Here are my Best and Worst Pop Culture Picks for 2006:

 

BIG SCREEN

 

FAVORITE FILMS

The Departed

The Devil Wears Prada

Inside Man

Little Miss Sunshine

The Prestige

Superman Returns

Thank You for Smoking

V for Vendetta

 

RUNNERS-UP        

Cars

Hollywoodland

The Illusionist

Scoop

X-Men: The Last Stand

 

STRANGEST FILMS of ‘06

The Fountain

Running with Scissors

 

MOVIES I STILL MUST SEE

Babel

Bobby

Little Children

Notes on a Scandal

The Queen

 

SMALL SCREEN

 

TOP CABLE TV SERIES

Deadwood

Dexter

Entourage

Rescue Me

The Sopranos

Weeds

 

TOP NETWORK TV SERIES

Alias (RIP)

Arrested Development (RIP)

Bones

Brothers & Sisters

Friday Night Lights

Grey’s Anatomy

Heroes

Lost
Medium
The Office

Scrubs

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

 

TOP REALITY SHOWS

Project Runway

Top Chef

 

SHOWS I ABANDONDED

The Amazing Race  

Desperate Housewives  

Survivor

Ugly Betty

 

MUSIC

 

GUILTY PLEASURE POP SONGS of ‘06

Nelly Furtado – Maneater

Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’

Gwen Stefani – Wind it Up

Justin Timberlake – Sexyback

 

BEST ALBUMS

Christina Aguilera – Back to Basics

Pink – I’m Not Dead

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium

 

LEAST FAVORITE SONG of ‘06

Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer

(yikes, yawn, yuck)

 

PODCASTS

 

BEST PODCASTS ON iTUNES

The 10^th Wonder Podcast – NBC Heroes

All-TIME 100 Albums Podcast

Grey’s Anatomy Official Podcast

The LOST Podcast with Jay and Jack

NPR: All Songs Considered

The Official LOST Podcast

TV Guide Talk

USA Today’s Pop Candy

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I have returned, like Superman. Without the tights and glory.

 

TV

 

For those of you who need a fix during the hiatus, I highly recommend that you visit the following website, which lists the Top 50 Lost Loose Ends:

http://tv.ign.com/articles/745/745595p1.html.

 

ABC has prematurely yanked both Six Degrees and The Nine out of their primetime lineup, even though several finished episodes have yet to air.  It is not clear whether either show has been canceled, but both are currently available to watch free of charge on ABC.com.  Rumor has it that Six Degrees is being retooled to focus more on Campbell Scott and Bridget Moynahan, which I hope is not the case; I am far more interested in the direction that Erika Christensen and Jay Hernandez are headed.

 

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip received a much-appreciate reprieve, being picked up for another season. I am still baffled by the widespread criticism of this show. It satisfies many of the attributes I look for in quality television programming: a smart script, a fast pace, a terrific cast and an addictive nature (i.e. Mondays are easier knowing that this show awaits my eyes and ears that night).

 

Heroes continues to rock. If you love it as much as I do, you should read the Producer’s blog (http://gregbeeman.blogspot.com/) and listen to The 10^th Wonder Podcast on iTunes (http://www.thetenthwonder.com/).

 

MUSIC

 

Angels & Airwaves – “The Adventure”

This is the only song I own and love from this band, which is an offshoot of Blink-182. I’m addicted to this track, which reminds me of my favorite Blink song, “I Miss You.”

 

Gwen Stefani – “Wind it Up”

Have you seen this video? Anyone who can seamlessly intertwine The Sound of Music with contemporary pop earns huge points in my book.

 

iTunes Originals

I love that iTunes offers acoustic versions of songs from some of my favorite artists, like Death Cab for Cutie, Aimee Mann and Liz Phair.  Look for ‘iTunes Originals’ in the iTunes Music Store, in a box on the left side.

 

Imogen Heap

Her dreamy, ethereal music is unique and I really like it, but it is not for everyone. Her song “Hide and Seek” (on both The Last Kiss and The OC soundtracks) has been oversaturated in the TV and film promo departments, but when you hear it you will understand why. Heap also put out an album under the name Frou Frou, which produced a mild hit with “Let Go,” which some of you may recognize from the excellent Garden State soundtrack. My favorite track from Heap’s last CD: “Goodnight and Go.”

 

John Legend – “Save Room”

Close your eyes and imagine a young Stevie Wonder with contemporary R&B flavor. John Legend is your man.  

 

Nellie McKay & k.d. lang – “We Had it Right”

A quirky little ditty. Sounds like what Fiona Apple might if she smiled.

 

Nelly Furtado – “Maneater”

So not Hall & Oates. Another track you just can’t get out of your head.

 

Oakenfold featuring Brittany Murphy – “Faster Kill Pussycat”

Yes, the actress. And no, it doesn’t suck. As a matter of fact, it’s a perfect treadmill song.

 

Pete Yorn

Turn off John Mayer and tune in to this guy. I promise it will be a vast improvement.

 

Phoenix

I discovered this French pop band on the Six Feet Under soundtrack. Though they are known more for being The Band with the Lead Singer Who Dates Sophia Coppola, I really like their sound. Check out “Consolation Prizes.”

 

Pink – I’m Not Dead

Current guilty pleasure. This CD is pure pop; catchy and well produced, not to mention quite autobiographical (in true Pink style).

 

Scissor Sisters – “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin”

Elton John has been singing their praises for some time, and they finally have my attention. This song is so much fun – it even includes spaceship laser sound effects shooting through the chorus. Awesome. They are my new ABBA.

 

Shiny Toy Guns – “Stripped”

Depeche Mode ruled my world as a teenager, and I just saw them live for the first time this year, so they’ve been on heavy rotation in my iPod lately. There have been many attempts to cover their songs, but this particular one is my favorite of the bunch.

 

Timbaland

The man is golden right now. As producer, co-writer and contributing vocalist, he plays a major role in two of my favorite hits from 2006: “Promiscuous Girl” (Nelly Furtado) and “SexyBack” (Justin Timberlake). I am a huge fan of his collaborations with Missy Elliott as well. I’m not so sure I’d buy any of his solo efforts, but the name alone persuades me to buy a song on iTunes more often than not.

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Given the choice these days, I often download individual songs on iTunes rather than purchasing entire CDs because most of the time there are only a few tracks I like per album (yes, I said album; I’m oldschool on occasion). But every once in a while I am compelled to purchase actual CDs, and here are two I can’t wait to buy:

THE LAST KISS Soundtrack
Anyone who knows me or reads this Blog is keenly aware of my feelings for all things Zach Braff, and this one looks and sounds like my beloved Garden State.

BACK TO BASICS – Christina Aguilera
“Ain’t No Other Man” is easily my favorite song of the year.

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Let’s pretend for a moment that I had clout. Not fame or prestige, but just the right amount of influence and a few thousand blog subscribers (as opposed to the four I have now). Let’s also imagine that I had connections, in either the media or the music industry.

 

I would love to be Zach Braff for one afternoon in a recording studio, compiling a soundtrack for one of my movies that consists primarily of music by my friends who happen to be very talented but lesser known artists. Or director Paul Thomas Anderson, who opted to use his friend Aimee Mann’s songs as a beautiful accompaniment to the narrative throughout his entire movie (Magnolia).

 

If I had an ounce of the power like those in the industry above, I would totally promote the hell out of my extremely creative and talented friend Matt Nathanson, who has been writing and performing music for 15 years. He writes all of his songs, has a huge fan base (eighteen thousand MySpace friends to date!), is disgustingly charismatic, and has remained true to who he is and those around him every step of the way. It is both outrageous and frustrating that he has not achieved the kind of artistic success that other creatively inferior male pop artists are currently wallowing in and cluttering our airwaves with.

 

Go to his website and read his hilarious journal or visit his MySpace page. You must see him live to truly appreciate the personality and the man behind the music (for a taste of what I’m talking about, pick up his latest live album, At the Point, in stores, on iTunes and Amazon). He is not your prototypical rock star; he doesn’t drink or smoke. His only vices are a potty mouth and dirty mind, which you’d think would influence his music. On the contrary, his songs comprise some of the most beautiful, intelligent, and surprisingly sweet lyrics you’ll hear, especially among his contemporaries in the oversaturated male singer-songwriter market.

 

Matt just finished a summer tour opening for Pink, has opened for both Tori Amos and Shawn Colvin, and is about to tour with Toad the Wet Sprocket. He will also be playing Austin City Limits next month, and his new CD should be dropping next year. I was fortunate enough to listen to a few raw tracks recorded at the studio with his full band recently, and there are at least two hit singles on this new album. Trust me when I tell you that the songs “Come on Get Higher” and “Car Crash” are catchy as hell, and the two that you should download first on iTunes when they debut in 2007.

 

You might have heard his remake of the James’ song “Laid” on the radio, from the American Wedding soundtrack, and some of his other songs on Dawson’s Creek, Road Rules and Smallville.

 

If you’re not familiar with him now, you will be. Give him a try, and keep your ears open for his name, his music and his face, on stages, in stores and in the media soon and for a very long time to come. I look forward to the day when he crosses into that next level of recognition and critical acclaim, and I have a strong feeling that the wait won’t be long. 

 

I’ve known Matt for fifteen years now, and I realize that my heaps of praise for him may be misconstrued as pure drivel from a totally biased perspective. But if you had a very good friend under the same circumstances (exceedingly talented with an enormous fan base, yet unsigned and ready for fame), you too would pimp his or her music to every single person you know, at the top of your lungs and on every rooftop from coast to coast.

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I am constantly updating my iPod. Here are the current obsessions populating my FAVORITES playlist:

 

Albums

Hymns of the 49th Parallel (kd lang)

Hauntingly beautiful cover songs of other Canadian artists.

 

Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House (Crowded House)

For songs like “Weather With You” and “Four Seasons in One Day.”

 

To the 5 Buroughs (Beastie Boys)

I didn’t love it at first, but it’s growing on me.

 

Violator (Depeche Mode)

One of my all-time favorites. I never grow tired of it.  

 

Songs

“Back to Me” (Kathleen Edwards)

Talk about channeling Lucinda Williams…

 

“The Blower’s Daughter” (Damien Rice)

This is a guilty pleasure. I love it because it is the perfect first song in a film; it opens Closer with Natalie Portman in slo-mo.

 

“Bust a Move” (Young MC)

Makes me want to don the knee pads and hit the cardboard for a spin.

 

“Catch My Disease (Ben Lee)

I blame Grey’s Anatomy, because that’s where I first heard it. Not many people know about Ben Lee outside of the fact that he used to date Claire Danes.

 

“Corduroy” (Pearl Jam)

Just because.

 

“Feelin’ Good” (Nina Simone)

Reminds me of Six Feet Under and how much I miss it (the song played in the background of the trailer for the last season of the show, featuring the cast in a supermarket).

 

“Golden” (Jill Scott)

If ever there was a ‘you go, girl’ song, this is it. Uplifting and positive.

 

“It’s My Life” (Bon Jovi)

Great road trip tune.

 

“Numb/Encore” (Jay-Z & Linkin Park)

I don’t own songs by either artist, but together I love this one.

 

“Scared” (Liz Phair)

Listen to the lyrics. We’ve all been there.

 

“Soul Meets Body” & “The Sound of Settling” (Death Cab for Cutie)

Try as I might, I just can’t avoid the emo pop. I guess that makes me trendy.

 

“Spoonman” (Soundgarden)

It makes no sense and it hasn’t since 1994 but I’m addicted to it.

 

“They” (Jem)

It sounds like it belongs in a Tim Burton film.

 

“We Run This” (Missy Elliott)

Infectious beats, catchy as hell, stays in my head for days.

 

“You’ll Think of Me” (Keith Urban)

Is he the next Mr. Nicole Kidman? Who cares. This song is as pretty as he is. I can’t believe I like some of this crossover country music.

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If you haven’t discovered them yet – run to your computer, open the iTunes Music Store and click on ‘Podcasts.’ They are free, entertaining and educational. I subscribe to the Grey’s Anatomy Official Podcast and The Official Lost Podcast, among many others, but there are thousands to choose from in almost every category imaginable: comedy, music, news & politics, sports, etc. I download the daily and weekly updates, news, chats and interviews, add them to my iPod and then listen in the car.  They’re great for frequent flyers and pop culture sponges alike.

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