I Have Better Taste than You: The Top 15 Albums of 2008

15) Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles



14) The Black Keys - Attack and Release



13) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend



12) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges



11) Girl Talk - Feed the Animals



10) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive



9) Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls



8) M83 - Saturdays = Youth



7) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever



6) The Walkmen - You & Me



5) No Age - Nouns



4) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes



3) Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life



2) Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!



1) TV on the Radio -Dear Science

Book of the Year: The Lazarus Project

The usual end of year round up will dominate most of the posts for the next few days. When it came to deciding the best novel of 2008 there was really no question in my mind. It had to be Aleksander Hemon's fantastic and devastating third novel The Lazarus Project. The novel intertwines two stories, one being the true life murder of Lazarus Averbuch, an Eastern European Jew, who was shot to death in 1908 by the Chicago chief of police while trying to deliver a letter. His death sparked widespread paranoia about anarchy and dissent while only perpetuating unrest in the city's immigrant ghettos. The second story arc follows a Bosnian immigrant writer who becomes obsessed with the case and sets off to Europe with a photographer to try to understand Lazarus and his horrible fate. Hemon does a brilliant job balancing both narratives: one factual (kinda), one fictional. The novel is also interspersed with beautiful photographs, either from the Chicago Historical Society or by Velibor Bozovic. The photos enrich Hemon's hugely entertaining chronicle of loss, identity, and place. There is also an underlying comment on today's War on Terror. The Lazarus Project is one of those BIG IMPORTANT BOOKS we'll be talking about for years to come.

Merry Christmas Guys and Gals

Ranking the Coens - The 5 Best Coen Movies

5) The Man who Wasn't There

4) Raising Arizona

3) Fargo

2) The Big Lebowski

1) No Country for Old Men

Honorable Mentions: Miller's Crossing, O Brother, Where art thou?, Barton Fink,

The Thetans are Pleased - My Five Favourite Scientologists

When L. Ron Hubbarb made up all that crap about intergallactic battles and aliens giving you drug addiction, I bet that in in his wildest dreams he never would have believed the following Scientology would get in the celebrity community. Sure, actors are stupid but who knew they were Scientology stupid? Everybody knows the connections between the "church" and the Travoltas and Cruises of the world but not every celebrity follower is as vocal about their faith. So, here are my favourite super secret Hubbardites:

5) Nancy Cartwright (Voice of Bart Simpson):

4) Jason Lee

3) Giovanni Ribisi

2) Greta Van Susteren

1) Beck

Honorable Mention: Isaac Hayes, Leah Remini, Jenna Elfman, Sonny Bono

Just sayin'

"Watch out! It's coming right for you!"

Montreal, where I live, was hit by some pretty harsh weather last week. Well, not harsh by Montreal standards but still pretty ridiculous. As is usually the case, snow storms lead to icy conditions on the sidewalks. Normally, the city will send out its army of high school dropouts making $60 000 a year to salt the ice. However, Montreal has elected to put abrasive gravel down in some neighbourhoods. Problem is, gravel sucks; it doesn't work. As I walked home from work today, it came as no surprise to me that Westmount, a white upper class borough, was a breeze to navigate while Notre Dame de Grace (NDG=No Damn Good), a racially diverse and working class neighbourhood with a reputation for crime, was a wintery urban hellscape.

Just sayin'

SNIKT!

I'm cautiously optimistic about the new "Wolverine" movie (trailer below). I just hope it's more like the first two X-Men movies and less like the craptastic Brett Ratner third one.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD



Also, I think Hugh Jackman works out. Wait what? I mean, I love women!!!

Christmas Gift Idea - 'Tis but a Flesh Wound

This Black Knight seems standard enough,

it's only after you see him like this,

that those in the know recognize its Pythonesque significance. If you don't get it, you really need to watch "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" or at least the following scene on YouTube:

The Black Knight doll is available at ThinkGeek.

A Broken Wing and Nothing More

I'm really digging the album from Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, "Sunday at Devil Dirt." The sweet voice from the Belle and Sebastian alum is the perfect counterpoint to the former Screaming Tree's brooding intensity. "Sunday" feels feels a bit like an album of Nick Cave ballads but that's not a bad thing at all. Their songs make me want to join the merchant marines and set out on an adventure full of fisticuffs, deals with Satan, and pale and tragic women. What can I say? I'm a romantic.

Here's the debauched and NSFW video to "Ramblin' Man" off their debut:

Riku - My favourite Finnish-American movie blogger

Billed as the most popular Finnish-American film themed blog, Richard Hourula's Riku Writes is certainly a blog worth checking out. Hourula writes thoughtfully about his greatest passion; movies. I don't always agree with him and he tends to focus on older movies but his engagement with his material is evident and well worth reading.

L'État Sauvage

The Samurai Buddha would like to call a moratorium on using the term "coup d'état," at least until a military junta shows up...

However, when one governs like "l'état c'est moi," a coup d'état might be necessary...

No one to blame but himself...

"To know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail our pride supports us; when we succeed, it betrays us." - Charles Caleb Colton

Mickey Rourke Wrestles Botox

Here's the latest trailer for the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film "The Wrestler." Would anyone think less of me if I told them I cried watching this? It's just a trailer, after all. This film has been getting almost universally good reviews since it took the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year. I really like Aronofsky as a director. I even thought his last film, "The Fountain" was misunderstood and criminally lambasted. Check it out:

Sir Ben is no Minor Threat

Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley steps into Ian Mackaye's combat boots in a tribute to Minor Threat:


Sir Ben Kingsley STOMPS into the shoes of Minor Threat's Ian MacKaye from Mean Magazine on Vimeo.

Pretty Awesome!

My Heart's in the Strangest Place

I'm loving the new video for The Walkmen's "In the New Year." Check it out:

Their new album "You and Me" is out now. It's a real return to form for the band from NYC. I've always maintained that the song "The Rat" from "Bows and Arrows" should have been a massive hit.

Happy Birthday to me!

That's right, the Samurai Buddha is 23 years old. In honour of that, here's the video for "23" by Blonde Redhead:

My City on Fire

Here is an amazing video of an explosion in Toronto:



It is suspected to be of a propane facility at Keele and Wilson. Absolutely unbelievable.

John Cazale: The Best Resume in Film History

To call John Cazale a selective actor would be a gross understatement. The brilliant actor made only five films in his career that spanned the 1970's but he sure did know to pick 'em:

The Godfather (1972)

The Conversation (1974)

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Every film Cazale acted in was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Cazale's career was cut short by bone cancer in 1978 before he could marry his fiance, Meryl Streep. His work in these five films speaks for itself. His finest work is probably in "The Godfather Part II" where Cazale reprises his role as the doomed and troubled Fredo Corleone starring opposite his childhood friend Al Pacino. Cazale proves the cliche: quality over quantity.

Cazale's most famous scene, "The kiss of death":

Advertising is based on one thing: Happiness

Minus the blatant sexism and racism, I don't think there's a time I would rather have been a part than the 1960 of "Mad Men." Three martini lunches, three piece suits, and three women in one night all sound pretty good to me. Much better than today's work environment where you have to walk on eggshells and have HR rep present to use the vending machine. The second season starts tonight. If you're not watching this show, I'm ordering you to do so. The first season DVD is on sale now as well. My fellow Canucks can watch the entire first season on CTV broadband.

One of the best scenes in recent TV history:

Two Thumbs Down

It's pretty much the end of an era in film criticism, Roger Ebert & Richard Roeper have severed ties with Disney and their Ebert & Roeper show. Two other film critics are going to take over. I assume they'll want to change the title.

I Live a lot of Places

Calgary's own Woodpigeon is really starting to make a name for themselves. They're one of those bands who sounds exactly like their name implies. Check out their myspace for some solid folk music. You can also download their EP "Houndstooth" from their website for free.

Here they are on Calgary Breakfast Television:

Some Men Just Want to Watch the World Burn

"The Dark Knight," the second installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman reboot is the best superhero movie ever made. In fact, the sequel to "Batman Begins" is the best film I have seen this year. It is closer to a crime epic than a superhero film. The audience is launched into a Gotham City on the brink of collapse. It has been brought to this point by the self-described "agent of chaos," The Joker played by Heath Ledger. In a film full of spectacular performances, especially by Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart, Ledger's Joker stands out as a classic villain performance. Constantly licking his lips and walking with an animalistic hitch in his step, the Joker emerges fully formed with no back story or motive. He asks, "Do I look like someone who has a plan?" and mocks average citizens who try to make meaning out of their existence, "I'm a dog chasing cars. I don't have plans. I just do things. I'm not a schemer." He is pure id, pure anarchy. What is particularly interesting is the suggestion that it is Batman who is complicit in the escalation of Gotham's violence. The Joker tells him as much, "You've changed things... forever. There's no going back." The symbiotic relationship between the Joker and Batman transforms "The Dark Knight" from a standard superhero film into an existential meditation. We see the toll Bruce Wayne's personal mission has taken on him and his loved ones. Batman is Gotham's Dark Knight. Aaron Eckhart plays its White Knight as Harvey Dent, a courageous District Attorney who is the symbol Gotham needs because he can inspire good. Unlike Batman, who only inspires fear and a string of incompetent copycats. Nolan does an exceptional job of maintaining tension and strikes the right emotional note at every turn. The film's moral ambivalence and downbeat ending does not come at the expense of the action which is worthy of a Batman film. Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Maggie Gyllenhaal all turn in excellent supporting performances. See "The Dark Knight" and see it in Imax.

"Why don't we cut you up into little pieces and feed you to your pooches? Hmm? And then we'll see how loyal a hungry dog really is. It's not about money. It's about sending a message."
~The Joker

Subpoenaed in Texas, Sequestered in Memphis

The best bar band in the world are back. The Hold Steady's latest record "Stay Positive" has dropped and it does not disappont. Very few bands can match the Hold Steady for sheer rocking ability and the album's two opening tracks prove it. "Constructive Summer" recalls the youthful optimism of a new summer and the adventures that can be had, "We're going to build something, this summer." However, this optimism is tempered by the realization that these days are shortlived, "Getting older makes it harder to remember... we are our only saviors." Don't let the album's explicitly positive title fool you - The Hold Steady have not gone all saccharine on their fourth album. "Stay Positive" is as bittersweet as the band's breakthough "Boys and Girls in America." The usual themes of youth, religion, rebellion. and partying are all there - sharing the stage with some sweet guitar solos. The album is classic Hold Steady - wordy and cathartic. If you really want to experience the Hold Steady, though, you gotta see them live. Perhaps, in Ybor city with Charlemagne and Holly.

Who Will Watch the Watchmen?

The trailer for Zack Snyder's film version of "The Watchmen" hit the ol' series of tubes today. "The Watchmen" is the the best graphic novel of all time and the one of the best books ever, period. The trailer is beautifully crafted but I remain unconvinced that the director of "300" can capture the complexity of "The Watchmen." The good news is that I have until 2009 ti worry about it.

I Work Through Pain

It's no secret to anyone who reads this blog that I am somewhat looking forward to The Dark Knight. Okay, I would marry that movie if I could. I bought my tickets today to see it on Imax this Saturday. I wanted to see it on opening day but I have to work and a couple friends wanted to go out Friday evening. Even a huge nerd like myself couldn't justify picking a movie over socialization so I'll have to wait until Saturday afternoon. How will I do it? I fully expect this movie to cure cancer, heal centuries old rifts in the middle-east, and satisfy you sexually. Umm... I'm just saying my expectations are high.

My expectations are so high that I bought "Gotham Knight," an animated Batman film meant to bridge the gap between "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." Visually, "Gotham Knight" is pretty slick. It has a pseudo-anime style with a more western sensibility. I wish the six interlocking stories were a little deeper. Instead, they feel short and underdeveloped. I also wish Christian Bale's voice could have been used for Batman for the sake of unity but substitute Kevin Conroy does a fine job. The stories generally provide glimpses of how Gothamites view Batman and the myth he has cultivated. Check it out if your a Bat fanatic but it's not essential viewing.

Here's the trailer:

Forget it Jake, it's China

I'm going to be sorely disappointed if the Beijiing Olympics aren't the biggest clusterfuck in history. Between reports that the Chinese government is trying to control the weather with ammonia and the fact that China's government felt it necessary to ban spitting and crossbows, the 2008 Olympiad is starting to look more and more awesome. Slate magazine has a pretty sweet disaster guide for surviving the games. Read it if you plan to attend or if you're just interested in a trip to the land of crazy.

Hellboy II is a good time

Hellboy's popularity stems from the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously. You won't find a bigger Batman fan than me but, truth be told, the guy is a tad on the morose side. Hellboy's exasberated sarcasm and vulnerability make him very likable. After all, he just wants to belong in a world he is apparently destined to destroy. Who hasn't been there? I saw "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" last week and quite enjoyed it. Visually, it is stunning. "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo Del Toro does not disappoint in that deparment. Nor does his script which features many quips and a credible villain. Also, he fights lots of monsters.

Here's the trailer:

100th Post: Your Life in Music

Sorry for no post on Friday but I wanted my 100th post to be legendary. So, I suggest that all you music junkies try playing this game: choose your favourite album from each year you've been alive and list them. Some interesting trends emerge:

My list:

1985: Rain Dogs - Tom Waits

1986: The Queen is Dead - The Smiths

1987: You're Living All Over Me - Dinosaur Jr.

1988: Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth

1989: Dolittle - Pixies

1990: Violator - Depeche Mode

1991: Loveless - My Bloody Valentine

1992: The Future - Leonard Cohen

1993: In Utero - Nirvana

1994: Weezer - Weezer

1995: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - The Smashing Pumpkins

1996: Endtroducing.... - DJ Shadow

1997: OK Computer - Radiohead

1998: Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane over the Sea

1999: The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips

2000: The Moon and Antartcica - Modest Mouse

2001: Is this it? - The Strokes

2002: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco

2003: You Forgot it in People - Broken Social Scene

2004: Funeral - Arcade Fire

2005: Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade

2006: Everything All the Time - Band of Horses

2007: Boxer - The National

2008 (so far): My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

Nerds Love Lists

Empire Online just released their list of the 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time. It's not a bad little list and I give them props for thinking outside the box with a number of their selections but I have a few problems with the list. First and foremost, there was only one character from Alan Moore's The Watchmen, one of my favourite books, let alone comic books, of all time. It was a very American heavy list with no Bone or selections from Seth or Chester Brown. Furthermore, there was no Clowes or Ware (Jimmy Corrigan, anyone?). Also, Superman once again won out over the far superior Batman. Worst of all, this list only served to remind me what an enormous nerd I am. That's the true tragedy.

Walkers of the World Unite

As someone who is too poor and incompetent to own a car and too scared to bicycle in the city, I pretty much walk everywhere. Truth be told, there is nothing I love more than a good long walk. As a result, I have adopted My Morning Jacket's "Sec Walkin" as my new personal theme song. It nicely encampsulates my transportation philosophy:

Left leg, right leg

One leg at a time I keep on walking

I keep on walking

Red light, green light

First light I see tonight I am walking

Oh, yeah I am walking

Fever, breathe in your own cool, blue air

Look for eyes that hypnotize and sparkle

Look for eyes that hypnotize and sparkle everywhere

Brother, brother, don't you care?

Brother, brother, don't you care?

Left leg, right leg

One leg at a time I keep on walking

I keep on walking

Red light, green light

First light I see tonight I am walking

Oh, yeah I am walking

Fever, breathe in your own cool, blue air

Demon eyes, demon eyes are watching

Demon eyes, demon eyes are watching everywhere

Brother, brother, don't you care?

Brother, brother, don't you care?

You can read my full review of MMJ's latest effort here.

Wild and Wicked Sleep

The Acorn are an indie folk band out of Ottawa, ON. There latest album "Glory Hope Mountain" is a concept album about the life of lead singer Rolf Klausener's Honduran mother. I'm not sure how I feel about their music yet but one thing that is for sure is that made a wicked video for the first single off that album "Flood Pt.1." I suggest you watch in full screen:

Well, that's Impressive

The largest wave ever surfed caught on video.

Hey, anyone remember the movie "Point Break"? That was awesome, Keanu Reaves should only be allowed to play surfer dudes.

She pahked her cah in Hahvahd Yahd

J.K. Rowling gave a pretty inspiring address at Harvard this year on the benefits of failure. Listen to it or watch it here.

Quick Note

The Montreal Jazz Fest is awesome and mostly free. Check it out.

Oh, Give Us Your Votes

New music week continues: Unlike Wolf Parade, Tokyo Police Club didn't have a successful debut to live up to. However, they had something much, much worse: unbearable hype. Hype is a strange thing; it is often as much an albatross as it is a blessing. Judging by their latest release "Elephant Shell," TPC tried to avoid the next big thing curse by sticking to what they do best; short, catchy and quirky rock. Their debut is practically another EP, clocking in at just under 28 minutes so it is as aerodynamic as it is danceable. While I believe that "Elephant Shell" lacks the unity of their earlier EPs like "A Lesson in Crime," songs like "Your English is Good" and "Tesselate" deliver on the promise of their early hype.

Hipsters frolicking: The video for "Your English is Good"

As if you didn't know that it would sting

New CD Review week continues: The infamous sophomore jinx; the pressure to follow up a succesful debut has crippled many bands. Luckily, this is not the case for Montreal's Wolf Parade. The band's debut "Apologies to the Queen Mary" is nothing short of spectacular and cut through the indie rock landscape (including many other bands with "Wolf" in their names) in 2006. "At Mount Zoomer," the band's second offering doesn't quite approach the classic status of the first album but it is still quite an accomplishment nonetheless. Songs like "Soldier's Grin" and "Call it a ritual" sting with the urgency of the first album. However, it is the album's closer "Kissing the Beehive," a ten minute epic written by both of WP's main songwriters, that nudges "At Mount Zoomer" towards greatness.

Here's my favourite song of the last album, "I'll Believe in Anything":