Playlist Of The Week: New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve, so it's time to party!  If you need some help setting the mood, try this playlist of Canadian artists that I put together for my own celebration.

Listen to it here.

Best Of 2011: Recap

As the year comes to an end I have fittingly run out of year end lists.  So today I thought I'd just give you the quick recap.

If you missed them, check out these 2011 year in review lists (all my opinion of course):

• Best Albums: #100-51
• Best Albums: #50-1
• Best Songs
• Best Canadian Albums
• Best EPs
• Best Miscellaneous Albums
• Pleasant Surprises
• Most Disappointing Albums
• RIP: Musicians We Lost in 2011

RIP 2011: Artists we lost this year

With the year winding down, I think it's appropriate to pay some homage to those musicians who we lost in 2011.

Here are some of the noteworthy folks who passed on this year:

• Gil Scott-Heron
• Poly Strene (X-Ray Spex)
• Gerard Smith (TVOTR)
• Nate Dogg
• Mike Starr (AIC)
• Charlie Louvin
• Jani Lane (Warrant)
• Amy Winehouse
• Clarence Clemons (E-Street)
• Jerry Leiber
• Seth Putnam (Anal Cunt)
• Mikey Walsh (Weezer)
• Heavy D
• Cory Smoot (GWAR)
• Dobie Gray

Unfortunately, this list is far from comprehensive.  Each will be missed in his or her own way.

Best of 2011: songs

Here it is, my final list for 2011.  Here are my favorite songs of 2011:

50 "N.Y.E."- Dinosaur Bones
49 "Little Cigarettes"- Medicine Hat
48 "Old Man Song"- Anna Atkinson
47 "Apocalypse Pop Song"- Memphis
46 "Caffeinated Consciousness"- TV On the Radio
45 "An Argument With Myself"- Jens Lekman
44 "That Ain't Classy"- Classified
43 "Sara"- Chad VanGaalen
42 "Self Portrait"- Chilly Gonzales
41 "Love The Way You Walk Away"- Blitzen Trapper

40 "Zero to Stupid"- Tommy Stinson
39 "Beasts of England"- Teenage Kicks
38 "Holdin On to Black Metal"- My Morning Jacket
37 "Losing You"-  REVOLVER
36 "Baby Missiles"- The War on Drugs
35 "Fire"- Yukon Blonde
34 "Sign of Love (feat. Dave Grohl)"- Neil Young
33 "Touche"- The Barettas
32 "Oh, to Know!"- Valentiger
31 "Too Old To Die Young"- Timber Timbre
30 "California (Hustle and Flow)"- Social Distortion
29 "Cry Cry Cry"- Nicole Atkins
28 "It's a Boy"- Only Son
27 "Bad As Me"- Tom Waits

26 "Tricky Fellows"- Molly Rankin
25 "I Follow Rivers"- Lykke Li
24 "Red Hunting Jacket"- Little Scream
23 "Eff That"- Little Foot Long Foot
22 "The Prime Minister’s Daughter"- Library Voices
21 "Recipe For Disaster"- Lady Hayes
20 "My Baby's a Wrecking Ball"- Kasey Anderson and The Honkies
19 "Thick As Thieves"- Kalle Mattson
18 "Hummingbird"- Imaginary Cities
17 "Made for Rain"- The Good Lovelies
16 "The Way It Goes"- Gillian Welch
15 "All Of The Pretty Mistakes"- Charlotte Cornfield
14 "Shell Games"- Bright Eyes
13 "Rolling In the Deep"- Adele
12 "Reaction"- Acres Of Lions
11 "Down By The Water"- The Decemberists
10 "Niagara"- Ohbijou
9 "Written On The Forehead"- PJ Harvey
8 "Unkind"- Sloan
7 "Effigy"- Urge Overkill
6 "Northern Air"- Elliott BROOD
5 "Peg O' My Heart (f. Bruce Springsteen)"- Dropkick Murphys
4 "Desdemona"- Charge Of The Light Brigade
3 "The Other Shoe"- Fucked Up
2 "Broken"- Whitehorse
1 "Love Love Love"- Avalanche City

As always, Canadian entries are in red.

2012 New Release schedule

With nothing coming out between Christmas and New Year's I thought it would be a good time to take this space and look at what we are expecting early in the new year.

Here are the albums you'll want to keep an eye out for:

Jan 1
Guided By Voices

Hands & Teeth

Jan 17
The Big Pink
Biohazard
Cate Le Bon
Matthew Dear
Dare Dukes
Kathleen Edwards
Elias
Hands & Teeth
The Internet
Seeker Lover Keeper
Sonic Avenues


Jan 24
Actual Water
Chairlift
Cloud Nothings
Madi Diaz
Dana Falconberry
Craig Finn
First Aid Kit
Lacuna Coil
Ingrid Michaelson
Nada Surf
John K. Samson
Evan Voytas

This week's entertainment picks: NYE

So this week you're really not looking at much until New Year's Eve.  That night you could head down to Nathan Phillips Square and hang out with the douchebag mob, or you could try to squeeze your way into one of these shows:

• The Sadies, Horseshoe Tavern
• Elliott Brood, Lee's Palace
• The Mahones, Hard Luck Bar
• CATL, The Dakota Tavern
• Indian Handcrafts, Silver Dollar
• Die Mannequin, Bovine Sex Club
• Sheezer, El Mocambo
• Odonis Odonis, Academy of Sciences
• 16Bit, Great Hall

Toronto concerts announced this week: Amos The Transparent, Yukon Blonde w. Library Voices

Merry Chistmas!

Considering the season, there wasn't much action on the concert front this week.  But maybe one of these announcements is a special gift for you:

• Jason Collett, The Dakota, Dec 27
• More Or Les, The Garrison, Dec 27
• Ben Veneer w. The Jessica Stuart Few, The Painted Lady, Dec 28
• The Fray, Mod Club, Jan 17
• Cody Simpson, The Phoenix, Feb 7
• Die Antwoord, The Phoenix, Feb 14
• Amos The Transparent, Horseshoe Tavern, Feb 25
• The Head and The Heart, Opera House, Mar 13
• Rasputina, Lee's Palace, Apr 7
• Yukon Blonde w. Library Voices, Lee's Palace, Apr 12 & 13

Cat Power and Manny Pacquiao: "King Rides By" (video)

I think the best (ie. most intriguing) pairing in music has been saved for last.  Mope rock superstar Cat Power with boxing champ Manny Pacquiao for the video for "King Rides By".

They are raising money for the Festival of Children and the Ali Forney Center.  You can donate here.

Check it out:


Chan Marshall is currently working on the new Cat Power album.

Playlist Of The Week: Canadian seasonal songs

Well happy Christmas Eve!  If you're like me an come from an Eastern European tradition, it means you'll be opening at least some presents tonight...and gorging on turkey and stuffing.  Or maybe if you're Quebecois you'll be savouring a delicious tourtiere.

Whatever you're traditions, try these Canadian seasonal songs to help get you in the mood.

Listen here.

Our Lady Peace return with new video "Heavyweight", album

I'm not sure if anyone out there has been clamouring for the return of Our Lady Peace, but on the off chance that you have been, you're in luck!  The band will be releasing their new album, title still a mystery, in April.

Enjoy(?) the video for the first single "Heavyweight" here:

2011 Seasonal Beer review

The holidays are a very slow time for new music release.  Conversely, they are a boom time for seasonal beer releases!

I thought what better way to fill some space than with a survey of my seasonal beer sampling, complete with my own uninformed opinion and random rating system.

So here it goes:

Wychwood Bah Humbug Christmas Cheer Ale
Alcohol- 5.0%
LCBO price- $3.50 for 500ml

A dark ruby coloured ale with an unpleasant lingering chemical aftertaste.  Like most Wychwood beers, this is sold on gimmick value rather than for the quality of the beverage.

Rating: 50/100


Muskoka Winter Beard Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout
Alcohol- 8.0%
LCBO price- $10.95 for 750ml

It's a near-pitch black beer with toasted and cocoa aromas.  There is a hint of cranberry and a hint of chocolate, but not nearly enough of either.

Rating: 70/100

More To Explore: Bleached, Chris Devotion & the Expectations

Bleached
For those who like: The Pipettes, The Donnas


Hailing from Los Angeles, Bleached are a sister act (formerly known as Mika Miko).  They have new 7" coming out on December 6th which features melodic, energetic pop with a bit of a throwback vibe.

Listen to the title track, "Searching Through The Past" here:
Searching Through The Past

The duo play The Horseshoe in Toronto on January 27th opening for Smith Westerns.

C. Sterling: "No Matter" (f. Casey Mecija of Ohbijou)

No Matter is the new self-released EP from Vancouver musician C. Sterling.  The record is four songs of starkly beautiful folk, with a haunting minimalism that should appeal to fans of groups like Timber Timbre.

Listen to the title track, featuring Casey Mecija of Ohbijou, here:

Fishbone doc "Everyday Sunshine" set to hit fans

Sometimes great bands get lost in the shuffle of history.  Unfortunately, with the commercial success of Red Hot Chili Peppers, a far superior ska/metal hybrid band has been in danger of being forgotten.

Thankfully, we've got the forthcoming documentary Everyday Sunshine to remind us of the greatness that was and still is Fishbone.

Watch the trailer for the film here:


The film will make it's broadcast debut on public television on January 22nd, with an iTunes release slated for February 1st and home video release on February 22nd.

Of course, there really is only one choice to narrate a Fishbone doc: Laurence Fishburne.

Ben Kweller back with new album "Go Fly a Kite"

The delightful Ben Kweller will be making your 2012 a little more, well, delightful with the release of a new studio album.  The record, Go Fly a Kite, has been set for a February 7th release.

Not one to be a Grinch around Christmas, Kweller has provided this sampling of the beginning and end of every song on the album:

Best of 2011: Best albums #50-1

After giving you the bottom half of my top 100 albums of 2011 yesterday, I'm back to complete the chore with the top 50.

Here they are:

50 Florence + The Machine Ceremonials
49 Sara Lowes Back To Creation
48 St Vincent Strange Mercy
47 A.A. Bondy Believers
46 Sexy Mathematics Future Nights
45 Eddie Spaghetti Sundowner
44 Dropkick Murphys Going Out In Style
43 Nathaniel Sutton Nathaniel Sutton
42 Liam Finn FOMO
41 Hurricane Bells Tides and Tales
40 Rich Aucoin We're All Dying To Live

Lykke Li gives away three songs

Swedish indie pop sensation Lykke Li won't be one to be left out of the holiday action.  So she is giving fans a gift with a free download of the three song Lost Sessions Volume 1.

Grab yours here.

State Of Berlin: "The Album Sirens"

State Of Berlin are a Toronto band who count Glam musicians (Bowie, Ariel Pink) and electronic artists (Animal Collective) among their influences.  The group recently released their debut album The Album Sirens.

Listen to the album here:

Ministry announce "Relapse" details, offer plenty of sneak peeks

Alan Cross reports this morning that Industrial gods Ministry are returning with a new album.  The reunited band will drop Relapse on March 30th.

The first single, "99 Percenters", will be available on iTunes Friday.  Furthermore, the entire album will stream on the band's Facebook page on Christmas Eve (you can also view some 'making of' webisodes there).

Because after all, nothing says Christmas like Ministry.

Parenthetical Girls give away "Parenthetical Girls Save Christmas" EP

With only a handful of days to go there are still some Christmas tunes coming in.

The latest is from Parenthetical Girls, who are giving away a three song EP Parenthetical Girls Save Christmas.  You can download or listen to it here:


Parenthetical Girls play Lee's Palace in Toronto on January 12th & 13th with Los Campesinos!

Best of 2011: Albums #100-51

Just for the sake of filling blog space during what's a traditionally slow season, I'm splitting the all-important Best Albums of the Year list over two days.

So today you get numbers 100 to 51:

100 Samantha Savage Smith Tough Cookie
99 Josh Reichmann After Live
98 2Cellos 2Cellos
97 James Vincent McMorrow Early In the Morning
96 David Lowery The Palace Guards
95 Thurston Moore Demolished Thoughts
94 Dan Mangan Oh Fortune
93 Spank Rock Everything Is Boring and Everyone Is a Fucking Liar
92 Sills & Smith Uncertain Vista
91 Steve Earle I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
90 Lucinda Williams Blessed

Paul McCartney: "My Valentine"

Oh sure, he may be well passed his creative zenith, but it's still an event when Paul McCartney releases a new album.  Circle February 7th for his next, as-of-yet-untitled, record.

You don't have to wait that long to hear some of the new material.  Listen to the first track "My Valentine" here and now:


The new album will include contributions from a star-studded cast that includes Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, and Canada's own Diana Krall.

Justin Townes Earle announces details of "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now"

Proving to be almost as resilient as his dad, Justin Townes Earle is getting right back up after an embarrassing drunken concert knock-down.

Steve's boy is doing it with the announcement of his fourth studio album, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now.  The album has been slated for a March 27th release on Bloodshot Records.

Sarah McLachlan's new Christmas tune "Space On The Couch For Two"

There's something about Sarah McLachlan's voice that makes it well-suited for Christmas songs.

On this new one, "Space On The Couch For Two", McLachlan merely contributes vocals to a song written and arranged by students at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

Watch the video of the song here:

Woodpigeon announce new EP "For Paolo"

Calgary's Woodpigeon is returning with a new release.  The EP, For Paolo, has been slotted in for a January 24th release.

Check out the video for the title track:

Ophelia Syndrome: "All Things Forgotten"

All Things Forgotten is the debut full length album from Hamilton, ON quintet Ophelia Syndrome, a band who take their name from a popular a condition where you fall in love with a mad Danish prince and then drown 'accidentally'.

The record, fully funded by fans, combines traditional rock and jazz foundations and layers cello, lap steel guitar, keyboards and more over top.  Add in gorgeous vocals and you have a warm sound that is both dynamic and lush.

I wish I had heard it a little sooner.  If I had it may very well have squeaked into my Best Canadian Albums of 2011 list.

Have a listen to the record here:

Margot & the Nuclear So-and-Sos to release "Rot Gut, Domestic"

Apparently not ones to let grass grow beneath their feet, Margot & the Nuclear So-and-Sos have announced that they are returning with their forth studio album.  Rot Gun, Domestic has been scheduled for a March 20th release.

The first single, "Prozac Rock", will be available digitally on January 3rd.

Here's the track list for the album:

Guided By Voices: "Let's Go Eat the Factory" (album review)

It's not like Robert Pollard to do things by the book.  So why should anyone be surprised that the first new Guided By Voices album in 8 years, Let's Go Eat the Factory, hits the streets on New Year's Eve?

This is an exciting release for fans.  Not only does it end a lengthy hiatus, but it sees the reunification of the "classic" GBV line-up of Pollard, Tobin Sprout, Mitch Mitchell, Greg Demos, and Kevin Fennel.

With that comes hope that these more powerful personalities would serve as a filter for Pollard's 'throw-shit-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks' approach to releasing music.

New releases for Dec. 20th: The Everybody

There's not much to speak of in the way of new releases.  This is interesting though:

• Common
• The Everybody (David Lovering & Joey Santiago)
• Jerry Leger- MP3
• Kevin Hearn

Mother Mother give away "Hit Er Miss Christmas"

Vancouver's Mother Mother are wrapping up a very successful 2011 by giving away a Christmas-themed MP3.

Download "Hit Er Miss Christmas" here:

Oak Apple Records to release sampler "Fresh Fruit Vol. Two"

Edmonton-based indie label Oak Apple Records is planning to make a big push for their local scene in 2012.  That all starts with the release of Fresh Fruit Volume Two, a sampler of the scene's artists.

Artists included this time around are: Mad Rataplan, Blunt Force Charm, The World Concave, White Lightning, The Burning Streets, A Troop Of Echoes, Uncle Zygote, DJ Sizlack, Kay There House Builder, Van Funk & the LeBarons, Basic Space, and the one with my favorite name The Bridle Party


The compilation will be available on February 14th.

Cruel Young Heart: "Nighttime Glow"

Cruel Young Heart are another Vancouver band with a recently released debut EP under their belts.  The group tend towards dance-influenced pop which should appeal to fans of groups like Dragonette or The Killers.

Have a taste with this live performance of their song "Nighttime Glow" from The Troubadour.


I'm not sold on the vintage Loverboy red pants, but it's definitely a statement.

No Sinner: "Boo Hoo Hoo" (video)

Vancouver band No Sinner deliver a jolt of blues rock with their debut music video for the track "Boo Hoo Hoo".

Watch it here:


The band are currently working on an EP that should be out in March.

This week's entertainment picks: Santa!

There is very little in terms of musical entertainment going on in Toronto this week.  With Christmas coming up, you can catch the Canadian Brass at Roy Thompson Hall.

But my recommendation is to stay in and enjoy time with your loved ones.

...also this week:

Toronto concerts announced this week: The Magnetic Fields, Tool

Here's a look at the few concerts that were announced for Toronto this week:

The Strumbellas

• Rich Aucoin, The Drake, Jan 13
• Tycho, Wrongbar, Jan 14
• Monster Truck, Horseshoe Tavern, Jan 20
• Wale, The Phoenix, Jan 20
• Tool, Air Canada Centre, Jan 25
• Charming Ruins, Cadillac Lounge, Jan 27
• John Kameel Farah, El Mocambo, Jan 28
• Emma-Lee, Lee's Palace, Feb 9
• The Funk Hunters, Great Hall, Feb 11
• Adam Cohen, Mod Club, Feb 11
• The Strumbellas, The Rivoli, Feb 17
• Slow Club, Rivoli, Feb 19

Playlist Of The Week: Christmas songs

I'm excited.  Are you excited?  I can feel Christmas in the air.  Soon we'll all be tearing into stockings and praying for snow, for one day at least.

Get in the mood with my Christmas playlist.  There are plenty of classics, ranging by everyone from The Pogues and The Flaming Lips to Bing Crosby and Mahalia Jackson.

Enjoy it all here.

The Wooden Sky get set to release "Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun"

Toronto roots-rock group The Wooden Sky have put the finishing touches on their new studio album.  The record, Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun, is the band's third full length and it will come out on February 28th.

The Wooden Sky play the Opera House in Toronto on April 20th.

The Strumbellas poised to release debut album

From lovely Lindsay, ON comes the roots septet The Strumbellas.  The group are all set to release their debut full length, My Father and The Hunter, on February 21st.

Check out the in-studio video for promising track "Bird":

More To Explore: Ian Foster, Chocolate Robots

Ian Foster
For those who like: Al Tuck, Spirit Of The West

Newfoundland singer/songwriter Ian Foster has an exceptional new album The Evening Light.  This roots record is drenched in Canadiana.  With fiddle and banjo popping up, you can almost taste the salty air on "Calendar".  Foster's far from a one-trick pony though, as the bluesy turn on "The First Day" attests.

Watch "Deep Dark Night" here:

Anya Marina: "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas"

Singer Anya Marina releases her new album Felony Flats on February 14th.  Just because she's chosen Valetine's Day doesn't mean there's no room for Christmas cheer as well.

Listen to her cover of "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" here:
Anya Marina 'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas' by ATL REC

The Ting Tings reveal details of new album "Sounds From Nowhere"

It's been a while since The Ting Tings made a splash as iPod commercial superstars, but they've finally gathered themselves and are returning with a new album.  The record, Sounds From Nowhere, will hit North American shores on March 6th.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Silence
• Hit Me Down Sonny
• Hang It Up
• Give It Back
• Guggenheim
• Soul Killing
• One by One
• Day To Day
• Help
• In Your Life

Best of 2011: miscellaneous albums

Usually I would follow-up yesterday's Best EPs of the year post with one of the top 10 miscellaneous albums (b-sides, live records, remixes, tributes, soundtracks, etc).  This year though I had a real problem coming up with 10 titles that I would recommend.

So instead you get five:
5. Various- Germs of Perfection: A Tribute To Bad Religion
4. Screaming Trees- Last Words: The Final Recordings
3. Various- SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album
2. The Twilight Singers- Live In New York
1. Various- Rave On Buddy Holly

Avoid: She & Him- A Very She & Him Christmas; Scott Weiland- The Most Wonderful Time of the Year; Rah Rah- Breaking Hearts Rahmixes; Johnny Cash- Bootleg Vol 3- Live Around The World; Kate Bush- Director's Cut; Radiohead- TKOL RMX 1234567

Rococode set to release debut "Guns, Sex and Glory"

BC art-school indie pop outfit Rococode have revealed that they will be releasing their debut album on February 7th.  The record will be called Guns, Sex and Glory.

Check out this performance of the album tracks "Ghost I" and "Ghost II":

Sing It Forward - Rococode ft. St. James Music Academy from Vancouver Is Awesome TV on Vimeo.

Here's the track list for the album:

The Shins return with new album "Port Of Morrow"

After dabbling in things that aren't nearly as good, such as Broken Bells, James Mercer is returning to what he does best with the announcement of a new album from indie pop heavyweights The Shins.

The new record, titled Port Of Morrow, has been penciled in for a March release.  An exact release date and tour schedule should be coming in the next little while.

Here's the track list for the new album:

Charming Ruins: "Reckless Abandon EP"

Charming Ruins are a hard-rocking duo from Peterborough, ON.  The band combines ferocious psychedelia with gritty blues rock on their debut EP Reckless Abandon (which comes out Friday).

Hear a sample with the lead track "Can't Stop Loving You":


Charming Ruins play the Silver Dollar in Toronto on December 30th and the Cadillac Lounge on January 27th.

Dress Rehearsal: "River Blue"

Dress Rehearsal are a Toronto-based rock quartet.  They recently released a new single The Lazy River Road which features the tracks "River Blue" and "Morning Grey".

Check out "River Blue" here:

The Barr Brothers: "Dear Mrs. Claus"

Here's yet another holiday treat for you, this time courtesy of Montreal's The Barr Brothers.  They recorded this yuletide original, "Dear Mrs. Claus", with some assistance from Polaris winner Patrick Watson.

Check it out:

Best of 2011: EPs

It's time to look back at the year that was once again.

I've always thought it was unfair to lump EPs and full length albums into the same ranking scheme.  It's far easier to come up with 4-6 great songs than it is to come up with 10-12.  Hence I break out the EP for a top 10 list of their own every year.

Here are my favorite EPs of 2011:

10. Said The Whale- New Brighton
9. Broken Bells- Meyrin Fields
8. Whitebrow- All's Still Before the Storm
7. The Cautioneers- Where We Are
6. The Decemberists- Long Live The King
5. The Schomberg Fair- Mercy
4. Yukon Blonde- Fire/Water
3. Revolver- Parallel Lives
2. Black Devils Brigade- 3 Miles Long, 66 Feet Wide

1. Freedom Or Death- Ego 

Honourable mentions: Andrea Caswell, Teenage Kicks, Data Romance, The Murder Act, The Watson Twins

Canadian acts are in red.

Magnetic Fields to release new album "Love At The Bottom Of The Sea"

Few bands release concept albums as eclectic as The Magnetic Fields.  69 Love Songs is still one of my very favorite listens, from top-to-bottom.

On March 6th they take another stab at it with their 10th studio album The At The Bottom Of The Sea.

The Magnetic Fields play the Sound Academy in Toronto on March 30th.

Here's the track list for the album:

Young Coconut: "Wrongin' The Rights"

Young Coconut is the new project from Dave Fox (Lazu Lie, Childebeast).  The Ontario-native has put the finishing touches on his new album Wrongin' The Rights.

The record is a 9-track effort, brimming with eclectic lo-fi pop.  Many of the songs are quite busy and should appeal to those who like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Listen to "Cunninglinguist" here:

Liam Titcomb: "Silver Bells" (stream)

Let's keep rolling with the Christmas music.  This one comes from Toronto singer/songwriter Liam Titcomb.

Listen to his "Silver Bells" here:
Liam Titcomb - Silver Bells by nettwerkmusicgroup

Christmas comedy songs from Denis Leary and Norm MacDonald

Nothing says Christmas like comedy, am I right?

Denis Leary has stepped up this year with his new Christmas song "Merry F#%$ng Christmas".  Watch the video here:

New release(s) for Dec 13th: VCMG, Young Galaxy

VCMG

If the stream of new music releases slowed to a trickle last week, then this week it's a drip.  Here's what's on tap:

• Tori Amos
• Martha Berner
• VCMG
• Young Galaxy

Hooded Fang's D. Alex Meeks is Holiday Rambler (video)

Adding a South American twist to folk music is Holiday Rambler, the moniker for D. Alex Meeks of Hooded Fang.  He's releasing his debut album, with the unwieldy title There Is No End To The World, And Nothing Can Shatter The Earth (I'm not sure that's the correct spot for a comma to be placed), on February 14th.

Grab the first track "Dogwood" here:

Edgefest '12 line-up, ticket details revealed

Death From Above 1979

Details of the 2012 edition of Edgefest have been announced.  The show will go down at Downsview Park on July 14th.  Tickets go on sale Friday at 10:00am.

The main stage consists of Billy Talent, Death From Above 1979, Silversun Pickups, The Sheepdogs, USS, The Pack A.D., The Dirty Heads, and Young The Giant.  While there's some good stuff mixed in there with the commercial alternative, the side stage is once again more impressive.

The City Streets give away new EP

Montreal's The City Streets are giving away a new free EP beginning today.  Decline Of The West is apparently inspired by krautrock bands such as Neu! and Can.

You can get the download from Clamour Records.

This week's entertainment pick: Not So Silent Night

Things are really slowing down this week as the holidays approach.  Here's your best bet for the week:

"New Noise Live: Not So Silent Night", The Garrison, Dec 15
Pack three great Canadian indie bands, Young Rival, The Coppertone, and Sandman Viper Command, into one evening and you have a solid way to usher in the Christmas season.

...also this week:

Toronto concerts announced this week: Los Campesinos!, Yukon Blonde, Ani Difranco

Here's a rundown of the concerts announced for Toronto during the past week:

• The Flatliners, Sneaky Dee's, Dec 15
• Mord Fustang, Sound Academy, Dec 31
• Iconoclast, Hard Rock Cafe, Jan 21
• Los Campesinos!, Lee's Palace, Jan 21
• Los Campesinos!, Lee's Palace, Jan 22
• The Swellers, Sneaky Dee's, Jan 27
• Cass McCoombs, The Garrison, Jan 27
• The Darkness, The Phoenix, Feb 1
• Asteroid Galaxy Tour, The Hoxton, Feb 6
• Mike Doughty, Drake, Feb 23
• Punch Brothers, Lee's Palace, Feb 28
• Bombay Bicycle Club, Mod Club, Mar 1
• moe., Mod Club, Mar 6
• Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Massey Hall, Mar 21
• John K. Samson, Great Hall, Mar 23

CMW: the 2012 line-up so far

The 2012 edition of Canadian Music Week and it's accompanying and needlessly self-branded Canadian Music Fest take place in Toronto March 21-25.

A big batch of artists have been announced.  Along the usual Canadian favorites (like Ben Caplan, Graydon James, and Domestic Crisis Group) there are some intriguing international acts, among them this year Fanfarlo and Sara Lowes.

The one I'm really looking forward to are New Zealand's Avalanche City.  If you haven't heard "Love Love Love" you need to hear this:

Playlist Of The Week: Best Canadian record of 2011

I began running down my year end best of lists this week and one of them was best Canadian albums of 2011 (here).  I thought it was a good time to give you all a taste of my favorite records with a corresponding Playlist.

Check out my playlist for my favorite Canadian records here.

The National & Neko Case @ the Air Canada Centre (live review)

The National just continue to march into bigger and bigger venues in Toronto.  On Thursday night it was the Air Canada Centre, albeit in 'theatre mode'.

In a nearly Spinal Tap moment, the band were shown making their way from the dressing room on the big screen.  Once they finally managed the trek the crowd erupted, erasing any doubt that The National could make even a hockey arena seem intimate.

In reality, their performance differed very little from the two Massey Hall shows they did last year (Matt Berninger did his customary trip deep into the audience on "Terrible Love" and escorted people onto the floor before "Sorrow").  The band's sound seems to effortlessly expand to fill the space they are in.

Best of 2011: pleasant surprises

I've looked at the disappointing, album's that aren't necessarily bad, but simply didn't live up to my expectations. It's now time to swing in the opposite direction with the album's for which I had few expectations, but exceeded them.

Urge Overkill- Rock & Roll Submarine
It's hard for even the best bands to take 15 years off and manage to return with a winner.  This isn't the best album of the band's career, but it is a solid effort and yields the killer track "Effigy".  Their live performance was one of the best of the year as well.

R.E.M.- Collapse Into Now
Let's face it, R.E.M. has been a pretty poor recorded band for nearly 20 years now.  However, this record was a semi-return-to-form that helps them go out on an up note.

Iron & Wine- Kiss Each Other Clean
Regular readers will know that I despise boring schlocky melodramatic folk (I'm looking at you Bon Iver).  Usually Iron & Wine falls into that category.  However, there was something fresh and gripping about this record which will land it near the top of my final year end list.

Dave Stewart- The Blackbird Diaries
When I think of terrible music of the '80s The Eurythmics are often in the mixtape my mind creates.  So I was blown away by the honest rawness of Stewart's record.

My Morning Jacket- Circuital
If there's one thing I hate almost as much as boring schlocky melodramatic folk acts it's boring stoner jam bands.  My Morning Jacket have always been on the cusp with me, but on the new album they threw in just enough to plant them firmly on the good side.

More To Explore: The Good Fridays, Medicine Hat

The Good Fridays
For those who like: their prog rock funky

Out of Hamilton/Burlington we get The Good Fridays combine funk and electro rock with a wandering prog rock tendency.  They recently released their High Five EP.

Have a listen to "Mandark" here:

School Of Seven Bells: "The Night" (stream)

As previously reported, School Of Seven Bells release their new album Ghostory on February 28th.  They've posted the first track from the record so fans can get a taste of what's to come.

Listen to "The Night" here:
School of Seven Bells - The Night by Vagrant Records

Kalle Mattson: "Thick As Thieves" video, give away "Anchors" album

Outstanding Sault Ste Marie/Ottawa band Kalle Mattson have released a really cool video for their track "Thick As Thieves" from their sophomore album Anchors.

Watch it here:


To celebrate the success of the video, the band are giving away the entire album for free for a limited time.

Spiritualized to release new album "Sweet Heart Sweet Light"

It seems like it's been forever (it hasn't), but we're on the verge of getting a new album from Spiritualized.  The band will be releasing Sweet Heart Sweet Light on March 19th in the UK.

Some UK dates have been announced, but not much beyond that at this point.

Here's the track list for the record:

Best of 2011: Canadian albums

After yesterday's list of disappointments, let's look at some of the good from the year.  These are my favorite Canadian albums of 2011.

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.

Kara McGraw releases "The Chandelier" for hurricane victims

The latest entry in this year's Christmas song catalogue is from singer/songwriter Kara McGraw.  In this season of giving, she's donating proceeds from the sale of her original song, "The Chandelier" to benefit victims of Hurricane Irene in Vermont.

You can get "The Chandelier" and donate here.

Watch the video for the song here:

Little City: "Sperry"

Toronto indie folk pop outfit Little City are getting set to release a new 7".  The group, with ties to Ohbijou and The Wooden Sky, will release "Sperry/Capt. Kendall" on January 21st.

Grab a download of "Sperry" now.

Little City will hold a release party on January 21st at 918 Bathurst.  A full-blown Canadian tour is being planned to follow in the spring.

Sleigh Bells confirms "Reign Of Terror" details

Sleigh Bells' Treats was one of the most innovative and memorable debuts of 2010.  Last week we saw this teaser that announced that the follow-up Reign Of Terror was on the way:


It's now been confirmed that February 14th will be the release date.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame adds Guns N' Roses, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers

The 2012 class of inductees to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame have been announced.

Entering this year will be:

• Guns N' Roses
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Beastie Boys
• Donovan
• The Faces
• Freddie King
• Don Kirshner
• Cosimo Matassa
• Tom Dowd
• Glyn Johns

A few thoughts:

It will be interesting to see how the entire G n' R induction goes down.  It could be magical, but in all likelihood it will be an absolute circus.

Amy Winehouse: "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" (album review)

It seems that every time we lose an artist we inevitably get inundated with posthumous albums, often of dubious quality.  The latest is Lioness: Hidden Treasures, from Amy Winehouse.

Now, Winehouse wasn't exactly prolific just before her untimely (but sadly not unanticipated) death back in July.  As a result, this record cobbles together odds and sods that include alternate versions, covers, and half-composed originals.  It's should come as no surprise then that the songs are of widely varying quality.

Most Disappointing Albums of 2011

It's that time of year again.  Time to start the annual list-making.  I decided this year to kick it off with the negative lists, so as to end the year on a happy note.

Today I bring you my most disappointing albums of the year.  These aren't necessarily the worst albums of the year (that would be Living With Lions), simply the one's I expected far more from.

10. Radiohead- King Of Limbs
Count me among those who like most of what Radiohead has done in the last decade has been disappointing. I keep waiting and hoping for something with a spark, but I'm always disappointed by uninspired self-indulgent rubbish.


9. TV On The Radio- Nine Types of Light
After blowing fans away with intense records, they return with this half-hearted effort.

8. Arctic Monkeys- Suck It And See
A once promising band slips further and further into irrelevance.

7. The Strokes- Angles
After a slew of solo albums it's becoming clear that this band may be better as individuals (except the wretched Julian Casablancas).

6. Wire- Red Barked Tree
It's sad when a legendary band hangs around too long.  At least we still have Mission Of Burma.

The Bandana Splits: "Wonderful Christmas Time" (MP3/video)

Okay, Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time" may very well be the absolutely worst, most annoying Christmas song ever written.  Fortunately, the Bandana Splits manage to salvage it with their cover (download here).

Watch the video here:

Andrew Bird set to release "Break It Yourself"

Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird has announced the release of his next studio album.  The record, Break It Yourself, comes out on March 6th in North America.

He's posted a teaser video for the album.  Have a listen and watch here:

Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself - Violin from Mom+Pop on Vimeo.

If you purchase tickets for his upcoming tour (sorry, no Toronto date yet), you'll receive a digital copy of the new album (delivered on March 6th) and a pair of live EPs.

The Darcys: "Don't Bleed Me" (video)

Toronto rockers The Darcys have an impressive new video for their track "Don't Bleed Me".  In fact, it could easily be a trailer for a Hollywood summer action blockbuster.

I can't figure out exactly what's going on, but the closest that I can figure is the main characters are abandoning their kid as they try to flee the city's impending destruction.  Seems like a pair of horse's asses to me.

Check it out here:

The Black Keys: "El Camino" (album review)

There are few success stories like that of The Black Keys.  Always a very good-to-great band, they have exploded in the last couple of years, seemingly without having to do anything they weren't going to do anyway.  It's as though the World were finally ready for them.

Now the World is ready for El Camino, the duo's seventh studio album and arguably the last meaningful release of 2011.  Mega-producer Danger Mouse was behind the console on this latest effort.

The first thing that strikes you about the new album is that production.  Many of the studio tricks that were layered on the Grammy-winning Brothers have been stripped away.  Not that this album is thin on sound.  Quite the contrary, it is a very vibrant and robust record.  However, there's an efficiency to the arrangements and production.  There are no wasted sounds.  Every element has a purpose.  

New releases for Dec. 6th: The Black Keys, The Cure

It's not the barest week of the year for new music releases, but it's not far off.  You can get these however:

• Chris Bartels
• The Black Keys
• Bleached
• Boris
• Chevelle
• The Cure
• Neil Diamond
• Goldmund
• Great Aunt Ida
• Korn
• Loves It!
• Mike Posner
• Rammstein
• The Roots
• Amy Winehouse

Mark Lanegan Band: "The Gravedigger's Song" (MP3)

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the growly god himself, Mark Lanegan, would be releasing his new album, Blues Funeral, on February 7th.  Now he's giving away the first track from that record.

Sign up for your free download of "The Gravedigger's Song" here:

Of Montreal reveal details of "Paralytic Stalks"

Always elaborate and wacky, Of Monteal have unveiled details of their next studio album.  The record, Parlytic Stalks, will arrive on February 7th.

Hopefully the band has something new up there sleeve, since from where I sit their act has begun to wear a little thin.

We knew it was coming since the first track "Wintered Debts" has been floating around the internet for several weeks.  Speaking of "Wintered Debts", you can listen to that track here:

Plants And Animals to release "The End Of That", stream new song "Lightshow"

Montreal indie trio Plants And Animals have snuck up on me with the news of their third full length album.  The record, The End Of That, has been slated for a February 28th release.

Listen to the first track, "Lightshow", here:
Plants and Animals - Lightshow by SecretCityRecords

Tour dates are expected to be announced shortly.

Doll: "The Ragdoll Diaries" (mini-review)

It's rare nowadays that I get a record that gives me that good old screeching metal jolt that everyone (in my estimation anyway) needs from time-to-time.  I certainly get that from The Ragdoll Diaries, the sophomore album from Ottawa quartet Doll.

The band melt are a relentlessly hard-driving metal machine, with razor-sharp punk arms and hefty grunge legs welded onto it.  The breakneck pace of "If I Could" and the take-no-shit first single "FMO" are powered by the vocals of Christina Kasper, who's defiant and forceful style is equal parts Kat Bjelland and Kittie.

If you don't dig Doll's absolutely vicious rendition of Billy Idol's "White Wedding", then you just don't like hard music.  This is not music for the tender-eared.

Verdict: Buy It

This week's entertainment picks: The National w. Neko Case, Tokyo Police Club w. Born Ruffians and Said The Whale

Any number of great shows could qualify as solid picks this week (Ryan Adams, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, etc), but I had to narrow it down, so here are my concert recommendations for the week:

The National w. Neko Case and Wye Oak, Air Canada Centre, Dec 8
Wow, how The National have taken off.  They've been great as I've seen them in increasingly large venues.  We'll see how they handle the cavernous ACC.  Oh yeah, Neko Case is no slouch either.

Tokyo Police Club w. Born Ruffians and Said The Whale, The Phoenix, Dec 8, 9, & 10
If you prefer your killer triple bills to be Canadian, then it's Tokyo Police Club with Born Ruffians, and the sleeper of the night Said The Whale, during this three night stand.

...also this week:

Toronto concerts announced this week: The Black Keys, Kasabian, Real Estate

Here's a quick recap of some of the concerts announced for Toronto this week:

Kasabian

• Thomas Gold, Kool Haus, Dec 31
• Hospitality, Drake, Jan 10
• Real Estate, Lee's Palace, Jan 20
• Jim Gaffigan, Massey Hall, Jan 21
• Fujiya & Miyagi, Wrongbar, Jan 24
• Joe Henry, Hugh's Room, Jan 30
• Asteroid Galaxy Tour, The Hoxton, Feb 6
• Deep Purple, Massey Hall, Feb 12
• English Dogs, Opera House, Feb 14
• Die Antwoord, The Phoenix, Feb 14
• Veronica Falls, The Garrison, Feb 15
• Heartless Bastards, Horseshoe Tavern, Feb 20
• The Black Keys w. Arctic Monkeys, Air Canada Centre, Mar 14
• Bowerbirds, The Garrison, Mar 27
• Kasabian, The Phoenix, Mar 29

Playlist Of The Week: "Black" bands

With Christmas fast approaching everything is going to be sunshine and lollipops.  So I thought I'd go dark this week.  The songs aren't necessarily depressing, but the bands all have the word 'black' in their name.

So check out everything from classics like Black Sabbath, Black Flag, and Big Black, to some of today's big names such as The Black Keys and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.  You may find some forgotten gems too, like Shaun Ryder's Black Grape.

Listen to it here.

Josephine The Outlaw King

Josephine The Outlaw King is an ambitious multi-media project from artist Jeannette Louise Kantzalis.  The project consists of a novel, and accompanying album and videos.

The novel, Kantzalis' debut, follows the story of Josephine (duh).  A middle-aged woman, she's left for dead by a jealous ex.  Instead of passing quietly, she rises up to seek her vengeance.  And so the saga begins.

The accompanying album, composed by Kantzalis and credited to A Brokeheart Pro, is a collection of hard-driving, toe-tapping rock songs.

It all sounds like a lot of fun (well as much fun as blood-thirsty revenge can be), and will be available February 14th, making it the perfect Valentine's Day gift for any loved ones with odd ideas of romance.

Actual Water announce new album "The Paisley Orchard"

Toronto lo-fi pop outfit Actual Water are back after a long absence.  The band of York U. grads will release their new album, The Paisley Orchard, on January 24th, nearly four years after hitting the scene.

Check out the video for "La Violence sure Les Champs-Élysées" here: