George Michael

tyleroakley:

What.

The new internet craze sweeping the nation — knobbing.

I know I can always trust a Margaret.

The shows that influenced me most in 2011 (to be updated)

My albums of the year for 2011. I won’t get too scientific about the scoring process.

1. I know everyone will say Adele wins album of the year, she’ll win the Grammy, etc. I’ll get into 21 below. However, Born This Way represents everything that I am and my development as a person this year. Yes I understand how ridiculous it is to say that a Lady Gaga pop music album can help change my life - but it did. This album didn’t exit my car’s cd player between May and August and I fell in love with nearly every song. I won’t apologize and I can’t help it (I WAS BORN THIS WAY GET IT). Lady Gaga gets me, and sometimes it feels like she stands up for me even when I can’t do it for myself, as pathetic as that is. This album carries a theme that I can completely relate to in my own way, and can dance naked around the house with mother isn’t home. A+
- Favorite songs: “Marry the Night,” “The Edge of Glory,” “Schieße,” “Hair,” “Born This Way”

2. Back to Adele. If Born This Way gets 100 points from me, 21 also gets 100 points. This album is essentially flawless (although I can live without the cover song, whatever it is). This album doesn’t need any description from me for validation, but it didn’t leave my car’s cd player between February and May (when BTW came out). Adele is beautiful in her way, god made no mistakes, and she’s on the right track. She’s perfect is nearly every sense of the word, and this album really transcends music in the 21st century. Born This Way obviously has its flaws, but it is my album of the year because of what it represents and its meaning to me (and since this is the George Awards, that’s what matters. Capiche?). While I love Adele and everything about 21, I can’t relate to most of it. I don’t know what heartache is; I’ve never broken up with anyone. So while it’s really fun to wail this these songs with no spatial awareness, they generally come from my throat, not my heart or gut. It’s not Adele’s fault that I don’t understand what she’s feeling. Maybe she’ll win the George Award for 2012 when she turns into a struggling gay man from San Pedro, but until then, Gaga reigns supreme. A+
- Favorite songs: “Set Fire to the Rain,” “One and Only,” “Turning Tables,” “Rolling in the Deep,” “Take It All”

3. Surprise alert! #3 does not come to us from the pop princess genre. Young the Giant (formerly the Jakes) I’ve heard of for a while since my friend Afarin is very close to them, but I never cared to actually listen to their music. Oops. But boy was I wrong in that decision. I saw them perform at the VMAs, instantly downloaded their album Young the Giant, and fell in love. They are alternative-y/rock-y and against all odds, one of the best albums this year. I probably shouldn’t relate to the lyrics in any way, but I can’t explain how I do. Get over it. A
- Favorite songs: “Cough Syrup,” “My Body,” “I Got,” “St. Walker,” “Apartment,” “Garands”

4. Similarly, I can’t explain my obsession with Florence + the Machine. I think she just exudes subtle fabulousness, which appeals to every fiber within me. Ceremonials feels like her first album Lungs, except it went to college, rejected its conservative parents, voted Obama, fucked its best friend, and now wants you to know all about it. If you don’t know Florence by now, get with the program. This album takes a few listens to really get its feel, but it’s obviously worth it. If you disagree, well, you can go hang out with Sarah Palin or whatever else you’re probably wont to do. A
- Favorite songs: “All This and Heaven Too,” “Shake It Out,” “Never Let Me Go,” “No Light, No Light,” “Heartlines” (but really everything).

5. Bon Iver Bon Iver, Bon Iver Bon Iver Bon Iver Bon Iver, or whatever the combination is, also defies any logic when it comes to getting George Award nominations. This is a folksy alternative music that shouldn’t appeal to me: I don’t think I know any lyrics to any of the songs, but I almost cry when I hear some of them. Less is more with Bon Iver, so I will just say this album is beautiful and leave you to it. A
- Favorite songs: “Beth/Rest,” “Perth,” “Towers,” “Holocene,” “Calgary”

6. Christina Perri’s lovestrong follows the same logic as Adele. I don’t understand anything about how breaking up with someone allows you to write music this powerful. I can definitely feel her emotion; I just don’t get it. This really is a beautiful album as well. Christina’s voice is scrappy and tough, and nearly every song tells a nice story.
- Favorite songs: “Arms,” “Black + Blue,” “Tragedy,” “The Lonely,” “Jar of Hearts”

7. The first/only time I saw or heard about Jon McLaughlin was when he opened for Kelly Clarkson during whatever tour she had in 2007. He was a cute boy with crazy piano dancey legs from Indiana, so I got his cd and was happy for a while. I found out about Forever If Ever the day it was released for some reason, so I downloaded and was very happy for a while. It’s just nice eclectic set of songs, that again, I probably shouldn’t relate to but do.
- Favorite songs: “Summer Is Over,” “Promising Promises,” “These Crazy Times,” “Maybe It’s Over,” “I’ll Follow You”

8. As you can tell from the diminishing song title creativity, we are at my final honorable mention for the George Awards for Excellence in Music 2011. Like in Brokeback Mountain, I just can’t quit Kelly. Same goes for Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives sadly, but let’s just blame that on mother. Kelly Clarkson will always have a special place in the dark space where a certain vital organ should be, even if she’ll never be Adele or Gaga. Stronger isn’t exactly groundbreaking songwriting or music production, but it actually is another nice album about love, empowerment, and being true to yourself. It actually does have songs I can relate to, and it didn’t leave my cd player for much of October or November.
- Favorite songs: “Dark Side,” “You Love Me,” “Hello,” “What Doesn’t Kill You,” “You Can’t Win”