Top Ten Of 2010: Christian Lipski

1. Fear Agent, by Rick Remender, Tony Moore, Jerome Opena

A science fiction comic series that echoes “Mars Attacks!” and other two-fisted adventures, but with a serious emotional core. Drunken space cowboy Heath Huston finds himself pitted against robots with human brains and amoeba creatures. Swashbuckling adventure in space! The art, by Tony Moore and Jerome Opena, is first-class, and Remender’s writing is both fast-paced and deliberately plotted.
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Lee Neutron, Daiquiri: Best Of 2010

Albums

2010 was a great year for releases, particularly for the “oldies;” there were strong albums from such long-running acts as Killing Joke, Devo, Helmet, Scorn, Young Gods, and Melvins. I’ve picked my very favourite albums of the year, as well as a standout track from each (these are definitely not in order of best to worst or whatever, like that matters one way or the other).
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Mike H, Daiquiri: Best Of 2010

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Fancy Space People EP: I haven’t been this excited about a band in I don’t remember how long . . . this three-song EP is, for me, the best new thing I have heard in years. I love it! Check them out here.

Seeing Don Bolles sing in his early-era-Alice Cooper tribute band THEE EARWIGS was incredible! What a setlist! What a voice!!

The Redd Kross/Fatih No More show December 1 at the Hollywood Palladium featuring Sparks as special guests during the FNM set doing “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us” . . . seeing Patton and Russel Mael sing that together . . . wow.

Getting a photo taken with Sparks after the show! Not as good was me flipping out like a 15-year-old girl in front of them . . . for the third time. Can’t help it. Sorry.

The movie I Think We’re Alone Now (about stalkers)

Daiquiri released Flower Shaped Num Nums on December 6 via their Bandcamp website. You can download the magic for just five dollars! Find out more about Daiquiri on MySpace.

JG Thirlwell: Best Of 2010

Music

Here is some popular music I have been absorbing this year. Some on this list came out this year and some didn’t.
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Best Of 2010: Ann Clarke

2010 was ridiculously limp regarding any newly released tangible media; I enjoyed older stuff much more. There were plenty of mediocre bands with new albums, boring reunion tours, and remakes of films . . . and I can’t even comment on books because the only ones I ever bother to read anymore are reference materials (travel, art, or kitschy humor).

However, here is some 2010 entertainment that I did enjoy!
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Best Of 2010: Janelle Monáe, The ArchAndroid

By Brenna Chase

There’s no need for a list. Devote all of your listening attention to Janelle Monáe’s The ArchAndroid. It was conceived by a twentysomething theatre major from Kansas, executive-produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs and Outkast’s “Big Boi” along with members of Monáe’s own creative outfit, The Wondaland Arts Society, and released on Bad Boy Records. If this seems a bit of a random selection, know that nothing about this album is typical.

The ArchAndroid is the epitome of risk and eccentricity. It’s a schizophrenic experience of genres, moods, characters, and themes. And, I promise you, it’s the only concept album released in 2010 that truly matters.
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Best Of 2010: By Danny R. Phillips

Hope you enjoy . . . following my advice on these picks is optional and I will not be held responsible for the damages.

Albums

The Black Angels, Phosphene Dream (more…)

Doctor Ew: Best Of 2010

Brass Eye

Band: The Elwins

Albums:
Women, Public Strain
Mantler, Monody

Songs:
Hooded Fang, “Straight Up The Dial”
Marvin Gaye, “Anna’s Song”
Steven McKay, “Ignite”
Bad Yoga (Neil Fuckin’ Quin), “A Saturday in the Cold Sun”

Craziest comedy show of all time: Brass Eye

Musician: Sandro Perri

TV: The Walking Dead (first episode)

Doctor Ew, a.k.a. Drew Smith, has just released his first solo album, Gadzooks. He is also a member of The Bicycles.

David Markey: Best Of 2010

The Runaways

Underwhelmed by most things in film this year, but here’s a few things I enjoyed.

Movies:
The Runaways (Floria Sigismondi)
The Social Network (David Fincher)
Trash Humpers (Harmony Korine)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Edgar Wright)
8: The Mormon Proposition (Reed Cowan)

Still waiting to see:
I Love You Phillip Morris (Glenn Ficarra & John Requa)
Casino Jack (George Hickenlooper – RIP)

Waiting for the DVD:
Machete (Robert Rodriguez)
Piranha 3-D (Alexandre Aja)
The Kids Are Alright (Lisa Cholodenko)

TV:
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
Dexter

The only CD I bought all year:
Kill City (reissue) Iggy Pop & James Williamson

David Markey is a musician and filmmaker, who has most recently directed The Reinactors.

Things That Thrilled Me In 2009: By Allison Anders

Allison Anders is a filmmaker, director, music fan, and lover of life. She has written/directed Gas Food Lodging, Grace Of My Heart, Sugar Town, and Things Behind The Sun. She is also the founder of the Don’t Knock The Rock film and music festival. Currently, she is working on a follow up to her film Mi Vida Loca called Smile Now Cry Later.
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