Best of 2005

Before we each commit to our favorite albums of 2005, we wanted to take this opportunity (to stall) and reflect on some other enjoyable pastimes of ours -- film, fine dining, show going, and beverage drinking. . .


Top 5 Movies: (although, not all were officially released in '05)

1. Dot the i
2. Broken Flowers
3. Me and You and Everyone We Know
4. Dig!
5. Walk the Line

Honorable Mention: The Machinist

Top 5 Cleveland Restaurants:

1. Boulevard Blue
2. Lolita (formerly known as Lola)
3. Parallax
4. Gamekeeper's Tavern
5. Fat Cat's

Honorable Mention: Vue

Top 5 Shows:

1. Sufjan Stevens/Laura Veirs @ The Beachland Ballroom (Cle, OH)
2. American Analog Set/Amandine @ The Andy Warhol Museum (Pitt, PA)
3. Ben Lee/Maria Taylor @ The Agora Ballroom (Cle, OH)
4. Arcade Fire/Walkmen - Lollapalooza @ Grant Park (Chi, IL)
5. Stars/Most Serene Republic @ The Grog Shop (Cle, OH)

Honorable Mentions: Interpol/Boom Bip @ The Agora Theater (Cle, OH) & Aqualung/Cary Bros. @ Cambridge Room (Cle, OH)

Prediction: Fiona Apple @ House of Blues (Cle, OH) this coming Monday!

Top 5 Beverages:

1. Ketel and Tonic (a classic for every season)
2. Starbucks Soy Chai Latte (iced or hot)
3. Parker Station Pinot Noir
4. Arby's Jamocha Shake (with curly fries)
5. Margarita's at Lopez

It's been a long time, but not too long

Today marks our two year anniversary -- so, in an effort to not be too mushy, we'll just post a single picture (taken on Thanksgiving prior to the festivities) and two songs:

Athlete - You Got the Style Selected from Kelly's first mix cd to Jose
Swearing at Motorists - Flying Pizza From Jose's first mix cd to Kelly

It's ON

It's Saturday night -- so whether or not you are going out on the town, here are some select songs with just the right amount of energy:

Now it's On - Grandaddy
Girl - Beck
They - Jem

Enjoy your evening!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving

It's the beginning of the holiday season -- which means A LOT of togetherness. Here are a few encouraging songs that remind you to embrace these moments. . .

Reunion - Stars One of the many fabulous songs by this Canadian band
Let the Distance Bring us Together - Bright Eyes and Brit Daniel A favorite by both of these very talented musicians
Welcome Home - Idlewild A standout from one of the best albums of 2005, Warnings/Promises
Come Together - Annie An exceptionally cool, calm, and dancy song

Deja Vu

Kelly's Review:

Regardless of the countless films I've seen that focus on random individuals, slowly revealing their connections with one another throughout the allotted 90 minutes or so -- I just can't seem to get enough. This recurring theme of interrelated characters, if done correctly, can make for a quality film (ie - 21 Grams, You and Me and Everyone We Know). However, if done wrong, the movie risks turning out painfully boring (ie - In the Bedroom, The Safety of Objects).

The movie, Heights, centers around Isabel, a young woman experiencing change in every facet of her life -- from her relationship with her distant fiance to her unfulfilling day job. Usually sleepwalking her way through life, she is confronted with issues that cannot be ignored any longer. Taking place over a 24 hour time period, Isabel finally finds herself questioning everything.

Heights has a promising plot, great acting, and tremendous cinematography -- although, fell short of my expectations. Despite an interesting balance of irony and predictability throughout the film's development, it's conclusion was simply cliche.

Watch the Trailer here

Gentle Moon

Mark Kozelek creates a sound that echoes through your mind long after listening to his music. Many were first acquainted with his band, Red House Painters, later being introduced to his critically acclaimed side project, Sun Kil Moon. Learn more on his exceptional website.

Enjoy a few favorites:

Red House Painters - Have You Forgotten

Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

Sun Kil Moon - Ocean Breathes Salty

Nice for the Price

We have been interested in expanding our horizons with red wines, so we purchased a bottle of Sangiovese this evening -- specifically, Il Bastardo, which was nice for the price ($7.99)

Il Bastardo's Sangiovese di Toscana complimented our white pizza and salad very well. Initially, the wine was slightly tart, but after a few sips it proved to be light on the tannins, having hints of black cherry.

The wine has 12.5% alc. and is a product of Rufina, Italy.

Hey Saturday Sun

The songs below are appropriate for a weekend of sleeping in and waking up gracefully:

Nouvelle Vague - Friday Night Saturday Morning This smooth rendition, originally by The Specials, is a reminder of times long ago (and not so long ago!)

The Clientele - Saturday A mellow KCRW recording that is a lovely song to wake up to. If you have the opportunity, see this band live -- we saw them open for Spoon last spring and they made a lasting impression.

Boards of Canada - Hey Saturday Sun Imagine listening to Air and Zero 7 in slow motion. This band's latest album, The Campfire Headphase, provides perfect background music.

Evan Goodberry - Saturday Simply beautiful. . .highly recommended

Dodge the SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka SAD) is right around the corner. So, in an effort to prevent those from catching this epidemic, here are some songs that are guarenteed to lift spirits:

Morningwood - Nth Degree Highly recommended! Morningwood is extremely fun, no pun intended. . .

Au Revoir Simone - Disco Song Always a sucker for hand claps and duet-y female vocals

Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away Even Jose sings along to this one ;) Hope it won't be as over played as "Take Me Out"

Of Montreal - Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games Crazy catchy -- just download it, you'll see

Jupiter One - I Turn the Radio Up All of the songs I've heard from them are infectious

Chin Up Chin Up - Virginia A hazy, dreamy, beautiful song -- Jose put this song on a mix for me waaay back. Sounds like it should be on the O.C. Soundtrack, but in a good way

This is Where our Hearts Collide

The American Analog Set/Amandine Show was exceptional. Both bands sounded great and we had the fortunate opportunity to see them play at an incredible venue and in an intimate setting such as The Andy Warhol Museum.

Also, it was a pleasant surprise being introduced to Amandine, who's performance complimented AmAnSet's nicely. The band, who hail from Sweden, said that this particular show was their very first performance in the states. Amandine was originally called "Wichita Linemen" but they dropped that name last year when they signed with Fat Cat Records. We think they sound very similiar to Sun Volt, exhibiting a simple yet dimensional folk/americana sound. Amandine's studio recordings don't do their sound justice -- however, you should definitely check out this title track off their debut album (which comes out in the states tommorow):

Amandine - Halo (mp3)

AmAnSet/Amandine @ Andy Warhol Museum in Pitt (11/12/05)

Amandine

Andrew Kenny

American Analog Set

Jackie O

Andy WLamplight

The Kindness of Strangers

So, we're going to Pittsburgh this weekend, where (among other things) we will see The American Analog Set play at the Andy Warhol Museum.

If you like ambient pop, check out a couple of their songs:

AmAnSet - The Postman (mp3)
AmAnSet - She's Half (mp3)

Buy this arty poster of theirs here.

Guess I'll Have Myself a Beer

This evening was spent at the Union Club for a Belgian Beer Tasting. Pictured is Kelly's Beer Notes that she scribbled in between sips. . .

Two of the beers we were already familiar with: Stella and Hoegaarden -- actually, Hoegaarden was one of the only beers Kelly would drink prior to this experience. . .

Our favorites, however, were the Westmalle Trapist (monks make this!) and Framboise (tastes like raspberry reduction, complimenting dark chocolate excellently).

Although, unfortunately we did taste a beer we were not particularly fond of -- Duchesse de Bourgogne (which tastes undeniably like vinegar). . .but, to humor the beer connoisseur, we told him it reminded us of cider, ha

Interestingly enough, we were introduced to a beer, Lindeman's Gueuze, that uses no yeast and has a cork like a champagne bottle's. This beer had a prominent citrus aftertaste and was very pleasant.

Some Have Gone and Some Remain. . .

One of my favorites by the Beatles and its cover from the new album, "This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute To The Beatles' Rubber Soul"

The Beatles - In My Life (mp3)

Ben Lee - In My Life (mp3)

Making Waves

Drawing comparisons to "the disparate likes of My Bloody Valentine and Joni Mitchell," Ireland's Gemma Hayes has released a lovely new album, "The Roads don't Love you." Enjoy these songs. . .


Gemma Hayes - Tomorrow (mp3)
Gemma Hayes - Keep Me Here (mp3)

Big girls heart Ben Lee

Driving to Columbus, attempting to capture the beautiful autumn foliage

Ben Lee/New Buffalo @ The Basement in C-bus (11/5/05)

New Buffalo doing her thang -- she was impressive Ben Lee rocking out (note the manly flowers on the mic)
Meanwhile, we were enjoying ourselves on a couch in the bar
Ben Lee and New Buffalo covering a Lucinda Williams song for the encore

Klink?

First Fiona plans a Cleveland tour date, now Sigur Rós?? Seems as though we're moving up in the world. . .

We recently stumbled upon the new Sigur Rós tour dates -- where there is, suprisingly, lots of love for Ohio (our apologies, Chicago). With the most recent Sigur Rós tour, we were slightly devastated that they came nowhere remotely close (with the exception of Ann Arbor, MI).

However, we did have the good fortune of hearing the Sigur Rós performance at the Boston Opera House -- so generously provided by Bradley's Almanac. If you have not heard it yet, check it out.

Hybrid Moments

Last night's YLN gathering at the Flying Monkey in Tremont

One Fine Wine!

This wine has been a favorite of ours for the past couple weeks -- which might have something to do with the fact that the alc. content is 13.5% and it only costs $5.99

If you like a chardonnay light on the acidity and slightly fruit forward. There are hints of apple and pear ;) Compliment this wine with brie cheese and calamata olives.

You should pick it up at your local heinen's in the "Best Wines under $10" section or just remember this label

Oh Sufjan

Sufjan Stevens is just full of suprises. From dressing up in a cheerleader uniform at his shows to openly expressing his dream of having 10 kids. . .

Check out this Sufjan interview here and learn the true meaning of the word, "daunting."

Also, buy one of his fancy t-shirts here

An album made for rainy days like these. . .

You can view one of The National's videos and stream their music here