Belated 2010 Favorites

I've been thinking that it's time I went through a list of my favorite media in 2010.  I'm not going to do a top 10 list because I frankly don't care to rank things by number (and I'm not sure I could fit 10 of each on these posts), but I will at least go over the games, albums and movies I enjoyed the most throughout the past year.  I think I'll go ahead and start with music and then move on from  there.  So without further ado, here are my favorite albums from 2010 in no particular order!

Enemy of the World - Four Year Strong
I've listened to this album so many times this year, it's crazy.  They're full length debut "Rise or Die Trying" hooked me right away and ever since 2007 I've been craving more.  Their sophomore effort is certainly no slump.  With anthems like, "Wasting Time" and "It Must Really Suck to be Four Year Strong Right Now" and the driving bass drum for "What the Hell is a Gigawatt," don't disappoint if you're ever looking for a way to kick your adrenaline into overdrive.

Steel Train - Steel Train
This album really caught me off guard.  Before you continue reading this, go buy it if you haven't yet.  Seriously, it's only $5.00 on Amazon right now.  You'll thank me later.  Go ahead, I'll wait...  All good?  Alright, now that you own it, you don't need me to tell you how awesome this is.  You're already enjoying "Bullet," "Turnpike Ghost," "Touch Me Bad," and every other track on this album.

Would It Kill You? - Hellogoodbye
The departure that these guys took on their music was risky, but well worth it.  After finally leaving Drive-Thru Records, Forest and crew changed from their synth-heavy dance pop into something that can only really be described (by me) as ukulele-rock.  It's truly impressive how they were able to go from a tween sensation to everything the music industry needs right now: Solid, tight pop music.

Perch Patchwork - Maps and Atlases
So unique.  That's the first thing that will pop into your head the first time you listen to Maps and Atlases.  Then you'll think that they're using some sort of synthisizer to get the sound their producing.  That is, until you see them actually perform and realize it's all from guitars!  Super impressive and incredibly intoxicating, especially once you get the, "this is so new and bizarre" feeling to leave your ears and take it for what it's worth.

I strongly recommend you pick up at least one or two of these (mostly Steel Train and Hellogoodbye for broad appeal).  You can't go wrong with any of these, and they are certainly my most listened to albums of 2010.

Here's today's Web Waster:

Bargaineering - This site is a little different in its financial survival approach than most of the other ones I've featured.  Rather than making money the end all be all, the folks at this site take a look at how your financial decisions can make your life better while putting family and friends first.  The best example of that is their article about buying a term life insurance policy off your parents.  Heavy stuff when you're looking to profit on the death of your life-givers.