Albums that Move You!

These are ten albums that make me feel something, whether it's happiness, anger, solitude, or calm. I hope that you can relate to them.

- Zuma by Neil Young and Crazy Horse (1975)

- Agaetis Byrjun by Sigur Ros (2000)

- Earth Is Not A Dead Cold Place by Explosions in the Sky (2003)

- Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse (1997)

- Teen Dream by Beach House (2010)

- Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem (2007)

- Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division (1979)

- Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin (1969)

- Strawberry Jam by Animal Collective (2007)

- Hail to the Thief by Radiohead (2003)

Review Session: The Blitz

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Whether its an internal or an external issue, Win Butler is bound to explore it in some form of Arcade Fire's music. It could be musically, lyrically of artistically, but at the end of the day it's about problems with no rhyme or reason for their solutions. This is what made Funeral the greatest album all-time. It's what made The Suburbs pretty good. What I mean is that Arcade Fire seem to have stopped being philosophical and turned habitual complainers. Musically The Suburbs far surpasses Neon Bible, but it lacks emotion and it lacks consistency. An example of this is in the track "Deep Blue" were they are heard knocking on technology and those that use it, but they just web casted their show from Madison Square Garden. Matter-of-fact if it wasn't for technology they wouldn't be where they are. I guess I expect perfection out of them every time, at least I think they should strive for it. The album is actually really enjoyable, the most LP oriented album they have made, sprawling over 16 tracks. I like it a lot, but I just have a few issues with it to really fall head over heels for it.

Rating = 8.4

Menomena - Mines

On their 3rd album Menomena really began to craft their original indie-pop sound that seems to attract listeners from all different genres. It builds in the right spots and hits in others. It is a very jumpy album that never lingers in any particular spot. It needs to offer a little more range, like it's predecessor Friend and Foe, but it takes from the listener what it gives back.

Rating = 8.2

Wavves - King of the Beach

Is this Wavves or is it Panda Bear? To me this is the surprise record of the year. You know in LCD Soundsystem's track "Losing My Edge" where James Murphy proclaims, "I heard your band traded it's guitars for turntables. I hear your band traded it's turntables for guitars," that's this album. King of the Beach starts out as a refined, more well-to-do follow up to their debut. But halfway through it turns into an album that Animal Collective would be proud of. I really enjoyed this album and I applaud Nathan Williams for not ruining his career at the Primavera.

Rating = 8.6

The Kids Are All Right

8 and 1/2 months through the year and the first truly great film of 2010 has emerged. Filled with motifs, symbolism, and ingenuity The Kids Are All Right is a breakthrough for a lot of reasons. You can feel funny, happy, sad, awkward, angry, confused and a whole range of other emotions through the first half of the movie. Every person plays there part to perfection, and the writing and direction is outstanding!

Rating = 8.7

Inception

Is this Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, David? Simply, no. The movie is incredible, but there is no surprise to it. The only mystery is the ending, which is meant to be open-ended and therefore you decide yourself. It is definitely a mind-tingler not blower. However, it is fun, high-paced, and incredibly well directed. As are all of Nolan's films. Even Doodlebug! His masterpiece remains in his head, and I promise you it won't be the next Batman. Inception is a beautiful movie lacking emotion, but would probably have been better if Leo DiCaprio decided not to play the same exact character in back to back movies.

Rating = 8.4

My 10 Favorite Scenes from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

10. From Season 4 "The Gang Cracks the Liberty Bell"

9. From Season 3 "The Gang Dances Their Asses Off"

8. From Season 5 "The Gang Wrestles For The Troops"

7. From Season 1 "Charlie Wants An Abortion"

6. From Season 2 "The Gang Runs for Office"

5. From Season 3 "The Gang Sells Out"

4. From Season 5 "Paddy's Pub: Home of the Kitten Mittons"

3. From Season 2 "Hundred Dollar Baby"

2. From Season 5 "Who pooped the Bed?"

1. From Season 5 "The Great Recession"

World Cup Predictions

The greatest sporting event is less than a month away and I feel like I need to make some predictions. So, these are my 2010 World Cup predictions!

The top two teams move onto Bracket Play:

Group A

1. France

2. Mexico

3. Uruguay

4. South Africa

Group B

1. Argentina

2. South Korea

3. Greece

4. Nigeria

Group C

1. England

2. USA

3. Slovenia

4. Algeria

Group D

1. Germany

2. Serbia

3. Ghana

4. Australia

Group E

1. Netherlands

2. Cameroon

3. Denmark

4. Japan

Group F

1. Italy

2. Paraguay

3. Slovakia

4. New Zealand

Group G

1. Brazil

2. Ivory Coast

3. Portugal

4. North Korea

Group H

1. Spain

2. Chile

3. Switzerland

4. Honduras

2nd Round

1A France v. 2B South Korea

1C England v. 2D Serbia

1D Germany v. 2C USA

1B Argentina v. 2A Mexico

1E Netherlands v. 2F Paraguay

1G Brazil v. 2H Chile

1F Italy v. 2E Cameroon

1H Spain v. 2G Ivory Coast

Quarterfinals

France v. England

Netherlands v. Brazil

Germany v. Argentina

Cameroon v. Spain

Semifinals

England v. Brazil

Argentina v. Spain

Final

Brazil v. Spain

2010 WORLD CUP Champion

SPAIN

Review Session

There has been a shit-load of albums by big name bands come out lately or are coming out soon. So instead of writing a million reviews here are my ratings and little bit o' info about them.

Infinite Arms by Band of Horses

- Ben Bridwell really took Band of Horses in a different direction, but it kind of pays of. There is less indie rock and more pop/rock to the sound of Infinite Arms. It is a quality album, but still not the album everyone is looking for from these guys. But then again, Band of Horses may be perfectly content with that.

Rating = 6.8

This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem

- It is rumored that James Murphy is going to move onto something new and this may be his last album under LCD Soundsystem. If this is true what a way to go out. This album is classic LCD with a little more definition, but you can still pop into the CD player at a party!

Rating = 9.0

High Violet by The National

- After releasing two groundbreaking albums in a row (Alligator and Boxer) The National seem to have done it again! High Violet is subtly amazing and quietly progressive. It is not so much a progression of The National's sound, more or less a perfection of it. It is as if the turned their studio into BASF and made they things that we buy better.

Rating = 9.1

Heaven is Whenever by The Hold Steady

- I was actually expecting a letdown after all the greatness they have put out over the last 10 years, but Heaven is Whenever is dramatic, emotional, and damn good. They mix in their traditional lines that make it from album to album, and they have Tad Kruger's sick guitar solos. However, The Hold Steady more than hold steady, they make an unexpected movement from bar rock to indie bar rock. I know that doesn't sound like much when reading it, but you can tell when you listen.

Rating = 8.1

Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene

- The army of musicians that is Broken Social Scene manages to create arguably the most eclectic, diverse album I have ever heard. I mean there are elements of bluegrass, pop, indie rock, electronica, sitar, and some shit I've never heard of before. And it all adds up into one sensational album. Forgiveness Rock Record is in my opinion the best album that BSS has ever delivered, and the Lord knows I like to label things as the best!

Rating = 8.4