My Music List -2010

Everyone has a Top Ten list of the best albums out, which actually was deterring me from posting one of my own. I was also aggravated and a bit intimidated by the lists that almost seemed like they were created by music intellects that were trying to one-up the general public by showcasing the fact that they have heard bands no one else has. I'm not into showing off or proving I know more than anyone else about music. However, as I am one to always have an opinion and I feel that there is some amazing music out there that needs to be heard, I'm here to share my take on all things great and music, in my life, in 2010.

I am not in the music industry, so to speak, so I won't preach to you about the BEST albums, because quite frankly I don't feel I'm professionally qualified to do so. I do, however, have an ear for music and happily share what I like with others. I actually don't decide what music I like; my ears, heart and soul do. So without further ado, these are the albums that got the most love from me and my speakers this year:

Eminem - Recovery

I've always been a fan of Eminem the artist and Marshall the person, so I was anxiously awaiting this album and it did not disappoint. I appreciate his journey and even how emotionally charged all of his albums have been. The fact that is and has been sober for some time, only adds to the depth of this album and his experience, in my opinion. I didn't even mind the collaborations with overplayed singers like Rhianna and P!nk. Those songs included, this whole album is awesome from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and do some research of your own on Eminem/Marshall Mathers. He is intelligent & talented beyond measure.

The National - High Violet

It seems this album is on everyone's list, and deservedly so. This entire effort got constant play on my list since it's addition to my library. It actually made me feel like a deep red wine, nicely aged with a pleasant aftertaste (forgive me, but music often heightens all of my senses and I think in pictures, taste and smells). This album just jumped inside me and made it impossible for me to turn off. I do have to be in a certain mood to listen to the whole thing in it's entirety-especially the most played song "Sorrow". It's a bit darker and richer than a lot of albums out there, and deserves ones full attention when listening.

The Coppertone - Hidden Dreams

"Holy f*ck" is all I can say about this album. My friend Ira, at ExploreMusic messaged me and said "You have to buy this album. Now". I'm so glad I listened to him. I haven't stopped listening to this album since I bought it. My only regret is finding out about it in December, when in fact it was released in the early summer months of this year. I think my recommendation of the album on a music blog I write for said it best for me "I'm so excited about this album that I really want it to speak for itself, but I'm curious to know if lead Amanda Zelina's dirty rock blues voice pulls you in and takes you to the misty forests of the deep south with swamps and canopied trees surrounded by fog. That's what this entire album does to my soul. It's raw and rich". This is my favorite album of the year. Hands down.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way

Perhaps an unusual addition to anyone's list, but my love of Sharon Jones made it almost a given that anything she and the Dap-Kings released this year would be on my favorites list. They have managed to create/carry on the authentic sounds of the funk/soul of the 60s/70s, by using analogue equipment and instruments from the time period of the 60s/70s. It's just a fun album-I would actually recommend anything on the Daptone label if this type of music is up your alley.

Massive Attack - Heliogoland

I've been listening to Massive Attack since the early 90's and was actually skeptical that they could endure and excite this long. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Every time I listen to this album I hear something new in it. It continues to captivate and please my eardrums.

Editors - In this Light and On this Evening

Different and dark at times, this album was in heavy rotation for me this year. I've enjoyed all of their albums and this album is consistently "Editors" while adding a more electronic sound, which I feel differentiates them from the masses, particularly in a year where so many similar sounding bands had releases. The title song is the most loved in my collection from this band.

Melissa Auf Der Maur - Out of our Minds

Yes, I have a girl crush on Melissa, so in my eyes she can do no wrong, but this album which showcases her unique voice and amazing guitar and bass skills. A fellow Canadian, she was a member of Hole for 6 years and a joined the Smashing Pumpkins for their farewell tour. Anyway, she's hot, and so is this album. Heavy on the guitar....Two thumbs up from me.

Honorable mentions:

John Butler Trio-"April Uprising", Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - "Grace Potter & The Nocturnals", David Gray - "Foundling". Of course, I could not consider myself a true Metallica fan if I didn't include "Live at Grimey's" which I've only heard on mp3 but am anxiously awaiting my limited edition clear vinyl 2 album set which is enroute as I type this!

I must admit, there were some albums that I just didn't get this year. Lots of hype and equal amounts of disappointment. I sometimes think that people think an album is good because they are told it is. I really can't think of any other explanation. In any event, I refrained from listing the albums I thought were highly over rated because I recognize that we all have different taste in music. That's what makes life, music and human beings so darn interesting.

Happy New Year.

All I want for Christmas

I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to "stuff". I'm serious.

It's gotten so bad that I shudder and nearly break out in hives when my esthetician will offer to give me something as simple as the nail file that was barely used for my nail service, merely because I simply do not want another thing in my possession.

Which leads me to this whole Christmas thing. I'm a generous person by nature, and anyone who knows me well understands that I like to do things that are my idea...not because I am expected to. That is why I have a hate/hate relationships with all Hallmark holidays. I'm not religious, so Christmas is just another consumer/Hallmark holiday for me.

I'm not trying to take away from the joy that giving and receiving brings each and every one of us. I just do not get any joy in things.

When I grew up, we weren't really wealthy and Christmas, Birthdays and other important events were fun because my mom and dad would each get me one very nice gift and some other essentials. I don't remember ever demanding gifts or expecting them. I appreciated everything I was given. And I loved to give. I still do.

As an adult, I've managed to accumulate a bunch of stuff. Piles and piles of useless stuff. When I look at it all, I imagine it would make incredible kindling. It's absolutely meaningless to me. The only thing it represents is all the hard work I've done and the time I've spent working, in the past 16 years....often at the peril of my personal relationships.

My husband and I were talking and both agree that some of our happiest days together were when we were dirt poor. We had no other choice than to snuggle up on our (only) couch and watch our crappy 19" TV. We struggled financially for a few years and then became financially successful. And then we filled our house with crap.

I imagine what it would be like not to have the burden of all of this stuff. I imagine it would be incredibly liberating. In fact, I have been purging our things and it feels tremendous. Next year for me will be the year of cleansing. Less things, More people.

Back to Christmas. As I mentioned, I am not religious. I used to attend church on Christmas Eve with my grandparents or the Italian friends I grew up with....mostly because I enjoy singing and the company of my family and friends. That tradition passed when my grandparents did, and when my friend Luke got married. I cherish those times together. Notice there is nothing tangible in that experience other than perhaps a hug shared between loved ones.

Because I'm not religious, and because I don't worship possessions any more, Christmas holds a different meaning. I'm sorry if I appear jaded, but I just really don't want to participate in the exchange of things any more. They hold no meaning to me when they are given to me, and unless they are heartfelt and thought out, they hold no meaning when they are given by me. I'm sorry, but that's the truth. I also think it's sad that people go into debt at this time to the year to prove they love someone, or worse, because they are expected to give a gift to someone for whatever reason.

However, in trying to keep the true spirit of the season, I've thought about what I want for Christmas, and have come up with this list. If you must do something for me this Christmas, please consider the following;

- Shut off your computer & your cell phone and sit down with someone you love, look in their eyes and really listen to them. 5 minutes. That's all I ask.

- When at the drive thru at Tim Horton's or Starbucks, pay for the coffee of the person behind you. It's a small price to pay to make someone feel special. You don't know what kind of day or life they are having...that could be a game changer for them.

- Go visit your grandparents. If they aren't alive, go visit someone else's grandparents. Ask them lots of questions. Write their answers down. One day those words on a page will be all you have of them, but that one hour of your undivided attention and your genuine interest in them will mean the world.

- Make dinner for your parents. Sit at the dinner table. Talk. Laugh. THANK them for being your parents.

- Read your child, or someone else's, a story. Hug them. Ask them about your day. Look them in the eye. They are watching you. Make a good example.

- Volunteer your time. Offer your services through Big Brothers/Sisters, go serve a meal at the homeless shelter, become a mentor, shovel your elderly neighbor's walk.

- Write someone a letter. On paper. With a pen. Address the envelope by hand. Put a stamp on it. Mail it.

-Instead of texting someone, pick up the phone and call them. Sometimes people just need to hear your voice.

- Be kind. Be humble. Be generous with your time.

That is all I want for Christmas.