It hasn’t been a bad year, but a lot of the CD’s I have bought this year were released prior to 2005. I’m not sure whether I should count tribute CDs, but She Will Have Her Way a tribute CD to the music of Neil and Tim Finn is great.
Honorable mentions: Bright Eyes – Digitial Ash and a Digital Urn, and Jars of Clay – Redemption Songs.
Unrated: Third Day – Whereever you Are, Rebecca St James – If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something. Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
5: Coldplay – X and Y
I have to say this was one of the more anticipated CDs being released this year. I quite liked their previous CD. However while X&Y does have a number of great tracks; Fix You, A Message, Square One, it does grab you, or depart much from their earlier work.
4: Switchfoot – Nothing is Sound
The CD was mostly written on the tour over the last twelve months, and has been spending a fair bit of time in my CD player. I am quite a fan of the songwriting. The band’s faith is a little less on their sleeve, but is still apparent. A couple of the standout tracks are ‘The Shadow Proves the Sunshine’, and ‘The Blues’. Its quite worth a listen, but give it time to grow.
3: Sigur Ros - Takk
What do I say about Sigur Ros. Thanks Guan, for introducing me to their music in 2004. Thanks Joe for letting me they were playing shows in August this year; quite a phenomenal show. Takk has been described as their most accessible CD. I’m not sure about that, but their songs are great. I really loved Hoppipoka, Milano and Glosoli. It is hard to describe what sort of music Sigur Ros is, I guess atmospheric is not quite there but it is close.
If you haven’t got tickets for their shows in April next year – get them, I don’t think you will regret it.
2: Nichole Nordemann – Brave
It’s the words rather than the music that drew me to Nichole Nordeman. Thanks to my brother Matt. Yep, my brother introduced me to the music of Nichole Nordeman. Brave probably has a few of the favourite songs of the year Hold On, and What If? (a great evangelistic songs – What if he takes his place in history // With all the prophets and the kings // Who taught us love and came in peace // But then the story ends // What then? // But what if you’re wrong? On the whole though, it is a fairly consistent CD, from perhaps my favourite Christian singer-songwriter.
1: Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake its Morning
Was mildly interested in hearing their music, then once I heard that they were playing support for R.E.M. and decided that I would try and get their CD before the show. Quite like the songs before the concert though it probably was the concert that solidified my opinion about them. The song writing is perhaps the greatest strength – the standout tracks for me were – Lua; Landlocked Blues; Old Soul Song (for a new world order), and We are nowhere and its now. Perhaps the most consistent CD that I bought this year, and on the basis of the studio, and live performances of the songs, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning is my Album of 2005.
On the Horizon: At this point the only murmurings I’ve heard is about a Radiohead CD in about May[ish] and Pearl Jam, but I won’t hold my breath.
Some reflections on the Path to Life. "You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence" (Psalm 16:11)
Showing posts with label Top 10 2005. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 10 2005. Show all posts
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Drawn From Still Waters Favourite Films for 2005
Honorable Mentions: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
10: In Her Shoes (just a lovely story)
9: Shopgirl (quite liked the story, about how people change, and change each other. Danes was great)
8: Goodnight and Goodluck (set in the period of McCarthy, and sheds a very interesting light on the events of the past three years)
7: Little Fish (The best Australian film for years).
6: Howl’s Moving Castle (stunning visuals, and a great story).
5: Turtles Can Fly
Set in a refugee camp in the north Iraq, the film is a story of four kids in the refugee camp, and the impact and legacy of war on children. The film is a provoking and somewhat distressing film reminding us of the innocent victims of wars.
4: The Motorcycle Diaries
As I wrote earlier in the year, I don’t actually know a lot of about Che Guerava, and this film gives you an insight into his nature has he grew up. The visuals were particularly fantastic.
3: Crash
The film looks at the issue of race in LA, perhaps a film that we should all look at now in Sydney. Fantastic script, the stories and characters intersect beautifully. For this reason alone it is worth having a look at.
2: Downfall
Pages of history, transported to the screen. It enabled you to see both the downfall of the Third Reich and the mental collapse of Hitler. In some ways was distressing to watch as you saw the extent to which some followers took there devotion to Nazism.
1: Hotel Rwanda
"If people see this footage they'll say, 'Oh my God, that's terrible,' and they'll go on eating their dinners.
Hands down the most powerful and confronting film I have seen this year. It is a much needed stern rebuke to me, and to the West. Never again, we said after the Holocaust, never again we said after Bosnia. Yet the West betrayed these claims as they sat idly by while this occurred in Rwanda – and still sits idly by while similar events take place in Sudan. Hotel Rwanda was the must-see film of 2005.
We are witnesses, take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen. [Deut 4:9, perhaps a little (re)interpreted]
To see: Memoirs of a Geisha, Joyueax Noel, and The New World.
10: In Her Shoes (just a lovely story)
9: Shopgirl (quite liked the story, about how people change, and change each other. Danes was great)
8: Goodnight and Goodluck (set in the period of McCarthy, and sheds a very interesting light on the events of the past three years)
7: Little Fish (The best Australian film for years).
6: Howl’s Moving Castle (stunning visuals, and a great story).
5: Turtles Can Fly
Set in a refugee camp in the north Iraq, the film is a story of four kids in the refugee camp, and the impact and legacy of war on children. The film is a provoking and somewhat distressing film reminding us of the innocent victims of wars.
4: The Motorcycle Diaries
As I wrote earlier in the year, I don’t actually know a lot of about Che Guerava, and this film gives you an insight into his nature has he grew up. The visuals were particularly fantastic.
3: Crash
The film looks at the issue of race in LA, perhaps a film that we should all look at now in Sydney. Fantastic script, the stories and characters intersect beautifully. For this reason alone it is worth having a look at.
2: Downfall
Pages of history, transported to the screen. It enabled you to see both the downfall of the Third Reich and the mental collapse of Hitler. In some ways was distressing to watch as you saw the extent to which some followers took there devotion to Nazism.
1: Hotel Rwanda
"If people see this footage they'll say, 'Oh my God, that's terrible,' and they'll go on eating their dinners.
Hands down the most powerful and confronting film I have seen this year. It is a much needed stern rebuke to me, and to the West. Never again, we said after the Holocaust, never again we said after Bosnia. Yet the West betrayed these claims as they sat idly by while this occurred in Rwanda – and still sits idly by while similar events take place in Sudan. Hotel Rwanda was the must-see film of 2005.
We are witnesses, take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen. [Deut 4:9, perhaps a little (re)interpreted]
To see: Memoirs of a Geisha, Joyueax Noel, and The New World.
Friday, December 23, 2005
2005 in Review
This is a sport only entry, so feel free to skip. (There’s no penalty for missing it)
2005 - Year of the Penalty, and Fairy Tale – Arsenal, Liverpool, and Australian football fans rejoice as their ties are won on spot-kicks. (thanks Richard Hinds – SMH). Looking through the winners, it appears its time for me to remember not to make any bold predictions on sport.
The Sports story of the year is the end of Australia’s 32 absence from the Football Word Cup (though some might say after drawing Brazil, Japan and Croatia it may be a brief presence).
Other highlights of the year for me include:
- New Zealand – with the Netball, Rugby League, and Rugby Union teams all posting significant victories during the course of the year.
Honorable Mention (I): The Black Caps; who despite losing the series 2-1, managed to chase down 332 against Australia in a one day game.
- Liverpool’s comeback, trailing 0-3 to AC Milan.
- Sydney Swans – Given that I’m still not sure how Sydney beat Geelong to get to the Preliminary Final, I definitely am still surprised they are Premiers, not that I’ll complain.
- Wests Tigers – another fairytale – beating North Queensland in the Grand Final, after downing St George, and Parramatta respectively in their finals.
- It would be remiss of me to not mention the fact that England won the Ashes, In one of the more competitive series for some time.
Honorable Mention (II) – Chicago’s White Sox won the [World] Series; and Bangladesh beat Australia in Cricket; huh?
2005 - Year of the Penalty, and Fairy Tale – Arsenal, Liverpool, and Australian football fans rejoice as their ties are won on spot-kicks. (thanks Richard Hinds – SMH). Looking through the winners, it appears its time for me to remember not to make any bold predictions on sport.
The Sports story of the year is the end of Australia’s 32 absence from the Football Word Cup (though some might say after drawing Brazil, Japan and Croatia it may be a brief presence).
Other highlights of the year for me include:
- New Zealand – with the Netball, Rugby League, and Rugby Union teams all posting significant victories during the course of the year.
Honorable Mention (I): The Black Caps; who despite losing the series 2-1, managed to chase down 332 against Australia in a one day game.
- Liverpool’s comeback, trailing 0-3 to AC Milan.
- Sydney Swans – Given that I’m still not sure how Sydney beat Geelong to get to the Preliminary Final, I definitely am still surprised they are Premiers, not that I’ll complain.
- Wests Tigers – another fairytale – beating North Queensland in the Grand Final, after downing St George, and Parramatta respectively in their finals.
- It would be remiss of me to not mention the fact that England won the Ashes, In one of the more competitive series for some time.
Honorable Mention (II) – Chicago’s White Sox won the [World] Series; and Bangladesh beat Australia in Cricket; huh?
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Year-End Lists
Not a lot happening really, sorry for the lack of updates. The past few weeks have mostly been spent at work. I’m [still] in the process of completing a travelogue, and will hope to post bits and pieces of that, along with some photos early in the New Year.
December usually means for me its time to review 2005. At present nominations for the Top 5 Albums of 2005 include:
Sigur Ros – Takk
Coldplay – X&Y
Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake it’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Nichole Nordeman – Brave;
Switchfoot – Nothing is Sound, and
Jars of Clay – Redemption Songs
(A few others that I have, but haven’t listen too properly are: Third Day – Whereever you Are, Rebecca St James – If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something)
I’ve excluded She Will Have Her Way because it is a tribute to the song writing of Neil and Tim Finn by Australian and New Zealand artists. Other great albums I’ve bought this year, but not recorded in 2005:
Sarah Blasko – The Overscore and the Underscore
James Blunt – Back to Bedlam,
The Arcade Fire - Funeral,
Greenday – American Idiot
Sigur Ros – untitled or ( ) and Ageatis Byrjun.
A countdown of my favourite 10 Movies will also commence shortly. I’ve seen quite a number of films this year, some of which were silly, others serious, and still others challenging or confronting.
Good Night and Good Luck, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Shopgirl, Turtles Can Fly, In Her Shoes, The Motorcycle Diaries, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which I think I saw an inappropriate number of times due to air travel), Little Fish, Downfall, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Howl’s Moving Castle, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Mr and Mrs Smith.
++
Unrelated, and definitely not with the same expectation and confidence as in 2003, my nomination for Australian of the Year is Judi Moylan: For displaying courage in her convictions, being willing to stand up or those who are weak and vulnerable in our society, perhaps risking her standing and credibility.
December usually means for me its time to review 2005. At present nominations for the Top 5 Albums of 2005 include:
Sigur Ros – Takk
Coldplay – X&Y
Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake it’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Nichole Nordeman – Brave;
Switchfoot – Nothing is Sound, and
Jars of Clay – Redemption Songs
(A few others that I have, but haven’t listen too properly are: Third Day – Whereever you Are, Rebecca St James – If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something)
I’ve excluded She Will Have Her Way because it is a tribute to the song writing of Neil and Tim Finn by Australian and New Zealand artists. Other great albums I’ve bought this year, but not recorded in 2005:
Sarah Blasko – The Overscore and the Underscore
James Blunt – Back to Bedlam,
The Arcade Fire - Funeral,
Greenday – American Idiot
Sigur Ros – untitled or ( ) and Ageatis Byrjun.
A countdown of my favourite 10 Movies will also commence shortly. I’ve seen quite a number of films this year, some of which were silly, others serious, and still others challenging or confronting.
Good Night and Good Luck, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Shopgirl, Turtles Can Fly, In Her Shoes, The Motorcycle Diaries, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which I think I saw an inappropriate number of times due to air travel), Little Fish, Downfall, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Howl’s Moving Castle, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Mr and Mrs Smith.
++
Unrelated, and definitely not with the same expectation and confidence as in 2003, my nomination for Australian of the Year is Judi Moylan: For displaying courage in her convictions, being willing to stand up or those who are weak and vulnerable in our society, perhaps risking her standing and credibility.
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