I will now, once again, toss my amateur opinion into the web’s collective criticism. The following list represents my favorite records and movies released in 2010, as well as the best books I’ve read this year (regardless of when it was written) and my favorite everything else, just for good measure. Again, this is what I enjoyed most during the past year and why. If you want a legitimate list, might I suggest Paste? So here goes.
The Best Music of 2010:
1. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs: Full of mourning and fear, hope and joy, this record embodies both the affection and sadness found in the place where you grew up.
2. Tokyo Police Club – Champ: This record restored my faith in the cluttered mess that is indie rock, and made me want to pick up a guitar and play. The opening track, “Favorite Food”, is one of the best album openers I’ve heard in years.
3. Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More: A jubilant mix of Irish folk and pop, I can’t believe such a personal, spiritual record found its way into the mainstream.
4. Jonsi – Go: This side project from the Sigur Ros frontman is, like his main gig, a stunningly beautiful vision of the world, but with more pop.
5. Black Dub – Black Dub: Brian Blade and Daryl Johnson groove like The Roots, Trixie Whitley is a skinny white girl with a chain-smoking gospel diva’s soul, and guitarist/songwriter Daniel Lanois is at his ambient, melodic best. It’s a very sparse, live-sounding album I’ll enjoy for years.
Honorable Mention: Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown
The Best Movies of 2010:
1. The King’s Speech: An extraordinary film in every way, possibly one of the best I’ve ever seen. Oscars all around, I say.
2. True Grit: No one does story and character development in film, to me, like the Coen Brothers. This is a great movie.
3. Inception: Smart, exciting, and interesting, Nolan is the thinking man’s Michael Bay. A Summer movie at its best.
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1: Not only is it the beginning of the end, it’s actually a good movie.
5. Toy Story 3 – This story about growing up turned out to be the year’s best prison break movie, proving that no one puts more love and thought into mainstream entertainment than Pixar. I cried. There. I said it.
Honarable Mention: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
The Best Books of 2010:
1. Perelandra – C.S. Lewis: The second in Lewis’s Space Trilogy, it is one of the most unique and vivid pieces of fiction I’ve ever read.
2. That Hideous Strength – C.S. Lewis: In the finale, Lewis succeeds in writing a genuinely creepy and interesting book. The Trilogy is a fabulous read.
3. The Search for God and Guinness – Stephen Mansfield: A carefully told history of the extraordinary family behind my favorite beer.
4. Rework – Jason Fried/David Heinemier Hansson: A refreshing re-evaluation of the way we work.
5. A Model World and Other Stories – Michael Chabon: I’m still reading this collection of short fiction, but it’s fabulous.
The Best of Everything Else:
1. We Are Nashville: Nashville is an extraordinary city. In 2010, the whole world saw why.
2. New York City: Sarah and I returned to the scene of our engagement. It was a fabulous trip.
3. The 2010 Formula One Championship: 19 races over 8 months, with 4 drivers still in the championship hunt in the last race. It was as good as competitive sports get.
4. LOST – Season 6: However you feel about the ending, it was a hell of a ride watching it unfold.
5. Our small group: I’m honored to do life with these wonderful people.
Honorable Mention: Paul McCartney at the Bridgestone Arena
Agree? Disagree? Have your own list to contribute? Let’s discuss in the comments.
I love your list. I love more that I experienced about 70% of these with you. Here’s to another year of adventures.
Adventure is a lot more meaningful when you have someone good to share it with. Thank you for being my partner on this journey.