Entertainment

By Alison Smith, 20, reporting from Brooklyn, NY, on the return of the band that made her favorite album of the last decade

The Strokes are back after five years, two months, and 19 days -- some of us pay attention to such things -- with their album Angles. Last time I wrote a RED Hearts on the Strokes, it was to call their 2001 debut, Is This It, the album of the decade.

While Angles doesn't reach that legendary level, it does introduce an album in tune with the progression of band's catalog. For the first time, some Strokes other than the singer Julian Casablancas had a part in writing songs, and the contributions show -- with the occasional disconnected result, but usually in good ways.

Angles opens with a reggae beat on the incredibly catchy "Machu Picchu"and the line "I'm putting patience to the test," a sentiment not lost on fans who have waited for this album. It marks a clear change of era for the Strokes -- these are no longer Lower East Side boys calling back to the '70s. This time they've jumped to the late '80s.

Where their last album, 2005's First Impressions of Earth, dealt with falling in love and growing up, Angles seems to mainly address absence and discomfort, contrasted with upbeat music. Lyrics often reference past songs such as the line on the lead single "Under the Cover of Darkness": "I've been out around this town/everyone's been singing the same song for ten years," calling back the decade-old line from hit "Last Nite" ("I've been in town for just about fifteen minutes now"). And it's true: Julian, Nick, Nikolai, Albert, and Fab aren't indifferent newcomers anymore. Instead they're veteran musicians forced to live up to their past successes while taking on a new form of democracy.

It's a big job for the boys, one that comes with its positives and negatives. On the whole though, I really like Angles. Instant favorites include the bass-heavy "Taken For A Fool" and the quietly powerful "Life is Simple in the Moonlight." While the Strokes have expressed deep divides among them and resentment for the recording process, Angles can't help but feel like a promising new beginning for the band. While I won't hold my breath, I hope we won't have to wait another half-decade for another Strokes album. Until then, I'll have Angles on repeat.

By Cindy Morand, 21, reporting from Buffalo, NY, who interviews awesome "Make It or Break It" actress Ayla Kell

Olympic dreams, dieting, rigid routines and dedication are a big part of the lives of teen gymnasts trying to make it. ABC Family's hit show Make It or Break It (which returns for spring on March 28), winningly represents the drama of being an athlete—or anyone else, really—of this age.

We can't take our eyes off Ayla Kell's complicated character Payson Keeler, a great example of a young lady who strives to perform amazing routines, regardless of her challenges—most of all, her recovery from a tragic accident.

So we were thrilled to interview Ayla, who's as motivated and inspiring as the character she portrays. She's a big fan of always "doing your personal best," helping the local community, and mastering the uh, gymnastic balance of starring in a TV show and leading a life of friends and family.

Cindy Morand: We heart Payson. What makes her a fun character to play, and how do you relate to her?
Ayla Kell: I personally love how driven and caring Payson is. And you get to experience with her the new things she's experiencing herself—like her first kiss, and when she learned what it was like to go to a normal school.

CM: She's so much about conquering obstacles and fear. What advice do you have for girls out there on doing the same?
AK: Overcoming the worst is Payson's game. After the broken back, she improved her gymnastics against all odds. For girls out there with any type of obstacle, keep everything in perspective. It's not about what other people think; it's about who you are as person and your true aspirations.

CM: You're a dancer, too, and Payson's a gymnast—two fields where the pressure on being thin is particularly intense. How does a young woman cope with this?
AK: Body perception is something that women struggle with their entire lives, and it starts when you're young, seeing all the models out there who are super thin and labeled as beautiful. But there is so much more to being beautiful than being a double zero. There's your health and being fit, not sick. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Love your own skin, bones, and body.

CM: Can you please tell us about your involvement with Imagine LA?
AK: Imagine LA is an amazing non- profit that helps get the 8,000 homeless families with 18,000 children in Los Angeles off the streets. Every day these people struggle to even exist. Imagine LA offers a helping hand and a partnership to a better life, a life where the children are educated, the parents have jobs, and there's a roof over their heads. It's so easy to see poverty around the world, but what about right outside of Beverly Hills? I love this organization and am proud to be affiliated with them.

CM: What else are you "hearting" these days?
AK: I just finished reading The World As I See It by Albert Einstein, and I loved it. I'm pretty big on music, from Radiohead to Patsy Cline, Jayson Rose to Karkwa, David Berkley to the Rolling Stones. I just like good music. And you know what? I heart my family. Some of my favorite time is spent with them. I heart Kell familia.

By Jordyn Turney, 20, reporting from Alpine, CA, on great new reads for a a great new year.

January, to me, is built for reading. It's the month of maximum post-holiday peace and alone time—and weather that makes you love the indoors. Plus, 2010 was a particularly great year for YA literature, with the end of The Hunger Games trilogy and lots of exciting debut voices.

Here are my top five picks to kick off the best book season of the new year:

1. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins
Love it or hate it, there's no doubt that Collins' ending to the epic The Hunger Games series, set during the downfall of a dystopian society, was the most noteworthy YA book of 2010. (Call it the Year of the Katniss.) While some readers were terribly disappointed by the trilogy's final novel, there were others—like me—who absolutely loved it. My only disappointment was to see the end of the amazing Katniss Everdeen's journey.

2. The Mockingbirds, by Daisy Whitney
This debut novel pays homage to the great American classic To Kill A Mockingbird, as it explores themes of responsibility and justice while tackling the touchy issue of date rape. Utterly thoughtful and engrossing from the first page, this is a must-read.

3. Fall for Anything, by Courtney Summers
Death and grief are common subjects in contemporary YA. But possibly no book until now has managed to capture the raw and intense emotions that surround loss as well as this story of a girl whose photographer father has committed suicide. A powerful and honest book.

4. Matched, by Ally Condie
The start of what's looking to be another great dystopian trilogy, this book is set within a society where everything—where you live, work, who you marry, when you die, etc.—is decided for you. The journey of 17-year-old Cassia, a girl who discovers poetry and choice, is completely beautiful and absorbing.

5. Tweet Heart, by Elizabeth Rudnick
I'm a total sucker for books that integrate the Internet age, and this is an adorably sweet story told almost exclusively through the tweets of four friends. Friendship and the horrible awkwardness of secret crushes are portrayed so wonderfully here.

By Alison Smith, 20, reporting from Brooklyn, NY, on the music that made her year.

Narrowing down my favorite songs of 2010 to just five was much harder than I expected. This year was filled with new releases from old favorites, as well as a slew of emerging bands. With 2010 came debut full-lengths from Male Bonding and Tame Impala, an exceptional EP from Twin Sister, and an incredible new album from Prince Rama, none of whom I expect to fade into obscurity any time soon.

But overall, I associate this year with a contrasting mix of hazy, dreamy memories and satisfyingly aggressive moments. Here are my five favorite tracks that took me there:

♥ Deerhunter (pictured), "Helicopter" (Halcyon Digest). This song is a good representation of the dreamy, poppy melodies I admire so much from Bradford Cox, both in his solo material as Atlas Sound and as the frontman of Deerhunter. The clarity through a sea of reverb is a refreshing way to appreciate Cox's vocal talents and the effects on Moses Archuleta's drumming blends the decidedly sharp beat into the distance of the song. Plus, I'm still feeling like a bit of a fangirl after seeing the band in October where they played the most animated set I've seen from them yet.

♥ Warpaint, "Set Your Arms Down" (The Fool). I had a hard time deciding which song off of Warpaint's first full-length, The Fool, would make this list. The album as a whole is incredibly enjoyable, with vocals that seem fit for summer but instruments that pull it back into fall with a feeling that I can only describe as that of wearing a velvet dress. I ultimately chose "Set Your Arms Down" because its dreamy, ethereal nature is most representative of the rest of the album. And if you're on the fence about this band, maybe the recommendation video starring an incredibly pretentious young girl named Sunny on their MySpace page will help you out.

♥ Beach House, "Zebra" (Teen Dream). Beach House released their incredible third album so early in 2010 -- and its songs have ingrained themselves so deeply -- that I almost forgot the duo in my end-of-year consideration. Another close call here: Though "Walk in the Park" is a dynamic song, "Zebra" remains my favorite, particularly for Victoria's vocal range.

♥ Avey Tare, "Laughing Hieroglyphic" (Down There). Though I may be in the minority, I was really satisfied with the entirety of Animal Collective's Avey Tare's solo album, Down There. Due to the strong beat and longing vocals, the first track off the LP is my favorite -- it's even my ringtone right now. The stunningly bittersweet emotions that that shine though each of the nine tracks create what may not be choice for fans of Animal Collective's more recent releases, but instead form a swampy album fit for the seasonal depression months.

♥ Snuffy, "Skipping Through The Autobahn" single (Blonde). The B-side to the first single off of this Brooklyn trio's upcoming 2011 debut full-length album rounds out my top five songs of 2010. Something about this song reminds me of America -- like American flags floating around in between the jingling samples. No clue where that association came from, but here's to looking forward to what 2011 will bring for this band.

By Amy Hunt, 20, reporting from Huntingdon, PA, interviews the star of TV's coolest real-girl role

Hollywood finally seems to be warming up to the fact that teens today want to see diversity of every kind on our TV screens—and Jolene Purdy's character Piper Katins in the new TeenNick show Gigantic rings true to this. It's one gigantic step for teenkind.

Though the daughter of a movie star, Piper is as real as you and me: She's dealing with family drama, boy problems, and maintaining self-esteem and confidence.

Jolene answered a few questions about Piper, the show, plus-size roles in Hollywood, and, of course, what she hearts...

Amy Hunt: In the past year, you've gone from regular high school girl on 10 Things I Hate About You to movie star's daughter on Gigantic. (And you were even in Donnie Darko back there!) They sound totally different. What drew you to your latest character?

Jolene Purdy: Piper is amazing! She loves life and never lets anything get in her way. Piper is a multi-racial, adopted, plus-sized girl who is living in the flashy world of paparazzi. I saw so much potential fun and excitement being a character where anything is possible.

AH: A lot of shows have come out in the past year that really turn up the volume on the issues of body image and self-esteem, and Gigantic certainly doesn't shy away. What effect do you think this will have - or that you'd like it to have - on Hollywood toward creating more role models of all kinds for girls?

JP: The show's definitely causing a stir, and I love it! I really hope people begin to get over their plus-size prejudices. I can't wait to see the original and inspirational work that will come out once Hollywood accepts how different everyone is and understands how that uniqueness should be celebrated and not ripped apart.

AH: Not only do you act, but you sing, too! Any plans for an album in the future? And what kinds of music do you listen to for inspiration?

JP: Doing an album would be fantastic! I am having so much fun focusing on acting right now, but who knows? I love listening to all kinds of music: No Doubt, Pink, Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, The Beatles.

AH: Finally, since this is I Heart Daily, anything else you're really "hearting" at the moment and think our readers should know about?

JP: I heart boots!! I heart San Francisco! I heart nail gel from OPI (in Lincoln Park After Dark these days). It's a thick kind of polish that lasts two weeks!!!

By Caro Fink, 20, reporting from New York City, interviews the CW's new action actress

Who out there hasn't secretly admired the bad-girl archetype? That strong, confident character who's not afraid to say exactly what she means and and doesn't care what society or anyone else thinks of her. She's the woman we all want to be. Just maybe with less confrontation.

Well, add a heart of gold to all that coolness, and you get Jaden, the character Tiffany Hines, 27, plays in the excellent new CW show Nikita. Jaden is the resident bad girl of the secret school for deadly-criminals-turned-government-soldiers. She longs for action, picks fights, hassles new recruits -- and yet still manages to pull at your heartstrings. She's secretly lonely and maybe even in love. Who can't relate to that?

Hines manages to pull off this complex character while still keeping track of all the action going on around her…

Caro Fink: First and foremost, how is life on the set of Nikita?
Tiffany Hines: It is a blast! Working on an action show is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Every day I have so much fun and I learn so much. It's always a good feeling when you can wake up at 5 AM and say to yourself, "Wow I can't wait to go to work today."

CF: How is working with the rest of the cast -- Lyndsy Fonseca, Maggie Q, cutie Shane West?
TH: I really love it. You can learn so much from veterans like Maggie Q and Shane West. Also, I have most of my scenes with Lyndsy Fonseca, and although our characters can't stand each other on screen, in real life, we get along super well. I remember at one point I had to walk away from her because we were clicking so well, and I had to shoot this scene where I hated her. I was like, "Look, can we talk after this scene, because I don't know how I'm going to hate you in 10 minutes if you keep being awesome."

CF: Your character was an instant favorite of mine, with her wit and bad-ass attitude. How much fun is it to be Jaden?
TH: Jaden has so much attitude and confidence, but underneath it all, she has a vulnerability that she is constantly trying to cover up. I find her so interesting, and I love who she is.

CF: What do you do to unwind?
TH: This is my first time in Toronto, so I love exploring all the museums and restaurants. The city has so much character! So far my favorite things about Toronto are Ketchup Chips, poutine, The Shoe Museum, and an amazing restaurant called Marben. Also, I love playing video games, and I read a lot of fiction, nonfiction and comic books. Yes, I am a huge geek! Let's see, other than that, I love to cook. I find it extremely relaxing and therapeutic to create art in a kitchen.

CF: I know you're a singer, too. Are you still doing that with all your acting? And what's your favorite kind of music?
TH: Yeah, singing and music are such a large part of who I am, and when the time comes for me to focus on my singing again, I will be ready. For now though, I listen to everything in music. And when I say everything I mean everything! People would probably be confused if they saw my iPod. I have everything from Mozart and Handel to Bruno Mars to 500 Miles to Memphis to the Black Eyed Peas to Atmosphere. Honestly, my favorite genre changes just as quickly and as often as my mood. Which is a LOT!

By Elizabeth Metzger, 21, reporting from New York, NY, on places where you can be a poet—and a social creature this summer.

From afar, summer always seems like the ideal time to do some writing—suddenly a stretch of time when you have long, gorgeous days to dream, muse, and scribble, poetry or prose, without the pressure of schoolwork. But then it comes, the summer buzz. Not just fireflies and cicadas but friends back from college who want to lounge at the pool, sunbathe in the park, go dancing. The private life of being a writer has never felt so isolating.

Luckily, if you're a poet, there are places around the country that bridge the divide between hanging out with others and disappearing into your own head. Through a national program called Branching Out: Poetry for the 21st Century, the New York-based Poets House, the Poetry Society of America, and dozens of public libraries have teamed up to create centers, readings, exhibits, and other events that pulse with literary life and communities of inspiration.

In New York, where I live and the summer's been hot, I like to settle at the Poets House on a cozy couch—with a view of the Hudson River, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty—to browse their amazing showcase of ALL the poetry books published in the past year. You can duck out for an iced latte in the beautiful garden across the street, or (sick of reading?) listen to cool new writers reading their work on Poets House-provided iPods before taking an evening walk to the Village for a live spoken-word performance.

Poetry no longer has to be for the tortured soul! Instead find a bright and bustling space near you where you can read and listen to writers for free—while you think about your own poetic plans.

By Samantha Gillogly, 21, reporting from West Brookfield, MA, on a 20th-anniversary book about the apocalypse that will rock your world today

A novel about the apocalypse written in 1990 may not sound like it would stay fresh for decades. But Good Omens is the kind of book that deals with fear, fear that the demise of our planet is growing closer every day, in a way that is as painfully relevant today as it was when it was published. War? Third World famine? A massive oil spill? That was then, this is… also now.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Good Omens is the result of a brilliant, one-time collaboration between two master storytellers: Terry Pratchett (author of the Discworld series) and Neil Gaiman (Coraline, Stardust, and many others).

In a nutshell: Aziraphale and Crowley are two angels (one celestial, the other infernal) who've taken it upon themselves to stop Armageddon. Except they have one week in which to do this. And the Antichrist is a 10-year-old boy. And then there's that messy business of a book of prophecies written by a 17th-century witch who, even in death, seems to know everybody's business.

Besides the wit and memorable cast of characters (including motorcycle-riding Horsemen of the Apocalypse), what makes this story work so well is its refusal to draw a clear separation between good and evil. Although Aziraphale and Crowley work for opposing supernatural forces, they've developed a close friendship over the millennia based on their mutual fondness of the mortal plane and its bemusing inhabitants. Aziraphale enjoys operas and antique book collecting, while Crowley has a penchant for fine wine and vintage cars; these are sophisticated gentlemen.

And while legions of angels and demons work hard to nudge events in one or the other's favor, the authors make it very clear that the most powerful force on earth, for better or for worse, is the choices made by individual human beings. Gaiman and Pratchett want us to know that it's up to us to decide if the future we build will be a heaven...or a hell.

By Amy Hunt, 20, reporting from Lexington, Kentucky, on an actor whose band actually rocks

You know who Ryan Gosling is? You do—or am I the only one who feels compelled to watch The Notebook every time it's on TV? You may have even heard that he has a band, but you probably shrugged it off: Not another actor thinking he can start a music career. In fact, when I first mentioned the existence of Gosling's band to a friend, she shot back, "They probably suck." To which I replied, "Oh, I love them."

Dead Man's Bones, comprised of Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields, released their self-titled first album last year, and after a few listens, I was hooked. This album that I purchased on a whim—simply because I needed to add something to my Amazon cart to get free shipping—has become one of my favorites.

Many ways of describing their music have been tossed around (doo-wop to gospel to Halloween), and I'll agree with most of them. It just sounds wonderful. The entire album has a 1950s B-horror movie feel to it that works so well it might confuse you at first. Pitchfork called their "creepy and catchy" song "In the Room Where You Sleep" "pretty damn good" and "a middle school assembly gone goth." Tracks like "Lose Your Soul" and "Buried in Water" are dark and eerie, yet others, like "My Body's A Zombie For You" and "Pa Pa Power," are tunes that I find myself dancing and smiling to.

What's most fantastic about the album, though, is the accompanying Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir, whose youthful voices take the music to a whole 'nother level. And when Gosling and Shields went on tour last year, they included children's choirs from each city. When watching videos of performances on YouTube, I was struck by how much fun the kids looked like they were having during the shows (their comments confirm it)—and how happy and grateful they seemed to be a part of it all.

And if that doesn't move you, you can probably catch The Notebook on some channel tonight.

By Zulay Regalado, 21, reporting from Miami, FL, on a soulful, new(ish) voice in singing-songwriting

Laura Marling's sophomore album, I Speak Because I Can is now available on Itunes

As a true music advocate, I am constantly searching for fresh, soulful voices to listen to while reading, stuck in traffic or simply taking a walk around my college campus. So when I discovered singer/songwriter Laura Marling while browsing online one night, I was instantly won over by her quaint demeanor and quirky lyrical persona that set her far beyond her youth (the girl turned 20 last month!).

Marling's timeless voice is the ideal rainy-day listen. Having stepped into the UK indie folk scene at age 17, she released her first album, Alas I Cannot Swim, in 2008. It's a mix of acoustic guitar, chirping birds and an evening-under-the-stars vibe, creating the perfect playlist companion on stress-filled school nights. The upbeat first single, Ghosts still shows her rawness as an artist—in the best way. Her musical tempo is as eclectic as they come, ranging from mellow tunes like Shine and Your Only Doll (Dora) to the more powerful beats of Old Stone and My Manic and I.

Check it out for yourself in this live performance in San Francisco (on her birthday) of the latest single, Devil's Spoke, from I Speak Because I Can. which came out this week. It's one more illustration of Marling's uncensored approach to life and her transition from shy, quiet teenager to strong and outspoken young adult. As her elder, I approve.

By Jordyn Turney, 20, reporting from Alpine, CA, on a suspenseful new novel that busts stereotypes—and cheating high school boys.

In my very first RED Hearts post, I talked about the incredible Agent 99 from "Get Smart." Now, I revisit the topic of kick-butt female spies with an amazing debut novel by Suzanne Young. The novel, The Naughty List, is the first in a planned series about — get this — a cheerleading squad that doubles as spies.

Yeah, you read that correctly. Aren't we all sick of the cheerleaders-as-villains routine? Here, Tessa and the rest of her squad are in the nonprofit business of catching the unfaithful boyfriends of their high school. They're not half-hearted about it either. Nope, these girls rappel off roofs, go on stakeouts, and have awesome spy gadgets. AND THEY'RE CHEERLEADERS! Suzanne Young — with her sugar-sweet heroine who replaces common cuss words with exclamations of baked goods (yep, you read that part right, too) — turns the mean-girl-who-just-happens-to-be-captain stereotype on its head and makes it work.

The story focuses on the new boy in school who's obsessed with Tessa, and her wonderful, perfect boyfriend who winds up on The Naughty List (the cheerleaders' roundup of potential cheaters). It's part teenage love story, part spy spectacular, and it does both brilliantly. The Naughty List is in stores now, and the next two are scheduled to come out later in the year. I suggest moving this book to the top of your reading list yesterday, because it's just. that. great.

PS-Want to hear the back story of The Naughty List cover? I Heart Daily co-editor Melissa has it!

By Saskia Boggs, 20, reporting from Kalmazoo, Michigan, on the perfect bright spot (and inexpensive gift) for the dark days.

Before my birthday package arrived this month at school—bursts of surprise always extra welcome in Michigan February—my mom told me that she’d included something from my favorite kitschy little store back home. Fully expecting a cute necklace or maybe a DIY book (as moms do), I was surprised to find a plastic, solar-powered dancing flower in the box.

Yes, my mom had sent me a Two's Company Bee Happy Dancing Flower, the perfect gift for the depths of winter. These cheerful and cute little trinkets catch onto even the weakest rays of light, which make the leaves wave up and down and the flower sway from side to side. The colors are bright—pink flower, green leaves and stem, and a choice of either a blue or pink base—all especially great with the gray ick outside.

Seeing my dancing flower waving at me from my window whenever I get back from the icy trek from my classes to my dorm consistently raises my spirits. And the best part is, I don't have to remember to water this flower. These sun-happy blooms never die. And at just under $8, they’re definitely going to become my inexpensive-yet-thoughtful go-to gift for friends this spring—which has to be coming soon!

By Jordyn Turney, 19, reporting from Alpine, CA, on the year's most riveting reads from first-time authors

It's been a tough year in too many other areas, but 2009 has been a great one for young adult books. This is the year that brought us Sarah Dessen's latest, Along for the Ride, as well as the sad and startling If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Along with these new novels by established favorites, 2009 also delivered some completely remarkable debut novels from first-time authors:

Twenty Boy Summer, by Sarah Ockler
This is a book about friendship, about loss, and about love. It's the story of Anna, a girl who had a secret romance with her best friend's older brother. A guy she liked for years, a guy who was amazing. A guy who died tragically before either of them told Anna's best friend. This is the story of what happens after. It's is a book chock full of emotion and incredibly written characters who will stay after you've turned the last page of the book.

Break, by Hannah Moskowitz
Break is the rare YA novel that focuses strongly on family. The story centers around Jonah, a boy with the unusual goal of breaking every bone in his body. The reasons for his unorthodox journey are shrouded at first but become clearer as we get to know his family—the younger brother with deadly allergies to just about everything, the parents who are hanging on by a string, and the baby who just seems to complicate things. This is an insanely well-done, gritty, and intense drama that, at its heart, is about connection and the people we love. Definitely a must-read. (Oh, and the author? She was only 16 when she wrote the book.)

Hold Still, by Nina LaCour
No book I've come across has taken on the issue of teen suicide so fully and with such wonderful results. The story revolves around a girl, Caitlin, whose best friend has killed herself. The only part of her friend that Caitlin has left is Ingrid's journal, which allows Caitlin to get to know a sharp, hurt, sad side of her best friend Ingrid that she never knew before. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, as it explores both Ingrid's life before committing suicide, and the journey Caitlin takes to put her life back together afterwards.

By Alison Smith, 19, reporting from Brooklyn, NY, on the record that rocked 2001—and still does today

So the first ten years of life in the 2000s come to an end, and the UK music magazine NME has voted the Strokes' Is This It the Album of the Decade. Eight years after its release pulled the music world out of a Nu-Metal funk, the 11-song album still holds some serious influence. The distortedly restrained vocals, chugging bass, and layered guitars—drawing upon music of decades past, Blondie to Nirvana to the Velvet Underground—have also no doubt opened innumerable doors for the Kings of Leons and Arctic Monkeys of today.

I was just eleven when the album came out in 2001 and paid little attention to the band who were quickly becoming the musical heroes of New York. But finally, for my fourteenth birthday, my friend gave me Is This It as well as 2003's Room On Fire. And that night in my bedroom, indifference gave way to obsession. I couldn't agree more with NME's number-one pick, or their description of the band's first full-length release as containing "a sense of life, vitality and spontaneity that [seemed] gone from rock n' roll forever."

If you weren't into the Strokes at the time—or even if you were—then the window between now and 2010 is your chance. Is This It should be a staple of any modern rock fan's collection. Rediscover it and check out NME's other 99 Albums of the Decade.

By Maya-Catherine Popa, 20, reporting from NYC, on must-see (vampire-free!) TV

Tired of romances between the undead? Bored of America's Next Top blonde, sandwich, or kite flyer? Then maybe it's time to watch a TV show that's funny—actually funny, not "Isn't it funny how that model suspended in the air is crying upside down?"

Arrested Development tells the story of a dysfunctional family, the Bluths, led by a dodgy dad who loses all of their money in a financial scandal (one that will be all too familiar in this post-Madoff era). The father is wholly guilty as charged, and son Michael, the family's one conscientious member, is forced to manage his inept siblings and manipulative mother, while trying to raise a diligent son of his own. Of course, this proves to be the challenge one would expect from a group of people who are deeply perplexed by the idea of work and find it difficult to adjust to not charging everything from $18,000 magic tricks to large donations for their own invented, ludicrous charities to the company card.

But unlike watching an MTV reality sitcom on the lives of adolescent millionaires, Arrested Development features a script that is brilliant, and, best of all, grammatically correct. The show's comedic timing is perfect, and you may actually walk away a smarter, sassier individual.

So why was Arrested Development kicked off the air after three seasons? Maybe it just couldn't keep up with the times. The Bluths were, after all, human—painfully, hilariously human. A dysfunctional vampire or zombie family was the sure way to go.

*The three seasons of Arrested Development are available for download on iTunes.