Under the bright lights of the XL Center in downtown Hartford Thursday night, the University women's basketball team fell to the number one team in the nation UConn Huskies, 80-45. The number one Huskies came into the game with 46 straight wins, seven this season.
Hawks forward Erica Beverly hit an all-time rebounds milestone in the game. With about five minutes to go in the first half, her first was the only one she needed to hit that mark. She finished the night with four rebounds.
Instead, the night was dominated by the Huskies' Maya Moore with 22 points and eight rebounds on the night, leading her team in those categories. She also led the team in assists. Hawks forward Diana Delva led the team with 13 points.
UConn went into the half up 44-16. In the second half Coach Jennifer Rizzotti and the Hawks put 29 points on the board, but it was not enough to keep it close.
UConn led by as much as 41 points on the night and coach Geno Auriemma never let the foot off the pedal.
After the game, Auriemma spoke about the challenges of facing Hartford. He said, "There's a style of play that Jen likes, which you know is a lot of ball control, using the shot clock, and making them defend them, for the whole shot clock. For some reason, today, they weren't that hesitant.
"They wanted to come down and score quickly. I think that's something we hope to do. You don't know what the outcome of your pressure is going to be. You don't know if it's going to yield them result or it's not, and tonight it did a little bit."
Auriemma spoke about the Hawks' toughness bouncing back from a poor first half performance. He said, "Her kids needed to show some toughness in the second half. They needed to come out in the second half and her young kids needed to come out and say, 'Okay we're just not going to rollover and lose by 70.' And they did and I think that was what she was trying to see."
As Auriemma finished at the press conference, former player under Auriemma Coach Rizzotti stepped in and asked, "You done yet? You've got that much to say?"
Auriemma laughed and said, "I'm done. I was just talking about you."
Coach Rizzotti said of her team's performance in the second half, "It was nice to have Diana back on the floor, because she was the only one, you know, scoring for us tonight. We talked about playing it as another 20 minute game and finding a way to win it. So, we lost by seven.
"They weren't pressing the way they did in the first half. I still feel good about the way we responded. We tried to take the game in segments.
Rizzotti also picked up a technical foul following shouting at the official on the court. Of Rizzotti picking up the foul, Auriemma remarked "that's the Jen I remember." The Hawks followed with their biggest run of the night, 11-4.
She discussed the difficulty with playing UConn. She said "It's hard because I'm proud and I'm competitive. It's hard for me to walk into a game and know it's really, really hard for us to win. Because there's very few games in the last few years that I've coached here where I can say I felt that way, even in the NCAA tournament."
With the win, UConn goes to 8-0 on the season, while Hartford falls to 6-2. Going into the game, Hartford was ranked 30 in the AP poll and 28 in the USA Today/ESPN poll.
The Huskies of a different school, Northeastern to be exact, will face Hartford next at the Chase Family Arena on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Although I'm not usually much of a fan of Timberlake's music, this song is certainly one for the books. Who are we kidding? J.T. knows what he's doing. He can sing, dance, perform, act, and to top it all off, he's funny. This song just goes to show how fly Timberlake really is. Not to mention that for the rest of our lives we will hear people talking about how they're the ones bringing sexy back (don't worry Justin, we know you're the one who really brought it back).
Here's a song that will be stuck in my head for the rest of my life, and I'm completely okay with that. "Umbrella" encompasses some of Rihanna's best work, musically and choreographically. The message in the song is relevant to all kinds of relationships, whether they are platonic, romantic or otherwise. Even when times are tough, Rihanna has your back. This song stayed at the top of the charts for weeks, probably because we were all singing "eh, eh, eh" from the minute we woke up until the second we fell asleep when it was released in 2007, Proving once again to the public that Rihanna is here and she's not planning on going anywhere.
I'm calling this one before it's even released as a single. Off of GaGa's newest album, "The Fame Monster," this song is going to be a huge hit when it's released as a single. It's so catchy that you've only got to hear it once to know how it goes. Featuring a powerhouse collaboration with Beyoncé, ladies everywhere will be singing "Stop callin', stop callin', I don't want to talk anymore, I left my head and my heart on the dancefloor!" when they hit the clubs. With backing music including a busy signal and phone ringing, topped with driving dance beats, I just can't see how this song can be overlooked. Look for "Telephone" in 2010 as another single from GaGa's album, but consider it a great song of this decade.
If selling 3 million copies in the U.S. and becoming the biggest radio airplay hit in the history of Top 40 radio in North America isn't part of being one of the best songs of the decade, I'm not sure what is. "Apologize" held a strong front in November of 2007, breaking records for its fantastic lyrics and music. With beautiful melodic value, "Apologize" won't be one that we forget in the next decade. I'm sure we will continue to see it in romance films for the rest of our lives.
Don't pretend like you didn't love Missy Elliott is 2001. This song topped charts all over the world. With an Indian-style of musicality and influence, "Get Ur Freak On" even had my mother singing along in the car, "Hollaaaaaaaa, ain't no stoppin' me, copywritten so don't copy me." To this day and (hopefully) forever we can greet our friends and agree with others with that simple statement, "hollaaaa," and never, ever forget that Missy Elliot is the best (and most persistent) at reminding us to get our freaks on
Released on the album "Hefty Fine" in 2005, the song is an upbeat romp through witty lyrics and seemingly-meaningless subject matter. A darling tribute to the Keystone state, "Pennsylvania" boasts such zingers as "We are the moustaches The Beatles grew when they dropped acid" and "We are Baldwin brothers — not the good one, but the others." A brief mention of Wawa, a beloved chain of local convenience stores, truly cements this song as a staple of any Pennsylvania native who appreciates potty humor.
From the May 2009 release "It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream! It's Alright," this song is a delightful feast for the ears. Brimming with imaginative imagery and clever plays on words, "Bullet to Binary (Pt. 2)" encourages the listener to think twice about the lyrics that vocalist Aaron Weiss spits out with delectable precision. The crowning glory of this song occurs in the middle as the momentum of the song begins to build from Weiss' solo line. Adding piano, bass, drums and multiple vocal lines into the mix, "Bullet to Binary (Pt 2.) bursts into a contagious, passionate anthem.
Off of the 2004 album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News," this song is one that has never gotten old for this writer. Based on how quickly I am prone to switch tastes and grow bored with radio singles, the previous statement is pretty bold of me. However, I'm still easily charmed every time I hear "Float On." From the bobbing drum beat to the familiar guitar line to guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Isaac Brock's distinct voice lazily half-slurring each soft word of reassurance, this song is a hands-down gem in my book.
From the 2006 album, "Return to Cookie Mountain," comes this beautiful, trance-like TV on the Radio tune. The sweet, swooning melody could easily stand on its own as a knock-out track. However, the unique vocal talents of David Bowie add a level of depth to the song's musical texture. Each verse barrels into a provocative chorus that is rich with thick beats and gentle, loving lyrics. With its brilliant, dynamic moods, "Province" is truly a moving masterpiece.
Released in 2004, "Funeral" gave us this powerful song of youth and experience. With steady guitar strums, pounding drums and subtle strings, the piece builds into an eruption of voices. The layered voices carry an ardent melody that is taken over as singer/songwriter Win Butler croons each delicate verse with heartfelt devotion. Singing the line "We're just a million little gods causing rainstorms, turning every good thing to rust," Butler's impassioned voice swells with emotion. The song's radiant bridge flows effortlessly into a fast-paced, dancing piano romp. Nearly five years after its release, "Wake Up" remains a significant, touching song for this writer.
Out of the five RIAA Gold singles that the Foo Fighters have released, none stands out to me more than this song. Released in 2002, the song is number one on the list because of it's impact on the world around us and stands to recognize one of the most influential bands of the decade.
Taking thousands of songs and narrowing them down into a list is one of the hardest things a critic can do. Even harder is putting a song at number two that samples another song, by a different artist. Eminems "The Marshall Mathers LP" is one of the best albums of the decade and this song captures the hate, lust and fear found in the soul of a master lyricist. On a side note, I remember watching Eminem and Elton John perform the song at the Grammy Awards and it was magical.
Female R&B artists are not easy to find in today's world of music. No woman has dominated this scene more than Keys over the past ten years. Her live performances are as magical as the energy that comes through on her albums and this song is at the peak of her musical style. The song was honored at the 2002 Grammy Awards as "Song of the Year" beating out U2 and Train.
I know what your thinking. Coldplay and U2 in the top ten? Despite a general displeasure towards both bands, no can deny how great some of their songs are. U2's first single of the new millennium, this song helped to introduce an entire generation to what the band had done for the previous 20 years. The song was the first single from "All That You Can't Leave Behind" which went on to achieve multi-platinum status in the United States.
Without a full package it is hard to ever achieve greatness. Five For Fighting released two of the most memorable singles of the decade while the rest of the albums were left for dead and forgotten. Regardless, this second song on the countdown is an amazing performance by a skilled set of musicians. Try not getting this stuck in your head.
Jeremy Stanley's Picks
#1 John Mayer – "Waiting on the World to Change" (2006)
It was in part their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" that propelled them to the title of fastest selling debut albums by a band (UK) and second fastest selling debut album by an indie band (USA).,In early 2006 the Arctic Monkeys exploded onto the music scene with a power unrivaled by any counterpart. The Sheffield band's debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not" sold 360,000 copies in the UK in its first week of release.
It was in part their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" that propelled them to the title of fastest selling debut albums by a band (UK) and second fastest selling debut album by an indie band (USA).
The full album followed soon after with more of the traits that made the first single so successful. Each song is a narrative of sorts, telling of the lives of young clubbers with their night to night antics and tales (some say it's a concept album, following the same person). "Riot Van," one of the less energetic songs on the album is one of the most entertaining, telling the tales of their run in with 'those silly boys in blue', the cops. Somehow in between the quick rhymes and eager hooks comes a conversation, an attitude and a storyline. While "Riot Van" may be the odd one out in terms of the energy of the music, it fits well within the overarching narrative of the album. The song that follows, 'Red Light Indicates Doors are Secure,' does perhaps my favorite example of storytelling on the album.
My favorite song off of the album though has to be "Mardy Bum" ("mardy" is slang in the UK for someone who is upset or who is whining). The song begins with an extremely clean guitar lick before the drums kick in. The clean guitar continues through the verses, strumming out a pattern that is pleasant and upbeat. It is, in essence, a cheer up song. The music supports it as Turner tries to turn around the attitude of someone who had their mardy pants on.
The album ends on "A Certain Romance," my second favorite song on the album which begins with the best example of classis Arctic Monkeys drums and guitar build in on the album.
Unfortunately it was a sad tale for the Arctic Monkeys, their sophomore effort took a more somber track (it still did pretty well and was for the most part a good album), and their third lacked many of the traits that made the Arctic Monkey's music so original in the first place.
The RX Bandits have progressed from a skacore band into a phenomenal progressive group and this 2003 album is one for the books. Often opening and closing their live sets with "Decrescendo," the 'Bandits' put together an album with driving melodies, catchy lyrics and some serious musicianship.
With a talented and tight group of musicians on this album, the 'Bandits' present their true musical genius with a diverse instrumentation to create strong harmonic pieces. It's the only album I can listen to over and over without ever getting tired of it and I highly recommend taking a listen; after you're done with the first listen, listen to it again to really let the music sink in. Then you will understand why "The Resignation" is such a great album.
Justin Timberlake led off the decade as a member of one of the hottest boy bands around. He continued on throughout the 2000s with "Justified," and culminated his career thus far with "FutureSex/LoveSounds."
The summer of 2006 was defined by the catchy lyrics and warped voices of "SexyBack." Everywhere you went, you heard Timberlake's voice over Timbaland's beats. Beyond that first single, Timberlake went on to release "My Love," "Summer Love" and "Lovestoned."
Each song gave something different to listeners. His collaboration with Timbaland had listeners hear distinctly different parts of Timberlake's abilities. But I think what's most remarkable about the album is how each piece intertwined with the next. It provided smooth transitions throughout the album, and it kept me listening throughout.
There doesn't seem to be a bad song on the album. Timberlake brought in rapper T.I. for "My Love" and will.i.am. on "Damn Girl," further diversifying his appeal throughout the masses. And when he started his "FutureSex/LoveShow" tour, his performance talents continued to thrive.
I didn't think it was possible for Timberlake to top his success after "Cry Me a River." Thank goodness he proved me wrong. I couldn't imagine the 2000s without "FutureSex/LoveSounds" and this is why it is my pick for album of the decade.
American Idiot, Green Day: What can I say about this album. Being in a band when it first came out in 2006, I remember jumping into my lead singer's Caravan and racing to Hot Topic to pick up this album. Little did I know at the time the type of impact it would have on me as I grew as a citizen of the world.
The album inspired an entire generation to think different and to challenge authority, something that music lacked for the previous 10 years. Looking back, it is hard to point to just one song that made this the best album of the decade.
Instead, it is comprised of a string of songs that all blend together seamlessly. Containing two songs in excess of eight minutes and a number of hit singles, "American Idiot" reigns supreme as the album of the decade.
One of my first rants as a writer carried the title of the album and there was an angst within this album that anyone growing up through the wars of the Bush administration could wrap their minds around. "American Idiot" broke boundaries in pop music and is the album of the decade.
For all of Kanye West's very public meltdowns, the rapper had four solid albums to make up for it – sort of. If you can forgive his tirade against Bush after Hurricane Katrina, his clash with fans at Bonnaroo and his "I'ma let you finish" moment at the MTV VMA's, he has left a mark on the music industry through just that-his music.
His 2007 release "Graduation" will go down as one of the best albums of the decade and in my opinion, one of the best hip-hop albums ever made.
One of the most overlooked tracks on the album, "Homecoming" featuring Coldplay's Chris Martin is something I had on repeat from the day the album was released in 2007. West is an impeccable lyricist and each track features great instrumentation, even if they feature samples from Daft Punk ("Stronger") and others.
Then there is "Good Life" which is a fantastic, club-ready track. Juxtaposed with the rage-filled "Can't Tell Me Nothing," his range is on display.
Range, something you won't find on 2008's "808s & Heartbreak." While West's latest effort fell short of expectations, he has just barely scratched the surface of his potential as an artist. He will likely be around for the next decade, producing top quality albums. Now, if only he would just let Taylor Swift, and everyone else, finish.
One of my favorite albums of this decade is one that I actually didn't truly appreciate until earlier this month. When a friend gave me a copy of Cursive's "Happy Hollow" almost two years ago, I was hesitant to give it a good listen. I was undeniably taken with "The Ugly Organ," but I wasn't sure how I felt about the band's new direction. Released in 2006, "Happy Hollow" is a captivating record full of pop culture references, religious overtones and thoughtful social commentary.
The album began production in the wake of the band's announcement of the departure of their cellist. Taking the split in stride, Cursive reworked their ornamentation to include incredible horn sections and more of an ethereal, atmospheric electronic sound than previous recordings.
I developed an ardent love affair with "Happy Hollow" after hearing the dramatic range of tracks on the album. "Bad Sects" is a steady, understated tune that embraces a good deal of overlapping musical textures, while "Dorothy Dreams of Tornadoes" boasts a jazzy, ragtime-Western swagger through its verses. The songs that really got my attention on "Happy Hollow" had to be "Big Bang" and "Bad Science."
With a honky-tonk piano vibe, "Bad Science" takes sardonic stabs at the concept of childhood in modern society. Another energetic horn line adds just the right touch of flavor to an already turbulent track.
After finally getting around to truly listening to "Happy Hollow," I can safely say that I'm still absolutely enchanted by Cursive and their evolution. Because this album didn't let itself slip through the cracks of my iTunes, I'd have to say it's one of my favorite albums of the decade.
The year 2001 was the year pop/rock music would solidify its existence in a modern age where authentic tunes were becoming quite scarce and the computer-generated synthesizer was the root of all of popular culture. Meeting the world as a shy, introverted and oddly talented performer, John Mayer made his mark as a great songwriter who knew his way around a guitar.
Fairfield, Connecticut native Mayer started his journey as an unlikely candidate for stardom working at a gas station out of high school instead of taking the traditional college path. Months later, armed with a guitar, head full of ideas and roughly a semester or two at Berklee College of Music, John Mayer migrated to Georgia where his musical career would liftoff.
I consider Mayer one of the, if not the, most important emerging artist out of this decade. He has proven to the world that he can do it all and with the release of his latest album "Battle Studies" in mid November, Mayer still has the cunning ability to surprise his audience with a pure and genuine record.
In 2003, Mayer once again released his latest work and sophomore album titled "Heavier Things," a more electric and up beat account of his music. To me, the album really helped me grasp Mayer's message through his music. His song writing continues to improve with every new album, as does his complexity of writing unique songs.
In the midst of the rise of John Mayer, he somehow always greets the world with a comedic approach and never staying too serious for too long. I think Mayer's decision to keep things loose is what makes people appreciate his music. He's an average guy with an extraordinary talent that millions of people love and embrace.
With the success of "Heavier Things" under his belt, Mayer wanted to show his audiences another side to himself. His logic figured the world had seen his acoustic side with his dawn as a performer and his electric pop side with the previous album. In 2005, Mayer formed The John Mayer Trio, consisting of himself, Steve Jordan and Pino Paladino. The three achieved an incredible blues sound and helped keep the suppressed genre alive with flying colors.
Mayer released his third studio album in 2006 titled "Continuum," which is one of his greatest accomplishments to date. The album, adopted by millions as an amazing musical account on Mayer's part, landed John with more than a few awards and a song that thrives on the radio and in the hearts of fans even today, "Waiting On the World to Change."
By the end of the decade, Mayer had achieved an impressive amount as a musician and artist. November 17, 2009, marked the released of John's latest musical account "Battle Studies."
In my opinion, the album is a bit more edgy than previous ones. Mayer tackles heartbreak, loneliness and individual freedoms on his latest work. I really enjoy "Battle Studies" because it's a continuation of John Mayer's journey and story. He steps aside from "Continuum" to start a brand new style of himself. The album, although not necessarily a breakup album, has the feel of a hazy recollection and account of old love.
Staying true to his music, respecting his musical influences and continuing to make groundbreaking strides in his musical career, John Mayer has definitely captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
Whether it's his stand up comedy or his musical genius that enlightens you the most, you're sure to never grow bored with this one of a kind act. John Mayer is the artist of the decade.
But, without fail, I'll put the movie in at least once a month and relive the epic love story of Allie and Noah.
I read the Nicholas Sparks book well before seeing the movie, so I knew what I was getting myself into when I walked into the theater.,I'll admit it: I love "The Notebook." It makes me cry every time I watch it, and I'm well aware of this.
But, without fail, I'll put the movie in at least once a month and relive the epic love story of Allie and Noah.
I read the Nicholas Sparks book well before seeing the movie, so I knew what I was getting myself into when I walked into the theater.
But there's something so magical about seeing two people portray such a passionate love.
Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling put Allie and Noah on screen; suddenly, these characters I had known for years had faces and souls and a real love I could see.
The story in itself is beautiful; two teens fall in love over a summer in the early 1940s. She moves away at the end of the summer and, through an awful series of events, they fall out of touch.
Allie becomes engaged to a lawyer and believes that Noah doesn't want anything to do with her. Noah, on the other hand, has written Allie every day for a year.
Her mother, trying to protect her from the pains of young love, has hidden every letter.
Noah thinks that Allie is ignoring him and decides to go on with his life.
But the two cannot escape each other and the love they feel. And when they reconnect at Noah's house, it's impossible to deny what they have. So Allie leaves her fiance and starts her life with Noah.
Throughout the movie, an older man is narrating the story to an older woman; it is Allie and Noah after they have grown old together. And then they end up dying together.
It's impossible for me to watch this movie and not cry. And it's the movie that every girl went and saw with her mother and aunt and every other woman in her life.
It's a beautiful movie, and the cinematography is stunning.
The shots of rural North Carolina and the sunsets off of the lake are straight out of a fairytale.
And that's what the movie seems to be; a fairytale. It's the type of love that a lot of people hope to experience in their lives. It's the love of a lifetime.
And, as Noah reads, "Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity.
And in a flash, they're gone." That is "The Notebook," and that is why it is my choice for film of the decade.
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