Best of this years Music!
1. Smile: Brian Wilson
The music of Brian Wilson is in so many ways the soundtrack of my childhood. I was first introduced to the music of Petsounds by hearing my Dad sing "You Still Believe In Me" in the shower (He sounded good too!) On long trips down to Florida betwen fights with my sister we would sing the parts of "Heroes and Villains." A childhood drenched in the music of the Beatles and the Beach Boys gave me an eternal desire to Rock!
Since the early 80's I remember my dad regailing me with stories of the mythical "Smile" album that was never completed. In my late teen years I started frequenting record shows and campus record shops, buying whatever bootleg Smile material I could find. I loved bonding with my Dad listening to the snippets. This all culminated in the release of this album and being able to Road-trip with my Dad to see the smile concert in Cleveland. One more memory to add to my numerous treasured Father-Son Memories. It makes me wonder what kind of things Ian will look back on and treasure when he is older. BTW- The album rocks to. For more reasons than the music I cried the first time I listened to the complete work with my headphones on in my home office.
2. Arcade Fire: Funeral
My Old Taylor University buddy, Happy Jen Tefft, turned me on to this masterpiece. Shortly after acquiring the album I saw them in concert at little Brothers. Truly one of the best shows I have ever been to. The music has the driving aggression of the Pixies with the Quirky delivery of the Talking Heads, and the big all encompassing sound of Disintegration era Cure. The lyrics really make me pause. If you buy this album, make sure to play it LOUD.
3. Chutes to Narrow: The Shins
Thank you Jean Hickman for turning me on to this masterpiece. I cannot help but smile whenever I play this album. I feel pure joy when I listen to the instrumentation. This melds the best of modern rock and sixties pop. The analog warmth is a breath of fresh air.
4. How To Dismantle The Atomic Bomb: U2
Ask Michael Gallaugher.
5. Transatlantacism: Death Cab for Cutee
Beatiful. Mournful-- but not jaded.
FILMS
Garden State
Emotions awakening from a cloud of medication is not a theme I am unfamiliar with. Lonely desperation encountering love in a quirky carefree women are familiar as well. This movie brought back the fall/winter of 1995 to me.
Shaun of the Dead
Laughter is good medicine! In this movie I OD'd on good medicine. Not for the uptight. Fans of "The Office" might like this.
Spider-Man II
What can I say. Having read every Spider-Man Comic ever published (absolutely true), I was very pleased with these flick. Growing up as a non-athletic geek, Peter Parker has been my here since the first grade. I learned to read with "Marvel Tales Staring Spider-Man" This movie was very faithful to the tenor of the books. (The idea of the reject getting the pretty girl was always a fantasy of mine-- One that came true in my own life!)
BOOKS (That I have read this year, not necessarily released this year)
The Life You've Always Wanted: John Ortberg
Dallas Wilalrd and Richard Foster for Dummies. One of the most accessable books on spiritual disciplines I have ever read. This is essential. A great primer on how not to have a boring Christian Life.
Renovation of the Heart: Dallas Willard
The most well laid out exposition about how people grow. This book read alongside Pinsky's Cracked and Don Williams books radically changed my philosophy of life/ministry/personal transformation. Not an easy read- buit worthwhile!
Cracked: Dr. Drew Pinsky
This book provides a harrowing account of chemical addiction that is not for the faint of heart. Everyone should read this book. THe hardcover is dirt cheap on Amazon. Read this book while you are reading the chapter on the Transformation of the miond in Renovation of the Heart.
Prayer: Richard Foster
Best book on prayer. Read only one chapter at a time and practice it. You will refer to this book often.
12 Steps With Jesus: Don WIlliams
I read this book in it'[s previous form "Jesus and Addiction" for the purpose of better ministering to my chemically addicted friends, and I learned more about myself. I think this is excellent reading for the purpose of uncovering brokeness in our own lives and allowing God to work on it.
Blankets: Craig Thompson
This is a graphic novel that I read in one sitting. I cannot tell you how sad I felt when seeing the completely accurate depiction of how the Christian Sub-culture can alienate people from God. This is an autobiographical work that rings too true. The lonliness that can be found in Christendom is astounding, and familiar.
The Divine Hours: Phylis Tickle
Fixed Hour prayer has really helped me to be more in step with what God is doing around me. More people need this!
The Vison and the Vow: Pete Greig
I read this book in one sitting, not because it was short, but because it was captivating. It also provides tells the story of one of my Heroes, Count Nicholas Von Zinzindorf. Buy This book. My brother in Law, Jeff Jackson gave this to me for Christmas, and it was my favorite gift.
