We've been discussing the best hip-hop albums, pop tunes, and indie music, but 2010 was also a great year to rock out. Which of these rock albums was your favorite one to play your air guitar along with?
Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2010 polls!
A couple of weeks ago, I had a very hard time peeling fresh ginger. It was so nubby, I had to cut chunks off before I could properly peel it with my everyday vegetable peeler. I felt so bad about wasting so much ginger that over the weekend, when I needed to peel lots of it for a cocktail, I decided to try a new technique. Instead of using a peeler or knife, I scrapped the rough, papery skin off with a small spoon. It worked like magic! Now, I'll always peel ginger with a spoon.
Do you have a tip for cooking with ginger? Please share it below.
It's funny to me that Spoon's latest album of understated pop arrives packaged in very overstated décor. The record cover art of Transference, with a boy (a young Britt Daniel?) seemingly trapped in his parents' formal '60s living room, is beyond brilliant. From the excessively animated curtain sheers and draping jacquard valances to the ornate tufted cantaloupe-colored armchair to the oceanic seafoam walls and floors, this style of decorating is just so over the top. Look at the accessories: a gilded glass candy dish, ashtrays galore, a pleated coral lampshade (is that a pineapple lamp base?). Despite the extravagance, I kind of love it — ironically. So I thought I'd try to re-create the look. Of course to get the real thing, you'd have to buy vintage furnishings, but I've done my best. Check it out . . .
It's Tuesday, which means that you not only get a dose of fresh new movies on DVD, but you also get some new music releases. Today, we've got rock, indie, and country, so check out my recommendations below for what's worth a download.
Reliable rock: I'm a huge Spoon fan and have been waiting for a new album since the last, Ga Ga Ga Ga, came out. I just can't get enough of the consistently great band, and Transference doesn't disappoint one bit.
The first single is first for a reason: "Written in Reverse" is on the more aggressive side of Spoon songs, with its banging on piano keys — it's best listened to cranked way, way up. The equally strong "I Saw the Light" keeps up the tempo, as does Nobody Gets Me but You." If you're looking for a change of pace from the band, cue up lullaby Goodnight Laura, which features lead singer Britt Daniel humming through a melancholy, but sumptuous ballad.
Rainy day tunes: Eels offers up another mellow disc with End Times, and though the title indicates the bleakness that many of the songs explore, there's a charming harmony to "Mansions of Los Feliz" (though the lyrics are pretty dark, to tell you the truth). Less upbeat, but somehow still soothing is "Nowadays." By the time you get to the haunting "I Need a Mother," you may need a hug, but it's all worth it.
To see one more new release, just read more
It's time to kick off 2010 with some fresh new entertainment! New TV seasons and series will get your TiVo revving, while new tunes and movies will make you excited for what's to come this new year.
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.
Wilco reintroduction: I've already checked out Wilco: The Album (check out my track-by-track review here), and now it's officially out and ready for you to download! It's more spunky rock than it is country-ish, and overall it's a well-rounded and satisfying album. Check out the tracks "Wilco" and "You and I" to get started.
A little EP is better than nuffin: It feels like it's been forever since Austin indie band Spoon released its stunning 2007 album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I have no idea when this group will release another full album, but at least we get a fun EP today! The first track, "Got Nuffin," is hard-driving with an interesting guitar solo. The other two tracks, "Tweakers" and "Stroke Their Brains," are more experimental but well worth the download.
One more up next, so just read more
