Babies, they only wanna dance...

I recently posted about a cover song by Owen Pallett. Thanks to a comment from blog reader Honeyschool, turns out the song is by Steve Kado, recorded under the name of The Blankket.


Image courtesy of The Blankett's Myspace

Luckily enough, I was also able to find a very good live recording of Pallett's cover.

It's been on repeat ever since.

MP3: Owen Pallett, Live in NYC, "Independence Is No Solution"

Girls On Stage And Boys On The Floor!

I'm in the mood for this #24
Disco is not a dirty word #9
New releases #7

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.


Image by Yo Rodeo!

One of my favorite Halifax bands, The Stolen Minks are launching a new CD on Friday, August 22nd at Gus' Pub, here in Halifax.

(It's a bit of a contentious trifecta between them, Dog Day and Windom Earle. It's only contentious for me, because I don't like to choose.),

Apparently, there will be a cupcake eating contest, which makes me incredibly giddy. Also playing are Halifax wunderkinds-cum-legends The Maynards (one of whom is actually my next door neighbour, howya doin' Heath?), Bloodsport as well as Memories Attack.

I'll be there with bells (and my Stolen Minks t-shirt) on. Check the thread on Halifax Locals for more info.




Strut Records has done it again.

Kid Creole & The Coconuts's latin-inflected disco magic has been collected on various compilations (see below) yet remains mostly forgotten save by die hard disco fanatics. I remember seeing his records in bins at record stores, but I never really gave them a spin. This compilation, entitled "Going Places: The August Darnell Years" makes me regret my poor selector choices. The Kid (Darnell himself) worked as a producer before starting his own band, working on tracks for Cristina among others.

One of these tracks, the compilation's opener, is by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band entitled "Sunshowers". Sound familiar ?

MP3: Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, "Sunshowers"

And speaking of disco...




A big shout out to my friend Frank B for giving me a copy of the Mutant Disco compilations as well as the first two Disco (Not Disco) comps. I, my blog and my record collection are forever indebted to you. If you wish to be indebted to Frank and myself, simply click on the links to discover the aweseomness of these albums. Also, for your perusal, scroll down for a video of one of the tracks from the second Disco Not Disco compilation, Laid Back's anti-coke disco tirade, "White Horse". The track, as well as a few others, are played on this week's episode of Moody Morning Music. Also played on this week's episode is a classic bollywood track sung by Geeta Dutt, called "Meera Naam Chin Chin Choo" (My name is Chin Chin Choo)". It's one of those songs that you can NOT get stuck out of your head, so might as well indulge it and put it on repeat.


*

Moody Morning Music for Tuesday, August 12th, 2008.

Dig it

Stars, "The Beginning after the end", In Our Bedroom after the war
Antony & The Johnsons, "Frankenstein", The Lake EP
Great Lake Swimmers, "Song for the angels", Bodies & Minds
Sun Kill Moon, "Moorestown", April
Bloc Party, "Blue Light (Engineers Blue Light Remix)",
Ron Sexsmith, "Thoughts & Prayers", Exit Strategy For The Soul
Laura Peek & The Winning Hearts, "A Name", From The Photographs
Brendan Canning, "Something for all of us...", Something for all of us
Beck, "Youthless", Modern Guilt
The Superfantastics, "Van Gogh", Choose your destination
The Stolen Minks, "Stop Talking", Family Boycott
Windom Earle, "Kitten Vs Pegasus", Gold Wave
Geeta Dutt, "Meera Naam Chin Chin Choo"
Dr Buzzard's Original Svannah Band, "Sunshower", Kid Creole: Going Places
Laid Back, "White Horse", Disco Not Disco 2
Was (Not Was), "Wheel Me Out", Mutant Disco
Yello, "Bostitch", Disco Not Disco 2
Ghislain Poirier feat Face-T, "Blazin' (Modeselektor Remix)"

Laid Back, "White Horse"



Geeta Dutt (as performed by Helen ), "Meera Naam Chin Chin Choo"

Fuck the Google

I'm in the mood for this #23
Give me some soul # 2
Cover me# 7


A few months ago, I discovered an interesting tunesmith by the name of Beaufort. What can I tell you about them? Nada. I know two songs, "I don't wanna die" and "Fuck the Google". I found a myspace (see link above), a few links to blogs talking about them, but very little real info. All I know is that I am now inspired to make all of links for this post google answers (this could get interesting...)and that I can encapsulate the brilliant simplicity of Beaufort and their lyrics in one simple quote: "Fuck the emo".

MP3- "Fuck The Google



Halifax keeps on getting good shows. First Leonard Cohen, then Jose Gonzales, Bloc Party in September and now, a (unfortunately forgotten until now) soul songstress Betty Lavette will be playing the Great Atlantic Blues & Beyond Festival on Saturday, September 20th. Her 2005 album, "I've got my own hell to raise" re-invevnted songs by female songwriters such as Dolly Parton, Lucinda Williams and Fiona Apple(???).



Speaking of strange covers, Adem has put out a new album featuring nothing but covers of some of his favourite songs, including "Boy Girl Song" by Aphex Twin and Bjork's "Unravel" (played on the latest episode of Moody Morning Music, see below). I'm such a sucker for covers.


Moody Morning Music for July 29th, 2008.

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Richard Buckner, "22", Bloomed
Beirut, "Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)", Gulag Orkestar
Neutral Milk Hotel, "King Of Carrot Flowers", In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Laura Peek & The Winning Hearts, "Stand Right There", From The Photographs
Mates Of State, "Re-Arranger", Re-Arrange Us
Superfantastics. "Tonight, Tonite", Pop-Up Book
Wolf Parade, "Soldier's Grin", At Mount Zoomer
Beck, "Gamma Rays", Modern Guilt
Vancougar, "Unmanned", Canadian Tuxedoes
Gonazales, "Working Together", Soft Power
Lyn Collins, "Think About It"
Sharon Jones & Dap Kings, "How Long Do I have To Wait", Naturally
Carrie Lucas, "Dance With You"
Kid Creole, "Double On Back", Going Places
King Khan & The Shrines, "Land Of The Freak", The Supreme Genius Of...
Buck 65, "Dang", Situation
Ghislain Poirier, "Blazin'", No Ground Under
Ratatat, "Mirando", LP3
CSS, "Jager Yoga", Donkey
Beaufort, "Fuck The Google"
Peaches, "Shake Yer Dix", FatherFucker
N.E.R.D., "Everyone Nose"
Annie, "Loco"


Moody Morning Music for August 5thm 2008

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Archivist, "Fanulous Muscles",
Final Fantasy, "Many Lives --> 49 MP", He Poos Clouds
Adem, "Unravel", Takes
Watson Twins, "Just Like Heaven", Fire Songs
Wax Mannequin, "Animals Jump", Orchard & ire
Got to get got, "Blood tests", Canadian Arts Collective
Dog Day "Night Group", Night Group
Wolf Parade, "California Dreamer", At Mount Zoomer
Betty Lavette, "You're a man of words, I'm a woman of action"
Baby Huey, "Hard Times"
Buck 65, "Spooked", Cretin Hip Hop Vol 1
Danger Doom, "Old School Rules", The Mouse & The Mask
Girl Talk, "Let Me See You", Feed The Animals
Liquid Liquid, "Cavern"
Ian Dury & The Blockheads, "Spasticus Autisticus"
Hercules & Love Affair, "This is my love", S/T
Kid Creole, "Double ON Back",
CSS, "Move", Donkey
Annie, "I know your girlfriend hates me"
The Ting Tings, "That's not my name"
Bloc Party, "Flux"

The Stars Are On Fire

I'm in the mood for this #21
Cover Me #6
Disco Is Not A Dirty Word #7
Give me some Soul #1




The night starts here.

On Sunday, July 20th, the Stars are playing in Halifax, along with The Black Keys and local heroes Wintersleep and I See Rowboats.

The last time I saw Stars was when they opened for Broken Social Scene in 2004. It was one of those cases where the opening act blew the main attraction out of the water. Vocalists Torquil Campbell was emphatic at his worst and beyond stunning at his best. Amy Campbell serenaded us over the hard guitar for "Ageless Beauty" and someone passed me a Heart shaped potato which I passed to Torquil. He told the crowd that after the show he would make a bong out of it.

I'm not expecting another one of those, but I am expecting a great show.

Speaking of shows, this week's edition of Moody Morning Music contains a few fun covers, as well as a few more tunes from my rapidly expanding collection of soul 45s, hence a new category for this blog, aptly titled, Give Me Some Soul. But more on that later. Right now, I wanna talk about girls with pretty voices.



The Watson Twins have released a full length album to follow up their teaser of an EP, "Souther Manners". The album includes a remarkably sincere cover of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven". Scroll down to the track list to hear the original.




So I'm digging through that infamous stack of 45s I just mentioned and I find one by some dude named Wayne Cochran. I drop the needle and all of a sudden, this crazy voice and rhythm ripples through the grooves. Holy Shit! Who is this dude? I google him and am confronted with a white guy in a crazy blonde pompadour. Once again, Holy shit! I need some more tunes. Check him out by scrolling down and clicking on the link in the track listing.




As for this week's dose of disco, a (somewhat)unlikely candidate who goes by the name of Gonzales.

After having worked with Feist, Peaches and Jamie Lidell and having released a critically lauded album, Gonzales has put out a love song to all things AOR Friendly, influenced by everything from Yacht Rock to french disco strings. The latter can be found in wonderful abundance on this week's download called "Let's Ride".

Gonzales, "Let's Ride", The Soft Power

*

Enjoy

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Watson Twins, "Just Like Heaven", Fire Songs
She & Him, "You've really got a hold on me", Volume 1
Ron Sexsmith, "Brandy Alexander", Exit Strategy of the soul
Betty Harris, "I'm evil tonight", 7"
The Joe Tex Band, "Chocolate Cherry", 7"
Wayne Cochran, "Some a your sweet lovin'" 7"
Duffy, "Mercy", Rockferry
Gnarls Barkley, "Who's gonna save my soul", The Odd Couple
Stars, "Elevator Love Letter", Heart
Stars, "Your ex-lover is dead", Set yourself on fire
Stars, "Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Republic Remix)", Do you trust your friends?
Stars, "The Night Starts Here", In Our Bedroom after the war
Stars, "Take me to the riot", In our Bedroom after the war
Bloc Party, "She's Hearing Voices", Silent Alarm
Architecture In Helsinki, "Like it or not (version 2)"
Gonzales, "Let's ride", Soft power
CSS, "Believe Archive", Donkey
Crystal Castles, "Knight", S/T
M.I.A. "Paper Planes (DFA Remix)", 12"
Girl Talk, "Give me a beat". Feed The Animals
N.E.R.D., "Everybody Nose"
Swayzak, "Smile & Receive", Some Other Country

Let's go to hell together: How Buck 65 killed it.

I'm in the mood for this #20
Rotate this #2


Image courtesy of CBC


I remember the first time I saw the video for "Kennedy Killed The Hat". I was working in a dingy gay bar, it was mid-afternoon and I was watching MuchMusic.

Now, I had heard Buck's earlier stuff under the monkier Stinkin' Rich and a few pieces of his work with Sixtoo under the monkier of The Sebutones. I had loved his last album, "Talkin' Honky Blues", and I remember seeing him as a clerk at my local news stand. I even remember telling him I had found some bootlegg stuff of his online from an unreleased album. He thanked me for telling him and told me he would find out who leaked it.

To me, Rich Terfry was the face of Halifax Hip Hop.

And then he pulled out with Secret House Against The World. Gainsbourg references (both lyrically and musically), rough edged drum breaks, a cover of an old Halifax band and of course, my absolute favorite, Kennedy.



There he was, his shirt off, that rip roaring, DFA 1979 sounding guitar (whom one of its members, under another moniker would later remix), that delivery, and that chorus that just gets stuck in your head, the words points of reference to the strange world in Buck's head:


And we're surrounded by assassins
fantomas
mutantes
and serpents
werewolves and sex fiends
New York
New York City
Lafayette Street
Alright now
Bang Bang
London Paris
shoot the lights out
Come on now baby


That was in 2005. Three years, another record and all of a sudden, I hear another version of Kennedy, this time featuring CKDUers Mike Catano on drums and Laura Peek on vocals and other sundry musical items. Gone is the heavy drum beat, here is a melancoly dirge, accented by Peek's voice, supporting and lifting Buck out of the netherworld of his own deadpan.


Listen here, and enjoy

Clear is still the new black.



***

Moody Morning Music for June 1st, 2008. Now with over 70% CanCon! Enjoy.

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Sigur Ros, "All Alright", Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Arcade Fire, "In The Backseat", Funeral
Feist, "Limit to your love", The Reminder
Jose Gonzales, "Love will tear us apart", Veneer
Young & Sexy, "The city you live in is ugly", Stand for your mother
Portishead, "Machine Gun", Third
Islands, "J'aime vous voir quitter", Arm's Way
Wolf Parade, "The Grey Estates", At Mount Zoomer
Immaculate Machine, "Wo Xiang Tanbai (Dear Confessor)", 7"
Broken Social Scene, "Windsurfing Nation", S/T
Stars, "Take me to the riot", In Our Bedroom after the war
Duchess Says, "Rabies (Baby;s got the)", Anthologie des 3 Perchoirs
You Say Party! We Say Die!, "Downtown mayors goodnight, Alley Kids Rule", Lose All Time
Gwen Guthrie, "7th Heaven", Padlock EP
Crystal Castles, "Air War", S/T
Gonzales, "Slow Down (Feat. Teki Latex)", Soft Power
Cut Copy, "Out there on ice", In Ghost Colours
MSTRKRFT, "Bounce (feat. N.O.R.E.)", Bounce EP
Thom Yorke, "The Clock (Surgeon Remix)", 12"


Moody Morning Music for July 8th, 2008. Enjoy

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Buck 65 feat Laura Peek & Micheal Catano, "Kennedy Killed The Hat (acoustic mix)
Thom Yorke, "Harrowdown Hill (12" mix)
Black Keys, "All you ever wanted", Attack & Release
Wolf Parade, "Language City", At Mount Zoomer
Sigur Ros, "Goddledigood", Med Sud I Eryum Vid Spulum Endalaust
Bloc Party, "Tulips (Club Version)"
Stars, "What I'm trying to say", Set yourself on fire
Tokyo Police Club, "The Nature Of The Experiment"
The Gossip, "Jealous Girls (NYPC Remix)"
!!!, "Heart Of Hearts", Myth Takes
Duchess Says, "Tenen Non Neu", Anthologie des 3 Perchoirs
Danger Doom feat. Cee-Lo, "Benzie Box", THe Mouse & The Mask
Zapp, "Dance Floor"
Santogold, "Les Artistes (Molecule Mix)"
Girl Talk, "Give me a beat", Feed The Animals
Crystal Castles, "Vanished", S/T
Cut Copy, "Heart's On Fire", In Ghost Colours

Muxtape vs Mixtape

Remember this #4



I'm 31. I grew up listening to music at (arguably) the end of the age of vinyl and the smackdab in the middle of the heyday of cassette tapes. Ah tapes. You remember, those wonderful, spindly little pieces of plastic filled with magnetic ribbon that you would chuck all over the place in your car, leave out of the cases 'cause god knows, those suckers wouldn't get ruined like your precious LPs or your new fangled CDs.

Only, those new fangled CD's are looking like they're going to last forever like we thought they would. And that vinyl you've got stored away? Good thing you didn't throw it away, 'cause at least you can still find record players. Also, those new albums you keep hearing bloggers talk about are becoming easier to find on vinyl than they are on CD. Heck, some of you are still pressing 7" singles. Good on ya.

But good luck finding a cassette deck, let alone a ghetto blaster to play your tapes on.

Or even better, one to play your mixtapes on.

Oh, how I miss thee, thy beautiful work of art.



Yes, we can now make CD mixes and with a lot less effort and time. But you've gotta wonder, wasn't that time worth it? As Rob, the protagonist/anti-hero in Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, there is something to be said for sitting down, making a list of songs, arranging them in order, creating a feel, a vibe throughout the mix. But the most important (and now forgotten) part of the mixtape is actually listening to it as you're making it.

Now, with mp3s, you still make the list, you still arrange them, BUT you don't listen to it while it's being created. Nay, you can't do that. The magic of the creation has been replaced by instant programs made for people who don't want to "waste time". The programs we use to create such mixes are made to be fast and efficient. Insert CD here, press button here, out pops CD here.

I'm not saying I'm against CD mixes, nor am I waxing nostalgic over loops of cassette-deck-eaten-tape. I hated it when the tape inside got loose, making the music warbly and warped. I happily enjoy being able to make a mix for a random car ride in less than 10 minutes - including selection, arrangement and execution. But I miss sitting there, pondering the subject (either musical or personal, in the case of the mix tape for someone you like or wish to impress) throughout the entire 60, 90 or 120 minute process. TDK, Memorex, we salute you, you love gods of yesteryear.



About a month ago, someone told me about Muxtape.

Muxtape is a site where people can upload their favorite songs (in mp3 format) to create their own mixtape. The site allows you up to 12 songs, and no song should be over 10 megabytes. You then click on each track and the site uploads it through a script which allows the song to play, as well as continue playing the other songs, just like your old mixtapes.

Muxtape doesn't replace the old cassette or the CD mix, but there is something wonderful about sharing your favorite songs. Which is what mixes are all about. But instead of only one copy of that cassette, or losing a CD, you can just click a link and let as many people as possible listen to your mixes. YOUR mixes. YOUR choices. Your gift.



A mix I made for someone when he is away.

My first mix,made for my friend Hank

Ecouter et Repeter: Archivist

Ecouter et Repeter #1

It’s always difficult to be open and fair when it comes to writing about your friends. In the world of “serious” journalism, having an intimate connection to your subject is often poo-poohed (as is that word) and usually if something or someone is newsworthy, the story is passed on to someone who is unbiased towards the subject.

In the online world of blogs this kind of journalism is looked upon as more of a venal sin than a mortal one. I’ll take my contrition and tell you up front that I know the subject of this post. I met him years ago, before he was hobnobbing with some of Montreal’s best musicians and recording songs in a home studio. When I met Archivist, he was a basketball-playing-beat-poet reading university student. And I was smitten.

And so I am smitten once again.

It started with a cover he sent me of Xiu Xiu’s “Fabulous Muscles”.

It continued with a correspondence and eventually, an interview.

It doesn’t end with our discussion. It continues with a MySpace, a couple MP3s*, and hopefully, plays on your iPod.



How did the name Archivist come about?

I wanted a name that captured my sort of conscious pilfering of music of all sorts through the ages. Everything: John Jacob Niles to Morissey; Leadbelly to Kate Bush; Cohen to Panda Bear. I am forever cracked-up by this undying discourse of the original, and music seems to be so driven by this cult of the new, but really it's just this tiny self-reflexive and insulated world. I wanted to begin with the idea that music is highly conventional; as one man said, 'business as fucking usual.' It's a tissue of quotation, it appeals to a formulated sensibility in us, you know? And so, my stuff has a number of samples in it, 'field recordings,' accidental sounds; sort of autobiographical archives. Into this lust for moremoremore; the pervasiveness of irony; and this 'difference' that is really just shambling sameness, I wanted to kind of insinuate memory: remembering undifference. The archive is a funny machine. While it is essentially a mnemonic device it also actively writes history. Too, if not for the prosthetic memory of such archives as, say, the internet, perhaps memory as it has been understood prior to this late moment of postmodernity-- something experiential and internal-- would not be so threatened as it seems now to be. I want to be a watcher. I want to absorb ideas and present them sonically. But keeping in mind always that it's just my own little solipsistic stage.


Do you find it difficult to be from Montreal in times like these, when everyone from there has instantly (and perhaps without merit) become blog/critic worthy? Do you find the city to be conducive to being creative, perhaps moreso than the other cities you have lived in?

There is this late-Victorian novel by a fellow named George Gissing called New Grub Street. It's about the writing climate of the era. It details a London rife with writers, everybody clambering to succeed, crawling over friends and lovers for a place in the begloomed sun. Some of them are hacks, some of them are selling out. All of these ideas are still circulating. Musicians today who gnaw the bitter bone will tell you about the decline of the music scene, its superficiality. These criticisms are not new. There is a document from five-hundred B.C. that talks about how the world will end soon, the barbarians are at the gate, the next generation is monstrous and over-indulged, that people do not believe in anything and that the emperor is corrupted. These ideas aren't new. That being said. I like the climate. I like the creativity. There are so many talented people here, and in Toronto. I wish everyone could get at least one disc out, get heard. There was once a time when labels gave people three records to break before cutting them loose. (Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run was his third strike, for instance.) Things change. Everyone can record, everyone can launch their own album. Critics too work this way. Anyone can launch a blog, say what's on their mind. How many are looking to get pinned by a pitchfork right through their navels? Many, i wager. Is Montreal especially conducive to creativity? I don't know. I was having this conversation with a fellow whose band helped to break the scene here in Montreal, in 2004 or so, while i was living in New York. He said he'd be at concerts at Sala and suddenly the place was crawling with A & R guys. All in a matter of a month or so. I didn't know that Montreal. But then, on any given night you can walk into a bar on Bernard, or be walking down Parc of a sunday morning and see Jace from the Besnard's or Graham from Miracle Fortress or Murray from the Dears, and they're all making music you live to, and in that respect it's very surreal. New York will always have its Art Stars and their LES and Williamsburg folkies and avant garde performance artists, they will always have their geniuses. But Montreal has it's own little pocket of myth whose high water mark is a global measure (at least to certain nations of the leisure class, who have world enough and time to fret after Pop) and one which, I think, can no longer be considered sophomoric.

Do you work alone?

Yes. For the most part. I pen, perform and produce all Archivist music. I have had friends who play violin for me, or mouth organ here or there. Andrew Smith has done a couple of killer drum tracks for me, and of course I have an in-house bassist in Lisa Smith (of Pony Up fame –ed.), whose shown up on a track or so, and will likely be on more in the future. I like the work of development. I don't know what textures and arrangements will appear finally. I mean, this is perhaps an aspect of the name Archivist too. I can't help but privilege the recorded moment: the sharpening of space and time into a crystalized sonic event. But i like the creative work, and I am selfish for it, i want all of it, you know?


With the recording industry in the way it is, do you think it would be easier or harder to carve a career in music?

I'm not sure about this. I've spoken with people who have found it very difficult to make money with their bands, even if they've had relative success getting their name out. I'm quite certain some of it is who you know. But eventually, hopefully, it comes down to someone liking what you make. Will your music get out? Will it be well received? Who can say? Not if you choose the 'indie' route, which becomes ever less so politically charged as it once was, or not the same valence of political charge anyway. I do think there is more space on the margins. The peasants of the music industry will have their days in the sun. That being said, the initiates and the courtesans will be fewer. That's fine anyway. I think. It's always difficult, art as a career still makes my skin crawl, despite my understanding the pair are deeply imbricated.


Who would you like to work with?

I'm not sure. I'm not especially talented, and then there is always this question of what you could offer the other.

Having done already one cover, would you feel averse to recording other people's songs, or do they have to be your own, or at least, have a known connection to them?

I have one song I do called "Universe Questions," which is by a friend of mine from high-school. I just really like it and I get a bang out of performing it, so I will probably record it. But too I like working with other people's words. It's a reminder of sorts. You try and broach that liminal space between what some body else is trying to say and how it washes over your own person, experientially or whatever. Always this appropriation. I like that. So no, I do not feel averse to working with other people's stuff. It reminds one of the relationality of things; how everything is so metaphor sodden.

**

The Archivist lives, writes and loves in Montreal.


*MP3's for your listening pleasure

"Fabulous Muscles", by Archivist (Xiu Xiu Cover)
"For The Poetess", by Archvist

Run children, run for your life!!

I'm in the mood for this #11
New releases #3

Weeks happen, time moves faster than you want it to and blogging goes by the wayside. Thankfully, I keep a record of certain things. Like last week's episode, as well as this week's. Two for the price of one. Scroll down for more. In the meantime, let's talk about what is one of the best (and most ambitious) singles I've heard in a long time.



My current fixation is the new single by Gnarls Barkley, called "Run". It sounds more like The Go! Team than a Gnarls Barkley, but then again, there is that unmistakable voice. When the duo broke out with "Crazy", everyone and their dog went apeshit over it. Pitchfork loved it, hip-hop fanatics loved it, music video stations loved it, bloggers went ape shit for it and even your mom liked it (hell I hear it on the CBCat least once a week on Sounds Like Canada during their Bleep segment.). The band released a few more singles and although they were good, none of them hit the high peak established by "Crazy".




The album, "The Odd Couple", is available now on iTunes and came out last week in retail stores. Due to a leak of the album, as well as all the buzz on the internet due to this single, the duo decided to release the album a few weeks earlier than it's original April 8th delivery date.

For once, I'm not upset about someone else's premature ejaculation.


March 25th, 2008.

Gianfranco Reverberi, "Nel Cimitiero del Ruscon"
Broken Social Scene, "I'm still your fag", You forgot it in people
Old Man Luedecke, "Hinterland", Hinterland
Beirut, "Cherbourg", The Flying Cup Club
Antony & The Johnsons, "I fell in love with a dead boy"
New Pornographers, "Challengers", Challengers
Doug Mason, "Local Culture", Invisible Star
Stolen Minks, "Boys on the floor", EP
Superfantastics, "Van Gogh", Choose your destination
Wolf Parade, "Shine a light", Apologies to the Queen Mary
Peter, Bjorn & John, "Object of my affection", Writers's Block
Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy", St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley, "Run"
Skratch Bastid. Pip Skid & John Smith, "I ain't lazy", Taking care of business
Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees, "Ameliaa Erahart"
Santogold feat Spank Rock, "Shove it (Switch Remix)"
Hot Chip, "Bendable, Poseable", Made In The Dark
Poni Hoax, "Antibodies (To The Bone Edit)"
Crystal Castles, "Untrust Us", S/T
Syntonics, "Rock2Nite"
Thunderheist, "Suenos Dulces"
Modeselektor, "Kill Bill Vol 4", Hello Mom
BoysNoize, "& Down (Boysnoize vs Siriusmo Remix)", Oi Oi Oi Remixed

The April Fool's edition

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Lou Barlow, "Royalty"
Great Lake Swimmers, "Where in the world are you?", Ongiara
Old Man Luedecke, "At The Airport", Hinterland
Old Man Luedecke, "Just Like a river", Proof Of Love
Rufus Wainwright, "Chelsea Hotel No. 2", I'm your man
Forest City Lovers, "Watching the streetlights grow", Haunting Moon Sinking
Grizzly Bear, "Knife", Yellow House
Portishead, "Plastic", Third
Wolf Parade, "I'll believe in anything", Apologies to the Queen Mary
Battles, "Atlas", Mirrored
Merryn Cadell, "Flight attendant", Angel food for thought
Tricky, "Tricky Kid", Grassroots
Buck 65, "Dirtywork", Cretin Hip Hop Vol 1
Sebastien Grainger, "When i go out"
Bjork, "Alarm Call", Homogenic
Radiohead, "15 steps", In Rainbows
LCD Soundsystem, "Thrills", LCD Sounsdystem
Duchess Says, "Tenen Non Neu", Anthologie des 3 Perchoirs
Hercules & Love affair, "Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)"
Spektrum, "Kinda New (Dirty South Remix)"

Gnarls Barkley, "Run", from "The Odd Couple"

You've got fabulous muscles when you're disco dancin'

I'm in the mood for this#10
Cover Me #4
Disco is not a dirty word#4
Remember this? #3


It's amazing what can happen when you reconnect with people.



I sent an old friend a quick email, asking what he was doing. Apparently he's doing covers of Xiu Xiu and recording under the name of Archivist. For this latest installment of Cover Me, here he is with his cover of Fabulous Muscles.

I felt like re-visiting a little disco for this week's edition of "Moody Morning Music" as well as a bit of early 90's dance. First the disco:



I discovered Kebekelektrik by accident. I was at a record convention in Montreal digging through a box of old 45's when I saw this 45:



It looked interesting. The name sounded vaguely disco so for I picked it up for a buck. When I got home, I was stunned, not by the title track, "Mirage", but by the minute and a half of the B-side, titled "Star Dance". A couple of months later, I came across a copy of their first album, a US issue on SalSoul. I took it home, put the needle on the record and was blown away by its deep cosmic disco beauty. The last track, War Dance included the piece known as "Star Dance". The track is nothing more than pure disco deliciousness.

Another record I picked up by sheer curiosity was The Crown Heights Affair's first release, Dreaming A Dream



The opening and title track is featured twice on the album, once as a vocal the second in an instrumental disco version, featuring a hook-laden "doot doot doot doot" and a sweet little synth that takes you the early glory days of disco.

As for the early 90's dance pieces, I was flipping through some old records and felt the need to play some of them on my show.



Soul II Soul's first album, "Keep on Movin'" was one of the first albums that I bought that made me go, "Wow, this is what dance music could and should be." Admittedly, I was only 12 at the time the album came out, but the album's sound played a huge influence upon me and what I later came to enjoy and seek out in terms of dance music, especially the music which came from the UK and the scene in which the members, especially Jazzy B. and Nellee Hooper were involved, namely, The Wild Bunch.

A few years later, after the sound system based grooves of Soul II Soul had left the clubs, the new inhabitants, hungover from the post summer of love rave daze, were going more and more underground, digging into different genres (and record crates) for new sounds. The Future Sound of London found that sound in an old Dead Can Dance record.



Papua New Guinea was considered by many to be a milestone in the development and growth of underground dance music, as well as the rising popularity and acceptance of this new genre of dance music. The song almost feels like an anomaly when listening to some of FSOL's later works, namely, "We Have The Explosive", a track which went on to have a life of it's own a few years later.



Enjoy the show as well as the video links in the tracklisting.


Gonzales, "Overnight"
Laura Nyro, "Brown Earth", Christmas and the beads of sweat
Archivist, "Fabulous Muscles (Xiu Xiu Cover)"
Jane Siberry, "Slow Tango", City
Jennifer Warnes, "Fanous Blue Raincoat", Famous Blue Raincoat
Sunset Rubdown, "Winged/Wicked Things", Random Spirit Lover
Born Ruffians, "Red, Yellow, Blue", Red, Yellow, Blue
Forest City Lovers, "At The Border"
Superfantastica, "Turn on me", Choose your destination
Immaclate Machine, "Jarhand", Fables
Dog Day, "Oh Dead Life", Oh Dead Life EP
Sugarcubes, "Hit", 12"
Portishead, "Smell", Third
Buck 65, "The abandoned cars of INverness County", Cretin Hip Hop Vol 1
Soul II Soul, "Jazzie's Groove', Keep On Movin'
Future Sound Of London, "Papua New Guinea"
Massive Attack, "Unfinished Sympathy", Blue Lines
Goldfrapp, "Cologne Cerrone Houdini", Seventh Tree
Crown Heights Affair, "Dreaming A Dream (Disco)", Dreaming A Dream
Kebekelektrik, "War Dance", Kebekelektrik
Feist, "My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)"

Soul II Soul"Back To Life", from Keep On Movin'

Punk lives.

Yes that's right, punk is dead
It's just another cheap product for the consumers head
Bubblegum rock on plastic transistors
Schoolboy sedition backed by big time promoters
CBS promote the Clash
Ain't for revolution, it's just for cash
Punk became a fashion just like hippy used to be
Ain't got a thing to do with your or me

Movements are systems and systems kill
Movements are expressions of the public will
Punk became a movement cos we all felt lost
Leaders sold out and now we all pay the cost
Punk narcissism was a social napalm
Steve Jones started doing real harm
Preaching revolution, anarchy and change
Sucked from the system that had given him his name

Jeffrey Lewis first heard Crass while attending university in 1993. Like a handful are able to, he was able to get past the shotty production quality, repetitive instrumentation (even for punk) and appreciate the band's radicalism, wit and uncompromising sound. Crass were one of those bands who's lyrics were intended to be read rather than heard.... until Jeffrey Lewis came along and recorded his album 12 Crass Songs. The album holds twelve acoustic rendititions with minimal backing musicians and vocalists. Although I've listened to Crass for about six or seven years now, going through recent phases of pure hatred towards them, mere appreciation for their lyrics only, and at first loving everything about them, I never truly appreciated this song until now. It's aggressive, sardonic punk rock idealism blended with Lewis' own hopefulness and sunny guitarwork. Lewis plays the bearer of bad news in place of Crass here. His version is much less alientating, which may finally make people appreciate what Crass had to say. Not everyone wants to be shouted at. They'd rather be told bad news from a gentle voice.

Jeffrey Lewis - Punk is Dead

Fantasies are synth from screens

I'm in the mood for this #9
Cover me#3
New releases #2


First things first. On April 28th, 2008, Portishead's third album will be released.



It has been over ten years since they had put out a studio album. Beth Gibbons had started a small side project in the interim, and there were murmurs of a reunion after the release of their cover of Serge Gainbourg's, Requiem for Anna for the tribute album.

It's about time. And I believe that the wait was well worth it.



Arguably one of Canada's greatest poets, lyricists and perhaps one of the greatest canadian cultural icons, Leonard Cohen was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and has decided to go on a world tour while he's at it. I discovered Cohen's work while watching a well meaning early 90's teen flick and was stunned. In university, I discovered his early poems and began to understand not only how brilliant this man's work was, but rather, how transcendant a good poem could be.



As for this week's covers, this episode of Moody Morning Music includes Antony doing Leonard Cohen, Calexico doing Arcade Fire and Final Fantasy doing (improving?) Bloc Party. Click on the links for videos or mp3s.




Enjoy

Portishead, "Cowboys (Instrumental)", 12"
Old Man Luedecke, "Notes form the banjor underground", Hinterland
Great Lake Swimmers, "I could be nothing", Bodies & Minds
Meryn Cadell, "Secret", Angel Food for thought
Leonard Cohen, "Suzanne", Songs of
Antony, "If it be your will", I'm your man
Calexico, "Ocean of Noise (Arcade Fire Cover)"
Final Fantasy, "This Modern Love (Bloc Party Cover)"
Forest City Lovers, "Country Road", Haunting Moon Sinking
Bell Orchesrte, "Throw it on a fire", Recording a tape the colour of the light
Goldfrapp, "A&E", Seventh Tree
Portishead, "Sour Sour Times", Glory Times
Portishead, "Glory Box (Mudflap Mix)", Glory Times
Portishead, "Undenied", S/T
Portishead, "Only You", S/T
Portishead, "Hunter", Third
Portishead, "Nylon Smile", Third
Dog Day, "Ironhide", Oh Dead Life
Glass Candy, "Iko"
Hercules & Love Affair, "Blind"
Hot Chip, "Ready for the floor", Made in the dark

Portishead, "Only You", directed by Chris Cunningham

So take a look at me now.

I'm in the mood for this #8
Cover me #2


I have a strange love-hate relationship with Phil Collins. I think he's a loser, but a loser who has moments of grandeur. I mean, c'mon, as annoying as Sussudio is, you have to admit it's a catchy little pop ditty. And I don't even want to think about how many weddings have played his songs. So I begrudgingly respect some of his works. Very begrudgingly.

But I forgive him when I hear other people play his songs. Namely, The Postal Service's cover of "Against All Odds". I mean, c'mon, even the New York Post thinks it's one of the best covers of all time. But then again, they did vote for Animal Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal".



Enjoy

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Cat Power, "Wild is the wind", The Covers Record
Keren Ann, "Not going anywhere", Not going anywhere
Richard Buckner, "Mud", Bloomed
Beirut, "A sunday smile", The Flying Cup Club
Nina Simone, "Love me or leave me"
Gentleman Reg, "It's not safe", Darby & Joan
Meryn Cadell, "The Sweater", Angel food for thought
Meryn Cadell, "Barbie", Angel food for thought
Arctic Monkeys,"You know I'm no good"
Postal Service, "Against all odds"
The Superfantastics, "Van Gogh", Choose your destination
Buzzcocks, "Ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn't)?", 30
M83, "Teen Angst", Before the dawn heals us
Buck 65, "Spooked", Cretin Hip Hop Vol. 1
Burial, "Archangel", Untrue
Thom Yorke, "Skip Divided (Modeselektor remix)"
Thunderheist, "Horny"
Jahcoozi, "BLN"
Cadence Weapon, "In search of the youth crew", Afterparty Babies
Tricky, "Brand new you're retro", Maxinquaye
New Young Pony Club, "The Bomb (Phones Edit)"
MSTRKRFT, "Work on you (Para One Remix)", 12"

For more covers, just click on the links to lead you to the originals.

Richard Buckner's "22"

I'll believe in anything

I'm in the mood for this #7

After having an amazing weekend, I remembered some of the songs/artists I used to play and make mix CD's for someone. This show is for him. Note the new Hot Chip track, a new Superfantastics song from their new EP as well as new Cadence Weapon.

Note: the songs in italics are for him as well.



Enjoy. Listen.

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Great Lake Swimmers, "Song for the angels", Bodies & Minds
Antony & The Johnsons, "Bird Gerhl", I am a bird now
Feist, "How my heart behaves", The Reminder
Radiohead, "Unravel (feat. Bjork)"
Portishead, "Requiem for Anna", Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited
Hot Chip, "Made in the dark", Made in the dark
controller.controller, "The Raw No", X-amounts
Stars, "Your ex-lover is dead", Set yourself on fire
Black Mountain, "Wild Wind", In The Future
New Pornographers, "Challengers", Challengers
Wolf Parade, "I'll believe in anything", Apologies to the Queen Mary*
Superfantastics, "Turn on me", Choose your destination
Dntel, "The dream of Evan & Chan"
The Postal Service, "Such great heights", Give Up
Holy Fuck, "Choppers", LP
Buck 65, "Indestructible Sam", Cretin Hip Hop Vol 1
Cadence Weapon, "Unsuccesful Club Nights", Afterparty Babies
The Juan MacLean, "Give Me Every little thing"
The Cure, "Close To Me (12" Mix), 12"
Liquid Liquid, "Bellhead"
LCD Soundsystem, "Us V Them (Amigam Remix)"

*Wolf Parade, I'll Believe In Anything (Live)

Knocking on heaven's door

I'm in the mood for this#6
Cover me#1



Buy the soundtrack

I have to admit, I am not one of the throngs of people who love and idolise Dylan. Is he important? Without a doubt. Is he a gifted songwriter? Beyond any doubt. Is he still producing important works? Arguably.

"Knockin' on heaven's door" is one of those songs that is often pulled out by ridiculous frat boys with guitars trying to look and be all sensitive, and skinny guys who want to get laid alike. Which means that I had kind of forgotten that it was actually a Dylan classic. It had kind of gotten dirty with all those bad covers. Then I heard Antony's cover. Slowly, all those layers of sachharine and collegial lechery faded, and I realised what this was: a great song.



Enjoy

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Albin de la Simone, "Elle aime (feat. Feist)"
Jimmy Scott, "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child", The Source
Antony & The Johnsons, "Knockin' on heaven's door", I'm not there
Portishead, "Glory Box", Dummy
Tricky, "Hell is round the corner", Maxinquaye
Massive Attack, "Protection", Protection
Beck, "Ramshackle", Odelay
Grizzly Bear, "He Hit Me", Friends EP
Hawksley Workman, "Wonderful & Sad", Lover/Fighter
Interpol, "NYC Cares", Turn on the bright lights
Black Mountain, "Queens will play", In The Future
Tom Fun Orchestra, "When you were mine", You will land with a thud
Got to get got, "No one riots in the winter", Canadian arts collective blues/huge zig zag
Superfantastics, "Lullaby Punches", Choose your destination
The Arcade Fire, "Antichrist Television Blues", Neon Bible
The Long Blondes, "Lust in the movies", Someone to drive you home
Cadence Weapon, "In search of the youth crew", Afterparty babies
Gnarls Barkley, "Run"
Santogold feat. Spank Rock, "Shove it (Switch Remix)"
Simian Mobile Disco, "Hot Dog", Attack Decay Sustain Release



Antony and the Johnsons, "Knockin' on heaven's door"

Remember this#2: NYC Cares

Inspired by certain events, and by the song itself, I thought I would post not only a great song but a great video, directed by Doug Aitken




Buy the album
Interpol

Disco is not a dirty word #3: Poni Hoax, Nuovo-Italo

I don't even remember where I first heard them.



I found an MP3 on a blog, somewhere. It listened to it, dug it, asked Jeff about it, but he had never heard of them.

I kind of forgot about it for a couple of months until I started going through songs to put on the new iPod Nano I got for Xmas. I made a list of all the MP3s I had only listened to once or twice and put all of them on the Nano. While taking the bus, I heard thisbass line kick in. It hit me hard. This was amazing. How could I have not realised how good this was? It also didn't hurt that for the past month or so I had gone on a re-discovery of disco and learned all about the wonders of Italo. Believe me, I'm still learning. (Shut up Jeff).

I haven't been able to find out much. They're French. The girl is a guest vocalist, apparently. "Budapest" was produced by Joakim Bouaziz who has worked with Tiga, Annie and Air. They put out a new single in 2007 called "Antibodies". They're wonderful. And they have fanned the flames of my love of disco.

Enjoy.

Video for "Antibodies"by Poni Hoax

Disco is not a dirty word #2: Disco Not Disco: Addendum

Just a quick follow up to Simon's disco post last week.
originally off of the '85 LP "Home Boy - Sister Out" by
Don Cherry; Strut chose this track for the first installment
of Disco-not-Disco back in 2000. Enjoy.

From the first Disco: Not Disco, I walk, Don Cherry

I'm in the mood for this #3, Disco is not a dirty word #1

I recently got a copy of this:



Released by Strut Records and part of a series, Disco, Not Disco has over the course of three compilations unearthed rare records and brought to light gems which had not been heard since their minimal heyday in the dirtiest of genres, disco. I say dirty, because disco is still a dirty word here in North America, imbued with images of ABBA, Bee Gees and Saturday Night Fever. But if that truly were disco, then disco deserved to burn.

But it didn't have to be that way.

And it wasn't.




Take a listen

Gonzales, "Overnight", Solo Piano
Old Man Luedecke, "I am a rich man", Hinterland
Lou Barlow, "Legendary", Emoh
Antony & The Johnsons, "Knockin' on heaven's door", I'm not there sndtck.
Cat Power, "Wild is the wind", The Covers Record
Cat Power, "Blue", Jukebox
Great Lake Swimmers, "Put there by the land", Ongiara
Grizzly Bear, "Shift (Alternate version)", Friend EP
Low, "In Silence", Daytrotter Sessions*
The New Pornographers, "Mutiny, I Promise you", Challengers
Stars, "The Night starts here", In our bedroom after the war
PJ Harvey, "Down by the water", To bring you my love
Dog Day, Great Pains", Night Group
Mark Ronson, "Valerie (Feat. Amy Winehouse)"
Sixtoo, "Track 11", Jacks and Vipers in envy of man
Buck 65, "The Beatific", Situation
Shriekback, "My spine is the bassline (12" edit)", Disco, Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics
LCD Soundsystem, "Freak out/Starry Eyes", Confuse the Marketplace 12"
Radio 4, "Dance to the underground"
Modeselektor, "The White Flash (feat. Thom Yorke)", Happy Birthday
Holy Fuck, "Frenchy's", LP
Windom Earle, "Kitten Vs Pegasus", Goldwave



Click on the link for an MP3 of the song. By request for Andy Miller

I'm in the mood for this #2

This week's episode of Moody Morning Music features a little IDM. As I am going through all my old cd's and 45's of stuff I haven't listened to in a while, I keep finding new things, Expect to continue hearing them on the show.



MP3

Gonzales, "Gogol", Solo Piano
Old Man Luedecke, "Quiet Creek", Hinterland
Jose Gonzales, "In Our Nature", In Our Nature
Grizzly Bear, "He Hit Me", Friends EP
Xiu Xiu, "I do want what I want",
Handsome Furs, "In The Radio's Hot Sun", Plague Park
New Pornographers, "Adventures in Solitude", Challengers
Radiohead, "Unravel (Pocket Mix)"
Otis Redding, "Shake", 7"
Syl Johnson, "Take Me To The River", 7"
Al Green, "Call Me (Come Back Home)", 7"
Jamie Lidell, "Multiply", Multiply
The Pipettes, "Sex", We are the Pipettes
Dog Day, "Night Group", Night Group
Holy Fuck, "Milkshake", LP
Aphex Twin, "Milkman", Richard D. James Album
Squarepusher, "Do you know Squarepusher?", Do You Know Squarepusher?
Kebekelektrik, "Star Dance", 7"
Poni Hoax, "Budapest"*
Hercules & Love Affair, "Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)", 12"
Simian Mobile Disco, "Hot Dog", Attack, Sustain, Delay, Release

a video by David Firth, authour/creator of Salad Fingers. This video is NOT for the faint of heart. Music by Aphex Twin



*Click on the link for an MP3 of the track.

The Best of 2007

Pulled from Simon's Folly.

I did this last year, and loved it so much, and got such good response for it, that I'm doing it again. This is not the be-all of lists, I know I missed some stuff, but this is what grabbed my attention the most this year. I will be posting this in increments, to space it out. I'm also a wee bit democratic about all this, so I'm doing it alphabetically.



The Arcade Fire, “Neon Bible”

In a world of hype, second album curses,overwhelming and soul crushing expectations, the Arcade Fire holed itself up in an old converted church with their friends and created a loud, raucous and ambitious record. “Neon Bible” not only went straight to the top, but the band went on to create every hipster’s and indie kid’s wet dream tour by joining up with LCD Soundsystem. The tour which ended up selling out the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Albert Hall. Not bad for the little band that could, and did.



Architecture in Helsinki, “Heart it Races”.



When everyone got tired of “indie dance” records, the cutest of the cute, Australia’s own “Architecture in Helsinki” came out with “Heart it Races”. Released at the onset of summer, the song’s sun-filled beats were beyond infectious, smoothing over their offset vocals with Trinidadian steel drums and sweet synths. The song was released as a 5 song CD single, including remixes and covers. How can you not smile to this one?



Armand Van Helden, "NYC Beat (Prince Language Remix)"

Battles, “Mirrored”.



In seven minutes, Battles taught me that math rock was not a bad word, that I probably underestimated Helmet (one of the member’s former bands) and that electronic music still has a lot to learn from rock. The single “Atlas” (reduced to four minutes in it’s radio friendly version) hooks you in as soon as you hear the drum beat coming at you, deliberately. Listening to Battles is like being dragged into a either a speeding car chase (dDiamond) or witnessing an alien army arriving (Atlas). And I’ll be fucked if those incomprehensible lyrics aren’t one of the best hooks I’ve heard in years.



Beirut, “The Flying Cup Club”.



Imagine barely being twenty and having all the world’s geeks and music snobs worshipping every note you wrote. Imagine going on tour with people you just started playing with, and having to transpose over an album’s worth of material for them, when really, you only ever played all the instruments yourself. Imagine still being inspired and hooking up with an award winning composer, musician and arranger and spending a few months in a small church owned by Canada’s indie gods and recording an hommage to all of the great chansonniers of France. This is what Zach Condon did with “The Flying Cup Club”. After recruiting Owen Pallett (a.k.a. Final Fantasy) to help him write and produce most of his latest tracks, Condon released a short (under 45 minutes) album’s worth of strings, mandolins, accordions that would charm the bitterness away from Jacques Brel.



Bjork, “Volta”



Rumous of Bjork working with Timabaland made bloggers and b-boys alike drool with anticipation. But when the album arrived, the intital hype had waned when it was discovered that Bjork had only collaborated with the beatmaster on a few select tracks. Timbaland notwithstanding, Volta is still a worthy album of its own right. And like most Bjork records, it takes a few listen to get into, with a few instant hooks getting right under your skin (Declare Independence, Earth Intruders).



Bloc Party, “A weekend in the city”



It is still to be decided whether or not Bloc Party’s 2nd record is a success. If you were looking for another “Silent Alarm”, you would not find it here. Where the first full length was rough, this was smooth. Where you would hear a four piece, here you would hear synths and slick production. Fans were puzzled. Do we ditch the band we love because they’ve changed? No. Kele’s voice is still there, the lyrics still hit us in the same way, and even though the sound is full rather than sparse, it’s still a band we love. We just don’t go ape shit over them as much as we used to. Which is maybe why the band is re-relasing the album, with a new single (Flux) and a DVD of their live performances. Knowing me, I’ll probably buy it, as well as pick up a copy of it in vinyl. Because dammit, I love this band.

Bloc Party, "On", from Weekend in the city

Bonde Do Role



If last year was about Cansei De Ser Sexy, this year was about Bonde Do Role. Pundits like to say that the whole “baille funk” sound is another dead fad, but kids were still digging the ridiculous and sample-based sounds coming out of Brazil and Bonde. Where CSS was well rehearsed (as much as they could be), Bonde sounded like a streetside soundsystem, made on the fly and with stolen goods. I know I shouldn’t like this anymore, but I still do. Bring me the funk.



Bonnie Prince Billy, “The Letting Go”.



This is not Palace music. This is Will Oldham being soft and serene, writing love songs that even your mom would like (“Love comes to me”). This is the album to give to friends when you want to introduce them to the wonders of Will. Musically and lyrically solid, Oldham proves once again that even if you’re putting out records constantly, doesn’t mean you’re putting out crap.

Bonnie Prince Billy, "Love comes to me" from The Letting Go


Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew’s “Spirit If…”



The last two years have been all about BSS. This year was about it’s individual members. Feist put out “The Reminder”, Emily Haines’ Metric finally released their first record and Stars released a knock out. Even little Kevin Drew had been working on his own stuff, but with his BSS friends. “Is it a BSS record, or isn’t it?” , they asked themselves. They were all there. But this was about Kevin. But Kevin doesn’t want to take all the credit. So let’s just call it “Broken Social Scene Presents:”. Expect another one next year from Brendan Canning.

Kevin Drew, "Safety Bricks", from "Spirit if

Buck 65, “Situation”.



When Buck released “The secret house against the world”, people wondered if Buck had completely abandoned hip hop. But rumours circulated that his next record would bring the ole’ Buck back. He went and hung out in Montreal with Skratch Bastid (also formerly from Hal-town) and the two of them fooled around, played some amazing gigs, got the rights to some killer records (for dirt cheap or so I have been told on the DL) and recorded some tight shit. “Situation” was launched and any doubts about Rich stinkin’ were gone.



Chromeo, “Fancy Footwork”



When I first heard Chromeo's “Needy Girl”, I thought it was an 80’s record I had just never heard. Nope. This was new. This was now. This was Chromeo. Sparse, direct and slightly cheesy. But then in the interim between their first album and "Fancy Footwork", the first Jewish-Arab musical duo worked on their musical and production chops and put out probably one of the best dance records of the year with such sweet singles as “Tenderoni” and “Fancy Footwork”. Who knew that anyone other than Stevie Wonder could make a talking box the utmost of the cool?




The Clientele, “Dreams of Leaving”



To be honest, The Clientele’s latest album sounds like a continuation of their last. Lush, beautiful and mildly haunting. But I have enough of that on their last album, “Strange Geometry”. But then there is “Dreams of Leaving”, the closing track to “God save the Clientele”. And you forget you ever heard anything else they’ve ever done (save for perhaps “Make You Mine”) and fall in love with them all over again.

The Clientele, "Dreams Of Leaving


Daft Punk, “Alive 2007”.


Daft Punk est mort. Vive Daft Punk!!!! I never thought I would care about a live album from a bunch of guys wearing masks and playing MP3s at their shows. But everyone I know who went and saw them (as well as every review/blog/magazine) say that Daft Punk have brought the show to the masses and the masses are reeling. One listen to this and you will know why.



Dog Day, “Night Group”



I saw Dog Day for the first time on Valentine’s Day. It was in a small club, with less than 150 people in there. Yes, this all smacks of music snob clichés, but it’s true. I was about to leave (I had pink eye, it was nasty outside and I was tired) and then I heard three notes and was hooked. A little jingling guitar, sweet synths and a kick ass drum sound. Holy shit. Holy shit. It’s been said that Dog Day mix the Smiths with Sonic Youth and make it their own. As pretentious and ridiculous and blog happy as that sounds, it’s kinda true. Kudos to the dogs for putting out what is arguably Canada’s record of the year.



Feist, “The Reminder”



On her last record, Feist covered the Bee Gees, Ron Sexsmith, wrote some great tunes of her own and went mildly jazzy. On this, her latest, she dabbles with Nina Simone’s “See Line Woman”, joins forces with Jamie Lidell, Gonzales and Mocky (the latter two are regular contributors) and releases a more cohesive record than “Let it Die”. With “One two three four” and “My Moon My Man” she released two singles at once, each one hits in their own right alongside such beauties as “The water” which will break and soothe your heart all at once. Oh yeah, and the video for "One Two Three Four" was used in an iPod Nano commercial. Big woop.



*And by the way, this video was all done in one continuous shot. No edits.

I'm still not sick of it.

Go! Team, “Proof of youth”.



It started as a small project, gained notoriety, ensared legal copyright issues and created a worldwide buzz. The Go! team are perhaps no longer concerned with clearing samples, and now having gone on tour and understanding what it means to be a band. The band also used the money they got from selling their songs (shut up, they didn't “sell out”) to finance this record. Ninja worked with Simian Mobile Disco and the Go!Team reeled from the residuals of having worked with Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine All in all a good year, a good album, and a good thing.

The Go!Team, "Grip Like A Vice", Proof of youth

Jose Gonzalez, “In Our Nature”



In 2004, an argentinian-bred swede recorded an album featuring two covers. One of Joy Division’s “Love will tear us apart” and the other by fellow Swedes The Knife. That song, “Heartbeats” was later used in an ad for Sony and the song spread faster than a viral campaign (and with much better blog-cred). The album was re-released in 2006 to keep up with demand (and perhaps to help keep the hype alive?) and at the end of 2007, Gonzales released his 2nd album. This time, there is still a cover song (Massive Attack’s “Teardrop”, a staple from his live shows), but it is in such song as “How Low” and “Cycling Trivialities” that you understand where he is coming from. And Gonzales is from a beautiful place indeed.

Jose Gonzalez, "Cycling Trivialities", In Our Nature


Handsome Furs, “Plague Park”.



While Canada and the rest of the world awaits with baited breath for the next Wolf Parade record, we were however not without the glorious voices of Dan Broeckner's Handsome Furs and Spencer Krug's Sunset Rubdown. The Furs’ “Plague Park” did not dissapoint Wolf Parade fans, and if anything, left us wanting more from what are arguably Canada’s most talented (if not interesting) musical friends.

Handsome Furs, "What we had", Plague Park

PJ Harvey, “White Chalk”.



Comparisons to Harvey's “Is this desire” are easy to come about when listening to this album, but this time she’s abandoned the electronics to create texture and mood. Working with sparse instrumentation and breathy vocals, the effect is disheartening, not because of the album itself, but by virtue of its sheer raw power, produced by such simple sounds. The album may require a few listens before you really wrap your head around it, but you realise that you’re listening to a very secret and beautiful confession.

PJ Harvey, "Dear Darkness", White Chalk

Immaculate Machine, “Jarhand”



Ding! I’m still not sure or what Jarhand is, but goddamn if this isn’t an insanely catchy tune. Equal parts twee, rawkin’ drums and great harmonies, the Immaculate Machine’s debut single from “Fables” is infectious, poppy, peppy and features one of the best choral chorus’ of the year (which includes one certain member of Franz Ferdinand). Oh, and in this video, if you look, you can see me dancing in the corner. =)



Iron & Wine, “The Sheperd’s Dog”.



The danger in being a folk singer with a guitar is that sooner or later, your fans either get tired of hearing the same chords and delicate fingering, or they hope that you never change and leave you without the room to grow as an artist and a person. Sam Beam could’ve easily fallen prey to this. But thanks to his friends in Calexico who prodded him to explore things outside just himself and his guitar - and two EPs since his last full length, In our endless numbered days- Beam vanquished said curse, and cultivated a natural musical progression which culminates in “The Sheperd’s Dog”. Fans who are looking for the dude with the big beard and the guitar and the soft, introspective arrangements should prepare themselves to hear something lovely, serene, yet aloft in instrumentation and wonder.



Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, 100 Days, 100 =Nights



This summer, I got a package from a friend of mine. In it were a bunch of mix cd’s, one of them entitled “Back in today”. Track 7 was a song by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings called "How Long Do I Have to Wait?". That song was soon stuck on repeat, and was my favorite way to wake up in the morning. Thank you Hank.

And "Thank You" to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings for putting out a new record this year. Now, more then ever is the right time as members of the media, music fans and soul enthusiasts alike have come to discover what is probably some of the best soul and funk to be produced since its heyday, naysayers be damned.



Justice, “✝”



The album opens with dark and foreboding fanfare. Less than a minute in, those fat and filtered beats kick in and you realise that you are in for a hell of a ride. Justice made their name in the club world with it’s speaker busting track, “Waters of Nazareth” (2004’s “We are your friends” notwithstanding), and gave fans a sneak peek of what the album would behold with the release of “Phantom” this spring, but when the album was released this summer, it seemed like the whole world seemed to take note, not just the club kids and bloggers. Justice were everywhere, being remixed and name-dropped by hip-hop DJs, American Apparel-clad hipsters and their song appeared in cell phone commercials. They were chastised for going on tour like a real band, playing clubs as well as music halls, rather than “acting like DJs”. But if you, or any of your friends had the chance to see these guys on tour, you understand that it wasn’t just sales alone that made these guys go for bigger venues (the show in Montreal I experienced was sold out twice over in the same night). As soon as the bass hits you, you realise that these guys may not be spinning records, and that wall of speakers may be a dummy, but goddamn, you, and the crowd are acting like you’re at a rock show. Fists in the air, crowd surfing and screams of appreciation appear when your favorite riff or song begins to fold into the mix, same as an guitar-slingin' band. Et Justice pour tous

Justice, "Phantom Pt. !! (Soulwax Nite Version)"

Klaxons, “Myths of the near future”



Yes, the singles were relased last year. But damnit if we North Americans only got our grubby little hands on the album this year. Not only did the Klaxons re-record “Atlantis to Interzone” and “Golden Skans” (which at this point, had already been remixed by more people than you can shake your glow sticks at), they helped (somewhat mockingly and tongue-in-cheek) dub a new genre of music, “nu rave”, headlining the first ever Nu Rave music festival, organized by NME. The Klaxons (and anyone worth their salt) have gone off to take the piss out of the term, but the music lives on. These frenetic tunes remind you that sometimes you want to dance, and you don’t care where the sound comes from, whether it be cheesy rave sirens or punk fueled guitars. Long live The Klaxons.

Klaxons, "Atlantis to Interzone", Myths of the near future

LCD Soundsysrem, “Sounds of Silver”



In 2004, North Americans outside of New York (they had been with him for a few years) were introduced to a slightly pudgy music geek who sang a song that made a claim that anyone under 30 wish they could say: “Daft Punk is playing at my house”. But this wasn’t a disco house record, it wasn’t a rock record, but damnit, it was good. James Murphy, the mastermind behind LCD (and half of DFA Records) went on tour, left his studio behind, and learned what it meant to play in a band. This meant trusting others, leaving someone else to make your beats live, and leaving the gadgetry (somewhat) behind and letting someone else bang on the cowbell. When “All my friends” was released, people were perhaps left wanting for keyboards, but were not left wanting for solid songs, tight riffs and a beautiful nihilistic record.

LCD Soundsystem, "Someone Great", Sound Of Silver

Jens Lekman, “Night falls over Kortedala”.



For a while, Lekman thought we would stop recording music. So he worked (briefly) in a bolwing alley, moved to Kortedala, and holed himself up until he realised he waned to make music again. Jens teased his fans with the aptly titled“Friday night at the bowling alley” at the beginning of the year, finally releasing the entire album in late September. A little more lush than most of the work on his EPs, and incorporating many more samples (disco anyone?) than you would find on "Maple Leaves", Lekman’s night is a lovely place to inhabit.



M.I.A., “Kala”.



This is not an album full of “Bucky Done Gun”s. This an album made by a woman who is pissed off that she isn’t allowed into the United States. This is an album made by an individual who is amazed and depressed at the status of those living off the sinew of the land rather than the fat. This is an album made by a woman who knows who to trust when it comes to beats, wether that be, Switch, Timbaland, Diplo but most of all, herself. This is an album that has cacophonous dance tunes like “Bird Flu”, fuck-you anthems such as “Paper Planes” and Jonathan Richman quoting tunes such as “Bamboo Banga”. Dance your motherfuckin’ ass off and while making a political statement.



Jackie Mitoo, “Wishbone”



In the late 60’s and early 70’s, a wave of Jamaicans moved to Toronto, bringing with it not only it’s religious, culinary and cultural traditions, but some of it’s best musicians as well. Studio One’s Jackie Mitoo was one of them, and he went on to record “Wishbone” in 1973. Albeit the album is less reggae and more soul (with a touch of funk), Mitoo’s album was one of those hard-to-find gems that garnered such prices as high as 100$ from collectors. Finally re-released this year on Light In The Attic, a whole new (and broader, as the first album was not well distributed outside of Toronto) generation are discoverings Canada’s influence on Jamaican music and vice-versa.

Jackie Mitoo, "Soul Bird", Wishbone

Modeselektor, “Happy Birthday”


Over the past year and a half, I have extolled the virtues of Modeselektor. Their tracks incorporate dubstep, hip-hop, electro, drum ‘n’ bass and dancehall. Now, anybody who listens to any of those genres would probably shiver at the thought of any one record playing with those genres together. You would probably expect a hackneyed, aren’t-I-so-clever record. Not so. Modeselektor put out hot hip tracks, (The dark side of the sun), haunting tech records (The white flash) all the while being respectful to both genres. Having worked with French hip hop trio TTC, Thom Yorke, the Puppetmastaz, this german duo have put out one of the best electronic records of the year.

Modeselektor feat. Thom Yorke, "The White Flash", Happy Birthday

The New Pornographers, “Challengers”



What is with Canadians and super groups? We have Broken Social Scene, By Divine Right and The New Pornographers who have members in other bands all over the place (Feist, Metric, Immaculate Machine Stars, just to name a few), let alone their solo projects. I guess we’re just a creative bunch. Having said that, this particular creative bunch hit the nail on the head with a great pop rock record with sing along choruses, great melodies, hooks and an amazing pedigree. Godspeed you great artists.



New Young Pony Club



A year and a half ago a friend of mine gave me a mix cd with a fun little track lifted from a 7”. It was called “jerk me”. About a year later, the NYPC were making kids dressed head to toe American Apparel ware dancing in the clubs, their chunky fluorescent shades reflecting the lights off the lenses. Ignore the hype. Just dance.

New Young Pony Club, "The Bomb (Phones Edit)"

Panda Bear, “Person Pitch".



If Brian Wilson had done more drugs in the 60’s and had put a record in a vault to be forgotten about, this would be it. Although Animal Collective put out a pretty good record this year ("Strawberry Jam"), this side project is a much better listen. It’s a sunday morning y record that would even make your mom go, “wow, I kinda like this” while your hipster friends who make fun of everything will have on their iPods. Everybody wins.

Panda Bear, "Bros (edit)", Person Pitch

The Pipettes



Arguably, The Pipettes broke in 2006. But their album was only releaed here in 2007, so thankfully, I get to include them here. If you grew up on nothing but punk and girl groups and had a penchant for polkadot dresses, you might make it in this band. But you better know how to do the jerk, sing shangi-la like melodies and know how to sound sweet without being ridiculously ironic.



The Polyphonic Spree, “The Fragile Army”



There is nothing delicate about this record. It beings and ends with bombast, blasting you away within minutes with a sonic overload of heavy guitars, huge choruses, and music that makes you almost want to join a cult so that you could sing such wonderful songs. Gone are the robes, instead the Spree is donned in green fatigues, looking like an indie-rock-cum-maoist clan. Sounds alright to me.

The Polyphonic Spree, "Running Away", The Fragile Army

Radiohead, “In Rainbows”



Technically, this album was released in 2008, on January 1st. But we’ll ignore that, since we got our copy last year when we downloaded it from their website. Helming a potentially new way to distribute music, Radiohead has not only helped grab the helm of the digital music age, but has embraced it. As for the album itself, Yorke has been quoted as saying that “Videotape” is his favorite track on the album, but that if they had started the album with it, it probably would have been a failure. I doubt it.

Radiohead, "Videotape", In Rainbows

Sigur Ros, “Hvarf/Heim”



If you want to crete a Sigur Ros fan, all you have to do is show them one of their videos. It’s not because you get sucked in by the images (though they are haunting, and I have been known to cry upon their viewing), but it’s because the music itself is cinematic, and the screen is inside the musicians. The music represents them better than they could ever do that themselves. Sigur Ros have put out a new DVD and in honour of it, have rteleased this album to help promote it, as well as give old fans a peek at some of their "live only" tracks and new acoustic versions (harmonium lovers unite!) of their songs.

I’m gonna go wipe the tears now, thank you.

Sigur Ros, "Vaka", Hvarf/Heim

Siman Mobile Disco,“Attack, Sustain, Delay, Release”



2006 was the year of the Simian Mobile Disco 12”. “Hustler” floored dancers with its infectious beats and sexy voice telling you to steal every record you ever wanted. That video of girls playing "telephone make out" didn’t hurt either. But with the release of the full length album, including edits and tweaked versions of said club bangers, Simian Mobile Disco put out one of the danciest records of the year. " Let’s get the rhythm of the hands, let’s get the rhythm of the feet. Put’em all toegtehr and what do you get?": Hot shit.

Simian Mobile Disco, "Hot Dog", Attack, Sustain, Delay, Release

Spoon, “Ga Ga Ga Ga”



I'm still not sure if this record helped put Spoon on the map even more out there than they were before. The album itself isn’t a huge departure from their last, and although there isn’t a “I put my camera on” on this record, there are still some stand alone songs that would make your older brother proud of you for listening to it, and your little sister dance. It’s a record for those who want to know Spoon better, and for that, kudos to them.



Stars, “In our bedroom after the war”.



Nuff said

Sunset Rubdown, “Random Spirit Lover”



There is something about Spencer Krug's voice that shakes me. Although I'm not always a fan of the instrumentation, this album makes the list by sheer virtue of what it is: emotionally intangible. This is the album you listen to when you’re unsure of what you’re feeling. Unsure of what you want to say, or how you want to say it. Becase Krug knows how to put it all into medley and a dissonant voice that will sweep you off your feet and into your own emotional stratosphere. Although the heights might leave you light headed, it’s a trip worth taking.

Sunset Rubdown, "Winged Wicked Things", Random Spirit Lover

Superfantastics, “Tonight, Tonite”

Video of the year. Hands down.



TTC, “Bande de mecs sympas”



There are a lot of reasons why people dopn't like (let alone respect) french hip hop. There are very few MCs who can produce a smooth lyric, one that sounds supple and works well with the language. But France isn't geared really to producing hip hop music. There are exceptions to this rule (MC Solaar in the 90s) and occasionally, TTC steps up the plate. With their last album, "3615", TTC worked with Modeselektor (see previous entry) and those tracks made my head spin. This track, "Band de Mecs Sympas",, is one of the bumpin-est dance tracks of the year. Apparently, there is still hope for French hip-hop.

TTC, "Bande de mecs sympas", 3615

The return (?) of Armand Van Helden.



In the late 90’s a New York City DJ churned out a record with just one simple lyric sampled, tweaked and twitterpated over and over. “The Funk Phenomena” helped bring about the onslaught of NYC’s amazing funkified disco sound back to the dancefloors. Both revered and loathed by the end of the decade for his introduction of speed garage to the world’s discothesques (“Spin Spin Sugar” anyone?), he eventually fell out of favour when electro took over the dancefloors of the world, relegated to being nothing more than “one of those DJ’s you listened to when you wore Bug Girl pants and SNUG hats”. But I still have my hat, and Van Helden put out probably the best records of his career this year with “NYC Beat” and “Playmate”. Don’t call it a comeback, he’s been here for years.

Kanye West, “Graduation”.



Congratulations Kanye, you have gone beyond street cred, beyond being the guy who dissed George W on national television (which basically means you’re like every other guy with a brain on TV), beyond the producer credits, beyond the teddy bear which is your icon. You have graduated beyond your tantrums and your beefs with other MCs and Producers. You have produced a hip hop record that the populist and the pundit will love. You have rapped over beats that hipster kids in their grungy clubs have loved for years. You have sampled over records that most DJ’s would skip over while digging. You have graduated.



Wilco, “Sky Blue Sky”



“Maybe the sun will shine today, the clouds will blow away.”. In what sounds like an opening mantra to the entire album, Tweedy and friends put out a consistently beautiful sound. Musically tight, beautiful and sweet, without a sign of saccharine, either in its music of lyrics. Although the album may not be a Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it’s still one of Wilco's best, and probably underrated albums, if only for its opening track.

Wilco, "Either way", Sky Blue Sky

Patrick Wolf, “The Magic Position”



Forget the fact that he’s barely 25, has said that he’s quitting music, eaten his words and been adored by skinny gay boys and adoring teenage girls alike. Patrick Wolf is a walking embodiment of talent. His album, “The Magic Position” is a trip, an album beyond the years of its creator, intimate without being sentimental, and includes a duet with, of all people, Marianne Faithful. Why wasn’t I this industrious when I was in my early twenties? ‘



Yeah yeah yeah’s, “Is Is”



In between their two albums, the YYYs fooled around and recorded a few tracks that didn’t quite fit on Show Your Bones, but were too late for "Fever To Tell". Too bad. This EP is probably some of the best tracks the YYYs put out, and because it’s an EP, will probably be ignored by most.