Driving an Evo

A couple of years ago, the lease on my 2006 BMW 330xi was thankfully coming to an end. I had previously enjoyed driving a 2003 version of the same car, so I re-upped for the newer edition, not understanding the negative effects that run-flat tires have on ride quality. So, when it came time to turn in the 2006 version and lease a new car, I decided to get one with more traditional tires. I still wanted a small, sporty car with all-wheel drive, which eliminated BMW, because only the 3 and 5 series have an AWD version and they both use run-flat tires.

After researching and shopping, I learned more about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, commonly referred to as an Evo. When first introduced back in 1992, it was known as a “pocket rocket,” designed to compete with Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI. Back then and for many years, both cars were totally unrefined small sedans with completely outsized engines and drive trains, mostly for young people who wanted to race but didn’t want (or couldn’t afford) American muscle cars or European sports coupes. However, in the years since, both cars have added some top-notch performance components and a modicum of refinement, and both are staples at rally racing venues worldwide.

So, for my 2009 car, I test-drove the Evo, but was not sure I wanted that much intensity. I also wanted an automatic transmission (I prefer not to have to shift all the time), and the only automatic Evo was the MR, which is somewhat pricey and includes several expensive items that I don’t need, so I opted instead for the Lancer Ralliart. At the time, the Ralliart was a new addition to the line-up (a previous, underpowered version had been introduced years earlier and failed). It featured some of the performance of the Evo with a slightly softer suspension and seating, based on the Lancer GTS. I drove it for about a year and really enjoyed it. However, it looked much like the Evo, so everywhere I went, people would say, “nice Evo.” Being compulsive, I would always correct them, all the while wondering what was with this Evo subculture.

Toward the end of 2010, Mitsubishi contacted me with the opportunity to upgrade to an Evo with no charges for opting out of my existing lease. They also came out with an Evo SE, which stood for Special Edition. Unlike other cars with an SE designation, this version actually cost much less than the MR on which it was based, eschewing the 700-watt stereo system (overkill?), the onboard navigation system, and several other unnecessary add-ons I didn’t need, thereby reducing the cost by about $8,000, to $33,000.

So I did it…in September, I leased a 2010 Lancer Evolution SE. Its 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine provides 300 horsepower with 300 foot-lbs of torque, helping it to go from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. It features a list of performance items with fancy European names—Brenbo brakes, Eibach springs, and Bilstein shocks—as well as AWD with advanced yaw control and the same transmission featured in the Lamboghini Gallardo. Technically, it’s a standard transmission with two automatic clutches (one for the odd gears and the other for the even gears) that also has tiptronics, paddle shifters, settings for tarmac, gravel and snow, and options for normal, sport, and super-sport (redline) driving. While still lacking some refinement and comfort features (I paid $1100 for leather coverings on the Recaro seats), it provides the most fun of any car I’ve driven. In addition, I got a little tag that says “6 of 340,” meaning it was the 6th Evo SE made out of 340 manufactured in 2010. How cool is that?

However, the funniest thing about the car (and in some ways the most unexpected) is the reaction it garners from other people…mostly young men. Being a 57-year-old, short, overweight guy, It’s odd to get stares of desire as though I were an 18-year-old, attractive, large-breasted woman, but that is exactly what happens. If I stop the car anywhere—parking lot, gas station, etc., people inevitably ogle it and/or ask me about it, and I am provided with countless opportunities to race from a stoplight (I hardly ever participate, but when I do, it’s rarely a contest).

Now, I could understand these reactions if it were a Bentley, a Porsche, a Ferrari, or any other of a number of expensive, performance cars, but this car costs about the same as a Nissan Maxima, Acura TSX, Audi A4, or a fully loaded Toyota Camry XLE, and while all of them are nice cars, they are certainly not exotic nor hard to find. Maybe it’s because every guy wants to think of himself driving a rally car, but other “practical” considerations get in the way of owning one. It’s like the incorrect perceptions that red indicates a sports car or that police give more tickets to bright-colored cars.

When all is said and done, the Evo is built on the Lancer frame, meaning it has four doors and ample inside seating for four people. It does not have many interior features like lighted mirrors and electric seats, and the trunk is quite small (they put the battery and windshield washer tank in the truck to help balance the front-to-back weight distribution), but those are minor inconveniences for a car that drives with such immense responsiveness. The ride is not soft, but it still handles bumps much better than the BMW with run-flat tires. The basic stereo system, although not 700 watts, is quite good, and I went out and bought a $200 removable GPS navigation system, rather than paying for the MR.

In the spirit of full disclosure, let me point out the negatives of owning an Evo:

• It comes with summer tires, which are useless on ice and snow, even with AWD. So, if you live in New England, you need to buy winter tires, which cost around $1200.


• The tires it comes with are designed for racing, meaning they have a sticky surface that doesn't last long...maybe 15K tops. You need to buy new summer tires too, unless you buy Nokian all-seasons as your winter tires, then leave them on all year (losing a little bit of performance).


• The wheels are 18 inches and the tires are low-profile, so if you hit a pothole the wrong way. You will bend a rim, which costs about $200 to fix. However this is the case with most sporty cars these days.


• The gas mileage is not great--about 20 MPG highway and 17 city. In addition, the gas tank holds only 14 gallons, meaning that, at best, you can go about 240 miles on a tank of gas.

So, while every car has some negative aspects, if you want a car that provides endless adrenaline rushes and just as many gaping stares, and you can afford a mid-priced sedan, you should satisfy your desires and acquire an Evo. Let me know when you do, so we can compare notes and stories.

Joe Bonamassa

Eric Clapton, Jimmie Page, BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Joe Walsh, Jerry Garcia, Vernon Reid--when you think of the best rock guitarists, these are a few names that come to mind. But they are all getting older, and their replacements are few and far between, the most popular of which being John Mayer.

Well, there's another name that belongs in the discussion, and that is Joe Bonamassa. If you read his bio on Wikipedia, you'll learn that he was born in 1977 and raised in Utica, New York, to parents that owned and ran a guitar shop, and that by age 7, he was playing Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix tunes note for note. Today, at the ripe old age of 33, he is one of the best performers I have ever heard.

My friend Nick and I had the pleasure of watching and hearing him play last night in Worcester, MA, and after two and a half hours of uninterrupted brilliance, we both left the theater overwhelmed by this unquestionable virtuoso. In my time, I've attended some outstanding concerts featuring guitarists including Joe Walsh with the James Gang (before he joined the Eagles), Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir with the Grateful Dead, Ron Wood with the Rolling Stones, BB King at the Paradise Club, John Mayal and Mick Ronson in their primes, and Steve Van Zandt with Nils Lofgren in the E Street Band. But last night's show may have been the best, most complete guitar performance I have ever witnessed.

Surrounded by a keyboardist, bassist, and drummer, Bonamassa displayed every type of artistry on the electric guitar, with incredibly original riffs while also occasionally duplicating some of Jimmie Page's most famous ones. At one point, he broke into a 20-minute solo on the acoustic guitar that was as good as any I'd ever heard. He also sang quite capably on most of his songs, but that's not why 2400 people showed up to the concert. It was to hear real music, played purely and elegantly, reminding us that rock and roll is first and foremost a guitar-based genre.

Obama's Mistakes

While I continue to support many of Barack Obama’s initiatives, there are two areas in which I have had serious misgivings: war and nuclear power. Both of those areas have come to the fore in the past week.

War

In terms of Obama’s war policies, I believe he has lingered in Iraq too long, and I disagree with his stepping up the war in Afghanistan, but these are policies I have been willing to accept. However, our recent incursion into Libya under the guise of a UN protectionist mission is dangerous and misguided.

In general, there are three circumstances in which we should go to war:

1. If we and/or our avowed allies are directly attacked.
2. If a genocide is taking place that we can stop.
3. If there is a proven and unquestionable buildup of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

To my current knowledge, none of those is the case in Libya. Of course, some civilians have been fired upon, but the evidence of that is no more excessive than what is going on in Yemen or Bahrain. Should we attack those countries as well?

What is going on in Libya is a civil war, with rebels trying to overthrow the leader. The same activity is underway, with varying degrees of success, in countless nations around the world. The reason we have chosen to support the rebels in Libya instead of those in other countries is that while we were blocking investment in that country, allies like Britain and France were fostering such activity, and now they want us to protect those investments. Let us not forget that historically, both of these allies have often been on the wrong side of conflicts.

Let’s also not forget that it wasn’t so long ago that we supported rebel insurgents in Afghanistan in their war to oust the Soviet Union. Those rebels were the Taliban, and we all know how that turned out. In fact, historically, whenever we’ve tried to take down a foreign leader, the result has often been a worse leader or a long war that killed our soldiers and hurt our nation. As evidence, I suggest examining Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, and the aforementioned Afghanistan.

The correct course of US action is to do nothing, unless one of the above circumstances takes place. While it may be risky to avoid conflict in some cases, we don’t have the right to attack countries around the globe, without suitable provocation, simply to enforce our will.

Nuclear Power

For years, the energy companies and many in the government have touted “safe nuclear power,” and our president has bought into that concept. But as has been proven many times although never so graphically as this week in Japan, THERE IS NO SAFE NUCLEAR POWER. To support this viewpoint, I point to two factors:

• No one has developed an effective approach for dealing with the radioactive waste these plants produce. In this country, we have loaded it into containers designed to last 100 years and buried it underground in places like South Carolina and Nevada. The problem is that this waste remains radioactive for upwards of 10,000 years. So, we are forfeiting the Earth’s future so we can have electricity today.
• No matter how safely we build these reactors, they can still melt down, and one such accident can be so catastrophic that it endangers the entire world.

It’s just common sense, folks. It’s as obvious as the sun in the sky. If we invest into solar power the kinds of funds we spent to fight in Iraq or to bail out the nation’s banks, we can have an endless supply of power. Nuclear power advocates claim that dependence on solar power is decades away, and they are right as long as we continue to invest so little in it.

The corporate incentive is not there…no one can own the sun. But if Obama and the Congress made a funding decision to develop solar power and stop wasting our time and money on unsafe approaches like nuclear and fossil fuels, I have no doubt we could solve the world’s energy needs in a relatively short period of time.

The Best Movies of 2010

Maybe it’s the recession or just my own ambivalence toward watching another crop of incredibly depressing movies, but I found it hard to identify 20 films worth recommending from 2010. As I’ve noted in previous “best of” lists, my reviews often differ from those of traditional film critics, who look for movies that are unusual and unsettling, but may not be entertaining. That’s why I don’t include movies like “Black Swan” and “Blue Valentine” on this year’s list…I guess I want movies that don’t leave me black and blue (sorry, I had to do it). I’m also not a big fan of movies that paint a picture but don’t have much of a plot line, like “The American” and “Winter’s Bone.”

So, in inverse order, here are the films I currently consider the Twenty Best of 2010:

20. True Grit: While I respect this Coen brothers adaptation of the classic Western novel by Charles Portis, I’m not so thrilled with it as the Academy Awards nominating committee appears to be. Indeed the performances by Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and outstanding newcomer Hailee Steinfeld are worthy of merit, and the script is workmanlike and realistic for the time in which it is set, but the lack of emotional connection between the characters left me cold, as did the dour ending. It is definitely worth seeing, but I wish it had been more compelling.

19. Kick-Ass: There is something perversely entertaining about this film, which centers around teenagers who decide to become superheroes, even though they have no super powers. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (“Stardust,” “Layer Cake”), this film is raucous and quite violent, with an outstanding performance from Chloe Moretz as “Hit-Girl.”

18. Hot Tub Time Machine: Three, 40-something guys (played by John Cusack, Craig Robinson, and Rob Corddry), who are dissatisfied with their lives, decide to rekindle old times when they travel (with one of their nephews) to the winter resort that was instrumental in their lives one night in 1986. They jump into an aging hot tub and are whisked back to that fateful evening with a chance to relive those events. Such is the plot of this uneven but enjoyable film, directed by Steve Pink. While not as outrageous nor funny as last year’s “The Hangover,” it is along the same lines.

17. Red: As an acronym, RED stands for “Retired, Extremely Dangerous” in this movie directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Bruce Willis and Mary Louise Parker, and with an all-star supporting cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Richard Dreyfus, Brian Cox, and Rebecca Pidgeon. This is just a fun, action-comedy which the actors appear to relish as much as the audience. Don’t think too much…just enjoy the ride.

16. Another Year: Although I generally prefer a little more plot, I will make an exception for the films of Mike Leigh, the British director of “Life is Sweet,” “Secrets and Lies,” “Topsy-Turvy,” “Vera Drake,” “Happy-Go-Lucky,” and this film. It shows a slice of the lives of a sixtysomething married couple (played by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) in each of the four seasons of a year. While occasionally disjointed and leaving some details hanging, it also boasts an incredible performance by Lesley Manville as the friend who has a crush on and some history with the couple's thirtysomething son. The movie’s final scene is incredibly haunting.

15. Secretariat: OK, so I’m a sucker for the Disney biographical sports films (“Remember the Titans,” “The Rookie,” “The Greatest Game Ever Played”) as well as for the estimable charms of Diane Lane. Add in the fine supporting performances of John Malkovich, Scott Glenn, Dylan Baker, and Dylan Walsh, and you have the true story of the greatest horse that ever raced and the housewife/owner who battled the odds in a male-dominated field. Even though you know how it turns out, you still find yourself cheering every time this thoroughbred rounds a turn.

14. The Book of Eli: Directed by the Hughes brothers, this post-apocalyptic tale stars Denzel Washington, with supporting performances by Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis (who seems to be in most movies these days). It combines occasionally excessive violence with biblical undertones to create a compelling tale of a drifter with a sacred book that some believe will allow them to rule others. Washington’s understated performance, combined with some interesting plot twists, make this a film worth seeing.

13. The Kids are All Right: If you’ve seen director Lisa Cholodenko, you will understand where Annette Bening got the model for her part as the more dominant member of a lesbian couple who sees her family slipping away. I left this movie underwhelmed by the plot, which, had it been about a straight couple, was quite cliché. But what makes it worth seeing are the acting performances by Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, and especially by Bening, who is jarringly perfect in the role.

12. Salt: Director Phillip Noyce is no stranger to the spy-action genre, having previously directed “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” That’s why it is no surprise that this Angelina Jolie vehicle is among the best of its kind. With an excellent supporting performance by Liev Schreiber, this one keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, reminding you at times of an adrenaline-packed “No Way Out.”

11. Animal Kingdom: This Australian film, directed by David Michôd, is about “J,” a young man, played by future star James Frecheville, whose mother dies and is taken in by his grandmother and uncles, who are all criminals with varying degrees of intensity and sociopathic tendencies. Guy Pearce (who seems to be in all the movies that Mila Kunis missed) plays the detective who tries to rescue J from his family. As well as some intriguing plot twists, this outstanding indie features an amazingly disturbing performance by Jacki Weaver as the criminal matriarch.

10. She’s Out of My League: British comedian Jim Field Smith directed this surprisingly entertaining film, written by Sean Anders and John Morris (who also co-wrote “Hot Tub Time Machine”), about a rather homely TSA screener in Pittsburgh (played by Jay Baruchel) who meets the perfect woman (played by Alice Eve). Amazingly, this woman is attracted to him, and what ensues is a story about the insecurities we all harbor and how our friends can, sometimes unwittingly, play on those insecurities. This film is enhanced by a strong supporting cast and a script that makes some interesting choices.

9. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: A live-action combination of a video game and graphic novel, this is one of the few truly unique movies. Directed by Edgar Wright, the British filmmaker who brought us “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” this visually stunning film stars Michael Cera as the title character, who falls for a girl played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who has seven ex-lovers, each of whom Pilgrim must defeat, as one might in a video game. Wright clearly has his finger on the pulse of the twentysomethings, and this thrill ride is definitely rewarding.

8. Toy Story 3: If you are a young adult who grew up with the Toy Story franchise or a parent who has raised a child to adulthood, this Disney/Pixar animated movie is particularly poignant. For everyone else, it is just good moviemaking. Directed by Lee Unkrich, it features most of the same all-star voice cast as the previous movies (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, etc.) with additional voices by Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, and Jodi Benson. Alternately beautiful, joyous, exciting, and sad, it is among the best animated movies ever made.

7. Easy A: Occasionally, a teen film comes along that humorously and sarcastically captures the underside of the high school experience. This category includes “Heathers,” “Mean Girls,” and the newest entrée, “Easy A,” starring the always delightful Emma Stone as Olive, who briefly lies about losing her virginity and then begins to cultivate her fame as the class slut. The film, directed by Will Gluck, references The Scarlet Letter and features fine supporting performances by Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Hayden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci, Malcolm McDowell, and Alyson Michalka.

6. Nowhere Boy: Directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, this British gem tells the story of a young John Lennon (played convincingly by Aaron Johnson) and his relationships with his aunt Mimi (played by Kristin Scott Thomas), who raised him and his mentally challenged mother, Julia (played by Anne-Marie Duff). Although the film does show the development of the Quarrymen (predecessor to the Beatles), it is not a typical rock biopic, focusing instead on the triangle involving John and his two mothers. Whether you like rock music or not, this film is worth your time, but if you are a Beatles fan, it is particularly satisfying.

5. The Fighter: Lowell, Massachusetts has long been a working class town with a diverse population that grew in the 1970s due to an influx of Cambodian immigrants. It is also the home of “Irish” Micky Ward, a junior welterweight boxer and former WBU champion who is the subject of “The Fighter.” However, this is not a boxing movie so much as a film about family, relationships, and addiction. Mark Wahlberg, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams all turned in excellent performances, but the role of Micky’s half brother, Dicky Eklund, as played by Christian Bale, is this year’s standout male performance. Directed by David O. Russell, this is a very good film.

4. Inception: Some movies are eye candy or ear candy. “Inception” is brain candy—a movie that makes you think from start to finish. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, and Marion Cotillard, this film is about invading the subconscious during dream states. At one point, there are five different levels of reality operating simultaneously. In addition, there is a subplot involving Cotillard as DiCaprio’s late wife buried within his consciousness. Believe me, this movie is not about its plot…it’s about stretching the mind while drawing on intense visual images. In doing so, Nolan has created a film that begs for repeated viewings.

3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Although this Swedish film, based on the first of the “girl” novels by Stieg Larsson, was released in 2009, it did not make it to US theaters until 2010. Directed by Niels Arden Oplev and starring Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace, this movie has been shunned by many because of the graphically violent rape scene near the beginning. In making that scene, the director stayed true to the book, as he did with the revenge scene that occurs later. With it all, the movie remains one of the tautest psychological suspense thrillers in a long time, reminiscent of some of Hitchcock’s best work.

2. The King’s Speech: Colin Firth will doubtless win a long overdue Oscar for this movie, although it could be argued that the Oscar is for his body of work, including last year’s “A Single Man.” Awards aside, this very well-made and heartfelt film, directed by Tom Hooper, is the true story of King George VI, who ascended to the throne as World War II was erupting and had to overcome his terrible stammer in order to speak regularly, on the radio, to his British subjects. The interplay between Firth and Geoffrey Rush, who plays the Australian-born, working-class, speech tutor, is superb, and Rush once again proves that he’s one of the movies’ best character actors. Don’t be fooled by the plot, which at its surface seems somewhat trivial. This is an excellent psychological character study and a clear examination of class and privilege.

1. The Social Network: What makes this the year’s best movie is not its acting, which is excellent in the form of Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake, nor its direction, which is spot-on as usual by David Fincher. This is the year’s best movie because it has one of the most effective and dynamic screenplays ever written, by Aaron Sorkin. This script, about the founding of Facebook.com, is so good that if you staged it as a high school play, it would still be riveting. Sorkin is no stranger to great screenplays, having already written “A Few Good Men” (“You can’t handle the truth!”), “Malice,” “The American President,” and “Charlie Wilson’s War,” as well as TV shows including “The West Wing” and “Sports Night.” But “The Social Network” is his best effort to date, and it keeps you glued to the screen from the opening scene to the final frame. This is a thoroughly absorbing movie about the highest levels of geekdom in the business world. You may not understand the technological complexities (few can), but they are secondary in importance to the tale of rejection, success, and betrayal that this movie tells.

The Best Albums of 2010

The economy has hurt the music industry, just as it has hurt most of our ability to purchase music. There were fewer interesting releases this year than the past few years, and many artists chose to play it safe by revisiting formulae they know to be successful, rather than taking chances with more risky approaches. There were also several albums by well-known artists who had not released substantial new work in years. Some of them warrant merit.

In all, I have identified 100 albums worth recommending, numbering the top 30 and listing the others as “Honorable Mention.” For those of you who don’t know, my tastes tend to run toward alternative rock, R&B/soul, indie rock, and inventive pop music, so if you are a fan of Classical, Country, Death Metal or Traditional Folk, you will probably be disappointed with this list. The numbering is somewhat random, because on any given day, I might want to hear one album ahead of any other, and each of these 100 albums could easily have made the top 30. With that said, here is my list in ascending order:

30. The Apples In Stereo: “Travellers in Space and Time”
This Denver-based indie pop band is known for their intricate, sunny sound. This, their seventh album since being founded in 1995, continues their approach of combining hummable tunes with interesting Beatles-like harmonies. Key songs: “Dream About the Future” and “No One in the World.”

29. Nneka: “Concrete Jungle”
Although the songs on this album were originally released overseas in 2005 and 2008, this is the first US release from this neo-soul artist whose father was Nigerian and mother is from Germany, where Nneka is based. That partially explains why her songs display such worldliness. Key Songs: “The Uncomfortable Truth,” “Heartbeat,” and “Suffri.”

28. The New Pornographers: “Together”
This is the fifth album from this Vancouver-based, indie rock band, which has received considerable critical acclaim for their superb songwriting and excellent musicianship. Here, they keep up that tradition with a very enjoyable collection. Key songs: “Crash Years” and “Your Hands (Together).”

27. Eric Benét: “Lost In Time”
On this, his sixth album, Eric Benét continues his outstanding R&B career, including duets with artists including Chrisette Michele and Ledisi. If you like good, old-fashioned R&B/soul, you should add this gem to your collection. Key Songs: “Sometimes I Cry,” “Take It,” and “Good Life.”

26. Hot Chip: “One Life Stand”
This London-based techno-dance outfit has released three previous studio albums, and this is as good as any of them, combining a hypnotic musical approach with a classic dance structure. Key songs: “Thieves In the Night,” “Hand Me Down Your Love,” and “One Life Stand.”

25. Rogue Wave: “Permalight”
This Oakland-based indie pop outfit, fronted by Zach Rogue, has released three previous studio albums. Although the personnel has changed over the years, they continue to put out high-energy tunes with catchy hooks, as evidenced by this album. Key songs: “Solitary Gun,” “Good Morning (The Future),” and “Miami, Miami.”

24. Sky Sailing: “An Airplane Carried Me to Bed”
This is a side project of Adam Young, who became famous last year with Owl City and its release of “Fireflies.” Although the songs are similar to those of Owl City (and the Postal Service), they are recorded acoustically, giving them the pretty sound that this album has. Key songs: “Captains of the Sky,” “Brielle,” and “A Little Opera Goes a Long Way.”

23. Sade: “Soldier of Love”
Yes, this is the same Sade (pronounced Shar-day) who has recorded six albums since 1984, and had a huge hit in 1985 with “Smooth Operator.” While her career since then has been uneven, she occasionally releases a gem like this effort…her first new, studio album in 10 years. Key songs: “The Moon and the Sky,” “Soldier of Love,” and “Babyfather,”

22. Eels: “End Times”
The brainchild of Mark Oliver Everett, LA-based Eels has released nine studio albums and appeared on several movie soundtracks. Difficult to classify, Eels is usually listed simply as “alternative.” This is a delightful effort from one of the most consistent acts in the recording industry. Key songs: “Mansions of los Feliz,” “A Line In the Dirt,” “Nowadays,” and “Spectacular Girl.”

21. Belle and Sebastian: “Write About Love”
The Scottish indie rock stalwarts have put out their eighth studio album of fully realized songs, complete with lush melodies and excellent lyrics. These guys, who took their name from a French children’s book, are among the most consistently good acts in the recording industry. Key songs: “I Didn’t See It Coming,” “I Want the World to Stop,” and “Suicide Girl.”

20. Corinne Bailey Rae: “The Sea”
Since her outstanding 2006 debut, British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae has had her share of problems, including the 2008 death of her husband from an "accidental overdose of methadone and alcohol." This outstanding effort is partly a result of that tragedy and is darker and edgier than her previous recordings. Key songs: “Closer,” “Paris Nights/New York Mornings,” and the heartbreaking title song.

19. Ben Folds & Nick Hornby: “Lonely Avenue”
The unique pairing of the musical talents of North Carolina-based, singer-songwriter Ben Folds (10 previous albums) and the lyrics of English author Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy) has produced one of the year’s most intriguing albums. If you want something different from the standard, vapid pop of top 40 radio, this is it. Key songs: “Claire’s Ninth,” “Belinda,” “Picture Window,” and “Things You Think.”

18. The National: “High Violet”
This Brooklyn-based, alternative rock band has recorded five albums since their founding in 1999, but this is their best. It is inventive, rich, and thoroughly engaging, while presenting the listener with a montage of different sounds and styles. Key songs: “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “Sorrow,” and “England.”

17. The Magnetic Fields: “Realism”
If you’ve followed my reviews for years, you know that I love the work of Stephin Merritt, originally from Boston and the creative force behind the Magnetic Fields. Fortunately for me and other music lovers, Merritt is quite prolific, having released 10 albums with this band since 1991, as well as several side projects. Using acoustic instruments only (including harpsichords), Merritt has fashioned another outstanding album which he humorously named, “Realism.” Key songs: “You Must Be Out of Your Mind,” “The Dolls’ Tea Party,” and “Seduced and Abandoned.”

16. Sara Bareilles: “Kaleidoscope Heart”
Occasionally, pop produces an artist like this young woman, who has grown with each of her three albums. A California-based artist who first achieved success at 18, Bareilles could have easily opted for stupid, light pop, but she instead has made a musically astute album with surprising skill and syncopation. Key songs: “Gonna Get Over You,” “King of Anything,” and “Bluebird.”

15. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Original Cast Recording)
This year’s best Broadway soundtrack portrays our seventh president as an emo rock star. Be forewarned—this is far from Rodgers and Hammerstein, complete with profane language and modern references—but it is thoroughly delightful, and star Benjamin Walker is destined to win more than an election (including critical acclaim and a likely Tony Award). Key songs: “I’m Not That Guy,” “Rock Star,” “Public Life,” and “Second Nature.”

14. Neil Young: “Le Noise”
Ironically, despite its title, this album is the least “noisy” of Young’s recent offerings. It is instead one of the more personal efforts from this Canadian artist, who has enthralled us since the 60s through his brilliant work with the Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and his solo efforts—this reminds me most of his classic, “Harvest.” Key songs: “Love and War,” “Hitchhiker,” and “Peaceful Valley Boulevard.”

13. Christina Aguilera: “Bionic”
By this point, Aguilera has so surpassed many of her earlier pop counterparts that she joins Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Joss Stone as the new Mt. Rushmore of female pop icons. While her foray into acting (“Burlesque”) is garnering mixed reviews, there is no question that her skills as a songstress have become more evident with each album. Key songs: “Bionic,” “Lift Me Up,” and “I Am.”

12. The Dead Weather: “Sea of Cowards”
I was not originally a fan of Jack White, but as he continues to add new wrinkles to his career (White Stripes, Raconteurs), he’s starting to look more like the godfather of modern rock (much like Eric Clapton in the 60s and 70s). Here, he joins Alison Mosshart and others to produce what may be this year’s best pure rock album. Key songs: “Blue Blood Blues,” “The Difference Between Us,” and “Hustle and Cuss.”

11. Brooke Fraser: “Flags”
From New Zealand and the daughter of a former member of the prestigious “All Black” rugby squad, Brooke Fraser has released three albums, but this is her best so far…a collection of smart, intimate songs that remind you of a young Joni Mitchell. Key songs: “Something In the Water,” “Who Are We Fooling,” and a cover of the James Taylor classic, “You Can Close Your Eyes.”

10. Kanye West: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
This is the first year that I have included albums that are primarily rap, but the two “hip hop/rap” artists on this list were able to deftly combine very interesting music and speech to make their points effectively. With this, his fifth studio album, the Atlanta-based West seems to be trying to exorcize the demons he accumulated this year through his MTV Video Music Awards rant and his spat with Matt Lauer. The lyrics, although often profane, are worth hearing, and the music is very complementary. Key songs: “Dark Fantasy,” “Blame Game,” and the outstanding “Runaway.”

9. My Chemical Romance: “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys”
It’s unlikely that anything they do will ever eclipse 2006’s “The Black Parade,” but this is probably My Chemical Romance’s second best of their four albums to date—an anti-corporate concept album written primarily by front man Gerard Way. This New Jersey-based alternative band is my favorite rock band working today. They do everything well, especially when they commit the level of time and effort they did to develop this masterful collection. Key songs: “The Only Hope for Me Is You,” “Bulletproof Heart,” “Sing,” and “Planetary (GO!).”

8. Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore: “Dear Companion”
And now for something completely different—a classically trained cellist (Sollee) and a banjo/guitar-picking folk singer (Moore) collaborating on an album with noticeably Appalachian influences. If either of these artists were less talented, the album would not have worked. But they are, and it does. The songs are sensitive, intelligent, and beautifully played. Whatever you label it, this is just good music. Key songs: “Something, Somewhere, Sometime,” “Sweet Marie,” and “It Won’t Be Long.”

7. We Are the Fallen: “Tear the World Down”
It’s no coincidence that the first album from this goth-rock band sounds like early Evanescence, because it was founded by three members of that band, who split with singer Amy Lee over “creative differences.” To replace her vocal talents, they tapped former American Idol contestant, Carly Smithson, who sounds a lot like her predecessor. The difference here is that where Evanescence had started to sound stale, this band seems to have recaptured the energy and power that had made “Fallen” such a tremendous accomplishment. Key songs: “Bury Me Alive,” “Don’t Leave Me Behind,” and “Sleep Well, My Angel.”

6. The Gaslight Anthem: “American Slang”
Sounding occasionally like fellow New Jerseyan, Bruce Springsteen, this band’s third album crackles with positive energy and outstanding musicianship. It’s the one collection of songs this year that I can just sit back and remember why I enjoy rock music so much. It is simultaneously modern and ageless, but is sure makes me smile and tap my feet. Key songs: “American Slang,” “The Diamond Church Street Choir,” and “Boxer.”

5. Lauren Pritchard: “Wasted In Jackson”
A former star of Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” Lauren Pritchard has released a wonderful first album that makes me think back to the first time I heard Joss Stone, or even further back to Dusty Springfield. A Tennessee native, the 22-year-old Pritchard has the pipes, but also can be subtle when appropriate. Keep an eye on this artist. Key songs: “Not the Drinking,” “Wasted In Jackson,” and “Try a Little Harder.”

4. B.o.B: “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray”
22-year-old rap artist Bobby Ray Simmons from Georgia performs under the name B.o.B (pronounced Bob). This is his first full album, and he elicited help from artists as diverse as Bruno Mars, Rivers Cuomo (of Weezer), Janelle Monae, and Hayley Williams (of Paramore), who provide the musical interludes between the well-thought-out and adeptly delivered rap segments, but Bob can sing very well too. This is a fully recognized album from an artist who will doubtless be around for years to come. Key songs: “Nothin’ On You,” “Airplanes,” “Ghost In the Machine,” and “Magic.”

3. Field Music: “Field Music (Measure)”
This English band has made my list before and doubtless will again. In three albums since 2004, they have managed to combine a wide range of musical styles, instruments, lyrics, and harmonies into a sound that is generally unclassifiable, but nevertheless excellent. Their use of musical progression is unheard of in most popular genres. This is their best effort to date, and every song is worth hearing. Key songs: “Them That Do Nothing,” “Measure,” “Effortlessly,” and “The Rest Is Noise.”

2. Vampire Weekend: “Contra”
This New York band’s debut was my favorite album in 2008, and they followed it up with this gem. Their combination of African beats and pop melodies hearkens back to Paul Simon’s classic “Graceland,” but it is unique among modern recording artists. The fact that they do it so well, while writing such likeable songs and using such inventive production techniques, puts them ahead of nearly every other band working today. Key songs: “Horchata,” “White Sky,” “Holiday,” “Run,” and “Giving Up the Gun.”

1. Arcade Fire: “The Suburbs”
Hailing from Montreal, this band has released three albums—“Funeral” (2004), “Neon Bible” (2007), and “The Suburbs.” The first two were among the best albums of their respective years, but this one is the best album of 2010. Starting with the excellent songwriting skills of the husband and wife duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, adding in the superb musicianship and emotionally charged singing, and completing the effort with lush, full production, Arcade Fire has produced an ode to suburban existence that should be listened to by anyone professing to enjoy modern, melodic music. It doesn’t get much better than this. Key songs: “The Suburbs,” “Ready to Start,” “We Used to Wait,” and “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).”

The following are all excellent albums that deserve Honorable Mention (alphabetically by artist):
• Beach House: “Teen Dream”
• The Black Keys: “Brothers”
• Bombay Bicycle Club: “Flaws”
• Broken Bells: “Broken Bells”
• Butch Walker: “I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart”
• Chrisette Michele: “Let Freedom Reign”
• Codeine Velvet Club: “Codeine Velvet Club”
• Crystal Bowersox: “Farmer’s Daughter”
• A Cursive Memory: “Let Love In”
• Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse: “Dark Night of the Soul”
• Dwele: “Wants World Women”
• Ed Harcourt: “Lustre”
• Elizabeth & The Catapult: “The Other Side of Zero”
• Elton John & Leon Russell: “The Union”
• Envy On the Coast: “Lowcountry”
• Freedy Johnston: “Rain On the City”
• Gil Scott-Heron: “I’m New Here”
• Gorillaz: “Plastic Beach”
• Greg Laswell: “Take a Bow”
• Hellogoodbye: “Would It Kill You?”
• Hinder: “All American Nightmare”
• Hot Day at the Zoo: “Zoograss”
• Janelle Monáe: “The ArchAndroid”
• Jenny and Johnny: “I’m Having Fun Now”
• Jimmy Eat World: “Invented”
• Joanna Newsom: “Have One On Me”
• John Legend: “Wake Up!”
• Joshua Radin: “The Rock and the Tide”
• Kate Walsh: “Peppermint Radio”
• Katy Perry: “Teenage Dream”
• Ke$ha: “Cannibal”
• Kings of Leon: “Come Around Sundown”
• LCD Soundsystem: “This Is Happening”
• The Len Price 3: “Pictures”
• Lightspeed Champion: “Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You.”
• The Like: “Release Me”
• Lucy Wainwright Roche: “Lucy”
• Maroon 5: “Hands All Over”
• Massive Attack: “Heligoland”
• Meat Loaf: “Hang Cool Teddy Bear”
• MGMT: “Congratulations”
• Michael Franti & Spearhead: “The Sound of Sunshine”
• The Morning Benders: “Promises”
• Motion City Soundtrack: “My Dinosaur Life”
• Mumford & Sons: “Sigh No More”
• Natasha Bedingfield: “Strip Me”
• Neon Trees: “Animal”
• Owl City: “Ocean Eyes”
• Pete Yorn: “Pete Yorn”
• Peter Gabriel: “Scratch My Back”
• Plain White T’s: “Wonders of the Younger”
• R. Kelly: “Love Letter”
• RJD2: “The Colossus”
• Robyn: “Body Talk”
• The Rocket Summer: “Of Men and Angels”
• Rosie Doonan: “Pot of Gold”
• Rufus Wainwright: “All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu”
• Scissor Sisters: “Night Work”
• Seal: “6: Commitment”
• Secondhand Serenade: “Hear Me Now”
• Serj Tankian: “Imperfect Harmonies”
• Shout Out Louds: “Work”
• Sting: “Symphonicities”
• Surfer Blood: “Astro Coast”
• Tracey Thorn: “Love and Its Opposite”
• Usher: “Raymond v Raymond”
• We Are Scientists: “Barbara”
• The Webb Sisters: “Savages”
• Weezer: “Death to False Metal”
• Yeasayer: “Odd Blood”

On Being a Boston Sports Fan

Last year, I complained about the state of Major League Baseball. I pointed out the “True-Major League” was comprised of the 14 teams who spend more than $90 million and have won the last six World Series, and I professed that I wanted the New York Yankees to win the World Series every year until the rest of the country became enraged about the inequity between team spending and forced the institution of a salary cap.

Well, that didn’t happen…the Yankees never made it to the World Series. Instead, the San Francisco Giants (salary $98 million) were eventual winners, and there was no uproar across America. I fear there never will be, so I have resigned myself to the fact that in order to compete, especially in the American League East, a team must spend obscenely (even if it means that half the teams are merely fodder for the top tier) to keep pace with the Yankees. With the acquisitions of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, the Boston Red Sox have added $40 million in annual salaries, long term, to make their roster the best in baseball, and I am happy to live in a metropolitan area where the sports teams value excellence and success.

In fact, being a sports fan in Boston is an absolute joy these days. In addition to the recent Red Sox personnel moves, it is just plain fun to watch the Celtics and Patriots play on a regular basis. I’ve never been the greatest hockey fan—it’s hard to root for a sport where bare-fisted brawls are encouraged—so I’m less concerned about the Bruins’ average performance.

Let me list a few names (alphabetically): Ray Allen, Daniel Bard, Josh Beckett, Bill Belichick, Patrice Bergeron, Tom Brady, Clay Bucholtz, Carl Crawford, Kevin Garnett, Adrian Gonzalez, John Lackey, John Lester, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Shaquille O’Neal, David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Rajon Rondo, Tyler Seguin, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork, and Kevin Youkilis. Nearly all have been all-stars, and many will wind up in the halls of fame for their respective sports. Even in cities like New York and Chicago, where some sports offer two major league teams, no other city can boast such an impressive list of professional athletes, nor can they profess to have a realistic chance to win championships in three major sports (as already happened here in 2007).

I realize that these opportunities are dwindling—the Celtics are aging, and every team is subject to injuries—but it is fun to revel in the Patriots’ recent drubbing of the New York Jets, the Celtics’ current nine-game win streak, and the Red Sox’ spate of high-profile acquisitions. So, let it be that during this time when the economic downturn has hurt my business and family health issues have consumed our lives, I can at least gloat about something over which I have no control, but nevertheless brings me happiness. I am indeed glad to be a Boston sports fan.

Updated Best TV Shows of 2010

If you follow my posts, I have updated the "Best TV Shows of 2010" post. You can find it under April.