In Part and in Whole

In no particular order:

- Despite getting eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs, FC Rag Tag finished the season top of the league this Fall and I managed to score probably the best goal I will ever score in my life.  Great times

- It was about 7:30am and I was at a bar with my City-supporting friend Rick when Wayne Rooney pulled off the goal of the year.  After I regained my composure, I turned to my dejected friend and said “C’mon man, you cant even be mad at that”.

- Then a few months later, this happened.

- Recorded a full-length and toured a bunch with Harm’s Way.  Made some great new friends and got to see many old ones as well.

- Saw Morrissey twice.  Lovely.

- Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP ever, and the Bulls’ first since some guy named “Jordan”.

- Celebrated 5 years of friendship with my dear friends in Fireworks by hanging out at my family’s michigan lakehouse for a weekend.

- And finally, arguably the coolest day of the year for me, I got to watch the United vs Fire game from the fucking sidelines at Soldier Field.  Absolutely incredible experience, which can only be topped by seeing a game at Old Trafford, which I hope to do this Spring.

Obviously 2011 had its shitty, depressing moments.  The year started off with my car dying in Livonia, MI on New Years Day.  Two relationships came and went.  Turned 28.  But really, not a horrible year.  I’ve had worse.

1) Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire

When I first heard the song “Lucky Now”, it instantly became one of my favorite Ryan Adams songs ever.  And the rest of this record did not disappoint.  It’s completely stripped down and concise.  Not a double LP or 19 song release like so many of his previous releases.  He finally learned to use the “edit” button on his creative output, and released a brilliantly simple, yet incredible record.  And it’s sad as fuck too.

2) Fireworks - Gospel

I’m just going to come right out and say it: This record completely blows every other record released in this “scene” this year out of the fucking water.  This thing raises the bar a good 100 notches when it comes to pop-punk bands “maturing”.  I cannot say enough good things about this record, and I truly feel I would be saying the exact same thing even if they didn’t happen to be some of my best friends in the world.

3) Trapped Under Ice - Big Kiss Goodnight

TUI succeed where so many other hardcore bands fail: Putting out not only a good 2nd LP, but a 2nd LP that is FAR superior to the 1st.  I mean, just listen to the song “Jail”, you’ll understand.  I would also just like to state that I completely back Justice saying the name of his band in as many songs as possible.  Pure ignorance in the best way.

4) Cold Cave - Cherish the Light Years

This record is another example of a 2nd LP far surpassing the 1st.  Wes gets more creative with his singing and melodies, and thus the songs become more interesting and catchy.  This record has a great Depeche Mode/New Order vibe and I love it.  And on that note, I hope AN plays Chicago in 2012.

5) Bon Iver - Bon Iver

I’m having a hard time thinking of how to describe why I like this record.  Its just good, chill, sad guy music.  Take a long night drive, put this thing on, and you’ll be missing her in no time.

Honorable mentions: Drake - Take Care, Nick 13 - S/T, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong, Transit - Listen & Forgive