MUSIC
Album of the Year
4. Revolution - Miranda Lambert - Three top 15 singles on the Billboard charts (including a number one with “The House That Built Me”), tons of critical acclaim, and Album of the Year awards from the ACM and CMAs have Revolution earning the number four spot on my year-end countdown. Without a doubt, this was Miranda Lambert’s best work and a wonderful album of rocking country tunes and heartfelt songs full of emotion.
3. Play On - Carrie Underwood - Play On is the best complete album of Carrie Underwood’s career thus far. Home to three number one singles on the Billboard charts (with a fourth number one pending), Play On has went double platinum and helped to establish Carrie Underwood’s songwriting skills as well as her incredible vocal talents. Fantastic album without a weak track, Play On was one of 2010’s best.
2. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum - Triple platinum, critically acclaimed, full of hits (including three consecutive number ones on the Billboard charts), and crossover success for a country trio unseen by a country act in ages. The rise to the top for Lady Antebellum has come from this incredible album. The title track, “Need You Now,” introduced the rest of the world to what country fans have known since 2008: Lady A is awesome. “American Honey” and “Our Kind of Love” only added to their success and Need You Now established that Lady Antebellum is going to be a hit marker for a long time to come. Incredible album.
1. Speak Now - Taylor Swift - The third effort from music superstar Taylor Swift is the most thorough and diverse album of her young career. It is also her best effort. Speak Now featured Swift creating 14 amazing tracks with “Mine” reaching the top of the Billboard charts and crossover success while “Back to December” is currently doing the same. The album was critically acclaimed with universal appeal from fans of all genres leading Speak Now to triple platinum status in less than two months. More important than success though is that Speak Now is genuinely a work of art. Speak Now is the best album of 2010 and is another example of how Taylor Swift is the musical voice of a generation.
Song of the Year - Top 40
4. “California Gurls” - Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg) - Radio-friendly, infectious, happy, joyful, and energetic are all words used to describe one of the biggest hits of 2010. Katy Perry’s ode to “daisy dukes and bikinis on top” was one of the best songs of 2010. “California Gurls” may be one of those songs people are embarrassed to admit enjoying but triple platinum success for the single and tons of acclaim mean somebody loves it.
3. “Whataya Want From Me” - Adam Lambert - I didn’t think Adam Lambert would do much after American Idol but I was wrong. Instead of fizzling after Idol, Lambert released one of the best rock songs of 2010 as “Whataya Want From Me” worked on so many levels. Was Lambert calling out the media? Was it a cry to a former lover? Was it simply a song? Whatever it was, “Whataya Want From Me” was one of the best in 2010.
2. “Love the Way You Lie” - Eminem (featuring Rihanna) - The lyrics were intense and disturbing. The vocals were a mixture of raw hatred and soothing beauty. But, “Love the Way You Lie” was a perfect blend of everything great in Eminem and Rihanna and was one of the best songs of 2010. Rihanna’s vocals reflected her position during the domestic abuse scandal involving former lover Chris Brown while Eminem’s aggression was never more intense than in the phrases which reflected the well-publicized stormy relationship between he and ex-wife Kim. “Love the Way You Lie” was a lyrical ride from beginning to end and one of those songs that is just irresistible.
1. “Just the Way You Are” - Bruno Mars - Bruno Mars became a big name in 2010 thanks to one of the most romantic and charming songs in years. “Just the Way You Are” is an ode to the beauty and perfection that a man sees in the love of his life. From the catchy sound to the wonderfully smooth and flowing lyrics, “Just the Way You Are” was easily one of the most refreshing and addicting singles on radio all year long. I loved the song and everything it represented: kindness, love, happiness, and admiration for the woman who stole your heart. “Just the Way You Are” was my favorite Top 40 song of 2010.
Song of the Year - Country
4. “Lover, Lover” - Jerrod Niemann - Jerrod Niemann blasted onto the country music scene in a big way in 2010 with a low-key, acoustic-sounding number that sounded more beatnik than cowboy. “Lover, Lover” was a terrific debut for the singer-songwriter as Niemann reached number one on the Billboard charts in August and established his voice on an already-crowded country radio.
3. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” - Josh Turner - Josh Turner reached the top of the Billboard charts for four weeks with “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” The song was a wonderful piece of fun escapism in a year filled with a lot of epic ballads and rocking anthems. Turner’s baritone voice and playful, carefree attitude have never shined brighter than on one of the best songs of 2010. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” was a refreshing hit on country radio.
2. “The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert - Miranda Lambert has never been better vocally than on the amazing ballad about never forgetting where you grew up: “The House That Built Me.” Reaching number one on the Billboard charts for a month during the summer, “The House That Built Me” received critical acclaim for its honest lyrics, emotional vocals, and graceful intelligence. The song was not loud, outrageous, or overly-produced. “The House That Built Me” was just genuinely honest like the woman performing the song.
1. “Need You Now” / “Our Kind of Love” - Lady Antebellum (TIE) - Choosing between these two songs would be like choosing between my children (if I had children) as they are both equally awesome. Lady Antebellum was on fire in 2010 and these two songs were perfect examples of their greatness. “Need You Now” achieved success first on the country charts; reaching number one on the Billboard chart for five weeks. Then, it reached number one on countless other charts including the Adult Contemporary and Pop charts. “Need You Now” became the second most downloaded song in country history and also earned an endless stream of awards and nominations from the ACMs, CMAs, and even Grammy nods. Meanwhile, “Our Kind of Love” was one of the hot songs of the summer. A playful and energetic song about love regardless of what anyone else says, “Our Kind of Love” reached number one on the Billboard chart in September and stands out as one of Lady A’s songs where they truly reach vocal balance with both Hillary Scott and Charles Kelly sharing the lead and shining brilliantly. “Need You Now” was one of the top songs of 2010 and “Our Kind of Love” was one of my favorites. In either case, Lady Antebellum was responsible for the best of 2010.
Artist of the Year
4. Miranda Lambert - Miranda Lambert had an outstanding 2010 as the Texas-born singer-songwriter found herself dominating the country music scene throughout the year. Lambert won the ACM and CMA award for Album of the Year for Revolution while also getting awards for her songs “White Liar” and “The House That Built Me” throughout the awards season. Lambert also was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACMs and CMAs for the first time in her career. Plus, Lambert found herself finally engaged to longtime boyfriend Blake Shelton in May as Miranda’s 2010 highlights weren’t just limited to success on the charts.
3. Katy Perry - Infectious. Fun. Joyful. Popular. Those words not only describe the music but also the woman behind such 2010 hits as “California Gurls”, “Teenage Dream”, and “Firework.” Katy Perry built off an amazing 2008 debut year with a 2010 that proved she is not going away anytime soon. Perry’s three singles off her sophomore release, Teenage Dream, all reached number one on the Billboard charts while Perry’s success also has her branching out into movies with her performance in the live-action version of The Smurfs (due out in 2011). Katy Perry’s star has never been brighter and it is all stemming from an incredible 2010.
2. Carrie Underwood / Taylor Swift (TIE) - Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift continued their phenomenal careers with a 2010 that saw each blonde bombshell reaching new levels of success. For Carrie Underwood, 2010 started with a Grammy Award for the 2009 hit “I Told You So.” Underwood reached number one of the Billboard charts with “Temporary Home” and “Undo It” while “Mama’s Song” is well on it’s way to that spot too in early 2011. Underwood dominated the inaugural American Country Awards with six victories while garnering tons of nominations from other award shows throughout the year. Also, Carrie Underwood got married in 2010 and started acting with performances on How I Met Your Mother and in the upcoming film Soul Surfer. Dabbling in acting was also one of the activities Taylor Swift did in 2010. Swift appeared in the box office hit Valentine’s Day in February. But, Taylor Swift’s success in 2010 was all about the music. Speak Now was one of the biggest selling albums of the year despite only being released three months. Swift reached the top of the Billboard charts with “Mine” and with “Fearless” early in the year off the Fearless album. Swift won the Grammy for Album of the Year for Fearless; one of four Grammy Awards won in 2010. Swift also received countless other awards and ultimately was named Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainer of the Year for 2010; making her the youngest person to receive the honor. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift continued their incredibly successful careers in 2010 with both women having an amazing 2010.
1. Lady Antebellum - Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott together had one of the best years in country music history as everything Lady Antebellum did turned to gold in 2010. Or, should I say platinum. Lady Antebellum’s 2010 release, Need You Now, went triple platinum in 2010 on the momentum of the hugely successful crossover hit “Need You Now.” The song went to number one on multiple Billboard charts and is nominated for a Grammy in 2011 while winning Single of the Year at both the ACM and CMAs in 2010. “American Honey” and “Our Kind of Love” also reached number one while “Hello World” is currently rising the charts ending out 2010. Lady A also won their first Grammy in 2010 for “I Run to You.” Plus, they walked away with four awards at the inaugural American Country Awards and headlined their first tour and played to sold-out crowds across the country in 2010. Lady Antebellum had a tremendous 2010 as nobody was more successful in the music world that Charles, Dave, and Hillary of country music’s lady: Lady Antebellum.
ENTERTAINMENT
Movie of the Year
4. Inception - Christopher Nolan is one of the great film directors of our time. After proving that with the Batman saga, Nolan added to his lore with 2010’s mind-blowing hit Inception. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as specialized spy/thief Dominick Cobb, Inception told the story of Cobb participating in one final heist that would see Cobb return to his old life depending upon the success of him implanting an idea in another man’s subconscious. While Inception clearly was a film for the intellectual type, the performances of a stellar cast (including Ken Wantanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, and Cillian Murphy) made every character valuable and every moment on the screen a rewarding experience. Inception was a tremendous film deserving of the critical acclaim and $825 million in revenue.
3. The Last Song - While not a critically acclaimed film, The Last Song was one of the most uplifting films I saw in 2010. Miley Cyrus is clearly a talented young lady and the only thing that can derail her star is herself. Her performance as troubled teen Veronica “Ronnie” Miller is absolutely fabulous. Moving to live with her father for the summer, Miller discovered what love and forgiveness mean over the course of a summer in Georgia. Liam Hemsworth was excellent as Miley’s love interest. But, The Last Song was truly made special by the interaction between father Steve (Greg Kinnear) and daughter Ronnie (Cyrus). Learning to love again and enjoying what time we have, their performances were inspirational and The Last Song was the kind of film that made you cry tears of joy as well as sadness. Sometimes a great movie is just a film that makes you feel something. The Last Song definitely made me feel in 2010.
2. True Grit - Joel and Ethan Coen can do no wrong. In re-imagining the 1969 classic, the Coen brothers took a John Wayne western many thought was perfect and turned it into a true masterpiece by telling the original story without the cliché Hollywood ending. John Wayne earned an Oscar for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn. So, that means that Jeff Bridges should get an Oscar plus a small Hawaiian island because Bridges’ performance of the washed-up US Marshall was legendary. Matt Damon added some comic relief to the cold, harsh story of a young girl (14-year old Hailee Steinfield) putting a bounty on the head of the man (Josh Brolin) who killed her father with his portrayal of Texas Ranger La Boeuf. But, True Grit was truly a two-person tour de force as the common goal of capturing murderer Tom Chaney and the bond formed during that quest were accomplished by masterful performances from Bridges and Steinfield. I am not a western fan but True Grit is among my favorite films of all-time. True Grit should be a lock for many awards come awards season.
1. The Town - The best film in 2010 was The Town. Incredible acting, outstanding directing, vivid imagery, and tremendous storytelling are all just a handful of the reasons why The Town was the best film in 2010. Set in Boston and the surrounding Charlestown, Massachusetts area, Ben Affleck superbly directed the story of career robber Doug (also played by Affleck) and the aftermath of a robbery that changed his life. The robbery resulted in a relationship with a hostage, Claire (Rebecca Hall), and a strained relationship with his cohort in crime and best friend, Jem (Jeremy Renner). Meanwhile, FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) tracked the robbers in a wonderful cat-and-mouse game between the criminals and law enforcement officers. The performances of Affleck, Renner, Hamm, Hall, and Blake Lively were all remarkable while Ben Affleck proved himself again to be one of the best young directors in Hollywood with his work on this labor of love. The Town was a masterpiece and the best film of 2010.
TV Show of the Year
4. The Walking Dead - Who knew a post-apocalyptic drama revolving around survivors trying to find a future and survive the never-ending onslaught of zombies could be so much fun or so gripping? The first scripted drama I’ve seen from AMC is a masterpiece as The Walking Dead absolutely gripped America by the jugular in 2010. Debuting on Halloween night, The Walking Dead premiere gained critical acclaim while also giving the network its largest audience for a series premiere ever. Focusing on a group of survivors after an incident led to the dead coming back to life, The Walking Dead has a unique cast of characters encompassing all races, genders, and age groups with the goal of survival being their common denominator. The first season was a tremendous ride and I hope that the hiatus between seasons one and two does not stop their momentum. The Walking Dead could easily be one of the best shows on TV for a long time.
3. Community - NBC is home to the best comedy lineup with their Thursday night “Comedy Night Done Right” lineup. The night gets started perfectly with the ongoing misadventures of Jeff Winger and his study group at Greendale Community College on Community. Playing suspended lawyer Jeff Winger, Joel McHale has showed he is more than one-liners on The Soup as McHale has developed into one of television’s new leading funny men. The entire cast, including the hilarious Ken Jeong and Chevy Chase, are an ensemble without a weak link in the bunch. Community ended its first season strong and has not missed a beat during its second season. If it can maintain the level of comedy it established in 2010, Community could be a fixture of the NBC comedy lineup for years to come.
2. Modern Family - The Emmy winner for Best Comedy, Modern Family is definitely one of the best shows on all of television. Modern Family debuted in 2009 to rave reviews and 2010 was no different for the comedy about three extensions of one large modern family. Ed O’Neill was initially the big name of the cast but, as the first and second seasons went, O’Neill has been merely one of many scene-stealers. Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet have been praised for their performances on ABC’s biggest comedy. If Modern Family continues to produce shows as good as their 2010 episodes, this show will be a major player on television for many years to come.
1. ESPN SportsNation / The Office (TIE) - For me, there were only two shows that were clearly appointment television: ESPN SportsNation and The Office. Monday through Friday at 4PM on ESPN2, Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd have begun revolutionizing sports television through SportsNation. Using Facebook, Twitter, and various polls to the fans, Beadle and Cowherd debate the hot stories in the world of sports while also including the input of the audience. Filled with lots of fun and games, including costumed segments and interaction with various other ESPN personalities, SportsNation also included a great deal of serious debate and emotion in 2010. Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are opinionated personalities with a wealth of knowledge to back up their arguments. SportsNation is Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn without the yelling, bias, flip-flopping, and tired opinions of those once-proud shows. Plus, SportsNation is home to Michelle Beadle; one of sports television’s fastest rising superstars. Meanwhile, season six and seven of The Office have only seen the gang at Dunder Mifflin get funnier with age. During 2010, the biggest moments saw Jim and Pam have their first child along with Dunder Mifflin being sold to Sabre, a printer company. Despite the announcement that Steve Carell was leaving at the end of season seven, Michael Scott has remained funny as ever while Ed Helms and Craig Robinson have both upper their game as the characters Andy and Darryl have been amazing in recent months. Guest spots by Kathy Bates (Sabre CEO Jo Bennett) and Timothy Olyphant (traveling salesman Danny Cordray) and the return of Amy Ryan (HR representative Holly Flax) only added more talent and laughs to the already loaded ensemble cast. The Office was still as sweet, funny, heartwarming, and absurd in 2010 as it was in the days when Jim only flirted with Pam. ESPN SportsNation and The Office were, without a shadow of a doubt, the best programs on television in 2010.
To be continued...
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