I love this photo taken at the Casbah during The Dragons’ set a week ago. For some reason the stage lights weren’t working and they used the spotlight from the back and at one point, the house lights . Rumors were the lights were set up for heighten security during The Dragons’ railing set, but in actuality, the stage lights were just broken and the spotlight was the best they could do.

I fet like a teenager in the sold out crowd. The Dragons brought back memories of underage drinking, walking the beach late at night and hanging around bars outside trying to hear the music. “High” was our anthum. We lived and breathed to escape the pressure of “the establishment” (i.e. school, parents). The Dragons represent all of that and more for me. So glad to see they are back playing even if it is just now and again.

On Saturday morning of December 18, 2010 at 5:00 a.m. when most of you all were snuggled up in bed, and a half hour before when I expected to be on, I took over the airwaves of FM94/9 for an hour as a part of their Coup d’eTat weekend. I hit up our beer fridge that morning to bring in two 22 oz. bottles of Julian Hard Cider. Yep, we was drinkin’ at 5 a.m. Below is the set list played:

1. Langhorne Slim, “Hello Sunshine” from self titled album, Langhorne Slim (2008)
2. They Might Be Giants, “Ana Ng” from self titled album, They Might Be Giants (1986)
3. Matthew Sweet, “I’ve Been Waiting” from Girlfriend (1991)
4. The Polyphonic Spree, “Light and Day/Reach for the Sun” from the The Beginning Stages of… The Polyphonic Spree (2002)
5. Good Old War, “Coney Island” from Only Way to Be Alone (2008)
6. Simon and Garfunkel, “America” from Bookends (1968)
7. Nada Surf, “Beautiful Beat” from Lucky (2009)
8. Rafter, “Fruit” from Animal Feelings (2010)
9. Passion Pit, “Sleepyhead” from Chunk of Change EP (2008)
10. OK Go, “White Knuckles” from Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (2010) – this song was added to the list when Travis discovered we had more time.
11. The Beach Boys, “God Only Knows” from Pet Sounds (1966).

After it was all said, played and done, I had an awesome time and was ready to hit the bar. Sadly, it was only 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning and I wasn’t up for drinking alone, so I just headed back to bed.

Two months too long for this post and hardly enough time in the day to post it. So here are the cliff notes with photos. If you couldn’t tell from the above picture, we had a great time at Yo Gabba Gabba Live. There definitely was a party in our city. Fourth row tickets on the aisle made for an in your face experience perfect for the sugared up toddlers and preschoolers in the Sports Arena.

It didn’t start off this way. With no nap, T was not to thrilled to be dragged out. Here is how we started:

Red-faced from crying and zoned. But after some cheezy popcorn and pink lemonade, he was back on a high that would carry him through the show.

Entranced by the lights and colorful characters, T soaked it all in. As a side note, we don’t have TV so the limited exposure he has had to Yo Gabba Gabba came from hitting up their website and downloads from friends.

An exhausted looking Biz Markie gave beat boxing his all for the kids, even inviting up timid kids (pushed by super-fan parents) to repeat his beats. Sad, but cute.

The Super Music Friends Show in San Diego was a bit of a disappointment. I didn’t bother to take photos. While other cities got Amanda Palmer & Jason Webley, Drive-By Truckers, Keller Williams, Mates of State,  OK Go and The Aquabats. San Diego gets Kid Koala? I half expected to see Jon Reis as “Swami” to appear, but with news of an injured back, that seemed unlikely.

As for the Dancy Dance, San Diego had Vince Coleman. All the parents looked at each other with blank stares. Who? Yeah, found out he WAS a baseball player. LA gets Snoop Dog and we get a retired baseballer who stole a lot of bases to do the peanut butter stomp (yes, I looked that one up).

It wasn’t all disappointing. Hit songs like “I Like to Dance”,”Get the Sillies Out” and “Party in My Tummy” made the kids wild with excitement. Security was cool as the kids rushed to the floor space directly in front of the stage. We stayed in our seats mostly because T seemed content there and I didn’t see any need to swim into the parent/kid chaos only to get a few rows closer.

I realize this is just the beginning. Disney on Ice is right around the corner. I remember my parents taking me to one of those as a kid. It must be one of those rites of passage or something. Here we go.

To begin, there are two reasons an album can end up on this list. One is the obvious of not living up to my expectations. The second reason could be if I was a latecomer on their music. In other words, their album was released in years prior to 2010, meaning sadly disqualified.

Let’s start with the actual disappointments so we can end on a happy note. But I urge you to check each of these out for yourself. I’m only one person with an opinion.

Old 97s, The Grand Theatre Volume 1:  I love Rhett Miller. I once was mistaken for his sister because of my great seats, good looks* and knowing all of his songs from the band and solo material (*me being sassy). But I have to say that this album was a let down. I gave it three or four listens and it still didn’t catch. Nothing jumped out. It’s not horrible, just bland. I will continue to give it a go because I want to like it, but it didn’t happen by the time the year ended.  Sorry, Rhett.

The Silent Comedy, Common Faults: I’m probably going to get a lot of crap for putting this one on here and I feel a little bad, but I have to be honest. I’m disappointed in this album. The Silent Comedy are an AMAZING live band, like knock-your-socks-off-and-the-socks-are-dancing-next-to-you type amazing. The faults on this album are not the songs, but how they were produced. The highs and lows have been flatten and the beats have been muted. If you listen carefully you can tell the energy is there, but you have to listen hard. I can’t wait for this band to produce a live album that will truly bring the energy to life. Love you guys.

The following albums didn’t make my top 10 mainly because there were better things out there, but they are albums that made other lists. They are decent but not the tops, check them out and see for yourself.

• LCD Soundsystem, This is Happening
• Dum Dum Girls, I Will Be
• Surfer Blood, Astro Coast
• The Living Sisters, Love to Live

Now for the albums that should have been in the top 10 but I came upon them a bit too late (listed in alpha order).

Good Old War, Only Way to Be Alone (2008):  Recently, I heard “Coney Island” on Slacker radio and instantly fell in love. There is clapping for a rhythm section (hearts here) and a catchy little love story in a song. And check these lyrics:

I’m going to Coney Island have myself a dog
And reminisce why I still hate it here
It’s all these people with their cotton candy eyes
It’s so sweet now put the train in gear

The Little Ones, Morning Tide (2009): This is another band I found on Slacker’s Indie Hits station. My favorite track from the album is the title track, “Morning Tide” but the entire album is great. Positive vibes and swinging sounds. Plus, any band who plays on Yo Gabba Gabba gets bonus points.

Steve Martin, The Crow (2009): I did a review of this album earlier this year. It really says everything.

Mumford and Sons, Sigh No More (2009): Somehow this album and band escaped the public eye in 2009; not mentioned on any top album lists last year. “Little Lion Man” has been nominated for best song for Grammy’s and has hit number one on Billboard’s Alternative charts. Great stuff and super fun. I had the chance to see my brother-in-law play trumpet for them when they performed at a sold out Belly Up show in June. The album is solid and yes, there is the banjo. Hearts.

The Temper Trap, Conditions (2009): This album took some time to grow on me. The first single, “Sweet Disposition” didn’t blow me away and it seemed to be in every movie and commercial. Not really, since we don’t watch much tv or go out to movies, it seemed like a lot. The next single, “Fader” I really liked, so I thought I would take another listen to the album.  Beautiful vocals and an energy that makes your heart swell.

This year I got my groove back, both in terms of writing and listening to music (in comparison to last year). So I managed to purchase and LISTEN many of the albums released in 2010. These are albums that I can’t get enough of and have had heavy rotation in my iPod and car stereo. Here are my top ten albums of 2010: 

10. Vampire Weekend, Contra: I don’t care if I get crap for having this album on my top ten. It is totally catchy… like can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head-type catchy. Not an earworm though. “California English” tops out as my favorite song on this album.

9. She & Him, Volume Two: Girl crush, volume two. Yep. We made the trek to LA to see them, on one of their rare occasions, playing live (oh yeah, also for an awesome wedding). Zooey’s beautiful voice combined with M. Ward’s guitar and back up vocals are enough to make me swoon. Songs I love… “In the Sun” and “Sing.”

8. Steve Poltz, Dreamhouse: Long awaited in my world. 50th birthday present to himself, Dreamhouse is beautiful and full of realness. Hmmm, maybe not the right words but I guess what I’m trying to say is that Steve Poltz is finally being true to himself with this album. Goofy at times, but not all the time. Recorded in his home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Favorite track that still pulls at my heart-strings is definitely “License Plate Eyes.”

7. Ok Go, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky: For some reason I never got into OK Go until this year. Well, that doesn’t matter now. This album is great. Extra catchy and gives me good feelings in my tummy. Not to forget that they make awesome videos. Best songs include “White Knuckles” and “WTF?”

6. Wirepony, Right Hook of Love: Lead singer/guitarist, Patrick Dennis hyped this band and album to me months before they ever played. Me… I try not to fall for hype as I am often disappointed.  But in this case, totally spot on. Right Hook of Love takes the best of San Diego and rolls it up in a neat little package. I can’t help but listen to this album over and over again. Tracks gives my gut that live show feeling “All My Rockets” and title track, “Right Hook of Love.” Expect an announcement soon about plans for 2011… ominous message left on their website.

5. White Apple Tree, Velvet Mustache: I love these boys. I first stumbled upon them at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam back in June. They have an 80s feel with the synthesizer and danceable beats. Favorite song off the album is still “Broken Bones.”

4. Fitz and the Tantrums, Pickin’ Up the Pieces:  Albums often miss the feeling of the live performance. Pickin’ Up the Pieces really does justice to the band’s energy and love for soul. I am grateful to have the chance to see them twice in a matter of weeks at FM 94/9 Rocktoberfest in October and a couple of weeks later, at KPRI’s Private Listener’s Event at La Costa Resort.  But they aren’t done yet. They will be back next week for a show at the Belly Up and a free show at M-Theory Records. Don’t miss! Favorite song off the album is “Breaking the Chains.”

3. Brian Wilson, Brian Wilson Reinvents Gershwin: If you didn’t know, I love Brian Wilson. Back before this album was released, I was jumping up and down at the concept. Now, after months of listening and soaking it in, the album holds a special place in my heart. Still loving “The Like in I Love You.”

2. Freelance Whales, Weathervanes: Some would say that this album technically came out in 2009. Whatever. It was rereleased on a larger label in March, so I’m calling it a 2010 release… cause it is. Love, love, love. Me and the banjo and the mandolin. Favorite song is still “Generator ^ 1st Floor” even after Twitter used the song as the background for a video to introduce the New Twitter experience.

1. Rafter, Animal Feelings: Solid. Just solid. From the first listen, I fell in love. The remix album pales in comparison to the original. The songs that drew me include “Paper” and “Fruit“, but really the whole album is engaging the entire way through.  

At least half the bands on my list are from the Southern California Region. What does that mean? It means that we have access to a great pool of talent to enjoy. As my dear friend, Hilary says, “Get out there and see some shows.”

Feel free to compare to SPIN, Paste, Rolling Stone, Chickrawker, and Right Hear. (Note: I will add more links to best albums lists here as they roll in.)

Photo credit: Our wedding photographer, Ron Hughes