G.R.O.'s Best of 2008!

Establishing the best albums and tracks of 2008 proved a significantly more challenging task than I anticipated. Firstly I needed to objectively reach a shortlist of the year's musical elite. I achieved this by erecting an elaborate structure of wires, test tubes and suction pads to collect sweat and tear droplets and ascertain which generated the most exhausting body movements / intense emotional reactions. Then to arrive at a definitive ranking I locked myself away for a week and held internal jousting matches between the leading contenders. The "Foxes" vs. the "Vampires" proved an especially entertaining and gruelling duel!

And thus here they are, my scientifically accredited top 10 albums of the year, along with a playlist of my favourite tracks.

Top 10 Album Countdown

10. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
9. The Kills - Midnight Boom
8. Pete & The Pirates - Little Death
7. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
6. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
5. Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue
4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
1. Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim

G.R.O's 2008 Mix

1. MGMT - Time To Pretend
2. Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
3. Tilly & The Wall - Beat Control
4. The Magic Wands - Black Magic
5. Chairlift - Bruises
6. Florence & The Machine - Kiss With A Fist
7. The Tunics - Cost Of Living
8. Pete & The Pirates - Knots
9. Born Ruffians - I Need A Life
10. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
11. Laura Marling - My Manic & I
12. Mystery Jets feat. Laura Marling - Young Love
13. Elbow - Grounds For Divorce
14. Slow Club - Me & You
15. The RGBs - The Day
16. Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
17. Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
18. The Mae Shi - Run To Your Grave
19. White Lies - Death
20. Late Of The Pier - Bathroom Gurgle

Let the inevitable cries of WTF, no TV On The Radio, Cut Copy or Glasvegas commence!

G.R.O.Bestof2008Mix

Friday Five

Aderbat - Mastodon
A recent find for me, if you're a fan of Wintersleep or perhaps Ryan Adams' singing, you'll dig this.

Weird Tapes - My Babe Walk
Though I haven't paid much attention to dancier stuff in the last few months, I heard this and was immediately impressed. The track mixes atmospheric chilled out segments with a Cyndi Lauper sample and some Kavinsky-like sinister sounding shit thrown in to boot. The track sounds great as is, but if you've heard it incorporated in a nice set please drop the name and download location...

The Dears - Demons
Always an intriguing band, now with far fewer members, Dears remain strong on their new album Missiles. Murray Lightburn sings incredibly well on the entire album, particularly on "Berlin Heart," the title track, and the fantastic "Demons."

Cut Copy - Sands of Time
It's hard to buy any argument against In Ghost Colours as one of the better releases of 2008, it's just so damn infectious. And bundled on the new Far Away single is "Sands of Time," which doesn't disappoint in the least.

The Golden Filter - Solid Gold
I found this when I looked for a download for "Sands of Time," rigorously researched, yes, but ultimately a welcome random find. Another retro sounding electro gem chock full of bombasticity and smoky soulfullness (also by this author: Even more bullshit ways to pretend how to describe pleasurable sounds...) Good on Neonized for the find.

Inbox Wednesday - James Yuill

Moshi Moshi Records has been preaching to us about folktronica master James Yuill for many months now but it wasn't until his performance at last night's Moshi/Wichita Christmas party that I realised just how awesome he really is.

His debut album Turning Down Water for Air was released on October 13th and according to Moshi Moshi, it "fuses sweet and innocent acoustic melodies with some darkly introspective electronic magic." That's a pretty accurate description and predictably almost everyone seems to be labeling him the new Postal Service. However, there's more to Mr. Yuill's music than that. Check out the tracks below for yourself.

James Yuill - No Surprise
James Yuill - She Said In Jest
James Yuill - No Pins Allowed

Video for 'This Sweet Love':

Ain't no party like... an Adidas Originals House Party?

Equation for a successful viral ad: celebrity cameos + sweet tunes + no specific target demographic...

I've watched this commercial for Adidas' 60th Anniversary like 6 times in a row now, and am still making new discoveries. Mostly, that Pilooski's version of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' "Beggin'" is amaaazing. Also: decorating house parties with streamers is still cool, David Beckham is painfully suave, and Katy Perry will do just about anything to titillate, including licking curtains.

Here is the commercial, the Pilooski video and the original FVTFS tune. Enjoy!

Whisky, Smoke, Piano Key Stroke.

First off, I have to admit that I have a thing for female jazz vocalists, maybe it's the sultry sweetness of their voices, but I will truly sit and listen to any female jazz vocalist.  For me, there's nothing better than the beautiful airy voice of Blossom Dearie, accompanied with a choice scotch on a cold December night, to keep the soul warm.  There's something about her ability to connect with your subconcious and slowly settle your thoughts from a roar to a faint hum.  There are very few singers who can touch Miss Dearie when it comes to this, in my opinion.  Not to neglect Piaf, Fitzgerald, or Holiday, but Miss Dearie has won my heart.  Her songs seem to lift my spirit.

I recently came across a couple women who carry Dearie's legendary vocal approach.  Thanks to my good friend and former NAC Ochestra oboeist Lawrence Charge, I have come to know the music of Athens Georgia's Madeleine Peyroux.  Peyroux's French-American background has allowed her to penetrate the highly critical French jazz scene and earned her a BBC Jazz Award for Best International Jazz Artist.  There is a time and a place for Peyroux and the above mentioned scenario would suit quite well.

Halifax's own Jill Barber, better known to me as Matthew Barber's sister, is a real gem.  From the first track on her new album Chances, I was sold.  She may have replaced Feist in the category of Most Attractive Voice in the annual Mookie Awards.  Her music is mostly jazz-influenced, but it doesn't prevent her from folk-like tendencies creeping through.  She's going to keep my ears warm this winter.

Enjoy!

Blossom Dearie - Manhattan

Madeleine Peyroux - I'm All Right

Jill Barber - Chances

Remix (& a Cover) Sunday

Can you remember what you were doing when you were 15 years old? I have a vague recollection I was wasting every waking hour playing Championship Manager, in a vain attempt to prove I had more tactical acumen than the current England football manager? I can tell you for sure I didn't have the slightest inclination to head out to a forest and record a spellbinding cover of one of the best artists of the year. That's exactly what Klara and her older sister Johanna Söderberg, aka First Aid Kit, have achieved with their enchanting version of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song". The warmth, maturity and empathy is overwhelming to witness for ones meant to be so devoid of experience.

To keep this post on message, I've also thrown up a lovely remix of Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead". The lo-fi electro-pop original is an early contender for single of the year in 09 and my tip as the song most likely to generate collective euphoria at the festival season this summer.

Passion Pit are seemingly spurning our fumbling British advances at present with no UK dates currently scheduled. First Aid Kit however, are playing the joint Moshi Moshi / Wichita Xmas Party in London this Tuesday, along with Slow Club, James Yuill and Sky Larkin. BTA London will of course be in attendance...

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Landau Wake Up Remix)
First Aid Kit - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song

Friday Five

I can't believe 2008 is almost over. I'm currently compiling my yearly 'best of' mix and the following five tracks might make the final cut, although they face some pretty worthy competition.

Titus Andronicus - My Time Outside the Womb
This year's mix will undoubtedly feature something from New Jersey group Titus Andronicus' debut album The Airing of Grievances. Every track is full-on, joyful, unrestrained rock and roll and 'My Time Outside the Womb' is no exception.

The Decemberists - Days of Elaine
Colin Meloy and the gang are a prolific outfit. On October 14th The Decemberists began releasing singles from a collection called Always the Bridesmaid comprising 5 new tracks and a Velvet Underground cover. The original material is more in the vein of Castaways and Cutouts than the more recent Crane Wife stuff, which is A-OK with me. The band also confirmed that new album Hazards of Love will be released on March 24th of next year.

Shearwater - Rooks
I was a bit slow on the uptake with Shearwater's album Rook. I'm a big fan of Okkervil River so naturally checked Shearwater out some time ago (the band is a side project of Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff from Okkervil River) but failed to give their newest release a proper listen until last month. Better late than never, as they say; it's a fantastic album.

Dosh - Don't Wait for the Needle to Drop
Dosh's album The Lost Take was one of my favourites back in 2006 and this year he produced another gem in Wolves and Wishes. Tracks on the new release feature contributions from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Andrew Bird, Fog and others but it's still purely electronic pieces like 'Don't Wait for the Needle to Drop' that really get my blood pumping.

The Moondoggies - Changing
Another slice of quality rock, this time from Seattle group The Moondoggies. NPR recently named their album Don't Be A Stranger among the top 11 debut albums of 2008, and with good reason. Check out 'Changing' to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

New Music Monday: J.J. Ipsen

I would like to take this Monday's edition of New Music to introduce a very promising artist.  Transplanted from Woodstock, Ontario to Ottawa J.J. Ipsen dabbled with established local musician Eric Vieweg (of The Withering Pines, who will have an album in the new year) among many others.  With Vieweg's performance experience and Ipsen's knack for harmonies the pair played clubs and bars all over Ottawa.  Ipsen has since recently moved to Toronto devoting all his time to his career.

Ipsen's music encompases everything from folk, to jazz, to rock with arrangements that can only please the ear.  What is evident in all the tracks, is Ipsen's comfortable and confident harmonies.  With the help of veteran musicians and a very talented producer Justin Nace (of The Two Minute Miracles) Ipsen successfully completed a wonderful preview to a what I hope will be a fruitful career.  Having personally seen J.J. reduce his audience to a puddle of tears more than once, it's easy to say that he shoots from the heart.

J.J. Ipsen - Tornado

J.J. Ipsen - April May

Remix and Mo' Sunday

It seems as if many of us are over the remixes for the time being, and I would have to agree. After being inundated by countless mixes and mashups over the summer months (where our boy Girl Talk triumphed over all) I for one feel like I need something fresh to keep up the spirits in the dark winter months of this hemisphere. So I'm just going to do both.

I just can't get enough of T.I and his shenanigans. This DiscoTech remix adds some blips and more of an electronic flow while staying pretty true to the track. Love that beat though.

T.I - Whatever you like (DiscoTech Remix)

Now for something fresh. Deep Sea Arcade is one of the latest bands to be unearthed by Australian radio station Triple J. With several festival appearances approaching due to this, these guys won't be unsigned for long. The eerie Beatles like track 'Crouch End' has quickly become a new favorite of mine. Although I'm not sure about the whole 'Arcade' and reference to an element in the band name. Kinda sounds familiar..?

Deep Sea Arcade - Crouch End



UPDATE: Moments ago our good friend Telemitry dropped this new mix of his in our mailbox I guess in an attempt to rekindle my faith in banging remixes. I dig this guy and everything he has put out as of late. I also love Journey. So I felt obliged to share this with all of you.

Journey - Any Way You Want It (Telemitry Remix)

I Hate Christmas.... But I Love Three Litre

In the interests of balance, I feel compelled to stand up for the heartless, cynical populous who fail to subscribe to the enforced jollity, mass tree slaughtering and financial misery of this time of year. Those of us who sink into depression from the impending aural assaults from the latest X-Factor winner, novelty record or, gulp, Cliff Richard single that infest the airwaves in pursuit of the coveted Xmas no. 1 slot.

For Scrooge worshippers everywhere, I offer you Three Litre's anti-yuletide anthem, "I Hate Christmas". A storming indie pop song with insightful, tongue in cheek lyrics, and melodies Morrissey would be proud to call his own. Guaranteed to warm your soul even when you're coerced into wearing that tacky yellow paper hat.

Three Litre - I Hate Christmas
Three Litre - A Girl From The Industry

You can buy these and many of the band's other great ditties at: http://www.arkade.com/three_litre

Friday Five - Hip Hop and Christmas

Here are my top tracks of the week.
Apologies to those tasteless/heartless people who hate Hip Hop or Christmas.

Paranoid - Kanye West
As I read the email which told me that 100 people were being laid off within the local branch of the company I work for, I couldn't help but worry I may be one of the unfortunate ones. At this exact time, I Kanye spoke to me in my earphones; "Don't be so paranoid." And he was right...there was no need to worry. I still have my job.

And He Gets The Girl - Lupe Fiasco
This song is not new by any means. In fact it's quite old. But, it is still my favourite Lupe track, and it has been on my playlist all week. I love it, and I am actually quite excited to share it with you.

Shells - M.I.A
Not only does Slumdog Millionaire have Oscar buzz brewing, but it also touts a strong soundtrack. Here an M.I.A's joint from the album.

Lil Wayne ft . The Game - Red Magic
As a sucker for Lil' Weezy's mix tapes. This is the top track of The Drought is Over 6.

Goldfrapp - Winter Wonderland
We are now less than a month away from the birth of Santa Clause (that's it right?), and while there is no snow on the ground, I have decided to start getting into the spirit of things. Enjoy.

Apologies.

I'm moving into a new apartment.

It's stressful, unpleasant and time consuming, and I can't wait for it to be over.
Yesterday, I was packing and realized that I was singing 'Unbreak my Heart' by Toni Braxton. Loudly. Why??? I have no idea. Maybe the idea of leaving my tiny basement apartment is subconsciously causing me grief?

It then dawned on me that my poor choice of song was probably due to the fact that I was marinating in copious amounts of nail polish remover (I had to clean up a neon pink 'My Chihuahua Bites' spill from my bathroom floor).

At this point, I decided that it was time to take a break from packing and get back to the blogging I had been neglecting, for I was surely driving myself insane with all this cheesy R&B.

So here's a little bit of what I've been listening to lately:

UNKLE - This British crew have been around for a while, and they caught my ear with their song Lawless. Their latest albums are Restless (2008) and Remix Stories Vol. 1 (2008). Check out their MySpace for a sweet collaboration with Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme.

Bound Stems - This band's latest LP, The Family Afloat, is an amazingly uplifting listen - highly recommended it for those gloomy nights of undesired nail polish remover buzz.

PS - One thing I don't recommend doing while hopped up on acetone fumes? Watching UNKLE's Rabbit in your Headlights video...

New Music Monday

Antony Hegarty is one of my favourite musical discoveries since I started to listen to 'good' music. He's got this really unique quivering voice that oozes with every emotion ranging from sadness and isolation to hope and salvation. With his band, Antony and the Johnsons, Antony's striking voice is accompanied a band that can both kick up a lot of dust with heavy rhythms or cool down with melodic orchestral ballads.

It was Antony and the Johnsons' Mercury Prize-winning second album, I Am A Bird Now (2005), that got me hooked on this androgynous singer who "...sees [his] reflection in Boy George". He has collaborated with the likes of Lou Reed and also appeared on one the year's best, Hercules and Love Affair's debut s/t LP. The Johnsons dropped their Another World EP on the world back in October with their third LP, The Crying Light, due for a release around January 20th, depending which side of the pond you reside.

Antony and the Johnsons - Shake That Devil (from Another World EP)

Antony and the Johnsons - Another World (from forthcoming The Crying Light LP)

Small is Beautiful

Size Doesn't Matter? All the Small Things? The Smaller the Better?

I'm sorry, there is surely no good tagline for a band called "Small". They are clearly pouring scorn on music journos throughout the world. They are, however, the most impressive band I saw on my musical travels this week, supporting Chairlift at London's Dublic Castle.

They sound like an intergalatic version of their Danish compatriots, "Mew", playing gorgeous shoegaze pop like their latest single, "Comic Girl"



Their album, "Teenage Cover" was released in Denmark in August this year. No word yet on when the rest of us can get our hands on it.

Small - Comic Girl
Small - Holy Cow

Friday Five Plus One - Coffin Rehearsal

Hey homies. Here's a roundup of five of my favourite tracks from the past few weeks.

Why? - Fatalist Palmistry
I reckon that it's close enough to December 31st for me to say with almost total certainty that Alopecia by Why? will be in my top ten albums of 2008 list. And most likely in the top five rather than the bottom.

The Walkmen - The Blue Route
Another classic track from another superb album. If you haven't given You & Me by the Walkmen a thorough listen, do it now. Now!

Amadou & Mariam - Sabali
I've been a big fan of the magical Malian duo Amadou & Mariam for several years now and couldn't be more excited about their new album, Welcome to Mali, which was released on Monday. 'Sabali' features production by Damon Albarn and is so good it's almost unreal.

Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
On this track Atlanta's Deerhunter really remind me of Guided by Voices circa Universal Truths & Cycles, and that's a very good thing. The forementioned band's critically acclaimed album Microcastle was officially released late last month, but leaked online way back in May. Head Deerhunter Bradford Cox names David Bowie, Brian Eno, Echo & The Bunnymen and My Bloody Valentine among his influences so if you like any of those bands, chances are you'll dig Microcastle.

Love Is All - Wishing Well
bonus: Crystal Stilts - Shattered Shine
The Swedish band Love Is All released their first proper album last week (2005's Nine Times That Same Song was really just a compilation of the group's earlier singles) and it's a doozy. Lucky Canadians will be able to check them out live as they'll soon be making stops in Vancouver (Nov 24), Montreal (Dec 10) and Toronto (Dec 11) with Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts. That's a swell double bill.

'Wishing Well' video:

Inbox Wednesday: EX~PO

Sifting through the dozens of emails in the BTA inbox, I came across EX~PO.  Central Meaner Street is the second collection of tracks by Dean Marino. After reading Marino's bio, I couldn't help, but have the utmost respect for him. EX~PO's frontman/mastermind is a seasoned producer/engineer/studiohead.  His resume lists work with Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, C'mon, Amy Millan, and BTA friends Ruby Coast.

I am always intrigued by what career producer/engineers are able to produce on the other side of the studio.  Marino proves that he's taken all that he has learned behind the glass and transcribed a "how-to" for bands. His music is simple; applying the "less is more" mentality Marino has successfully crafted some great rock songs.  "My New Story" dealves into the psychedelic, "Constant Commuter" chugs and drives smoothly through my headphones, and "At Day's End" yearns almost Jonas-like.

Let me digress, Marino's music is not simple.  It's meticulously pieced together, natural,  and engages the listener through every verse. One of my favourite finds of the years.

Enjoy!

EX~PO - Constant Commuter

EX~PO - At Day's End

P.S.  If you like what you hear make sure to check EX~PO out on Dec. 4th at Rancho Relaxo in Toronto.

New Music Monday: Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!

From Adelaide, South Australia, comes Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! Citing everyone from DFA 1979 to Daft Punk as influences, the group uses rapid and fierce guitar riffs along with the voice of new addition, Caitlin Duff, to form their own brand of electro-pop. Performing with the likes of Midnight Juggernauts at Big Day Out '07, these guys are on the up and up and show a lot of promise. Theres something to be said for the simplicity with these guys in terms of the rhythm, and then adding the off time guitars to complete the sound. Check it.

Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! - War Coward

Remix Sunday - Huey Lewis & The News

So my friends and I are newly hooked on geeky board game Settlers of Catan.  I've played probably 6 games in the past week, and would absolutely be playing at least one more tonight if said friends hadn't started without me.   I could (and maybe should) be embarrassed of my inner dork, but as role model-worthy Huey Lewis & the News once said, it's hip to be square.

So in homage to Huey allowing me to not feel guilty about my guilty pleasures, I am dedicating my entire Remix Sunday post to the 80's icon himself.  

After some digging, I actually found a full Huey Lewis remix album, released only in Japan in 1989.  Here's a choice cut from it, plus a really bad 80's dance remix of 'Hip to Be Square', as well as a cover of 'The Power of Love' by the Pigeon Detectives.

Pigeon Detectives - The Power of Love

Huey Lewis & the News - Hip To Be Square (Dance Remix)

Huey Lewis & the News - The Power of Love (A John 'Jellybean' Benitez Mix)

And, courtesy of the same 'someone has nothing better to do with their time' gods as have blessed me with Catan, a fan-made video for 'Hip to Be Square' made from a bunch of American Psycho clips.

Contest: Birdwatching with The RGBs in Tooting - December 13th

Birdwatching! No, it’s not the latest excuse for Bill Oddie to stave off his impending retirement; it’s actually a great indie club night, run by recent BTA discoveries The RGBs. They are the obvious headliners, with support from up and coming indie electro acts Sam Amant and MissDavinaLee. And as our early Xmas present we've bagged a couple of guestlist tickets so you can be there!

All you need to do is email bridgingtheatlantic@gmail.com by Saturday 29th November with the subject line "I wanna come Birdwatching with the RGBs"

Let’s grab our bird whistles, binoculars and wooly hats and get in line!

In the meantime, check out a couple of tracks from the other bands on the bill:

MissDavinaLee - Moustache Man
Sam Amant - Ding Ding Down

Friday Five

Its hard to recall the last time San Fransisco based Deerhoof had a bad record. They're newest one is slightly weirder than their previous releases but still possesses the likability that many indie-pseudo art rock rock bands try so hard to achieve. A couple other bay area bands have also pop-ed up on my radar: Experimental Dental School and KIT. Both are fairly solid rock acts the former being a straight up guitar/drum duo and the latter being noise rock. Both have that nwe band freshness that I find so appealing. There are also two older tracks down below. I tend to play catch up at the end of the musically; buying/downloading most of what I missed but what was recommended to me. You've probably heard a ton about Shad and No Age but if you haven't you're in for a treat.

Deerhoof - Chandelier Searchlight
Experimental Dental School - Back Porch Floating
KIT - Forest
Shad - I Don't Like To
No Age - Errands