MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (shabutie2113)

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:49:11 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (PapaJimH)

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:36:09 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Angz)

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:21:00 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Bihter)

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:50:41 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (van Furlay)

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:07:31 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (playfan)

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:04:30 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (IceDog)

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:03:29 GMT

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!

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (reinoud)

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:03:55 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (ddtonfire)

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:31:11 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (soggybomb)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:26:53 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Oblivion86)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:20:09 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (dtfanatic)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:35:48 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (metropolis pt 13)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:20:22 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (MarkDTMMZ)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:06:19 GMT

Hey Mike,

Have you checked out Fringe?

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (tman)

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:34:30 GMT

No Slayer, Mike?

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Siamon_1928)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:29:20 GMT

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

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Strato)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:38:07 GMT

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!

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Petch)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:04:19 GMT

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?

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Portnoy)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:06:49 GMT

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

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Kyo)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:52:26 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (van Furlay)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:40:50 GMT

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*

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (ganpondorodf)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:21:36 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (pullmyfinger)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:19:45 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (goncalo_viola)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:53:03 GMT

I would include The Weirding from Astra in the list.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Duke)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:19:49 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (angra1)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:51:05 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Devnoy)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:12:05 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (thefunkygibbons)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:16:57 GMT

Boy my finger is not on the pulse

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Arymo)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:11:36 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (HomerSimpson)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:39:16 GMT

Yo Mike where's Curb Your Enthusiasm?

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

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Frunobulax)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:13:34 GMT

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.

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (sincity829)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:43:34 GMT

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 :)

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Devnoy)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:42:18 GMT

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.

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Amoniz)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:09:30 GMT

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

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (Zildjian_Master88)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:15:07 GMT

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!

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (JM1138)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:59:20 GMT

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

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (IceDog)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:36:00 GMT

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.

Re:MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (tunza)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:19:16 GMT

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.

Re: MP's Best Of 2009 Year-End Wrap Up (phentalmyst)

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:16:06 GMT

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...