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.