With a cleanly shaved face (like a babies bottom, oh dear what have I done!!!) and as with tradition, I bring to you my 2011 top 10 albums of the year. This year was like all others, extremely difficult. Without further adieu...

10: Eddie Vedder, Ukulele Songs

The first entry of my top 10 of '11. This year was my first chance to see Pearl Jam live (with Jenn and Justin; what a great great show!). When I first found out about this album I thought, how good could it really be: one guy fiddling around on a ukulele. Oh wow though, did it ever knock my socks off. My favorites include: Without You, Can't Keep, Longing to Belong, Once in a While, and Tonight You Belong to Me.  Here's a youtube of Without You.

9: Death Cab for Cutie, Codes and Keys

The number 9 entry belongs to Death Cab for Cutie. I never really was a big fan of Death Cab; could it be their ridiculous name? ...not sure. However, ever since I first put this album in my rotation I have loved it.  It's just a good, solid album. My favorites include: Doors Unlocked and Open, Underneath the Sycamore, St. Peter's Cathedral, and Unobstructed Views. Here's a youtube of Doors Unlocked and Open.

8: Socalled, Sleepover

Ever since I saw Socalled at the Regina Folk Festival I have been a big fan. There is just something so unique and fresh about his music, something so great. This album simply does not disappoint - it's great from start to finish. My favorites include: UNLVD, Richi, Beautiful, Work With What You Got, Sleepover, and a cover of Springhill Mine Disaster. Here is a youtube of UNLVD.

7: Chad VanGaalen, Diaper Island

Well, this album is a unique entry in my top 10 of '11 list. Let me state, I LOVE this album. There is not one song on it I don't like and this was once, earlier this year, a contender to be in the top 3 of my list here. What changed you ask? It all changed when I saw the man and his band live a few months back. Playing a wide range of tunes from this album, the concert really should have been one of my year's highlights. However, the concert was one of the worst, if not the worst, concert I have ever seen. Playing way too loud (and I like loud music!), and playing out of tune and appearing to laugh about it I was quite taken aback. However, the greatness of this album cannot be overshadowed as it is a very excellent album but still I have a sour sound in my ears and have slid this album down from where it should really be. My favorites on the album include: Blonde Hash, Freedom For a Policeman, Replace Me, Peace is on the Rise, Sara...really, it's all good!  Here is a youtube of Replace Me.

6: Sean McCann, Son of a Sailor

This is such a good album. Being a fan of Great Big Sea (GBS), Sean's music is very much the same goodness; on the mellower side of GBS. This album is a constant in my workday/playday playlists. My favorites include: Rather Be A Sailor, Simple Song, The Reply, Doing Fine, Long Road...really, every song is great!  Here is a youtube of Rather Be a Sailor.

5: Cuff the Duke, Morning Comes

Cuff the Duke is quite simply one of Canada's best and greatest bands. On the heels of the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics, Sloan, and Great Big Sea - Cuff the Duke will be known as one of Canada's musical gems I am sure of it. This album is a great one, in line with all of their previous albums. My favorites include: Count on Me, Standing on the Edge, You Don't Know What Its Like, You Won't Look Back, So Many Times Before, and Time is Right.  Here is a youtube of Standing on the Edge.

4: Shotgun Jimmie, Transister Sister

Another year, another Shotgun Jimmie album on my list. There is just something about this guy that appeals to me, be it the rawness of his sound, the humor and light heartedness he has - it all just is very refreshing. At the Regina Folk Festival this year he was one of my favorites. This album is just good and fun!  My favorites include: Too Many Flowers, Transistor Sister, Swamp Magic, King of Kreuzberg, Suzy, and Stereo and the Stove.  Here is a youtube of King of Kreuzberg.

3: Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues

Getting closer now to the number 1 album of the year!  My number 3 of '11 belongs to these fine masters of folk goodness. Mr. Rhiendel first introduced me to the Fleet Foxes a couple years back now and I have been a fan ever since. Their folkiness and beautiful harmonies just resonate with me. This album is quite simply a masterpiece. My favorites include: Battery Kinzie, Lorelai, Bedouin Dress, Helplessness Blues, Someone You'd Admire, and Blue Spotted Tail but really, every song is fantastic!  Here is a youtube of Battery Kinzie.

2: Handsome Furs, Sound Kapital

Seeing these folks at The Exchange this year was definitely one of my year's highlights. A day that was full of music - Jason and I playing the Harry Chapin tribute; another highlight, thank you so much Jeff. I will remember playing that tribute gig forever! ...and then Jason, Melly, Tara, and I...oh and Bree came later, went to go see these 2 beautiful people. Such a great day!  An interesting fact (perhaps) - this album, along with Chad VanGaalen's 2011 album were my first 2 LP purchases. I simply love love love this album - every song from start to finish. It's just so great! But if picking favorites: Serve the People, Repatriated, Bury Me Standing, What About Us, and When I Get Back standout. Here is a youtube of Bury Me Standing.

1: Elliot Brood, Days Into Years

After first hearing this album I instantly knew it was something special. Like with the Handsome Furs, I saw Elliot Brood for the first time this year with Jason, Melly, and Bree and oh boy, what a great show indeed (second only to Rammstein in May which was the best show I have ever seen, period!). Every song on this album is great and I am sure that this album will be one I listen to forever. Songs like If I get Old and Northern Air are instant classics for me but there is more. Lindsay, Lines, Hold You, Will They Bury Us, West End Sky, My Mother's Side, Owen Sound, and yes, Their Will (my personal favorite on the album) - mentioning all songs on the album here, all I think are/will be a permanent part of any playlist I will ever make.  Seeing them live, the energy they have - very special indeed.  Here is a unique version of the song Lindsay.

Honorable mentions (no particular order, limit of 5)

• Dream Theater, A Dramatic Turn of Events
• The Decemberists, The King is Dead
• Christine Fellows, Femmes De Chez Nous
• The Dears, Degeneration Street
• Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Kings and Queens

Well, there you have it ladies and gents. It was quite tough to dwindle the list to just 10, there was just so much great music in 2011. Many were not menitoned here (oh my, REM, PJ Harvey, Cake, Daniel Ramano...oh my oh my indeed the list goes on!)  As always, I'm sure 2012 will be yet another great year for music! -tMac

Well it's that time again for another "albums of the year" post.  This year I had to sort through over 70 albums, sifted it down to about 17, and then began the most difficult of tasks in reducing that 17 down to only 10.  Clearly 2010 was yet another great year for music so, here we go!

10: Matthew Barber ~ True Believer

This marks yet another most excellent album from the Canadian songwriter.  It is very true that Matthew is one of Canada's gems.  His folky style is something that appeals to me a great deal. My favorites on this album include: Insanity or Death, Hawks on the Highway, I Think You're Going to Feel My Love, and my personal favorite, The Little Things (which reminds me of Alex, Ella, Oliver, and Harry)

09: Danny Michel ~ Sunset Sea

Sadly I have not have the opportunity to see Danny live.  He came to Regina a while back and I was going to go but then at the last minute my inherent lameness took over and I did not go.  This album, although only 8 songs, is quite excellent. It simply makes me very happy every time I listen to it.  My favorites on this album include: This Feeling, Norma Desmond, When I'm You, Who's Gonna Miss You?, and my personal favorite, Maybe You Can Find It In Your Heart

08: Gogol Bordello ~ Trans-Continental Hustle

This was one of the albums Jason gave me throughout 2010. I really didn't listen to it at all until one day when I had all my 2010 albums on random and My Companjera came up in the playlist. I must say that it put a giant smile on my face instantly.  Being truly unique, this is a must hear album in my mind, simply brilliant!  My favorites include: Pala Tute, Break the Spell, Sun Is On My Side, When Universes Collide, Sun is On My Side, Last One Goes the Hope, and my personal favorite, My Companjera

07: Wintersleep ~ New Inheritors

It has taken me a little bit of time to warm up to Wintersleep's 2010 album. I have all of their albums. However, I found their last album (2005) to be a little "canned."  That said, their 2010 album is simply awesome. Another band I have not yet seen live (they always go to Saskatoon and never Regina) but I am hoping to very soon. My favorites include: Black Camera, Trace Decay, Terrible Man, New Inheritors (I love the lyrics in this tune), and my personal favorite Encyclopedia

06: Rah Rah ~ Breaking Hearts

A Regina band! ...and a very good Regina band at that. I find it being quite awesome that there are so many excellent local Regina bands, including The Bystanders, The Dustin Ritter Band, Troy and the Jens (etc.) and of course Rah Rah. To be completely honest I was not really a fan of Rah Rah before this album. However, after listening to this album (which Kristy so kindly lent me), I changed my mind completely. I actually love every song on this album and if you haven't heard it yet, I highly recommend it.  To be consistent, my favorites include: Ghosts, Beaches, Joey, and Communist Man

05: Old Man Luedecke ~ My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs

There is certainly something great about Old Man Luedecke. Another one of Canada's gems, his music just makes me very happy. Perhaps this is a theme of the albums I've picked so far (could it be my age?) ~ I really enjoy music that makes me feel happy (oh dear, that was cornball; I need to go watch a die hard show now :) This album, like all his others, is just a treat.  My favorites include: Foreign Tongue, Caney Fork River, Machu Picchu, and my personal favorite, Inchworm

04: The Mountains and the Trees ~ Made This For You

Yet another band I need to give credit to Jason for; man, what would I do (musically) without Jason?? :) This was also another album I really didn't listen to right off the bat. It was actually their CBC Radio 3 Session (live) that, after listening to it ...and listening to it again and again that I truly knew I was listening to one of the best bands/musician(s) I had heard in a long while. This album is just excellent all around.  Favorites include: Goodbye Little Town, The Times, Fear of Ghosts, and my personal favorites, Travellin' Song and Up & Down

03: Arcade Fire ~ The Suburbs

Getting down now to the nitty gritty. This album was actually a top runner to be my number 1 album of the year.  In September I had the absolute mind blowing experience seeing the Arcade Fire live in 'toon town. Being a huge fan of the band since their first album, this, to me, is their best album yet and that (to me) is a true testament to their musicianship as I often find that bands struggle to continually surpass previous efforts (although this is not always the case ~ I find it often occurs). I simply love this album; every song really is excellent.  My favorites, if I have to choose, would include: Empty Room, Ready to Start, Suburban War, and my personal favorite, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains ~ what great lyrics!)

02: The Gaslight Anthem ~ American Slang

This was another late edition to the ol' playlist. At first a few songs really stood out: Bring It On and Boxer for sure.  After really delving into the album, much more of its greatness became apparent to me.  This is one truly exceptional album. I simply love it and can't say enough good things about it.  If you haven't, buy it, but it, buy it...and if you're lucky enough, see them live! (another missed opportunity this year for me but my cousin Sammy saw them and she said the concert was simply brilliant). I love every song on this album but, of course, my favorites include: Boxer, Bring It On, The Diamond Church Street Choir, Star Lucky, The Queen of Lower Chelsea, ...shit, it's ALL fantastic!

01: Great Big Sea ~ Safe Upon the Shore

Being one of the best Canadian bands of all time in my opinion (being a band for 17 years in 2010), it's about time I honor GBS with the #1 slot in one of my top 10 lists. It's true that all GBS albums have been in all my top 10 lists (since I started doing this list thing) but have never quite reached that #1 spot (although that really means nothing as they were all still on my top 10 list and all most excellent albums!).  With their latest album, no question it is for surely one of my favorite albums of theirs, as well as simply one of my favorites of all time. It's just a very fun, easy going album ~ very much like the band itself.  Every time GBS comes to Regina, I'm there, and if you haven't yet seen them live really it's one thing everyone should do!  Sadly I missed a little bit of their show in Regina this year due to Joey's football (he (with Miller) played during an epic snow storm, it really was most epic so missing a bit made it ok), they played many tunes off their new album and they all sounded excellent. Like with a few other albums on my top 10 this year, I like every song on the album: The title track Safe Upon the Shore is just fantastic, Road to Ruin, Dear Home Town, Wandering Ways, Yankee Sailor, (etc.) ...the whole album really shines! There is one song though I really enjoy, Good People. It is no secret my thoughts on us, with myself questioning the many things we all do to be hurtful to ourselves, each other, and the environment (etc.). That all said, this song really made me think (and concede) that, yes, there are many good folks out there ~ that, generally, we are all good people (cornball! ...haha, oh yes but I think it's true nonetheless). An awesome album by an awesome band

Honorable mentions (in no particular order):

• Disturbed ~ Asylum
• Dustin Ritter Band ~ Dead Airwaves (Echo When I'm Gone is one excellent tune!)
• Jim Bryson and the Weakerthans ~ The Falcon Lake Incident
• Kathryn Calder ~ Are You My Mother
• The Acorn ~ No Ghost

And although this album was really from 2009, I only heard it in 2010 (thank you CBC Radio3 and Jason (again)): Richard Laviolette and the Oil Spills ~ All of Your Raw Materials.  This is such an awesome album I just had to mention it!

Well, there you have it ~ my top 10 of '10. It was a great year for music!  Here's hoping 2011 brings more of the same! -tMac

Sideways sheets of rain, fat drops of rain, lightening, wet, {WET}, everything WET! 

Regardless of Mother Earth cleaning house (to be the topic of another post very soon), Joey and I headed out to the Centre of the Arts Tuesday night to see one of the truly great Canadian bands, BNL.  There is no question.  I put BNL in the same likeness as some of Canada's other greats: The Tragically Hip, The Rheostatics, Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea, among a few.  Truly these are Canada's greats!  BNL, in my mind, are very close to the top of this list.

Now I've been a fan of BNL since the very early days of Gordon.  Actually, they were the second live band I've seen (the first being...ha...Glass Tiger!..oh ya!).  Joey and I saw them in Regina a couple years ago at the Agridome and it was so much a treat indeed.  They are just such quality musicians and showmans.  It's just a good, fun time!

This is one of the reasons I like their music so much - is that it's fun.  I often get caught up in my own music and the indie music I love so much - stories with meaning or messages or life expereinces being part of what draws me to such music.  BNL on the other hand are just fun, but to boot they are some of the best musicians that the world has to offer {Kevin Hearn=EXCELLENCE}.

Upon hearing that they were coming back to Regina, Joey and I decided to go check it out.  The change from the last time we saw them was that Steven Page had left the building so to speak.  Some would argue how BNL could go on.  Afterall, Steven Page brought such a unique element to the band.  For surely I would agree.  However, I decided the benefit of the doubt was called for.  After hearing their new album, which came free with concert ticket purchase, I thought, hey, this is still pretty excellent stuff.  Finally after seeing the live thing last night brought it back into light - BNL lives and thrives.  Not to discount Steven Page.  I really like Steven Page and he will be sorley missed.  Songs such as "Brian Wilson", "Good Boy", which Ed Robertson ended the Regina show on, "Old Apartment", "Be My Yoko Ono", and the countless other gems with his unique brand are just not going to be the same.  This perhaps leads to my only negative critique of the show which was I felt, at times, that the band was trying to hard to make the point that "everything is ok."  Songs like "Good Boy" need to be left alone in my opinion; left for when the band gets back together {I'm envisioning in 10 years!...fingers crossed}. It's interesting though as I also feel that perhaps someone new to the BNL would think that there is no "real" issue with Steven being gone.  This is how good the 4 were.  However, those in the know could be tainted as we know what is missing in some of these classic tunes.  I can't lie, there were some tunes I thought well, this is not the same. It's still good, but just not the same.

That all said, I really had a blast at the concert.  There is no question that Ed, Kevin, Tyler, and Jim are going to be a great success on their own. Their new album is really a treat and has great potential to be on my top 10 of 2010.  Songs like "You Run Away", "Another Heartbreak", "Four Seconds", "Ordinary", "Every Subway Car", and "I Saw It" are instant classics for me and I was happy that they played many new tunes and that the crowd was diggin' it all.

Now that all said I really am hoping that Steven Page comes back into the fold but am willing to give the band time to do their thing.  Steven Page's new album has also been purchased and I'll review it soon.  I'm hoping to see him live in Regina too soon, hopefully he comes this way.  Letting the band do their thing and get through this phase of the band's timeline, well, it's the least we fans can do for them providing us with quality tunes for the last couple decades and a bit. I truly think it will all work out all in good time.

I would definately go see them again, very good indeed!  And, oh ya, Joel Plaskett was {EXCELLENT} as well.  I can't wait to see him again, hopefully this year! -tMac