Ryan's Top Picks for 2010

It was an interesting year for music. A lot of great tunes came out, and a lot more crap ones, but it seemed to me like there was no real dominant theme or pattern to anything that was coming out. Here's some stuff that I did like:

Top 5 Albums of the Year

5. Record in a Bag, Hollerado: Ten years from now, this one might not hold up as one of the greatest albums of our time, but for now it’s a fun, danceable rock and roll record that kept me entertained throughout the year.
4. Slash, Slash: The idea here wasn’t a new one - you have to look no farther than the last decade of Santana’s career to see an execution of “Famous guitarist records an album with a series of guest vocalists”. Like with the Santana albums, the result is a little eclectic, and doesn’t always feel like what an ‘album’ classically has. There’s some excellent guitar work throughout, though, and if you were ever the kid sitting around saying “Yeah, but could you imagine if Slash and Ozzy were in a band together?”
3. Tron: Legacy Sountrack, Daft Punk: I realize I’m most likely going to get mocked for this choice. Allow yourself to forget, for a moment, that it’s a soundtrack to a Disney film. What you find yourself listening to when you do is a finely honed, perfectly orchestrated electronic concept album. I’m often critical of electronic music as being soulless and shallow, but Daft Punk proves that need not be the case with this album.
2. The Suburbs, The Arcade Fire: I live in the suburbs, and have for most of my life. One thing that I’ve been acutely aware of as a result is the reflexive sense of scorn that city-dwellers feel for the burbs. There’s a lot more going on than meets the eye, though, and Arcade Fire chronicles that in this album, which isn’t a concept album in the traditional sense, but does manage to maintain a strong sense of theme throughout it.
1. Brothers, The Black Keys: I first got interested in this album entirely because of the cover art - simple white text on a black background declaring “This is an album by The Black Keys. The name of the album is Brothers.” Which in itself is a declaration - that the album doesn’t need to win you over, because it’s strong enough to not worry about such things. It was an accurate assessment, and the blues-influenced rock (or is it rock-influenced blues? I’m not quite sure) turned me into a fan on my first listen.

Top 10 Songs of the Year

10. Juliette - Hollerado The chorus of this song makes it an instant summer classic. Hook-laden, poppy, catchy, I found myself singing this one at odd moments for months.
9. This Too Shall Pass - OK Go The music video has fast become a dying art form, with most bands going with the tried and true rather than taking creative chances. OK Go is shaming all those bands, and making great tunes along the way. This is just one of them.
8. Trace Decay - Wintersleep I was excited about the New Inheritors, but didn’t find it to be that great upon listening to it. This track is stellar, though.
7. Highway of Heroes - The Trews All wars are tragedies, and the Trews definitely seem to understand that with this song, which walks the fine line of respecting and honouring the fallen without turning jingoistic or blindly patriotic. It’s a subtle song that I think a lot of people overlooked because of its subject matter.
6. I Was A Teenage Anarchist - Against Me! There’s something almost anachronistic about this song - it’s got a classic punk feel that seems almost out of place in 2010, but then again, nostalgia is always anachronistic, isn’t it?
5. Les Chemins de Verre - Karkwa A lot of people were upset at Karkwa winning the Polaris prize this year. Not me. It wouldn’t have been my first choice, but songs like this one are great arguments as to why they deserved the nod.
4. Ready to Start - Arcade Fire The strongest song on a strong album. Welcoming and accessible, just as any single should be, but not in a cloying or needy way. If Arcade Fire wasn’t on your radar before this one, they definitely should be now.
3. Black Sheep - Metric If nothing else, this song’s a statement as to how powerful of an album Fantasies was, that one of its B-sides is better than the A-sides on most albums.
2.Rose Garden - Shad. This song is one of the reasons I’m glad we started the Polaris blog. Hadn’t heard of Shad before, and probably wouldn’t have heard him if not for the blog, and I walked away with one of the most entertaining songs of the year.
1. Ten Cent Pistol - The Black Keys. The blues are about pain, and dealing with pain, and there’s no pain deeper than a partner who’s cheated on you. That was true in Hendrix’s Hey Joe, and it’s true in this tune, about a woman done wrong who seeks her revenge.

Biggest Flop of the Year
20Ten, Prince I really wanted to like this - Prince’s music in the last decade has shown that he’s still a competent, capable musician in spite of all the craziness that usually surrounds him (check out the instrumental jazz album NEWS or 3121 to see what I’m talking about). This album feels only half-finished in comparison, and doesn’t hold a candle to the others.

Dave's Top Picks of 2010

This year in music was a confusing year. On one side it was filled with a mish mash of pop songs and dance hits, and on the other it was a beautiful harvest of artists creating reflective music of their times. If you stand back in 10 years and look at 2010, it probably won;t be a year that changed music or culture, but it probably will be a year that won;t be forgotten either. Here are my Top 10 songs, Top 5 Albums and my biggest flop. Enjoy and feel free to disagree - that's why we do it, to foster debate. Nothing on my list is on any order either, just as it came to me, don't read too much into that part of it.

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

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.

Gary's Top Picks for 2010

Looking back over 2010 the first thing I noticed is that this year didn't have the same quantity of amazing songs and albums that previous years offered. That's not to say the albums that did make the list weren't deserving. There were some great tracks and it made narrowing the list down much easier. So with that here are my tops songs and albums of 2010.

Top 10 Songs

Kanye West - Power: The first minute of this song gets the adrenaline flowing. Try as I might to dislike Kanye's ego and bravado this song is just really good. Plus his Saturday Night Live performance was pure spectacle.

Broken Bells - The High Road: I expected a lot more from this album which I found, on the whole pretty underwhelming. That said, this song is solid.

Foster The Kids - Pumped up Kicks: Not knowing much about the band, this song crept out of nowhere to leave an impression.

Tegan and Sara - On Directing: This one song encapsulates all the things that make this duo great.

Beach House - Zebra: Emotionally this track means a lot to me. I've played it a lot over the year and expect to hear it a lot in 2011.

Arcade Fire - Rococo: There's something oddly affecting about the repetitive chorus and swelling stomp of this one. I can't help but love the depiction of how naive we are as teenagers thinking we know what life is all about.

The Black Keys - Tighten Up: Such an amazing groove and the whistling at the start gets me every time.

Broken Social Scene - Meet Me in the Basement: I thought this song was good after hearing it on the album. I thought it was amazing after seeing the video, post-G20 Toronto riots.

Ok Go - WTF: Just watch the video and try not to be amazed.

Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars: My favourite song for 2010 and with blazing guitars and screeching vocals, it should be evident why.

Top 5 6 albums

Beach House: Teen Dream: It's a simple well written album that evokes so much emotion (as mentioned above). I'm so eager to hear what they come up with next.

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record: I couldn't stop listening to this album all summer. There's virtually no missteps; so solid from start to finish.

Sleigh Bells - Treats: After hearing Infinity Guitars I had to see what the rest of the album was like. No two songs are alike and everything is short, sweet and to the point. I fully expect the track Rill Rill to catch a lot of people's attention very soon.

The Black Keys - Brothers: Dirty, dirty old school rhythm and blues. Indie music's hardest working duo.

Karkwa - Les Chemin De Verre: There were some people scratching their head when Karkwa won the Polaris Prize this year. But one listen to this haunting and beautiful album should explain why the were so deserving.

Arcade Fire - Suburbs: I hated Arcade Fire's last album Neon Bible. I thought it was the height of pretension and all that was wrong with indie music. So I went into this album expecting more of the same. I was so wrong. Arcade Fire have produced a personal yet epic sounding album that flows perfectly and hits all the right notes. You can consider me a fan once again.

Honourable Mentions - Ok Go - Of The Blue Colour of the Sky, Wintersleep - New Inheritors

Biggest Flop

Kings of Leon - Radioactive: I won't get to deep into how big a fan I was and how the first two albums exist in a very sacred place for me. I don't want to sound like one of those snobbish people who constantly go on about how great a band was when no one else was listening. But, this song (and the album) is terrible. The video is awkward and forced, the band has shed all the urgency and desperation that made them great and traded it in for the polished, top 40, gosh-I-wish-we-could-be-on-Glee commercialism that ruined bands like U2 and Coldplay.

Ryan's Tegan and Sara Review

Love stories are tricky, and telling them in song there’s no exception to that. Part of this stems from cynicism – there is a lot of film, music, and literature that go around calling themselves love stories, but they're really empty, and talk about what is at best a childish understanding of the emotions involved and at worst a form of emotional sociopathy. Take a look at the “romantic comedies” that fill up the movie theatres in the summer, or the “love songs” that fill up the Billboard charts and you get an idea of what I'm talking about. Part of it also stems from the fact that falling in love is a scary and dangerous thing. An author I like, Wil McCarthy, once compared love to gravity – a powerful force, but one that can destroy you if you're not careful around it.

Tegan and Sara Quin realize this about love, but they went and wrote an album about love anyways. Sainthood realizes the pitfalls of writing about love – as the ladies sing on Hell, “These words are over-used”, but that's the thing about love: the cliches don't matter anymore, and it doesn't matter that the fire will burn you if you get to close. You're in love, and you want to let the whole damn world know.

Now, once you've acknowledged that there's a lot of cliches out there about love, you become obligated to avoid those cliches, and Tegan and Sara do that well with this album by not only focusing on the positive rush of endorphines you get in that initial stage of immature love. Instead, they've crafted an album that covers the entire narrative arc of a relationship. The first stage of the album is the first three songs: Arrow, Don't Rush, and Hell, which look at the initial attraction and starting of a relationship, and the emotional roller-coasters that result from that. The next two songs look at the infatuation of the early stages of a relationship. The Cure marks a move away from this – there's a notable change in the narrative voice and in the subject matter of the lyrics, and you can tell that we're getting a more mature, understated view of love – one that's willing to sacrifice, and put the other person ahead of yourself.

Sadly, though, this is not one of those love stories that end happily; the last few tracks look at the end of a relationship, and they give the album a bit of a bittersweet aftertaste as a result. It's more sweet than bitter, though, and like the narrator of this love story, you feel like you've learned from the experience. Listening to albums all the way through, in the order the artist laid them out in, has fallen out of favour in the past decade, but this is one of those albums that demands it to get the full experience.

Love, and its joys and pitfalls, a lot for an album to take on, especially one that's as short as Sainthood is (the entire thing clocks in under 40 minutes). It's short in the same way that a Hemingway story's short, though – everything extra and unnecessary has been cut away, leaving only the beating heart of the story. And a damn well told story it was. There have been a lot of strong albums on this year's shortlist, but in this reviewer's opinion, at least, Sainthood stands head and shoulders above the rest of them.

Gary's Tegan and Sara Review

Seconds into the track On Directing Tegan Quin (or maybe it's Sara) let's fire the line "eyes focused like a microscope." And while probably relating to matters of the heart she could easily be talking about the impressive album she and her sister have put together - Sainthood.

This is without a doubt the tightest, most economical album of the Polaris bunch. Every note has been accounted for, every harmony justified. It's clear these girls are as serious as a heart attack when it comes to putting an album together. This is as polished and nimble as you can ask for in music, and clearly only the most essential pieces were included, anything extraneous was tossed aside.

But don't assume this means the music is cold or in any way detached. Despite their cut-throst approach to recording, these two can open up and bare their souls with the best of them. Heartbreakers like Night Watch and Sentimental Song are as autobiographical as they come and sound right at home peppered amongst a mixture of new wave jerkers and old school punk rockers.

Which is the other admirable thing about Tegan and Sara - their amazing knowledge and respect of musical history. There's a little something for everyone here whether you're looking for Thin White Duke era Bowie (Red Belt) or something approximating Social Distortion (Hell, Northshore).

Some people may not love the repetitive lyrics or the jerky guitar-synth tug of war but with the help of producer Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) the sisters make it work almost every time and successfully too. They've got a knack for sniffing out the necessary parts and doing away with the rest.

This album could easily be announced next week as the Polaris winner and would have my full endorsement. With the exception of perhaps BSS and Kwarka, Tegan and Sara have assembled the most complete and cohesive album of the competition.

We truly did save the best for last.

Dave's Tegan and Sara Review

Tegan and Sara seem to fill a void for people. Every album they release seems to be something that a certain group of people is craving at the time. For me Sainthood is filling the Riot GRRRL of the 90’s , it’s just evolved it for my tastes. I was fan of the L7s and Bikini Kills, the Eric’s Trips (Julie Doiron singing), 7 Year Bitch songs from the 90s – and this sounds like it was the adopted child of those bands – redheaded and all.

Upon first list Sainthood seems to be honouring the GRRRL era in a very appropriate way. Catchy, hooky, and full of sing-a-long songs that get stuck in your head for days at a time – that’s what really hooked me into this album, but it’s not what kept me around. Once I had let the album play top to bottom, I couldn’t believe it was over. Each song is short and sweet and really, really concise. It’s like original pop song kind of writing, where anything longer that 3 mins feels like an epic journey for Tegan and Sara – and eventually for listeners. It’s refreshing considering some of the recent releases that have enjoyed success with 4+ minutes of nonsense - this is a lean record, I like it.

It maybe trim, however, for me it all sounds very alike. It’s not that every song sounds like every other song, it’s the pace of the album feels the same top to bottom. With the exception of “Night Watch” and “Northshore” every song seems to be painting different pictures with the same pallet. Tegan and Sara don’t seem to be pushing themselves on the production side of things –focused on lyrics, they are able to sing a story with the best of the best in this country, but their music writing feels stagnant and stuck.

I can’t help but think that this album was released near the end of 2009. That it was able to survive the whole year, and still be considered one of the 10 best Canadian albums of the year and be short listed for Polaris Prize 2010 is really a testament to Tegan and Sara’s presence as a force within the industry - as they sing on “Alligator” “relentless yes it’s true”.

DAVE’S KEY TRACKS: ‘The Ocean’; ‘Alligator’; ‘Don’t Rush’; ‘On Directing’

Post #10: Tegan and Sara

ALBUM: Sainthood

ARTIST: Tegan and Sara

HOMETOWN: Calgary, AB