV classic that almost wasn't: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Back when it premiered in 1965 network execs were afraid to air this last clip because of its religious reference. However, because Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was so adamant about keeping this scene in, he won over the execs and it has gone on to become a classic for millions, if not billions of people. It has gone on to make the network billions of dollars. And it has inspired billions of young children every year when they first lay eyes on Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang. What was Schulz's remark to execs to help him keep in the ending he wanted? Answer: "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?"

Happy Holidays!!!