Best Movies - This was a pretty darn good year for movies, including a good showing for video games with two big video-game-inspired films! These ones impressed me most.
5. How To Train Your Dragon - unexpectedly hilarious and clever; super charming film
4. Tron: Legacy - Now this is an artistic movie if I've ever seen one, and the unique thrills were a big plus.
3. Toy Story 3 - I was closer to tears on this one than with any of the others. I'd have to say it's my favorite Pixar so far. For all those who predicted it would be bad...shame on you.
2. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - You may not understand it, but it's super awesome to see one of your old favorite video game concepts become a hit. This one was incredible!
1. Inception - duh. You'd have to be a fool to deny the genius behind this film. Cool effects, cool characters, cool plot, cool concept. The last time I saw this kind of movie was...well, never.
Vs. 2009's top (Avatar)? I'd have to say Avatar has Inception beat and the box office figures agree. 2009 wins here.
Best Video Games
5. Dead Rising 2 - You probably wouldn't expect it, but I love zombies! More specifically, I love taking out zombies. Fill a mall with them? Excellent. Force you to take them out with common store products (hangars, CDs, electric guitars)? Even better. Fighting zombies was never so funny.
4. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - part three in one of my favorite game series made some subtle improvements, the best of which are the addition of assassin henchmen and the creative multiplayer, but felt more like a extension of part 2 than a true sequel.
3. Alan Wake - If I could include this in the movie category, it would win. It has that sort of plot and artistic value. This game is so unbelievably unique, so imaginative, so gorgeous...it would shock you to know that video games can be like this.
2. Mass Effect 2 - The sequel to my second most-played game of all time. Also on the virge of being eligible for the best movie award. The action, the conversations, the characters...I can't believe I waited the majority of the year to finally pick this one up!
1. Rock Band 3 - The sequel to my #1 most played game of all time! There have always been things I wished for in Rock Band, but with Rock Band 3's addition of the keyboard, ability to provide for a 7 (7!) person band, and superb animation and organization, it feels like there's nothing more it can do! Countless hours will go into this one.
Vs. 2009's top (Assassin's Creed 2)? Well seeing that it's sequel only hit #4 here, it's obvious that 2010 kicked butt here.
Best Achievements
5. Testing results - The two 4's on AP tests and the two 6's on IB tests made me fill extremely accomplished when the end of junior year came around. A 34 on the ACT and faitly decent scores on the SAT were frosting on the cake!
4. Selected National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist - the 'finalist' part isn't revealed until February, but I've received so much recognition for this accomplishment. The principal even made the effort to call me to his office to formally congratulate me! Being in this small group with one of my best friends makes it all the better!
3. Maintained 4.0 Cumulative GPA - after being extremely close to losing it twice, I overcame junior and senior year of IB against all odds! It's been tough, but I'm super thrilled about seeing that "Rank 1" every time I look at my transcript.
2. Voted Orchestra President - In all honesty, the position doesn't mean too much and it may seem silly that this is ranked so highly, but if you know me at all, you know how passionate I am about the orchestra. I lcan't get of those guys' company and it's so encouraging to see them return some of the love! The last day of BHS orchestra just might be the saddest day of 2011. That's one thing I'm not looking forward to.
1. Obtained 1st viola chair in the Davis Youth Symphony - Wow...just, wow. Never saw this one coming!
Vs. 2009's top (Voted "Most Outstanding Orchestra Student of the Year")? 2010 wins, fo sho.
Best Concerts - This decision caused me the most strife. Concerts are definitely the coolest things in my life, and this year booted my grand total of 1 up to 8! From a stadium to a shack, a world-thrilling trio to a little-known duo, this bunch of concerts blew my mind! Each of them could be considered my favorite based on different criteria, but right here is the ranking for the best overall concert experience.
5. Paramore w/ Relient K and Fun - Seeing Paramore two years in a row? Awesome! This time they had their own show.
4. Hey Monday w/ Cartel, The Ready Set, This Century, and We Are The In Crowd - This night was epic! So many bands! So much energy! I usually don't like this type of music too much, but I had so much fun that night and now I'm hooked!
3. Sherwood w/ The Dangerous Summer, Soletta, and Sam Sorenson - This was a particularly special night for me. I saw a band my friend Trevor introduced me to with him, personally met and conversed with one of my top bands (The Dangerous Summer), found a new terrific bad (Soletta) and acquainted myself with a local solo artist who I keep in touch with still today! All around amazing experience.
2. Lydia w/ Emme Packer - You guys have heard a lot about Lydia this year. I was a fountain of passion this night after Lydia announced their split. This was definitely my favorite group I saw this year.
1. Muse w/ The Silversun Pickups - two of my favorite bands in the world and my two favorite bassists of all time! This show was jaw-dropping in so many ways!
Vs. 2009's top (No Doubt w/ Paramore and The Sounds)? These two are probably my top two overall, but Muse has No Doubt beat. 2010 wins!
Best Trips - Holy wow amazing year in trips!
5. Lake Powell with immediate family - This year's stay at Lake Powell was marked by terrible weather, not a bit of wakeboarding :(, and an early return home. Still...I love that place and it had some fun moments.
4. EFY with Trevor - not sure if it was better than 2009's EFY trip, but I think Trevor and I got quite a lot out of this experience.
3. Lake Las Vegas with immediate family - This year's family trip was super fun. Nothing especially memorable here, but I really enjoyed taking a break from everything this week to have a nice time with family in scorching Nevada.
2. Orchestra Trip to San Diego - I want so desperately to place this first! I love the orchestra!!! San Diego Zoo, Sea World, a cruise on the San Diego harbor (yahoo!). I can't believe the next (and sadly last) round is only two weeks away! One of the top weeks in the year, without a doubt.
1. Washington D.C. with Jasilyn (November/December) - Holy wow enriching experience! Heading across the country with Jasilyn, one of my best friends? We saw so much and met so many people! Couldn't have asked for a better turnout.
Vs. 2009's top (Lake Powell with extended family)? San Diego and Washington D.C. both have that fantastic Lake Powell trip well-beat. Way to go 2010!
Most Memorable Moments
5. Cruise on the San Diego harbor - No one expected the cruise to be as spectacular as it was, but I'm pretty sure it ended up being everyone's favorite part of the trip. There's nothing quite like having a dance party with a group of drunk old people from France (The details are a bit foggy, haha).
4. Standing on the top of the Capitol Building dome - Seeing our nation's heart from the top of perhaps the most iconic building in the nation is indescribable. It was extra cool knowing I'll probably never be able to go up there again.
3. Chris Wolstenholme playing Hysteria live - I don't think I've ever been more pumped than I was when headbanging in sync with my most favorite musician as he jammed out to my favorite bass line with a sparkling orange guitar.
2. Meeting The Dangerous Summer - I think what made this moment insane was that I never expected I would actually get to meet these guys. After a live show that exponenetially increased my love for these guys, the group headed to the back of Avalon Theater (my new favorite place) where I went back and was able to have a poster signed by every member! To go from being hooked to their performance in the music video for "Where I Want To Be" (my second-placed song of 2009) to shaking their hands and talking at length with them...I'd like to see 2011 try and beat that.
1. Encore at the Lydia concert - the band seems to be getting tired, I'm sad because I know the end of the show is near, Leighton mentions and encore and the simple piano solo of "This Is Twice Now" begins...my heart breaks because I know it's the last I'll ever hear from my favorite band. Super sad moment, but definitely the most memorable. The only good part about this whole thing? Three fabulous bands have already been started by the individuals members and are proving have tons of potential. I can't wait to see what they bring in the near future!
Best EPs - An EP, you ask? Extended Play or, in other words, a bit bigger than a single. You'll find 3-7 songs in each of these. I put these under the album category last year, but I've found so many good ones this year that they deserve to be recognize separately. Don't count this music out.
5. Beneath It All by Hey Monday - In preparation for their concert, I though it appropriate that I should actually own some music from this bunch. I picked up their summer EP and got way more out of it than I predicted.
4. Dark Storm by The Jezabels - I didn't expect to like the voice leading this group, but I decided to give them a shot and I can't get enough! I think almost anyone could pick up this CD and get some enjoyment out of it.
3. Jinja Safari (Self-titled) - It's funny two bands of Australia make it on this list (this and the Jezabels), considering I don't know any other bands from Australia. This band has a super nifty tribal feel to their stuff...one of the most original varieties of alternative I've come across in a while. The 5 songs here pull off the tribals sounds amazingly.
2. The Road Back Home by Soletta - Huge thanks to the Sherwood concert for introducing these guys to me. Even after their live performance, I wasn't too impressed with these guys, but still decided to pick up a couple of their CDs at the concert. Since then, I've become quite attached to their stuff. I'm super passionate about these 7 tunes.
1. Sunshine and Rain by The Icarus Account - This group of 4 songs is killer. Each song is so heartfelt, so charming...I'm glad I finally decided to pick up some stuff from this talented band.
Best Albums - This was by far the best year of music. I doubled my iTunes collection (2,300 to 4,589 songs!) All of the concerts, all of the new bands, all of the fantastic work from old favorites. I've gotta go with ten on this one because of all of the amazing choices available to me. Some were lucky finds, others were inevitable, all are amazing.
10. One Life Stand by Hot Chip - Quirky? Yes. Unsettling? At times. Addictive? Undeniably. Hot Chip pulls out some real funky stuff here, but I love it! Each song has a little something that keeps me coming back!
9. Elementals by Brightwood - This album doesn't have any new songs, but is an acoustic collection of nearly all of Brightwood's past. I was rarely one for primarily acoustic tunes, but these insanely beautiful acoustic renditions, along with many other great tunes I've found this year, have changed that standing.
8. We Are Born by Sia - Many of my favorite bands have turned more pop/electric recently (the Gorillaz, the Killers, Keane) with little to some success. Sia pulled it off better than any other. Her beats are infectious. She's my Lady Gaga! This is the stuff I dance to.
7. Satelitte of Love by Color of Clouds - I've been looking quite some time for a CD like this. It's got the perfect feel, a soothing voice, sweet, yet catchy melodies. I think most of the people I associate with would fall for this band.
6. The Golden Archipelago by Shearwater - This is beautiful music if I've ever heard it. Tons of cool sounds here, with an even cooler voice and premise. Do not miss what this band has to offer. It's cool to know that this album isn't just one of my favorites. People across the nation are falling in love with it. Join the bandwagon!
5. Dead Waves by Kyte - This was a lucky encounter. After hearing a couple samples on iTunes, I knew I had to have this CD. The fact that the band name is only a crossed l away from my name is a big plus. This style of music is like nothing else I've heard, but I feel that it fits me better than any other.
4. New Morning by Alpha Rev - I honestly didn't think this album would make the top ten, but the more I listened to it, the most I realized how much I really enjoy it. There are many examples of superb musicianship here. Another nice addition to my alternative collection.
3. Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier by Sun Airway - This unique electronic album grew on my so fast. It has the catchiest techno diddies I've ever heard. The best part? It's all within my vocal range!
2. The Way I Fell In by The Morning Of - I was so sure this would be my top pick for the majority of the year. This was my summer album, and though it was beat, it was one of the most enjoyable I've ever listened to and probably accompanied more good memories than any other this year. I was thoroughly impressed by the new and improved The Morning Of. I'm bummed I missed their concert this summer...I can't wait till they come around again!
1. The World We Know by I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business - This album is touching. It grew on me in a really cool way. Every couple of days I have a new favorite from it. Each song is so memorable and this group has suddenly become the one I'm most interested in seeing live. Here's to hoping they pay SLC a visit in '11!
Vs. 2009's top (Spain by Between the Trees)? Oooooooohhhhhh...that's tough. Each is cool in different ways. Hmm...overall, though I hate to have to choose, I'd have to say 2009 wins this battle with Between The Trees spectacular CD, which, as it turns out, was their last album now that they have split.
Honorable mentions to He Is We, The Reign of Kindo, and The Ready Set!
Top Songs will be revealed tomorrow!
I've gotta include formal recognition of all of the amazing new bands I've found this year, particularly the ones that didn't have any new stuff in 2010, but were still a huge part of my life this year.
Big thanks to Wolftron, The Dangerous Summer, Moving Mountains, Barcelona, Oceanlab, Sleeping At Last, States, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Vessels, Undo, Stars Go Dim, The Ready Set, This Century, Ayreon, Sigur Ros, Stars of Track and Field, Eisley, Vedera, Unkle Bob, Jars of Clay, Metric, Broken Bells, Gorillaz, Flobots, In Harbour, Balance Problems, This Beautiful Republic, Falling Up, Embrace, Laura Veirs, Blue October, and Taylor Swift.
I dedicate all of the fabulousness of this awesome year to Lydia and Between the Trees (also split up this year; they had my top album and song of 2009). I'll miss you guys!
Outlook for 2011?
Only two weeks into the new year and I'm already shocked at what is has to offer right off the bat. Here's a list of the highlights.
- Dead Space 2 comes out in two weeks! Some other new games: Elder Scrolls 5, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect 3, Portal 2.
- I already have plans to see The Material in February and my birthday party will be seeing Barcelona live on my birthday! This year of concerts has an early start!
- Day one of the new year and Sleeping At Last already hit me with a powerful EP with a song that I know will end up on the top list for 2011. I can't wait to experience this band's "yearbook" of tunes.
- New albums coming soon from Iron & Wine, The Dangerous Summer, The Strokes, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, No Doubt, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers!
- Orchestra trip 2011: Disneyland...I'm too excited for words
- Graduation and then college!
- Cinderella just finished up...one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of.
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