[Zooropa]

It's 2009. Looking at the release schedule, I don't really see any more promising albums on the horizon this year. To me it's been a lackluster decade for Rock and Roll. But I want to take a crack at the top 10 albums of this decade. Some of you are going to disagree with my choices. They are what they are.

10. Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds - For me, the most shocking album of the decade. When I was a teenager in high school, and Justin Timberlake was busy doing choreographed dances for all the pre-teens, I would have thought there was a better chance of Kurt Cobain rising from the dead and reuniting Nirvana than there was me typing this paragraph. I can't tell you how refreshing it was for me to hear good music like this on top 40 radio. I learned not to write off anyone, because you never really know what can happen.

09. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand - Looking back on it, it's bittersweet. Sweet because the songwriting is tight as hell and consistent. Bitter because they peaked too early. Luckily, I got to see them in what was basically a bar show of about 200 people before they really took off in the U.S. And it rocked.

08. Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica - Lyrically especially, it's one of the better albums of the decade. Atmospherically, its the complete package. Titles are important when viewing albums from a complete perspective. They couldn't have given it a more perfect name.

07. Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun - It's cliche to say, but some bands you just can not fully understand and appreciate until you see them live. When you see Sigur Ros live and hear those drums kick in, it's a devastating sound that completely reshapes the way you view their music. Prettiest album of the 00's.

06. Tool - Laterlaus - Here's where Tool stopped being sarcastic and took their art to the next level. 8 years later, I feel like I still haven't discovered everything on Lateralus. This album gives off a vibe of the infinite. Its layers are endless. I'll never get to the bottom of them.

05. The Killers - Sam's Town - Controversial choice? The Killers over Tool? Yep. I never get why people hated this album. Brandon Flowers's songwriting here is just so so great. Sam's Town is unapologetically brash, bold, and ambitious. I understand the valid criticism that it is heavy on the overally obvious Springsteen influence. And I guess I can see why it's not everyone's taste........but I'm still pissed off that it didn't get the recognition it deserves.

04. Arcade Fire - Funeral - I got to meet Win Butler for a bit after an Arcade Fire show in Atlanta. He shared his bottle of whiskey with us. Very cool guy. As far as I'm concerned, they're the future of Rock right now. I expect big big things from them in the years ahead. How big? I'd be shocked if they don't produce a big time classic album. And I told him that in between swigs.

03. The Strokes - Is This It - *sigh* I almost don't want to talk about this album. I love it to death, and it's a huge part of my life. But guys........WHAT HAPPENED?!? You produced a couple of good album after this, but nothing like I was hoping for. Seriously, I'm still disappointed. Is This It is a 5 star-er that got my hopes up big time. Like I said, I love it so much, but it's the biggest tease I've ever heard. *sigh*

02. U2 - No Line on the Horizon - On November 18, 2005, I walked out of the Phillips Arena in Atlanta having seen U2's Vertigo Tour. The experience was fantastic, but I couldn't help but settle on the conclusion that U2 had become and would from then on be a legacy band; a band that produces great singles and puts on electric live shows, but wasn't really relevant as far as their current work goes. No big deal, I figured. It happens to all of the greats that don't break up. Sometimes, it's so awesome to be wrong. If you haven't heard this, please do so. And don't judge it on "Get on Your Boots."

01. Radiohead - Kid A - I have to confess, I was tempted to put this at number 2. In the end, I just couldn't do it. I don't have to tell you guys about Kid A. You all know the deal. I think from the first time I heard it in 2000, I somehow knew that it would end up #1 on my list at the decade's end. Was there ever any other choice? It deserves it.

[Zooropa]

Hahaha. Oh what I could do.

So I got my first real video editing gig. And the video is going to be shown on the U.S. Senate floor. My sister works in public school counseling. She will be giving a presentation on something or another related to that to the U.S. Senate. And she's asked me to make the accompanying video. My oh my, what I could throw in there as a surprise. I'm just kidding. Not that I would do that to her, nor would I get away with it. But the mere possibility leaves me giggling to myself.

[Leboman]

Originally Posted by Zooropa

Hahaha. Oh what I could do.

So I got my first real video editing gig. And the video is going to be shown on the U.S. Senate floor. My sister works in public school counseling. She will be giving a presentation on something or another related to that to the U.S. Senate. And she's asked me to make the accompanying video. My oh my, what I could throw in there as a surprise. I'm just kidding. Not that I would do that to her, nor would I get away with it. But the mere possibility leaves me giggling to myself.

Wow...the temptation would be unbearable for me.

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by Mr. Role Modlin

Wow...the temptation would be unbearable for me.

If I was the guy I was two years ago, and it wasn't my sister I'd be hurting, I'd probably do it. But I'm not the guy I was two years ago who was ready to call out Madeline Albright to her face on the 6th anniversary of 9/11 had I been afforded the opportunity. I've grown up a lot since then.

[meatfinger]

No Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? You're crazy. I like Sam's Town a lot, but I don't think it ranks among the best albums of this decade. But hey, we all have opinions.

[Zooropa]

I'm slowly but surely starting to remember what it's like to be a Christian.

Sign #1: Certain actions and/or activities I'd written off as inconsequential leave me feeling guilty now. In other words, I'm feeling convicted about habits of mine. They have to go, but I welcome it. I'm certainly not fighting it. I'm not saying that kicking them will be a snap of the fingers. I'm just not upset over having to kick them. I'm so ready to reinvent myself that I welcome it. The only thing holding me back right now is that I feel so freaking depressed and worried all the time that it makes it hard to focus.

Sign #2: When God came into my life for the first time years ago, I was a freshman in college living in a single bed dorm room. Being an introvert, I didn't mind. It gave me plenty of time to become acquainted with the spirit and read about theology. During my apostasy, I occasionally remembered the feeling of that spirit of peace I encountered on the late nights I spent in that room, and sometimes briefly questioned myself how I could just write that off and forget about it. Nevertheless, I did just that; shrugged it off. Now I have again began encountering the feeling of that spirit. It feels just like I remember it feeling. It's so strange, almost like it never left even though I know damn well it did.

Here's the ironic part: during that time in the past where I was a Christian, I spent many a late night alone in a bedroom talking to God, feeling that spirit, and listening to U2 obsessively. Now that I'm a Christian again, I find myself spending late nights alone talking to God, feeling that spirit, and obsessively listening to U2. I did not plan this at all nor did I consciously do it. I got back into U2 big time only a few weeks before I started becoming convicted again (with this being only the second time in my entire life I've ever been this into U2). Now that's coming full circle. Except this time I'm not going to abandon God's gracious gift.

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by meatfinger

No Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? You're crazy.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so disappointed with myself.

Something will have to be bumped. I'll post a revised list.

[Zooropa]

Revised list!!!!

Sorry, Justin. I love your album, but it had to be cut.

10. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand - Looking back on it, it's bittersweet. Sweet because the songwriting is tight as hell and consistent. Bitter because they peaked too early. Luckily, I got to see them in what was basically a bar show of about 200 people before they really took off in the U.S. And it rocked.

09. Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica - Lyrically especially, it's one of the better albums of the decade. Atmospherically, its the complete package. Titles are important when viewing albums from a complete perspective. They couldn't have given it a more perfect name.

08. Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun - It's cliche to say, but some bands you just can not fully understand and appreciate until you see them live. When you see Sigur Ros live and hear those drums kick in, it's a devastating sound that completely reshapes the way you view their music. Prettiest album of the 00's.

07. Tool - Laterlaus - Here's where Tool stopped being sarcastic and took their art to the next level. 8 years later, I feel like I still haven't discovered everything on Lateralus. This album gives off a vibe of the infinite. Its layers are endless. I'll never get to the bottom of them.

06. The Killers - Sam's Town - Controversial choice? The Killers over Tool? Yep. I never get why people hated this album. Brandon Flowers's songwriting here is just so so great. Sam's Town is unapologetically brash, bold, and ambitious. I understand the valid criticism that it is heavy on the overally obvious Springsteen influence. And I guess I can see why it's not everyone's taste........but I'm still pissed off that it didn't get the recognition it deserves.

05. Arcade Fire - Funeral - I got to meet Win Butler for a bit after an Arcade Fire show in Atlanta. He shared his bottle of whiskey with us. Very cool guy. As far as I'm concerned, they're the future of Rock right now. I expect big big things from them in the years ahead. How big? I'd be shocked if they don't produce a big time classic album. And I told him that in between swigs.

04. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Shame on me for forgetting this masterpiece. What we have in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the textbook example of art conquering commerce. The short version of the story goes that Wilco's label didn't like the experimental tone of the album so much that they dropped the band from the label. Wilco, unfazed, immediately found a new label who released the album as it was. The result? It became one of the essential albums of the decade, and enjoyed highly publicized stories about the drama surrounding the album. Wilco won, and for once, art won. Beautiful story.

03. The Strokes - Is This It - *sigh* I almost don't want to talk about this album. I love it to death, and it's a huge part of my life. But guys........WHAT HAPPENED?!? You produced a couple of good album after this, but nothing like I was hoping for. Seriously, I'm still disappointed. Is This It is a 5 star-er that got my hopes up big time. Like I said, I love it so much, but it's the biggest tease I've ever heard. *sigh*

02. U2 - No Line on the Horizon - On November 18, 2005, I walked out of the Phillips Arena in Atlanta having seen U2's Vertigo Tour. The experience was fantastic, but I couldn't help but settle on the conclusion that U2 had become and would from then on be a legacy band; a band that produces great singles and puts on electric live shows, but wasn't really relevant as far as their current work goes. No big deal, I figured. It happens to all of the greats that don't break up. Sometimes, it's so awesome to be wrong. If you haven't heard this, please do so. And don't judge it on "Get on Your Boots."

01. Radiohead - Kid A - I have to confess, I was tempted to put this at number 2. In the end, I just couldn't do it. I don't have to tell you guys about Kid A. You all know the deal. I think from the first time I heard it in 2000, I somehow knew that it would end up #1 on my list at the decade's end. Was there ever any other choice? It deserves it.

[Zooropa]

Well, it's my first video project, and I'm already having some creative differences with my sister. I guess she wants all of the kids' audio to be included in the video so they are represented, but a whole lot of the audio is really unnecessary, and it's going to make the video drag on and on. What I'm going to do is make two versions: her version and my version. That way, if she still rejects my ideas, I'll have done for her what she asked. Hopefully she'll see the better version. Otherwise, there's gonna be some very bored Senators.

[Zooropa]

I'm quitting smoking. This has nothing to do with: a) the recent tax increase or b) my return to Christianity. I of course see nothing wrong with smoking cigarettes. Just wanted to be clear on that. This has everything to do with me wanting to change fundamental aspects of who I am. Plus, I never wanted to smoke for the rest of my life. I knew I'd quit as some point. Now is the time. I'm quitting for now, then I'll smoke at Bonnaroo weekend (free American Spirits tent!), and I'm done for good. I finished my last pack (until Bonnaroo) this past weekend.

[meatfinger]

Out of curiosity: why do you plan to quit, and then smoke again during Bonnaroo?

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by meatfinger

Out of curiosity: why do you plan to quit, and then smoke again during Bonnaroo?

Good question. Why not just wait until after Bonnaroo to quit, right? I don't know. I just needed to feel like I was making immediate changes in my life right now. I want to feel like someone different. But man, I've gotta smoke at Bonnaroo. Too much of a party atmosphere to refrain. It just wouldn't be the same. It may seem kind of odd, but it will work for me. Cigarette smoking has always been very casual for me. The challenge to quit will be very easy. I've never been addicted. So I feel like I can pick back up for one weekend in June and then drop it again just like that. It won't be hard.

[Zooropa]

I'm drinking a 6 pack of Woodchuck Draft Cider tonight. I've never had it before, and man, this stuff could turn me into an alcoholic. You lose track fast of how many you've had. I better watch it with how much I drink this stuff in the future.

[Zooropa]

The video turned out fairly well considering I did it on very short notice. One thing I learned is while I might have a "natural" knack for this sort of work, I still have a long way to go to being as skilled as I would like. I'm moving into a one bedroom apartment this summer, and I'm going to lock myself away for the majority of the summer reading books, practicing, and learning the craft. The Bonnaroo documentary will be very good practice should I end up doing it. I've got a lot of idea swirling around my head, just not the necessary skills to bring them about yet.

[Zooropa]

I was reading Romans tonight (thanks, Chris), and a thought occurred to me. I believe strongly in not being ashamed of who you are and for not apologizing for who you are. I have many ideas (or at least questions) that are very unpopular when voiced, yet I voice them because I believe it is the right thing to do. Therefore, I should have no trouble letting anyone know that I am a Christian again, right? In Romans, Paul writes

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[c] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.

As I read that, something struck me. I informed my current roomates/friends tonight that I would not be moving into a new house with them when our lease expires. I explained my current situation that it's nothing against them, I just need something different and to basically be by myself to get my head on straight so to speak. Yet I conveniently left out the detail about Christianity now being in my life. I didn't even realize I was doing it, but I did. It would not be an exaggeration to say that learning this would shock them and perhaps alter their perception of me. They won't understand, and they might unfairly categorize me. But I don't care. I need to let them know. I'm not going to pick and choose who I tell. This is who I am now, and I need to be fully comfortable with it.

I fully believe that the reason I've been directionless and my life hasn't gone where I wanted it to yet is because I turned my back on God's plan for me. I took my perceived shortcomings of people out on God. I flirted with different beliefs and ideas. It got me nowhere. Looking back, those are the two biggest reasons I left in the first place. I was not mature enough to accept the way some things turned out for me and how I thought people had disappointed me. And I blamed God and rebelled. Thankfully, God forgives. I've learned to stop living for myself. Because most of the time what I think I want isn't good for me anyway.