I'm doing the year-end review a bit differently this time. I was going to write movie reviews and album reviews and a summery of the year. Too much work though. I saw 28 movies that came out in 2011 and listened to almost as many new albums. So I decided, instead, to write about my connection to a few of 2011's albums, why they left impressions on me. I'll also "rate" those albums, along with other albums of the year. As for movies, I was left pretty wanting from this years films, with a very few exceptions. 50/50 was a great movie and so was Captain America. I liked The Muppets too. Attack The Block took the cake though. Best movie of the year, hands down. Just imagine Sandlot meets Shaun of the Dead and you've got it. Anyway, on to memories and reviews.
(Rating Max - *****)
Love & War & The Sea In Between by Josh Garrels ***** – This album was easily the soundtrack to my road-trips this year. Hayden Cook and I went to Ft. Wayne twice and listened to this on repeat on more than one occasion. The mix is perfect and the feel of the album is great for driving through cornfields toward the sunset. It's as if the rest of the world slows down and goes hush to listen in on this brilliant work of art. Profound, I think, is the best word I can muster to describe this album.
Broken Voice by My Epic **** – This album was a breath of fresh lyrical air. It inspired me to write more honestly than I ever have before, and I am forever grateful. Also, it came out while I was in Victoria with my family. So listening to it brings back wonderful memories, especially from my daily walks with cousin Hannah (a favorite pastime).
With Shivering Hearts We Wait by Blindside *** – Oh the new Blindside album! I like it as much as the next guy, unless of course that guy is Jake Duncun of MATSOD. I went to see Maylene one night and mentioned this album in passing. Jake got so excited and we ended up sitting in my van, listening to it after their set. He was so enthralled by the album, it was kinda funny in a way to see such a successful rock star geeking out about another band. Plus it's just a good memory of hanging out with him. It doesn't happen often enough.
The Collection EP by The Collection **** – We've had mutual friends for years, but it wasn't until a few months ago that I really met David Wimbish and his collection. Like My Epic, Wimbish challenged me in my writing, encouraging me through his lyrics to dig deep into my own heart. There have been several songs that I've written while at Collection shows, and they tend to be my favorites. Plus, following this band has opened up a whole new social circle for me to reap from, for which I can't thank the Lord enough.
It Was A Dark and Stormy Night by Five Iron Frenzy ***** – I wrote a blog recently about FIF and their place in my heart and life, so I won't linger here long. But this single came with the announcement of the band's reunion after 8 years. It also came the week of Thanksgiving, which meant Connie and Kelsey were here and my cousins were on their way. Needless to say, it was an awesome week! That Tuesday, Connie and Kelsey picked me up in High Point and we spent the afternoon at DeBeen with the one and only Thomas Lees. Then we met a ton of people at Prissy Polly's for BBQ and good times. If I wasn't on high enough a mountain already, that night the most influential band in my life announces their reunion and releases this amazing new song. Everything was right with the world.
Other Albums of 2011 -
Brokenness Aside by All Sons & Daughters **
Cymbal Crashing Clouds by Ben Shive ****
Chasing Someday by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors ***
Showroom of Compassion by Cake ****
Arrows by The Lonely Forest ***
Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars ***
To the Victor – the Spoils! by Flashman *****
IV by Maylene & the Sons of Disaster ****
Songs in Secret by Great Awakening ***
Ghosts Upon the Earth by Gungor ****
Hawkboy and King Folly EPs by Hawkboy **
Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra *
Kilroy by Mercury Radio Theater ****
Bad As Me by Tom Waits ***
No Doubt of Sunshine by Waterdeep *
An Unfinished Tale, Volume Two: Truth by Don Chaffer ****
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