So long, 2008
2008 has come and gone, and what a year it was for us. We eclipsed the 1 million page views mark, largely without consistently posting new content (sorry about that), got married, and got a little closer to 30 (well, I did, not the blog..but the blog will turn a very mature 5 years old in May of '09). We're hoping to have a better blogging year in 2009 as we try and get back on the writing horse and renew our creative energies. I've found my desire to be creative diminishing the longer I stay in the 9-5 business rut, but I'm determined to right the ship and return to the golden era of creativity for me, if you will (sorry, I've been playing a lot of Civilization IV - a Christmas gift from the wife).
As far as the blog goes, we're hoping to add tons of new content, discover some great new music and help introduce everyone that stops by to new and talented acts. I'm also hoping to personalize the blog a little more to my professional tastes - adding a section that features both some of my creative and academic writing from the past (and hopefully, near future), a photo section featuring original content from shows we've attended, and whatever else we can conjure up to keep things fresh.
But for now, seeing as how we've already crept into 2009, we figure we should take a moment to reflect on 2008 and all its past offerings before launching into another year here at Veritas Lux Mea. What follows is some of our favorite music, movies, and other miscellaneous items worth noting.
Best Albums of 2008
If you've been around the blogs at all this past month, you'd notice there has been much discussion on the ""Best Albums of 2008. Interestingly enough, many of our favorite albums were those that quite often didn't crack most blogs Top 5. Sure, we dig the new releases by The Hold Steady, and we've enjoyed what we've heard of bands like Horse Feathers, Fleet Foxes, and our very own Wisconsin product, Bon Iver...but none of them quite held audience with us like the releases below. Here are our favorite albums of 2008, in no particular order:
The Whigs - Mission Control
If we were doing a countdown, I would have to lobby pretty hard for The Whigs sophomore effort, Mission Control. We were lucky enough to catch the The Whigs down in Madison when they opened up for The Toadies. The Whigs put on a very tight and powerful live show, one that was easily among the highlights of the year for me. Mission Control is an incredibly stellar and rocking album that found its place in heavy rotation on our iPod as one of the best albums of 2008, with the track "Right Hand on My Heart" being our favorite of the year.
The Whigs - "Right Hand on My Heart"
You can check out their new video for Like a Vibration at the band's website.
Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty
Another sophomore album that immediately found its way into our heavy rotation was the follow-up release to Robbers and Cowards from Cold War Kids, Loyalty to Loyalty. Despite not cracking many of the blogs Top 5 (or 10, or 20, for some), Loyalty to Loyalty was for us an excellent followup album from the California quartet. Sure, the lyrics about suicide and domestic violence aren't anything to pop into the CD player when you're looking for a pick-me-up, but for my money nothing beats the dark, embattled tone of an album like Loyalty to Loyalty when backed by the bluesy vocals of frontman Nathan Willet for setting the tone on some seriously good music. I think people will be looking back on this album in about a year from now wondering "why did I pass this up?"
Cold War Kids "Something Is Not Right With Me" video
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Death Cab for Cutie's sixth release, Narrow Stairs, was one that received very mixed reviews among the blogs and critics alike. We haven't always been in love with Ben Gibbard's efforts, but for some reason Narrow Stairs struck a chord with us and really made us come around to the full catalog that Death Cab for Cutie has amassed. Tracks like "Cath..." and "I Will Possess Your Heart" are epic indie gold and a true testament to the strength of the album. While Narrow Stairs didn't impress as much as some of the past Death Cab for Cutie releases, it converted one on-the-fence fan in myself into a true believer, and for that, it's one of our favorite albums for 2008 for sure.
Best Songs of 2008
Again, in no particular order:
Frightened Rabbit - "Keep Yourself Warm"
Cold War Kids - "Something Is Not Right With Me"
Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart"
The Whigs - "Right Hand on My Heart"
Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal"
Sigur Rós - "Gobbledigook"
Fucked Up - "Anorak City"
Dealta Spirit - "Trashcan"
She & Him - "This is Not a Test"
MGMT - "Time to Pretend"
Jason Segel - "Dracula's Lament" from Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Best Films of 2008
There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson's sweeping epic of greed and oil in the West was a beautifully crafted piece of American cinema. Daniel Day-Lewis completely encompassed the role and turned out of the more brilliant efforts of the year as the maniacally successful Daniel Plainview.
The Dark Knight
The plot was average, but wonderfully dark and mature. The acting by Batman Bale was awful, but stoic. Aaron Eckhart's role as Harvey Dent was a nice subplot that helped define the film and give it some real moral meatiness. But what really iced the cake was of course Ledger's performance as The Joker, a role he seemed born to play. His twisted caricature was enough to set this film above any performance from any other character in the entire Batman catalog.
Be Kind, Rewind
I picked this up one night on a whim, more out of curiosity to see how Jack Black paired against Mos Def, who I have always considered to be a very underrated but excellent actor (see Italian Job, 16 Blocks, Bamboozled for reference). What I got was Michel Gondry's warm tribute to film making at its core, an homage to the love of film, and a brilliantly underrated little comedy.
Wall-E
This movie, while seemingly for kids, reveals a very mature, scary future, wrapped in a Disney/Pixar little bow that speaks to all ages and all people, loudly and unsympathetically, and it's simply beautiful.
Best Television Shows of 2008
30 Rock/The Office
No other show is as funny AND smart as 30 Rock. Period. But The Office is a close second.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
I know guys from Philly. Their lives aren't nearly as interesting, but their point of view is pretty comparable at times. What do you expect from people that boo Santa? This show is a dark little gem.
No Reservations with Anthony Bourdaine
I love this Travel Channel show, since Bourdaine loves to travel and eat, and has the perfect drifter-meets-chef quality that makes this show irresistible.