The Toadless Boy

I accidentally wore green today. I love wearing green accidentally on St. Patrick’s Day. As a teatotalling, non-Irish Protestant, I celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as much as I celebrate Arbor Day, but no one wants to feel left out.

I didn’t even realize it was St. Patrick’s Day until I strolled down to the cafeteria to grab some food. The super cheerful male cashier was rocking some green beads and I looked down at my shirt and saw that it was a pattern with varying shades of green. “Yes!”

If you purposefully wear green, you are perceived (by me) as a dork. If you forget to wear green, you feel like a spaz and run the risk of getting pinched by the fat desk clerk wearing the non-compliant sparkly shamrock bobbling headband.

Jayne and I seen some movies lately. None of them have been nominated for this year’s best picture but I would say even the worst of them was better than Titanic.

We just got back from the Bijou where we saw Los Cronocrimenes (or the cheesier sounding English title, Timecrimes). It’s a great Spanish-language time travel movie. Jayne is nuts about time travel and I think if she were part of the National Science Foundation the funds would all be funneled to endowments for going back and forth in time. I, on the other hand, am a dinosaur/extinct animal junkie and think we should devote our “unnecessary science” energy on reviving them instead of making black holes and NASA.

Timecrimes deals with some dilemmas that exist with time travel. Normally, when you start a plotline that asks an interesting question you spend the rest of that plotline trying to cover up all the possible plotholes that are created by the initial question. The film keeps it simple and stays self-contained, allowing it to raise interesting questions but not sacrifice plot integrity.

We also saw Gran Torino, this year’s Crash. If you bought the bullshit in Crash, you’ll see past some of the worst acting I’ve seen outside of porn and enjoy Gran Torino. For the record, Clint Eastwood was not included in the worst acting. In fact, he himself was great but that might be in comparison to all the others.

Jayne’s dad is a big Clint Eastwood fan so we saw it the weekend it opened in Okoboji, IA. Because we were in Tom Latham/Steve King country, Jayne and I were the youngest by far in the theater and I imagine folks were there to see Dirty Harry kick some ass.

When we saw the trailer for the Watchmen film before the movie, I was trying to immerse myself in the hype. I can really get in to good superhero/graphic novel-based movies even though I am not a regular reader of the genre. I know Watchmen is regarded as one of the best graphic novels and I know people are really pumped about the movie. Not knowing the story myself I still found myself amped by all the stuff going on in the trailer. After the three minute swirl of blood and talking socks and glowing nude Captain Planets, Jayne and I turned to each other with the silent nod we give letting the other know it will be added to our list of movies to see in the theater. In the silence, I heard the fat guy behind me mutter to his fat wife, “Hmph…looks stupid.”

Then and there I knew: this movie is going to fail. The fat guy who braved the cold on a Saturday matinee to see Dirty Harry 6 thinks Watchmen looks stupid. He probably even thinks the blue guy looks gay. Time for a rewrite.

Over the New Year weekend, we went with Aaron to see Let The Right One In in Chicago. It is a Swedish vampire story that is amazing. The story itself is awesome and is based on a popular Swedish book but the execution of the story is great too. Being another subtitled movie, I was a little bit fearful I’d have a homework assignment with the reading but the dialogue is minimal. This allowed me to pay attention to the setting which was creepy as hell and so consistent. The weird bluish-white color during the day and night scenes and the fact that it was cold outside made me feel like it was going on right there in front of me. I will probably be ordering the Bluray so if you have a Bluray player I may be coming over to watch it someday in March. And these aren’t Mormon vampires either so it gets a little intense.

Oh and Pineapple Express was funnier than expected.

Adam’s #1: She And Him - Volume One

“Zooey Deschanel (Movie star from Elf and The Happening) finally puts her real talents to use with She & Him, (Him is singer songwriter M. Ward). The album captures qualities of 60’s pop and classic country like a modern day Loretta Lynn. Even though the album is made up of many retro qualities it’s lyrics, melodies and harmonies are timeless. Volume One makes a home right in the middle of your heart just when you thought it was full.”

Sherri’s #1: Metronomy - Lights Out

“When I bought this album, it didn’t leave my car stereo for months. I never even took the time to bring it the house to put on my iPod. I didn’t want to risk not being able to listen to it on my drive to work. This album is absolutely perfect. It is electronic pop at its best.”

Zach’s #1: Pete And The Pirates - Little Death

“This is more Cribs-y British ‘lad rock’ (I suppose). This is a SOLID album. It’s one of those situations where you hear one song that you think ‘this is fun’ and check out more to find that the whole album is fun.”

Adam’s #2: Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night

“The KOL have become the perfect storm. Ignoring record label demands early on gave the KOL the power to write and record whatever they wanted, and it has paid off. The Madison Square Garden headlining KOL have created a mature masterpiece of soulful southern rock anthems that bring the band to new heights and expectations. If you don’t feel a tingling in your bones while listening to ‘17′ a doctors appointment you should make.”

Sherri’s #2: The Wombats - A Guide To Love, Loss, And Desperation

“This album is the most emo thing I have liked in a long time, but it is the most fun I have had with music this year. If you need an album to keep you awake with singing, dancing, and laughing, then you need to listen to this.”

Zach’s #2: Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams

“Throw Me The Statue is filling the Aqueduct void for me this year. This is stuff written and recorded by one dude, toured by a backing band. The result is really cohesive. Seeing them live and listening to the album, I picture the writer having great ideas and trying to catch up to them in each song. They did a pretty mean Huey Lewis cover too.”

Adam’s #3: The Kills - Midnight Boom

“Similar to a car smashing, neck-shattering accident, Midnight Boom has all the sexiness of a high-speed crash in slow motion. Chords, dirt, hot vocals thrown about at high speeds in all directions and all your left with is a nasty addiction to a new dark, energetic, feverish album worth listening to without a seat belt.”

Sherri’s #3: Johnny Flynn - A Larum

“The best folk album I have ever heard. Johnny Flynn has the most beautiful voice with the most exquisite lyrics you will hear this year.”

Zach’s #3: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

“If you’ve never seen a picture of these guys or seen them perform, don’t seek one out. I saw them on SNL and then some music videos and I can’t help but picture the goofus lead singer when I listen to this deservedly hyped album. It has that ‘Paul Simon just got back from Africa’ sound but with continual references to keffiyahs and New England. In a year of few albums you can listen to from start to finish without a bump, this one flows.”

Adam’s #4: Phantom Planet - Raise The Dead

“Talk about a ‘Ship Lost at Sea’, Phantom Planet had us all worried with their four year break. But they returned to port with all the wonders and accomplishments of a new band. Reinventing themselves with a rougher sound that somehow still relishes the sun of their California souls. Raise the Dead proves to PP fans that they never disappoint, no matter how long they spend at sea.”

Sherri’s #4: Lukestar - Lake Toba

“If you love Mew, you will love Lukestar. Hailing from Oslo, this band will rock your socks off in the most beautiful way imaginable.”

Zach’s #4: Little Joy - Little Joy

“Being surprisingly underwhelmed by other Strokes’ ’side projects’, I actually ignored this for a little while. It’s from the Strokes’ drummer and resident liar. I figured for a man who was once engaged to Drew Barrymore, it would be self-indulgent crap and he should stick to the drumming. I forgot that my favorite part about the Strokes is their unique rhythms which I assume he is responsible for. This is more lo-fi than the Strokes but not too lo-fi. It still has some great song intros and drum parts like the Strokes and even the inclusion of a girlfriend’s vocals helps the album.”

Adam’s #5: Santogold - Santogold

“It seems self-titling her debut album is the only mistake Santogold made this year. Her funky international styling gives way to countless comparisons to M.I.A. (which is a good thing). Santogold shows her unique soul, mixing reggae, dance, pop and electronic into one of the best tasting music cocktails you’ll ever have.”

Sherri’s #5: Glasvegas - Glasvegas

“Overly hyped but overly awesome, this album is a must-have for the year. Glasvegas are totally worthy of every good thing that has ever been said about them. Plus, they are so Scottish, even if you read along with the lyrics, you sometimes cannot understand what he is saying. Brilliant.”

Zach’s #5: Killers - Day and Age

“There are some bands I just get. I hear people talk about U2 and worship every single item they release through all of their different sonic changes. I have to convince myself that the sonic changes in the listener’s heads match up with the band’s sonic changes, while mine just happened to cross streams at a specific point (The Joshua Tree). The Killers are my U2. I get everything. They are slowly morphing from basement glam pop to over-the-top driving pop and I eat up everything and continue to have a huge man-crush on Brandon Flowers as he goes through his changes.”

Adam’s #6: Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

“Though this isn’t their best effort, this critically claimed album (Mercury Prize Winner, Think the Grammies, but given by people that know something about music) proves to the masses that Elbow’s heartfelt songs are reborn every time you listen. ‘Grounds for Divorce’ gets you thirsty for a pint, while ‘Weather to Fly’ takes you above the clouds for self-examination bringing you to the ground with a better view of yourself and what music should be.”

Sherri’s #6: Thomas Tantrum - Thomas Tantrum

“This is totally not my thing, but they got everything just right on their self-titled debut. It is fun, catchy, and has cute English girl vocals.”

Zach’s #6: Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

“When I’m filling out my top 20 each year, I always have a revelation that I am getting older. I guess I don’t mind as long as younger folks continue to put out good music. Debut albums like this and The Subways one from 2006 make a mortal feel like their is youthfulness in music still. Man give me my toupee and my Miata right now. This album was one of those hyped up hits before it was even released thanks to the MySpaces. You can hear the age in the music, vocals and references to texting and phrases like ‘hot as balls’. It’s good, unashamed pop that I never would have had the balls to create.”

Adam’s #7: South - You Are Here

“I stand speechless in amazement at another South masterpiece. The continuously evolving British rockers reach another level with songs like ‘wasted’ and ‘tell me’ blazing the path towards UK music royalty. (Basically if you like Coldplay, Muse, or Keane, South is better.)”

Sherri’s #7: Phantom Planet - Raise The Dead

“How can anyone not love Phantom Planet?”

Zach’s #7: Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

“Like Kings Of Leon, Wolf Parade made an album I can play around Jayne and she can ask ‘Who’s this?’ with a positive intention instead of a negative one. This one is short and sweet and hard to explain. I feel an 80s vibe but it could be the FYC reference. Definitely very easy to digest, so if you think I listen to weird music, this one should still be okay for you.”

Adam’s #8: The Last Shadow Puppets - Age Of The Understatement

“Get used to amazing stuff from Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys. Not only has he put together two solid albums as their front man, then he goes and makes a dark 60’s pop album with Miles Kane that blows the pants off NME writers and sends music lovers in a tizzy. The simple maturity aspect of this album should put it on everyone’s top 10 lists, Turner is writing like he’s 20 years his own senior. Someone put a stop to this kid, he’s making us all look bad.”

Sherri’s #8: Little Joy - Little Joy

“Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! The coolest chill album I have ever heard. It is catchy without being too poppy or overproduced. I cannot explain how awesome and unexpected this album was.”

Zach’s #8: Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On

“On this Eagles Of Death Metal album, secrets to dancing (tight pants) and satisfaction (self love) are explained with the normal LA rock that even makes this guy speed. I was entering a highway while jamming to ‘Wannabe in LA’ and I surpassed the speed limit considerably and almost merged in to a tractor trailer as I failed to play it cool like the Eagles Of Death Metal.”