2015: My Tenth Annual Year in Review

Ten years ago I started a blog about music, movies, TV, cars, and design and that same year I decided to do a quick review of my top three favorites in each category. I've loved creating this list each and every year since and here are my picks for 2015. Enjoy!

Top 3 Favorite Albums

3. Individ - The Dodos

The Dodos not only dropped one of their best albums yet in 2015, they put on a face-melter of a tour. Standout track: Confidence

2. Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars - Beach House

What band releases an amazing, full-length album and then two months later drops another? Beaccch Houssse from Baltimore, that's who. Standout tracks: Space Song and One Thing

1. Every Open Eye - CHVRCHES

My kids know every lyric to every track, 'nough said. Standout track: Never Ending Circles

Top 3 Favorite Movies

3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Who would have thought that after coming off of stinkers like Man of Steel and The Lone Ranger, these boys could out-Bond Bond. Standout stuff: all of the cars and clothes.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I'm still completely shocked at just how sold I am on the new squad. #ThanksJJ Standout performance: Daisy Ridley as Rey.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

Only a movie with this much high-octane could possibly beat out one of the best Star Wars flicks yet. Standout vehicle: Imperator Furiosa's War Rig

Top 3 Favorite TV Shows

3. Daredevil

This show feels so much like the street-level Batman I've always wanted. Standout episode: Cut Man

2. Mad Men

It was full-on surreal to be working on Madison Avenue during the last season of this one. Standout episode: Lost Horizon

1. The Last Man on Earth

Finally, a non-formulaic foray into post-apocalyptic awesomeness. Never in the history of television has a show been as insanely unpredictable as this one. Standout episode: Alive in Tucson

Top 3 Favorite Cars

3. Jeep Renegade

Not only is this little rig riding the #adventuremobile wave perfectly, its TV commercial pretty much has the most serendipitously catchy tune of all time. Standout feature: Awesome colorways.

2. Volkswagen Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg Edition

This one woulda easily been numero uno if you could actually purchase it stateside. Standout feature: It's the total package, even despite all the diesel drama.

1. Volvo V60 Polestar

The V60 wagon wins the day. Its flawless Euro-stance and hatch is actually available at a dealer near you. Standout feature: Polestar Blue

Top 3 Favorite Designs

3. Vintage Overland Caravan

Nothing says adventure time like a rugged teardrop in tow. Standout feature: Chrome caps

2. New Balance 574 Botanical Garden

It's the New Balance retro running shoe that says I'm fun yet sensible, stylish yet approachable, daring yet down-to-earth. Standout feature: The botanical tongue.

1. Levi’s x Pendleton Trucker Jacket

If I had $400 bucks to blow on a denim jacket, it'd definitely be this one. Standout feature: Its sick Pendleton print.