Ten in eleven

It’s that time for…

My top ten favorite albums of 2011!

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(Here’s 2010′s top ten.)

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In no particular order…

1. The Black Keys, El Camino

               I’ve been waiting for this since last year, and it does not disappoint. El Camino is even more of a departure from the early grit of the Black Keys than Brothers, but it is catchy without being overly commercial.

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2. Feist, Metals

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               I’ve been waiting for Feist’s album a bit longer – four years – but again, it was worth the wait. Metals is a bit darker lyrically and bit more organic musically. It makes me curious – I want to know what was going on in her life/head when she wrote “The Bad In Each Other”.

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3.  Foster the People, Torches

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               This So-Cal group is so much more than the song “Pumped Up Kicks”, which actually came out last year on the group’s EP. I think for a first album it is pretty impressive, but I think the future the band could explore a wider range.  

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4. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Scandalous

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               Black Joe Lewis was recommended to me by a kid in my global health class, and he has easily become one of my most unexpected finds of the year. I never took myself for a Louisiana blues girl, but color me surprised! Some of the lyrics are pretty “scandalous” if you listen closely, but most of the time I was too busy reminiscing about the R&B of yore (think James Brown, Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone) and how Black Joe does them proud.

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5. Blitzen Trapper, American Goldwing

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              This may be as close to the 1970′s as 2011 will get. One thing I love about this group is they just make the music they want to make. They don’t worry about comparisons, branding themselves, or crossing genres. While their music may sound similar to 70′s icon Dylan, you can tell Blitzen Trapper doesn’t seem to mind that fact.

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6.  Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues

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               An easy choice for the list, this album transports me to a new place every time I listen to it. It is more grandiose than edgy, and it certainly leaves a mark. Dare I say it’s my favorite of the entire year?

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7. Paul Simon, So Beautiful or So What

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                I consider Mr. Simon to be one of the best poets in music ever, and he can do no wrong in my eyes. Dude is pushing 70, but he still has a lyricism that cannot be matched when combined with the world-music fusion he is well-known for. While Paul’s music has always had spiritual themes, on this albums he asks deeper questions about faith, death, and the afterlife.

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8. Bon Iver, Bon Iver

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               I hadn’t heard of Bon Iver until Justin Vernon’s second release started gaining a lot of buzz. This album is art, people. It is heavily produced and may come off as pretentious at times, but it is truly a work of beauty.

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9. Adele, 21

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                I don’t need to explain this one, do I? It couldn’t not make the list. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of every song, but her voice is an instrument all its own.

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10. The Decemberists, The King Is Dead

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               This album isn’t monumental in the way that Helplessness Blues is, but I’ve never found The Decemberists to be particularly over the top. That being said, they consistently put out good stuff and I appreciate their exploration of classic Americana on The King is Dead.

What were your favorite albums this year?

Jam of the day: Bon Iver “Towers”

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Getting my green on

2 days left until 2012? What?

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Anyways…

Yesterday I did something in the kitchen that hasn’t happened for, I think, a year. In fact it’s been so long I cannot remember the last time it happened.

Here’s the background. I spent part of the afternoon catching up with Abby at Azul. With a collective four years of high school Spanish between the two of us, perusing the menu proved to be a challenge but thankfully we had tortilla chips and salsa to tide us over. Eventually we both settled on the house salad. Our orders were quickly followed by confessions about the lack of green in our diets lately. Obviously we’ve been eating more important things. Like chocolate. And tortilla chips.

[By the way, the salad was the jam. Generous portion, pico de gallo (I had to look that one up), tortilla strips, citrus dressing...]

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So fast forward a few hours later to my kitchen. I was certain after lunch my green quota would be filled for quite some time. But cravings are fickle. High off of my roasting spree, I blanched and roasted 1 lb. of brussels sprouts that I found in the fridge.

Brussels with ketchup.

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I had planned on saving some to eat with dinner, but before I knew it they were demolished. What’s that moderation word I keep hearing about? I don’t know what it means.

I have no idea what happened here. As I mentioned, I can’t even remember the last time I ate brussels sprouts. They appeal to my taste buds but not my nose.

A salad and 1 lb of brussels sprouts on Wednesday? Yeah I think I’m good for the rest of 2011.

Jam of the day: Aretha Franklin “Respect”

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Boom…roasted

When was the last time I roasted squash?

It had to have been last time I was home. I haven’t had time for it up at school. Steaming is so much faster! However, I think the non-sweet meat squashes really need that extra flavah boost that roasting provides. Gimme that olive oil, cinnamon, cayenne, and sea salt.

Dinner last night included roasted butternut:

Confession: Every time I roast something, I am reminded of the skit from the office when Michael Scott roasts his employees. When the squash was done, I even uttered a “Boom, roasted!” for my homeboy Mr. Scott. RIP.

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Other foods consumed yesterday:

Homemade lentil soup and cornbread.

The last of my holiday chocolate!

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Favorite TV shows, past and present: go!

Jam of the day: Stars “Elevator Love Letter”

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