Year-End Extra: Best Show Pictures of 2010

This year was a huge year for music, and an even bigger year for concerts, at least for me. I went to more concerts this year than I had in all other years combined, and after looking back at the tours that took place this year, its easy to see why. With new up-and-coming acts headlining over legends, a few breakout artists from 2010 sharing the stage, to quite a few quality-assured sets from the veterans all meshed together to become what was the best year of concerts I've ever been a part of. To recap everything, I put together a "slide show" of sorts showing off all of the places I was this year by displaying the best pictures I managed from all these shows when I wasn't screaming the lyrics to my favorite songs by my favorite bands this year.

12 Days of Christmas, Day 11: Top 40 Songs of 2010

If you asked anyone who pays attention to music as much as I do on a yearly basis, they'll tell you how good 2010 has been in terms of music being released. While I knew there would be at least a few solid songs and albums, even I wasn't prepared for how  good things would get. What surprised me the most,  however, was how good the songs that dominated mainstream radio were this year. That has translated onto the list of my top 40 songs of 2010, and if you look at the list below, you'll see why. Here is what I consider to be the greatest endeavor of the 12 Days of Christmas,  the Top 40 Songs of 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 10: Top "Facebook Songs" of 2010

One of the best features of Facebook (to me, at least) is ability to "post a status." For many, the Facebook status is a subtle form of communication, meant to send a secret message to someone about how you feel, or just to get that lyric out of your head. That being said, there were quite a few songs that ended up on people's status than others, and that has sparked this list of the top songs, artists and lines I saw as a Facebook status in 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 9: Biggest "Themes" of the Year in 2010

Now that I think about it, this is kind of a "preview" for my best albums of 2010 post. Here's my logic behind it: with so many good, great, and amazing albums, some of them had to have something in common, right? Right! So that got me to thinking about the "themes" of the year; I know it sounds weird, but the only way I can do to explain it fully is to show you. So here it goes, the best "themes" of the year: 

12 Days of Christmas, Day 8: The Best Band Reunions of 2010

2010 wasn't just a year for bands establishing their careers; it was also for bands who revitalized their careers. In a move that was likely started by blink-182's announcement at the Grammy's, many bands set aside their differences and reunited to tour, record, or a little bit of both. And with that, let the listing begin for the best bands who reunited (if only for a little while) in 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 7: Best Album Art of 2010

The artwork on the front of an album is often overlooked in today's music. With a more focused approach on digital sales than the physical release of an album, we've seen less and less of a focus on the presentation of an album. Regardless, there are still a few artists that have pushed their creative boundaries and created album artwork to add to the overall feeling of the album. So without further ado, I'll shut my mouth and let the best artwork of 2010 do the talking (leave your favorites in the replies!):

12 Days of Christmas, Day 6: The Best Music Videos of 2010

I know, I know. The world of music videos is practically imploding: the two main stations that play them (MTV and VH1) rarely do anymore, and they are becoming a smaller part of the equation in an artist's scheme for world domination. However, 2010 has given us a slew of videos, long and short, that may just help to revive the struggling market of music videos. Click the song titles below to view the top music videos of 2010, and have some hope that MTV hears the calls for more videos one of these days.

12 Days of Christmas, Day 5: The Best TV Shows of 2010

To start this off, allow me to apologize for the three-day weekend I took from this special I'm running here. Now, let's get down to business. This year, television took a bit of getting used to. From the tearful goodbye the world said to Lost to the obnoxious dance beats coming from Miami, it's clear to see that the face of television's best offerings have changed their appearance drastically. Nevertheless, there were a few shows that I found myself watching regularly this year, and let's take a look at those, with my list of the best TV shows of 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 4: The Best Movies of 2010

When I think of movies, I inevitably think of the big-time summer blockbusters. This makes sense, as my all-time favorite movie--The Dark Knight-- was one of the biggest of all-time. That being said, this year offered up some blockbusters of its own, and there were a few that snuck up on everyone and took the world by storm. So with that, let the countdown begin: the Best Movies of 2010 are...

12 Days of Christmas, Day 3: Best Sports Stories of 2010

I know  the last two posts didn't have anything to do with the year that was, but now it's time to get down to business. If there's one thing I love in this world more than music, it's sports. I've followed sports sacrilegiously for my entire life, from sneaking down late at night to watch Sportscenter with my dad, to my current love affair with Fantasy football, sports have found themselves intertwined in my life no matter the situation. As I grew older, I came to love the stories more than the players, and that's what this addition to the 12 Days of Christmas is for: the Top 10 Sports Stories of 2010:

12 Days of Christmas, Day 1: Holiday Playlist Special

Ah, the holidays. The magic's in the air, the malls are packed, and the traffic going into said malls is out of control (I know that firsthand, as I'll be working Christmas Eve). The holidays certainly bring out the good in people, or at least the giving in those people. The gifts are certainly a perk, don't get me wrong, but now that I've grown older, I've come to realize its all about being with the people you're closest to, whoever or wherever they may be. With all that said, there seems to be a soundtrack to all of this, and that of course is the Christmas music you hear. Love it or hate it, it is a commonly accepted fact that once Thanksgiving rolls around, its time for the radio stations to break out their Christmas tunes and put them on loop until December 26. If you're going to have to listen to it, you might as well listen to the top cuts, and that's what I'm here to provide: this is the cream of the crop of Christmas songs, and away we go!

Mariah Carey- "All I Want for Christmas is You"
The self-proclaimed diva has had more number one singles as a solo artist than anyone (yes, that includes Elvis and Michael Jackson), and with this timeless classic, she's etched her name in the histories of Christmas music for all of eternity. "All I Want for Christmas is You" is a straight-up mushy, cutesy, and completely adorable song about longing to see your significant other on Christmas, and Mariah still finds a way to make her voice shine through as she always has.

Fall Out Boy- "Yule Shoot Your Eye Out"
Just as Mariah gave all the couples you can't stand an anthem for Christmas time, Pete Wentz and Co. bring us the perfect counter for those less fortunate around Christmas time. The acoustic guitar-driven song provides a perfect song to belt out when driving alone in your car (cue the "Forever Alone" meme"), and Fall Out Boy have now taken their crowns as the heartbreak kings to the Christmas carol domain.

The Kinks- "Father Christmas"
This song has been covered countless times by bands, but so far none of them have been able to duplicate the energetic, fun-loving original version by The Kinks. While the song may be taken as a negative image of Christmas, it does make a pretty solid point: at the end of the day, all us kids really want for Christmas is money.

Jimmy Eat World- "Last Christmas"
I kind of contradicted myself by not picking Wham!'s original like I did with the original of "Father Christmas," but the talent and heart Jimmy Eat World put into this cover is matched only by the same heart they put forth on their own songs, making this a juggernaut. There are countless other covers of this song floating around out there, so make sure you check a few of those out as well.

Glee Cast- "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
I know I'm kind of riding the wave of success Glee is currently on with this one, but with Chris Colfer (Kurt) and Darren Criss (Blaine) taking on the song, the dual male voices puts an unexpected yet totally worthwhile spin on the song.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra- "Carol of the Bells"
There are many songs the orchestra tackles, but few have the epic feeling "Carol of the Bells" dishes out to listeners. The group worked on the song with metal legends Metallica on the track, and that pairing alone gives the song enough intrigue for you to listen to. So what are you waiting for?

Barenaked Ladies ft. Sarah McLachlin- "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
The Ladies' work on one of the oldest Christmas songs around, and still find a way to add their own inventive spin on it while remaining true to the classic. The addition of McLachlin also adds an interesting vocal dynamic, creating one of the best, if not the most interesting Christmas songs around.

Bing Crosby- "White Christmas"
You can't go wrong with the Bing around Christmas, it's a scientific fact. His whistling, swooning rendition of "White Christmas" is timeless, and always reminds me of home. This is one of my dad's all-time favorites, so this one's for him.

So now that that's done with, what did I miss? What songs do you always pump out while your decorating your tree? (PS sorry for those who don't celebrate Christmas, but I do. So there.)

Introductory Post: The 12 Days of Christmas

I know I haven't been keeping up with this recently, but I can assure you that it was for a good cause. And now, I am pleased to introduce that cause to you right now.

Mid-Year 2010: The Top Albums, Songs, and more

As the calendar made its way from June to July a couple of weeks ago, it marked the midway point of what is shaping up to be a monumental year for music. And while the script is only half-written, 2010 has graced us with return-to-form records,  monumental debuts, unexpected breakthroughs, and above all, some damn good music. Though it's far too early in the year to create a "Best Of" list yet, there are certainly some prime candidates to become key factors (and a few top contenders) come December. In no order, here is my soundtrack to the year (so far):

Coheed and Cambria-Year of the Black Rainbow: At long last, the saga of Coheed and Cambria has seen it's triumphant end. The band has become a staple of the prog-emo world, riveting comic book-loving fans with their sci-fi take on music. Claudio Sanchez's story has seen its final chapter (which, oddly enough, is the first part chronologically), and when all good things come to an end, it calls for celebration. And that's what Black Rainbow is, pure and simple. The songs are bigger, the production is crisp, and the saga's ending serves to be a powerful one. This is arguably Coheed's catchiest release, but they haven't lost a step musically, as seen in "Guns of Summer" and single "The Broken." There will never be another band like Coheed and Cambria, and their latest effort is both a celebration of the band's previous ventures and a preview of ones to come.

Four Year Strong- Enemy of the World: Pop-punk has taken its share of black eyes and bruises over the years. Fads have come and gone, and it seems that there is a sort of Renaissance going on, bringing back the honesty and camaraderie that drove kids to the pop-punk scene in the first place. Four Year Strong is poised to be the poster boys for this movement. With songs like "One Step at a Time" and "Tonight We Feel Alive (On a Saturday)" bringing the emotional sides of the band out, and singles "Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)" and "It Must Really Suck to be Four Year Strong Right Now" begging to be screamed by crowds, there's something for everyone here, and surely FYS will be bringing the pain at their shows for years to come thanks to this release.

Motion City Soundtrack- My Dinosaur Life: After their last release Even if it Kills Me created a line in the sand for fans, MCS decided (maybe not intentionally) to go back to their old days, and have written what could be their best album to date. Justin Pierre once again gives fans front-row seats to the battle he continues to fight with his demons, providing some of his most personal lyrics (as seen on "Disappear"), while the band continues to push its musical boundaries as well. My Dinosaur Life takes a turn for the dark side, which may be too great a change of pace for some fans still stuck on songs like "LG FUAD," but any fan that is willing to take the ride through this album, its highs, lows, and everything in between, will be all the better for it, and will be introduced to one of the best albums of the year.

The Audition- Great Danger: After their raucous Controversy Loves Company, The Audition have been struggling to create an album that lived up to the promise they showed on their debut. They may have surpassed anything they've ever done on Great Danger. It's the perfect soundtrack to heartbreak, yet it still keeps with the band's knack to write the catchiest hooks this side of the Mississippi. Though many will dismiss The Audition as a regular old pop/rock band (see: me), the effort and emotion put forth on this album (prime examples being "Honest Mistake" and "The Art of Living") to make anyone jump onto The Audition's bandwagon.

Minus the Bear- Omni: It seems that every year, a band I don't typically listen to releases an album that I love and it makes me wonder why I never gave the band a chance sooner. This year, Omni is that record. It's a funky, sexy good time, and you don't ever want it to stop. Opener "My Time" is a great track to play with the windows down, while "Secret Country" is among many others that show the precise and creative musicianship MTB have always had. This isn't like their earlier releases, but Omni proves that change doesn't always have to be for the worse.

Emarosa-Emarosa: When Johnny Craig released a full-length solo album and the Isles and Glaciers EP before he even hinted at writing (or having any interest in) the next Emarosa, fans of the band were certainly on edge. However, with the band's self-titled effort, it's clear that Craig saved his best creative juices for the band who salvaged his career after he was booted from Dance Gavin Dance. This album may contain the best bookend songs of the year: "A Toast to Future Kids!" builds up from a slow start to explode, which makes it more than a fitting opener, while the somber, emotional "We Are Life" adds the exclamation point to an album that could push Emarosa to the next level, while possibly cementing Craig as the scene's best frontman.

Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise: I'll never be one to deny my allegiance to Circa Survive. They are simply one of the bands that I can not get enough of. And given how many times I've played On Letting Go, I had my doubts that the follow-up to quite possibly my favorite album of all time would be an improvement. And, as usual, I was wrong. Blue Sky Noise is Circa's assertion that though he's still a key ingredient, Anthony Green is not the entire band. I can name you a part in every song that at least one member of the band other than Green simply takes over the track, and takes Circa's lyrics and vocals to a whole new stratosphere. There are simply not enough words I can currently come up with to describe this record's brilliance, but this is a good start: I'm naming Blue Sky Noise as my Album of the Year. Right now. It simply will not be topped, and if it is, then it will be something that I'll hold near and dear to my heart, right along with this one. 

(Writer's Note: to ensure accuracy in the mid-year mark, albums released after July 1st were not considered for this article.)

Now that that's over with, let's look at some other aspects, starting with some of the best songs to come out this  year:

Of Mice & Men- "Second & Sebring": Say what you want about Austin Carlile being the reason Attack Attack! is on the map (it's true, after all), but it seems that he found his writing niche with Of Mice, and this song is proof. It's very powerful, and Carlile holds it dear to his heart, so much in fact that when he was replaced by former Sky Eats Airplane frontman Jerry Rousch he wrote a lengthy blog requesting Rousch respect the lyrics and vocals because of how much they mean to him. Though that drama still continues, you can find solace in simply enjoying Carlile's crown jewel, which could be the best metalcore track of the year.

You, Me, and Everyone We Know- "Build Me Up, Buttercup (Cover)": Cover songs are tricky nowadays. The Punk Goes... series and metalcore covers of every Top 40 hit this year have cheapened the art substiantially, but YMAEWK have certainly broken the mold with their cover of the doo-wop hit from The Foundations. They took a song that may or may not influence the way they write, and left most of the things that made it great intact, while tweaking it enough to make it a signature track from the band. While covers are rarely done right, this is one of those cases, and a must-listen for any covers fan.

Neon Trees- "Animal"- Though mainstream pop music has gone to the kids (like Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber, whoever she is), sometimes you hear a song on the radio that gives you some little glimmer of hope. This year's best chance at giving the mainstream a taste of real music is from a group hailing from, oddly enough, Utah. It's catchy, has an indie feel to it, but can really come in handy at your next party. And though they share a label with Ms. Beiber, you can tell there's a sense of sincerity in the Trees.

Chiodos- "Thermacare (Unreleased Demo)"- Likely the last song Chiodos recorded with Craig Owens as their lead vocalist, "Thermacare" may also be the best song the band has ever written. The chorus is as stinging as it is catchy, Owens's vocals are as strong as you'd expect them to be, and the breakdown can easily cause some damage in the pits. However, the song is a bittersweet listen, because while it is a vintage Chiodos track, it also makes the listener think that if this was the direction was going for their next album with Owens, the decision to kick him out of the band was dumber than originally thought.

Moving right along, let's take a look at what's next this year. In no order, here is the most anticipated albums for the rest of the year:

You, Me, and Everyone We Know- Some Things Don't Wash Out (Release Date: August 31): The heir apparents to the pop-punk throne release their debut full-length, celebrating their first release on Doghouse Records as well. 

Valencia (Release Date: Unknown): The band opted not to tour Japan or play the Bamboozle Festival to record their follow-up to the beautiful We All Need a Reason to Believe. If their next release is anything like Believe, Valencia could become the leaders of the pop-punk revival.

Underoath (Release Date: October): The band's first album without Aaron Gillespie will surely be different, but let's face it: this has been Spencer Chamberlain's band since Define the Great Line, and their two releases with "Spee" as their main songwriter have been incredible. 

My, what a year it's been. And with the list of bands who could possibly release an album before year's end including Manchester Orchestra, the revamped Chiodos and Craig Owens's new project, Senses Fail, and Hellogoodbye, I have a feeling it's only going to get better, making the construction of my Top 10 Albums list all the more difficult. But hey, that's what this is all about.