The Best Music Albums of 2018

My Ten Favorite Albums of 2018

I have to admit, I haven't been listening to as many albums this year because I have discovered something called "Podcasts." That being said, here are my top ten favorite albums and underneath, my ten favorite albums from nine years past....

2018

10. Belle and Sabastian - How to Solve Our Human Problems

9. Okkerville River - In the Rainbow Rain

8. The Rural Alberta Advantage - The Wild

7. Pale Waves - My Mind Makes Noises

6. The Decemberists - I'll Be Your Girl

5. Moon Taxi - Let the Record Play

4. Metric - Art of Doubt

3. Death Cab For Cutie - Thank You For Today

2. CHVURCHES - Love is Dead

1. Matt & Kim - Almost Everyday

2017
1. Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface
2. Future Islands - The Far Field
3. Mew - Visuals
4. Alt-J - Relaxer
5. The Shins - Heartworms
6. Portugal. The Man - Woodstock
7. Foster the People - The Sacred Hearts Club
8. The National - Sleep Well Beasts
9. Shout Out Louds - Ease My Mind
10. Arcade Fire - Everything Now

2016
1. Radical Face - The Leaves
2. Cloud Cult - The Seeker
3. Islands - Taste
4. The Strumbellas - Hope
5. Tegan and Sara - Love You To Death
6. The Head And The Heart - Signs Of Light
7. The Avett Brothers - True Sadness
8. The Lumineers - Cleopatra
9. Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack
10. Empire of the Sun - Two Vines

2015
1. Mowgli's - Kids In Love
2. Twenty One Pilots - Blurry Face
3. Matt And Kim - New Glow
4. Metric - Pagans In Vegas
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi 
6. Belle And Sabastian - Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance
7. Walk Off The Earth - Sing It All Away
8. Mew - + - 
9. Decemberists - What A Terrible World, What A Wonderful World
10. Chvurches - Every Open Eye

2014
1. Future Islands - Singles
2. Passenger - Whispers
3. Bishop Allen - Lights Out
4. Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield
5. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Mended With Gold
6. Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow
7. Spoon - The Want My Soul
8. Foster the People - Supermodel
9. Broken Bells - After the Disco
10. Manchester Orchestra - Cope

2013
1. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
2. Radical Face - Family Tree: The Branches
3. Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
4. The National - Trouble Will Find Me
5. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
6. Shout Out Louds - Optica
7. Crystal Fighters - Cave Rave
8. The Sounds - Weekend
9. Tegan & Sara - Heartthrob
10. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero

2012

1. Radical Face – The Family Tree: The Roots
2. Passion Pit - Gossamer
3. Mumford And Son – Babel
4. Miike Snow – Happy To You
5. Imagine Dragons – Night Visions

6. Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon
7. Metric – Sythetica
8. Dr. Dog – Be The Void
9. Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is An Animal
10. The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

2011
1. Death Cab For Cutie – Codes And Keys
2. The Sounds – Something To Die For
3. Architecture In Helsinki – Moment Bends
4. Decemberists – The King Is Dead
5. The Strokes – Angles
6. The Head And The Heart – The Head And The Heart
7. Brett Dennen – Loverboy
8. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math
9. I’m From Barcelona – Forever Today
10. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing

2010
1. The National – High Violet
2. Vampire Weekend – Contra
3. Shout Out Louds – Work
4. Mumford And Sons – Sigh No More
5. Mates Of State – Crushes
6. Dr. Dog – Shame Shame
7. Rogue Wave – Permalight
8. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
9. Matt & Kim – Sidewalks
10. Tokyo Police Club – Champ

2009
1. The Sounds – Crossing The Rubicon
2. Passion Pit – Manners
3. Metric – Fantasies
4. Animal Collective – Merryweather Post Pavilion
5. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
6. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
7. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
8. We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls
9. Islands – Vapours
10. Mew – No More Stories Are Told…

The 20 Best TV Shows I Watched in 2018

Here it is... the moment you've all been waiting for...

THE 20 BEST TV SHOWS I WATCHED IN 2018

Honorable Mentions

- Glow (Seasons 1-2) Netflix

- Atypical (Season 2) Netflix

- The Good Place (Season 2) Netflix

- Schitt's Creek (Season 4) Netflix

- The Goldbergs (Season 5) ABC

Top 20

20. This Is Us (Seasons 1-2) NBC 

I got suckered into watching this show by my wife and it sucked me in, but only to a degree. It is pure soap opera and it bothers me that EVERY SINGLE SCENE has to be so incredibly over dramatic. However, I must admit that it captured my attention and I had to find out what happens to these overly dramatic characters. Thus, it barely squeaks into my top 20.

19. Designated Survivor (Seasons 1-2) Netflix 

This show was so interesting, when it first began, about the Capital blowing up and the designated survivor taking over. About halfway through season 1 it turns into just another political presidential drama and loses steam. Still, worthy of watching.

18. The Walking Dead (Season 8) - Netflix

This is the lowest I have ever ranked The Walking Dead. I actually feel guilty about it, but at the same time, I feel like maybe it was just lucky to make my list. Season 8 dragged and fell prey to the same storyline cycles that show has recycled over and over. I have such a guilty pleasure for this show though and that forced it into the top 20.

17. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 2) - Amazon 

When this show is good, it is really good. Great acting and characters make this show go.

16. Doctor Foster (Season 2) - Netflix 

If you want to watch a very underrated thriller, this is it. Probably the best show you've never heard of on my list. Definitely worth your time.

15. Homeland (Season 6) - DVD

I've been a dedicated viewer since season 1. No show on my list has changed more in its six seasons than Homeland. Each season seems to be its own show and the rollercoaster of up and down seasons leaves the viewer fatigued. That being said, this was still a decent season, but definitely not one of the show's finest.

14. Mr. Robot (Season 3) - Amazon

What used to be one of my top 5 favorite shows has slid to the bottom 10. Not because its quality, storylines or acting has slipped. Only because I have no clue what is going on most of the time. It's just too confusing. Kudos to you if you can follow it. You are smarter than I.

13. The Americans (Season 4) - Amazon 

What some have called, "The best season yet of the Americans," I was underwhelmed. I felt it slugged along in season 4. Still, probably the most underrated show on TV and I would not feel bad at all if it won some of the Emmys it so desperately deserves.

12. Game of Thrones (Season 6) - DVD

Season six. My least favorite season so far. Still awesome. And I say that as a non-Game of Thrones geek. 

11. Vikings (Season 4-5) - Amazon

I feel that this show peaked in season 4, the best season so far. Season 5 was a bit of a disappointment. If you love vikings or things that are viking-related, you will love this show about vikings.

10. Shameless (Season 8) - Netflix 

Warning: This show is NOT for everyone. It is crude, crass, offensive in every way. Also, it is pretty hilarious. 

9. Black Mirror (Season 4) - Netflix

I can't say I remember much from this season, as I watched it back in January. However, I can say that it was incredible because I ranked it #9. This show has not lost steam at all.

8. A Handmaid's Tale (Season 1) - DVD

This was the year I finally jumped on the A Handmaid's Tail train and I am glad I did.

7. Bates Motel (Season 5) - Netflix

This season is an example to other shows of how to end a series the right way.

6. Ozark (Season 2) - Netflix

This show reminds me so much of Breaking Bad. It's not quite as good as Breaking Bad, but it makes the case as being "nearly as good as Breaking Bad."

5. Detectorists (Season 3) - Netflix 

If you love dry, hilarious British comedy, you'll love this show. It might be the funniest show on TV. Well, I should say that it makes me laugh the hardest.

4. The Missing (Season 2) - Amazon

The twist and turns in this show will keep you riveted. 

3. The Haunting of Hill House (Season 1) - Netflix

This show scared me. Scared me bad. Scared me something real bad.

2. Better Call Saul (Season 3) - Netflix 

Could this show end up surpassing Breaking Bad?? It sure is trying and it just might.

1. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Season 2) - Netflix

This is the best show on TV and it is a shame it is not getting more recognition. The unique style, the hilarity of the dialog, the super acting and comedy of Neil Patrick Harris. This is a show that you should be watching with your kids and one that you will all enjoy.