Top 10 albums of the year!!

Well here it is! My personal top 10 albums of the year. A couple notes, first of all, as I said with my top ten songs podcast, this isn't a definitive list. I haven't heard every album released this year, plus I have a horrible memory, so it's possible I completely forgot something. Another thing, I've been listening to far more Canadian albums than anything else this year, and my list reflects that, with half Canadian artists and half American. Ultimately I hope this list will give you a few things to check out in the new year, or if you have the albums, maybe you'll put them on again. Here goes.

10. Barzin- Notes to an Absent Lover


In the early half of the year I first heard Barzin's somber Notes to an Absent Lover. What really interests me about this album is how concise it is. There is nothing extraneous about it. Barzin incorporates a small band to support his stories, only adding a harmonica here, or an accordion there when necessary. A slow burning tribute to lost love.

9. Evening Hymns- Spirit Guides


I'm currently in the process of finishing my first full length album. Things are sounding fantastic, and I couldn't be happier with how it's turning out. But, there were two moments within the last few months when I felt like I was out my league. One was hearing Evening Hymns Spirit Guides for the first time. Where Barzin simplifies, Evening Hymns diversify. Strings, horns and choirs appear and disappear, but are never excessive. The music moves like the nature described in the songs. There are really only 7 songs here (track 7 of 8 is just the sounds of a storm), but they outline a career of great music to come. (Listen to "Dead Deer" in my Top 10 Songs podcast).

8. St. Vincent- Actor


Brooklyn is well represented on this list. I think 4 or the artists are based there. Including St. Vincent. What really keeps me coming back is front women Annie Clark. Her soft, angelic voice contrasts almost jarringly with her crunchy guitar tone. And who would have thought that the tastiest riffs of the year would be written by a women from Brooklyn? Well, they were.

7. Mos Def- The Estatic


Can Mos Def do any wrong? Why is it that everything he does is gold? Brooklyn is well represented again, Mos Def's 4th album may be the best of his already brilliant career. mixing elements of soul, afro-beat with hip-hop and rock and roll. it doesn't hurt to have producers Madlib, Oh No and J Dilla on your side, pulling some of their most exciting samples out of the crates.

6. Bruce Peninsula- A Mountain is a Mouth


There is a dark element creeping in a lot of the best music of 09'. Maybe it's just a fad, or a sign of the times. But if an apocalypse is coming, I want Bruce Peninsula as the soundtrack. They employ a large choir of voices, singing unison or simple harmonies, to create a sense of urgency in their songs. This is a band to see in a good venue. I got a chance to see them in a turn of the century Grist mill in Waterloo, and it was one of the best shows I'd seen all year.

5. Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca


What to say about the Dirty Projectors? Easily the most original act of 2009 (I know, bold statement), Dirty Projectors really need to be heard to be understood. I can't do it justice in print. Frontman Dave Longstreth has to be slightly crazy. His music is rhythmically and melodically all over the map, and yet somehow it manages to be accessible. The female harmonies are intricate and the band is tight, that probably has to do with the reported constant and lengthy rehearsals. Check out the track Two Doves on my Top 10 songs of 09 podcast.

4. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest


Challenging and accessible is a difficult combination. Dirty Projectors do it to a point, but Grizzly Bear really acheives it on Veckatimest. Grizzly Bear manages to make one of the best pop albums of the year disguised as experimental Indie rock. The single "Two Weeks" is easily the catchiest song of the year. I'm also excited to see that intricate vocal harmonies were big this year (as they were last year with acts like Fleet Foxes). Check out "Two Weeks" in my 10 of 09 podcast.

3. Dan Auerbach- Keep It Hid


Black Keys Dan Auerbach goes it alone on Keep it Hid. A fine blend of all the best sounds of the 60's; Soul, folk and Psychelelic Rock. Dan shows a soft touch on ballads like "When the Night Comes", but then counters with dirty Psych rock like "I Want Some More". And although the songs on paper sound like they're on opposite ends of the musical spectrum, the production (mostly employing analog and vintage gear) ties everything together as the greatest 60's album never released. (Listen to "When The Night Comes" in my top 10 podcast)

2. Patrick Watson- Wooden Arms


I mentioned hearing Evening Hymns was one experience that briefly had me second guessing my own musical experience. The other was seeing Patrick Watson last month at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The man is a showman of the highest order. And he and his band deliver great music. Wooden Arms is the album that should have won the Polaris. Interesting percussion, and eclectic music supports Patrick's soring falsetto. Check out "Beijing" in the Best of 09 Podcast.

1. Timber Timbre- Self Titled


The moment I saw Timber Timbre for the first time, I knew this was an act to watch. Front man Taylor Kirk captivates an audience in a way I've never seen before. The album is a mixture of blues, Old time rock and roll, and dust bowl folk. Taylor is of a rare breed in this day and age, he's a storyteller, and his lyrics often send chills down my spine. For example take this verse from "Lay Down in the Tall Grass":

I dreamt you found me out in a field
You tripped over my site
And you dug me out of this shallow grave
with your Swiss Army knife
And only you could revive me, so badly decomposed
I was born white, dry, and scaly
but you still took me home

He knows what came before him, the album is full of homages to past masters, both lyrically and musically.
Check out "Demon Host" in my Top 10 of 09' podcast.

Honorable Mention (or, the next 10)

Sam Allen- Landscapes, A Horse and His Boy- Self Titled, Wilderness of Manitoba- Hymns of Love and Spirit, Bell Orchestre- As Seen Through Windows, Robert Hedge- The Observer EP, Fucked Up- The Chemistry of Common Life, Oubijou- Beacons, Kanaan- Troubadour, Sick Friend- Sleep Late, Brooke Manning- Bride and Loom

Best Compilation

Dark Was the Night
The folks behind 1993's No Alternative compilation (remember that?) out did their selves with Dark Was the Night. A collection of new and unreleased songs from a who's who of the current indie music scene raising awareness for AIDS/HIV. Unlike most compilations, this one if full of great tunes. featuring Grizzly Bear, Fiest, Dirty Projectors (with David Byrne!!), Decemberists, Conor Oberst (with Gillian Welsh), Yo La Tengo and many more. It also features Sufjan Stevens brilliant, epic cover of You Are the Blood, found in my top ten songs podcast.

Well that's it! See you kids in the next year!

List! Best of 09 by Nathan Noble

Here is a third entry into the guest top ten albums of 09! A Horse and His Boy is a great dance punk act out of London Ontario, a while back I sent them a request for a band-picked top 10 list. Apparently that is still in the works, but Keyboardist/singer Nathan Noble sent me his personal list AND his 10 ten concerts of 09! I love how diverse the three lists (other 2 by illustrator Andrew Patterson, and singer/songwriter Eddie Orso) are. Here we go!

Photo by Andrew Colvin

Top Ten Albums or EP's of 2009 late 08 (in no particular order)

St. Vincent - Actor



The Most Serene Republic ..And The Ever Expanding Universe



Pick A Piper S/T EP



Dead Mellotron - Ghost Light Constellation



Bruce Peninsula -A Mountain Is A Mouth



Fraser- House on a Hill



Timber Timbre -S/T



Foals - Antidotes



A Lending Library - Halloween



The Riderless- Auction



Nathan's top live acts of recent memory. (in no particular order)

The Winks
Braids
Fond of Tigers
Aleks and The Ramps
Sick Friend
Olenka & The Autumn Lovers
Birds Across Water
Nomo
Exit 2012
The Riderless
Timber Timbre
St. Vincent

Thanks Nathan! Well, folks tomorrow is the day that I finally get my top 10 albums list up!! So make sure you check that shit out. Talk soon.

Best Songs of '09 Podcast

Howdy folks. I usually put up a track of the week on Monday, but I'm doing something different today. I've put together 10 of my favorite songs released this year, in podcast form, and I believe you can download this one! Now, of coarse this isn't definitive. There are lots of songs I didn't hear this year, and I've probably forgotten a few good ones I have heard. But hopefully this will give you an hour of good listening. I'd love to know what songs all of you dug this year, so please feel free to list them in the comments section. Here is the podcast. I've posted the complete list below it, if you're too impatient to listen for your favorite song.



Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear

Tidal Wave by Whipping Wind

New Years by Ohbijou

Demon Host by Timber Timbre

Dead Deer by Evening Hymns

When the Night Comes by Dan Auerbach

Eazy Speaks by Apostle of Hustle

Two Doves by The Dirty Projectors

Beijing by Patrick Watson

You Are The Blood by Sufjan Stevens

Lists! Best of 09 by Eddie Orso

So this is a special Sunday edition of Birds, as I have a bunch of year end lists to put up before the year actually ends. Last week I had a top 10 album list from Illustrator Andrew Patterson. Today, we'll be handing the list writing over to musician Eddie Orso. You might remember Eddie from the band Revival Dear. Eddie is off on his own now, and about to release his debut album (I've heard a bit of it, and it should be fantastic!) Here's the list:


1. Joel Plaskett ( 3 )


2. Levon Helm ( Electric Dirt )


3. Elvis Costello ( Secret, Profane, Sugarcane )


4. Black Crowes ( Before The Frost )


5. Ben Kweller ( Changing Horses )


6. Wilco ( The Album )


7. Corin Raymond ( There Will Always Be A Small Time )


8. M Ward ( Hold Time )


9. Camera Obscura (My Mauldin Career)


10. Gomez ( A New Tide )


Nice. Thanks Eddie. Expect more lists this week, including a special Track of the Week tomorrow. It's a Podcast of my favorite tracks of the year! See ya then!

Track of the Week: Out by Whipping Wind

Hello there! I spend my weekend in Lovely London Ontario. I was performing with a bunch of the greatest people in the world, the OH Records folk. We were all part of a christmas charity show. And what a show! Every performance was great! I got to hear the incredibly clever Henry Svelt, and Slim Pickins for the first time, plus tried tested and true performers Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, Sam Allen, and Aaron Lozynsky to name a just a few. The show was opened by The Whipping Wind. You may or may not remember, but the Whipping Wind released one of my favorite tracks of the year, Tidal Wave. Well, they (he) finally has another track (at this rate we can expect a full album by 2013!).


So here you go. The Whipping Wind, Out.

Lists! Best of 09 by Andrew Patterson

I've decided to ask a few friends to make some lists for me! I also wanted to get input from various people in the music industry. Today, I've asked Illustrator Andrew Patterson to give me his top 10. Andrew has done some design work for Metric and the Ascot Royals... so what are illustrator/designers listening to these days? Andrew?


1. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix have been a favourite band of mine since Alphabetical, and they came through in 2009 with an album that is easily my favourite of the year and the best of their career. Wonderfully catchy songwriting, infectious riffs and keys, soothing synths (and an incredible live show)…perfection.


2. P.O.S. - Never Better
P.O.S. is a young, politically charged emcee based out of Minneapolis. On Never Better, he effortlessly fuses his beautiful word-smithing and flow with conscious lyrics over some truly original beats and instrumentals. Not only is this some of the most aggressively good hip hop you’ll hear this year, but the album artwork gets my vote for best of 09.



3. Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen
Omaha, Nebraska’s Cursive released their 7th album this year. While definitely more straight-ahead than their previous albums, I found Mama, I’m Swollen to be an immensely enjoyable record, complete with all the little tweaks and quirks that make Cursive…Cursive.


4. Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail
One of the most pleasant surprises for me this year. I love Emery’s debut album for the raw energy and sheer aggression, which seemed to fade into dancey pop influenced numbers over the last few records. Right at the get go, the first track let me know the old Emery was back. Tons of nice vocal layering and ear-bleeding guitar.


5. Gliss - Devotion Implosion
As a fan of washed out, shoe-gazey, feedback rock, I must say that it’s been far too long since anything decent of the sort has been put out. Enter Gliss… the dirtiest rock I’ve heard in some time. Looks like the genre isn’t dead yet.


6. Phoenix - Kitsune Tabloid
This is without a doubt, my favourite compilation ever made. Assembled by the afore-mentioned Phoenix for Kitsune Maison, it’s an incredibly eclectic mix that includes everything from Elvis Costello and the Dirty Projectors to Kiss and D’Angelo. And it WORKS together. Crazy.


7. Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away...
I was turned onto Mew fairly recently by a friend, just before this album came out, and boy am I grateful. No More Stories is one of the most cheerful, playful, and deceptively complex records I’ve had the pleasure of listening to this year. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you love weird foreign pop-rock.


8. Metric – Fantasies
Great album by a great band. Just enough darkness injected since Live it Out to keep things fresh, catchy melodies and lyrics that get stuck in your head in that good old-fashioned way.


9. Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
Sneaky electronic whiz combines like 80 genres to create the best electronic album this year. Incredibly original, and makes you feel good. Sounds like a combination of Boards of Canada, Stars, Prefuse 73, Nickodemus, Elliott Lipp, and old funk. Brilliant.


10. Brand New – Daisy
This one snuck in here. With all the surprises I’ve come to expect from the band who re-invents themselves each album, Brand New’s Daisy is their heaviest album to date. When it’s not bashing your head in, it’s sending shivers down your spine with anticipation.



Runners Up: The Used, TBS, Dirty Projectors, Jay-Z, Say Anything

Track of the Week: Road to Joy by Bright Eyes

I fell in love with the music of Bright Eyes a few years ago, when I first heard the album "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning". I was drawn to Conor Oberst's clever lyrics, unique voice and moving music. The song that always stood out for me was the closing track Road to Joy. Every time I hear the band explode at the end of the track, I get chills.





Check back tomorrow when I can hopefully start a series of end-of-year-lists!

This Week in Toronto Dec 10 - 16

Hello. Click on the links people. You can hear music from all of these great acts I'm recommending. And, if you like, you can write a comment in the section marked "Comments" Here we go:

THURS DEC 10

Amelie playing at Bloor Cinema 4:15pm
One of the sweetest films ever made. Featuring the gorgeous Audrey Tautou. She's seriously one of the cutest actresses of all time. If this isn't quite your thing, come back at 9:30 for Blue Velvet. Nothing cute about that.


FRI DEC 11

The Constantines, Weakerthans and Attack in Black at Lee's Palace
This is a great triple bill! I can't say enough about the Constantines. They put on a FANTASTIC live show. Weakerthans I've seen a couple times, and they're pretty good. I've never seen Attack in Black... but it must be great.


SAT DEC 12

Patrick Watson at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
This is where I'll be on Saturday. Checking out the guy who should have taken the Polaris prize this year (Fucked Up is great, but Wooden Arms is an amazing album).


SUN DEC 13

Do Make Say Think and Ohad Benchetrit's Years at Enwave Theatre
This will be exciting. I love the Years album, it may turn up in my top 10 of the year... definitely in the top 20. And Do Make Say Think are always amazing. Really, they've been playing for decades, if you haven't seen them yet, what's wrong with you? Get out there!


MON DEC 14

Do Make Say Think, Happiness Project and Ohad Benchitrit's Years at Enwave Theatre
Oh wow. Monday night looks even more exciting! You can catch Charles Spearin's Happiness Project. I wonder how it plays live? If you haven't heard the album, the music is performed to coincide with dialogue he'd recorded of his neighbors. It definitely puts a smile on your face.


TUES DEC 15

White Christmas playing at Bloor Cinema
You know, I've never seen White Christmas... I don't know why that is. It's something I should have seen by now. Oh well, you get Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye! Get in the X-mas spirit!

Track of the Week: The Bass Song by Hayden

I got a hold of Hayden's great 2001 album Skyscraper National Park today, and immediately dialed up track 8, The Bass Song. It's a simple story of a robbery gone wrong, from the point of view of the victim, in this case Hayden. It features one of his finest melodies and a chilling string outro.






OK, so it's December! So that means I, like every other blogger on the planet, will be dropping page upon page of Top 10 lists!! Keep checking in, I'll be covering music, movies... I'll have some guest writers... Oh, and I have an interview with Brooke Manning to come as well. See ya soon!

This Week in Toronto Dec 3 - 9

THURS DEC 3

Matt Lennox book launch at Mitzi's Sister (7pm)
My good friend Matt Lennox has his first book of short stories out, and we'll be celebrating at Mitzi's Sister! He'll be reading as well, and the man knows how to tell a story.



FRI DEC 4

Evening Hymns CD Release at Tranzac
So, maybe you missed out on the free show Wed at Soundscapes. I did. But never you fret, you can catch this highly talked about act Friday night at Tranzac! Woo!


SAT DEC 5

Antlers and Anchors, Ronley Teper and Nick Zubeck at Tranzac
Stacked show!! Three Tranzac regulars together on one bill. I can't even pick a favorite, this whole show is going to be awesome!


SUN DEC 6

The Good Lovelies at Hugh's Room
The beautiful vocal stylings of the Good Lovelies at one of Toronto's finest venues, Hugh's Room. Yup, I just repeated the headline... but seriously, the gals are the tops.


MON DEC 7

Leon Redbone at Hugh's Room
Blues/jazz legend! One of the strangest performers in either genre, his life has been shrouded in mystery. But he has Toronto roots... Anyways, holy shit, check this guy out. He's also playing on Saturday!


TUES DEC 8

The Big Lebowski playing at Bloor Cinema 10pm
"Look, let me explain something to you. I'm not Mr. Lebowski. You're Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. That or His Dudeness... Duder... or El Duderino, if, you know, you're not into the whole brevity thing."

WED DEC 9

Leon Redbone at Hugh's Room
Seriously, you may not get many more chances to see this guy. This week you have 3!!