Thanks for all the memories and wasted time my friend!

Death junkie.

Dunno. Just struck me as funny at 8am.

Is it really the end? It seems like I blinked and this year was gone. Having a new baby in the house will do that I suppose. It seems these Top Ten lists get closer together every year. *sigh*. Sad old man disease is creeping in. Save your pity. I can still put a ten together with the best of them. On with the show…

Here’s ten of what I consider my favorites of 2009.

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You may remember last year, I compiled a list of the best albums of 2008. This year, I decided to waste more of my precious time to compile a list of my favorite albums of 2009. It was another strong year for music and with so many choices, I had to go with my gut on these. Depending on the day and my mood, this list could have easily turned out much different, but I think these are the albums that will undoubtably be on my playlist for years to come.

If you feel I’ve overlooked an album from this year that is dear to you, perhaps I never had the chance to listen to it. Comment below and share your refined taste in music with the world. Enjoy. Rock on.

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I managed to read quite a few books this year. My list of favorite books that I read over its course is a bit more diverse than last year, managing to mix the must-read classics with high political fantasy, modern pop lit, and even a non-fiction argument against the existence of god, a book that convincingly goes so far to say that belief in a personal god qualifies as a delusion. As always, feel free to recommend me any books to add to my ever-amassing collection of “must reads” that are piling up next to my already full bookshelf. If only I could be like Larry in The Razor’s Edge, loafing around for years in exotic countries reading for ten hours a day, maybe I would be able to get through them all within a couple of years.

Don’t forget to check out last year’s list also. Like I mentioned, it’s not quite as diverse, with Cormac McCarthy making the list an unprecedented four times.

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Mario.

If there’s one reason to convert to Christianity, this is it. Unless you’re a bad little boy or girl. If you’re a good guy (which I’m sure you are), you’ll dig the badassery that is Krampus. You might not have heard of Krampus, but that’s because anyone that’s ever ran into this demon, probably didn’t live to tell about it or was too frightened to do anything but be quiet little saints for the rest of their lives.

Krampus travels the globe just before Santa Claus each year; but instead of helping deliver gifts, he finds all of the naughty girls and boys and either beats them into oblivion or carries them away and drop them into the pit of hell. These days, when kids seem undisciplined as ever, I say bring back the traditional harshness that is Krampus today!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from RowThree and MorePop!!

more info on Krampus

This is probably the first year that I’ve listened to enough current music that I feel comfortable making a top ten list. Some of my favorite bands released new records that I loved, a few released records that I don’t love as much as I wanted to, and I found a bunch of new bands that took me by surprise, overwhelmed me, and wouldn’t let me go. This list reflects both the bigger bands (though still not big by mainstream, stadium-going standards) and the local bands that I’ve grown to love – I’ll admit my bias for mixed-gendered bands with a focus on female vocals right now, because you’ll notice it anyway.

Click through for my top ten albums of 2009, some honorable mentions, and a rundown of some of favorite live shows of the year.

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Chocolate stairs.

7

Punch.

 
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The last stand.

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One of the bands that indirectly saved my life metaphorically speaking – though maybe sort of literally – through my Jr. High days was Mötley Crüe. I’m still a big fan of The Crüe and listen every now and again and sing along with every word – usually at Wednesday night bowling league. Nikki Sixx, bassist, was pretty much the main writer of all of the music and lyrics. With a few exceptions of course, but without him there would’ve been no Mötley Crüe.

For a good little lesson on who Sixx is and was, check out the Mötley Crüe autobiography, The Dirt. It’s a read that is easy as hell and even non-Crüe fans might get a kickstart about the real rock n’ roll lifestyle these guys lived in the 80′s. Good times.

Today I learned that Nikki Sixx turns 51. 51! You have any idea how old that makes me!? I can’t believe I’m this old. Happy Birthday dude and thanks SO MUCH for all you gave me. Keep on rockin in the free world!

I think every single one of us (who loves music) can appreciate this stop-motion, animated short.