Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Top 20 Songs of 2013

20. Delorean - Spirit



19. Darkside - The Only Shrine I've Seen



18. Generationals - You Got Me



17. Daft Punk ft. Panda Bear - Doin It Right



16. Phoenix - S.O.S. in Bel Air



15. Volcano Choir - Dancepack



14. Blood Orange - Chosen



13. Mazzy Starr - Common Burn



12. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - All Wash Out



11. Youth Lagoon - Mute



10. The National - Graceless



9. Kurt Vile - Was All Talk



8. Daughter - Tomorrow



7. London Grammar - Strong



6. Local Natives - Heavy Feet



5. Deerhunter - Back to the Middle



4. VV Brown - Faith



3. Rhye - Three Days



2. Arcade Fire - Afterlife



1. Disclosure ft. London Grammar - Help Me Lose My Mind




Sunday, December 22, 2013

Top 10 Albums of 2013

10. Daughter - If You Leave



9. Youth Lagoon - The Wondrous Bughouse



8. The National - Trouble Will Find Me



7. Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze



6. London Grammar - If You Wait



5. Rhye - Woman



4. Volcano Choir - Repave

Buy at Amazon.com


3. Arcade Fire - Reflektor



2. Deerhunter - Monomania



1. Disclosure - Settle




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Another Incredibly Necessary and Credible Best Albums of 2012 List

You know you're getting old when you start thinking 'Wow, another year sure has flown by', and really mean it. Thankfully, it's been another super fast fly-by year full of great music. Here are some of the albums that have kept me happy over the past year.


I Break Horses - Hearts
From the first track to the last, Hearts is immersive, blissed-out and much too short. Expecting big things for the future.


Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes
This album converted me into an Ariel Pink fan. Our shared affinity for schnitzel didn't hurt.


Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
Only recently got into this album, and regretting I took so long. While not a complete album, in my mind, highlights such as Super Rich Kids and Lost make it matter.


Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
One of the best albums early in the year, it's blues rock that even your mom will like. Whether that's a good thing or not is another thing, but they're definitely one of the breakthrough bands of the year.


Jessie Ware - Devotion
I've read that Jessie Ware had written off singing as a career option. Lucky for us, she stuck with it and put out one of the most impressive albums of the year.


Dan Deacon - America
Not even taking epic U.S.A into consideration, even the single tracks on this album have been masterfully composed. No filler here.


Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
Skirting the fine line between world music and bohemian folk, Andrew Bird's latest is personal, compelling and familiar from the first note.


Animal Collective - Centipede Hz
Rather than try to repeat the indie anthems of Merriweather Post Pavillion, Animal Collective went the route of experimentation and ended up with some gems, such as Monkey Riches.


Tame Impala - Lonerism
Already named best album of the year by critics such as NME, Lonerism is a huge step forward from last year's effort, but only deserving the title of breakthrough album of the year, in my mind.


Grimes - Visions
Another album of the year for some critics, including Rough Trade, Visions proves that Montreal's music scene is still bearing fruit.


Grizzly Bear - Shields
Being missed off the Grammy's list of best alternative albums this year is only proof that some of the best music just isn't fit for mass consumption. One of the best live performances of the year as well.


DIIV - Oshin
The little band that could, DIIV have stormed through my iPod and iTunes to take over as one of my most listened to albums this year.


Beach House - Bloom
Coming off their breakthrough album, Teen Dream, it could only be hoped that Beach House's following effort would be more of the same. Rather than play it safe as The xx did with Co-exist, they continued to refine their sound and have put out the best of the year, in my opinion.




Monday, November 12, 2012

The definitive Movember appeal, courtesy of Ron Burgundy

Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen.

I’m back, and I’m doing Movember!

Hey, world! Did you miss me? I know you did. Heck, I miss myself and I see me every day. And, damn, do I look good. I mean, really good.

I’m talking slap yourself in the face good. Undress yourself with your eyes good. Think of yourself under the covers good. Yes, ma’am, I look that good.

What’s my secret? Well, I’m glad I asked me for you. Some say it’s my impeccable taste in polyester suits that subtly scream ‘classy gentleman of leisure’. Others say it’s simply down to my parents’ genetic engineering. You and I both know it’s my mane of hair right down here that the ladies love.

That’s right: my moustache, Little Ron.

Little Ron and I have had many glorious adventures over the years, from late night rides with Veronica around the city to all you can eat buffets at Champs gentleman’s club. Now, after all the good that Little Ron has done for me, I’m doing some good for him.

This Movember, I’m making sure Little Ron stays full and healthy by raising money for him and other fine moustaches of the world.

So, I'm going to put something out there; if you like it, you can take it, if you don't, send it right back. I want your money. I want it to be on my Movember page, because it’s kind of a big deal.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Track of the Moment - Dan Deacon - U.S.A.

I'd heard about Dan Deacon through friends on Facebook. Too late for my liking as this guy has some serious talent. Evidence: USA, his four-part song from latest album, America. It's 22 minutes of epic rock electro that sounds like Sufjan Stevens and Trent Reznor were locked in Abbey Road Studios. Or, as a fan on YouTube put it, "It is like God himself grasped electronica and then conducted operatic elements in and around it." Judge for yourself.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

February Gigs

It's going to be a busy month of music. Here are some of the acts I'm checking this month. Also, will be heading to New York at the end of the month. Somehow all the good shows are in January and March. Guess I'll have to focus on steakhouses and bourbon bars. What can you do?

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah


M83


Active Child

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Top Ten Albums of 2011 (and Honourable Mentions)

10. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation



9. Givers - In Light



8. Metronomy - The English Riviera



7. WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain



6. The Horrors - Skying



5. Beirut - The Rip Tide



4. Destroyer - Kaputt



3. Wild Beasts - Smother



2. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming



1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver



Honourable Mentions:

Washed Out - Within and Without



Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues



Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine



Junior Boys - It's All True



Beat Connection - Surf Noir



Cut Copy - Zonoscope