The dedicated group of writers at Music-Critic.ca have compiled their lists – each one has picked their five favourite records of 2011, and selected the one the proved to be their biggest disappointment. As usual, the diversity of the choices is staggering.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
The Darcys hearken back to a not-so-distant past when Canadian indie rock didn’t require a 15-person band with six percussionists. When “handclaps and gang vocals” was a punch line from a Tragically Hip song, not a prerequisite to releasing an album. » Read More
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Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
Much has been said about Dan Mangan’s precipitous rise to fame. Not only has he cultivated a dedicated group of fans, he’s also earned the elusive fawning of the media. Simply put, it’s hard to find anyone with a bad thing to say about him. » Read More
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Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy |
A somewhat well-known Canadian playwright once said that good writing, good art and good thinking should fetishize one specific question and one questions only: who are you now? (Who am I now? Who are we now?) and clearly he isn’t alone in this thinking. » Read More
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy |
Thirty-some years ago, Rick Carnes uttered the five most argued about words in combination in the history of rock and roll: “Rock and Roll is dead.” Since that utterance bands across the globe have been working hard to prove Carnes wrong – the Arkells are not among them. » Read More
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Rating: 2 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats |
There are a number of media publications who are describing Ryan Adams’ new release, Ashes & Fire, as a ‘return to form.’ However, this record is actually an entirely logical continuation of the road Adams has travelled for his last three records (including 2007’s Easy Tiger and 2008’s Cardinology) » Read More
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Rating: 3 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy |
As Canadians we are constantly struggling to define what it means to “be Canadian” – what is that unique little kernel of truth that defines us as us? At a recent screening of Hard Core Logo at The Toronto International Film Festival someone, possibly Hugh Dillon, remarked that as Canadians we are defined, at least in part, by our love and dedication to our musicians. » Read More
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Kevin Hartford |
Nevermind has aged well. Kurt Cobain’s masterwork introduced grunge to the mainstream in the early ’90s, where it was enthusiastically received by audiences who’d been wallowing in the artifice of hair bands and soulless Top 40 for most of the ’80s. Grunge’s recurring themes of frustration and depression could be a bit of a drag, however, and listeners would eventually ditch the “Seattle Sound” » Read More
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 Reviewer: Michelle Kennedy |
Wilco is arguably one the best alt-country-rock bands on the planet and has endured through a history that would have destroyed most bands. Since the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Wilco have become known as innovators in their field, consistently releasing strong albums. The Whole Love however doesn’t quite meet the standard that fans have come to expect from Tweedy and co. » Read More
