12/30/09

everybody's talkin' 'bout their short list (2009 Best Of preview)

As the two double aught niner comes to a close so comes the onslaught of Best Of lists. And of course I must fulfill my self-imposed contractual duties as a blogger and contribute to said onslaught.  It's no easy task, let me tell you.  (As well, this year were pulling double duty, as it's also the end of a decade.  Yikes!)

Inevitably, each year when I begin to compile my "short list"* I realize that a, I'm not exactly as on top of things as I'd like to think, and b, I might be losing touch.  Admittedly, I spent the first half of this year catching up on last year and thus missed crucial inclusions like the brilliant film The Wackness.  And shit, I still haven't heard Fucked Up's The Chemistry of Common Life.

So anyway, my full list will be coming in late this year...again.  But here is a preview...

Album
Raekwon the Chef-Only Built For Cuban Linx II- Not since El-P's 2007 masterpiece I'll Sleep When You're Dead have I considered a rapper for Best Album of the Year.

Film (U.S. Comedy)
Adventureland- This year it was all about The Hangover, which was great but I was able to connect with the characters in Adventureland on a more personal level.

Book
I Drink For a Reason- David Cross- Although I'm still reading it I'm fairly certain it's the only book released in '09 that I've even opened.  So there you go.

Emotional Investment
The Minnesota Vikings- It's been 11 years since I allowed them to do this to me, but Sweet Fucking Christ!  These guys are toying with my emotions like I'm the 9th grade nerdy girl that the hottest senior boy in school has been cheating on his prom queen gf with.

*I use quotations because nobody's, especially not mine, is actually ever that short.