Guilty Pleasures of 2012 (No Judging)

Keeping with my "tops" of the year, I'm going out on a limb here and sharing a few things that I probably should keep to myself...but what the heck, I'm not perfect. *deep breathe* here we go...

 I've never quoted more lyrics from an artist than I do from this guy.
My guilty pleasure album of the year goes to... 

2 CHAINZ!!

"When I die bury me inside the Gucci store"

Now, there are a few things I'm not proud of, one being my obsession with the "Step Up" movie franchise. I know, I know...but I love a dance movie. My guilty pleasure movie of the year goes to...

Step Up Revolution

I mean, the movie was an epic disaster, but I loved every minute of it.

Getting me to start a new TV show is like pulling teeth. I get bored very easily and if every episode isn't amazing...I give up. So when everyone told me I HAD to start this show I finally gave in and watched the pilot. Let's just say I definitely made history because I finished the entire 1st season in one day. My guilty pleasure TV Show of the year goes to...

Scandal
This is the only time I will be in favor of infidelity. Just saying.



I love social networking like the next person. However,  I'm trying to limit the amount of time I spend on certain sites....with the exception of this one because I'm addicted. My guilty pleasure website of the year goes to...

and yes, you must now follow me ;) 

pinterest.com/spikeleah

And finally, when I say NO judging, I mean it! This next confession is really difficult for me to admit but I'm putting myself out there. My guilty pleasure book of the year goes to...

50 Shades of Grey

Yes, I read these books. And NO, I'm not commenting. 

My Top 10 Albums of 2012

The moment you all have been waiting for...the albums I lived for this year :)

10. Dirty Projectors - "Swing Lo Magellan"

9. Gary Clark Jr. - "Blak And Blu"

8. Jessie Ware - "Devotion"

7. The Heavy - "The Glorious Dead"

6. Miguel - "Kaleidoscope Dream"

5. Sam Sparro - Return to Paradise

4. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

3. Nick Waterhouse - "Time's All Gone"

2. Kendrick Lamar - "good kid, m.A.A.d city"

1. Alabama Shakes - "Boys & Girls"

Song of the Day: "F**kin' Problems" (A$AP Rocky)

"F**kin' Problems" - A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar

25 Movies You Need to See Before Oscar Night

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

1. Lincoln
2. Les Miserables
3. Zero Dark Thirty
4. Argo
5. Silver Linings Playbook
6. Life of Pi
7. Amour
8. Flight
9. The Impossible
10. Rust and Bone
11. The Master
12. Moonrise Kingdom
13. Beasts of the Southern Wild
14. Django Unchained
15. The Sessions
16. Anna Karenina
17. Wreck-It Ralph
18. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
19. The Dark Knight Rises
20. Looper
21. How to Survive a Plague
22. Middle of Nowhere
23. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
24. Compliance
25. Frankenweenie 

Top EPs of 2012 (My favorite new artists)

Staring off my Top Lists of the year with my favorite EPs...because I Can't Forget About the EPs. I hope they all release full albums next year...get familiar!

HOUNDMOUTH

www.houndmouth.com

THE PEACH KINGS

www.thepeachkings.com

SOLANGE

www.solangemusic.com

HAIM

www.haimtheband.com

AZEALIA BANKS

www.azealiabanks.com

Maybe...Maybe Not...

The Departed

Yes, Jessie Ware. Yes.

Jessie Ware murders this cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love"...she is the future.

Song of the Day: NAVY (Kilo Kish)

Kilo Kish - "Navy"

kilokish.com

Cover Spotlight: VANITY FAIR All-Star Comedy Issue

True.

Solange = True

True EP 

"What makes you think this is my first time?"

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

"There's only one very good life and that's the life you know you want and you make it yourself." - Diana Vreeland

Last month I saw an AMAZING documentary called "Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" which chronicles the life of the fascinating Mrs. Vreeland better known as the "Empress of Fashion." She was a fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar (1936-1962), editor in chief of Vogue (1962-1971) and she single-handedly revolutionized the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute (1971-1989).

This women was the epitome of the word boss and this documentary gave me life. A MUST SEE!

Song of the Day: YOU KNOW YOU LIKE IT (AlunaGeorge)

AlunaGeorge - "You Know You Like It"

Yasiin Bey

The artist formerly known as Mos Def. 

The Black Keys should be proud

I love a great cover. Some of my faves include, Aretha Franklin's version of The Beatles "Let it Be", Amy Winehouse's version of Sam Cooke's "Cupid" and The Black Key's version of Buddy Holly's "Dearest."

And speaking of The Black Keys, thanks to the lovely Kylie Auldist I'll be adding her version of their song "Howlin' For You" to that list.

"It's Showtime, Folks!"

So I'm currently obsessed with all things Fosse. Especially his "AutoBio Pic" All That Jazz (1979)

And I'm even more obsessed with this scene from the movie

"JAGGER & GIDEON!"

"Always Alright" by ALABAMA SHAKES

Silver Linings Playbook in theaters Nov. 21st

Song of the day: I'M HIS GIRL (Friends)

Friends - "I'm His Girl"

Get Familiar: HAIM

Los Angeles sister trio HAIM...if you don't know who they are now, trust me you will soon.

They're hip, cool and weird and I love it!

check out this acoustic version of their song "Go Slow"



Another great song "Don't Save Me"

haimtheband.com

I can't wait to watch life tear you apart.

I don't know what it is with me and creepy films lately (You Will Know Her Name)...maybe I'm growing up, who knows, but I am most definitely adding STOKER to my must see list for 2013. I'm pretty sure I'll have nightmares but I'm okay with that because it looks that good!!

March 2013

Sisterly Love

With Game of Thrones and Mad Men done until next year, my current TV obsession is Downton Abbey...get into it!

The three ladies that play the Crawley sisters on the show...Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil are life! 

Ain't nobody else like him around.

Literally this same time last year, I blogged about a new artist you all should familiarize yourselves with (Get Familiar: Gary Clark Jr.)

Now a year later, Mr. Gary Clark Jr. drops his debut album Blak and Blu. There's nothing I can say that would give this album justice so I advise you all to just watch this trailer below and see for yourself.

You're welcome.

www.garyclarkjr.com/

You will know her name

My little girl is all grown up!

Miss Chloe Grace Moretz, who I've been obsessed with since forever (check it Future Bauce!) will star as Carrie White in the upcoming remake of Carrie. The role was made famously by the lovely Sissy Spacek in 1976.

As much as I hate scary movies, I must say judging from this poster, this movie looks bloody brilliant.

Let the SKYFALL

"When we recorded the strings, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. I'll be back combing my hair when I'm 60 telling people I was a Bond girl back in the day, I'm sure!" - Adele

Solange is my new favorite person.

And this is my new favorite song.

Obsessed.



I mean, could she be any cooler?

Brooklyn Goes Hard

Super hyped about this! Can't wait!

>

The true story of an American Legend...Jackie Robinson.

Ain't we all just runaways...

I've always been a huge fan of THE KILLERS and their latest album "Battle Born" definitely fuels the obsession. It's EPIC!

WATCH The Killers performing "All These Things" during their American Express UNSTAGED show on September 18, 2012 at New York City's Paradise Theater.

"I got soul but I'm not a soldier."

PS. Dear Mr. Flowers...yes please.

"I love you, but you have no idea what you're talking about."

Adding this to my "Alternative Movie Posters" obsession.

Trailer Watch: COMPLIANCE

I live for movies that make me feel uncomfortable. ( See "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Movie" list for reference) I know that sounds weird. But I always appreciate a fearless director/writer and an actor who gives such a convincing performance.

That being said, I MUST see Compliance. 

Glitter and Gloss

I love going to the Arclight theater in Hollywood because (1) it's the best theater ever and (2) they always have really cool artist showcase. And last month they had a dope exhibit from a Belgium born artist named Anja Van Herle. Love Love Love.

When the day comes for me to move into my loft in Downtown LA, better believe I will have one of these gracing my wall.

Anja Van Herle, at the Arclight.

Official Website - Anja Van Herle