The problem with so-called best-of lists, is that they are really just a collection of items organized based on experience and time, in that there will be plenty of albums heard the following year and beyond that will hold just as much weight as these we dub as “Best.” So, as of right now, at this particular time in the tail end of 2010 and the first moments of 2011, these albums are the best. There’s no question about it; it will change. My next list (which I’ve started, but may take a while to publish) is dubbed, paraphrase: the best albums I didn’t check out in 2011 for some reason or another. (more…)

Creating a music video, in my opinion, should be about creating art. There are so many intricate elements that should go into a video that are so often left forgotten or, at least, unattended. First and foremost is the song itself — a video must compliment the art to which it is expanding from audio to video. Connecting the two is extremely important. Second is theme. The best videos have some storyline, vague or distinct. Or at least something visually interesting. (more…)

I know, I’ve owed this one to you, my readers, for a few months now. The plan originally was to concoct a sort of mid-year recap of the first half, dictating a slew of wonderful albums that may or may not come to find a spot on the inevitable end-of-year list. A hint at what may come. But that didn’t happen. I added a few hobbies to my seemingly never ending list of things that eat away at my time (see above photo) and it fell down the priority list. (more…)

Elijah Wood is the star in The Apples in stereo‘s new video for the song “Dance Floor” off their forthcoming (and highly anticipated) album Travellers In Space And Time. As the press release behind the video notes, “Dance Floor” will make more sense if you first watch “Exploring The Universe With Elijah Wood”. “Exploring” also features Robert Schneider of The Apples in stereo, and it provides great amusement. Half way through, Schneider hits a button suspiciously labeled “E.L.F.N.T. – 6″, which opens a portal to an alternate universe. In the alternate universe Robert Schneider is a musician and not a scientist. (more…)