Sooty's 2011 Year In Review Countdownmania

[Soot and Stars]

#40
William Fitzsimmons-Psychasthenia



Could you map this globe
With a torment slowly rose
To a fear resigned
Quiet room I hope I find

Cut me open please
Cut me open please

With an alter robe
I have stumbled knife to lobe
In compulsion drown
Counting every phantom found

Cut me open please
Cut me open please

With a bridge I've killed
I will serotonin fill
To a fear resigned
Quiet room I hope I find


William was an artist I discovered in 2010. He has one of the most soothing voices ever hidden beneath that Amish beard of his. Seriously, it's a like a velvet whisper and it makes it impossible for him to create a bad song. The difference between this album and the last is that their is a more uplifting beat and electronic vibe to accompany that vocal and it works. The term Psychasthenia is about fears, obsessions and compulsions but one should be cured of all this after listening to this song and the two angels singing, William and female accompaniment Laura DiStasi.



Bonus Countdown: Top 5 T.V. Obsessions of 2011

#5
The Office


To be honest this was part of my obsession of 2011 as it has been since I first grabbed that 1st season on DVD. Like a lot of people in the Netflix and DVD age I catch up when it's available outside the television media. Anyway, I spent 2011 watching Season 7 which is the first and only season I don't own on DVD. I've heard a lot of criticism about 7 as a season but I'm not amongst them. Micheals ignorance of herpes, Andy's performance of Sweeney Todd, the way Erin dumps poor Gabe, the lost Michael and Holly's ESP for finding him, the PDA issue, Will Ferell as manager, etc. all provided gutbusting entertainment. Once again though it's those side moments with the supporting cast that make the show and their was plenty there. Honestly though they did a great job with Michael and Holly's romance showing their unique chemistry and they did an amazing job of giving me a lump in my throat for Michael's sendoff. Now as much as I will miss Michael Scott as Steve Carell is in my top five favorite comedians I think that change is good and whatever I missed "in" 2011 the fresh start should've given the show new life! ​

 

[Sunny]

I don't know what you do in your job Sooty but you're talents are totally wasted! You should be writing for Q magazine ................ the only music mag I read.

 

[Soot and Stars]

I don't know what you do in your job Sooty but you're talents are totally wasted! You should be writing for Q magazine ................ the only music mag I read.

Thank you Sunny! I don't feel like anythings wasted though as I get to do this with freedom and with good company!

 

[Soot and Stars]

#39
Taking Back Sunday-Call Me In The Morning



Well I don't know where you're going
but I know where you've been.
I've been tracing all your footsteps,
I've been counting all your sins.
A ticking bomb, a false alarm, a wrecking ball...
You left before I had the chance to say

Just call me in the morning.
Call me when you're home.
I know what you've been through, don't let go.
Don't let go.

Well you reached into my mouth
and pulled out a single bloody tooth.
I've never shown that to anyone.
Yeah no one knows but you.
A ticking bomb, a false alarm, a wrecking ball...
I left before you had the chance to say

Just call me in the morning.
Call me when you're home.
I know what you've been through, don't let go.
Honey don't let go.

You never knew that it would take so long (take so long)
to understand you're right where you belong.

I don't know where were going
but I know where we've been.
We've been hiding from each other,
we've been hiding from our sins.


I was truly excited to see that 2011 would be the year that Taking back Sunday would go back to it's original lineup being the first album since the "Tell All Your Friends" debut that Shaun Cooper and John Nolan had recorded together. This was bittersweet news as I loved the debut album and it's rawness AND I loved the hooky poppier followup. Both albums were perfect to me and the magic of this album is they mix the two incarnations of TBS very well. Good thing because the group had gotten stale in their last two albums. That's not even the most bittersweet part though. John Nolan actually formed a group when he left TBS that is one of my favorite groups past 2,000 and honestly of all time. That group Straylight Run, who I was buying right up to the last moment after they lost Michelle (Nolan) DaRosa who contributed vocals/guitar/piano and just releasing 3-4 song digital EPs, are apparently disbanded for this reunion. Anyway, the tradeoff was still a pleasant plus to 2011. The song has a much bigger John Nolan influence so it's one of the highlights for me. I love his slurring almost drunken diction in his phrasing which are the little touches I've always loved from him. he's not a singer by singers means but he's a great songwriter and this sunny pop song shows that. The screams are harmonious and not grating. In fact, the harshest hoarsest screams are just beautifully incorporated. The dual harmonies are placed in exactly the perfect spots. It's just a great song and by the end it picks you up in the simplest manner.

Bonus Countdown: Top 5 T.V. Obsessions of 2011

#4
Survivor

This is a show I'm a lot more updated on as the seasons as they stream online and I haven't missed a single episode in all 23 seasons. I love how the show always evolves and how it honestly shines a mirror on how people define honor and in a social world how far can you get by being 100% honorable. Is honesty about embracing the lengths you'll go as admirable as one can get. In this season two players return to coach each tribe. One of the most physically dominant resourceful players ever in Ozzy and one of the most colorful, manipulative players in Coach who was an exercise in duality. This season was one of the best in survival as even the weakest of characters stepped it up. Ozzy against the odds made it out of Redemption Island TWICE, Cochran the geeky, least physically threatening player of the season almost actually beat Ozzy at Redemption and Christine won a multitude of duels to surprise everyone and keep staying in the game. The other big feature of this season was seeing villainous Russell Hantz's nephew Brandon. Brandon came in as a player wanting to change the family reputation and came off as a struggling soul to the point where he seemed on the edge of sanity. In some ways he was the most loyal and true to his word which was something Coach used to string his group together until they were left with each other. Anyway, I was dissapointed with the winner but the characters, draman surprises and suspense were plenty this year. ​

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

Jen, are they ones on my list or just ones you know I like! And Coldplay will come!

1, 2, 4

Actually, I'm sure the whole thing will amuse you. You always love the weird and stupid.

The Most Epically Awful Videos of 2011: Even Worse Than Rebecca Black | Video Ga Ga (NEW) - Yahoo! Music

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

#4
Survivor

This is a show I'm a lot more updated on as the seasons as they stream online and I haven't missed a single episode in all 23 seasons. I love how the show always evolves and how it honestly shines a mirror on how people define honor and in a social world how far can you get by being 100% honorable. Is honesty about embracing the lengths you'll go as admirable as one can get. In this season two players return to coach each tribe. One of the most physically dominant resourceful players ever in Ozzy and one of the most colorful, manipulative players in Coach who was an exercise in duality. This season was one of the best in survival as even the weakest of characters stepped it up. Ozzy against the odds made it out of Redemption Island TWICE, Cochran the geeky, least physically threatening player of the season almost actually beat Ozzy at Redemption and Christine won a multitude of duels to surprise everyone and keep staying in the game. The other big feature of this season was seeing villainous Russell Hantz's nephew Brandon. Brandon came in as a player wanting to change the family reputation and came off as a struggling soul to the point where he seemed on the edge of sanity. In some ways he was the most loyal and true to his word which was something Coach used to string his group together until they were left with each other. Anyway, I was dissapointed with the winner but the characters, draman surprises and suspense were plenty this year.

I used to love Survivor back in the day, Sooty. I sort of stopped following around the time of Pearl Islands or the first All Stars though.

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

I know I knock on you for your Survivor fanboyism Soots but I really have no room to talk since my reality trash tv guilty pleasure of choice is Jersey Shore.

 

[Soot and Stars]

I used to love Survivor back in the day, Sooty. I sort of stopped following around the time of Pearl Islands or the first All Stars though.

I know I knock on you for your Survivor fanboyism Soots but I really have no room to talk since my reality trash tv guilty pleasure of choice is Jersey Shore.

I don't know how I've stuck with it so long but even my family started watching it since Season 1 and they used to send me VHS tapes in college to watch them. LOL The net made it a LOT easier. It's cool to have a show that my family and I can speculate on and discuss.

And Jen, I own the first two seasons of Joisey Shore purchased for a buck or two a pop and haven't brought myself to watch a single episode yet.

 

[Soot and Stars]

#38
While Heaven Wept-Fear of Infinity



I'd spent a lifetime reaching for the stars above
Yearning for the one who I'd always dreamed of
Then you came to me in winter's cold slumber
An angel with eyes glowing embers

My one, my all
I'd do anything for you my love
My heart belongs to you
I concede my soul to you
I will die loving you

Deathlike silence darkened summer's dawn
I'd awakaned rom the dream to find you had gone
To hold an angel, nothing but futility
The more I reach for you, the further you were from me

My one, my all
I'd do anything for you my love
My heart belongs to you
I concede my soul to you
I will die loving you
Oh my love
I don't know how to let you go

If only I could have held you one last time
Before you closed your eyes and spread your wings to fly away
If only you could hear me now, I wish I had the chance to tell you
Everything I never had the chance to say:

Take my heart as you leave for I'll need it no more
I'll crawl the darkness of hell while through heaven you'll soar
May you find peace and happiness into the light transcend
I'll spend my last days in sorrow alone until the end


While Heaven Wept was a 2010 discovery for me. They have a mix of epic Doom and Symphonic metal and enough beautiful melody and graceful music shifts to pull Sooty's ear in. I had to purchase the 2011 effort "Fear Of Infinity" and since an epic group is best well.... being epic of course I had to pick the 11 minute appropriatly titled closing title track "Finality". I love the mixture of the Hetfield vocal style and tone into the high operatic vocals. It's so refreshing. Usually I'm used to a high pitch vocal accompanied by a screechy yell so I'm serious when I say I appreciate the change. I love the harmonies and believe it or not Sooty appreciates the guitar solos. A LOT! I want more solos like this where they don't showboat and just carry on the melody with gradual progressions. It helps tell the story so much better IMO and this song makes for a great story. I LOVE at 6:50 how it seamlessly segways into the heavier riff which is my favorite riff in the song. Anyway, another epic masterpiece from my favorite modern metal band.

Bonus Countdown: Top 5 T.V. Obsessions of 2011

#3
Glee

This was my guilty pleasure of 2011. I'm officially a Gleek! I love the cheese, the drama, the comedy and of course the music and arrangements and how they are incorporated into the show. Hit or miss it's a show that puts music as it's main character and tries different things. The characters are so over he top and I like that. I love Sue. Always liked Jane Lynch anyway. What I love about the show is how it surprises me. It embraces itself as what it is and that is fun, punchy, colorful, sometimes mean spirited but always having it's heart in the right place. It's like a John Hughes film in many ways. Breakfast Club with music. Through the cheese it still manages to get you to connect to characters and the actors brilliantly flesh these characters out beyond the stereotypes. I guess, one of my favorite examples is the struggle of the gay kids (Kurt) Dad. Actually the Dad is one of my favorite characters. You know he struggles with it and doesn't understand it but he loves his son and does a great job with him considering it's just them (the Mom died). Their relationship has gotten me teary eyed and most of it is the chemistry and great acting between the two. Plus, the show has great twist to keep things interesting and some nice themes as well. As much hate as this show gets I'm shamelessly a fan and addict! ​

 

[Soot and Stars]

#37
Rachael Yamagata-Starlight

I couldn't see a thing tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star has shone for you.
I couldn't see a thing tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star has shone for you.
I couldn't see a thing tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star has shone for you.
I couldn't see a thing tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star has shone for you.
I add a little candlelight to get through.

Oh, I couldn't see the moon tonight,
Not one wave.
Not one wave was out for you.
No, I couldn't see the pale moonlight,
Not one part.
Not one wave was coming through.
And I'm terrified to look outside,
Cause I need you.

Starlight makes it all the same.
No light and I feel the pain.
Starlight makes it all a game with you, baby.
Starlight and I feel the same.
Missed flight on this aeroplane.
I'd jump from a moving train,
Just to keep you.
Would you do it for me?

Oh, I couldn't see the sky tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star has shone for you.
Yeah, I had a real hard time tonight.
I still feel your breath.
Oh my love I hold for you.
And I think that I've been holding out,
To hold onto.
And I'm terrified to look outside,
Cause I need you.

Something about you is like,
Drinking a cold glass of water.
Everyone needs a place to go to sometimes.
Something about you is like,
Going against Mother Nature.
And I decide to face her every time.

Starlight makes it all the same.
No light and I feel the pain.
Starlight makes it all a game with you, baby.
Starlight and I feel the same.
Missed flight on this aeroplane.
I'd jump from a moving train,
Just to keep you.
Would you do it for me?

As I watch you walk across the street,
I keep wondering why I can't leave.
All the heavens are against me and you.
Do you even know a thing 'bout me?
Do you even think about my needs?
Cause I need you.

I couldn't see a thing tonight,
Not one star.
Not one star was out for you.


Rachael came out with her most radio ready, sassy single since her debut album "Happenstance". On that album, tracks like "Worn Me Down" and "Letter Read" made her the new raspier, guitar playing Fiona Apple. Her second album became a double c.d. of folky, coffeeshop blues and now with her 2011 fan financed album "Chesapeake" she mixes all the styles together. The song Starlight takes a Sheryl Crow like riff but gives it a sultry feel and a vocal that Sheryl Crow couldn't even dream of. In fact, I was never a fan of the Sheryl Crow vocal and wonder why she hit it big while a firecracker like Rachael who's a far better writer and talent is on the indie circuit. This song should be a radio hit. What a crime!

Bonus Countdown: Top 5 T.V. Obsessions of 2011

#2
Dexter


Dexter was my show of 2010 and that's where my Dexter fanboyism peaked. It still is my favorite television drama ever. I've spent the last year and a good portion of 2011 watching 5 whole seasons of the show and haven't been let down once. Even the followup to one of the most shocking endings ever in Season 5 was satisfactory to me though most fanboys slashed into it unfairly. I mean I know expectations were high but lighten up. Dexter is a horror fanboys like mines wet dream. It's a series that finally treats the genre with respect fleshing out it characters and maintaining the most consistent quality in character development and character arcs as well as keeping the show interesting and suspenseful for 5 seasons. Since Season 5 was on my 2011 watching list I'll just say that as amazing as Season 4 was with John Lithgow and the cliffhanger I actually liked Lumen and her relationship and chemistry with Dexter. It's the best I've seen julia Styles and I've always thought she had potential. I'm confident Season 6 was great as well and I'm looking forward to it as I'm always a season behind. Dexter is my favorite show on the list but is #2 because of the show that got me excited and pulled me in for the first time in 2011. Stay Tuned! ​