Sunday, March 15, 2009
Take The Progresive Test
I recently found this interactive test that measures how Progressive you are. I scored a 339 out of a possible 400 which makes me a pinko communists. Take the test to see where you rate.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The BPA Music Video
I find this music video to be pretty creative and funny. The group is called The BPA which is basically Fatboy Slim with a bunch of random artists. This song features the singer from the Talking Heads and English rapper Dizzee Rascal (and it's quite an enjoyable song).
The video is best described as this: people get naked. Dance around. It's not explicit and again funny. Please watch it.
The video is best described as this: people get naked. Dance around. It's not explicit and again funny. Please watch it.
Rick Don't Do This. You Don't Have To Do This
First of all I am trying to seperate the post I do on here between boring economic and political issues and more light hearted posts about the color of my favorite gum and why Gossip Girl is our generation's Knots Landing (simple condensed answer: Because it sucks). This post is a more light hearted affair that deals with my love for the television show The Soup.
The Soup is a continuation of the show that I grew up watching back in high school back when it was called Talk Soup. I remember my friends and I enjoyed that show so much that we ever made a video illustrating why we were Talk Soup's Biggest Fan so we could win the burger mobile from the movie Goodburger. I'm not sure if we ever sent the video in but I'm sure if we did it is probably somewhere at Homeland security probably being flagged since they probably came to the conclusion we were disturbed individuals (but than again isn't anybody who would want to drive a car that is shapped like a hamburger)?
The Soup is hosted by Joel McHale who is a stand up comedian. What I like about Joel McHale is that he definitely makes fun of whatever clip they are playing from whatever television show they are mocking but it never seems mean spirited. What I like about Joel McHale is that while most other hosts would hold these shows in contempt and try to project an air of superiority McHale seems ambivalent to them and is just happy they exists to fill some sort of strange void that is requested from the American people. He probably also figures that those who host a show on the E Channel that has a two hour True Hollywood Story on Anna Nicole Smith (here is a quick take:small town girl grows huge rack, no talent, takes her shirt off, marries guy older than T-Rex, gets fat, does drugs, dies) shouldn't throw stones.
I think I also find the Soup reassuring for the fact that I have never heard of most of these shows that they poke fun of on the show. I weep for America because they exist but at least I am not watching them.
Anyway here are some funny clips from the show. This is from a Soap Opera and hence the title of the post.
Spaghetti cat! That is all I can say!
I think the Soup has also provided many documented cases on why Tyra Banks is egotistical and fucking insane.
I enjoy when the rip on the Hills as well because from what I can tell from this scripted show it is shallow, vain and totally unwarranted viewing.
Enjoy!
The Soup is a continuation of the show that I grew up watching back in high school back when it was called Talk Soup. I remember my friends and I enjoyed that show so much that we ever made a video illustrating why we were Talk Soup's Biggest Fan so we could win the burger mobile from the movie Goodburger. I'm not sure if we ever sent the video in but I'm sure if we did it is probably somewhere at Homeland security probably being flagged since they probably came to the conclusion we were disturbed individuals (but than again isn't anybody who would want to drive a car that is shapped like a hamburger)?
The Soup is hosted by Joel McHale who is a stand up comedian. What I like about Joel McHale is that he definitely makes fun of whatever clip they are playing from whatever television show they are mocking but it never seems mean spirited. What I like about Joel McHale is that while most other hosts would hold these shows in contempt and try to project an air of superiority McHale seems ambivalent to them and is just happy they exists to fill some sort of strange void that is requested from the American people. He probably also figures that those who host a show on the E Channel that has a two hour True Hollywood Story on Anna Nicole Smith (here is a quick take:small town girl grows huge rack, no talent, takes her shirt off, marries guy older than T-Rex, gets fat, does drugs, dies) shouldn't throw stones.
I think I also find the Soup reassuring for the fact that I have never heard of most of these shows that they poke fun of on the show. I weep for America because they exist but at least I am not watching them.
Anyway here are some funny clips from the show. This is from a Soap Opera and hence the title of the post.
Spaghetti cat! That is all I can say!
I think the Soup has also provided many documented cases on why Tyra Banks is egotistical and fucking insane.
I enjoy when the rip on the Hills as well because from what I can tell from this scripted show it is shallow, vain and totally unwarranted viewing.
Enjoy!
Friday, March 6, 2009
People In This Country Are Kinda Stupid
Ok it is late (or early depending on how you look at it) and something I read not too long ago has been seriously pissing me off. Ok two things have been pissing me off but I don't really feel like writing about jean jackets right now.
No my problem is with the American people and how stupid they seem to be on a collective whole. I read something a couple days at work and I am gonna crib off of it but it really made me stop and think and realize just how uninformed the American people are as a collective group.
I'll try to sum it up as quickly as I can because it is late and Motherboy is about to commence (and not the metal band that rocked pretty hard in the 70's). President Obama wants to raise the tax rates on those individuals who make over 250,000 dollars a year. I'm not here to argue if this is a good or bad policy in the current economic situation we have right now but I find it really fucking crazy how the American people hate paying taxes more than the filmography of Matthew Mcconaughey. Let's just try to forget that taxes pay for things like war, police, teachers, firefighters, and stadiums for baseball teams that lost more games than the number Paris Hilton sex tapes (I am talking bout you Washington Nats. If only Willie Mo Pena went on the same diet as Screech did).
I still have not answered what the question that was so elegantly asked in the title of this blog and why do I find the people in this country to be so stupid? because they have no idea what they are talking about. Inform yourself. And when I say inform yourself that doesn't mean listening to some hack radio host.
The article in question that stemmed this post was in regards to an article that has to deal with stupid motherfuckers who are trying to work their income out so they make just below the 250,000 dollar threshold so they don't get charged at the new tax rate that will hit them under the Obama tax plan.
According to the article some dentist who makes a good amount of money per year over 250,000 dollars per year is trying to work out their annual salary so they make less than the above mentioned number so they can avoid the Obama tax raise (which is actually gonna be raised because of the Bush Tax Cuts running their course but no matter).
This person is an idiot. No I'm sorry this person is a fucking idiot. If they do not understand how a tax code works than they should not even be working on someone's teeth.
It is now important to note that the Obama tax plan would raise the tax rate from 33 cents to 36 cents on the dollar. I know what you are saying that three cents is a lot when it comes to it being taxed out of your income.
Only it is not. The Obama tax plan will tax all the money you make under 250,000 dollars at the 33 cent rate. So if you make 100 million dollars in a year while Obama is in office the first 250,000 you make will be taxed at 33 cents on the dollar while the other 99,750,000 million will be taxed at 36 cents on the dollar.
Ok so this is what brings me back to why I find the people of this country so fucking stupid. According to the article I mentioned earlier a lot of people who make an ass load of money are trying to readjust their profits so they make less than 250,000 dollars. They are not aware that the first 250,000 dollars will be taxed at a lower rate. But that is not the worst of it. Lets do a little case study.
Again according to the article this was a dentist who was making over the 250,000 dollars per year. I know when it comes to accurate info wiki is not exactly the way to go but they state that a dental specialists makes about 315,000 dollars a year. For this study we will use this number even though it seems most dentists make less than this (I think 315,000 is a good number is a good number and am only using this number from wiki because dentist is what was mentioned from the article).
Let's totally eliminate all the money that will be taken out from taxes on your first 250,000. That means that you will have 65,000 dollars that will be taxed at 36 cents on the dollar. On this 65,000 dollars you will be taxed a total of 23,400 so your net income from that would be 41,600.
So why is why I find the American people to be fucking stupid. These "rich" people want to work out their profit margin so they make less than 250,000 dollars so they can avoid being in a higher tax bracket. The people who do this should be sitting at the kitchen table in a high chair and a helmet on because they are certifiably fucking dumb. In this instance lets take the dentists who makes 315,000 dollars a year who decided they will avoid the tax hike by making less money. Somehow they are super geniuses (which they are not) and next year they are able to work out their income so they make exactly 249,999 and avoid the Obama tax raise.
Well guess what. According to my math if you did not readjust your salary to avoid "the Obama Tax Cut" you know how much extra money you would have made? 41,601 dollars.
So you can understand why I call the American people stupid. This is what happens if you live on a steady diet of talk radio and Fox News. Of course the American people's desire to misinformed morons is the reason this country is at the point it is at right now.
No my problem is with the American people and how stupid they seem to be on a collective whole. I read something a couple days at work and I am gonna crib off of it but it really made me stop and think and realize just how uninformed the American people are as a collective group.
I'll try to sum it up as quickly as I can because it is late and Motherboy is about to commence (and not the metal band that rocked pretty hard in the 70's). President Obama wants to raise the tax rates on those individuals who make over 250,000 dollars a year. I'm not here to argue if this is a good or bad policy in the current economic situation we have right now but I find it really fucking crazy how the American people hate paying taxes more than the filmography of Matthew Mcconaughey. Let's just try to forget that taxes pay for things like war, police, teachers, firefighters, and stadiums for baseball teams that lost more games than the number Paris Hilton sex tapes (I am talking bout you Washington Nats. If only Willie Mo Pena went on the same diet as Screech did).
I still have not answered what the question that was so elegantly asked in the title of this blog and why do I find the people in this country to be so stupid? because they have no idea what they are talking about. Inform yourself. And when I say inform yourself that doesn't mean listening to some hack radio host.
The article in question that stemmed this post was in regards to an article that has to deal with stupid motherfuckers who are trying to work their income out so they make just below the 250,000 dollar threshold so they don't get charged at the new tax rate that will hit them under the Obama tax plan.
According to the article some dentist who makes a good amount of money per year over 250,000 dollars per year is trying to work out their annual salary so they make less than the above mentioned number so they can avoid the Obama tax raise (which is actually gonna be raised because of the Bush Tax Cuts running their course but no matter).
This person is an idiot. No I'm sorry this person is a fucking idiot. If they do not understand how a tax code works than they should not even be working on someone's teeth.
It is now important to note that the Obama tax plan would raise the tax rate from 33 cents to 36 cents on the dollar. I know what you are saying that three cents is a lot when it comes to it being taxed out of your income.
Only it is not. The Obama tax plan will tax all the money you make under 250,000 dollars at the 33 cent rate. So if you make 100 million dollars in a year while Obama is in office the first 250,000 you make will be taxed at 33 cents on the dollar while the other 99,750,000 million will be taxed at 36 cents on the dollar.
Ok so this is what brings me back to why I find the people of this country so fucking stupid. According to the article I mentioned earlier a lot of people who make an ass load of money are trying to readjust their profits so they make less than 250,000 dollars. They are not aware that the first 250,000 dollars will be taxed at a lower rate. But that is not the worst of it. Lets do a little case study.
Again according to the article this was a dentist who was making over the 250,000 dollars per year. I know when it comes to accurate info wiki is not exactly the way to go but they state that a dental specialists makes about 315,000 dollars a year. For this study we will use this number even though it seems most dentists make less than this (I think 315,000 is a good number is a good number and am only using this number from wiki because dentist is what was mentioned from the article).
Let's totally eliminate all the money that will be taken out from taxes on your first 250,000. That means that you will have 65,000 dollars that will be taxed at 36 cents on the dollar. On this 65,000 dollars you will be taxed a total of 23,400 so your net income from that would be 41,600.
So why is why I find the American people to be fucking stupid. These "rich" people want to work out their profit margin so they make less than 250,000 dollars so they can avoid being in a higher tax bracket. The people who do this should be sitting at the kitchen table in a high chair and a helmet on because they are certifiably fucking dumb. In this instance lets take the dentists who makes 315,000 dollars a year who decided they will avoid the tax hike by making less money. Somehow they are super geniuses (which they are not) and next year they are able to work out their income so they make exactly 249,999 and avoid the Obama tax raise.
Well guess what. According to my math if you did not readjust your salary to avoid "the Obama Tax Cut" you know how much extra money you would have made? 41,601 dollars.
So you can understand why I call the American people stupid. This is what happens if you live on a steady diet of talk radio and Fox News. Of course the American people's desire to misinformed morons is the reason this country is at the point it is at right now.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sold Out
I believe this is very important for everyone to read to fully grasp why our financial sector is in its current state. Don't let those people who thrive on providing you misleading information to either advance their own agenda or score cheap political points.
The following is from the report Sold Out: How Wall Street and Washington Betrayed America written by Robert Weissman and Harvey Rosenfield. The report states that thanks in large part to corporate America used money to influence the executive and legislative branch of government to help roll back various regulations that directly led to the current financial crisis we are in.
The authors state that for the last three decades the regulatory system that has kept the financial sector from acting on its own worst tendencies. The regulatory system aimed to force disclosure of publicly relevant financial information but during the late 90's and continued up to the present. The author's conclusions is that such deregulation has led directly to the financial climate of today.
The authors of this report have come to the conclusion that there were twelve Deregulatory Steps that led to this financial meltdown. Before listing these twelve aspects it is important to disclose how much money the financial sector spent to achieve this: $5.1 billion. Over the past decade $1.7 billion hasbeen spent in federal elections from 1998-2008 with 55 percent going to Republicans and 45 percent to the democrats.
Also they spent $3.4 billion on lobbying of federal officials. Just some facts:
-Accounting firms spending $81 million on campaign contributions and $122 million on lobbying
-Commercial banks spent $155 million on campaign contributions and $383 to lobbyist.
-Insurance companies donated $220 million and $1.1 billion on lobbying
It just goes to prove that if you have the money you can buy access. Every person gets a vote but the more money you spend the more your problems get addressed.
These are the twelve deregulatory steps that led us to our financial meltdown.
1. 1. In 1999, Congress repealed the Glass-Steagall Act, which had prohibited the merger of commercial banking and investment banking.
2. Regulatory rules permitted off-balance sheet accounting -- tricks that enabled banks to hide their liabilities.
3. The Clinton administration blocked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from regulating financial derivatives -- which became the basis for massive speculation.
4. Congress in 2000 prohibited regulation of financial derivatives when it passed the Commodity Futures Modernization Act.
5. The Securities and Exchange Commission in 2004 adopted a voluntary regulation scheme for investment banks that enabled them to incur much higher levels of debt.
6. Rules adopted by global regulators at the behest of the financial industry would enable commercial banks to determine their own capital reserve requirements, based on their internal "risk-assessment models."
7. Federal regulators refused to block widespread predatory lending practices earlier in this decade, failing to either issue appropriate regulations or even enforce existing ones.
8. Federal bank regulators claimed the power to supersede state consumer protection laws that could have diminished predatory lending and other abusive practices.
9. Federal rules prevent victims of abusive loans from suing firms that bought their loans from the banks that issued the original loan.
10. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac expanded beyond their traditional scope of business and entered the subprime market, ultimately costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.
11. The abandonment of antitrust and related regulatory principles enabled the creation of too-big-to-fail megabanks, which engaged in much riskier practices than smaller banks.
12. Beset by conflicts of interest, private credit rating companies incorrectly assessed the quality of mortgage-backed securities; a 2006 law handcuffed the SEC from properly regulating the firms.
Again this is a report that has not been widely reported on probably because these are complex issues and it is easier for people to blame the government for forcing banks to loan money to poor people which is untrue and not a root cause of our current financial situation.
The following is from the report Sold Out: How Wall Street and Washington Betrayed America written by Robert Weissman and Harvey Rosenfield. The report states that thanks in large part to corporate America used money to influence the executive and legislative branch of government to help roll back various regulations that directly led to the current financial crisis we are in.
The authors state that for the last three decades the regulatory system that has kept the financial sector from acting on its own worst tendencies. The regulatory system aimed to force disclosure of publicly relevant financial information but during the late 90's and continued up to the present. The author's conclusions is that such deregulation has led directly to the financial climate of today.
The authors of this report have come to the conclusion that there were twelve Deregulatory Steps that led to this financial meltdown. Before listing these twelve aspects it is important to disclose how much money the financial sector spent to achieve this: $5.1 billion. Over the past decade $1.7 billion hasbeen spent in federal elections from 1998-2008 with 55 percent going to Republicans and 45 percent to the democrats.
Also they spent $3.4 billion on lobbying of federal officials. Just some facts:
-Accounting firms spending $81 million on campaign contributions and $122 million on lobbying
-Commercial banks spent $155 million on campaign contributions and $383 to lobbyist.
-Insurance companies donated $220 million and $1.1 billion on lobbying
It just goes to prove that if you have the money you can buy access. Every person gets a vote but the more money you spend the more your problems get addressed.
These are the twelve deregulatory steps that led us to our financial meltdown.
1. 1. In 1999, Congress repealed the Glass-Steagall Act, which had prohibited the merger of commercial banking and investment banking.
2. Regulatory rules permitted off-balance sheet accounting -- tricks that enabled banks to hide their liabilities.
3. The Clinton administration blocked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from regulating financial derivatives -- which became the basis for massive speculation.
4. Congress in 2000 prohibited regulation of financial derivatives when it passed the Commodity Futures Modernization Act.
5. The Securities and Exchange Commission in 2004 adopted a voluntary regulation scheme for investment banks that enabled them to incur much higher levels of debt.
6. Rules adopted by global regulators at the behest of the financial industry would enable commercial banks to determine their own capital reserve requirements, based on their internal "risk-assessment models."
7. Federal regulators refused to block widespread predatory lending practices earlier in this decade, failing to either issue appropriate regulations or even enforce existing ones.
8. Federal bank regulators claimed the power to supersede state consumer protection laws that could have diminished predatory lending and other abusive practices.
9. Federal rules prevent victims of abusive loans from suing firms that bought their loans from the banks that issued the original loan.
10. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac expanded beyond their traditional scope of business and entered the subprime market, ultimately costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.
11. The abandonment of antitrust and related regulatory principles enabled the creation of too-big-to-fail megabanks, which engaged in much riskier practices than smaller banks.
12. Beset by conflicts of interest, private credit rating companies incorrectly assessed the quality of mortgage-backed securities; a 2006 law handcuffed the SEC from properly regulating the firms.
Again this is a report that has not been widely reported on probably because these are complex issues and it is easier for people to blame the government for forcing banks to loan money to poor people which is untrue and not a root cause of our current financial situation.
CNBC
From the Daily Show last night. Why it is almost ridiculous to listen to any of these hacks on televsion when it comes to investing your money.
This ties into the next post that will be on here by tonight (hopefully) about some of the reasons we are in our current financial crisis.
This ties into the next post that will be on here by tonight (hopefully) about some of the reasons we are in our current financial crisis.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Goodbye Conan O Brian
I totally slept on this a couple weeks ago but late night host Conan O Brian had his last batch of shows two weeks ago. I guess as we speak he is preparing to take over Jay Leno's Late Show.
Before Conan I never did watch late night television unless it was on Cinemax. That all changed about eleven years ago during a summer break from high school. Conan's brand of weird, irreverent, and seemingly off the cuff comedy really spoke to me back than and still resonates with me today. Conan was also the rare guest who could interview anyone and I would still find it hilarious due to his self deprecating and quick wit.
I for one look forward to Conan taking over the late show. I don't have to many reservations about it. Here is a good article from Slate that deals with Conan moving to 11:30.
The following are videos from the last couple episodes of Conan. They are pretty much compilations of the best of variety. Enjoy.
Conan at an old style baseball game
A compilation of videos
The clip at the end of this video is hilarious
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Star Wars premier. This might be the funniest of them all.
Before Conan I never did watch late night television unless it was on Cinemax. That all changed about eleven years ago during a summer break from high school. Conan's brand of weird, irreverent, and seemingly off the cuff comedy really spoke to me back than and still resonates with me today. Conan was also the rare guest who could interview anyone and I would still find it hilarious due to his self deprecating and quick wit.
I for one look forward to Conan taking over the late show. I don't have to many reservations about it. Here is a good article from Slate that deals with Conan moving to 11:30.
The following are videos from the last couple episodes of Conan. They are pretty much compilations of the best of variety. Enjoy.
Conan at an old style baseball game
A compilation of videos
The clip at the end of this video is hilarious
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Star Wars premier. This might be the funniest of them all.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Top Ten Music Albums of 2008
The follow up to my earlier post. Again I know it's late since we are into the third month of 2009 all ready but humor me. And I will again reiterate how we as a species feel compelled to compile such list to judge various components of pop culture as being sort of vapid and hollow. In seems that the people putting together such list are actually trying to project more on their own self image, status qua, and id than any of the various avenues of art they are critiquing. As for me besides trying to look cool by my musical taste, I just want to maybe introduce you to some music I think is pretty great.
Honorable Mentions:
Tapes and Tapes
The Living End
Crystal Castles
Late of Pier
The Cool Kids
10) Jukebox the Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts
The this a local D.C. band who I think has gain some sort of reputation in whatever circles the hipster music fans hang out in. It is a pop album that probably has been unfairly compared to Ben Folds Five only because of the implementation of the piano. I say it is an unfair comparison because unlike Ben Folds every Jukebox song isn't about how fucking ironic it is to be Ben Folds. A couple slow songs drag the album down a little but overall the album is very solid.
Best Tracks: Static to the Heart, Victoria, Lighting Myself on Fire, Hold it In, Where are All the Scientists Now
9) Friendly Fires- Friendly Fires
Friendly Fires are an English band who had a song on the show Gossip Girl! It's a very intense album that you would not be surprised to find being played at the clubs. The bass player always seems to be playing some disco beat. It is a lot better than I make it sound.
Top Tracks: Paris, In the Hospital, Skeleton Boy, Jump in the Pool
8) Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Another English band who makes dance music that combines 80's dance rhythms with modern sensibilities. Like any albums that find inspiration from the 80's they have a couple ballets on here while at times slow the flow of the record down from the instantly hummable dancier songs, they are infinitely better than the ballets most of the 80's bands actually recorded.
Top Tracks: Shake a Fist, Hold On, Wrestlers, Ready For the Floor, Out at the Pictures
7) Bloc Party - Intimacy
This album came out of nowhere since they announced a week before that it would be released. They move even further away from the proto-punk English movement that they helped create with the release of their first release. I enjoy how they are further moving away from the expectations their fans have and released and album like this.
Top Tracks: Ares, Halo, Trojan Horse, One Month Off, Better Than Heaven
6) Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Another band who has moved away from what they were doing. There are fifteen songs listed on the album but there are something like seventy movements in the songs which is either good or bad. Either you will become overwhelmed by such an album or you will embrace it.
Top Tracks: Nonparil of Favor, For Our Elegant Caste, An Eluardian Instance, Mingusings, ID Engager
5) We Versus the Shark - Dirty Versions
Though they never do answer the question who would win in a fight between we and the shark (I would guess if it was on land we would stand a chance) they are pretty good at playing fast math rock that is influenced by punk and prog.
Top Tracks: I Am The President of the World, Hello Blood, I Am Scared of Everything, Keep it Wolf
4) Nas - untitled
A very political and socially conscience rap album with production from Cool & Dre which means absolutely nothing to me. Though a lot of artists stop by to guest on a lot of his songs, this album is more or less basically about Nas's rhymes.
Top Tracks: Breathe, Hero, Sly Fox, America
3) Born Ruffians - Red Yellow and Blue
A Canadian Rock band that separates itself from its Canadian peers by the fact that they are a traditional group. The instruments play in perfect harmony and the disjointed rhythm of each song really makes the band sound different from their peers.
Top Tracks: Hummingbird, Kurt Vonnegut, Hedonistic Me, red Elephant, Red Yellow and Blue
2) Foals - Antidotes
Another math dance band that won't so much get you moving but will provide an airy calm feeling. Very tight musicianship and tempo changes on a dime.
Top Tracks: The French Open, Olympic Airwaves, Balloons, Like Swimming, Cassius
1) Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now Youngster/We are Beautiful We Are Doomed
I chickened out and named both these albums as my favorite album but since they were released the same year and sound like they could flow together I put them both at number one. Sue me. All the songs on here are catchy, energetic, sound different than most everything else out there ad fucking rock.
Best Tracks: Too fucking many of them.
And I'm just adding this Matt & Kim song because I think it is awesome.
Honorable Mentions:
Tapes and Tapes
The Living End
Crystal Castles
Late of Pier
The Cool Kids
10) Jukebox the Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts
The this a local D.C. band who I think has gain some sort of reputation in whatever circles the hipster music fans hang out in. It is a pop album that probably has been unfairly compared to Ben Folds Five only because of the implementation of the piano. I say it is an unfair comparison because unlike Ben Folds every Jukebox song isn't about how fucking ironic it is to be Ben Folds. A couple slow songs drag the album down a little but overall the album is very solid.
Best Tracks: Static to the Heart, Victoria, Lighting Myself on Fire, Hold it In, Where are All the Scientists Now
9) Friendly Fires- Friendly Fires
Friendly Fires are an English band who had a song on the show Gossip Girl! It's a very intense album that you would not be surprised to find being played at the clubs. The bass player always seems to be playing some disco beat. It is a lot better than I make it sound.
Top Tracks: Paris, In the Hospital, Skeleton Boy, Jump in the Pool
8) Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Another English band who makes dance music that combines 80's dance rhythms with modern sensibilities. Like any albums that find inspiration from the 80's they have a couple ballets on here while at times slow the flow of the record down from the instantly hummable dancier songs, they are infinitely better than the ballets most of the 80's bands actually recorded.
Top Tracks: Shake a Fist, Hold On, Wrestlers, Ready For the Floor, Out at the Pictures
7) Bloc Party - Intimacy
This album came out of nowhere since they announced a week before that it would be released. They move even further away from the proto-punk English movement that they helped create with the release of their first release. I enjoy how they are further moving away from the expectations their fans have and released and album like this.
Top Tracks: Ares, Halo, Trojan Horse, One Month Off, Better Than Heaven
6) Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Another band who has moved away from what they were doing. There are fifteen songs listed on the album but there are something like seventy movements in the songs which is either good or bad. Either you will become overwhelmed by such an album or you will embrace it.
Top Tracks: Nonparil of Favor, For Our Elegant Caste, An Eluardian Instance, Mingusings, ID Engager
5) We Versus the Shark - Dirty Versions
Though they never do answer the question who would win in a fight between we and the shark (I would guess if it was on land we would stand a chance) they are pretty good at playing fast math rock that is influenced by punk and prog.
Top Tracks: I Am The President of the World, Hello Blood, I Am Scared of Everything, Keep it Wolf
4) Nas - untitled
A very political and socially conscience rap album with production from Cool & Dre which means absolutely nothing to me. Though a lot of artists stop by to guest on a lot of his songs, this album is more or less basically about Nas's rhymes.
Top Tracks: Breathe, Hero, Sly Fox, America
3) Born Ruffians - Red Yellow and Blue
A Canadian Rock band that separates itself from its Canadian peers by the fact that they are a traditional group. The instruments play in perfect harmony and the disjointed rhythm of each song really makes the band sound different from their peers.
Top Tracks: Hummingbird, Kurt Vonnegut, Hedonistic Me, red Elephant, Red Yellow and Blue
2) Foals - Antidotes
Another math dance band that won't so much get you moving but will provide an airy calm feeling. Very tight musicianship and tempo changes on a dime.
Top Tracks: The French Open, Olympic Airwaves, Balloons, Like Swimming, Cassius
1) Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now Youngster/We are Beautiful We Are Doomed
I chickened out and named both these albums as my favorite album but since they were released the same year and sound like they could flow together I put them both at number one. Sue me. All the songs on here are catchy, energetic, sound different than most everything else out there ad fucking rock.
Best Tracks: Too fucking many of them.
And I'm just adding this Matt & Kim song because I think it is awesome.
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