2010 in review...

A couple of posts ago I stated that my top 20 albums of 2010 would be coming. Well here it is, but instead it's 29 albums because I couldn't quite narrow it down, but I couldn't quite make it 30.
Here it is.
Remember, these are just one girl's opinions, so you can agree, disagree, or we can agree to disagree.
Enjoy.

1. Kanye West---My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Arcade Fire---The Suburbs
3. Vampire Weekend---Contra
4. Beach House---Teen Dream
5. Janelle Monae---The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)
6. MGMT---Congratulations
7. The National---High Violet
8. LCD Soundsystem---This Is Happening
9. Jamey Johnson---The Guitar Song
10. The Black Keys---Brothers
11. Zeus---Say Us
12. Spoon---Transference
13. Deerhunter---Halcyon Digest
14. Owen Pallett---Heartland
15. Caribou---Swim
16. The Roots---How I Got Over
17. The Walkmen---Lisbon
18. Broken Bells---Broken Bells
19. Gorillaz---Plastic Beach
20. Kings of Leon---Come Around Sundown
21. Robyn---Body Talk Pt. 1
22. Yeasayer---Odd Blood
23. V.V. Brown---Travelling Like The Light
24. Kid Cudi----Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
25. M.I.A.---Maya
26. of Montreal---False Priest
27. Cee-Lo Green---Lady Killer
28. Robert Plant and his Band of Joy---Band of Joy
29. Eminem---Recovery

Honourable Mentions:
*Mumford and Sons---Sigh No More (it was released towards the end of 2009 so it's not on any '09 lists or any '10 lists, but now they're the biggest band in the world.)

*Florence+the Machine...because her and her machines are tied with Mumford and Sons for the biggest band in the world position

*The Crookes---somehow they haven't exploded yet, but I'm sticking with them.

*Bon Iver...because he's awesome enough to guest on Kanye's album. Plus his music is great.

*Nicki Minaj...because shes the only female rapper that has ever scared, well anyone.

The Teaches of Peaches: Everything's Alright

When most people think of Andrew Lloyd Weber's and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar they usually think of a successful attempt at a rock musical, all about everyone's favourite Messiah. However, after attending Peaches Christ Superstar Tuesday night, I will never think of this musical the same way again.
My family and I trekked off to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to see Peaches, and I don't think any of us knew really what to expect. Usually Peaches music is more...well...it's different then what she played on Tuesday (just listen to one track off of I Feel Cream or The Teaches of Peaches and you'll know what I mean.) But we did all know one thing forsure: this was going to be one original night.
Peaches performed every single part of every single song effortlessly, just her and her piano player, Chilly Gonzales. For some songs (like Everything's Alright) Peaches would change her body position to show different character, and then for other songs she didn't, but the audience stayed with her every moment.
Decked out in gold outfits (a puffier jacket looking one for act II) her voice sounded brilliant, and she hit every note just right, sometimes belting out (during Gethsemane) like these songs were written for her. And after Tuesday night, I think that they really may have been written for her.
It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen, one of the most entertaining nights of my life, and now I think we've found our saviour...of music that is.

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

2010 is slowly winding down, and so I'm working on my top 20 albums from 2010.
However, this task is quite difficult, so here are some songs to listen to in the meantime.
(Two holiday ones, one not so much...)

1.) The Pogues---Fairytale of New York

2.) The Killers---Don't Shoot Me Santa

3.) Kanye West---Monster (Featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Niki Minaj and Bon Iver.)
*I don't usually like rap, but Kanye's new album is something else. Also, Niki Minaj just kills her verse on this to the point where she's frightening.

Happy Holidays!
List coming soon....

15

It's been a very long time since I've blogged, so I thought I'd give everyone* a holiday treat.

*Everyone=anyone who reads this

Some of my friends have been making lists of the first 15 albums they can think of in 15 minutes.
They, of course challenged me to this, knowing I would have some issues.
The albums don't need to be your favourite, but they should have impacted you in some way.

Enjoy!

1. Queen---A Night At The Opera
2. The Beatles---The White Album
3. The Jimi Hendrix Experience---Are You Experienced?
4. Jethro Tull---Thick As A Brick
5. Led Zeppelin---Houses of the Holy
6. MGMT---Congratulations
7. Pink Floyd---Wish You Were Here
8. The Rolling Stones---Let It Bleed
9. MIKA---Life In Cartoon Motion
10. Owen Pallett---Heartland
11. TV on the Radio---Return to Cookie Mountain
12. TV on the Radio---Dear Science
13. Mumford and Sons---Sigh No More
14. Supertramp---Crime of the Century
15. Zeus---Say Us

Music I've Been Listening to Lately

Here are some new and old albums I've listened to recentely (they're definitely worth it.)
p.s. All the top tracks are just my opinion (of course)

Band: Beirut
Album: The Flying Club Cup
Top Track: Nantes
Genre: European influenced, weird folk.
(But honestly this whole album is great....and so so weird and different.)

Band: Bowerbirds
Album: Hymns For A Dark Horse
Top Track: My Oldest Memory
Genre: Weird folk

Band: Norfolk and Western
*For this one, I couldn't find an actual link to a track listing of an album, so i just listened to some of their stuff on Youtube
Genre: Indie folk

Band: Mark Ronson and the Business Intl.
Album: Record Collection
Top Track: The Bike Song
Genre: Alternative hip hop/dance pop

Band: Surfer Blood
Album: Astro Coast
Top Track: Catholic Pagans
Genre: Indie Rock

Band: The Dead Weather
Album: Sea of Cowards
Top Track: Die By The Drop
Genre: Alternative rock/blues inspired/grunge
WARNING: if you don't like grungier blues music, I would not listen to this band. If you do want to listen to this band, watch your speaker volume, because if it is too loud, you may get blown across the room. And no, that isn't a creative metaphor.

Band: Kings of Leon
Album: Come Around Sundown
Top Track(s): Radioactive or Back Down South
Genre: They are a southern rock alternative band, however this album has more of a surfer feel with a southern tinge

Band: Dr. Dog
Album: Shame, Shame
Top Track: Later (this song is incredible)
Genre: Psychedelic indie rock (very mellow sounding)

Roger Waters Live

Words cannot describe Roger Waters live in concert, but I will try.
(Btw, after Blogger erased my whole detailed entry, I decide to make a simpler one instead.)

Roger Waters and his band were very tight, well rehearsed and Roger Waters sounded just as good as hedid on the original recording. He was very spritely, and even looked the same but with gray hair now. He performed all the songs with the heart and emotion you would expect and never left us bored.

The visual highlights of the night were a plane crashing into the wall setting it on fire, the floating pig, three large balloon/puppets of the characters from the movie, a plane image on the wall dropping religious symbols as if they were bombs, and the whole wall being built. (Right when Roger Waters said the last 'Goodbye' of "Goodbye Cruel World" the last brick was pushed in...very expert timing and a very affective moment.)

The best songs of the eening were "In The Flesh?", "Goodbye Cruel World", "Hey You" "Run Like Hell," "In The Flesh", "Comfortably Numb" and the song that made everyone cry "Nobody Home."

The concert ended with the band equiped with acoustic instruments (Roger Waters with a trumpet) playing "Outside the Wall" in front of the wreckage as if none of the nights events ever happened...

2010 MTV VMAs...Lady Gaga's Night

Eight out of thirteen aint bad. Lady Gaga swept the MTV VMAs, and even picked up the biggest award of the night: Best Video of the Year.
(Although she also picked up weirdest moment of the night when she won the big prize from Cher, while dressed in a meat dress...obviously causing all of PETA to mutually faint.)

Eminem had a great night with a great opening number (Not Afraid/Love the Way You Lie) and winning two award for "Not Afraid."

Jared Leto's "rock" band won Best Rock Video for "Kings and Queens." (Really...this isn't real rock.)

And for the non-shock of the night...Justin Bieber won Best New Artist. (But was he lipsynching?)

I give Florence+the Machine performance of the night for her tribal dance/epic "Dog Days are Over." (and while im talking about her...everyone should listen to that album in full. shes the best thing in music in a long time.)

I didn't love Taylor Swift's rather boring performance, but B.o.B./Bruno Mars/ Haley Williams with Paramore did a great trio performance.

This finally brings us to the end of the show: Kanye West. I could ramble all day about his Taylor Swift scandal last year, but I won't. Instead I'll comment on his tame performance this year. The whole show was building up to what could have been a very epic Kanye finale, but turned out to be a good colour-schemed mediocre song (which is what Kanye West's career is anyways.) The song wasn't very good (especially that random rapper that showed up halfway through) although the chorus was pretty good and very catchy. For no reason at all Kanye ended in autotune (making Jay Z cringe..."D.O.A.") and causing alot of confusion to the audience.

Overall, the award show was pretty good (better then usual) but I am NOT looking forward to Kanye's new album like everyone else is...

This is what you'll need...

If you want a good upbeat/party sounding band try...Black Kids

If you want a soulful band whose new album is outstanding try...the Black Keys

If you crave the sound of Jenny Lewis try...Jenny and Johnny (Johnny=Jonathon Rice, her boyfriend)

If you want to try something different but amazing try...Scarlett Johanssen and Pete Yorn (sorry for any spelling mistakes in that one)

If you want something noisy and very odd try...Klaxons

Finally, if you want something Canadian that sound like they only listen to the Beatles try....Zeus

That's all for now

OK Go

Ok Go may not be the greatest band ever, but they sure are appealing. They create catchy songs, with the best inexpensive videos ever.
"Here We Go Again" from their first album, was a viral hit with it's one take treadmill video.

Now they've done it again.

The song "This Too Shall Pass" (which btw, is a very, very good song) has a new one take video. Done with a Rube Goldberg machine, the song is played overtop while the viewer can see what this chain of events is all leading up to. I won't ruin the ending here, but it is definitely worth watching.

Enjoy

Summer/Camp songs...

Here are some songs that I discovered (or rediscovered) this year at camp...

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World.
Although the band (and the band name for that matter) aren't great, this is still a great song, and it was our C.I.T. song of the summer.

"I Try" by Macy Gray.
This one is another C.I.T. song. Her voice may sound a little odd on first listen, but the song is very good and is worth listening to all the way through (maybe more than once too). Also, Ben Taylor covered this song, and that is worth checking out as well.

"Echoes" by Klaxons.
I heard this song after I came back from camp, and wasn't sure if I even liked it at first. Usually, Klaxons' songs have good melodies, but are covered in way too much noise. This one, however, not only had a good catchy tune, but there wasn't too much noise covering it, therefore making it good.

"Tighten Up" by The Black Keys
A very soulful song, by a very soulful band. Not much else to say, other then the fact that it is definitely worth 3 and half minute listen.

"Daydream Believer" by The Monkees
Obviously this song has been around for many years, and I have known it for many years, but for some reason, my friend and I had a minor obsession with it this summer. From the quirky dialogue at the beginning to the very last note, this song is pure joy.

"Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons
Although every Mumford & Sons song is amazing, this one is truly amazing. Starting off as a slower song, it builds up to an amazing finish, and it's only the first song on the album (!) By the by, if you have not heard any Mumford & Sons, listening to their album (also called 'Sigh No More') is a priority.

"The Underdog" by Spoon
This song has been one of my summer songs for years, and is just one of my favourite songs in general. Not only does it have catchy verses and choruses, but its is just short and sweet and does not sound like it was written by a band from Texas. A very, very, very good listen.

"Sons and Daughters" by The Decemberists
This one was actually reccomended by my friend, and I was a little weary at first. I like The Decemberists, but only sometimes, and I was nervous this wasn't going to be one of those times. However, this song is an amazing tune, and I would count it as one of their best songs.

"For The Longest Time" by Billy Joel
The really amazing thing about this song is that it will get stuck in my head at any time (but of course, I do not care.) Really just an amazing tune, and if you haven't heard it in awhile, then you should give it another listen. (By the way, Billy Joel recorded 14 seperate tracks for this and they're all layered in the back!)

"Champagne Supernova" by Oasis
This 7 minute epic is probably this band's best song. Yes, it is better then 'Wonderwall' and even better then their ongoing feud. Yes, they do think they're the best band ever, but if you ignore all that for 7 and a half minutes, you can actually forgive them.

That's all for now! Happy listening!

Dave Matthew's Camp

I have just recently returned from summer camp, and I realized one thing (that's right, only one thing) while I was there.
Never in my life have I heard more Dave Matthew's Band.
Not only do all of these campers know most of his songs (and let me tell you, that's alot) but they know all the instrumentals too.
And holy Jesus of Suburbia (Greenday reference) most of these campers have also seen Dave Matthew's Band live on stage.

Now don't get me wrong, his music is great and I've now grown to really like them.

Some of my favourite songs: "Big Eyed Fish", "Everyday", "You and Me"

More to come...

Music (Obviously)

Amazing new band find!
They are called The Crookes. They sound like a better version of the Smiths from the 60s.
They have many live videos on Youtube, but here is their music video for their extremely catchy and glorious song called "Bloodshot Days."
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc-Nu86hBsY

Another find is Modest Mouse. Although they have been around for awhile I never liked them until recently when I listened to what I would consider their magnum opus album, "Good News For People Who Like Bad News." Although every song is different, there is a consistent feel to every song, and they are a very original band. (Warning: You may have the sudden urge to play the banjo after listening.)
Songs I reccomend: The World At Large, Float On, Ocean Breathes Salty, Bury Me With It, Bukowski, Satin in a Coffin, and The Good Times Are Killing Me.
However, if you have the time, listen to the whole album.
Here is "Float On" which is considered to be one of their best songs.
Enjoy (again)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTAud5O7Qqk

Now that you all have plenty of music to listen to, I will be signing off for the summer.
Have a good one.
Sincerely,
New Music

MUSE and Owen Pallett

Super busy the past few weeks, but amazing story worth telling.
Met MUSE.
Just chilling in LAX.
I saw them and had a major freakout. And they saw. I'm not even ashamed. I met MUSE.
AMAZING.

Also, Owen Pallett concert was incredible. He played two encores, and played stuff from all three of his albums, and even some EPs. So good live.

Now...looking forward to Carole King/James Taylor!

Proud to be...

In true Canadian spirit, I have to mention how great Michael Buble is.
I always knew he had a good voice, I just didn't realize HOW good of a voice.
Between the Olympic Closing Ceremonies and me seeing his video for "Haven't Found You Yet" atleast three times in the past few days, I have truly started to appreciate his talent.

Well done Canada, well done.


List of artists who don't make me proud to be Canadian:
Marianas Trench
Nickelback
Stereos

Good day? Yes.

Prince and Kate Nash both released new songs today.

It's been a good day.

Spoon

I've always liked Spoon, but there new album has (not literall) blown me away.
It's an album I can listen to over and over again.
Missed my chance of my buying it (<---dumbass.)
Hopefully I can find it somewhere on vinyl.
Hopefully it isn't sold out.
Listen to it.
Legally preferably.

Bright Eyes

I've been listening to a lot of Bright Eyes lately.
Conor Oberst is pretty genius

I may be wrong but I'm sure I heard that theyre coming out with a new album

Hmmmm......

Good song by them: I'm Sorry Ive Been Such A Crappy Friend

Oscars

I only have one thing to say

Why the f*ck is 'Where the Wild Things Are' not up for an Oscar?

Grammys

The Grammys were fine as expected.
I predicted most of the awards, but there were some surprises (Taylor Swift for album of the year). I would have liked to see Dave Matthews Band win, but I'm still pretty happy.
Other deserving winners: Green Day, Kings of Leon, Zac Brown Band (shockingly beating out MGMT), and Phoenix (for Best Alternative album, even though it wasn't on TV.)

The song dedicated to Michael Jackson was really good, but the Mary J. Blige/Andrea Bocceli (spelling?) Haiti song could have been much better. 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was definitely a good choice, and the singers are great on their end, but together with THAT song...it just didn't work.

One more thing. I want to complain to whoever did the 'In Memoriam.' It was very nice, until it was over and I realized they forgot Jay Reatard. Not only did he just pass away, but he was definitely becoming an accomplished musician, and they completely disregarded that. F*ck them for that.

mmmmmm

Got Discovery's album 'LP' on vinyl.
Great quality

I Must Be Crazy

For some reason it's taken me THIS long to listen to the amazing band
'Thao with the Get Down, Stay Down.'

Not only is the name of their band great, but their music really is great.
So catchy and fun.
Listen to them when you get the chance. (ASAP!)

giving in

I just got twitter but only to follow my favourite musicians and their wacky comments

Owen Pallett and of Montreal

follow them!

Albums

There have been a lot of good albums released lately.

Spoon-Transference
Charlotte Gainsbourg-IRM
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring (<----such a good album name)
Beach House-Teen Dream (it's here!)
Four Tet-There Is Love In You
F*cked Up-Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009

pretty good
get listenin

Just Music

I've been having a pretty relaxed week.

I saw RENT and it was incredible as expected.

For some reason, I've been listening to a select few songs lately.

Animal Collective-In The Flowers
Black Kids-Hurricane Jane
Okkervil River-A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene
Panic!At The Disco-Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off
fu.-All The Pretty Girls
She and Him-In The Sun

very random, i know...but all very good.

p.s. She and Him Volume 2 coming out late march!!!! im excited

yay

Had a Sonic Boom morning.

Contra (Vampire Weekend) on vinyl is the best sound I have ever heard (a bit exgerrated.)
But seriously, it is great.

Also, I finally own Heartland (Owen Pallett).
Sweet.

Concerts

Just received my tix for Owen Pallett (april 8) and I'm crazy excited.
I have no idea how I'm gonna last til then.

AND, now I'm also going to the Carole King/James Taylor concert coming in May.
WHAT THE F*CK!?

made my day

MUSE just posted their new video for their song 'Resistance.'
No way to explain it other then 'it's pure MUSE.'

The band Air also released a new strange video.
Air being strange? That never happens...

Plus, The Knife are going to release something soon?
Who the f*ck knows!
Theyre always up to something...

Now that Contra and Heartland are out, I;m counting down the days til Congratulations, MGMT's upcoming album...get excited

aaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

It's January 12th!

Not only is Contra out today, but so is Owen Pallett's Heartland.

Also, check out catla's new album, and OK GO's new album.
(I've heard the catla one, not the OK GO one but i doubt its bad)

Also, music I've been into lately: St. Vincent

P.S. Check out the Coachella Festival list. I died. I wanna go. I died.

exciting week in the world of new music

First, Animal Collective released their video for 'Brothersport,' the last song off of Merriweather Post Pavillion. The video is crazy (just like them), fun (just like them) and a piant explosion (they DO love paint.) The video is around 6 and a half minutes, but if you have the time, sit down and watch it. It really IS fun.

Second, januray 12th (tuesday) is the official release date of Contra, Vampire Weekend's second album. I can barely wait.

Third, january 12th (tuesday...man this sounds repetetive) is the official release date of Heartland, Final Fantasy's (Owen Pallett) new album. I can barely wait.

Contra Review

So, I was going to do a song-by-song review but I'm sooo tired and I really don't want to.
This will sum it up though.

If an album could have a taste, Contra would be sweet, milky, creamy, and just very chocolatey.
I don't think an album has actually made me feel so warm before.
Actually, let me re-phrase that.
I don't think an album has been used mas my comfort food before.
Yes.
I've been using it as a comfort food.
That should tell you what this album is like.

Contra...so f*cking good

I check Spin's website every day, and when I checked it today I almost fell off my chair when I saw the latest Vampire Weekend news.

They decided to stream their whole sophomore album, Contra, on their myspace (myspace.com/vampireweekend) a week before it's supposed to be released (january 12).

I obviously had to give it a listen, and like I already stated, it's so f*cking good.
It sounds alot like their previous album, but Ezra got even more wittier, and the sound is more Carribeanne as opposed to African sounding.
It's a great album, and I'm definitely buying it (maybe on vinyl...hmmmm.)

I advise everyone to give it a listen.
And if you like it, please BUY the album, do not be cheap.

rs

a few days ago i was reading the decade edition of rolling stone magazine
i never read rolling stone, because they went so downhill so fast and landed in a pool of mainstream sh*t and pop culture, and boiled in there until it was nice and disney star-ish and full of megan fox and taylor lautner covers.
but i digress.
their decade edition was FINE. they did cover some of the top stars of the decade which was really good, but still, like usual, managed to f*ck up their list of the top albums of the year.
and so, i will never understand how rolling stone magazine went so downhill so fast.