Lots of new inspirations came across my path this last year. New music, books, and movies always inspire me in so many ways.
So, I'd like to share my favorites of the year. Hopefully some of these inspire you too.
Music:
(So im not sure all of these were released this year, but I associate them with this year ...)
- Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin Up the Pieces
I love this band and this record. Soulful. Funky. And passionate. Good for anytime, and it still makes me want to dance.
- The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
Really nice harmonies, but a fuller sound than the Civil Wars.
- Augustana - Augustana
Kind of like the Killers. But like their good songs. Off their first record. And a little less synthy. Good songs. Good melodies.
- Neon Trees - Habits
The title track makes this record worth it alone. Great rock band.
- Blind Pilot - We Are the Tide
This Portland band really caught my ear with their single. But the whole record is good.
- Trevor Hall - Everything Everytime Everywhere
One of my favorite artists. Brand New Day is a great song. The whole record is good, though it took a little time to grow on me. But it's worth the investment.
-Peter Bradley Adams
Singer/songwriter record.
- Oh Land - Oh Land
Something different. And Sweedish...
- Young the Giant
Good rock/indie band. Infectious songs.
- Bon Iver
I love Bon Iver. This record is beautiful and haunting. Wow. It continues to grow on with each listen.
-Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
I am a Coldplay fan. This is a strange record for them. Its much more of a pop record than previous ones, but it's still got some great catchy tunes.
- Peter Gabriel - New Blood
An interesting record done with strings and vocals. some cool versions of Gabriel classics)
- Donny Hathaway
I fell in love with his 1970 Everything is Everything record. Especially his live version of The Ghetto.
- Lissie
Great voice. Honest.
Fun is putting out a new record next month as well! This is on my list. Mumford and Sons is expected to have a new record this year, too.
Books:
(I doubt any of these came out this year, but I stumbled upon them this year)
- Three Men in A Boat
A classic. British. Hilarious. Brilliant.
- Hafiz - The Gift/ The Subject Tonight is Love/ I Hear God Laughing
I have not been so moved by any poetry. It is divine. Mind blowing. Beautiful.
- Mark Kurlansky - Nonviolence
One of my favorites that I have read on the subject. Very informative and readable, and yet inspiring!
-Tolstoy - the Forged Coupon
A great tale that winds itself around itself over and again.
- The Animal Manifesto
A wonderfully caring and compelling treatise on respecting animals. Very informative and inspiring (and this is coming from a very active vegan!)
- The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi
I go back to this book all the time. It is one of the books that would need to be with me on a desert island.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - Celebrating Silence
There is so much brilliance in this book. It's a collection of sayings of Sri Sri. Each saying is worthy of a long meditation!
- MLK - Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community
Amazing. Could have been written today.
- Daniel Pink -Drive
An interesting look at what motivates us.
- Chip and Dan Heath - Switch
A great look at how to accomplish change when change is hard, which is most times, i think.
Movies:
I dont get a lot of time to see films, but these are what I saw and really liked.
-The Way
By far, one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Inspiring. It's a change your life sort of movie.Ive seen it twice now, and Im sure Ill buy it when it comes to DVD.
- Beginners
Touching film. Ewan McGregor is great.
- King's Speech
Great film. Worthy of the acclaim
-The Muppets
Just fun. Really fun.
- Paranormal Activity
The first one. Yeah, i just saw it this year. Creepy. Creepy. Creepy. Would sleep with a light on, but Im not sure that'd help!
- Got the Facts on Milk
Well done documentary. Informative and yet entertaining.
- One Peace at a Time
Such an inspiring movie. Movies about the problems of the world are seldom inspiring and uplifting!
Concerts:
Edward Shapre & the Magnetic Zeros - Amazing!! Wow.
Fitz & the Tantrums - dance party!
U2 - really good show. Better than I anticipated.
What are your favorites?
Namaste.
Zach
So, I'd like to share my favorites of the year. Hopefully some of these inspire you too.
Music:
(So im not sure all of these were released this year, but I associate them with this year ...)
- Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin Up the Pieces
I love this band and this record. Soulful. Funky. And passionate. Good for anytime, and it still makes me want to dance.
- The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
Really nice harmonies, but a fuller sound than the Civil Wars.
- Augustana - Augustana
Kind of like the Killers. But like their good songs. Off their first record. And a little less synthy. Good songs. Good melodies.
- Neon Trees - Habits
The title track makes this record worth it alone. Great rock band.
- Blind Pilot - We Are the Tide
This Portland band really caught my ear with their single. But the whole record is good.
- Trevor Hall - Everything Everytime Everywhere
One of my favorite artists. Brand New Day is a great song. The whole record is good, though it took a little time to grow on me. But it's worth the investment.
-Peter Bradley Adams
Singer/songwriter record.
- Oh Land - Oh Land
Something different. And Sweedish...
- Young the Giant
Good rock/indie band. Infectious songs.
- Bon Iver
I love Bon Iver. This record is beautiful and haunting. Wow. It continues to grow on with each listen.
-Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
I am a Coldplay fan. This is a strange record for them. Its much more of a pop record than previous ones, but it's still got some great catchy tunes.
- Peter Gabriel - New Blood
An interesting record done with strings and vocals. some cool versions of Gabriel classics)
- Donny Hathaway
I fell in love with his 1970 Everything is Everything record. Especially his live version of The Ghetto.
- Lissie
Great voice. Honest.
Fun is putting out a new record next month as well! This is on my list. Mumford and Sons is expected to have a new record this year, too.
Books:
(I doubt any of these came out this year, but I stumbled upon them this year)
- Three Men in A Boat
A classic. British. Hilarious. Brilliant.
- Hafiz - The Gift/ The Subject Tonight is Love/ I Hear God Laughing
I have not been so moved by any poetry. It is divine. Mind blowing. Beautiful.
- Mark Kurlansky - Nonviolence
One of my favorites that I have read on the subject. Very informative and readable, and yet inspiring!
-Tolstoy - the Forged Coupon
A great tale that winds itself around itself over and again.
- The Animal Manifesto
A wonderfully caring and compelling treatise on respecting animals. Very informative and inspiring (and this is coming from a very active vegan!)
- The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi
I go back to this book all the time. It is one of the books that would need to be with me on a desert island.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - Celebrating Silence
There is so much brilliance in this book. It's a collection of sayings of Sri Sri. Each saying is worthy of a long meditation!
- MLK - Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community
Amazing. Could have been written today.
- Daniel Pink -Drive
An interesting look at what motivates us.
- Chip and Dan Heath - Switch
A great look at how to accomplish change when change is hard, which is most times, i think.
Movies:
I dont get a lot of time to see films, but these are what I saw and really liked.
-The Way
By far, one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. Inspiring. It's a change your life sort of movie.Ive seen it twice now, and Im sure Ill buy it when it comes to DVD.
- Beginners
Touching film. Ewan McGregor is great.
- King's Speech
Great film. Worthy of the acclaim
-The Muppets
Just fun. Really fun.
- Paranormal Activity
The first one. Yeah, i just saw it this year. Creepy. Creepy. Creepy. Would sleep with a light on, but Im not sure that'd help!
- Got the Facts on Milk
Well done documentary. Informative and yet entertaining.
- One Peace at a Time
Such an inspiring movie. Movies about the problems of the world are seldom inspiring and uplifting!
Concerts:
Edward Shapre & the Magnetic Zeros - Amazing!! Wow.
Fitz & the Tantrums - dance party!
U2 - really good show. Better than I anticipated.
What are your favorites?
Namaste.
Zach
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