Year End Reviews

Best of 2011: Top albums I listen to in it’s entirety but cannot name a song off of

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Ricky in Year End Reviews | Leave a comment

Back in the day when I was less busy at work, I would nitpick over the music I would play as I do what I do. These days however, increased responsibilities and an addiction to twitter has completely decreased my allotted time for curating a fine playlist when I am at work. Instead, I mostly listen to albums in it’s entirety. The following is a list of albums I find myself listening to a lot over the course of the year, only I actually can’t name a song off of the record because I’m always just listening to the whole damn thing.

Does that make sense? here we go!

Washed Out – Within and Without

Back in the days of my youth, people who stayed home in the basement and fiddled around with knobs and keyboards were routinely called losers and beat up. These days, people who stayed home in the basement and fiddled around with knobs and keyboards are routinely called chilled wave artists and play sold out shows at hipster clubs before getting to have their pick of freshmen girls eager to cross off ‘groupie’ from their bucket list. Go figure. I find that the muted beats and warm synthesizers off Washed Out‘s Within and Without album creates a nice calm ambiance and his mostly background vocals blend nicely with the tone of the album. What is he singing about? No idea.

Washed Out – Belong by Dominicono

Zola Jesus – Conatus

Zola Jesus is the stage name for Russian-American singer-songwriter-hypenator-extraordinaire Nika Roza Danilova. Conatus is her third album and that is pretty much all I knew before hitting up her information page on Wikipedia. Speaking of wikipedia, who is the person doing all these information pages on wiki for these indie bands/acts? I am assuming it’s the publicist, otherwise there are some pretty obsessive fans out there. Is anyone else is getting a kick out of these memes for the people that wikipedia is putting up pictures of so that you can donate money to them? Don’t tell me something like this doesn’t at least generate a chuckle.

Anyways, I have enjoyed Conatus throughout the year (sounds a bit dirty). The album’s dark minimal arrangements are utilized nicely to shift all the attention to Zola Jesus’s voice, which actually has a hint of Katie Stelmanis’s voice in it. Basically, it’s like Austra’s Feel It Break filtered through valium.

Night by ZolaJesus

Patrick Wolf – Together

Patrick Wolf always has good releases so it should be no surprise that this EP, released December 4th makes this list. I feel like over time, I will know the tracks off the album a bit better, but for now, I don’t. I just know its a little less dramatic than The Bachelor and one of the songs has a very 80s sitcom-ish saxophone solo to start off the song. Like any other Patrick Wolf release, the album features plenty of instrumentation and complicated arrangements that under the helm of Wolf, comes off as one cohesive unit.

Youth Lagoon – Year in Hibernation

Youth Lagoon is the on stage moniker of Trevor Powers, who you assume would be some sort of litigator based on name alone. His debut album is called a Year in Hibernation and it plays out like a dreamy, hazy soundtrack to that certain period of time between sleeping and waking up. Trevor’s barely there vocals plays perfectly into the lo-fi synthy ambient vibe that he has created with this record. Maybe I should lock myself in a bedroom and make some music. It’s a precious album, and it’s really really good.

Youth Lagoon – Daydream by E.D.P.M.C.

Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

Atlanta rock group The Black Lips made the right choice this year in getting Mark Ronson to produce their latest album. Arabia Mountain is a great burst of energy that blends modern day punk elements with rock-a-billy, surf punk elements of the 50s and 60s. With Ronson at the helm, much of the fun and energy that is the trademark of a Black Lips live show is captured and bottled in a neat 40 minute package. I should probably know some tracks but given the brief two minute nature of each track, it makes it hard to pick out specific tracks. The sum however, seems a lot greater then the parts.

The Black Lips – Family Tree by 247QM

Best of 2011: Oh Canada! Sarah’s favourite Canadian albums of 2011

Posted on December 23, 2011 by sarahw in Year End Reviews | 2 Comments

Coming off a year of traveling throughout the United States and finally making Elite status with Air Canada (one of my greatest accomplishments to date), I have gained a new found appreciation for Canada and the music that comes out of the great white north.  As an ode to Canada I have curated a list of my top 5 Canadian albums from 2011, complete with witty commentary and what the band “sounds like”.

Sheepdogs – Learn and Burn

Sounds like: The 70’s

In one year this bearded, 70’s inspired band that hails from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan have been on the cover of Rolling Stone, signed to Atlantic records and have grown legendary beards.  After the Basketball Jones live show I was lucky enough to take a cab with the lead singer Ewan Currie, to their concert at Lees Palace where we proceeded to see the band expertly transport the audience back to psychedelic times with their rock anthems.

Library Voices – Summer of Lust

Sounds like: Okkervil River, Ra Ra Riot, Fleetwood Mac

Another band from Saskatchewan! And you thought it was just uranium and oil!  Looking for light-hearted catchy pop music? Library Voices is your band!  This album is a continuous flow of sweet pop tunes with a surfer twist, great for summer and a glass of Pinot Grigio.  They also have a song called Que Sera Sarah, which inspired me to create my own blog so I could call it that, however someone smarter than me had already bought the URL…talk about a “wind out the sails” moment.

Library Voices – Generation Handclap by Nevado

Whitehorse – Whitehorse

Sounds like: Wooden Sky, June Carter and Johnny Cash

I came across Whitehorse whilst trolling blogs other than Panic Manual.  Whitehorse is made up of two independently famous Canadian singer-songwriters, Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, who also happen to be married (awww).  Whitehorse has a unique rock country twang with some beautiful harmonies between husband and wife (awww).  If you like a good brush drum, definitely check these guys out at the Winter Garden theatre on February 24th.

Hooded Fang – Tosta Mista

Sounds like: Beach Boys, Surfer Blood, Dum Dum Girls

I was told about Hooded Fang through my boyfriend’s sister’s step daughter Lily who had just seen them at Hillside, (probably the coolest 10 year old I’ve ever met). This album is happy and reminds me of a 60’s high school dance, with some lively tunes like ESP and Tosta Mista and the token slow jam: Den of Love. If you’re around Toronto on December 28th, go see them at the Drake!

Hooded Fang – Tosta Mista by HoodedFang

Imaginary Cities – Temporary Resident

Sounds like: Adele, Janelle Monae, Amy Winehouse

To many this was the year of Adele, however Marti Sarbit of Imaginary Cities has pipes that will rival Adele’s any day.  I recently read someone describe this Winnipeg band as Motown, which to me is a bit of a misnomer.  Their music is definitely pop first with Marti’s voice giving it some serious soul.   In 2011 Imaginary Cities even opened for The Pixies on the Canadian leg of their tour!  I for one can’t wait for them to tour in 2012, plus their show will be a lot more accessible than Adele’s…

Imaginary Cities – Temporary Resident by goodsouldept

Best of 2011: Stacey’s Best of Toronto

Posted on December 22, 2011 by stacey in Year End Reviews | Leave a comment

Okay, I’m going to admit it. I used to be one of those people. You know the type; the ones who claimed that they “could never live in Toronto”. Two years ago, I went to Vancouver to check out job prospects, loved the place, and started making plans to move. My family – all from Ontario – objected, pleading with me to consider someplace not so far away. As such, I begrudgingly decided to check out options in Toronto, expecting to hate it and end up in Vancouver anyhow. Boy was I wrong. I knew quickly that the work here was just what I needed, and over the course of this year, I’ve become one of the other kinds of Canadians – the Torontonians who couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. From the perspective of a newbie, here are some of the best things about Toronto…

1. There is live music happening everywhere in this city all the time. Included in that are the usual suspects (ie. The Horseshoe, the Phoenix, the Music Gallery, etc… music venues that are always playing shows), but that is only a small portion. As soon as the weather gets nice in the spring, and right into the fall, there are constantly free shows going on outside – from concerts in Nathan Phillip’s or David Pecaut Squares, to cultural beats at the Harbourfront, and indie shows in Trinity Bellwoods. Then, there are those surprise finds – like flamenco guitar at a little Mexican place on Thursday night, overhearing Ella Fitzgerald covers pouring across the street to my perfect spot on the Diplomatico patio, or my absolute favourite hangover cure… Sunday morning Dixieland Jazz breakfasts at the Rex!! You have to time it just right (they stop serving breakfast at noon, and the jazz doesn’t start until 12:30), but between the amazing homefries and the older gentlemen with serious skills, that place always hits the spot!

2. Toronto has amazing summer evenings. Sitting on a patio, drinking a pint in a summer dress makes me one happy girl. Likewise, late dinners on Baldwin St, bike rides along the harbourfront, ferris wheel rides, secret midnight swimming and even just taking it all in from my own patio with loved ones and great conversation cannot be beat.

3. A sincere appreciation for uniqueness and differences. The most obvious manifestation of this is the insane variety of thriving restaurants from every corner of every country across the world… but all around – skills, art, culture, festivals, language – there really is a space for everyone, and (at least a small group of) people who will support your unique perspective.

4. Speaking of food… there are amazing foodie indulgences everywhere you look. This city is full of farmers markets, little shops and fantastic restaurants. I could spend all day every day tasting, smelling and looking; in fact, I often spend Saturdays doing just that. I have a particular soft spot for cheese, and with at least three shops, and two markets dedicated just to cheese in close walking distance to my house I sample a LOT of cheese. And reminiscent of small town living, when you frequent somewhere enough, you get to know your “neighbours”… the cheesemaker from Ewenity, and the Monforte crew make some mean cheese and are happy to share the stories of how their favourite different varieties were created.

5. (Almost) never having to drive in the city. Driving in this city is enough to make anyone hate Toronto, and frankly, the human race. Fortunately, living downtown means that between my feet, my bike and transit, I only take a car when I’m leaving. Moving around more slowly lets you immerse yourself in the amazing sights, sounds and tapestry of culture that makes up Toronto – smiling at the lovely Museum station, happening upon back alley graffiti masterpieces, smells pouring out of bakeries and restaurants, overhearing lilting conversations in five different languages over a one block span – it is all the little surprises that makes you fall in love with this town.

Best of 2011: Top 5 Shows I Saw But Didn’t Bother Writing About At The Time

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Paul in Concerts, Year End Reviews | Leave a comment

Much of my 2011 was dedicated to travelling to various locations around the world and seeing as much music as I could.  As a result, I saw a lot of music, and tried to write about as much of it as possible, but of course a number of great shows fell through the cracks for various reasons – laziness, distraction, or simply not knowing what to say at the time.  The end of the year is a perfect time to revisit some of the “ones that got away.”  Now their stories can be told …

Hazel Dickens, March 16, Driskill Room, Austin, TX

Hazel Dickens was one of the performers I was most looking forward to seeing at SXSW simply because I figured it would be my only chance to catch the pioneering bluegrass legend in concert.  This ended up being truer than I’d thought as Dickens passed away just a little over a month after this show, which I believe was her final performance.  While looking a bit frail and older than her 75 years, her voice was still ridiculously powerful and resonant.  I’m definitely glad I got to see this.

Yoko Ono, March 19, Elysium, Austin, TX

Yeah, she’s weird.  Yeah, she can get noisy and the potential for pretentiousness is high.  But here’s the thing: that’s kind of what made this such a great show.  That, and a top notch crew of musicians assembld for her new Plastic Ono Band that included her son Sean (looking a bit goofy in top hat and goatee), Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn, and Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto fame.  With a group that like backing you up, you can get as out there as you want and it’s still going to sound fantastic.  On top of all that, tUnE-yArDs opened things up with a cover of one of Ono’s songs that sounded pretty good as well.

Swans, May 28, Primavera Sound, Barcelona

Epic, noisy, and a little bit scary, Michael Gira and Co. also bring a strange kind of beauty to their sound as well.  Still don’t have that much to say about this set (to quote the title of the song they opened with, I have “No Words/No Thoughts”) but I felt this show was worth mentioning at the very least.

Tindersticks, June 23, BOZAR, Brussels

Performing as part of the Brussels Film Festival, British band Tindersticks put on a special show made up entirely of the music they’ve composed for the films of French filmmaker Claire Denis.  As they band played a bunch of pieces I was unfamiliar with against a backdrop of scenes from a number of Denis’ films, none of which I has seen or ever really heard of before, I was totally drawn in.  Not only by the music, but by the images, which I attempted in my mind to combine into one weird continuous narrative.  The show got me interested in looking deeper into Denis’ works, but on the other hand, I’m not sure if the fake story I made up in my head isn’t better. 

Mercury Rev, May 29, Primavera Sound, Barcelona 

While Ricky will tell you that Pulp’s set at Primavera Sound was hands down the best show he’s seen in his life, for me, it wasn’t even the best set I saw in Barcelona.  Don’t get me wrong, Pulp was fantastic, but for me, this show was much more compelling.  Sure, I was only going on a couple hours sleep from the night before and has just spent an inordiante amount of time waiting to buy a train ticket that afternoon, but after one last trip to the beach and a stroll through the streets of Barcelona taking in the post-Champions League win reverie, i was ready to tackle the Catskills band’s festival closing set at Poble Espanyol.  And what a show it was.  The band sounded amazing and frontman Jonathan Donahue was a sight to behold onstage, progressively getting more drunk on a bottle of wine throughout the set and making pretty much every second of the set a photo op with his dramatic, grandiose gestures.  It’s a shame my camera’s batteries went dead right before I arrived.

So there you have it. 2011 was a pretty good year for live music. 2012, you’ve got a lot to live up to. Don’t let me down.

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