Top Stuff of the Decade
three difficult lists by Hiedi Irvine
My God, this was a toughie.
Music
Elliott Smith – Figure 8 (2000)
When I sat down to write this, part of me thought that the only CDs my favourite musician in the world had released in the past decade was From a Basement on a Hill, or ‘New Moon,’ both of which were from the grave. But, then I realized, ‘Figure 8 really isn’t so old!’ and was happy to be able to add it to the list. Happiness/The Gondola Man still sends chills down my spine. This was the album that opened me up to Mr. Smith, I was sitting in computer ed class in Grade 11, and then Son of Sam came on. It was love at first listen, I’d never heard such sadness in a voice so soft.
Hey Rosetta! – Into Your Lungs (2008)
My first experience with Hey Rosetta! was during the ECMA’s in Halifax in a church, to candle light. I had heard nothing but good things, but when Tim Baker sang it gave me goosebumps and I couldn’t get them out of my head. Then they released this album, and somehow their sound was perfectly captured in this beautiful, wow worthy kind of way. This is the album played on CBC Radio 3, at friend’s places, or at cafe’s across the country that makes you feel like you’re home.
Joel Plaskett – Ashtray Rock (2007)
No one sings like Mr. Plaskett. The other day while taking a drive to Fox Lake outside of Whitehorse, I asked the question, “Can you imagine a life without Joel Plaskett,”? To which my roommate Emily responded, “Our Lord and Saviour, Joel Plaskett? No.” Nope, there would be no life without the sound of Plaskett, I’ve got nothing more to say.
Arcade Fire- Neon Bible (2007)
Nothing is as haunting and as lovely as this album. It has this raw emotion that I never experienced through an album before, not ever. Intervention is one of my top three favourite songs, beginning with an organ and turning into something you won’t soon forget, with lines like “Working for the church while your family dies. You take what they give you and you keep it inside. Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home,” and “Singing Hallelujah with the fear in your heart”, and with a choir of voices singing things like, “Your life will fall a part.” Truest choir I’ve ever heard.
Patrick Watson – Close to Paradise (2006)
This one was the best free CD I ever got through the Aquinian, and if you’re a person who judges books and albums by their covers, you can tell right away it’s going to be brilliant. No one can hit notes like Patrick Watson. Nobody!
Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine (2005)
This is the best break-up album ever. So empowering and catchy, it’s hard to keep crying mixed in with the sweetness and good times that accompany most relationships. It was the only thing in my discman for a year, but don’t worry I got over the break-up before I got over the album, it was just too good to turn off is all.
Dr. Dog – Fate (2008)
Wow.
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (2008)
It was just….perfect. The Gregorian Chanting, the simplicity, it was stunning. Every song begins one way and has the possibility to go in completely opposite directions, possibilities, yeah, I think that’s why I’m so attracted to these tunes. Brilliance. ‘Your protector’ always just makes me belt it out, on the sidewalks, in the shower, anywhere, and sure by singing “As you lay to die beside me baby on the morning that you came, would you wait for me…” I may come off as slightly nutty, but it’s worth it.
Damien Rice – O (2002)
This was the most romantic and heart-breaking album of the decade. Easy.
Radiohead – Kid A (2000)
This album really topped one off for Radiohead. While ‘Hail to the Thief’ was still somethin’, and ‘In Rainbows’ marked the first time a band approached the idea of downloading and purchasing music in such a manner, Kid A was just this rare thing, unlike anything else out there. And, 13 year old Hiedi definitely stole this one from her older brother. So worth being called a thief for.
Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2 or, the last Remains of the Dodo (2000)
Cigarettes and red vines, just close your eyes ’cause baby you never do know…
I feel bad not having some Tori on this list, since to my own regret, I’m really not that into most female artists. But Aimee beat her out. There are several reasons for this going beyond Magnolia, and her guest appearances on Comedy Death Ray. She’s just an amazing talent. Depending on my mood, I have to say sometimes I think ‘Aimee, baby you’re bringin’ me down’ but more often she makes me smile and think ‘goddamn, Aimee you’ve done it again’.
Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman (2005)
Really, it’s been five years already, Benny boy? While Ben Folds has always been flat out awesome and unique to the nines, this one was just one for the books. One for the top (this has turned into 12) lists of the decade. His tribute to my main music man, Elliott Smith, ‘late’ was this beautiful tribute. Simple, “The songs your wrote, got me through a lot, just want to tell you that, but it’s too late.” And effective. “When desperate static beats the silence up, A quiet truth to calm you down” that on the same album with his infamous cover of “Bitches Ain’t Shit” – Ben Folds, man you’re just an unstoppable music master and I bow down to you. Yup.
Best in Television
*Please note, The Wire should be on this list, but since I’ve only seen ¾ of the first season, it’s not fair for me to completely judge it’s brilliance.
Modern Family (2009-)
Christopher Lloyd is probably one of the funniest fellows on the face of the earth and it seems as though the funniest episodes so far has had his name as the writing credit. Anyone who has ever watched Married With Children had to suspect that there was more life out there for Al Bundy, and what better way to come back than to be a rich man with grown children, and a hot younger foreign bride? Every character in this series is hilarious, they all have their own sense of humour and they all come off believable on some level. Favourite line to date: “I’m like Costco – I’m big, I ain’t fancy and I dare you not to like me?” -the lovable, huggable Cameron Tucker.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
This series has quotes out the yin-yang, and anytime Charlie enters a room you just have to wonder ‘What’s he up to!?’ It’s a rare find to come across a show that has some of the most controversial topics out there and still be knee-slapping funny every time. Way to deliver the goods, Paddy’s pub employees!
Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
At times Six Feet Under got a little bizarre. When David was going through some issues, it felt like they were never-ending. But from the start of every episode until the end of every season the originality and acting on every cast member’s part was 110 per cent refreshing and that deserves some serious recognition.
Breaking Bad (2008-)
There are so many reasons why Bryan Cranston won the Emmy award for Best Actor two years in a row. Watch it and you’ll see. You’ll all see.
Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009)
New Zealanders, good music and dry comedy are the things that make up a good life. Simple as that.
30 Rock (2006-)
Alec Baldwin, a.k.a. Jack Donaghy, thank you for letting me use the term ‘business drunk’ like I really mean it. This series is probably made up of the best cast on television right now and funny from start to finish. Every single time.
The Office (2005-)
Next to 30 Rock, the cast in The Office seems to be a match made in heaven. And although I’ve always liked it, I have to say that the Casual Fridays episode this past season made the show tug on my hearts strings that much more.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-)
While living in Fort St. John, I started watching a lot more television than I had in years. Outside of the Colbert Report and The Daily Show, and on my everyday playlist was Law & Order: SVU after watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent. And as much as I like Goren, SVU just does it for me. I know it’s wrong, and sometimes there are scenes that are so artificial it’s painful to watch, but I have a special place in my heart for this show, and for detective Benson’s storyline/feminist spark. Like on today’s re-run, Slaves, when the fellow asked Benson for a drink, and her response was,“and I’d like your balls in a blender, but ain’t life a bitch.”
Big Bang Theory (2008-)
Sheldon, the main character has even sparked someone to investigate where his shirts come from. If that’s not proof of how popular the show is, I don’t know what is.
The Colbert Report (2005 -)
It’s hard to believe the Colbert Nation is only five years old. This eagle has certainly spread its wings and I for one, am all too happy it’s still flyin’ high. From shaving his head in Iraq, to ‘Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger’ Colbert is comedy gold.
The Best in Movies
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
This film, I hate to say, I’ve only seen once. But it has stayed in my mind in a way no other movie has. It is this beautifully crafted film that not only moved me but made me think anything you love, or have come to know could be gone in an instant. But it also made me realize a person can do anything they put their minds too, even if that’s all they have the ability to use.
Up (2009)
Pixar movies just do it for me. They make me one very happy camper and Up was one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. There is a lot to be said about the power of silence, and from the opening scene on, you just have to appreciate the story of young love, growing old and losing love too fast.
Almost Famous (2000)
It’s ridiculous to realize that it’s been ten years since high school student William Miller got the opportunity to go on tour with Stillwater and write about the experience for Rolling Stone magazine learning from the great Lester Bangs along the way. Miller was 15 in the movie and when I first watched it, (without my parent’s knowledge) I was two years his junior. I wanted Penny Lane’s good looks, and Miller’s chance, yup that’s what 15 year old Hiedi wanted more than anything.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Enough said.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
The movie was almost as good as the book. This flick was made for women, and I have to say, Renee Zellweger captured our craziness amazingly well.
The Pianist (2002)
Roman Polanski may have done stupid things in his time but this is not one of them. The visuals are tough at times, to say the least, but realistic and moving in ways that are indescribable.
Big Fish (2003)
Magic. Pure magic.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Because we’re all allowed guilty favourites.
Transamerica (2005)
Felicity Huffman deserves every award possible. The plot alone would normally throw me off, what with trying to get a sex change then finding out along that path that your sexcapades from the past have caught up with you and you have a child and all. But it’s beautifully done and the relationship you watch unfold between father and son is unlike any I’d ever seen.
I’m Not There (2007)
When I first watched this flick I wondered what I could have possibly been smoking. I went into the movie all wrong, with no real knowledge of who Bob Dylan was (I’d say is, but he’s changed, let’s face it) and so was very confused by all the versions of him that existed within this film. I knew that there had to be reasons why some of the top actors in the business passionately portrayed the man, so there was a spark ignited and I had to learn more then re-visit this work. I read Dylan On Dylan trying to understand, and after reading about who he was, I got it. It irked me as a journalist type since I figured if I were having an interview with someone like that, I’d want to lose it….but it was the 70s and perhaps in that time I would have been a different person in every interview too. Maybe no one will know the real Dylan, but the many lives he claimed he lived are brought to life in quite a way, once you figure it out.
