MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up

MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up
 
CDs:
1. Bigelf - Cheat The Gallows
2. Mastodon - Crack The Skye
3. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue 
4. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
5. Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect
6. Them Crooked Vultures
7. Megadeth - Endgame
8. The Devin Townsend Project - Ki/Addicted
9. Heart Of Cygnus - Over Mountain Under Hill
10. Animals As Leaders

Honorable Mentions:
Lazarus AD - The Onslaught, Muse - The Resistance, Porcupine Tree - The Incident, Baroness - Blue Record and Riverside - Anno Domini High Definition

And of course:
Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Transatlantic - The Whirlwind

-------------------------

Films:
1. A Serious Man
2. Inglorious Basterds
3. Broken Embraces
4. Thirst
5. In The Loop
6. Time Crimes
7. Martyrs
8. (500) Days Of Summer
9. Anvil! The Story Of Anvil
10. Paranormal Activity

** The last few spots are still subject to change for late 2009 releases I haven't seen yet (still waiting to see the new ones from Jarmusch, Solendz, Linklater and Haneke)

-----------------------------

TV:
1. Lost
2. Sons Of Anarchy
3. Rescue Me
4. Breaking Bad
5. Mad Men
6. Eastbound And Down
7. Dexter
8. True Blood
9. Curb Your Enthusiasm
10. Modern Family 
 

Good choices MP!  especially the Heart of Cygnus pick... I really liked that disc.

"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." - Hedley Lamarr

Portnoy


MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up
 

-------------------------

Films:

8. (500) Days Of Summer

-----------------------------


 

I am positively amazed to see the above mentioned movie at MP´s 2009 year-end wrap up! It is a good movie, but I did not expect MP to like it!! Very cool indeed!

4 - 8 - 15 - 16 - 23 - 42 - Are you lost??

wow no redemption, i thought they would make mikes list for sure

yeah so good choices there although I would of put PT in the top ten!!!!

"GIVE ME MY DETONATORS"

Hans Gruber: Best Bad Guy Ever!

Again, great lists! I have 8/10 of those Top 10 albums.

Woah, there's more people then me who know about Lazarus A.D.? That's awesome! It's good to see some fellow Wisconsin thrashers getting some recognition. I seen them open for testament back in April and I've been a fan ever since.

http://www.facebook.com/that1drummerguy: My DJ Page for my radio show
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Glad to see In The Loop in there...  I'd strongly suggest checking out The Thick of It (the TV series it's based on) if you haven't already...  Truly wonderful!

Excellent choice on Heart of Cygnus Mike.  I've been into them for a couple years.  Be sure to check out their first album "Utopia" if you haven't already.

I also think you'd dig the bands Jolly and An Endless Sporadic (links in my sig).

Great top 10 album list there, Mike. Gives me a chance to reflect on a great year of music.

But BC&SL deserves the top spot

Hey, thanks for including Over Mountain, Under Hill in your top 10!  We were stoked :)

~Jeff

Very nice list Mike!!!
7 of the albums you mentioned are in my top 10...

The headless lover of three...
an unspeakable affair...

Interesting to see Ki/Addicted in there.  I seem to recall MP saying he wasn't really into Devy in the past.  Wonder what changed his mind? 

As an aside, Ki is my album of the year.

My Personal Site

REAL ULTIMATE DREAM THEATER

Nice picks.  I need to see some of those movies.  I would have added "The Office" to the TV list though.

Megadeth and AIC in my top for this year as well.  Good stuff.

MP: "...the type of person that can name the fill-in drummer when Ringo had tonsilitis..."
Me: "JIMMY NICOL!"
MP: "OH MAN!"
Neal Morse: "Whoa...!" (from YMC DVD/CD 2011)
 

** The last few spots are still subject to change for late 2009 releases I haven't seen yet (still waiting to see the new ones from Jarmusch, Solendz, Linklater and Haneke)

O well you need to here the new Epoch Album  :) check it out here

EPOCH  The Ones  ME
Heavy is my heart but it's alright

Tensed Dreams

Portnoy


MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up
 

-------------------------

Films:

8. (500) Days Of Summer

-----------------------------


 

I am positively amazed to see the above mentioned movie at MP´s 2009 year-end wrap up! It is a good movie, but I did not expect MP to like it!! Very cool indeed!

Oh man, I loved that movie, i just see it last week with my girlfriend, great movie! Great choices MP!!!

Portnoy


MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up
 
CDs:
1. Bigelf - Cheat The Gallows

NOT to question "the man" but ahem.....CTG was released in 2008!
 
And where the hell was Redemption's "Snowfall on Judgement Day"???

Mike you forgot Dexter!

Although, I haven't seen the last season because I like to watch my shows on DVD. So maybe you know something I don't.

Great list otherwise!

Mike! So glad you've heard Animals As Leaders. We all sure hyped it enough.

Surprised at no Scale The Summit, but I still love most of the picks.

Awesome list Mike, glad you picked Mastodon's Crack The Skye near the top of your list. THE LAST BARON RULES!!

 
http://www.youtube.com/user/newThreefanatic

I really hope he hasn't seen District 9 as that pretty much was the only amazing film this year.

I shall duck behind the couch.

MrSawyer


Mike you forgot Dexter!

Although, I haven't seen the last season because I like to watch my shows on DVD. So maybe you know something I don't.

Great list otherwise!

 
Good call...my bad!
(I made my TV list about a month ago and only just caught up on this season of Dexter this past week in Australia.....BEST SEASON yet BTW...AWESOME!)
 
Anyways, I fixed the list... 
 
MP

pullmyfinger

Portnoy


MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up
 
CDs:
1. Bigelf - Cheat The Gallows

NOT to question "the man" but ahem.....CTG was released in 2008!
 

 
Of course I know that....but I only discovered the CD the last few weeks of 2008, so it missed my list last year....
 
I must say it really was the soundtrack to my 2009...the year of the ELF!
 
MP

great lists mike, Endgame is a surpising but well deserved addition, awesome album

I can't be in two bands at once. Tom Petty tried that with The Heartbreakers and The Wilburys. Nearly killed the fucking guy...

Mike,

If possible I'd love to hear any additional thoughts you have on the new Alice in Chains album. I know you're a big fan and that Dirt is one of your favorite 90's albums, but I'm curious as to your thoughts on having a new singer and how you compare the new album to the old stuff. It's apparent that the fact this made your list means you're in agreement with people like me that this wasn't a sellout move or in anyway disrespecting Layne by continuing on without him. I can't stand when people have made that argument because there's an entire history of bands whose singers left or died and continued on successfully with someone else. Anyway, tell us more on your thougts of this album, which I agree is very awesome!

maybe this has been mentioned (i didnt look), but i wonder what MP's feelings are in regards to OSI: Blood. i realize the reasons he didnt play on it, but that doesn't have to mean he doesn't like it. Be the Hero has one of the best metal grooves i've heard in years. i'd be shocked if he wasn't into at least THAT tune. and don't get me started on the beauty that is Radiologue...

no comment

The best thing about this list is that I get to see all the good stuff that is coming to Australia. Of the top ten CD's, all  but three of the bands have toured , or will be , in the last year.
 
The Flaming Lips topped my list this year after their AWESOME show in Melbourne. The CD ain't half bad, either ;)
 
We are so fortunate as music lovers to have these bands grace our stages and give us some of life's memorable moments.
 
 

daydream

wow no redemption, i thought they would make mikes list for sure

Same here, it might be in his Top 20 though. "Black And White World" is one of my favorite tracks of '09.

 
http://www.youtube.com/user/newThreefanatic

Portnoy

MrSawyer


Mike you forgot Dexter!

Although, I haven't seen the last season because I like to watch my shows on DVD. So maybe you know something I don't.

Great list otherwise!

 
Good call...my bad!
(I made my TV list about a month ago and only just caught up on this season of Dexter this past week in Australia.....BEST SEASON yet BTW...AWESOME!)
 
Anyways, I fixed the list... 
 
MP

Mike, the list in the Hero of the Day Thread is still not showing love for Dexter

im most surprised to see Devin Townsend on there.
i thought i read in his FAQ he said he didn't care much for Dev's music...must of had a change of heart!

HEAVY METAL, KEEP THE FAITH, PRAY TO GOD
~Devin Townsend

Great choices;
Mastodon's last album was one of the most 'fresh' & addictive ones (at least for me!) out there.

Indeed surprising to see Devin on the list. Hopefully Mike will catch up on some of Devin's earlier stuff he initially didn't like. 

Just wanted to wish the Portnoy family a Merry Christmas. and I am so sorry you have some douche bag fans. 
Like ya said...Never Enough. :/

Merry Christmas, sir :)

Wow, Mike, seriously.  How DO you find the time of day to listen to and watch all of this stuff?  I barely have time to watch one or two TV series... you must have really amazing time management.  I still gotta hear half those albums and watch most of those movies.

"Whatever you're looking for, don't ever start looking behind."

Yo Mike where's Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Th Black Swan episode alone should put it on the list...

"Yeah, no offense, but you'd have to be pretty clueless to not know who Derek is."
-Mike Portnoy (WDADRU commentary)

Very good choice in your number 1 film, A Serious Man; a quick glance of the films of this year and I would put it in my top 3 if not number 1 as well.

Boy my finger is not on the pulse

Ebay listings http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/thefunkygibbons/
Silver bootleg and other sales www.thefunkygibbons.net

It would be interesting to know what Mike thinks about Antichrist. 

I guess the Veronica Mars Hero-of-the-Day was not quite good enough to merit top 10 inclusion.

thefunkygibbons


Boy my finger is not on the pulse

I hear that.  Al I know is Big Elf, The Flaming Lips and Mad Men.  The only movie I've seen this year are Star Trek, Gran Torino and Twilight.

I would include The Weirding from Astra in the list.

Now known as João "John" Piruças

MR's Year End Wrap Up
CDs:
 1. Redemption - Snowfall on Judgement Day
 2. Heaven & Hell - The Devil You Know
 3. Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings
 4. Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot
 5. Creed - Full Circle
 6. Collective Soul - Rabbit
 7. MUSE - Resistance
 8. Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
 9. Transatlantic - The Whirlwind
10. Shadow Gallery - Digital Ghosts
 
*If, like MP, I can use Big Elf's Cheat The Gallows because I only "found" them/it in 2009, then that would be #1 and everything would move down 1 notch I agree MP, it was the YEAR of the ELF
 
Honorable Mentions:
Derek Sherinian - Molecular Heinosity, Shadow Circus - Whispers & Screams, Kiss - Sonic Boom, Queensryche - American Soldier and Riverside - Anno Domini High Definition
 
Films:
 1. Paranormal Activity
 2. Taken
 3. Inglorious Basterds
 4. Defiance
 5. The Road
 6. State of Play
 7. Anvil, The Story of Anvil
 8. District 9
 9. Public Enemies
10. Brothers
 
Honorable Mentions:
Star Trek, Harry Potter 6, Angels & Demons, The Watchmen, Adventureland
 
TV:
 1. Lost
 2. Dexter
 3. Flash Forward
 4. Survivor Samoa
 5. Harper's Island
 6. Damages
 7. The Big Bang Theory
 8. Entourage
 9. Modern Family 
10. Sons of Anarchy
 
 

I have Cheat the Gallows, actually.  Haven't given it a proper listen yet; I remember not thinking much of Bigelf after they were announced for PN but they were very enjoyable live (even if I only caught the last little bit of their set)...  I'll have to give it another chance.

MrSawyer


Mike you forgot Dexter!

Although, I haven't seen the last season because I like to watch my shows on DVD. So maybe you know something I don't.

Great list otherwise!

It's a really great season!
The 11th and 12th episode are just awesome...
Guess you won't regret buying and especially watching it!

*Click*

Portnoy

Good call...my bad!
(I made my TV list about a month ago and only just caught up on this season of Dexter this past week in Australia.....BEST SEASON yet BTW...AWESOME!)
 
Anyways, I fixed the list... 
 
MP

As I've said before in another thread or two: It's a bad habit to write these end-of-year recap lists before the year is actually over. 
 

HomerSimpson


Yo Mike where's Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Th Black Swan episode alone should put it on the list...

Ugh...you're right...this jetlag must be clouding my proofreading/editing skills...This indeed was a steller season of Curb!!
Thanks for pointing out the omission!
OK - now we're good!
MP

I'm surprised Mike that House wasn't even mentioned as it's an amazing show that's smart, funny and has some amazing acting and what not!

Have you caught any of it over the past decade? If so what did you think?

I'm glad to see Devin on there too!

As for the others, I may use it as inspiration for what else to check out that I missed. Thanks, Mike!

The best choice of MP is LOST........

"The Lost Voyager" Music project: http://www.myspace.com/thelostvoyager

No Slayer, Mike?

"Assumption is the mother of all f@ck -ups!"

Hey Mike,

Have you checked out Fringe?

Sad to see no 24 on here, and to see The Resistance so low.

We move in circles...

WAAAAAAAAAHHH OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!

No Dredg?  Pretty sure MP was a fan.  Probably my album of the year.

In the dead of night, Rob bites, Rob bites...

Portnoy


Films:
1. A Serious Man
2. Inglorious Basterds
3. Broken Embraces
4. Thirst
5. In The Loop
6. Time Crimes
7. Martyrs
8. (500) Days Of Summer
9. Anvil! The Story Of Anvil
10. Paranormal Activity

** The last few spots are still subject to change for late 2009 releases I haven't seen yet (still waiting to see the new ones from Jarmusch, Solendz, Linklater and Haneke)

Nice to see A Serious Man at the top spot. Incredible film Still have to see Thirst and In the Loop.
I have yet to check out Bigelf. From what I heard they sound promising.
 

Flixster

My Blog

it figures that the drummer of my favorite band has good taste in music...

It's nice to see Animals as Leaders made the list!

Thanks for sharing Mike, and an interesting read. Porcupine Tree, Muse and Devin Townsend are in my top 10 of this year (respectively at 4, 5 and 9) and Dream Theater's BC&SL is actually nr. 1. And I am not saying that just to flatter as I love a couple of artists equally as DT - especially Prince (nr. 2 this year with the awesome Lotusflow3r/MPLSound) and Nine Inch Nails. Nr. 1 is unpredictable to me each year.

ddtonfire

It's nice to see Animals as Leaders made the list!

 
Indeed. I'm just getting into this band now. WOW, these guys are awesome!  

 
http://www.youtube.com/user/newThreefanatic

Great list as always MP...
But no love for Beardfish's "Destined Solitaire" this year?Maybe just an honourable mention?
I really am digging what this band is doing and this album seems like another important step forward, not as cohesive as SITP2 sure, but, like Opeth's Watershed, an important stepping stone in their musical development....IMO of course

This is my new signature. Enjoy.

playfan


like Opeth's Watershed, an important stepping stone in their musical development....IMO of course

I guess there are a lot of guys around here who wouldn't name Watershed as a stepping stone for them, but any of their other releases from this decade.

Just saying...


NOTE: Watershed is my favorite Opeth album, if I'd have to pick just one single album.

 AVATAR is an amazing movie!!! That movie is #1 on my top movies list.

Lists featuring Dexter as well as Devin Townsend ánd Bigelf must be good - they will also feature on my end of year wrap-up!

For me the biggest surprise on Mike's list was Son's of Anarchy (in the second slot no less!). This show is brilliant and yet so far no one I have talked to about it has seen it, and most have never even heard of it. I just discovered it this year.
 
They ran a heavy ad campaign for months and I was intrigued enough to DVR a show to see if it was something I'd be interested in. By the end of that first episode I was hooked. How many times have we been taken inside police squads, hospitals and even mafia gangs? But we've never been inside a motorcycle club. It doesn't feel like just another twist on a familiar theme but rather like discovering a whole new world. And the world itself is a fascinating paradox where low life unscrupulous criminal types have a rather clearly defined code of ethics and where anarchy has organizational structure and is inordinately complex and yet understood and conformed to quite rigidly. The pacing of the show / plot is perfect and feels to me at times like 24 in that regard. The characters are rich, crass, likeable and somehow believable. By the end of the current season I was dying to see the first season and learn about the beginnings of Sam Crow. So my wife bought me the blu-ray DVDs and we spent a couple weeks engaged in an SOA marathon.
 
The only thing I DON'T like about it is that is has one of those wimpy 13 episode (half) seasons. I wish it was on a major network where they could get a full 24 episode season.
 
 

 

mike im curious as what you thought about octahedron by The Mars Volta ??


and also i saw that act 2 by The Dear Hunter was a favorite albums of yours its also one of mine.

what did you think of act 3 by them i think it was just epic probably my favorite dear hunter album to date