TOP 10 SONGS
1. Kanye West - Runaway - The moment i saw this at the VMAs I was connected with it. Everything else after it has been a bonus. Kanye has lived up to the bravado and the image, and in the end it's really art that pushes expectations.
2. Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars - A song to define the year. Loud, frenetic buy still full of melody.
3. Cee Loo Green - Fuck You - Amazing amazing amazing.
4. Eminem - Not Afraid - Perfect single for a comeback that is full of repent. Honest? I hope so, for fans sake.
5. Jay Malinowski - How It Comes - This is the song that stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it. A really underrated album too.
6. Shad - Rose Garden - A hooky soul driven jam that optimized summer for lots of people in this country. This song is a huge step for Shad, proving he's not just the run of the mill MC in this country either, he's got staying power and a huge ability to move beyond what people expect of Canadian Hip-Hop
7. Arcade Fire - We Used Wait - Sums up my teenage life along with this albums sentiments perfectly. Angsty, remorseful, and performed to a tee. The video is also magical and visionary.
8. Broken Social Scene - Sweetest Kill - A song that hits me right where I need it too every time i listen to it. It's haunting, and sticks with you for days - in the best way possible. A slow burn of the perfect kind.
9. The Black Keys - Never Give You Up - Any song from this album could have been on my list really but Never Give You Up echoes the the roots of what made me love The Black Keys way back when. Grab you're love and have slow dance to end the year, make them feel special and forgive people, just forgive.
10. Band Of Horses - Laredo - This track is a stand out for me on this album that surprised me from top to bottom. It proves that American rock legacy is in good hands, and that today's bands can still write a solid rock song, without ostracizing their fans, but still including others. That guitar lick is also just dirty enought.
TOP 5 ALBUM
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record: I was harsh on these guys in my Polaris review but this album is one I revisit again and again for sheer enjoyment. After seeing them live in Vancouver by myself, I was convinced this record was something that would stick with me for ages, and that I was quick to judge it based soley on a week or two worth of listening.
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: As an artist he put tons of preassure on himself to deliver a landmark album. For musics sake he did. We'll all look back on MBDTF in 10 years and realize how influential it is - there's no doubt kids in basements everywhere are trying to replicate this, heck, even Diddy Dirty Money is trying to replicate this. It truly did become a cultural movement for a short time - with ALL CAPS.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs: This band does everything I love about music on this album. And most of all it feels so fucking relevant to everyone, everywhere.
The Black Keys - Brothers: I've loved this band for a long time, and I was hesitant when I heard they were going 4 piece. Still knock down rock, with the softest touch - only they could pull off such a rise to stardom with such a fantastic album. Sweaty, sweaty, sweaty rock.
Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms: This band started from scratch this year. They fired everyone, and hired all new players, and still they put out a solid record that slowly takes listeners through the emotional journey of an artist. This band is on the cusp of bigger things really - the next Kings of Leon maybe.
BIGGEST FLOP
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record: I was harsh on these guys in my Polaris review but this album is one I revisit again and again for sheer enjoyment. After seeing them live in Vancouver by myself, I was convinced this record was something that would stick with me for ages, and that I was quick to judge it based soley on a week or two worth of listening.
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: As an artist he put tons of preassure on himself to deliver a landmark album. For musics sake he did. We'll all look back on MBDTF in 10 years and realize how influential it is - there's no doubt kids in basements everywhere are trying to replicate this, heck, even Diddy Dirty Money is trying to replicate this. It truly did become a cultural movement for a short time - with ALL CAPS.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs: This band does everything I love about music on this album. And most of all it feels so fucking relevant to everyone, everywhere.
The Black Keys - Brothers: I've loved this band for a long time, and I was hesitant when I heard they were going 4 piece. Still knock down rock, with the softest touch - only they could pull off such a rise to stardom with such a fantastic album. Sweaty, sweaty, sweaty rock.
Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms: This band started from scratch this year. They fired everyone, and hired all new players, and still they put out a solid record that slowly takes listeners through the emotional journey of an artist. This band is on the cusp of bigger things really - the next Kings of Leon maybe.
BIGGEST FLOP
When I interviewed bands and artists for a living I had a line I'd use when I'd meet them: if I liked the album I'd say so. If I didn't like it I'd say 'congrats on getting this out'. I know, I know - totally transparent and slimey but I was 22 and back then thought it was a smart thing to say. This year I'd have to say the artist that deserves biggest 'congrats' is: Interpol. One of my favorite bands phoned it in, and maybe packed it in for good too with their self titled release this year. Very disappointing for me and a world full of fans craving a record.
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