Tops of 2009

Last year (before my lovely blog was incepted) I wrote out a personal lists for the things I enjoyed the most in 2008. It was for me and me only, kind of a way for me to have a mental note of what I really liked. I’ve always been annoyed by people who don’t know their favorite movies and so on and I was thought having a list was a good way of never becoming one of those people. Now I’ve decided to bring it to my blog to better educate the masses on all things pop culture, included are my top fives from everything including music, movies, and even discoveries (everything that makes my life what it is). So sit back and enjoy the list….LIVE from my bedroom, its Evan Olson’s tops of 2009.


Music
1. I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas
This is the perfect song for any night of the week. To me, it’s almost like a lyrical declaration shouting out that “that tonight’s gonna be a good night.” It’s upbeat, fun, and was the first Black Eyed Peas song I ever bought…I’ve played it non-stop for months.

2. This Tornado Love You by Neko Case
This entrancing alt-country song (from one of the members of Canada’s own ‘the New Pornographers’) is fantastic. Seriously, the first time I heard it I was stone-cold captivated by the unique and holy sound that emanated from my speakers. She’s one to watch for sure!

3. Empire State of Mind (Parts I and II) by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
“These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you…lets hear it for New York, New York, New York!” Awwwe, those words make me feel alive. Fact: I’m not a fan of rap in general, but when Alicia Keys enters the mix it’s a whole different ballgame. This song (split into two parts, one with Jay-Z and the other a piano edition with only Alicia) is an anthem to New York and to the artists who live there (and dream of it). I love New York City and this song encapsulates my admiration of the City.

4. Dance Anthem of the 80’s by Regina Spektor
Regina has been around for awhile; you probably already know her hit single ‘Fidelity’ (it breaks my he-he-he-he-art), but I was never a huge fan…until now. Her album ‘Far’ is a quirky exploration into her musical whimsy. But unlike last time, this album seemed more contained and more centered. This song in particular is an offbeat jingle about a meat market where the “boys and girls the watch each other eat”. But it’s the last minute and the half of the song that really grabs and stuns you; she’s singing about benediction and a meat market again (a combo only Regina could pull off so effortlessly). It’s a song that sums up the whole album: oddly beautiful.

5. Your Presence by Jenn Johnson
What can I say? Bethel is the Mecca of our faith and the music they are sending out is quite unique. Much of Christian radio and even worship music for that matter is being written towards victory, but Bethel is writing from victory. This song captures the intensity of their worship and especially captures the passion of worship leader Jenn Johnson, whose heart cry explodes within the melody.

6. Set Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol (feat. Maratha Wainwright)
I was at the midnight premier of ‘Twilight: New Moon’, waiting for the awful movie to start so I begin criticizing it when but then suddenly, during a commercial for a Nicholas Sparks movie, this stunning and enchanting song came on. I literally raised myself up and leaned out of my seat and the song pulled my in…it’s an intense love song filled with a potency that can only come from a duet of such caliber.

Movies
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
One of the best movies I have ever seen. A romantic comedy rooted in reality and at the same time, in surrealism. Joel and Clementine (lovers if there ever were) begin their relationship at the beginning of the movie, but ten minutes into the film an enraged Clementine has her memory altered so she can forget all about Joel. After finding out what she did, Joel decides to do the same (as a form of payback), but as the operation begins he realizes he still loves her. What follows is a film about real love and real relationships, not something wishy-washy. It’s a movie about how no amount of memory-altercation can erase the love we have for someone, no matter how hard we may try.

2. 17 Again
A surprisingly good movie about a thirtysomething ad man who back in time to relive his high school days (with help from one of those offbeat janitor characters). For such a cliché plotline, it’s a very funny movie with a solid cast (Zac Efon is the lead), pro-marriage stances, and some genuine emotion…something I think is lacking in most high school movies.

3. Marie Antoinette
A period art piece concerning the Carrie Bradshaw-esque queen Marie Antoinette is the most visual movie I have ever laid my eyes on. It is filled with jealous colors, pitch-perfect directing, and is a wonderful glimpse into the life of a happy tragedy.

4. Inglorious Basterds
I’d never seen a Tarantino movie, until I saw this one. A “spaghetti Western” about a group of Nazi hunting soldiers (lead by Brad Pitt’s now iconic character Aldo Rain), a young fugitive trying to stay alive, and the Nazi abomination seeking them out. It’s comical, brutal, and a modern day classic.

Books
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
In my opinion, this fantastic book solidified J.K. Rowling’s epic series about the boy wizard. It is a story set in a magical world, but it is so firmly rooted in Harry’s emotions, emotions that no amount of magic can get rid of. Topics of racism, death, and legacy are profound and certain chapters (ex: ‘the Boggart’) are some of the most enjoyable passages of books I’ve ever read. Make no mistake; this book deserves to be praised.

2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
I’ve read this one twice and am blown away by the magic and emotion it holds. The author (J.K. Rowling) called this book a game-changer, a pivotal book that set the tone for the final three in here epic series. Set out a sort of wizard Olympics and how Harry must face not only the games, but the return of his parents murderer (the darkest wizard in a hundred years) and even….girls. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is an epic novel that transcends children’s literature entirely.

3. Purity: The New Moral Revolution by Kris Vallotton
A breath of fresh! Kris’ is book is not legalistic nor is it void of boundaries; it calls us to sexual purity because we are worth it. It is a book on purity that, instead of being self-centered and focusing on us, focuses its energy on God. The book shows us a better way to live our lives and makes us see that purity isn’t about rules, it’s about relationship. Kris showed me that purity isn’t something we strive to do; purity is something we do because we have a internal values that dictates how we live. If you don’t have one, fine…I do, thanks to this book.

Discoveries
1. Bethel Culture
Honor is liberating, love is all-consuming, and when is freedom not desired? Seriously, Bethel is what I have been looking for my entire life…I love it!

2. NPR
More culture than hard-hitting news, NPR reports on the things I’ve always wanted to hear about. Hour long interviews with Sarah Jessica Parker, stories on people who manage the lives of deceased celebrities, and discussions with people about the Sears Tower name change. Give me NPR’s vibrancy over Today Show’s dull unchanging format anyway.

3. The Internationals
My roommates: a Swiss, a Canadian, and a Scotsmen. Love my room love my mates, enough said.


4. Winco
Food dispensers! Dried pineapple rings! Lowest prices in California!

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Thanks for reading and happy New Years!

P.S. Would really love some feedback in the comments section or on my FB page. Thanks!