The Year in Consumerism

Although I denouce it, I am still a consumer. I have gotten much better about what I purchase, and give myself a long reflection on “do I REALLY need it?” which usually works. But I figured I love year end lists, so why not make another one. Here are the material objects that I’ve acquired that have made me happy. Money can buy a little but of happiness. (This does not include the purchase of movies or books.) I am not trying to flaunt my ability to buy these things, just an excuse to make another year-end list.

• My macbook: it’s so cute and sleek, and I love being able to do stuff for work and blog at places other than my house.
• My flatscreen tv: I debated getting this forever, and before this I would watch movies on my macbook, which didn’t do it for me. I still feel guilty about making such a big expense but hey it is really great to watch Battlestar and Lost on it.
• Numerous pairs of American Apparel leggings: Yes, American Apparel is a cliche, but I should invest stock in it, I own so much from them. Leggings are one trend I did buy into and I am not letting go. They are just too damn comfortable.
• All my furniture in my apartment, but especially this chair, because it is super comfortable and in my favorite color. (What? I did NOT pay that proce. What is with IKEA and inflation?)
• Various Lichtenstein prints, and now my apt is like a pop art gallery.
• My AC transit yearly pass, because I fricking love public transpo.
• Shoes: these vans and these Doc Marten boots. (Seriously, between the Docs and the leggings, I am dressing like I did in high school. Next thing you know I’ll be bringing back Contempo Casuals.) Oh, and my Crocs. Don’t hate!
• My Sigrid Olsen jacket (not quite that print, but kind of)
• Roller Barbie. No explanation needed.
• The SanDisk clip- because I don’t need bells and whistles and video and album displays on my MP3 player, I just need to listen to music.
• All the money I spent on my plane ticket, UPS shipping my stuff, etc. to get the hell out of Connecticut.

Hmmm, I didn’t intend for this post to be some sort of bragging about my ability to be able to buy these things, because believe me, I paid my dues by being miserable in Connecticut for three years and justofying my being there by saving money like crazy.

Now that my apartment stuff is settled, the only big expenses I want to make in 2008 is traveling. I really need to get off my but and see things, and also visit lots of people. Mark my words.

posts of 2007

Just some more navel gazing, and remembering some of my favorite posts from the last year.

• My “retirement”…which lasted about 36 hours.
• My thoughts on illegal downloading.
• I did the top 100 of the 21st century.
• Gym pet peeves.
• My favorite Oscar gowns.
• The most annoying bloggers: I started a webtroversy.
• Boycott Snickers!
• The BSG season 3 finale
• Unintentionally hilarious Sex and the City outfits.
• Best Madonna videos.
• Best movie music moments.
• Best opening credits.
• A very dramatic look.
• Best movie makeover scenes.
• Thoughts on Order of the Phoenix.
• Celebs I hate and why.
• Liveblogging Gossip Girl.
• Villains are misunderstood.
• Best narrative videos.
• offensive Halloween costumes.
• Declaration of love for ZQ.
• underrated NKOTB songs.
• Julie, the new American Girl Doll.

Top albums of 2007, the final 10

I guess with it being the last day of 2007 I should get a move on with this, huh?

COMPLETE LIST HERE

#10 Soundtrack, Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof

I usually don’t put soundtracks on these lists because it is usually a random collection of songs that the producer threw in the movie. But Quentin Tarantino usually takes the soundtracks very seriously, and can find semi-obscure songs that fit the movie perfectly. These songs illustrate the movie perfectly and are awesome.
Standout track(s): 16-chick-habit.mp3 /02-baby-its-you.mp3

#9 I’m From Barcelona, Let Me Introduce My Friends

I feel like this is one of those kids’ sing-along-records because it’s so catchy. I love those Swedes.
Standout track(s): 03-were-from-barcelona.mp3

#8 Amy Winehouse, Black to Black

How can this not be on here? I still hold my ground that her “persona” is fabricated to create an ilage.
Standout track(s): 05-back-to-black.mp3

#7 Mary Onettes, The Mary Onettes

I am not even sure how I found out about this band. But seriously, they sound straight out of 1984. And I mean that in a good way.
Standout track(s): 09-the-mary-onettes-under-the-guillotine.mp3

#6 The Go! Team, Proof of Youth

Everything they touch is gold. I thought their first album was fantastic, this one was ten times better. Can’t wait to see what they do next. I was also lucky enough to see them live this year. I felt like I was getting baptized.
Standout track(s): 10-flashlight-fight.mp3

#5 Alaska in Winter, Dance Party in the Balkans

I am actually surprised that I like this. This is the kind of stuff I usually loathe. But it is refreshing to me that people still can and wan to make music like this.
Standout track(s): alaska-in-winter-dance-party-in-the-balkans-09-staring-at-the-sun.mp3

#4 Bloc Party, A Weekend in the City

I can’t believe I was disappointed when this came out, I must have not listened hard enough. I like the level of fame that Bloc Party are now. I’m a little scared because their upcoming single “Flux” is a bit, shall we say, TECHNO, but I am sure that they will continue their trail of awesomeness.
Standout track(s): 02-hunting-for-witches.mp3

#3 Blonde Redhead, 23

This is beatiful, depressing, and haunting.
Standout track(s): 02-dr-strangeluv.mp3

#2 M.I.A. Kalla

This is probably the only hip-hoppish album you will ever see on any list of mine. This was a close contendor for my top spot. I also listended to this constantly as I was moving and when I first got here, and it got me through some rough stuff.
Standout track(s): 05-hussel-feat-afrikan-boy.mp3 / 11-paper-planes.mp3

#1 The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Some people say that the White Stripes keep releasing albums too quickly, but you know what? Each album is better than the last. Jack White is so prolific, it sounds like he may have written these songs in one sitting. Some of them are very structured, melodic, almost radio-friendly tunes, others are just some hardcore jam sessions. To quote Reen Big Fish, why do they rock so hard?
Standout track(s): 12-catch-hell-blues.mp3 / 04-conquest.mp3

Top albums of 2007, getting closer

#20 Bedouin Soundclash; Street Gospels

The closest to reggae I will ever get.
standout track: 04-trinco-dog.mp3

#19 Justice; Cross

Sounds life Daft Punk’s younger punk kid sister.
standout track: 06-phantom-pt-ii.mp3

#18 Enon; Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds

Never a dull moment. The alternation of the voives totally does it for me.
standout track: 11-enon-labyrinth.mp3

#17 A Place to Bury Strangers; A Place to Bury Strangers

This stuff is really dark and scary. I imagine this is what “goth” kids listen to.
standout track: 06-breathe.mp3

#16 Kenna; Make Sure They See My Face

Angsty and electronicy.
Standout track: 10-better-wise-up.mp3

#15 Calla, Strength in Numbers

I am bad at explaining music. Their previous albums were super depressing, this is just as depressing but with more melody-driven stuff.
Standout track: 12-simone.mp3

#14 Editors; The End Has A Start

This is what Interpol SHOULD sound like.
Standout track: smokers-outside-the-hospital-doors.mp3

#13 The View; Hats Off to the Buskers

I definiately heard this in 2006, but it was officially released in the US this year. Again, the US has no taste and never really picked up on their awesomeness.
Standout track: 03-same-jeans.mp3

#12 The Raveonettes, Lust Lust Lust

Genius.I read a review somewhere that said this band is a perfect soundtrack to a David Lynch movie. Also, their imitation of the Jesus and Mary Chain is at times actually better than actual J&MC.
Standout track: 10-sad-transmisson.mp3

#11 The Comas; Spells

Sometimes I don’t understand why they are not as popular on the radio as Rihanna and the other stuff.
Standout track: 03-now-im-a-spider.mp3

Any predictions about what my top 10 are?

Best albums of 2007

#30 Fall Out Boy, Infinity on High

#29 Lily Allen; Alright Still

#28 The New Pornographers; Challengers

#27 Spoon; Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

#26 Black Kids; The Wizard of Ahhhs

#25 Rogue Wave; Asleep at Heaven’s Gate

#24 The Hives; The Black & White Album

#23 Matt & Kim; Matt & Kim

#22 Peter Bjorn & John; Writer’s Block

#21 Patrick Wolf; The Magic Position

best albums of 2007 #40-31

previously on..

#40 Animal Collective; Strawberry Jam

#39 The Killers; Sawdust

#38 Handsome Furs; Plague Park

#37 Beirut; The Flying Club Cup

#36 The Rakes; Ten New Messages

#35 Shout Out Louds; Our Ill Wills

#34 Gogol Bordello; Super Taranta

#33 Black Lips; Good Bad Not Evil

#32 Manic Street Preachers; Send Away the Tigers

#31 Tiger Army; Music From Regions Beyond

My favorite part about New Year’s

is of course, the roundup of best-of lists. Most importantly, my own. I couldn’t help but get a jump on my top albums of the year list. This year I decided to go for a numbered list, although it really is more like 5 tiers of like than each one ranked individually. This may change because I always forget to add something last minute, but here’s the beginning.

50. Imperial Teen; The Hair, The TV, The Baby, The Band

49. Black Francis, Bluefinger
This is why the Pixies do not need to reunite: Frank Black does just fine on his own.

48. Robbers on High Street, Grand Animals

47. Earlimart, Mentor Tormentor

46. Rooney, Calling the World
Who would have though that the band would last, and they could make a decent album? I didn’t.

45. Say Hi, The Wishes and the Glitch

44. Voxtrot, Voxtrot

43. Queens of the Stone Age, Era Vulgaris

42. Saturday Looks Good to Me, Fill Up the Room

41. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Is Is