Many of these will appear on the grand "Best Albums of 2011" list later this month:
20. The Good Hunters- Love You Baby
The debut from the Hamilton band is a raucous country-rock tour de force.
19. Hooded Fang- Tosta Mista
Toronto's surprise Polaris nominees come back quickly with a fun-filled loose record.
18. Ohbijou- Metal Meets
Lush and gorgeous, it's very easy to lose yourself within this album.
17. Chilly Gonzales- The Unspeakable Chilly Gonzales
While he doesn't always take himself seriously, the Feist producer definitely has the musical chops to create some incredibly interesting music.
16. Classified- Handshakes and Middle Fingers
The only hip hop entry comes from a man who's rhymes are often goofy or childish, but they still work for me.
15. One Hundred Dollars- Songs Of Man
Twangy rock has rarely been as haunting and ghostly. One Hundred Dollars are a real update on Cowboy Junkies.
14. Dog Is Blue- Tortoise
Folk rock gets a bad rap, often from me. One listen to this warm, catchy duo will help lighten your heart.
13. Timber Timbre- Creep On Creepin' On
I have to admit, before this album I thought listening to Timber Timbre was about as exciting as watching my lawn grow. It takes a special record to change my opinion this dramatically.
12. Good Lovelies- Let The Rain Fall
A throwback to '40s and '50s USO acts, it's an absolute delight.
11. Coeur de Pirate- Blonde
Loungy, smokey, sultry, French. Perfect for a naughty night.
10. Bella Clava- Holy Crow
Never bashful, Bella Clava are more refined and confident on this in-your-face record.
9. Gabrielle Papillon- The Currency of Poetry
If you can make folk music inviting and pleasant to listen to then you've really accomplished something. Thanks Gabrielle.
8. Ben Caplan & the Casual Smokers- In the Time of Great Remembering
Halifax's Caplan made a record that both Tom Waits AND Nick Cave would be proud of.
7. Library Voices- Summer of Lust
Knocking down hooks like bowling pins, I'm not sure what else I can say about this wonderful band.
6. Fucked Up- David Comes To Life
Fucked Up follow-up their Polaris-winning album with a concept record for the ages.
5. Little Foot Long Foot- Oh, Hell
Adding twang to their blues-rock attack did wonders for this Toronto band.
4. Imaginary Cities- Temporary Resident
Their combination of melody, energy, and hooks were enough to land an opening slot for The Pixies.
3. Kalle Mattson- Anchors

2. Whitehorse- Whitehorse
The musical couple of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland combine for an album that can nothing short of stunning.
1. Lindi Ortega- Little Red Boots
Ortega has it all in her alt country album: razor-sharp lyrics, clever turns-of-phrase, a voice that's both beautiful and powerful, and hooks galore. A deserving #1.Honourable mentions: Al Tuck, Nathaniel Sutton, Charge Of The Light Brigade, Mother Mother, JF Robitaille, Carmen Townsend, The Darcys, Louise Burns, Elliott Brood
5 comments:
No Ketch Harbour Wolves? Hmmmm....You should have a listen! "Anachronisms" is the name of the album. My fav this year! :)
Kat.
Honestly didn't get a chance to hear it. I'll give it a listen.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Austra?
Actually, I may be the only person in Canada who was not enamoured by that album. I think it was fine, but I really didn't love it.
The Austra didn't really make my top 20 either, it's not something I felt like listening to a lot.
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