The Year in Music

Around this time of year, all the music magazines put out their "best of" lists of the year's best albums so I thought I'd mention a few of my fave albums of the year as well as my fave concerts and dvds.

Best Albums...

I can't think of a clear hands-down Album of the Year but I can narrow it down to about three. My contenders are...

Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine. It's been a few years since she has had an album out and this album was rerecorded with hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo (although two songs from her original sessions with producer Jon Brion remain on the album), but it was definitely worth the wait. "Extraordinary Machine" is reminiscent of clasic jazz singers like Etta Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday while "Get Him Back" and "O'Sailor" provide a great soundtrack for those who have been through a brutal breakup. A great batch of songs from top to bottom.

Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have it So Much Better. I was initially somewhat disappointed when this album first came out because their debut album was so brilliant. But it has definitely grown on me. It doesn't stray to much from the formula of their debut. Most of the songs feature disco-ish bass lines and there are hooks galore in every song. "Do You Want To" is easily one of the year's best singles. When they do expand on their arty dance-rock formula, they are successful, especially on the Beatle-esque "Walk Away."

Liz Phair - Somebody's Miracle. After her last glossy "sellout" album, this album is a nice return to form for Liz Phair. It's not quite Exile in Guyville, but it is still a great piece of work. Highlights include "Leap of Innocence," "Somebody's Miracle," "Got My Own Thing," and "Table for One." She definitely does not possess the strongest voice in the world, but her conversational style really suits the characters in her songs.

Other faves...

Bruce Springsteen - Devils and Dust. It took me a long time to get into Bruce. I finally caved when I broke down and bought The Rising a couple years ago. It seems like the older I get the more and more I look into the past to find good music, hence my appreciation for Bruce, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. This mostly acoustic album is stellar all the way through. "Devils and Dust" is a compelling anti-war song while "Reno" is about a man who has an unfulfilling experiance with a prostitute. Other highlights include "Leah," "Long Time Coming" and "Metamoros Banks."

The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan. Jack White is a pure genius. Every album he puts out with The White Stripes is brilliant and this one is no exception. This time he eases up on the thrashing bluesy guitars a bit and focuses more on keyboards and marimbas, but the results are amazing. "Blue Orchid," "My Doorbell," "Little Ghost," and "The Denial Twist" are my personal faves.

Robin Black - Instant Classic. This album starts to lose a bit of steam towards the end, but overall it is a fun, balls-to-the wall rock and roll album. You have to give Robin Black guts for trying to put the SHOW back into a rock and roll concert. While his glam rock version of rock may not be that fashionable in this age of Nickelback, his songs are full of undeniable hooks. In a perfect world "Why Don't You Love Me," "Over You" and "We Saw Right Through You" would be huge worldwide hits. Unfortunately, they are not so only those enlightened souls like myself get to enjoy his music ;)

Metric - Live it Out. If Sarah Harmer was the singer in Radiohead, this would be the band. "Monster Hospital" is one of the year's best singles.

The Arcade Fire - Funeral. Although this was techinally released last year, it never really generated any steam until this year. This is probably the most original group out right now. It's hard to describe this band. Does putting a gospel choir into a blender with Ziggy Stardust and an emo band work? There is a lot of critical buzz about this band but it is all deserved because this album is really unique and epic. I've heard that seeing them live is like a religious experience and after listening to this album I think that would be an accurate description.

Stars- Set Yourself On Fire. Another 2004 album that didn't make any noise until this year. A great batch of new wave songs. "Reunion" and "Ageless Beauty" are killer singles while the rest of the album alternates between ambient and atmospheric songs to uptempo electronic rock tunes.

The Organ - Grab The Gun. I had the pleasure of seeing this female new wave quartet live at O'Hanlon's for free a few months ago and I was really impressed by their short bass and synth heavy songs. The album is barely over 30 minutes so it is short but definitely sweet. "Memorize the City," "Brother" and "Steven Smith" are some of the highlights. If Joy Division consisted of four lesbians, this would be the band.

Bif Naked - Superbeautifulmonster. Another solid effort by Her Royal Majesty. While this album would benefit from trimming off two or three songs, it still features some classic Bif tunes like "Let Down," "Abandonment" and "Everyday" as well as a faithful cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters."

Chad Kichula - Chad Kichula. Regina's own Chad Kichula put out his debut album on his own record label, Redwater Records. The 10 songs on this album range from dirges like "Sierra Leone" to the U2 Rattle and Hum era "Fighter" to the straight ahead rocker "Breaking Point."

SuperJuice - Parental Advisory. While techinically a demo, Regina's own SuperJuice has put together a 5 song EP that sounds like it could be released on an American major label, courtesy of Kyle from Parlor Trixx. All 5 songs are well crafted pop-punk songs oozing energy and attitude. I can't wait for the full-length debut. A bigtime cheers to Mr. Real, Jai Mo, Toodles and Ryan.

Biggest Letdowns of 2005

Weezer - Make Believe. Weezer's first three albums are brilliant. Their "blue album" is a bonafide classic. This album... is not. It does have some good tunes, but as a whole it is so overwhelmingly mediocre. Their last album was also a big disappoint so Weezer are definitely a band in the midst of undergoing a tailspin. Only "Perfect Situation" ranks up with Weezer's finest work.

Garbage - Bleed Like Me. Apparently Garbage broke up while making this album and then made up and finished the album. It is most likely Garbage's last album, which is sad because it is very uninspired and sounds like it was thrown together half-assed. Aside from "Bad Boyfriend" and "Why Do You Love Me," the songs sound forced and feature embarrassingly bad lyrics from Shirley Manson. Some bands aren't meant to last forever and Garbage's time has definitely run out. They had a good run, but it's probably for the best that they are breaking up.

Live Shows

I was able to see some amazing shows this year. Some of the best include Pearl Jam in Saskatoon, The Organ at O'Hanlon's, Vancouver's Cherrybomb (*On a side note, they are no longer able to call themselves Cherrybomb due to Stacy and Kevin's local band Cherry Bomb having the name first) at McNally's, Bif Naked at the U of R, Sarah Harmer, Sarah Slean, as well as several shows by local bands SuperJuice, Chad Kichula, B!LF, Wonderland, Cherry Bomb, Dan Silljer, The Nancy Ray-Guns, Skavenjah, Parlor Trixx and Solution. This past year I was lucky enough to sing a few songs with B!LF, SuperJuice, Dan Silljer and Cherry Bomb.

Live DVD's

Live 8... Great performances by U2, R.E.M., Coldplay, Green Day, etc... plus I was intorduced to a great new band The Kaiser Chiefs. "I Predict a Riot" and "Every Day I Love You Less and Less" are killer songs.

U2 - Vertigo... Live in Chicago. U2 are a phenomenal live band. Bono is one of the top 3 frontmen of all time.

Green Day - Bullet in a Bible.

Albums That I Don't Have but MUST buy soon...

Sarah Harmer - I'm a Mountain
Neil Diamond's new album produced by Rick Rubin
Patti Smith - Horses reissue. One of the classic albums of all time with a bonus live dvd.
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run. 30th Anniversary reissue with bonus dvds.
Kanye West - Late Registration. I'm not a big hip hop or rap fan by any stretch of the imagination but this guy has talent. I have heard "Golddigger" a million and one times but I'm still not sick of it.
The Tragically Hip - Yer Favourites. The Hip aren't a great album band, but they've been around long enough to have 2 CD's of kickass songs and they are all pretty much available on this package. This is why I like "best of" albums. There are so many bands that put out good songs over the years but you never get around to buying any of their albums. This will be my chance to buy my first Hip album in a long time.

Albums I Won't Touch With a 10 Foot Pole

Nickelback... Worst band ever? It is absolutely painful hearing the words spit out of Chad Kroeger's mouth. A 10 year-old could write more literate lyrics. It boggles my mind that people gobble up this shit.

Theory of a Deadman. see above

Default. see above

Scott Stapp. He sucked enough with Creed, now he is sucking on his own. I think this guy honestly thinks he is the second coming of Christ. He is easily the biggest twit in music today. If Eddie Vedder became a born again Christian and walked around with the crucifixion pose and was a raging alcoholic who got into fights with the guys from 311, he would be Scott Stapp.

Pussycat Dolls. Catchy song, but who would ever waste their money on their album? And why the fuck are their 7 "singers" in this group?

Eminem. He has a Greatest Hits album out now. He has a handful of killer singles over the course of his career, but if I hear one more song about his problems with his wife Kim and how he deals with balancing his career while trying to raise his daughter Halie I'm going to have a fit. Singing/rapping about your personal family problems and dissing other celebrities gets old pretty quick.

I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but that about sums up my year's music-listening experience. There was some great music this year, but nothing quite as good las last year. I still find myself listening to last year's R.E.M., U2, Green Day and Tom Waits albums quite a bit.

Yeah... I'm kind of a big deal around here...

A few months ago, Tina and I were extras in Just Friends, a comedy shot here in Regina starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Chris Klein and Anna Faris. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there is a closeup of us for a few seconds during the movie theatre scene. I've had a few people come up to me and say they recognized me from the film so I'll have to get off my ass and see what the fuss is all about. It'll be pretty cool to see my mug on the big screen for my three seconds of fame. So if anyone wants my autograph, just ask because it might be worth something some day ;)

Adios Safeway?

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted. I've been pretty busy working crazy hours at Safeway, while trying to find time to work on my thesis in between time. Plus now I have to find time to get some Christmas shopping done. I'm trying really hard to have my thesis proposal finished and accepted by Jan. 10, as well as Chaper One so I definitely have my work cut out for me the next few weeks. I also have a huge life decision to make by Dec. 24th. Since my union and Safeway finally settled our outstanding contract, (which only took three yearsto settle!), the company is offering employees with high seniority opportunities to take buy-outs. Myself, I would take home a cheque for $23,500 (minus 30% for taxes)... so I would take home $16,500 if I were to be accepted for the buy-out. I am really tempted because it would give me a large amount of money to sit on for a bit and truly allow me to focus 100% on finishing my Masters. $16,500 would allow me to live at a comfortable level for a year (over $1300 a month if budget myself effectively) while I finish my school. I plan on being done school in a year or less so taking the buyout would allow me more time to get serious and finally get it done. Safeway is good money, but it really has kept me from getting my Masters finished. I'm not high enough on seniority where I could restrict myself for 24 guaranteed hours a week, so I have to leave myself open for any available shift if I want to pay rent and tuition. So one week I'll only work 2 days for maybe 16 hours at the most and then the next week I'll wind up with a full 5 days for 37 hours. It is totally feast or famine at Safeway. I wake up most days not knowing if I'll be called into work or if I'll have the day off. Even if I am scheduled, I usually get called in earlier anyways. This definitely fucks up any opportunity for me to get into any kind of routine for school. If I get called in for a 2-10:30 shift I definitely won't feel like getting 3 or 4 hours of research or writing in afterwards. Safeway should be my part-time focus and school should be my full-time focus, but this past year I have wound up working more than I have in any previous year due to many people at working being away on sick leave for extended periods. Once I am done my Masters, April and I are planning on going overseas to teach English for a year or two, so my days at Safeway are limited anyways, so I am about 90% sure that I will take this buy-out. I've been at Safeway for 9 years and even though I hate many aspects of the job, there is still that comfort factor where I can go into a job and pretty much do it blind-folded or in my sleep. Plus I have made some really great friends there over the years. However, I feel like I've been in a rut for the last year when it comes to school and work so taking this buy-out would be a big wake-up call for me. Safeway is definitely not my career and I don't want to be another Safeway lifer. I don't want to be one of those people that always say they will leave one day but find that they are 35, married and have kids and realize that it's pretty much too late. Plus I am getting more and more disgruntled with the clientele that shop at my store. To put it bluntly, I am sick and tired of dealing with white trash welfare cases and our "mouthwash regulars." I hate feeling like a bartender on Sunday mornings when these total wastes of skin come crawling in at 10 am on a Sunday, scraping up change and panhandling so they can get totally gunned from drinking mouthwash and hairspray. Safeway used to be a good place to work at when I first started, but over time they have gradually treated their employees more and more like trivial pieces of shit and it really has reflected on the staff. Morale is so low and it makes it harder and harder to go to work every day with a smile. So I think this buy-out is coming at a perfect time where I can wipe the slate clean, focus on school 100% and get on with the next phase of my life with April. If I do need some added income, I could get a part time job for 2 or 3 days a week either as a server or a bartender or at a music store like A & B Sound or HMV or something at the university. Basically I would be in the position to work at a job I might actually LIKE and not be worried about making rent for a while. The more I think about this, that 90% certainty is getting closer and closer to a 100% certainty.

Ass slapping, strippers, brrrrrrumskies, glam rock cocks and skrumpf... my weekend in Calgary

This past weekend, April, Jenn and I went to Calgary with Mark, Jeanine and Gianni to meet up with Tina and Tash. It was also a good excuse to celebrate me and April's 6 month anniversary and Jenn's birthday. The weekend flew by WAY to fast but a good time was definitely had by all. We stayed in a very nice hotel, The Hawthorne, in downtown Calgary. Friday night consisted of us mainly hanging around our hotel room and having some sociables before heading out to a couple of pubs. The two pubs we hit had a nice atmosphere to them. They reminded me of O'Hanlon's here in town, only bigger. At the end of the night we reconvened back to our hotel room and carried on with some more sociables. Despite some unnecessary and overblown drama that will go unmentioned here, it was a nice start to the weekend. Saturday however was one of the funnest days I've had in recent memory. After we all finally rolled out of bed, we all met at the hotel restaurant/pub for some lunch. Afterwards, we all went back to our hotel rooms to rest and get ready for the night's events. April and I were watching Muchmusic for a bit and this new reality show was on where the two surviving members of TLC were trying to find a new member. This one contestant was telling TBoz and Chili that she was a really confident woman and needed a guy with lots of "skrumpf," whatever the hell "skrumpf" means. As she said "skrumpf" she gestured with her hands like she was cupping some guy's balls so maybe that has something to do with it. So "skrumpf" became a running joke for the remainder of the weekend. A couple hours later we all met again at the hotel pub. Jenn bought some new sparkly clothes so her and April were wearing these insanely sparkling tops at the hotel pub. Sparkles were getting all over the place. April gave Jenn a brrrrrumski (*For those who don't know, a brrrumski is when you stick your head in between a woman's boobs, shake your head back and forth and yell "BRRRRRRRRUUUUUUMMMMSKIIII!!!!"). So after this happened, April had lots of sparkles on her face. Tina then joked that if April and I were to have sex my penis would have lots of sparkles. So I replied that I'd have a "glam rock cock" afterwards. Soon afterwards we all met up in our hotel room and played a round of Sociables... a drinking game that got me very drunk, due the fact that everyone, especially Tina, was making sure I got the brunt of the alcohol consumption. Tina had the "Fuck you"card and I was the last person to say "Fuck you" after everyone else did. So as I proceeded to drink my drink, Tina said "Fuck you" again. Since my mouth was full, I was of course the last person to say "fuck you" so I had to have another drink. This continued a few more times. Then April had a rule card where every time she had to drink, I had to drink twice. Needless to say I was feeling very buzzed very quickly. After we were done our game we all headed to The French Maid, a strip club a few blocks away from the hotel. On the walk over to this strip club we all started slapping each other's asses. We were taking running starts at each each other and slapping every ass in sight. It was hilarious. I can only imagine what other people thought as they saw us. Apparently Jenn saw some guy get out of his car and she slapped his ass. I don't think anyone would expect to get their ass slapped by a complete stranger! Once we got to the French Maid, my friend Tash met up with us . I hadn't seen her since she got married this past summer so I wanted to catch up with her. And what better place to catch up with an old friend than at a strip club! It was pretty surreal and I think Tash's eyes were pretty wide open the whole time. She walks into the strip perfectly sober and sees me and my group in the front row of the stage. I genuinely wanted to catch up with her, but it was pretty hard to hold a normal conversation with her when she was sober while I was half-cut thanks to the drinking game, and while there were totally naked women onstage doing acrobatic moves on the pole onstage. Definitely not the place for a coffee conversation! And then we introduced Tash to the infamous brrumski. Tash had no idea what a brrumski was, so April told her to put her boobs together and proceeded to give Tash a brrumski. Poor Tash. I think she had a good time, but I know she definitely wasn't expecting meeting me at a strip club. We all had a great time at the French Maid. Me, Tash, April, Jenn, Jeanine, Tina, Mark and Gianni started doing the wave on a few occasions. I think the strippers definitely appreciated our skrumpf. After Tash took off, we headed off to a dance club called The Whisky. It's at this point of the night where things kind of get sketchy for me. The drinking game definitely was taking it's toll on me and I ended up going back to the hotel with April and crashing by 11:30. I remember April wanting to go to the Subway across the street from the hotel so we started walking. Then I remember realizing that I REALLY had to "water the pavement" so I proceeded to urinate in the corner of the hotel parking lot. It was probably one of the longest whizzes I've taken in my life. I guess the pedestrian walk-light went on and off three times while I was doing my business. April was extremely hungry and was getting impatient so when I was finally done she grabbed my hand and we jetted across the street while the walk light was still on... all while I was still trying to zip my pants back up! After we all checked out Sunday morning we went to a Denny's just off of 16th Street on our way out of town and had a HUGE breakfast. Our waitress could hardly speak English. She seemed like a character from a Seinfeld episode or something. Alveiro, a freind of ours who has been travelling all over for various acting/music gigs was doing a show in Calgary so he met up with us Sunday for breakfast. After saying our goodbyes to Tina and Alveiro we headed back to Regina. It was definitely a fun weekend overall. It was two of the craziest back-to-back weekends I've had with Sarah and Dave coming in from Winnipeg the weekend before and now the Calgary extravaganza. After two crazy weekends like that, it is now time for my body to get back to normal functioning again. It's nice to get out of the city for a bit, but now it's back to reality for a little while. Sigh.

This is me passed out on a couch at home after 3 fun but very long days with the cousins. Dave and I really know how to tear the town apart but it definitely takes its toll after awhile. I'm not sure who took this pic... I doubt the person who took this pic knows who took it either. I definitely had a blast with Sarah and Dave this past weekend. I really wish we could all be in the same city, but at least when we do get together we make the most of it. Dave and I have always been extremely close ever since we were kids and even though we've been 6 hours apart for the last 15 years or so I still consider him one of my best friends on the planet. Our family's been through a lot over the years but at the end of the day I know Sarah, Dave and I always have each other. 

There's not much head on that beer, but... 

Here's a goofy pic of my Mom and Dad. I think my Dad is picking his nose or something. Or maybe he's digging for gold. No one knows for sure. 

Yet another pic of April and I being our retarded selves. 

I like htis pic of Reorge and I. I don't get to see George that often, but he is a really funny guy and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. 

Here's George, April and I. 

Here's a another nice pic of Sarah and Dave... horsing around. 

Here's a really nice pic of Sarah and Dave... no horsing around. 

Here's a nice pic of April and Stacey. Saturday was lots of fun at McNally's. Most of my family was there, Wonderland were playing, plus Tanya, Mr. Real, Jay from B!LF, Lisa and Ryan were all on hand.  

Here's a goofy pic of my dad grabbing April's boob. Yes...class DEFINITELY runs in the family! 

I really like this pic of April and my mom. My parents have really made April feel like part of the family. My mom and April both love Elvis, so they both definitely have some issues ;). 

Here's my mom between Sarah and George at McNally's. 

Tino and Dave... two stylin' and profilin' dudes. 

This is a nice pic of me with my cosuins Tino, Dave, Sarah, and George. Damn, are we a good looking family or what?! 

Here's a nice pic of April with my brother from a different mother. 

"The gun" never gets old. 

Here's a sweet pic of April and Zubazz. 

Here's Dave, Zubazz and I striking a pose. Blue steel! 

Classineness definitely runs in the family! Here's me and Dave at The Plains showing some love. 

This past weekend, my cousins Sarah and Dave came down from Winnipeg for a wild and crazy weekend. I'm an only child, so I consider Sarah and Dave the sister and brother I never had. We only get to see each other once or twice a year nowadays so when we get together it is a total gong show. This time around was no exception. It might be a good thing that Dave and I aren't in the same city because we would probably be both in line for liver transplants in the next year or two otherwise. Anyways, here are some pics from those three adventurous days. This is a pic of me and April at The Plains Thurs night for Superjuice's CD release party. 

Fiona Apple

I bought Fiona Apple's new CD, Extraordinary Machine, the other day and I am pretty blown away by it. I never bought it the first week it came out because it came out the same week as Liz Phair and Franz Ferdinand, but I think I like it better than those two albums. I was never a huge Fiona fan before. I have her debut CD but while I thought it showed her potential, it never really did much for me outside a handful of songs. After reading all the 4 and 5 star reviews in Rolling Stone, Spin, Blender, etc I thought I would give this album a shot. And I'm really glad I did. The title track could pass for a Billie Holiday song, while the rest of the songs flow seamlessly into one another. I would definitely put this as a strong contender for Album of the Year.

This is kind of a shitty picture, but here's a pic of Chad Kichula and his band at The Redwater launch. Another great show by Chad. His band was bolstered by Doogie from The Nancy Ray-Guns (who closed the night) on keyboards. It was a fun night overall, and I have to thank Chad for letting me introduce all the bands. Chad is a pretty big deal around here and you definitely can't fuck with The Nancy Ray-Guns! 

Here's a pic of Justin Lacroix from Winnipeg at the Redwater Records Launch party at The Exchange on Friday. He was the first act on the four band bill and I was really impressed. This guy can sing like a mofo and his songs were pretty decent. On Thursday, I went for a run around Wascana Park and I saw some guy playing his guitar on one of the park benches. Turns out it was him.  

Yes, yes... you're all tigers! Here's Gianni, Mr. Real, Jenn... and...errr...ummm... Ok, I totally forgot that other guy's name. So sue me. 

Hey you two...get a frickin' room!