THE SERIES: #1
This is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s list time.
I’ve been browsing the various lists posted by various tastemakers, online and otherwise, and reflecting myself about what I think my list would look like. I’ve come to a few conclusions. One is that I don’t really agree with most of the consensus picks, and the other is that I’m not even sure I could come up with a good list myself. It’s been a strange year for me listening to music. I had trouble really getting into some stuff that was well reviewed (Fleet Foxes), and enjoyed some others without getting overly aroused (TV on the Radio).
It has, however been a pretty strong year for Toronto artists. I spent much of the year obsessing over
Tiny Mirrors by
Sandro Perri (it was released in 2007, but I didn‘t get it until the end of that year). Here are some other notes on stuff I loved out of Toronto:
Ryan Driver's Feeler of Pure Joy was a revelation. It is neither easy nor difficult listening, which suits me perfectly. The lyrics are really good, and I was struck by the range of sounds and ideas flowing through each song. Definitely one of the best and most interesting this year.
Tracker by
Nick Zubeck is a striking studio offering from one of my favourite live bands going. There is a wonderful ebb and flow to this sonic adventure. There are instantly classic songs for the short attention span set, and slow burners for folks with deeper listening motives. The musicians on this record are some of the best in Toronto (including Nick, of course).
The first full band release by
Olenka & the Autumn Lovers is a collection of haunting ballads and waltzes. There is an eastern European influence here along with Waitsian sensibilities. This is one of those albums that, like, if it was playing in the background at a bar that you’re at would make you go “Hey. Who are these guys you have on right now?”
Lastly, even though
Hayden is a bigger name than some the artists mentioned above, I’m a bit confused as to why
In Field and In Town doesn’t seem to be on any best of lists that I’ve seen. Is it because it was released in January, and everyone forgot about it? Hayden is one of the most referred to artists in these parts anytime you talk about honest to goodness great song writing. He’s practically royalty in that context. And he put out his BEST album! I just thought we might be talking about that a little more. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe, like our parents still insist on going to Eagles concerts, and claim that some of their new material is actually really great, I’m getting stuck in my ways and don’t like all these new-fangled bands that just aren’t as good as the old days (mid 90’s to early 00’s). Well that may or may not be the case, but since I was thinking about lists and a time when stuff was really awesome, I thought I’d take a look back at a couple of special years as a music fan. Here are a couple of lists from the Marcotte Year End Archive:
2000
1. Kid A by Radiohead
2. Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
3. Stankonia by Outkast
4. The Moon and Antarctica by Modest Mouse
5. Hour of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
6. The Sophtware Slump by Grandaddy
7. And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out by Yo La Tengo
8. Bow Down To The Exit Sign by David Holmes
9. American III by Johnny Cash
10.XTRMNTR by Primal Scream
2002
1. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
2. () by Sigur Ros
3. The Private Press by DJ Shadow
4. Phrenology by The Roots
5. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
6. Sea Change by Beck
7. National Skyscraper Park by Hayden
8. Yanqui U.X.O. by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
9. Original Pirate Material by The Streets
10.Murray Street by Sonic Youth
How awesome are those lists!?? Feel free to post your list for 2008 (or other) in the comments section.