Archive for Lists

Best Music of 2009

// December 29th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Lists, Music

Its almost the end of the year, the perfect time to make the year-end lists. So I thought I’ll start with a list of the best music that I heard for the first time in 2009. I have tried to include an audio or a video sample for all the music in the list to help you discover new music too.

Lets start with the first part of the list with new music released in 2009:

1) Dev.D – All Songs: It was almost overwhelming to have 18 amazing and diverse songs in one album. I loved all of them and still do but my favorites are Dhol Yaar Dhol (sampled here), Nayan Tarse and Ek Hulchul Si.

2) Delhi-6 – Many Songs: Again, this album released close on the heels of Dev.D and had mostly good songs with Dill 6, Arziyaan and Dil Gira Dafatan (featured below) being my favorites.

3) Oren Lavie – Her Morning Elegance: A friend suggested this video to me which was fast becoming a YouTube sensation and for good reason. I liked the video & I liked the song more.

4) Miles Fisher – This Must Be The Place: Another song I notice because of the video was becoming a rage. This cover of the Talking Heads song pays a tribute to the movie “American Psycho” through its video. I like the electronic feel of the song and the video is good too.

5) Wake Up Sid – Kya Karoon/Iktara: Two awesome songs – one more than the other – from a surprisingly good soundtrack. I like Kya Karoon slightly more though.

6) Owl City – Fireflies: Another song suggested by a friend. Although the band was totally new for me, their music is very similar to one of my favorites, The Postal Service. Owl City is also a fan of them so its understandable. Really good, surreal, electronic pop!

7) Sara Lov – Fountain: Discovered this gem of a song on Amie Street. Fine lyrics, a haunting voice and soothing music make this a great slow, mellow song.

Now, the second part of the list with music that released earlier but received the honour of being heard by me only this year:

8 Stars – 14 Forever: Stars released their EP, Sad Robots late last year but for some curious reason, I missed it. I did get around to it this year and especially liked this song. Its a light-hearted, fun, summery song.

9) Feist – I Feel it All / Mushaboom: Last.fm recommended Feist to me based on my music library and they were right. I like the dreamy quality of her songs. See it for yourself in the Mushaboom video.

10) Anoushka Shankar & Karsh Kale - Oceanic, Part 2 (Feat. Ravi Shankar): This song is a classic example of how music doesn’t always need words. Fantastic piece!

So here you have the best music I heard in 2009. What were some of your favorites this year?

The “Me” Tag

// August 22nd, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Lists, Tag

I was tagged by Preeti recently and since I did the last tag an year ago, I thought I’ll do one now!

So here it goes:

Last movie seen in a theater:
Hancock

What book are you reading?
Its common knowledge that I read “To Kill A Monckingbird” recently and will be reading “The Picture of Dorian Gray” next.

Favorite board game:
Scrabble

Favorite magazine:
Men’s Health (The only magazine I read!)

Favorite smells:
The smell of coffee in all the cafes, all of my favorite fragrances, the smell of Maggi etc.

Favorite sound:
The sound of great music, raindrops falling on the roof, crickets chirping at night etc.

Worst feeling in the world:
Let’s skip this question!

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?
It’s morning again! Do I have to go to work today?

Favorite fast food place:
Subway

Future child’s name:
I’ll cross the bridge when I get to it!

Finish this statement, “If I had a lot of money I’d…”
spend some of it on myself and my family and invest the rest :)

Do you drive fast?
Only as fast as one can in Indian cities. Still, not as fast as some maniacs.

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
Fortunately, no!

Storms – Cool or Scary?
Cool if you’re home sipping a cup of hot tea/coffee, scary otherwise!

Do you eat the stems on broccoli?
I am not a big fan of it but yes, I do.

If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice?
Dark Brown.

Name all the different cities/towns you have lived in:
Kanpur, Lucknow & Bangalore.

Favorite sports to watch:
Not a big sports buff but Cricket and F1.

One nice thing about the person who sent this to you:
A free spirit who’s full of life. (What a way to force someone to say good things about you!)

What’s under your bed?
Hopefully, nothing!

Would you like to be born as yourself again?
One life is enough, I think! I’d like to experience living a different life if I were to be reborn.

Morning person or night owl?
An anytime person but I prefer getting up early in the day.

Over easy or sunny side up?
What does that even mean?

Favorite place to relax:
Home!

Favorite pie:
No pies for me.

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Butterscotch and Fig & Honey.

You pass this tag to:
Anybody who wants it!

Of all the people you tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?
The one who picks it up first?

What I Love About Me

// February 15th, 2008 // 11 Comments » // Life, Lists, Music

Yesterday was Valentine’s day and its a day dedicated to people we love. But do we ever stop and think about loving ourselves. Its no secret that I love myself and I don’t mind being called a narcissist once in a while. In fact, I believe that self-love is important. A famous quote goes “Love yourself, for if you don’t, how can you expect anybody else to love you?”. Why depend on others for love? Just love yourself! Also, listen to the song “Love You” by The Free Design. Its a nice, upbeat song and is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Now, like I’ve done many times in the past, I list few interesting/weird/boring facts about me:

  • I often run late in the morning and have to run half the way to the stop to catch the office shuttle. As a result, while walking back home in the evening, I sometimes feel that walking is too slow and boring and so I run at least for some distance even in the evenings.
  • I like well-illuminated plants and trees at night.
  • Almost every time I try to help a stranger in a “random act of kindness”, I never get any thanks or even a smile from the stranger help. Even though I help them!