TQ's (thirdly checkin for 2023's) Year of TV

Trying something new this year.

If people are like me, they use year-end TV Show lists to build their watchlist, but by the times these lists are posted - there's no time left to watch. It's also a lot easier to rembember the shows I watched if I write a couple checkin posts before December.

PAST YEARS AWARDS

[2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

THIS YEAR's EARLY RETURNS

Jury Duty (Prime) - Ronald is an early front runner for hero of the year

Paul T. Goldman (Peacock) - Paul is an early front runner for villain of the year

Cunk on Earth (Netflix) - Philomena is the early front runner for Nathan Fielder of the year

Mythic Quest (Apple) - Brad is the only nominee of character I've seen in person this year

Swarm (Yellowjackets) - Dre needs to set her sights on Taylor Swift for a second season

The Last of Us (HBO) - Joel & Ellie reunited on HBO's Sunday night

Jack Ryan (Prime) - Jack is the reason why others created the dadcore genre

The Mandalorian (Disney) - Din's new season was a dim season

The Consultant (Prime) - Regus may be the most overrated character all season (I do not recommend this show)

Succession (HBO)  - watching now

Barry (HBO)  - watching now

Beef (Netflix)  - watching now

Ted Lasso (Apple)  - watching now

Yellowjackets (Showtime) - watching now

2022 Corrections, Omissions, and shows from older years got might have been award snubs

Yellowjackets (Showtime -watched in 2022) 

Can't believe I forgot that I watched s1 as it was released in early 2022, especially because I really liked the whole "Lost: Soccer Season" of it all.

Reacher (Prime- watched in 2022) 

I liked the Tom Cruise movie based on this character and really liked this prime dadcore show.

Welcome to Chippendales (Hulu) 

Kumail Nanjiani is one of my favorite people in entertainment and was perfect in his role. A great true-history-is-stranger-than-fiction tale.

Physical (Apple) 

Speaking of WtoC, Murray Bartlett was in that too. Barlett was also in in Physical. A show I also watch because I like supporting my fave stand up comics (Rory Scovel plays Rose Byrne's husband).

Reservation Dogs (Hulu) 

Got completely caught up this year. It was very much worth the wait. Get to it everybody else.

The Dropout (Hulu) 

Amanda Seyfried deserves the awards she won for this - and it's another good true story on Hulu.

Shaq (HBO) 

How did I miss this fun dunk?

STILL IN THE QUEUE: (order of wife-approved wife priority)

The Other Two (HBO) NEW SEASON SOON

I Think You Should Leave (Netflix) NEW SEASON SOON

Atlanta (Hulu) FINAL SEASON DELAY

Lucky Hank (AMC)

Extrapolations (Apple)

Silo (Apple)

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Poker Face (Peacock)

Mrs. Davis (Peacock)

Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu)

The Old Man (Hulu)

Rami (Hulu)

See it soon,
TQ

POST SCRIPT 

SORRY, IT'S NOT GONNA WORK OUT (barring another worldwide lockdown, I won't get to these)

Tulsa King

The English

Trainwreck (Woodstock '99)

Reboot

The Sandman

She-Hulk

The Resort

The Man Who Fell To Earth

Interview with the Vampire

Dark Winds

Angeylne

Human Resources

Paper Girls

TQ's Year of TV (2022)

MY 2022 TV AWARDS

[Previous Years: 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

I'm fairly confident I watched 40+ shows this year. and if time and life wasn't a factor - I would've watched 20+ more...

In years past I've tried really hard to write about television content that was released in the recent year - but as queues pile up (and life's priorities change), I'm just gonna share thoughts on what I felt was worth my time in 2022. Here's a bunch of fake awards I created:

Best Shelter In Place Show:

Station Eleven (HBO Max) 
Runner-up: Welcome to Wrexham (FX/Hulu)

I started watching Station Eleven very soon after last year's version of this post was published and saw it many lists. It's likely the best show most of you haven't seen yet. Don't worry, it's only one season.

WtW is a great fun watch - marathon watch a show that won't make you wonder if a character will die every week. Get in now before a new season drops.

Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:

Better Call Saul (AMC) 

Runner-up: Ozark (Netflix) 

It's wild that BCS hasn't gotten the Emmy Hardware it deserves. Make it a trilogy with the final installment set entirely in Chile and call it Young Gus.

Ozark is done. I think the ending wasn't stuck as well as others in this post. Will people rewatch this show the way they will watch shows from the Heisenberg universe?

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

The Patient (Hulu)

Runner-up: Severance (Apple)

The Patient is not better than Better Call Saul, but the best self-contained single season of television this year was this absolute panic rollercoaster of a show. I hope it finally gets Steve Carrell the Emmy he should've gotten a decade ago.

Severance is worth the weird. Have yourself a Music Dance Experience.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers:

The Rehearsal (HBO)

Runner-up: How To With John Wilson (HBO)

If you like The Rehearsal, go back and watch all of Nathan For You on Hulu.

HTwJW is on the "Nathan Fielder Coaching Tree." Wilson is as ultra-sincere as Fielder is ultra-ironic.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Girls5eva (Peacock)

Runner-up: Westworld (HBO)

GREAT NEWS - G5E is getting a better shot at Netflix for its next season!

Westworld was kinda bad - I admit it... But I do wish it was given at least a two-hour movie to wrap that mess up into an ugly ball.

Best Limited-Run Anthology Series:

The White Lotus (HBO)

Runner-up: Murderville (Netflix)

The second season of TWL wasn't as funny as the first, but it was more suspenseful. It also had a much better opening theme song.

I think Kumail's episode of Murderville was the best.

Best TV Show That Had a Disappointing Recent Season:

For All Mankind (Apple)
Runner-up: Cobra Kai (Netflix)
FAM is still a very good show, but I'm afraid the show may be losing... altitude?

CK is straight-up laughable at this moment... but as long as I'm laughing, I'm watching.

Best shows I'll likely never watch: Euphoria, Yellowstone, Pachinko

Please don't waste your time trying to convince me, because I know they are all amazing and that I know I would love them. My apologies to all offended.

Best shows that I'm not current: Mythic Quest (Apple), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Atlanta (FX), 

The first seasons of MQ and OMitB were very entertaining. The 3rd season of Atlanta was amazing.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Best show I'll try to quit: Stranger Things (Netflix)

- Best stress watch (non The Patient): The Bear (Hulu)

- Best successful attempt at what Westworld should've been: The Peripheral (Amazon)

- Best show with two seasons in one year: Slow Horses (Apple+)

- Best 90s nostalgia: Pam & Tommy (Hulu)

- Best 80s nostalgia: Winning Time (HBO)

- Best extended universe show: Andor (Disney)

- Best Heat (the Michael Mann Masterpiece) show: Tokyo Vice (HBO)

- Best use of Sam Richardson: The Afterparty (Apple)

- Best use of masculinity: Reacher (Amazon)

- Best use of satire: The Boys (Amazon)

- Best dragon show: House of the Dragon (HBO)

- Best vampire show: What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

- Best comic show: Hacks (HBO)

- Best actor show: Barry (HBO)

- Best boat show: Below Deck(s) (Bravo)

- Best show I quit: Moon Knight (Disney)

UNHONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Worst extended universe show: Obi-Wan (Disney)

- Worst show I know I won't quit: Industry (HBO)

- Worst show I did quit before it ended: The Baby (HBO)

IN THE ETHER: Real Housewives of Wherever, Sister Wives, The Masked Singer, 90 Day Fs

IN THE QUEUE: (order of likelihood I'll see in 2023)

Welcome to Chippendales

Reservation Dogs

The English

Fleishman is in Trouble

Tulsa King

The English

Trainwreck (Woodstock '99)

The Dropout

Under the Banner of Heaven

Reboot

The Sandman

She-Hulk

The Resort

The Old Man

The Man Who Fell To Earth

Interview with the Vampire

Dark Winds

Angeylne

Human Resources

Paper Girls

Until next year,
TQ

The 2022 TQ Music Awards

Welcome to my 12th annual Music Awards / year in review post.

[Previous Year End Reviews: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

It’s official. I’m over the hill. My peak “music fan” years are behind me. I’m writing this on December 13 because there’s no hope that I can make up for 50 subpar music seeking weeks in the last two. My annual playlist is only 19 songs long. It hasn’t been that short since 2008 (when I kept the list to the maximum that could be burned onto a single compact disc).

Song of the Year: “Hop To It” by Marc Rebillet

[runner up: “Anxious” by Carly Rae Jepsen]

“Hop To It” isn’t even a stand alone track by Marc Rebillet. The above YouTube clip is just seven minutes that was cut out of his hour long live steam earlier this year. A stream that was sponsored by a sex toy company. But who cares about those above caveats — I love this sound. Meanwhile, I don’t know why “Anxious” was subjugated as a ‘bonus track’ instead of being on the album proper.

Album of the Year: Three Dimensions Deep by Amber Mark

[runner up: The Loneliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen]

It was nearly impossible to pick a single track from Amber Mark’s album to feature on my annual playlist. Important to note: Our North American Idol, CRJ, released her best work since Emotion.

Concert of the Year: Broken Social Scene at Thalia Hall

[runner up: Broken Social Scene at Thalia Hall]

Broken Social Scene is one of my favorite bands and I’ve seen them multiple times. My favorite song of their is “Shampoo Suicide” (which they rarely play live), so when it was announced they were playing the entire album as a tour — I made sure to go to BOTH Chicago shows.

Song of the Summer: Hottest Record in the World by Digitalism

[runner up: Let’s Do It Again by Jamie xx]

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year: “Renaissance” by Cristobal Tapia De Veer (the remix/version used for The White Lotus season 2)

Regret of the Year: Missed shows
To paraphrase a dead Beatle, Life got in the way of my concert plans… The War On Drugs, Beach House, The National, and Amber Mark are all acts I literally had tickets to see and was unable to attend.

Best Decision I made in 2022: Recording a “Triller” video with my wife
There’s no way I’m posting that on a public post, but if you know me — ask and I may text it to you.

Thank you very much for reading. To close, here are the concert collages / showlog from 2022:

TQ's Year of TV (2021)

MY 2021 TV AWARDS

[Previous Years: 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

Not being confident if what I watched this last year (it might have been 2020 - the last two calendar years appear seamless), here are just a few shows I think are worth mentioning...

Best Shelter In Place Show:

The Other Two (HBO Max) 

The Other Two (HBO Max)

Runner-up: Squid Game (Netflix)

I loved that The Other Two was revived at HBO Max. It's a confidently funny show that has a unique voice and has new takes on the "fish out of water" plus "need to be famous" tropes that so many other shows get wrong. I have been a HUGE FAN of Drew Tarver thanks to his characters on Comedy Bang! Bang! - I love that more are getting to know his naturally comic talent.

Everyone who wanted to have seen Squid Game has seen it by now, but if you want a show that will make you smile and not in fear for all existence - check out The Other Two.

Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:

Superstore (NBC) 

Superstore (NBC)

Runner-up: Pen15 (Hulu) 

I wasn't a big fan of Superstore's penultimate season, but no other show leaned into the Pandemic better than their final season. The show was always a satire on retail jobs, but expanding the satire beyond retail jobs to "essential" jobs was astounding.

Confession: I haven't watched the last season of Pen15 yet - consider this a confident placeholder.

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

For All Mankind (Apple +)

Runners-up: Ted Lasso / Succession (Apple + / HBO)

For All Mankind (Apple +)

Rolling Stone's tv critic Alan Sepinwall is my favorite writer on the subject, and based on his recommendation on it's stellar season two, I started marathoning 2020's s1 and caught up in this middle of its 2021 s2. It got to the point when I would watch new episodes in the early hours of Fridays because I had to watch the new episodes as soon as possible. Super thrilled that it ended up at #1 on Sepinwall's Best Of list because I need more eyes on this show because I want to talk about this show with everyone.

Meanwhile, we all know that Ted Lasso & Succession are good - nothing more to add there. Well played.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers Entertaining:

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (Netflix)

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (Netflix)

Runner-up: Loki (Disney +)

One word to describe how great s2 of ITYSL: Tables

Two words to describe how great s2 is of ITYSL: Dan Flashes

It's a tough call between slotting either Wanda Vision of Loki in this position, but Loki edges out for being a bit more action/upbeat than Wanda Vision's drama/weight.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Champaign ILL (YouTube/Hulu)

Champaign ILL (YouTube/Hulu)

Runner-up: Lovecraft Country (HBO)

I'm at fault for this show only lasting one season. I didn't see it until the YouTube Original made it to Hulu. But if Cobra Kai can find itself new seasons away from YouTube, why can't Champaign ILL? (it's a much longer shot because unlike CK, ChILL has a Sam Richardson: an emerging talent that frankly doesn't need this show to come back. It exists as a single serving treat for all that watch.

Someone still needs to explain to me why Lovecraft Country hasn't found a new home to capitalize on the mistake HBO is making by dropping it. 

Best Limited-Run Series:

Mare of Easttown (HBO)

The Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Runner-up: The White Lotus (HBO)

It's nice to have shows we all watch as it's happening. To have a mystery we all have guesses and theories. Both of these HBO series had this and they both stuck the landing in its finale.

The only reason why I'm ranking The White Lotus second is because it will be getting an unplanned second season which technically disqualifies it from this award.

Best TV Show That Had A Disappointing Recent Season:

Midnight Mass (Netflix)
Runner-up: Falcon & The Winter Soldier (Disney +)
Mike Flannigan's horror series trilogy of The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and now Midnight Mass have gotten worse with each new iteration. That stated - I will likely consume his next effort because they are still entertaining.

The same might not be true for the never ending expansion of the Marvel Universe's Falcon and the Winter Soldier's lameness has kept be away from Hawkeye (which I have heard is better). 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Best of the Rest: Hacks (HBO Max)

- Best Talk Show: It remains Desus & Mero (Showtime)

- Best Catch Phrase: #JFTF from The Circle (Netflix)

- Best Surprise: Saved By The Bell (Peacock)

- Most underrated: Made For Love (HBO Max)

- Best use of an insanely high budget: Foundation (Apple +)

- Best candidate to make a future award: Mythic Quest (Apple +)

UNHONORABLE MENTIONS:

-I also watched Nine Pervect Strangers (Hulu), which I quit before it ended when I realized it wasn't a Balki & Cousin Larry reboot. 

What else is on,
TQ

The 2021 TQ Music Awards

This is a post about my favorite music, not my favorite television.

Welcome to my 11th annual Music Awards / year in review post.

[Previous Year End Reviews:2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

I hate to admit it, but the largest reason I'm writing this is because I don't want to break the streak. This is the 11th year in a row I've written [whatever this is] and I'm confident that there are five people who read it. To four of you, thank you. I'm the fifth - because this doubles as my diary entry to help me remember. It's also worth nothing that the most important person in my life (my wife*) has no interest in reading these posts.

*2021 is the year I got married

Song of the Year:

"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by  M Y   W I I I F E
[Runner up: “VACCINATED ATTITUDE" by Marc Rebillet]

If you were there, you know.

Meanwhile, Marc Rebillet is an incredibly fun personality I discovered from his viral video last year and think this song captured a very significant moment from my first half of 2021.

Album of the Year:
star-crossed by Kacey Musgraves

[Runner up: Planet Her by Doja Cat]

Is it bad that, in my opinion, the best album released in the year of my wedding was about a divorce? It is worse that if a war were to break out between Swifties and Grave Diggers for who is the better singer/songwriter of the duo I will be picking up a shovel despite knowing my wife is Delicate?

On the other end of of the energy spectrum is Doja Cat's album. A collection of songs best described by Kendall Roy. It was very tough to pick just one song for my Best of 2021 playlist.

By the way, I think I've peaked as far as how much new music I listen to in a given year. I've found myself more on playlists I've made of my favorite bands. Speaking of those favorites - I don't think the albums by My Morning Jacket and Beach House were their best efforts.

Concert of the Year:

My Morning Jacket at Auditorium Theatre
[Runner up: n/a]

If I had to pick any of my favorite bands to see first since *gestures to the entire world* - it would've been My Morning Jacket. It's also wonderful I was able to do it as #TeamHardTicket. They didn't disappoint in the least! 2022 looks to be a good rebound year as I've already got tickets multiple shows. Worth noting that I would've seen Tame Impala this past year, but they rescheduled their concert to a date I was unable to attend.

Song of the Summer:
"A Second to Midnight" by Kylie Minogue
[Runner up: "Leave The Door Open" by Silk Sonic

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year:
"We Love Each Other So Much" by Sparks (performed by Marion Cotillard & Adam Driver
[Runner up: NO RUNNER UP]

There is a movie you can watch on Amazon Prime Video titled Annette. I cannot recommend based on its intended qualities. That said, the song created an inside joke strong enough between my wife and I that it had a small role in our wedding day.

Thanks for listening. 

TQ's Year of TV (2020)

MY 2020 TV AWARDS

What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

[Previous Years: 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

It is impossible to catalog everything watched on TV in a year such as this. Very few shows had a cadence to watch on a schedule and it felt like a majority of what was watched was in a "catch up" mode depending on what was being discussed in a particular week. Here are just some of my thoughts and opinions on a selection of 'tent that was telecasted, streamed, or dumped.

Best Shelter In Place Show:

What We Do In The Shadows (FX & Hulu) 
Runner-up: How To With John Wilson (HBO)

What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

I started to watch WWDITS in 2019, but quit after two or three eps. It was great to start again when Sheltering In Place began (its 2nd season is better). A strong recommendation to all. I can't tell everyone to watch HTWJW unless I know your comic sensibility can handle it (e.g. Nathan For You, Joe Perra Talks To You).

Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:

The Good Place (NBC) 

Runner-up: Brockmire (IFC & Hulu) 

The Good Place (NBC)

Note that Schitt's Creek is ineligible for this slot because I started late and have not finished it. The Good Place ended in January, which makes it feel like it shouldn't qualify for this year either for how long ago that feels. Brockmire was a welcome marathon during the return of baseball this summer.

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

Better Call Saul (AMC & Netflix)

Runner-up: The Last Dance (ESPN & Netflix)

Better Call Saul (AMC)

The Lebron James versus Michael Jordan argument is flawed because one's greatness is built upon the shoulders of the other. I feel equally about Breaking Bad versus Better Call Saul. The Last Dance was a perfect fit for my nostalgia hole.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers Entertaining:

The Mandalorian (Disney +)

Runner-up: Love Is Blind (Netflix)

The Mandalorian (Disney +)

Billions would have snuck into these top two had it been able to complete its season this year, so instead I'm going different directions of "bonkers." The Mandalorian made me feel child-like joy while watching whereas Love Is Blind made me feel adult-level shock. Bonkers, in other words, are about feelings.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Corporate (Comedy Central)
Runner-up: The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (Netflix)

Corporate (Comedy Central)

Corporate knew its recent season would be its last, but that was before Corporate America went totally remote. REBOOT NOW! It's for similar reasons for why Hasan Minhaj should be back on the air every week.

Best TV Show That Needs Your Help Now Before It Dies:

Sherman's Showcase (IFC & Hulu)

Runner-up: Robbie (Comedy Central)

Sherman's Showcase (IFC)

Sherman's Showcase is a show-within-a-show that is a parody of Soul Train. The entire season is dumb fun, but its Black History Month Spectacular Episode (which aired in June) is the most timely entertainment I saw all year. Robbie is also dumb fun as the "Eastbound and Down of middle school basketball."

Best Limited-Run Series:

I Know This Much Is True (HBO)

Runner-up: Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Best Documentary Series:
I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO)

Runner-up: McMillions (HBO) 

Best TV Show That Had A Disappointing Recent Season:

Fargo (FX & Hulu)
Runner-up: Superstore (NBC)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

-Best Talk Show: Desus & Mero (Showtime)

-Best Show To Use History for Horror: Lovecraft Country (HBO)

-Best Show To Mirror Quarantine: The Circle (Netflix)

-Worst Show I Hate Watched All Year: Too Hot To Handle (Netflix)

-Best Show I Hope Gets Cancelled: Industry (HBO)

-Best Show To Watch While Phone Scrolling: Selling Sunset (Netflix)

-Best Show To Allow A Future Wife To Make You Hate Watch: Welcome to Plathville (TLC)

-Best Show From Fancy Elements Such As Costume Design And History: The Crown (Netflix)

-Best Show That Other People Seemed To Like More: The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)

-Worst Show That Other People Seemed To Like More: Normal People (Hulu)

-Best Show for Very Specific People That I Can't Recommend Elsewhere: Devs (Hulu)

-Best Show To Spam A Podcast's Content Engine: Tiger King (Netflix)

-Worst Doc To Make A Can't Miss Topic Miss: The Vow (HBO)

-Best Dec To Make a Can't Miss Topic (to me personally) Miss: The Comedy Store (Showtime)

-Most Improved Doc, but somehow still fell short: Hard Knocks (HBO)

-Most Entertaining, but not well made, Doc: Love Fraud (Showtime)

-Best Show That More People Thankfully Know About: Pen15 (Hulu)

-Best Show That Nobody More Will Likely Know About: Better Things (FX)

-Best Fun Bad Show: The Flight Attendant (HBO)

-I also watched Perry Mason (HBO), which I quit before it ended & A Teacher (Hulu) which I was unable to quit before it ended. 

What else is on,
TQ

The 2020 TQ Music Awards

 

"How Bad Is Your Spotify?" is a project from The Pudding

Welcome to my 10th annual Music Awards / year in review post. I’ve also embedded my Spotify playlist of my favorite tracks at the top of this post.

[Previous Year End Reviews: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

 

Two large factors drive what I listen to in a year: older tracks from acts I'm about to see in concert and new releases (driving mainly from writing this annual post). I was only able to go to two concerts this year, which led (as The Pudding's expert AI reported) to a year dominated by listening to 2020 music. In the past years I've grown less likely to tryout new sounds, which results in my "new release radar" dominated by past finds. Thankfully many of my favorites released new music this year (e.g. My Morning Jacket, Cut Copy, Washed Out, Carly Rae Jepsen).

Song of the Year:

"Olympik" by EOB
[Runner up: “Stop, Horizon” by Cut Copy]

EOB is the side project of Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. His debut album Earth, sat in my "on deck" playlist for a while until (friend of the blog) Ryan texted me to check out this track. I can't think of a song in recent memory that had a guitar bridge I enjoyed more. It instantly became my favorite song of the year in April and no other song was able to top it.

 

Album of the Year:
Purple Noon by Washed Out

[Runner up: Swimmer by Tennis]

Washed Out makes the music I find most relaxing. It makes total sense that Spotify told me it was my top artist (and I landed in the top 0.5% of their listeners) for this horrid year - it was needed. I awarded its previous album, 2017's Mister Mellow, my favorite album of that year as well - and I've arrived at the fact that Washed Out deserves to be in my Top Ten graphic. Sorry, Arcade Fire, you're been bounced.

I had a much more difficult time figuring out the runner-up. There were great albums by TOPS, Poolside, Jessie Ware, and a long awaited return from Land of Talk. 

Other sources have told me that a pair of albums were released by a singer/songwriter out of Nashville, but I'm only able to discuss her on our podcast.

Concert of the Year (tie):

Bag Raiders at Lincoln Hall / Best Coast and Mannequin Pussy at S.P.A.C.E.
[Runner up: there weren't any other shows!]
The two shows I attended were very separate experiences. One was a dance party that I had to coax a friend to join me knowing we'd be the two oldest in the room at the last minute and the other was a big group of friends that had months of planning ahead of it. Here's a list of acts that I had tickets in hand to see and were Covid-cancelled: Tame Impala, Foals, Local Natives, Perfume Genius, Delta Spirit, Peter Bjorn And John... I hope I can include these in my 2021 post.

Song of the Summer:
"WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)" by Cardi B
[Runner up: "JU$T (feat. Pharrell Williams & Zak De La Rocha)" by Run The Jewels]
Both these songs speak for themselves.
 

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year:
"Jaja Ding Dong" by Will Ferrell & My Marianne
[Runner up: "Add Some Kente" by Sherman's Showcase & Viceroy]

Many people have seen Eurovison, but not enough are watching Sherman's Showcase. Go to it for the goofy parody of Soul Train, but stay for the great original songs. It was tough to select just one to highlight from this show - sorry, "Drop It Low (For Jesus)".

Thank you very much for reading. I like to close these posts out with my concert collages / showlog from the year... but it's just these two:

BONUS CONTENT: special awards for this pivotal year in our history

White Guy Acting Dumb of the Year (music related): David Guetta
White Guy Acting Real of the Year (music related): Marc Rebillet