Best Songs of 2012

Here is a selection of my favorite songs of 2012, which was a very active year in super-catchy songs, from fun's "We Are Young", Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know", and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." And that was the first half of the year. For the second half, the whole nation was dancing "Gangnam Style", trying to figure out why No Doubt even bothered to return to music, and discovering new bands and music acts that weren't manufactured in a factory (Frank Ocean, The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters and Men, Emeli Sandé, etc.)

BEST SONGS OF 2012

Top 10: For the rest, check out this list.

10-Gotye featuring Kimbra | Somebody That I Used to Know | Making Mirrors

9-Of Monsters and Men | Little Talks | Into the Woods

8-Passion Pit | Take a Walk | Gossamer

7-Alabama Shakes | Hold On | Boys & Girls

6-tUnE-yArDs | Gangsta | W H O K I L L

5-Japandroids | Younger Us | Celebration Rock

4-Sharon Van Etten | Serpents | Tramp

3-Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe | We Are Young | Some Nights

2-The Black Keys | Gold on the Ceiling | El Camino

1-Grouplove | Tongue Tied | Never Trust a Happy Song

8 Definitive Ellen Burstyn Performances

"I am living my own life, not some man's life I'm helping him out with."

-Ellen Burstyn

To commemorate actress Ellen Burstyn's 80th birthday, here are eight of her finest roles on the silver screen and on television. (Plus a bonus section at the end, which features the future ex-Mrs. Ron Swanson.) Born Edna Rae Gillooly on December 7, 1932 in Detroit, she worked as a short-order cook before she became a model and TV actor in the early 1950s in New York. One of the shows she appeared in was "The Jackie Gleason Show." She received the name Burstyn from her third husband, Neil, who was also an actor, though she didn't use that name professionally until shortly before they divorced in 1972.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

Her first major on-screen role as the mother of the town beauty (Cybil Shepherd), she reveals to Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) about her long-time affair with Sam The Lion (Ben Johnson), the owner of the town's sole movie theatre. "Oh, Sam the Lion...I gave him that name," she admits, on the verge of tears. "He was so pleased." She earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. (Co-star Cloris Leachman, who portrayed Sonny's much-older lover won the trophy.)

The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)

While this little-known gem focuses on the estrangement of brothers radio DJ David (Jack Nicholson) and con-man Jason (Bruce Dern), Burstyn stands out as Jason's girlfriend, a faded beauty queen who can't quite admit to herself that her best days are behind her. The film was shot on location in Altantic City, shortly before it was given a major makeover as the East Coast's flashy and eye-catching answer to Vegas.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)

After her husband dies in an accident, Alice sells his belongings and the house, and gets in the car with her son Tommy to California in search of a better life. She wishes to be a singer, even getting a decent gig as a lounge singer in Phoenix. After a couple of mishaps, they head to Tucson, Arizona. She gets work at Mel's Diner and Tommy befriends a child tomboy version of Jodie Foster, where she teaches him how to steal guitar strings at a music store. It is at the diner where she encounters David (Kris Kristofferson, who is a musician in real-life), a ranch owner who has fallen head over heels for this widowed singer who is quite not ready for another relationship. The film was directed by an up-and-comer named Martin Scorsese, who impressed Burstyn with "Mean Streets."

After two nominations (Supporting Actress, The Last Picture Show and Actress, The Exorcist), Burstyn did not attend the Academy Awards to accept her Best Actress Oscar. It seemed logical, since she was a dark horse candidate that year (Faye Dunaway and Gena Rowlands were nominated for their signature powerhouse roles for "Chinatown" and "A Woman Under the Influence", respectively) "I won't win. I never do. I just get nominated." Scorsese accepted the trophy on her behalf.

Same Time, Next Year (1978)

Originally a play by Bernard Slade, Burstyn won the Tony for her portrayal of Doris, a married housewife who spends a weekend every year (for 26 years altogether) at a charming, coastal inn in northern California, with George (Alan Alda), an accountant who is also married. The film adaptation received mixed reviews but Burstyn and Alda's performances were praised. Burstyn won the Golden Globe for Best Actress also well as an Oscar nomination. 

Resurrection (1980)

This religious-themed drama earned Burstyn a nomination for Best Actress for her performance as a woman who through some sort of divine intervention (despite not being a religious herself) gains healing powers. After healing several people, she attracts the attention of the medical and religious communities, which either are in awe or are skeptical.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Darren Aronofsky wrote and directed what is possibly the scariest non-horror movie in history. "Requiem for a Dream" focuses on four people whose lives are connected with the big, bad world of addiction. Burstyn is Ella Goldfarb, a lonely, elderly woman who spends her time watching informericals and eating. She wants to lose weight and appear on TV. When she receives a phone call that she is going to appear on TV, she begins  taking diet pills and sedatives. As the dosage increases, she becomes erratic. At one point, she believes her refrigerator is going to eat her. This is a movie that you only need to watch once, especially since the last few scenes are very frightening. Co-stars Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans. 


The Stone Angel (2007)

This Canadian drama features Burstyn as a old woman reflecting on the many mistakes and events that shaped her unconventional yet exciting life while dying at a nursery home. Co-stars Ellen Page, Dylan Baker, Kevin Zegers, and Cole Hauser.

Political Animals (2012)

Often the best part of this uneven soap opera, Burstyn was the no-nonsense mother of Hillary Clinton stand-in Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver) and the family's often stable rock. She attempted to support her daughter despite disagreeing with her, helped his drug-addicted and suicidal grandson (Sebastian Stan) by nursing him back to health, and gave trophy fiancée/wife Anne (Brittany Ishibashi) something to do besides throw up in the bathroom or stand by her man (James Wolk) when they raided the liquor cabinet, ate junk food, smoked pot, and laughed the evening away.

Bonus
The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986)

For some reason, she headlined an NBC sitcom in 1986, which lasted a single season before being cancelled. Her character was a college professor who attempts to juggle her work and family. Elaine Stritch (who would later become Jack Donaughy's mother on "30 Rock") appeared as her mother and Megan Mullally as her grown-up daughter.  

(Alternative) Grammy Award Nominations

Tonight, during a live show in Nashville, the nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards ceremony will be announced. No matter who gets a nod in the Top 4 categories, it's going to be an interesting year. For the first time in several years, there are no true frontrunners. Last year Adele swept the awards with 21, taking home Grammys for Record, Song, and Album of the Year.
In 2011, it was Eminem vs. the 4 others for Album of the Year (with Arcade Fire taking home the top prize for The Suburbs, one of the Recording Academy's most surprising and brilliant choices).
In 2010, Taylor Shift became the youngest artist to win (at age 20) for Fearless, which was possible because A) that is genuinely her best album so yet and B) it was a weak year for that category.

In addition to predicting who is going to get nominated, I have complied a list of artists who I believe should be recognized for their work over the past year. The real-life predictions will be listed first in each category for the Top 4 Awards, followed by an alternate list. For the categories following "Best New Artist", there are merely my picks for those categories.

The 55th Grammy Awards will be televised live on CBS on February 10, 2013.

ALBUM OF YEAR

The Black Keys-El Camino
Fiona Apple-The Idler Wheel...
Frank Ocean-Channel Orange
fun.-Some Nights
Jack White-Blunderbuss

Alternate list
The Black Keys-El Camino
Frank Ocean-Channel Ocean
David Byrne and St. Vincent-Love This Giant
Sharon Van Etten-Tramp
tUnE-yArDs-W H O K I L L

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Adele "Set Fire to the Rain"
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"
fun. featuring Janelle Monae "We Are Young"
Gotye featuring Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know"
Nicki Minaj "Starships"

Alternate list

The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"
fun. featuring Janelle Monae "We Are Young"
Frank Ocean "Thinking About You"
Grouplove "Tongue Tied"
Nicki Minaj "Starships"

SONG OF THE YEAR
Bruce Springsteen "We Take Care of Our Own"
Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"
fun. "We Are Young"
Frank Ocean "Thinkin' About You"
Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait"

Alternate list
Frank Ocean "Thinkin About You"
fun. "We Are Young"
Japandroids "The House That Heaven Built"
Sharon Van Etten "Serpents"
Jack White "Love Interruption"

BEST NEW ARTIST
Alabama Shakes
Frank Ocean
fun.
Hunter Hayes
Emeli Sandé

Alternate list
Alabama Shakes
Azealia Banks
Hunter Hayes
Emeli Sandé
Of Monsters and Men

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Florence + The Machine-Ceremonials
fun.-Some Nights
Gotye-Making Mirrors
Justin Bieber-Believe
One Direction-Up All Night

BEST ROCK ALBUM

Feist-Metals
Mumford & Sons-Babel
Nada Surf-The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Of Monsters and Men-Into the Woods
Jack White-Blunderbuss

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

Alabama Shakes "Hold On"
The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"
Of Monsters and Men "Little Talks"
The Walkmen "Heaven"
Jack White "Freedom at 21"

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

Beach House-Bloom
David Byrne and St. Vincent-Love This Giant
Passion Pit-Gossamer
The Shins-Port of Murrow
tUnE-yArDs-W H O K I L L

BEST DANCE RECORDING

Alex Clare-Too Close
Calvin Harris-Let's Go (featuring Ne-Yo)
Duck Sauce-Big Bad Wolf
Rihanna-Where Have You Been
Skrillex-Bangarang (featuring Sirah)

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

Aziz Ansari-Dangerously Delicious
Jimmy Fallon-Blow Your Pants Off
Jim Gaffigan-Mr. Universe
Kevin Hart-Laugh at My Pain
Patrice O'Neal-Mr. P

GRAMMY AWARDS: For Your Consideration: Best Comedy Album

One of my favorite categories in the Grammys is Best Comedy Album, where several stand-up comedians and comic performers/actors have an rare opportunity to win the Grammy Award. Nominations will be announced December 5.

James Adomian
LOW HANGING FRUIT

There are no clips from the album available from his album online, so here is a stand-up performance he did in someone's weird attic. You can purchase the album here.

Aziz Ansari
DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS

Also available for streaming on Spotify

Hannibal Buress
ANIMAL FURNACE

Shortly before the TV special and accompanying album was released, Chicago native Buress appeared on CONAN to share his favorite part of the iPad (reading embarrassing books), napkin ettiquette, and the TV show "Homeland."
Also available for streaming on Spotify

Jim Gaffigan
MR. UNIVERSE

I saw Gaffigan perform at Loyola this past March (thanks to my sister, who attends there. The second I found out he was performing there, I immediately called her and demanded she get tickets.) For 90 minutes, we were all in stitches. When Mr. Universe was available for download on his website the following month, I purchased it and watched the whole thing. Three times over the course of four days.

Pete Holmes
IMPREGNATED WITH WONDER


Also available for streaming on Spotify

Kevin Hart
LAUGH AT MY PAIN


Tenacious D
RIZE OF THE FENIX


Tig Notari
LIVE
Unfortunately ineligible due to being released five days after the September 30 deadline.

Grammy Awards: For Your Consideration: Record of the Year

Technically, the prize for Record of the Year is to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position."

That's bullshit. Why? Katy Perry was nominated last year in this category. That's why.

Mostly, Record of the Year honors the year's most popular songs. Past recipients of the prize include Adele ("Rollin' in the Deep"), Kings of Leon ("Use Somebody"), Amy Winehouse ("Rehab") and Coldplay ("Clocks"), for songs that have reached #1 or near the top spot of the Billboard charts and around the world.

Here are some singles that should be considered for Record of the Year. Nominations will be announced in a live ceremony on December 5.

Alex Clare "Too Close"


The Black Keys "Gold on the Ceiling"


Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo "Let's Go"


David Byrne and St. Vincent "Who"


Grouplove "Tongue Tied"


Kimbra "Settle Down"


M.I.A. "Bad Girls"


Neon Trees "Everybody Talks"

15 Things That Could Happen During The Obama-Romney Lunch

Romney and Obama during one of the debates

1-Someone secretly records the lunch, which is how we find out that Romney not only drinks alcohol (one thing that Mormons do not practice) but an inebriated Romney is begging for the recipe for the secret White House moonshine that is only served during luncheons with former presidential candidates and various rivals.

2-When Obama passes a pitcher of ice lemonade, he accidentally spills some on Romney, in which he begins to malfunction and break down, finally revealing that he is indeed a robot.

3-Despite appearing on both men's Netflix's queues, no one mentions the documentary "2016: Obama's America", "Frontline: The Choice 2012", a PBS documentary profiling both of them, the George Clooney drama "The Ides of March", and the Will Ferrell comedy "The Campaign".

4-Joe Biden will interrupt multiple times during the meal as he tries to show off the new karate moves he is practicing in order to finally get his black beat.

5-Bo, the Obama's family dog, will also interrupt multiple times as he tries to get both men to check out a very deep hole that he dug out in the back yard that contains several bones that may or may not be the remains of dinosaurs.

Bo the Dog

6-Obama and Romney will finally be able to talk trash about Paul Ryan, eventually laughing and giggling as they watch old clips of his speeches, the VP debate, and that TIME magazine photo shoot.

7-One of the items on the menu, baked chicken on a bed of steamed vegetables, is quickly changed for a large plate of hot buffalo wings with a basket of potato wedges, sweet potato fries, and many small containers of ranch dressing. There is a buffalo wing eating contest. The first man to eat ten wings without crying wins a bowling trophy with the sticker "White House Buffalo Wing Champion 2012." Loser has to buy dinner the next time both of them are in the same city.

8-There will be a brief discussion on how to end the NHL lockout, which will be quickly abandoned once they realize that neither of them is at all interested in hockey.

9-Someone's cell phone ring goes to a particularly catchy pop-rock song in the hallway (most likely a member of the Secret Service). They spent ten minutes trying to figure out the name of the song, even going far as whistling and humming the song into a music app that figures out the name of songs.

10-It will be discovered that someone in the Oval Office Googled "Things You Wanted to Know About a Mormon But Were About to Ask" shortly before the luncheon. Whether the president asked Romney anything Mormon-related questions was never known.

11-The second half of the luncheon will consist of both men discussing and debating about their predictions and picks for the upcoming Academy Awards. While either has seen Life of Pi, both are fans of Ang Lee but are not fans of 3D movies, though Romney will admit that he enjoyed The Avengers. Both agree on Daniel Day-Lewis for Best Actor. They will be divided over Best Actress, though both easily agree that Jennifer Lawrence is by far the most attractive prospective nominee.

Jennifer Lawrence

12-Inspired by talk of Marvel's The Avengers, Romney suggests that Nick Fury should be considered for Secretary of State. Obama will consider the suggestion.

13-The quest for the mystery song is resolved when Obama asks a passing staff member the name of the song after he and Romney hum the bars of the chorus. The staff member mentions that the song is "You CanHave It All" by Lo Ya Tengo. Romney downloads the song onto his iPhone while Obama adds it on a Spotify playlist named "Power Lunch Soundtrack."

14-Originally dessert is a freshly baked apple pie. Romney suggests they go to a bakery in Georgetown where they serve these mouth-watering red velvet cupcakes. This is also where the great Cupcake Eating Contest takes place. Joe Biden wins by a landslide.

15-When their time together comes to an end, both say their goodbyes and agree to follow one another on their personal Twitter and Facebook accounts, on the condition that neither posts prolific videos form YouTube, those someecards, or links to the Huffington Post.

Grammy Nominations: For Your Consideration for Best New Artist

On December 5, the nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards, which commemorates music released from October 1, 2011-September 30, 2012 (confusing, right?) with shiny trophies in a televised event, which is 80 percent performances from the eventual winners. It's no secret that artists who perform will trophies. Otherwise there would be a ton of no-shows to the event.

Forget the ceremonies for a moment. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is probably the most out-of-touch Academy involved in culture. While in recent years they have nominated and awarded artists who are representing the cultural shifts in music, often they are dubious. For instance, there is a possibility that One Direction might be nominated for Best New Artist. Really? Then there are times when the Academy is bold and goes against what others want and reward some fascinating and talented musicians. For the same category, jazz singer-songwriter Ezperanda Spalding won over Justin Bieber (along with popular acts Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine, and former "Degrassi" star turned rapped Drake) in 2010. This left those twits who call themselves Biebliebers outraged, since they are awful people who cry and scream when they don't get exactly what they "biebelieve" they deserve.

Several of the frontrunners like Gotye and fun. are worthy of a Grammy nod (if not the win) in this category as well as in several other categories, this post is not focusing on the popular frontrunners. Here are several artists that are not being widely discussed who should be considered, if not earn a nomination for Best New Artist on December 5.

Alabama Shakes

Formed in 2009 in Alabama, they started their path to rock stardom as a cover band, performing locally and around the South, including Birmingham and Memphis. They even opened for Drive-By Truckers for a few shows before finally recording a demo EP of their original material. This quartet fuses southern charm, soul, and hard rock into its performances and on their debut album, Boys & Girls, which peaked #8 on Billboard.

Hunter Hayes

It's been awhile since a country solo artist has been in this category. Crossover acts Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry scored a nod in recent years, but the last solo artist was Carrie Underwood, who won the prize, in 2007. The 21-year old Louisiana native not only writes his own material, he plays guitar (as well as bass), accordion, piano, mandolin, bass, and drums. He can be his own band. In fact, he played every instrument on his self-titled debut album. Until that happens, he is currently touring with past Best New Artist recipient Underwood in a 90-city tour that will most likely conclude just in time for the Grammys ceremony.

Imagine Dragons

Not a lot of musicians or original musical talent break out of Vegas, but the success rate is pretty substantial. (The Killers, The Crystal Method, Ne-Yo). While "It's Time" was one of the biggest hits of the summer, their best track from their debut album is "Radioactive", a piercing and remarkable piece of stadium rock 'n' roll. We want people to hear that song and feel empowered,” singer-songwriter Dan Reynolds explains.

Of Monsters and Men

Not since Bjork has Iceland exported such a talented musical act. Unlike Bjork, Of Monsters and Men is more about song performance than high theatricals and occasionally polarizing imagery. Their sound is dreamy and light yet consistent, entertaining blend of sing-along folk and rock-pop. The first time I heard "Little Talks", I thought it was a new track from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or a different version of Arcade Fire (the six-piece Icelandic group have been compared to both bands). They were recently profiled on PBS in a program profiling international musical acts that aspire to entertain and offer a wonderful alternative to the bubblegum and manufactured pop that Top 40 radio has to offer.

Emeli Sandé

Before her debut album was released in February 2012, she already had a successful career as a songwriter, penning lyrics for artists like Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, and Cher Lloyd. She gained major exposure when she performed at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics in London. Even though she is young (age: 25), she has more than a decade of songwriting skills to her resume. She wrote her first song at age 11. 

TOMORROW: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR RECORD OF THE YEAR

THURSDAY: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR SONG OF THE YEAR

FRIDAY: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR