^the pop culture digest ^®

December 21, 2005

Top 13 TV Shows of 2005

TV is an interesting medium these days. 2005 will probably go down in history as the first year that time-shifted television truly broke out. Sure, Tivo had its first cultural moment with Janet's Super Bowl fiasco in 2004, but with Tivo, the ubiquitous "on demand" cable offerings and now iTunes, TV is starting to go beyond the old days of "appointment viewing." All rules are being thrown out the window, and the same can be said for this list. What follows is not really a Top 13, but a series of 13 lists. Some are short, some are long. All are essential viewing. Put down the remote and enjoy.

Top 13 Scripted Shows

13. Curb Your Enthusiasm
12. How I Met Your Mother
11. Desperate Housewives
10. Alias
09. South Park
08. My Name Is Earl
07. Reno 911!
06. Veronica Mars
05. 24
04. The Office
03. Gilmore Girls
02. Arrested Development
01. Lost

Top 5 Reality Competition Shows

05. Real World/Road Rules Challenge
04. Survivor Guatemala
03. The Amazing Race 7
02. Project Runway
01. Survivor Palau

Top 8 TV Shows on DVD

08. Sex and the City Complete Series
07. Fraggle Rock Season 1
06. The Muppet Show Season 1
05. The Simpsons Seasons 6&7
04. The Adventures of Pete & Pete Seasons 1&2
03. Seinfeld Seasons 5&6
02. Arrested Development Seasons 1&2
01. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Chosen Collection

Top 5 Variety Shows

05. Ellen
04. The Colbert Report
03. Late Show with David Letterman
02. The Daily Show with John Stewart
01. Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Top 5 Funnymen

05. Stephen Colbert on "The Colbert Report"
04. Will Arnett on "Arrested Development"
03. Michael Cera on "Arrested Development"
02. Rainn Wilson on "The Office"
01. Tony Hale on "Arrested Development"

Top 5 Funnywomen

05. Amy Poehler on "Saturday Night Live"
04. Kerri Kenney on "Reno 911!"
03. Alyson Hannigan on "How I Met Your Mother"
02. Charlize Theron on "Arrested Development"
01. Ellen DeGeneres on "Ellen"

Top 3 Shows with Abbreviated Titles

03. The OC
02. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
01. NCIS

Top 3 Cancelled Shows

03. Kitchen Confidential
02. Alias
01. Arrested Development

Top 3 Shows That Should Be Cancelled

03. Freddy
02. Stacked
01. The War at Home

Top 3 Innovations

03. Verizon VCast
02. iTunes TV Store/iPod Video
01. Tivo2Go

Top 3 Commercials

03. Spike Jonze's "Adidias 1"
02. Sierra Mist "Mist-Takes"
01. Gatorade "Winning Formula"

Top 6 Talking Heads

06. Michael Ian Black
05. Paul Scheer
04. Rachel Harris
03. Roger Ebert & Richard Roeper
02. The Modern Humorist Guys
01. Tony Kornheiser & Mike Wilbon

Top 5 Reasons to Change the Channel (or Turn the TV Off Altogether)

05. Trading Spouses
04. Fear Factor
03. Skating with Celebrities
02. Dancing with the Stars
01. MTV

Top 5 Comedy Bits of the Year

05. "The Late Show Bear"
04. "Nascar Lovin' Gun Totin' Jesus"
03. "Conan O'Brien Hates My Homeland"
02. "The Lighting of the Vigoda"
01. "Lazy Sunday"

Posted by Queuetipp at December 21, 2005 08:38 PM

December 17, 2005

Top 13 Concerts of 2005

In a year which I saw nearly 3 times as many live music performances (31) as movies in the theater (11), this was a tough list to put together. Much like my movie list though (which will probably show up sometime mid-2006), this list features a swell of repeat viewings. I managed to see many of my favorite acts multiple times this year, and my list will reflect that. My list also reflects not only the performers and performance, but the extraneous details of the show. When you get down to it, going to a live show you always want to see something spontaneous, original and unique. The list reflects that as well. So with the exposition out of the way, here we go with another list of the Top 13/Best of 2005.

13. Nada Surf at Neumo's
I missed the second encore, but saw enough of this great trio to already make plans to see them again in 2006. Filled with all the pop gems from their last two albums, as well as a few surprises, Nada Surf is a long way from one-hit-wonder status.

12. "Odd Men Out Tour" (Ben Folds/Rufus Wainwright with Ben Lee) at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
The show was too short, and Ben & Ben failed to reunite to play "Bruised" (40% of the reasons I went), but the show was fantastic nonetheless. Folds & Rufus joining forces for the Wham classic "Careless Whisper" didn't hurt, nor did Folds' NWA cover, "Bitches Ain't Shit." I'm sure this was not a truly spontaneous performance, but the magic was there all the same.

11. Beck at the Paramount
Last time I saw Beck was with the Flaming Lips for the Sea Change tour. Things were drastically different this time around, with a larger, louder band, but Beck's songs hold up in any environment. The highlight of the show was the brilliantly conceived and executed dinner party (if you were there, you know what I mean), where wine glass rims replaced the string arrangements on "Guess I'm Doing Fine."

10. Mike Doughty's Band at the Showbox
I saw Doughty & Handsome Dan earlier in the year, but had to go back when he rolled into town with the rest of the band. The "medium rock" moved a little more toward "large" and freed up the man formerly known as M. to get a little wild with some 80s covers, Kenny Rogers and a new "Firetruck" remix. Next time he's in town, I'll be there again.

09. Kings of Leon at Easy Street Records
I saw the Followill boys at a proper live show later in the year, but this March in-store performance is hard to top. Playing through some bum equipment and scorching hot temperatures inside the not-very-big store, Kings of Leon steamrolled through 15+ songs for a packed, enthusiastic crowd.

08. Arcade Fire at the Paramount
This performance would've been much higher if not for my #1, but it wins points for the band's march offstage and out to the lobby, where they finished the show in an acoustic jam session on the stairs. Immediatley I found out they'd been doing things like this throughout the tour, but that doesn't take away the uniqueness of the moment.

07. Ben Lee at the Crocodile
This was the first (but certainly won't be the last) time I ever saw Ben headline a sold-out show here in Seattle. Riding the high of a well-recepted new album, Ben and his flower-power friends performed another solid show of inclusive pop anthems, even convincing the cynical crowd to sing along at the end of the show.

06. SMART Benefit featuring Dave Eggers, Sarah Vowell, Mike Doughty, Daniel Handler and Death Cab for Cutie at McCaw Hall/Bumbershoot
Here's one of those once-in-a-lifetime events you can only find at a festival like Bumbershoot. Daniel Handler and his according played manic host, Dave Eggers read a letter "written" by a dog, Mike Doughty eschewed his promised "spoken word" for some sung ones instead and Sarah Vowell utilized the evening's house band Death Cab to give us all an education in the history of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." At the end we were all treated to a short set from Death Cab and a big encore with all the stars for a bouncy rendition of "Hungry Like the Wolf." All this and for a good cause, too.

05. Michael Franti & Spearhead at the Bumbrella Stage/Bumbershoot
I've been a fan for nearly 10 years, but have never gotten to see the band live until this year. I've been missing out. Much like Ben Lee, Franti creates a true sense of community and togetherness through his music, and that comes out in each performance. Iggy Pop may have headlined the final night of Bumbershoot, but it was this show that was still rocking late into the night. A fitting end to the weekend.

04. Ben Lee at Chop Suey
This show proves again why Ben is one of my all-time favorite live performers. Featuring a proposal, a great set featuring two fantastic covers and a bar-top encore, this will live in my memory for a long, long time.

03. Foozer at Key Arena
Weezer I used to like a lot, but not so much anymore. Foo Fighters I've always loved. Together, they only exceeded my expectations. This was my first time seeing both, but probably won't be my last. Both of these bands broke out of the mold, with Rivers performing in the back of the general admission section on "Island in the Sun" and Grohl venturing into the crowd twice in total rock star style. I don't go to big concerts often, but if more were like this, I might.

02. Mike Doughty at Neumo's
It has proved to be a year where anything can happen when I attend a live show. In addition to a great "solo" set (with Handsome Dan), Mike performed four songs outside on the street before the doors opened. Luckily, I was there to see it.

01. The Arcade Fire at the Gorge/Sasquatch
The Paramount show may have been a better show, but it's hard to top the utter joy/thrill of seeing this band for the first time. It was a strangely emotional experience. The moment the chorus rang together on "Wake Up" to start the show, I discovered my love for this band is a lot deeper than I would ever have expected the first time I heard their music. I had heard a lot of hype about their live performances, but The Arcade Fire exceeded every expectation. The fact that my first time was at one of the most incredible venues in the country only made it sweeter.

Posted by Queuetipp at December 17, 2005 10:10 AM

December 15, 2005

Top 13 Albums of 2005

I have a blog, therefore I am required by law to publish my annual best-of list for the year in music. Rest assured I will follow some, but not all, of the rules of year-end lists. Also, please note that while I hate commercial radio and much of what is played on it, I am no indie yuppie or music snob. I like what I like, from the mainstream to the obscure, and my list reflects that. So here we go, counting down from 13 to 1.

13. Tim Seely - Funeral Music
I'm getting my obscurity out of the way early. Tim is the former frontman of Seattle's Actual Tigers, who put out (according to MSNBC and myself) one of the great records of the past 20 years. Going solo hasn't hurt Tim's impeccable songwriting and singular style of "space-folk for lovers." Check out armyoftim.com for more info.

12. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
I know, I know, it came out last year overseas. But it was also rereleased this year with two extra tracks. I actually have the import, but no matter which version it is, this is my favorite dance-pop-party album since Junior Senior's debut a couple years ago. Undeniably catchy, and great for dancing on your feet or in your seat.

11. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
While not quite as groundbreaking as their final Barsuk effort Transatlanticism, Plans is another great Death Cab album. From great pop songs like "Soul Meets Body" to the intimate, instant-classic "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," the boys from Bellingham have managed to make the transition to major-label a relatively smooth one.

10. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Never original, always vital, Dave Grohl has a problem. He's a really nice, often sensitve guy who likes to rock. Hard. He's conflicted, and this album shows it. Half rocking, half acoustic, totally enjoyable. The rock side is consistently one of the best Foo Fighters albums ever, and the acoustic side, though not quite as good, has some surprises worth visiting, including vocals by Norah Jones and drummer Taylor Hawkins.

09. Calexico | Iron & Wine - In the Reins / Iron & Wine - Woman King
Sam Beam, just a few short years into his career, has already crafted some of my favorite albums and songs of all-time. This year's two mini-albums tide us over until the next full length. Woman King is solid, but my pick is the Calexico collaboration, which pulls Beam's signature southern porch music a bit more in the southwestern direction, to great effect.

08. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
I never really got into the first two New Pornographers albums, though I did love "The Laws Have Changed." This one got me for its subtleties and range of sounds. Not just limited to super-group indie pop anymore, Twin Cinema loosens the knot and frees the band to explore.

07. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
I guess I'm not much of a blogger, since I have this at #7 instead of #1. It is a fantastic album though, and contains many of my favorite songs of the year. But it also has a lot of filler, particularly in the second half. I give Sufjan a great deal of credit for his courage and ambition, but the whole package falls just short. I fully expect Delaware to reach #1 when it comes out in 2009.

06. Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic
I discovered Doughty's solo work via Napster four years ago and have been a growing fan of his music (including his Soul Coughing days) ever since. This is his first proper solo album, and it's a hidden gem of catchy pop songs with lyrics ranging from funny ("Busting Up a Starbucks") to thought provoking ("White Lexus").

05. Josh Rouse - Nashville
One of my favorite singer-songwriters in the business, Josh Rouse has crafted yet another excellent album of country-tinged pop. Put this album on in the late afternoon and you'll see what I mean.

04. Son Volt - Okemah and the Melody of Riot
Don't call it a comeback, but a reformed Son Volt has made its best album since Trace came out nearly ten years ago. Jay Farrar, wisely moving away from his ill-fated attempts at Jeff Tweedy style space-country, once again finds a collection of songs that suit his worn, warm voice.

03. Beck - Guero
Guero sounds like a B-sides retrospective, mashing styles sampled by Beck throughout his eclectic discography. Though it's not as personal as Sea Change, nor as "new" as Odelay, the album ranks high for its ability to merge these disparate influences into one cohesive idea.

02. Ben Lee - Awake Is The New Sleep
If you had asked me about this album in the weeks after I got it, I would've said I was disappointed that it didn't capture the joy of hearing these songs live. Since then (I've had this album for nearly a year now), I've seen the light. While not my favorite album of Ben's, this might be my favorite collection of songs. Except for the indulgent opus "Light," Ben Lee has recorded an album of sincere, honest and better yet, memorable pop songs that stick in your head and your heart.

01. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
This was my favorite album when I got it, and nothing released since has been able to take it down from the top spot. The Followill boys avoided the sophomore slump by refinining their sound and trimming the fat (most songs are under 3:30). The result is the most hummable, bouncy and "fun" record of the year.

Honorable Mentions (aka the Next Ten)
These albums were all highly enjoyable, but not good enough to make it to my top 13:
Common - Be / Doves - Some Cities / Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures / Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy / Lou Barlow - Emoh / Amos Lee - Amos Lee / Gorillaz - Demon Days / Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine / Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow / Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift

Posted by Queuetipp at December 15, 2005 11:35 PM