aplanetofsound

My New Year’s resolution is to do a better job up updating this blog.

2011 was a great year for music. It’s always good to find new music, and I did that, and some artists that I’ve dug for a long time released some amazing material.

10. Chad Van Gaalen – Diaper Island

This is, honestly, not my favourite CVG album. It’s actually probably my least favourite. But that’s only because the others are so close to my heart. CVG is fearless and frankly doesn’t give a shit, he’s totally true to his own artistic vision which I really respect. And “Sara,” the song he wrote for his wife, shows how delicately beautiful his music can be.

9. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

To be honest, I will probably always put a Beastie Boys record in my top 10 any year they release one. We’ve gotta party for the motherfuckin’ right to fight!

8. Imaginary Cities – Temporary Resident

Seeing them open for the Pixies two nights in a row this year made me like them in spite of myself. I am predisposed to not particularly liking female singers, but Marti has a really interesting voice.

7. The Roots – Undun

The Roots are more than the best late night TV house band. Undun is a concept album about the life of Redford Stephens, who lives a life of crime. It’s ambitious and successful.

6. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

This year’s list is heavy on the folkish/singer-songwriter content. This album is absolutely beautiful.

5. The Black Keys – El Camino

I struggled with where to put this because it came out so late in the year so it still seems really fresh but who knows how I’ll feel in a few months. But right now, I am loving this record. Standout track – “Lonely Boy”

4. Ryan Adams – Ashes and Fire

I’ve been telling a lot of people to give this record a good listen. A lot of people – me included – abandoned Ryan Adam’s recent stuff. But this record is largely stripped back, primarily acoustic with minimalist arrangements, with the focus on the truly great songwriting. Standout track is “Do I Wait.”

3. Hey Rosetta! – Seeds

This record came out so early in the year I almost forgot to include it in this list. They are so on point with the balance of their musicality, vocals and lyrics. They are a flawless band and their songs are so well-constructed without being too intellectual. They also put on a helluva live show.

2. Suuns – Zeroes QC

I discovered Suuns when I saw them open for Chad Van Gaalen at the Halifax Pop Explosion. I waited for years to see Chad live, but it was Suuns that stole the night. They blew the roof off of the venue. I immediately went home and downloaded their record on iTunes. In particular, it was the live performance of “Sweet Nothing,” that made me continually say, “Holy shit, this is intense.” NME put this record as the 13th best of 2011, with Suuns the best new band. Montreal represent!

1. Greg MacPherson – Disintegration Blues

I said when this record was released digitally (I bought it when it went on sale in Europe, came out in Canada a bit later) that I didn’t expect to hear a record I liked better this year. I was right. It even surpasses his previous record, Mr. Invitation, which made the long list for the Polaris Prize. I interviewed him last year and he described his forthcoming effort as being more singer-singwriter oriented than the indie rock of Mr. Invitation. He has a powerful voice and a unique guitar technique. It’s quite beautiful, with standout tracks including “Snowman” and “Ukranians.” And Greg is a native Cape Bretoner, now based in Winnipeg, running an indie label of his own, Disintegration Records. His lyrics often reflect the island’s working class background. I will always spend my money on his releases.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A lot of the musicians I like are independent. If you like any of these artists and haven’t done so already, please buy their records. I financially support the artists I like.