2007 Bests...
The best of 2007 according to Lauren…
Well, since most of the award shows this year are a bust because of the writers strike (I support the writers but come on guys… a lot of people are out of work and suffering because of what’s going on.)
Anyway, I decided I’m going to share some of my favorites from this past year and you guys can chime in on what you think.
Best album of the year….Timbaland’s “Shock Value”- danceable, creative, I never get tired of listening to this album, best song on the album: “Bounce”.
Best new artist of the year… although she’s not new in Great Britain, she’s new here, Amy Winehouse; despite her highly publicized dramatics off the stage is the newest sound we have heard in a long time (since the 50s and 60s actually). Her fresh lyrics combined with her 60’s girl group arrangements are genius. My favorite: “Back to Black”.
Best songs of the year…
Pop: “What Goes Around… Comes Around” Justin Timberlake: Say what you will about Justin, his orchestrations are amazing. The song is a whooping seven and a half minutes long but how each beat is layered over another and how the song morphs into the biting “I thought I told ya” ending is so sick, I hit repeat as soon as the song is over even if it means sitting in my car parked outside of my house at 2 AM.
*Special mention: “Piece of Me” by Britney is off the hook. Try not dancing when you hear it, I dare you.
Rap: “Stronger” Kanye West: My dance classes had never heard of Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” until Kanye sampled it. This song is the epitome of the Rap music lifestyle, I’m better than you, I make more money than you, I can get any girl I want, I dress like the shit, and you all want to be me. Nah-na-na-na-na….
*Special mention: “Tamborine” by Eve. It’s an absolute shame that this didn’t get more frequent airplay, it’s girls’ night out kind of song that makes you lose your inhibitions.
Country: “God Must Be Busy” Brooks and Dunn: Ronnie vocals are beautiful in this song and the writing is impeccable. It’s just a gorgeous song; you can’t help but feel moved by it.
*Special mention: “Johnny Cash” by Jason Aldean; fun song!
Alternative/Rock: “Bleed It Out” by LinkinPark, no one else out there sounds like LinkinPark, Chester and Mike have the best combination of vocals. Listen to this song when you are pissed off. It will get the negative energy out of you!
*Special mention: “Paralyzer” by Finger Eleven an awesome tune; it rocks out powerfully while having a sexy edge.
Television…
Best series: It’s a tie for me… “Heroes”, of course, I know a lot of my friends were disappointed with the first half of this season but I really enjoyed it and I love the new characters and seeing how the old favorites are developing. My other pick is “Big Love” the show that makes polygamy almost feasible. (I said “almost”, I’m not crossing to the dark side here. Josh is all I can handle and I’d rather be the one doing the handling.)
Best comedy: Another tie… “How I Met Your Mother” is consistently hysterical (did anyone see the “Slapsgiving” episode?) and “30 Rock” is off the wall zany. Alec Baldwin and Tiny Fey are a comedy match made in heaven and I always look forward to the plotline that involve “Kenneth” the worlds most naive page.
Best new series: “Pushing Diasy’s”… go ahead and read my blog from a few months ago and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Best reality series: “So You Think You Can Dance” hands down, the best reality competition ever. Suck it, American Idol.
*Special mention: Sci-fi’s off-beat remake of the Wizard of Oz, “TinMan” was a lot of fun.
Books…
I did a lot of reading this year, but most of the books I read were from a few years ago.
New favorite series:
“Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer, a very different take on Vampire romance that is totally un-Buffy-like.
The Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey.
Movies…
I have a serious lack of time to go the movie theatre, it’s been ages. So here are a couple of great movies that have stood out this year.
“Ratatouille” was such a cute, fun movie. Gwen couldn’t have cared less; it was definitely geared towards more of an adult audience.
“Knocked Up” is a fabulous comedy that crosses over-board comedy with realistic situations and dialogue. I’m a new fan of Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen is just adorable.
Websites…
Go to www.icanhascheezburger.com and try not to crack up.
I admit, I’m addicted to www.perezhilton.com ; I need a 12-step program to get me off this website.
Personal stuff...
Best trip of the year... NEW YORK CITY with my girls!!!! So much fun!
Best deal of the year... Trading Gwen's crib for our corner hutch in the dining room.
Best memory of the year... Corey and Nacki's wedding and spending Christmas with my family.
Best new endeavor... Teaching for Anne Arundel County and working with 40 West!
Personal Best of the Year... having the courage to say "no" and taking a break from the madness. This will get even better in September!
There’s my list for 2007, this is just my opinion and I’d love to hear what your thoughts are!!!