...ergo: February 25th works for everyone?

i'd have to vote for march over this saturday, as i have another commitment that night (don't you too, derek?). i'm pretty good for most fridays and saturdays throughout feb or march.

Hey morning glories, what's the story? Is this thing on for Saturday or not? If we're going to use the blog as a conduit please keep it up to date.

This Saturday is great for me.

In going through previous blogs it looks like this Saturday January 28, February 4 and 25th are the only possibles outside of pushing it back to March. I'm good for any of the above.

RE CD club dates; a saturday night or wait for march???what do you guys prefer?? Im flexible
s

hey there...ufortunately, i can't do this friday. i won't be back from phoenix until saturday....

like i said, if it ain't February 9, 10 or the weekend of the 18th, i'm in....don't know how much music i'll have to bring by Friday, but i'll make up for it in beer....consumption that is.

CD club this friday 27th january???? still waiting for confirms from Kyle and marc

That Brian, he’s such a clever little lad! Here’s the perfect opportunity to ask Al in person. I hear he is playing at an intimate little venue just west of Toronto. …I can just see it now…Brian standing in the back of the room, pint in hand…HEY AL! WHAT THE H…

What the hell is a "morning form a Bogart movie" anyway? All of Bogey's films (well, not all nut I don' think he's talking about Treasure of Sierra Madre here) were set at night. They didn't call it Film Noir for nothin'.

On a morning from a Bogart movie
In a country where they turn back time
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre
Contemplating a crime

Could I show up just to hear Time Passages and then leave? I'm out of the country on those dates so I have a built in excuse. I would still like to see a show at some point at Hugh's Room however so keep trying Stuart.

This Friday is OK for me.

Please ignore my previous inquiry re shuffling songs. Found 'er.

Stu, re Al Stewart, no thanks. And now I have Year of the Cat playing constantly in my head you bastard.

This Friday for CD Club would be my first choice so let's hope that y'all can do it.

OK dont throw stones at me a polite decline is acceptable....Al Stewart is playing HUghs room April 7th , 8th and I was a big fan back some years ago and its a great venue if you have not been....You eat dinner and watch the show from your table...20 feet away from the stage...you are home by midnight...It is very civilized (its a venue Yvette loves) Anyone wanting to bring wives along ....?
Yvette and I will probably go to this one.....let me know ...$35.00 per head
s

marc is unavailable on the 10th,,,bookclub the week after, Im away the weekend after....sooooo Im OK this friday or we have to shift it to a Saturday night or march....Im oK with any of that...
s

Stu - I'm a possible for the 3rd but would prefer this Friday (Jan 27) or Feb 10th, reason being that my mother in law, visiting from Australia, is leaving the night of the third, so that's a hectic time. Hopefully we can all move it one way or the other but if you can't you can't.

Well, I've got 700 songs on my iPod and am playing away - it is great technology- but haven't figured out how to shuffle songs. So Kyle I'm interested in your last e-mail. A brief description would be most helpful (we can go off-line if you're concerned about boring the other bloggeres......hah!) - amazingly I couldn't find it through the on-line help, but then again I realized last night I was looking at the help for the nano and I have the iPod30. Blah blah.

I'm in for February 3rd, Stuart. Thanks for taking on the hosting duties. I'll brave the 45 minute streetcar glide along Queen St. by listening to some of the great, free podcasts I've subscribed to over the past year. To do this, Brian, you click on the 'Music Store' in Itunes, then the 'Podcast' text link that appears on the left, beneath the 'Choose Genre' drop down menu.

Once you 'subscribe' to the podcasts of your choice, every time a new show is available, it will automatically download whenever you have your itunes software open and then will sync to your ipod each time you sync. Some of the podcasts I enjoy: CBC Radio 3, KCRW's The Treatment, and NPR: All Songs Considered.

Another fun tip for using the ipod is to use the 'shuffle songs' feature that plays songs randomly, which can be fun if you have several thousand songs on your player and get to hear, probably for the first time in history, a Maria Callas aria followed by 'The Sporting Life' by the Decemberists followed by 'Blasphemous Rumours' by the recently much discusssed DM, followed by 'Round Midnight' by the Derek's suggested artist MD in a fifteen minute span.

Happy listening.

Barry Manilow is about the same age as my dad and there he was prancing about on television the other night with that same bleach bond perm and leather togs like he was still 25 and singing Mandy for the gazillionth time. I'd rather listen to my dad sing.

I'm in for February 3rd.

Ok...how is friday Feb 3 ...( no barry manilou since no positive response..)
s

I'm good for your place too Stu. My new location next to the subway makes the whole "west" thing much more do-able. Though, make no mistake, compared to us (left-wing) city folk, you are essentially a 905-er.

Count me in for a CD club at your place Stuart. I think we've scheduled the next book club for Thursday February 16 so we can probably rule out that week as you'll all no doubt be taking your sweethearts out for dinner on the Tuesday night.

The Depeche Mode song you heard might have been "Precious" which is a pretty fine song.

Brian, if you're looking to fill up that iPod and quickly you could probably do worse than start with Miles Davis 6CD set "The Cellar Door Sessions" from 1970 and just released at the end of last year.

I'd be up for a gathering at your place, Stuart...it's not that far...it's not as if it's Oakville! The only days i am not available are, at this point, February 9, 10 and the weekend of the 18th.

There is this song Ive been hearing recently which sounds just like a hit 80's song ....but I think it is current as there is just a hint of a contemporary feel to it and I thought I heard the dj say Depeche Mode....if it is ....its the the only time I can remember a comeback song that is really good and sounds exactly how they used to sound 20 years ago....Anyone think of another example...?
with such a long span between....??

RE the cd club....I offer my place if you feel up to the trudge westward..but if you want to do it more centrally I understand.....however....I can promise a nice hot fire....french red wine...candlelight....perhaps a little Barry Manilow...you know ..."Weekend in new England".....ahhhhhh yes.... oh sorry lads!! Axel Rose it is then...

Really Mark?!! Jack Johnson the boxer from the tw - oh, right, the other Jack Johnson. The surfer dude with the silky voice. Nice job on the top ten, makes my year, and my exercise in list-building, look even more dull. Which sadly, it appears that it was. But never fear, there is no chance of a diminished appetite chez BD - I've found that my appetite for all things cultural is if anything growing every year, inversely related to my access to free time (not just a coincidence). So here's to 2006.

And on that note, I finally got my iPod up and running last night and the future is mine. Very exciting. Now I need approximately one thousand recommendations from each of you (so get working on it).

Re CD club, and me hosting it, truth is that until the little bastard, or pardon me, the wee bairn, starts going to bed a bit earlier - he's already sleeping through the night so I'm not complaining - holding it chez me is not a great option. I'll do the next one. This time 'round, why don't one of you other dudes take it on and I will be there with bells on.

Thanks for the props on the comp, marc. Glad you liked it. Also, good to have you back!

I hope that I don't lose my enthusiasm for new and interesting music as I age. So far it hasn't happened but then some would argue that I haven't necessarily matured with age yet either. I go through phases where I don't listen to much new music and other times where I'm listening to something new every day. October through December were big music months, where I downloaded and listened to close to 30 albums (legally) and almost 400 tracks. I do the same thing with movies and books. Sometimes I think a person needs those down times to better appreciate those up times. Just don't focus too much energy on work....you'll betray the essential thread which binds us to this blog and the cd club: enjoying that which isn't work.

Kind of agree with you with respect to BSS. I'm hesitant to use the word 'disappointed' but, after 3 or 4 listens, I'm not taking to it as quickly as I did 'You Forgot it in People'. I'm hoping that this will change with repeated listenings. The problem with a followup to a great album like 'YFIIP' or Moby's 'Play' is that the artist can either try to recreate the same sound or structure as the great album (ie. '18', which has always sounded to me like a B-sides companion to 'Play') or opt for a different direction altogether (ie. The Strokes' 'House on Fire'). BSS opted for something more inventive and while I'm not sure that it works, I do respect the effort. Also have to agree with Brian re: the 'Pavement' track which is good but comes across as a lesser 'Summer Babe' than an homage to, or titular 'dream' about, the 90s band's sound. Also, has anyone here ever seen them live? Sarah and I were speculating that one of their concerts would probably be more enjoyable for the band than the audience (ie. an extended, self-involved jam session). Is this an unfair assumption?

Stuart, ah dinnae ken ye gave tha rite cheek ta Derek, ye gormless numptie.

"Ah've nivir seen tha lek..." was what you should have said. I suggest you pick up an Irvine Welsh book to use as a reference for all future posts incorporating Scottish vernacular.

Hey Marc, great to have you back. Nicely done on the year end wrap up as well. I totally agree with you on the latest Metric disc. After one or two listens I was finding it all a bit underwhelming but stick with it and the album really comes together. Much more so than their first one I find. Sorry I can't agree with you on the B.S.S. but that seems to be a disc that is creating rather divisive opinions.

I too am extremely guilty on the Moby front. How is it though that an artist can release a disc where for 12 months you cannot go anywhere without hearing his music and then with 2 subsequent albums I haven't heard a single track?

Feel free to borrow my copy of Nostalgia 77. I've had it for a while and it's very groovy. Shall I bring it tomorrow night?

What, …hunh? Did somebody say something? …sorry sir, could you repeat the question?…school was never this bad…the peer pressure!…marc, have another beer…why are you leaving so soon? you,ve only had six!….marc, when are going to get an mp3 player…a digital camera….a blackberry…high def tv decoder! Marc, when are you going to take some time off work so you can post something on the blog! Marc, when are we going skiing…well, considering the weather, at least I’m off the hook for the skiing.

Ok, ok, so I guess maybe I should make an effort on my top ten of the year before I have to start worrying about buying Christmas presents for 2006.

2005 was a peculiar year for me. In it’s twelve months, I don’t think I ever really got excited about anything other than work….how sad is that? No running, no biking, no climbing, no skiing, and way to little time spent with music, friends and loved ones (in no particular order). Maybe 2006 will see a change in that, although I somehow doubt it.

When I was young, I remember lamenting my father’s growing lack of interest in music over the years and it disturbed me because I could not understand how someone who had such a passion for something could loose it. Over the past few months I have found music taking a back seat in my life as well, and although it’s not as if I don’t have an interest…I just have little time for it…and I don’t even have kids!

So here goes. Since I bought scarcely 10 recordings 2005 my list is going to take on a slightly flavour…but then I always feel the pressure to be unconventional anyway.

#1 indie compilation: “Melodies” by KP? Sweet, energizing, crafted, and soulful. Finishing with Brubeck brought it all back home! Nicely done!

#1 worst highly anticipated compilation that I actually bought : Giles Peterson “digs America” I really expected more from this guy; Britain’s lord of the crates…he digs deep into the bins and usually come up with gems but his year he seems to have come up with a handful of beat up 45’s that were transferred directly to digital. The audio quality on a lot of this stuff blows and although some of the trax do have soul, the comp lacks direction and coherence.

#1 album released by a singer song writer that scored a score of classics over thirty years ago. Bruce Springsteen’s “Devil and Dust” Dark and gritty at times, always genuine and somehow manages to tweak the genre enough to bring new blood to the surface. …indeed, Stuart, a precious few artists are good for more that 10 years!

#1 album featuring an upright bass, violin, French horn, trumpet and a typewriter. Belle Orchestre. The concert at the music gallery blew me away (thanks Derek), and although the album has really strong moments, to me it somehow looses the thread on occasions. The sound is so different that maybe it’s me…I’m not able to stretch myself to fit within the space of the music. I find the production of the album fascinating, but the jury is still out on all the intervening street noise. That having been said, I really have the feeling that I am in an another physical space when I listen to this recording.

#1 Swedish pop rock album that I was able to buy used before it was actually released in Canada: The Shout Out Louds “Howl Howl Gaff Gaff”. Really good solid, driving pop. O.k, it turns a little Cure at times but we can excuse it for that, can’t we? Favourite stupid line from Oh sweatheart: “Someone studies archYtecture, someone works with fabric texture.” What’s that all about?

#1 revisited album: I had picked up Metric “Live It Out” back in the summer and was disappointed in it perhaps only because it was not what I was expecting it to be. The great thing about a year end review is that it forces you to look back at things that you might have overlooked though the year. “Live It Out” is a well structured album with many decent trax. Besides, you have to give cudos to an album that has a track called “Patriarch on a Vespa”

#1 disappointing follow up that I have not yet been able to get my head around: Broken Social Scene. It lacks the sweetness, drive, charm, craft and diversity of “You Have It In People”…I just don’t get it….yet. I’ll give it another try…again. To me it is still just a bunch of noise! I loved YHIIP to death. If it were on vinyl it would be worn out; but this, it just doesn’t click with me as much as I want it to.

#1 new-to-me band/album. Spoon: “Gimme Fiction” This was fresh and exciting. Nothing groundbreaking at all, but well worth listening in a “I want something that I don’t hear on the radio but is not too out there kinda way”

#1 industry discovery of a recording that was hidden deep in the library of congress…I don’t even have to go there do I ?

#1 album from a short bald guy who often deifies himself on stage: Moby. “Hotel” This is really solid stuff, and although it is not as ground breaking as “Play” was, both “18” and “Hotel” are really good offerings of well crafted songs assembled in fluid packages. The problem with creating an album like “Play” is that you set the “inventive” bar so high that few artists ever meet other’s expectations. A shame in a way that an artists work should be disregarded on the merits of it’s not living up to former brilliance.

#1 concert for which I have yet to buy any of the bands music. The Decemberists

#1 album that I have only heard a few trax of…have never seen and certainly do not own a copy of but am sure to pick up before the next get together: Nostalgia77 “The Garden”

#1 comfort food album: Jack Johnson “In Between Dreams” (no Brian, not that Jack Johnson…the other one!). Call it what you will…a guilty pleasure?…I can’t get enough of Jack Johnson. Something about his simple words and easy, melodic guitar… it’s a happy place for me to go, and it takes me there every time I put it on. Jack’s music brings contentedness to my body and soul and wafts of ocean salts and the moistness of air ripped by the breeze from a warm surf . It’s all good when I listen to JJ!
Peace, love and happiness.

metaBeats

weell listen ta tha cheek...Ive never seen the like...

Hey Stuart if you plan on using the Scottish vernacular you should know that bairn, not being French, does not have a trailing "e" and if you want to discuss the size of these bairns then "wee" might work better than we, so dinnae be glaikit.

Since you have the we little bairne...and since I have not seen the house since before the purchase....how about your place Brian?? for la supper club cd
s

Great idea re CD club - I've actually purchased some music in the last few weeks. You know, music is pretty cool.

Oh and somebody wake up Marc!

May I suggest that we schedule a CD club for sometime next month? The last time we got together was in September and anything I can fill in on my calendar that helps me get through January and February is most welcome.

Stormy Monday is the album most often talked about ....but I think a posthumously released well selected double cd would be better....I await optomistically for such a thing...

Any albums of Rawls' that you'd recommend, Stu? The only song of his with which I'm familiar is the one you mentioned. Perhaps with his passing, a new compilation will be released. Which Wayan brother will play him in the biopic?

Lou Rawls died today...,and though some of you may only know him by his big hit "You'll never find.... another love like mine" from the mid 70's ( which is actually a stellar pop/disco track deserving of any dance mix cd)...,he has a backlog of very good R&B/Souls stuff from the 60's which deserves a better compilation then is out there due to changing labels so often in his career. He also deserves better critical attention then is generally given...R.I.P.
see link for more

I wanted to wait until seeing some important films over the holidays before posting. Then I realized that there wouldn't be any important films released this holiday season. Yes, Brokeback Mountain came out in mid-December so technically qualifies as a holiday release but I'm referring to those movies that are usually released on Christmas Day, that I look forward to seeing on December 27th when Sarah and I get back from our family visitations. This year? Bubkus.

I thought that Woody Allen's 'Match Point' was supposed to be released on the 25th but alas, since I do not live in NY or LA, it was not playing at a theatre near me. I guess 'Munich' is supposed to be an important film but the reviews have been pretty mixed thus far.

Okay, I'm rambling about film in a space that's supposed to be about music. Let me just say then:

1) 2005 was a far better year for music than it was for movies, given that I can easily name 10+ 'great' discs but am forced to google my way through different online lists to try to recall even a handful of movies that come close.

2) Movie audiences have to learn to shut the fuck up. Children seem to know this--I recently saw 'Narnia' and 'Harry Potter' and the kids were far better behaved than the adults. But instead of worrying about declining attendance or piracy, those in the movie business should be doing more to muzzle their audiences. And I'm sorry, Varsity Theatre, $12 for a matinee on a Wednesday? Fuck off.

3) Glad you liked 'Aberdeen', Derek. I know you're a big Lena Headey fan and though her pulchritude is nicely showcased in this film, it's also a pretty moving story about a woman's relationship with her father.

4) Here were the best films I saw in 2005, in no particular order:

-Cache´ (Hidden)
-The Squid and the Whale
-Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
-Broken Flowers
-Nobody Knows
-Syriana
-Goodnight and Good Luck
-A History of Violence
-The Ice Harvest
-2046

I haven't seen: Capote, The Constant Gardener, Munich, King Kong or Crash, so it seems odd that I've excluded any of these, that's why.

Finally, the worst piece of crap I couldn't watch 5 minutes of even though I was on a 5 hour flight award goes to: 'Bewitched' Runner-up: 'Elektra' .

Here's the link to the Least Essential Albums of 2005, always a good laugh. And now, no more lists for awhile. I'll try to post some thought-provoking questions and insightful observations. At the very least, I will link to some.

Since I don't see anything that's coming out over the holidays that's likely to knock off any of my fave films from 2005 here's my top 10 in no particular order:

The World
Crash
Me, You and Everyone We Know
Tristram Shandy
Moolaade
Broken Flowers
Syriana
The Squid and the Whale
Good Night and Good Luck
History of Violence

Also enjoyed some films that were not released in 2005: Elephant, Brief Encounter and Aberdeen.

Biggest piece of shit fawned over by the critics: Last Days. No doubt Brian will find it magical.

Forgot to mention the Coltrane/Monk record, outstanding. Plus, yes, I did enjoy the Decembrists record, they're incredibly consistent from release to release. No doubt seeing them live would have sealed their standing for me in '05.

Also forgotten, I really liked the Bjork release in '05 - The Music from Drawing Restraint 9. Not a Bjork record in some ways, but very rewarding mood music.

...I 'd have to say for me its the year of the decemberists....Picaresque for best album and also for best concert at the Pheonix....after that in no order I have a group of ;
Kanye West - Late Registration
Antony & Johnsons - I am a bird now
Monk & Coltrane - Carnegie Hall
Sigor Rios- Takk

Next bests group Rounding out the top 10 would be ;
Sufjan Stevens - Illinios (should have been 7 songs less, but that song about john wayne Gacy gets in the top songs of the year for me)
Broken Social Scene- Tragically both Brian & Derek are wrong with their opinions..the first record is a masterpiece, but this is too aimless & rambling but still a very good record....
Julie Doiron- Goodnight Nobody -The song "When the snow falls in December " this song evoking heartbreak and the early cold november snow.... ya all must have been here at some point ...download the one song if the whole album is too much
Richard Hawley-Coles Corner

Finally 2 reissues...Belle and Sebastians-Push Barman...2 cd set of all singles and eps is pure bliss...I have all the records and thought I had all the good stuff ...but this would be what I would recommend to a neophyte....the most consistent band in the world...
Bill Fay self titled...I am a sucker for 70s sound ..horn section...production values...etc and this cd although it took me 3 or 4 listens has come to be a real favorite...

A final note...this is my last day at work and I dont have access to my email at home so if you want to contact me...its the phone baby ...

I had a lousy listening year as you all know (I've complained about it ad nauseum) due to renovations and baby, but still emerged with a few favourites - all of which you know as well. Nevertheless, in the spirit of inclusiveness, I will add my brief list.

My favourite by far is Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens. I haven't had a connection to a pop record like this for a few years. It seems to me that he creates in his own space, with a musical/psychological idiom that is entirely his own. On Illinoise, the mix of folk, choral, and orchestra, combined with his soft voice made my heart do tricks on almost every track. His mix of supreme earnestness and goofy humour works for me as well (hmm...BD insight, maybe it's because I am also over-earnest and goofy?). It's funny, because I know that I could find the whole package, or certain aspects of it, very irritating, but I find myself caught up in the songs, and unable to criticize even their most cloying elements.

I was quite surprised (a little worried, frankly) to find that Pitchfork was on the same page for 2005: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2005/

Other fave albums for me were:
Teenage Fanclub - Man Made
Paul Motian/Bill Frissell/Joe Lovano - I Have the Room Above Her
Cardinal - re-issue of their 1994 (only) record (great chamber pop).
Bill Charlap - Somewhere (from 2002) - Songs of Leonard Bernstein

First few listens of the Animal Collective sounded very good to me, so I'm hopeful. And I really enjoyed The Woods but haven't listened to it enough yet.

Disappointing albums for me (Have I become very hard to please in the last 12 months?):

- Broken Social Scene - Derek and I disagree, but I find this record (and the previous) somewhat devoid of personality (perhaps too many contributors), with overthought arrangements, and lacking great songs. The song D chose as his fave is a good song, but it sounds almost exactly like Pavement (so what's the point?).

- the New Pornographers - some great songs, but overall the band lacks cohesion, and the generic AOR (ie., CFNY "rock" music) mixes destroy some of its originality for me.

- Xiu Xiu - maybe just not my thing.

Songs I loved - I could pick a bunch form the records I enjoyed (or was disappointed with) above, but never mind. I can think of one that is on an unmentioned album, which is Black Mountain's "No Satisfaction". Great anthemic Lou Reed-inspired number.

Enough for now. Gotta work.

Christmas, Kwanza or Dia de los Muertos, I actually never work so having no excuse for my lamentable posting record here goes:

Songs that had me skipping down the streets of Toronto this year are as follows:

Bright Eyes - Gold Mine Gutted
Broken Social Scene - Ibi Dreams of Pavement
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
Me and You and Everyone We Know S/T - Mirror
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot
Kanye West - Gold Digger
MIA - Galang
Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla
Sufjan Stevens - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us
The Go! Team - Ladyflash
The Mountain Goats - This Year
Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything
Green Day - Jesus of Suburbia
The Clientele - Since K Got Over Me
The New Pornographers - The Bleeding Heart Show
The Decemberists - The Sporting Life

Best Live Show - The Decemberists at the Phoenix

Most Disappointing Show - Wolf Parade at the Shoe with Calexico/Iron & Wine at the Docks coming a close second

Fine Album that registered on nobody's radar (although Kyle is now digging it) - Beck - Guero

2005's version of Brian Wilson's "Smile" - Antony & The Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now (sorry, Stu)

Favourite Album of 2005 (keeping it singular) - Broken Social Scene - Self Titled

Best compilation of previously issued material - Orange Juice - The Glasgow School

Finally 10 solid records most of which wont end up on any year-end best of list:

The Lucksmiths - Warmer Corners
Jaga Jazzist - What We Must
Holopaw - Quit + Or Fight
David Pajo - Pajo
Drumheller - Drumheller
Akron Family - Akron Family
Thee More Shallows - More Deep Cuts
Dave Douglas - Mountain Passages
Tujiko Norkio - From Tokyo To Naiagara (from 2003)
Tinariwen - Amassakoul (from 2004)

Seriously now, what are you people doing? Christmas shopping? Spending quality time with your family? Doing the job your employers pay you good money to do? Good grief!

Well, since I said last week that I would post some year end faves I may as well get that done instead of bitching at others. First, a brief list which probably reiterates those printed in other publications but hey, what can you do if other people have good taste too?

Albums/EPs

'Be' – Common – feel good, groovy, intelligent, poppy, just good
'Late Registration' - Kanye West – sometimes too poppy but enjoyable
'Arular' - M.I.A. – like a shot of adrenaline, recommended for the treadmill
'Illinois' - Sufjan Stevens – doesn’t tire
‘Picaresque’ – Decemberists -
'Feels' - Animal Collective – energetic, inventive, weird, wonderful
'Strange Geometry' - The Clientele – warm bath harmonies, like a lost Byrds record with better sound quality; what Teenage Fanclub would be if they were “great”
'Woman King' - Iron & Wine – Sam Beam’s voice.
'In Case We Die' - Architecture in Helsinki - kind of like the Fiery Furnaces, in more easily digestible (shorter) portions, but with more instruments and singers
‘Black Sheep Boy’ by Okkervil River, another reason why KEXP in Seattle, where I first heard their music, should be replicated in Toronto someway, somehow.

Songs

‘Golddigger’ – Kanye
‘Engine Driver’ – Decemberists
‘Feel Good Inc’/’Dare’ – Gorillaz
‘Sunshowers’ or ‘Hombre’ – M.I.A.
‘On a Holiday’ – Green Day
‘I Turn My Camera On’ – Spoon
‘Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood’ – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
‘Something Beautiful’ – The Real Tuesday Weld
‘Evil’ – Interpol (technically last year’s release but I really only listened to it in 2005 and it’s a song that makes sensible use of the ‘repeat’ button on your cd deck)


Disappointments: 'The Cosmic Game' - Thievery Corporation. I've liked their 3 previous discs but I guess this just seems like more of the same, without any interesting new twists or directions. Thought that appearances by David Byrne and the Flaming Lips on a few tracks would be interesting but these tracks are actually the weakest on the album.

‘Solarized’ – Ian Brown. Though I’ve read others rave about this and I know, Stuart, that you kind of dug it, this is one that never quite did it for me. Maybe it’s because he seems to be doing a pale imitation of his earlier solo and Stone Roses stuff.

Grew on me:

No Title - 'Petra Haden and Bill Frissell' - An album of cover songs which at times can get a little too sugary sweet for my taste (ie. not sure why they chose to redo 'when you wish upon a star'), petra's voice is quite pretty and frissell's arrangements on 'Yellow', 'Satellite' and 'I Believe' make it worthwhile for me.

‘Guero’ – Beck – Sarah bought it and I resisted it for months, even after rave reviews her and Derek but am now digging it large. He’s a great songwriter and this disc is up there with ‘Odelay’, albeit with less distortion and more quieter, straightforward, acoustic numbers.

Old Music but New for Me:

Brian Jonestown Massacre – pretty much all their discs, most notably ‘Take it from the Man’. I wasn’t all that familiar with their music until seeing the documentary ‘Dig!’ this year but have been hooked on their sound ever since. Their jangly, psychedelic rock at times channels the best of the Rolling Stones (without sounding too derivative) and at other times more contemporary bands like Primal Scream and Verve.

‘Remember the Future’ – Creeper Lagoon, a 5-song ep of sweet, dreamy pop songs. Heard one of the tracks while listening to the forementioned KEXP on my laptop in an airport lounge, surfed over to emusic and downloaded the whole thing for a buck and change, then transferred it to my mp3 player for listening on the plane. Music I want, at a reasonable price, in seconds. What this whole digital music—ecommerce thing should be.

‘Madvillainy’ – Madlib & MFDOOM and “Vaudville Villain” – Viktor Vaugh
With thanks to Derek, who leant me these discs. A lot of the tracks stop just when they’re getting going but somehow I love the smooth, rhythmic delivery of both MCs, the sometimes strange but effective mix of drum and accordion samples, old b-movie clips, and scratching, the humourous pop culture references. Hip hop that’s more geared to lounging on the couch than it is to the dance floor.

That's all for now. Back to work.

Where can I sue this Eastern European no-hoper? He was obviously listening to me sing in the shower earlier this week and is just blatantly hoping to cash in. It makes Ian Curtis' original sound like Dusty Springfield.

It's the year of Mariah? I thought this year was all about punk-rock throat singers doing cover songs? Think I'm talking smack? Then listen to Albert Kuvezin's cover of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" which to me sounds a bit like a drunk Henry Kissinger trying to channel Ian Curtis.

I'm pretty much in sync with the Grammy people. This has been Mariah's year and let nobody tell you different.

As for MMJ I've never owned anything by them and despite liking a song here and there have never felt impelled to make an album purchase. They do seem to be getting a lot of hype for this latest however so take the plunge.

Has anybody heard the new My Morning Jacket disc? It's getting tons and tons of hype, raves, kudos, esteem, acclaim, praise, laudatory press...you get the picture...and I was wondering if it measures up?

Also, the end of 2005 fast approaches...what were your faves of the year? Overall, I think it was a pretty damn good year for indie/alternative music, with some pretty good releases from artists with which I was previously familiar (Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Sleater-Kinney), and from artists I only discovered this year (M.I.A., Okkervil River, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). I've tipped my hand already with some of those that would make my top list so rather than come up with a list that will closely resemble what you'd see in exclaim, pitchfork, others, I'll try to come up with some more interesting categories. Hold your breath...now!

(Also, it's been at least a week since the last post. Don't tell me you people are actually working! Get off your ass and type something in here).

i've created a monster!

list/link mania continues....

here's one i discovered today that posits the 33 hottest bands in canada. lots of interesting links to other blogs as well as artists sites.

you are probably not interested in the Issac Hayes ....I just got a little excited about this links function Kyle taught me......Ill try to keep it in control ....
oops

Thanks Kyle ...check out this Issac hayes

btw derek....looks like itunes has that imogen heap cd for $9.99, which is probably cheaper than what they had it for at hmv.

i read that pitchfork article a few weeks back and had lots of chuckles. a friend of mine actually played the 'heintje' record (featured on the first page) last year at a dinner party and the groupo nearly wet itself in laughter. the track he played, 'i'm your little boy' features heintje softly whispering the words, 'mama, i love you' during the bridge.

as for digging through the silly album covers in my own collection:

one of the first albums i owned was heart's 'magazine', which features the silly ass cover listed here. love pavement but always thought the cover for 1995's 'wowee zowee' was particularly stupid. actually, i could be here for awhile this is kind of like shooting fish in a barrel...

have you ever not bought an album because of the cover? i guess in the age of downloading this is becoming less of an issue but it did happen to me once this year. i'd heard a couple of tracks from the NYC-based group, Brazilian Girls and was interested in picking up the disc but refused when I saw this cover. I was kind of on the fence about the album and looking at the cover, felt that I'd probably regret the purchase in the very near future; it was as if they seemed less like musicians and more like a bunch of jackasses messing around with some sounds and coming up with something that sounded good to me on first listen but maybe wasn't worth my time.

question: what are the coolest album covers of all time?

abbey road and dark side of the moon immediately come to mind are of course classics. another of the first albums i ever bought was supertramp's 'breakfast in america', which i still really like.

any others you'd all care to add?

also, not that i mind copying and pasting, but here's a tip on making actual links: Highlight the word you want to use as the link, like I did with the words 'magazine' and 'cover' above, then click on the link icon, located above the text box you're typing in and represented by a picture of a globe with what appears to be a chain resting on its northern axis. Then paste the link in the URL field and click OK. There, now you've linked to that site. And don't you feel better?

from my own collection I think this is the worst I have....

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4791DDF4AA47720C0803E53C0BA74E006D14EC59D0A354B47C8953E46C30C7FE352BB8A92ECB628EC30D2FD47E11043D2CBF154F9C3643D3D88A2A76A3B3641020E3525FD&sql=10:pz2tk65x9krw

Copy and paste the link above

Bad album art. This might be a good topic for discussion as I'm sure we've all come across some clangers in our day. Some of the covers shown here are laugh out loud funny but be warned that by the time you get to the last few pages some are just over the top repulsive. Sadly I own 4 of these records and have a 5th from which the single extracted is on this list also. I'll leave it to you aces to guess which ones if you've got nothing to do this afternoon.

Some of the worst covers I remember from my days when I had hair and trawled the two indie record stores in downtown hammertown were those of the Dayglo Abortions. Any that come to mind that aren't shown here?

http://pitchforkmedia.com/features/weekly/worst-album-covers/

well....it seems we've all bit a bit sporadic with posts lately....to be frank, I had sort of given up last month when it seemed like it was only Derek and Kyle out there....It seems you need at least 3 others (BARE MINIMUM) outside of yourself to make for any kind of meaningful dialogue, so since marc seems to have abandoned the site completely , but Brian is now back after understandably being absent with the newborn , itll be up to the 4 of us to be a bit more active.....myself included...
so in that spirit....
TRy again Brian with your name the band...I didnt have enough time.....
Ill try your music tips guys cause im in a bit of a drought........
Thus ....Ive gone a bit retro....picking up JF Sorrow (kudos to Brian) and also the early sampler Cure "staring at the sea" nothing you guys dont already know about....
I also picked up a very concise Lennon 2 disc set which better summarizes his career
then the Lennon BOX ...The 4 discs had too much filler , which though interesting , didnt really hold up to repeated listenings...Anyone who wants to trade or buy it off me is welcome.....

Hate to see you two chaps trade words with no input from the rest of us so here goes. Liked the band guessing game there Brian just never got around to posting a response so don't forsake the idea completely just yet. Could have sworn band 2 was Nirvana. Speaking of which have any of you seen that dirge of a movie by Van Sant yet. It's called "Last Days" and you might never see yours if you watch this somnolent piece of indulgence.

As for music of the month I can say without doubt what my song of the month has been. Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek". If you're averse to the vocoder please run the other way. Personally I'm with the guy who does NPR's All Songs Considered. Every 10 years or so you need a really great vocoder song whether it be Laurie Anderson or Cher. This one's a beauty and I just can't get enough of it. Check out Salon's Audiofile (Oct 14) if you want to download a copy of it and please all your chums when you cut it as track #3 on all the Christmas comps. Only downside here is that when I went to buy the album last week at HMV it had that dastardly CC logo on it and so ixnay on that purchase.

Another piece of music that came to my attention courtesy of NPR is Orenda Fink's (love the names of these women) album "Invisible Ones". You can listen to the whole thing in streaming audio at http://www.orendafink.com/orendafink.html.

There's a bit of Kate Bush going on here and some Tori Amos I suppose but not in that idiosyncratic way that makes every Tori song sound the same and has me reaching for the mute button. If you like the Cocteau Twins you'll probably love track #6 "Miracle Worker".

I concur with Kyle on the Animal Collective but I'll say that "Sung Tongs" also grew on me. For me AC are a lot like BSS in that you would be hard pressed to pick out the "songs" on the record but there's a lot of primal emotion and when you're in the right frame of mind it can really rock.

I'm also digging the new Deerhoof record. I'm three records into these guys now and they seem to turn them out at a pretty fast pace. I was really turned on by 2003's "Apple O" but last year's "Milk Man" was a real chore and didn't see the light of day more than 3 or 4 times. Glad to say that the new record might be there most accessible yet so if you were scared off by the yelping of the Japanese female vocalist and the rather too angular riffs of records past this might be the place to parachute in.

Must check out the Ladytron disc as I've been on the verge several times then backed off. Still have the horrible sound of Electroclash ringing in my ears.

Nothing worse than the sound of one hand clapping, eh? I too get glum when my posts generate zero response but I assume it's because everyone is so enthralled with what I've written that they're stressed about producing something approaching my genius.

Switching off jackass mode for a second...I like the monthly music pick thang and will here attempt some of my own...

I'm warming up to the new Animal Collective disc, 'Feels' quite nicely. I downloaded one of their previous albums and found it a little too...what's a good word to use...abstruse? Abbrasive? Difficult to appreciate unless one is the process of commiting a terrible act of violence? To hear an example, click here. 'Feels' has been described as one of their most accessible discs to date and while this latest may not get them on heavy rotation in Much More Music anytime soon, it does manage to channel some of the ready-to-explode energy into catchy melodies on several tracks while slowly building pretty, string-laden incantations on others. I think it's worth giving some time to get to know.

Equally challenging but yet to 'find my wheelhouse' as mon amis Ecossais would say, is the Coco Rosie disc 'Noah's Ark'. Though I like the title track, I'm still trying to get into the rest of the disc. I dig the the gauzy, discombobulated, jazzy female vocals and the overall production, but I find some of the songs get bogged down in their own esoterica. Perhaps this will change with a few more listens.

What else...the new Elbow disc, "Leaders of the Free World" is a bit of a disappointment on the first couple of listens. I really liked 2003's "Cast of Thousands", which managed to sound fresh and confident throughout while drawing immediate comparisons to Spiritualized, Catherine Wheel, and Coldplay. In the latest disc, the lyrics seem a little more forced and the vocals a little lethargic...kind of more lethargic Coldplay which I don't think anybody needs. Still, it's on the mp3 player so a few more listens it will get.

More of a pleasant surprise is Ladytron's 'Witching Hour', which I wasn't expecting much from, having not really enjoyed what'd I'd listened to previously. This album got some decent reviews so I bought it (emusic). When I listen to it, I hear Lush, Curve, M83, Kraftwerk, and maybe a little Laetitia Sadier from Stereolab, which hits all the right notes for me but maybe not for y'all out there.

Whatta you boys been listening to lately?

Oh come ON men! A complete swing and a miss on my part with Chesterfield Critic it seems (other than Kyle). I thought it had it all - being clever, biting, au courant, and utterly meaningless...wasn't it?.......ah well. Apparently pseudo-trashing The Clash, The Pixies, and The Beatles is not an exercise the collective we is into. In fact, it may have created an embarrassed, slightly peevish silence on the Blog. But these are the risks we take.

So moving on, I am about to generate my first "picks of the month" list, which will be challenging given that I listen to about ten minutes of music a day right now (and then in a slightly comatose state). Nevertheless, coming soon. I encourage others, who, perhaps, are more in the scene, to follow suit.

Kylie - The Band review is from Derek's blog of October 26th. Just re-read it again and it still slays me.

Re Chesterfield Critric - congratulations! You have one correct answer! In fairness to all of the other contestants I will hold off on telling you which one - can you stand the suspense?

When was 'The Band' referenced? From my last recollection, it was mentioned here when discussing live performances. I hate 'The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down' for what it's worth, but not enough to mount a case against it. I do like 'The Weight', if that's any consolation.

Would it be possible for someone to link to the Guardian article? I tried searching their site but was unsuccessful.

I like the game, Bri. Are we talking: R.E.M., Nirvana, and the Beatles?

Hey boys....finally catching up on some of the last few weeks' blogs. And it's been pretty quiet out there. However, I am laughing out loud at the critical exchange you referenced on the Band, Derek, particularly the oh-so irreverent Guardian review. Fucking hilarious, and it must have been a ton of fun to blast to smithereens one of the hallowed bands of the past forty years.....and let's face it, he has a point about the Band, they were over-earnest, they did sing a lot of shit about Southern culture, the songs did go on and on sometimes......but their best songs, and there are a significant number of them (including the apparently execrable The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down) are absolutely timeless and transcendent (there it is, I called them transcendent).

And unless Mr. Gloomy Gus reviewer is prepared to slag all blue-eyed soul artists (Little Feat, Delany and Bonnie, Van Morrison, et al), and/or all blues-folk-country cross-overs (Young, Dylan, Grateful Dead, etc), because apparently the music has no right to eXIST..... well then, buddy, just shut your mouth, because the Band were pretty fucking special. Sorry, got a bit worked up there.

On that note (I'm rolling now), I've just thought of a new game, I'll call it Chesterfield Critic. The appointed CC (me, for now), chooses a few bands, preferrably who have few critical naysayers, and, inspired by Guardian boy, turns a wholly negative lens on their output, and tries to write critical dross from that perspective to stump the panel....i.e., guess which bands I'm referring to:

Band # 1 - self-important political posers unable to stick to a musical genre for more than 6 months who missed the zeitgeist of 19?0's (city name)__ by a country mile and ultimately dissolved in an embarassing mulch of self-parodying commercial stridency.

Band # 2 - utterly unremarkable early noise-poppers whose lack of ear for melody was only outdone by their boring sparse arrangements and annoyingly smug tongue-in-cheek lyrics and vocal delivery.... sometimes, somehow, credited with inspiring the (God help us) grunge movement.

Band # 3 - regrettable direction-setters of pop whose inexplicable influence still has not run its course despite forty years of hard slogging - simple pentatonic harmonies over top of naive (my three-year old has more complex thoughts) lyrics never did consititute genius and even less so today. Increasingly flaccid arrangements towards the end of their blissfully short career dragged them down even further and many if not all of their songs are entirely cringeable today.

Sarah and I buy songs from time to time (mostly popular songs to accompany workouts) from Itunes. All Itunes pricing are in local currency so that $9.99 will be in Canadian funds, tax included. They usually send you an email with what is charged to your visa shortly after the purchase. Looks like a pretty big cost savings for that soundtrack. Though you don't get the liner notes and case, it's still a significant difference.

Most of the music I buy these days is downloads, either through Emusic or Itunes. Though I like having the package of a disc, I can get more music and find I listen more these days on the go than I do at home.

Thanks for lending me the second Clientele disc. Enjoyed it yesterday after while cooking.

Have any of you lads purchased anything from iTunes? I was browsing their site last night and the soundtrack to the movie "The Squid and the Whale" was available for $9.99 which is a much better price than Sams who are selling it for $24.99. At least they have it as they seem to be the only place in town that does. But despite my best trawl through customer support (an oxymoron for our times if ever there was one) I could find no indication anywhere that the $9.99 that I would fork over would be in Canadian currency. Does anyone know if the prices posted are in $US or $CDN.

This month appears to be a good time if you're a Coltrane fan, and who isn't. Not only did we see the release of the Coltrane/Monk disc but now there is a double live CD release from 1965 with Coltrane, Tyner, Jones and Garrison. It received a 5 star review in this months Downbeat and you can check out another review here.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=19317

I picked it up at Sams earlier this week for $14.99 which may have been a bargoon as it's selling at HMV for about $33 which is similar to some prices I've seen on-line.

Ive often thought that all reviewers feel that putting a 6.5 to 7.5 rating on a disc would be not condusive to furthering their career. To be a successful critic one has to "discover " the next greatest thing. (ie a 9,0 to 10,0 review) Apparently Bowie and another famous rocker who I forget were slagging ea other about who discovered Arcade fire so its not just critics who are like this too. Tim Perlic is a great example of another career stategy for reviewers.... he makes his name slamming good acts to generate letters to NOW ....
s

Here's a case in point of why it may not always be wise to follow the lead of the music critic. Could these two gentleman be discussing the same disc(s)?

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/b/band/a-musical-history.shtml

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1576038,00.html

Makes me think that despite the 42/100 currently slapped on the new Fiery Furnaces disc at the metacritic site that I should just ignore the primarily disparaging reviews and buy the bloody thing. I always find the punters (users?) reviews funny. It's either 0/10 "it sucks" or 10/10 "if you skip this album, your going to be missing out on the entire world". Just glad these black and white types are not in the CD club.

well, not to be contrary, but I have to say (at the risk of being framed as a guy who only likes slowserious music....what...OK maybe that is me...),but that Antony and the Johnsons cd is actually my favorite disc of the year so far, by a wide margin. Secondly, I actually quite prefer Feast of Wire over spoke...It aint even a close contest baby...SO what does this all go to show (besides that Derek has no taste in music) IT shows that although we all generally like and dislike a lot of the critically aclaimed music out there...there is always going to be variations on the final strokes . Ther will always be way overhyped bands and there will always be bands you never would have found without the hype.....Take it all with a grain a salt, turn up the music, and damn if I dont like bitching about critics too....

I actually don't mind "You are a runner..." by Wolf Parade and am hoping Brian does too, as it was a last minute addition to his belated birthday disc. I've only listened to the album twice and haven't really wrapped my head around it yet so I’ll hold off on judgments but I suspect that you and Stuart are now squarely in the anti-Wolf Parade camp, having endured an apparently less than stellar recent concert of theirs.

Also, when you say, “Threw on an oldie”, do you really mean, “I finally cracked the cellophane wrapper on a cd I purchased years ago”? I thought so.

Regardless, I've now decided to download 'Spoke' as I've recently downloaded the full album for 'Feast of Wire' based on Stuart's suggestion and can't believe it took me this long to get around to listening to the whole thing. In short, I'm quite hooked so I'm looking forward to 'Spoke'.

Re: your question: I often buy discs based on good reviews but I've become more discerning about who I take advice from in recent years. Rolling Stone loves it? This means nothing to me. Good review on Pitchfork? If the review avoids smarmy, nonsensical references, deftly parodied nicely by comic/actor David Cross , then I'm more inclined to buy. Then there are artists who I just don’t ‘get’. We all have them and for me, Fiona Apple, is one of them (along with P.J. Harvey, whose music just doesn’t work for me). Her latest album has been very well reviewed but I’m just not interested.

Glad you referenced All Songs Considered, which does a great weekly podcast, as does CBC Radio 3, whose most recent podcast I've quite enjoyed. Referenced this week was a website I'd not found before and may be of interest to you all: www.newmusiccanada.com .

I've added this link to the list of links on the right side of the screen.

As for bad tracks to start an album, I continue to loathe the first track off of the Fiery Furnaces' 'Blueberry Boat'-- 'Quay Cur'--the remainder of which has grown on me (and only after 20 listens!). Can't think of any others at the present time but will add more.

Post Sunday night dinner I threw on an oldie (in relative terms) "Spoke" by Calexico from 1997. Allmusic gives it a paltry 3 out of 5 compared to the 4 they give "Feast of Wire" and 4.5 handed out to their sophomore record "The Black Light". Pitchfork gives these last two 8.9 and 8.5 respectively and don't even have a review for "Spoke". But for me the debut record is far and away the record for me that just clicks on every level. Despite many repeat listens to the supposedly superior follow-up discs they just don't register the way "Spoke" did and still does.

It's not as if I'm trying to be a "I was there for the first disc" snob. Burns and Convertino are part of Friends of Dean Martinez and their first two albums preceeded "Spoke" and as much as I enjoyed those albums I don't ever seem to traipse back to them and throw them on when the mood strikes. Which brings me around to the often unwarranted cachet we place on the voice of the critics whether they be internet or journal based.

3 cases in point are to be found on Metacritic's best of 2005 list.

http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml

#4 is Antony and the Johnsons, #8 is Wolf Parade and #17 is the Eels. The highest ranked of these albums is for me almost unlistenable. Actually I listened to the album in its entirety 2 months ago and have never gone back to it. Wolf Parade's album doesn't kick in until track 5 or 6 and as I mentioned to Stuart last week the opening track "You are a Runner and I am My Father's Son" might just be the worst opening track of any album I know. Any suggestions for any other truly vile album openers?

As for the Eel's disc it's two CDs worth of mostly forgettable music much in the vein of their previous 5 albums. I fell for the critics fawning over this one and made the purchase despite my stoic reaction to their first album almost 10 years ago.

So do critics play a large part in your purchase of new music? Do you give your music listening pals' advice more credence and if not why not? Is there any one critic you can rely on more than other's?

Check out the latest episode of NPR's "All Songs Considered" (episode 93) with the best song from the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah disc, cool new stuff from Portatsatic and Elbow, and for those who want more Kozelek (not me) a song from his new album of Modest Mouse Covers. Feel free to skip the Fiona Apple track (nothing new here) and Sinead's baldy spastic white girl attempt at reggae.

Best of all is "Carpet Crawlers" from the 3 CD set Platinum Collection of Genesis which amazingly enough shares disc space with "Illegal Alien". As another diminutive baldy Chuck Brown once said "Aaaaaargh!".

http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/

Decemberists at the Pheonix last week was a 9 out of 10 for me... I only have the last cd (picked up recently) so not knowing much about them I found the show to be great song after great song with very memorable hooks that stayed with me for days. The sound was good, the pacing was great and the on stage banter was damn funny at times. They were soooooo relaxed between songs and very intense during the performances. The encore of Mr Blue Sky (by ELO and done with gusto and bang on ) capped the night. The only quibble being that the on stage banter digressed into the musicians swapping instruments for a badly done jam session for the last song rather then capping it with a great tune. But for that it would have been a 10.
The Wolf Parade, last night at the shoe, by contrast was a great disappointment,
The songs dont have memorable hooks , the sound is similar to arcade fire, but the songwriting is much weaker. The sound tries to be punkish, and admittedly Im not the most formost expert or fan of that genre, but it seems to me the great punk bands still have hooks and melody of a sort. "God save the queen" for instance stays with you even though the sound is rough. Well maybe I just dont get them but after 4 or 5 plays of the damn cd and seeing them live I think Ive tried hard enough....mercy... I give, I GIVE....stop ....I BEG OF YOU.......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

You're havin my baby-Paul Anka,
Baby Baby Dont get hooked on me-Mac Davis (I think)
Its all over now Baby Blue-Dylan
Baby loves love??
All supremes songs.............
s

Derek, nice list. I've never heard of three of them (bands or songs) so that's always fun. My list will be a little more straightforward, based in sixties music, when, let's face it, everyone was everybody's baby.

- It Ain't Me Babe (y) - Dylan, though the Turtles do a rousing folk-pop version as well
- Why Not Your Baby - Gene Clark
- Baby Blue - the sadly under-appreciated Badfinger (though Aimee Mann did a nice version in the nineties)
- Baby's In Black - Beatles
- Baby Love - Supremes, classic Holland-Dozier-Holland number

No baby yet, incidentally. Due date: Tuesday. Yowza.

Jon Brion first came to my attention a few years ago for the wonderfully quirky job he did on the Punch Drunk Love soundtrack. A lot of the critical acclaim sent Kanye's way was afforded to Brion's production work from what I've read. Have yet to give Kanye's 2nd disc a listen other than last Friday night but am looking forward to it.

I'm listening to the new Broken Social Scene disc as I write (thanks to the good folks at Soundscapes always getting several days headstart on the big box stores) and can say for at least the first 3 tracks it truely rocks. I was in my favourite record store early on Saturday morning and the guy behind the counter told me it was a great disc and I mentioned that it took me about 10 listens to get my head around the last album. This disc might not need that kind of patience. The great thing for me about BSS is that they can't be pigeonholed. They sure as hell aren't jumping on the post-punk bandwagon and they're about as far from the New Pornographers as a Canadian band could possibly be and I love the NPs. There's a definite Sonic Youth influence on some of the tracks but even Thurston Moore never sounded this shambolic from track to track.

It's refreshing that many of the discs I am rushing out to buy, and unsealing immediately I might add, are Canadian discs. It's a great time to be a Canuck and a music lover. What with Destroyer, the Fembots, Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, NPs, BSS, Feist, etc we have a lot to be thankful for on this weekend. Hope you all had a good one.

5 favourite "baby" tracks:

"War Baby" - Tom Robinson
"Who Snatched the Baby" - The Band of Holy Joy
"Baby Judy" - The Hawaiian Pups
"Throwing My Baby Out with the Bathwater" - Tenpole Tudor
"Baby Ran" by 54-40 or "Combat Baby" by Metric

Also, Margeritaville isn't even the best song about fruity, girlie drinks; that distinction belongs, of course, to Mr. Rupert Holmes, whose 'Pina Colada' was an early 80s milestone. Haven't yet figured out what the 'dunes of the kate' referenced in the chorus means but still, a stellar hit. Really.

It was great seeing you all last week at the cd club. Though I was pretty tired and at one point, freezing cold, it was a lot of fun.

Stuart, you mentioned the production values on the Kanye West disc. Turns out that Jon Brion is the producer. I was listening to an interview on the radio this week with Fiona Apple, who has a new album out (not interested, based on what I heard) and mentioned working with Jon Brion, a name I'd heard before. Apparently he has worked with Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainright, and others . Keen your ears are, amigo.

Marc, if you have the list of music somewhere, if you could cut and paste it here that would be bitchin'. Really liked the two Nicola Conte discs you brought though the rest of the selections are somewhat hazy. I recall hearing some Neil Young and Waterboys but the rest is a little hazy.

Derek, your Thunder Bay story puts me in much more positive frame of mind for my San Diego trip next week. Clearly, I've not got it so bad.

Brian, the baby out yet? Question, to you and others: top 5 songs with 'baby' in the title.

The list from which to choose astounds. Bon weekend.

I know that northern ontario music wastelands, we had a similar experience in soux st marie this summer. We were having a respite from our camping by staying at the canal front holiday inn....they have redone there waterfront recently and have an ontario place forum like open air music venue. On a saturday night in the heart of the summer there was a 3 pc band playing a varirty of badly done smaltz covers to an audience of maybe 65 seniors. I didnt stay (but for a few minutes) because he perked my ears by saying a long intro to a song he stated was possibly the best song ever written. Well after our lists mania of said topic I had to hear what it was.....drum role...............Margaritaville!

Even more revolting than smog in early October is the fine scent of pulp and paper mill 24 hours a day. I just spent three days in Thunder Bay (I get all the glamourous assignments) while not really spending more than a couple of hours in the city. I was immediately whisked off 400km to the west to lovely downtown Fort Frances where its been cold, wet and windy and today even had a whole shitload of wet snow. So needless to say the air was fresh but you wouldn't know it as the paper mill smell permeates pretty much everywhere you go. So be thankful you got to walk about in 26 degree weather for the last 4 days.

Glad to hear you liked the Smog and kudos to you for uncovering their (his?) total non connection to Golden Smog. At least you've been able to listen to some good music this week. On our 4 hour drive back to Thunder Bay this morning I got to listen to Eric Carmen's greatest hits amongst other fine CDs. Apparently Northern Ontario has yet to plug in to the new wave revolution. What I wouldn't have given to hear Blue Peter, BB Gabor or the Diodes. Maybe next time I'm up I'll take the first Tall Poppies disc and ease them in gently.

I really dug the Smog music on Friday. Was reminded of it today by the smog (Toronto style), which was particularly revolting, given that it's early October. Anyway, Smog the band is definitely worth some further exploration......I would point out Derek, that it doesn't look like this is the same band (or a derivation thereof) as Golden Smog - Smog is a one-person show which, according to Allmusic anyway, has always been what it is. Bill Callahan has been making music largely on his own for fifteen years or so, according to the site. One of his occassional collaborators is Jim O'Rourke, a relatively new member of Sonic Youth whose solo record "Eureka" I came across a few months ago, and which is very appealing. But I digress. Basically here to say hooray for Smog.

oops...a freudian slip of large proportions.....sorry Brian , thats Brian not Brain...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/102-5234485-5187367

Check out the above box set Brain, you could just bring this one album to marcs... Its a box of 80's music just released... It looks pretty good to me , even though Pitchfork dont love it... Derek it doesnt have any Rick Astley but you might still like it.... You guys all know more about his vein then I....Is it any good?
Stuart

And, just as importantly, who's going to bring some new music on my behalf? I'm a little light this time 'round.

So who's bringing the new Constantine's disc to the club this Friday?

yeah I missed the Sleaters....fucking annoying, but when the opening act is finished by 8:15 what are you gonna do? What is wrong with society that a rock show starts at 7:20?? Once again the jazz guys seem to have it right. 2:00 am IS the right time to finish a show, not 11:10.

So I didn't know who the opening act was 'cause I got the tickets on the morning of the show, but was curious, knowing that Pearl Jam often has pretty great openers. When I arrived (late, at, you know, 8:20) I asked everyone who the opening act was, and the best answer I got was "I don't know, man, just three girls". It sounded ominous, but I didn't connect it with Sleater Kinney until the next day.

Brian if only you'd mentioned that Sleater Kinney were opening you would have had me at "hello..". Can I assume then that you missed them as you were getting quickly hammered?

Both Brian and Stuart have 4 of my discs and the only CD I currently have belonging to anyone is Marc's Shout Out Louds disc which I shall return next Friday. I appear to be the music lending library here so perhaps someone owes me a beer.

OK OK Stu...I do indeed have the eponymous homo-erotic album by the Bowie sound alike....I enjoyed parts of it, but the pure unfettered (almost sycophantic) copying of personal style, song, and production values was to much for me - Ziggy plays on and on.... I know you mentioned that they were contemporaries (i.e., unaware of each other's evolution), but I'm not buying it. I'll try to remember to give it to Yvette tomorrow night, if not then next Friday.

And Derek, I have at least four of your CD's, but given that you forewent free tickets to see Pearl Jam with me at the BMO box, and thereby condemned me to a night of hanging out alone with (a) inoffensive but appalingly dull BMO types and (b) the big boss' university-aged kid and five of his fist-pumping classic-rock-listening testosteronoids, you've abandoned rights to ownership of said disks. Or at the very least you owe me a beer.

Pearl Jam was suprisingly (for me anyway) good the other night. It sure helped that the crowd was so into it (plus drinking six or seven beers in the first couple of hours) but after a tepid beginning I began to buy into the whole thing. Bono's appearance at the end was irrelevant if fun.

earth to cd club, come in please....hello... do you read me....
( a simple no thanks I dont have your god damm cds would suffice.
yours humbly...

I seem to have misplaced a couple of cds and I wondered if by any chance I had loaned them to any of you. One is the first coldplay cd parachutes.....I know some of you may find it hard to own up to borrowing it , but at least you can say you didnt buy it...(It is actually quite good stuff unlike the new album). The second is an artist who sounds similar to David Bowie....I cant recal his name, but its a pink cd (he was gay... now hes dead) its a reissue from 73 and he is liked by Morrissey...
If anyone can recal his name that would help to? I thought I loaned this one to you Brian ,but im not sure..

Sufjan (apparently pronounced 'suf-ee-ann', not 'suph jenn') Stevens put on a spirited show on Saturday night. His 6 member accompaniment, decked out in orange and black cheer uniforms, were an impressive backup. They stuck mostly to the recent Illinois disc, though they didn't play the first two tracks on the album which are two of my faves. The pep-rally-like cheers that introduced a number of songs added a touch of whimsy to the proceedings and the backup vocalists produced some really sweet harmonies.

Less impressive was the venue itself. Uncomfortable seating and lack of any airflow aside (it's an old structure so I can be forgiving on this point), what was really disappointing was the sound. I was led to believe (perhaps I imagined this or others had posted to this effect) that Trinity-St. Pauls had great acoustics. Sadly, this was not the case. In fact, it was quite irritating to hear a tinny reverb throughout most of the proceedings; it was akin to listening to an album on a cheap set of speakers that are not able to absorb any bass, the rattling sound becoming most annoying during the quieter, vocal-only bits. Not in any rush to attend another concert there any time soon.

Still, the Hamilton Tigercats were utterly humiliated and destroyed 48-0 by the Toronto Argonauts, which has absolutely nothing to do with music or the above post, but is nonetheless stated for obvious reasons.

Since I'm blogging all over the damn place tonight I thought I'd mention that I listened to the entire Brian Wilson album "Smile" tonight. No, I didn't purchase it but borrowed it from the local library. So my only comment is, "what the fuck". This is a record that ended up #1 on the year end Metacritic list with an average score of 97.

http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2004.shtml

I kid you not, 90 fuckin 7. Perhaps these idiots/critics should listen to the Mamas and the Papas "Got a Feelin".

Tracks 1-16 of this record might as well be one continous 40 minute track as there are no discernible songs in this melange of crap. "Good Vibrations" at track 17 finally shakes up the proceedings and there is no doubt this is a classic. As for the preceeding fodder it can't hold a candle to this standout.

Quelle catastrophe. L'homme a ce qui tu parle n'est pas possible moi j'espere.

…well I would have enjoyed Wolf Parade if it weren’t for the boozer sitting next to me complaining about not having a beer in hand and hounding me to go back to Allen’s for another pint!

Speaking of Jonesing for tickets...I'm pissed at myself for missing out on Sufjan (waited too long and they were sold out), and am definitely available to go at the last minute if any of you boys who hold tickets feel a little tired, a little worn out, can't quite make the effort to leave your abodes tomorrow night.....call me.

Kyle, I'm not seeing movies until Monday but will contribute heartily to Film Blog thereafter (I know you know that....I'm so not the guy who needs encouragement to blather on). Curious to hear your thoughts on the President's Last Bang, which was one I thought looked intriguing. May see you at Entre Ses Mains.

I remember Marc enjoying Wolf Parade at the Arcade Fire concert while I gave them short shrift for much of their set. My complaint was that they were too enthusiastic (is that possible?) while being derivative of a whole slew of 80's and 90's indie bands. Having said that, by the end of their set they had kinda changed my mind and that was without the benefit of a few pints (the Danforth being dry) and playing in a venue that wasn't all that conducive to their manic playing style.

They are playing at the Horseshoe and for $12 according to the shoe's site so I believe you can count me in. If you need me to pick up the ducats give me the signal.

Got 3 movies tomorrow so need to look out my pen and paper and get a good nights sleep.

marc, you've made me want to rediscover 'rattle & hum', which i did not particularly like back in '88 when it came out, but perhaps i was unfairly comparing it to 'joshua tree'. in light of the act of nature /criminally negligent abandonment of the poor and disenfranchised in the southern u.s., it may be ever more poignant. you'll have to play us a few select tracks on september 30th, which i will certainly attend.

stuart, wolf parade is good and i've enjoyed a few of their downloaded tracks, one of which you can get here. i wasn't blown away when they opened for arcade fire at the danforth music hall show in april but it was a solid show and for $15, it's certainly worth checking out. not sure if i'm in town that day but if so, i will join you. since it's at lee's, i'm guessing that it will be possible to get tickets at the door. kudos for the suggestion.

here's another plug and call to posts for the Film Fest Blog. Okay, enough already. Back to downloading ethiopian music.

I dont know if any of you have been following the hype for Wolf Parade , but it reminds me of all the hype pre arcade fire sucsess....and since that early arcade fire show at lees palace which some of us went to was so bloody good , Im thinking maybe lightning will strick twice. Can this much hype be wrong, well yes of course, but they are playing at the Horshoe for about 15 bucks and its not much to wager , so I think Im going to check them out. They play Oct 17 (on a monday after the previous weeks decemberists show I know) Any other takers?
s

Going back to an earlier blogversation about live albums…I don’t recall if U2’s Rattle and Hum was mentioned. Sometimes I feel like a broken and somewhat shallow grooved record, going on about U2 incessantly…but here I go again…I happened to have a copy at the job site towards the end of last week when the not so proverbial shit was hitting the fan in the deep south and I was blow away by the way the album cast it’s tale of the struggles of the down trodden souls of the world…15 years on, and it is more poignant that the day it was conceived.

Being the follow up album to J Tree that is arguably one of the Greatest Rock Albums ever written and sandwiched by Achtung Baby, R&H somehow pales in comparison, but instead of competing with their studio albums, it tells the story of a voyage in a personal way that reaches deeply into the human experience…some experiences I can relate to, and others that I can gladly not.

“am I buggin’ you?…I don’t mean to bug you!…’k Edge, play the blues!”

Hey guys, I know it’s been a while; I seem to be only now emerging from under a rather large rock, well ok, a large kitchen as well as mess of wiring, plumbing, drywall, beams and studs. ..oh such handsome studs!…so much for d’em summer holidays!

…so I was thinking of having a listener appreciation gathering at the end of September…anyone interested?…oh, so you say the 30th works well for you, great…that was easy…see you then…looking forward to it. Planning a party is so much easier when other people do it for you…thanks Stu.

Looks like I gots my reading to catch up on!

Thanks for the support, Bri! That was probably the best blog post I've ever read! EVER!!!

No musical notes before the long weekend but I wanted to point out two things:

1) The film festival blog will be up and running next week. Attendees are invited, nay, encouraged to share their thoughts on films they've seen. I've only got 5 tickets this year, am having trouble coping with this small number, and will be living vicariously through you all. Don't let me down! I'll post the URL on Thursday.

2) I know there's a link to the Onion on the right, but I almost peed myself laughing at one of this week's stories . Had to point it out.

Have a nice long weekend, all!

Good God man! The best in Canada!! What outstanding hyperbole. Did I out you with my nonchalance?? Well, needless to say, I shall now acquire and listen (carefully) to these dudes...do they have it, really?

Gotta say, the one AC Newman song that Derek put on a compilation for me a couple of years ago (Drink to me babe then) is absolutely sublime (stop the hyperbole madness!).