There were a few famous faces that ruled the pop culture scene in 2010 — Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and don't forget George Clooney who was in practically every movie that came to theaters. But these lesser-known names gave us memorable turns on TV, on film, or on the charts that left me craving a whole lot more. Here's hoping for a strong showing from all of them in the new year!
Some of these gifted artists may be bigger than what you consider "indie," but they all captured the spirit of the genre in '09. It's hard to pinpoint why they're just so cool, but they make it seem effortless. Personally speaking, I've been listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix and It's Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a repeat loop, but there were plenty of other albums to choose from. Which one is your favorite?
Don't forget to check out the rest of my best of 2009 polls and Best of the Decade community group!
Neko Case's "People Got a Lotta Nerve," from her album Middle Cyclone, is a catchy — if slightly eerie — song that imagines caged animals taking revenge on those who keep them that way. So it's only appropriate that the music video that accompanies the song would have the same dreamy but creepy imagery.
In this little animated gem, a bored redheaded girl gets sucked away from the drudgery of knitting and transported into a fantastical world where dozens of children jump rope on the backs of elephants and brush a tiger's mane. But when she tries to capture one of the primates for her own, the animals revolt and return her to the belly of a whale. It's a weird fantasy, sure, but it's the sort of thing I imagine coming out of Case's brain on a regular basis. Plus, seeing this animated Neko-esque girl makes me think of that time she was on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which still makes me giggle a little. To check out the video, read more
Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to my picks below, you can also download the Watchmen soundtrack and Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone (check out my thoughts on all her new tracks here). Here are today's selections:
Bono's back: When I first saw the cover for the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, I hoped it wasn't an indication of the music. Because? Snooze. Now that it's out, we have our answer. It's not boring at all, but it's also not altogether unexpected. One reviewer summed up the album as a "well-crafted, classically-sturdy rock album with a modicum of invention and a good deal of familiar-sounding material that will appeal to the faithful." Standout tracks include "Magnificent" and "Unknown Caller."
A little jazzy, alt-country something-something: Fun fact time! Jesse Harris, a fellow with a new album out today, has worked with many a talented individual — including Bright Eyes — and even won a Grammy for writing the sweet Norah Jones hit "Don't Know Why." His music may be a little too mellow yellow for some, but I've enjoyed his work before and am eager to give his new tracks a spin. I'm digging the easy melody of "Watching the Sky,", and I think "The Fool" is really pretty.
More music to talk about, so read more
Neko Case's Middle Cyclone was one of the top 10 reasons I got excited about 2009, so when I saw the album was streaming on NPR's site ahead of its March 3 release, I had to take a listen.
My first impression in a nutshell: This is an album that's going to grow and grow on me. Case has said she wrote a bunch of love songs for the album, but it's important to note that the term probably means something different to her than it does to most people on the planet. Don't expect soft and mushy love: These are songs about disappointment, animal attacks, and tornadoes falling in love with people. By the end, I felt like I'd been through the emotional wringer — but I also couldn't wait to listen again.
There are a couple of missteps, but they're few and far between; early favorites include "Magpie to the Morning" and Case's cover of Harry Nilsson's "Don't Forget Me," but that might change on my next listen. You can check out the album for yourself, and to hear what I heard about each of the 15 tracks, just read more
Seeing as Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone is one of the top 10 things I was most looking forward to for 2009, I'm stoked to hear a little bit of what we can expect when the album is released March 3. "People Got a Lot of Nerve" is a cute little tune that promises great things for the rest of the album. According to "People Got a Lot of Nerve," Neko Case is a "man-man-man-man-man-maneater." The song is so catchy it's impossible to forget how much of a maneater she is.
Super bonus to posting this track today: Neko Case and her label, ANTI-, are making a cash donation to Best Friends Animal Society for every blog that reposts the song through Feb. 3 (for some more information on this whole thing, click here). We're saving animals!
To take Neko's new song for a spin while thinking of all the happy puppies and kittens, read more
