If anyone is still into wrestling I highly checking out the Shield vs Ryback/Bryan/Kane match from TLC last night. This is the first time (imo) they've been successful at re-creating the attitude era as this thing was balls to the walls and unpredictable.
Our war story has to be put on hold for now. Neither the cats or dogs are acknowledging that Shatner even arrived at the negotiations. Yet nothing is wrong in the way of music!
33. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends by The Flaming Lips
This is the second time the Lips have made an appearance here, the other being in 2009 with their "Embryonic" and "Dark Side of the Moon" albums. This band is no stranger to very weird sounds, yet Heady Fwends amps this up to a level not previously I heard of. I posted the video with everyones favorite trash princess, Ke$ha, which kicks off the album in a great way. Many more stars populate the track list, but as it goes on it gets hard to tell who is who as your brain melts under the influence of the music. A lot of the albums I have on here are obscure or bizarre, but this is one I'd label with "STAY AWAY" to just about anyone who has not heard the Lips before. For the other five people, check it out asap!
32. Anxiety by Ladyhawke
Here is an artist that was recommended to me through last.fm based on my enjoyment of last years #1 The Sounds. Phillipa Brown hails from New Zealand and chose her stage name from the 80s film by Richard Donner that I really need to see. Her best song"My Delirium" would have placed very high had I known about it in 2008. Nonetheless, Anxiety, has several great songs on it such as the above "BlackWhite and Blue" "Girl Like Me" and "Sunday Drive". And unlike The Flaming Lips, this is an artist that is very accessible to newcomers.
I always say I might post more later and never do. So I will promise to not post another update tomorrow and maybe you'll later today.
I like what i've heard from that Flaming Lips album, especially the song with Ke$ha. That Ke$ha is a fun sort, I LIKE THE CUT OF HER JIB.
Also, Ladyhawke, I need to listen to that! Especially since it was named after a Dick Donner movie (I call him Dick, because i've been close personal friends with him since The Toy, delivering snow to his office).
I have heard of Ladyhawke and the Flaming Lips, but haven't really listened more about their music. Didn't know they (Flaming Lips) collaborated with Ke$ha.
regarding the whereabouts of the Negotiator, I thought I'd give away another award. That of Concert of the Year. As some of you know, I have a very cool job at the Quicken Loans Arena which allows me to see some very cool concerts from big names that would otherwise be too expensive. The drawback is that being a night job, I miss out on alot of other great shows that take place at other venues. I've seen the following shows this year (in chronological order)
Clearance Clearwater Revival/CC and The Sunshine Band
Bruce Springsteen
Excision
Kid Cudi/George Clinton
Rammstein
12th Planet
Red Hot Chili Peppers
New Edition
Aerosmith
Neil Diamond
Bloc Party
Datsik
The Sword
Madonna
The lesser known artists are the ones i paid for. And the winner is?
Only one of those shows could have a man breathing fire - Rammstein! A powerhouse concert from start to finish. Perfect atmosphere, with 30 minutes of remixed Rammstein songs somehow setting an amazing tone. And I could barely understand what was being said! Be prepared for loud and weird if you step into this realm.
And back to albums list. Fair warning, the next few choices are mostly lesser known acts. So hopefully you, the reader, will discover something they enjoy.
31. Shakedown by Hacienda
You might have heard "Savage" in one commercial or another. It's tailor made for an ipod commercial .. if they still did those. Remember how many careers those commercials made? The Caesars! I'm getting off topic here. Hacienda are a band that do not have a wikipedia page. Yet the album instantly hooked me with "Veronica". It then gives you a different sound in just about every subsequent track. I for one love variety in my albums.
30. Local Business by Titus Andronicus
A (sorta) familiar face here. Titus Andronicus placed #9 on the 2010 list with their jersey punk American Civil War epic The Monitor. Their latest effort chose not to reach for those heights, instead settling on a much different sound with no overarching narrative. I don't mind either, few artists have been able to pull off two epics in a row, and the new sound resulted in the incredible "In A Big City". Yet there are still elements of The Monitor, such as "Food Fight!". And even though the album may not be an epic, there are epic individual songs like "My Eating Disorder". Jersey strikes gold again!
Tomorrow I'll probably do Video Game of the Year. I think that one is just about locked up. And more albums of course!
Wow, that line-up of concerts that you got to say at the Q Loans Arena is STAR-STUDDED! What an amazing line-up! And haha, that's awesome about Rammstein! Glad they put on a great show, with added flames!
These two albums that you have posted are TOP-NOTCH. Titus are one of the best bands going, and if you don't like Local Business you can go jump in a lake! Glad that you not only like it, but you placed it on your list. And that Hacienda album is awesome. Love "Savage," "Veronica," and the rest of the good songs. Auerbach strikes again!
And oh yeah, how could I forget to mention Cumberbatch appearing on your list. The amount of great things in just one post is overflowing. Too much great!
I'm sorry to start us off with such a grim image. He was found earlier today. When asked for comment
Whatever happened to honesty? Inspector do you have anything to present?
Oh c'mon now! Can anyone be professional here? Whatever lets get back to the music. I'll do game of the year tomorrow as we find a new Inspector and Negotiator.
29. Researching The Blues by Red Kross
Another great rock album! The above "Researching The Blues" is definitely the rockiest song on the album, yet even the lighter tracks rock enough. "Stay Away From Downtown" has a great video with all the band members dressed as Kiss. Apparently these guys have been going for a pretty long yet I had never heard of them. Well if I ain't seen it its new to me. Looking forward to exploring their past.
28. Slaughterhouse by Ty Segall Band
Could not decide on which video to post for this album, so went with an image I found funny instead. This is some dark and grimy punk rock, a little bit of a modern Dead Kennedys sound minus the politics. This is also a great album to work out too if you'e into that. I don't do it as often as I should, but when I do Ty Segall is always a top choice. And Metallica of course.
This set is ****ing tremendous. Like, your previous sets are A+. But this one is A++. TWO OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR!
Redd Kross! Researching the Blues is a wonderful album that everyone should listen to, and your write-up on it was great! If you are looking to get into their older stuff, your first step should definitely be 1987's Neurotica. A FRONT-TO-BACK CLASSIC! Listen to "Peach Kelli Pop," which is as great as it gets, and should definitely make you want to check out the whole album.
And of course, TY SEGALL BAND! I like your write-up on it, and the picture you included was fantastic haha. Everyone reading your year-end who hasn't heard Slaughterhouse yet definitely needs to!
And of course, also enjoying The Continuing Chronicles of The Cat, The Inspector and The Negotiator. After this weird moment in your life ends, I think you should sell this story to USA. "Characters Welcome."