Top Ten Songs of 2011

I'll be posting my Top Ten Albums of the year tonight at the Top Ten Party, but for now I'll leave you with my Top Ten Songs of the year. (I still need some more time to whittle down the album list before the big reveal - too much good music this year). Are you coming to the Top Ten Party??? There's going to be a lot of people and I can't wait to meet some new friends and fellow music nerds.

The Annual Top Ten Party is TONIGHT at Club Garibaldi from 8-11pm. Bring your lists, drink some Louie's Demise, and let's talk shop. Read the Journal Sentinel article with all the details HERE. And/Or visit the official website http://top10albumsoftheyear.blogspot.com/.

Top Ten Party: December 27th

Attention music nerds! As 2011 is nearing a close, a year of good music needs to be properly appreciated. Every year, my husband hosts a "Top Ten Party" to gather (remember last year's?), listen to great albums, and discuss nerdy music stuff. Oh, and drink. Everyone compiles a list of the top ten greatest albums of the year (after great contemplation--ie my husband) and writes them out on giant posters to post around the room.

Read about it in
today's Shepherd Express article

This year, it will be held at Club Garibaldi on the 27th, with beer courtesy of Milwaukee Brewing Co. Donations will be accepted for charity. This year, the charity of choice is a project that I hold very dear, the Kola Project.

When I went to Liberia in January with USAID, I became even more aware how education is crucial to economic development, peaceful democracy, and social change. Even though, I have done several USAID projects, PEPFAR projects, and donate internationally, I'm very aware that an American cannot solve an African problem. I can only pass on my skills and resources to those living and breathing on the ground and in the field. Our group gathered our resources and put them into action. The Kola Project funds two full four year baccelaureate scholarships every year for selected students to attend the University of Liberia. Funding a domestic education builds a local resevoir of talent, funds jobs, and encourages good work to stay in Liberia. One academic year at the University of Liberia only costs less than $50. The Project covers tuition and a small stipend for books and school related costs like transportation.



post YOUR list of top ten albums of the year onto the official blog

Hope to see your lists!

Top Ten Albums of 2010

Around this time every December I compile a list of my Top Ten favorite albums for the Top Ten Party, a party where everyone lists their top ten albums of the year. My husband started the event several years ago as a way to justify hours of nerdy music talk. So, every year, as its gotten bigger and bigger, we rent out a bar and hang up giant lists of everyone's top ten favorite albums of the year.

Here are my top ten......

1. The National

2. Janelle Monae:

3. The Arcade Fire- "The Suburbs"

4. The Black Keys- "Brothers"

5. Warpaint- "The Fool"

6. Best Coast- "Crazy For You"

7. Joanna Newsom- "Have One On Me"

8. Wavves- "King Of The Beach"

9. Taylor Swift- "Speak Now"

10. Land of Talk- "Cloak and Cipher"

Honorable mentions: Beach House- "Teen Dream" (it was my #1 last year), Florence and the Machine- ""(I missed out, it came out last year)


I took a few photos on my iPhone. As you may notice, I (apparently) only hang with people who wear glasses.

Can't stop listening to: Coeur de Pirate

As I was hemming away at the top ten list this past weekend, I discovered the Quebec artist, Coeur de Pirate, and cannot stop listening to the album. The piano is just beautiful and the songs evoke a warm happiness and wonderment. I believe this one will rank high on the best of 2009 list- despite me not understanding a word of french. She sounds like a mix of Yael Naim, Emiliana Torrini, and a reserved Regina Spektor.

Here's a sample (in the form of one cute video).........

Coeur de Pirate || Comme des enfants from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.