Dusty Somers
Kirkland, WA

Music

Albums of the Year:

1.) Keep No Score by Sleeping at Last I haven’t been able to stop listening to this album since it came out in June. It falters nowhere. Breathy, ethereal vocals layered over beautiful piano melodies and string arrangements. Songwriting that achieves a high level of artistry and creativity, yet remains accessible and meaningful. Far and away my favorite release of the year.

2.) Gulag Orkestar by Beirut I only discovered this May release this month, but it has strongly captured my attention. Indie rock with strong eastern European influences - Interesting combination, but it works… very, very well.

3.) Floating World by Anathallo The pinnacle of creativity perhaps? Anathallo keeps expanding their range and improving their sound, all the while managing to walk the line between eclectic and accessible with great skill.

4.) The Mission Bell by Delirious? Within Christian music, it seems there has been a strong demand for “worship” music that transcends familiar platitudes and cliches, and is both artistically and theologically excellent. Delirious has been making music for a long time, but they’ve outdone themselves this time. There is no question that this is worship music, and there should be no question that Delirious? knows what they’re doing. Lyrically and musically fantastic.

5.) Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens It’s pretty difficult for me not to include Sufjan somewhere on this list. Whatever your feelings on the guy, there is no question he can keep cranking out the music. And fortunately, it’s always good music. Old favorites, new compositions, all wrapped in a package of the trademark slightly snarky, self-deprecating Sufjan we’ve come to know and love.

The Rest of the Best:
IBM 401: A User’s Manual by Jo?hann Jo?hannsson
Photographs EP by Lakes
Lantern by Clogs
Ships by Danielson
Nothing Left to Lose by Mat Kearney

Music Find of the Year: An Accidental Memory in Case of Death by Eluvium
Thanks to none other than this illustrious blog, I was introduced to one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard. Listening to this makes me want to learn the piano more than ever. Hauntingly breathtaking.

Songs of the Year:

1.) “Dreamilfe” by Sleeping at Last, Keep No Score
2.) “Our God Reigns” by Delirious, The Mission Bell
3.) “Did I Step On Your Trumpet” by Danielson, Ships
4.) “White Flag” by Lakes, Photographs EP
5.) “Poison Pushy” by Stanton Moore, III

Movies

Movie(s) of the Year
1.) United 93 The events of 9/11 are a very difficult subject to breach in the area of film. (I’m still not sure how I feel about Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center.) But director Paul Greengrass has crafted a remarkably moving and authentic film here. There is nothing Hollywood about it. I was particularly impressed by the way he went about making the film, casting a specific actor to play each actual person on the flight. Gripping and heart-wrenching, it is a must-see.

2.) The Queen Helen Mirren has been lauded for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth and probably will (and should) win Best Actress Oscar, but this film succeeds on many more levels than simply her part. The script is fantastic, supporting performances are remarkable all the way around, and the film retains such an unassuming demeanor that, refreshingly, you never feel like you’re watching a movie.

3.) Apocalypto. Yes, it is remarkably violent in many places, but it’s not difficult to see that Gibson seems destined to get a bad rap within Hollywood the rest of his days. The small outcry that’s arisen from critics in regards to the film’s violent content seems a bit ludicrous and even hypocritical. If this film had been directed by any other person, I doubt mention would have been given. But I digress. The film itself is absolutely stunning. The advent of digital film has not been taken advantage of like this before. Gibson is able to immerse his audience completely in the society he portrays, and the result is incredible.

4.) 49 Up. Beginning in 1963, 14 seven-year old British children were interviewed in a film called 7 Up. Every seven years, they have been tracked down and interviewed again. Director Michael Apted, who has held the reins since 21 Up, returns with the latest installment. Simply put, this is one of the most remarkable uses of film I have ever seen. Watching the progression of an entire life on film is a stunning experience. I highly anticipate 56 Up.

5.) The Pursuit of Happyness. Will Smith. Enough said. By this point, I think he’s proven himself to be one of the most unbelievably charismatic actors of the day. No matter who he portrays, it’s always a pleasure to watch him work, and it’s obvious the trait is genetic, as his son Jaden is also wonderul in the movie.

The Rest of the Best:
Little Miss Sunshine
Wordplay
The Illusionist
Lady in the Water

Movie Finds of the Year: 1.) The Pianist. Somehow this one slipped through the cracks the past two years, but I’m extremely glad I finally caught up to it. Adrien Brody is incredibly moving as a Polish Jew who manages to survive the ravaging of his hometown by Nazis in WWII, aided by his gift at playing piano.

2.) 25th Hour: Spike Lee directs, Edward Norton shines as a man living out his last days as a free man before going to prison for drug dealing. With an incredibly strong supporting cast, it’s an emotional look at the consequences of wrongdoing and the consequences of allowing those you care about to continue in their wrongdoing. The last 15 minutes of the film, featuring a monologue from Brian Cox as Norton’s father, is perhaps the best ending to a movie I’ve ever seen.

Faith

This year, more than anything, God has continually been revealing to me that He is in a good mood. Regardless of my failings, my shortcomings, even my outright sin, God responds in love. My actions are irrelevant in regards to how He loves me. He’s not upset, He’s not disappointed. He is happy and He delights in His children. Consequently, I’ve grown most in my ability to make mistakes. I’ve never been good at failing well, and it’s taken some colossal failures on my part this year to see that even my most embarrassing and overwhelming mistakes don’t preclude me from the abundant love and grace of God. How fundamental, and yet, how difficult to believe. I want to be perfect, God just wants me to know that I am loved. That’s my basis for success.