Music-critic.ca - Reviews worth Listening too

Top 5

1. Sufjan Stevens – (Come on Feel the) Illinoise! (Our Review)

Whimsical to a T, off pace and sweetly inward looking. The album puts Sufjan in a category more like a symphonic composer than folk artist, and listening lets you drift off into a world of emotional purity and musical bliss. I look forward to his take on the rest of the States.

2. M83 – Before the Dawn Heals Us

This album represented my introduction to M83, and I can’t get enough. With the grandeur and flair of a cinematic adventure often crafted through the subtle meandering keyboards, Anthony Gonzalez has created a thoroughly engaging listen. From the lulls to the climactic and truly frightening “Car Chase Terror”, this album is genuinely stirring.

3. Kanye West – Late Registration (Our Review)

Ignore this man’s politics. Anybody can get lucky (College Dropout), but to follow up such an amazing album with an equally interesting and completely non-redundant collection of flows and hooks takes talent. I mean, major league, not-just-good-marketing talent. Just be sure to ignore statements such as “the government administers AIDS”. If I had more room on this list, I would throw Common – Be on here. I mention this as I don’t think Be would have had any commercial success were it not for College Dropout.

4. M.I.A. – Arular

File this one under “A for Originality”. What a different sound! Oh glorious innovation! M.I.A. creates some jungle, tribal, hip hop electro pop that’ll make you tap your feet and nod your head. When nobody’s around you’ll probably be shakin’ it tribal-style within minutes. Be sure to check out the Diplo remixes as well.

5. James Blunt – Back to Bedlam

This pick is my representative for the David Gray and Damien Rice faction. If you dig these contemporaries, James Blunt will please you with his mellow but heartfelt ballads. Simple, pleasing song writing in top form here, and very much worth checking out.

Worst Release

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ Soundtrack

This is a double whammy of a poorly acted and disappointing movie combined with a mediocre soundtrack. No, this is not the worst album of the year, by any stretch. The real sadness here is that it had the potential to be a hard-hitting collection of tracks that could have further solidified 50′s place in all of pop culture. Instead we are left with a boring collection of G-Unit songs with little variety and weak hooks. The best tracks come from guests M.O.P., Young Buck and Yayo. 50′s flow is overshadowed. Big oops for G-Unit.

Top 5

1. Sufjan Stevens – (Come on Feel the) Illinoise! (Our Review)

One of the across-the-board favourites of the year, Stevens weaves together a masterful work. This is a love letter, a research project, and a concept album rolled into one, with no stone unturned in a tireless tribute to the prairie state. Showing deft instincts for harmony, composition, and balance, Stevens puts together a first ballot classic.

2. Common – Be

Forget all the credit given to Kanye West – this is the album that saved hip-hop in 2005. True, it was produced by West, but it’s Common’s incredibly wise lyricism that makes this album stand out. The storytelling touch of Testify matched with the laid back club vibe of Go are enough in themselves to warrant repeated listening.

3. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary

Quirky like Modest Mouse, artsy like the Arcade Fire, and people don’t just pretend to like them to be cool. Wolf Parade had it all going for them in 2005. While riding the wave of success that Canadian indie-pop has afforded them, the Wolf Parade deserve some hype of their own with this brooding, inventive, and downright ingenious album.

4. The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday

A band that deserved more praise than they got this year, the Hold Steady deliver one of 2005’s best. A grungy, New York punk sound, but without the breakneck speed, and Craig Finn’s so-good-they’re-bad vocals – Separation Sunday may be the most infectiously catchy record of the year.

5. Luke Doucet – Broken (and other rogue states) (Our Review)

This little known Canadian artist won’t be little known for long. On the red hot Six Shooter Records, Doucet provides the best break-up album in recent memory, running the gamut of emotions and showing impressive depth. Flawless production and a voice that’ll leave an indelible mark on your brain.

Worst Release

Hillary Duff – Most Wanted

Narrowly edging out the Black Eyed Peas’ Monkey Business, the most disappointing album this year was Hilary Duff’s Most Wanted. After releasing two albums of bland, forgettable teeny-pop, somebody decided we needed to combine the best of those two records. That’s right – a greatest hits album, and she’s not even 18. Even the 14 year olds that buy Duff’s music should’ve been too smart for this shameless money-grab. It seems we give them too much credit…

Top 5

1. M.I.A. – Arular

New and strange normally means crap in today’s musicscape. Not so with M.I.A.’s Arular. Maya Arulpragasam’s debut cd is so extremely intense, both tribally and sexually, that it makes it hard to not pragasm listening to it (I bet you’ve never heard that joke before). Now, all she needs is to get signed to Def Jam along with Lady Sovereign, and it’ll be a very happy 2006 indeed.

2. Brand New – Deja Entendu

It’d be too easy to lump Brand New’s brand new disc ‘Deja Entendu’ into the sub-standard sub-genre of Emo. In fact, everything that is not metal or electronica these days is being swept into the Emo bin. Brand New, however, would be lumped more appropriately with Placebo than with The Postal Service. Never lacking on solid guitars, heavy drums, or an appropriately quiet tune, this is one fantastic release of 2005.

3. Kardinal Offishal – Fire and Glory

Play it loud rudeboy… The t-dot’s own Kardinal Offishal is rep’in the good vibes from the streets. There’s no trace of bitches, hos, bling, or crunk on this disc – and I couldn’t be happier. The only fault on this disc was bringing Busta in to the mix. Not since he paired up with Janet has he done any good work… I digress. Nothing but good vibes, intertwined with some interesting story, can be expected from this disc.

4. Metric – Live it Out

Edgier that their self titled release, while still lacking the punchiness of “Dead Disco”, Metric truly are living it out with their third disc. Like Brand New’s love of laying down a thick back beat with screaming guitars, and then switching up to slow, emo-ish, songs. Generally a good time is had by all on this disc, and there’s no trace of Feme-nazis anywhere.

5. Matisyahu – Live at Stubbs

It’s not often that a live CD is actually enjoyable. Then again, it’s not often that Reggae music gets paired up with Chassidic song-writing. After his incredible debut ‘Shake off the Dust, Arise’, Matisyahu’s popularity sky rocketed due to the uniqueness of his disc. This disc, however, takes you out of your living room and within payous-pulling distance of the Chassidic Reggae Superstar.

Worst Release

Every Single #1 Album released this year

There is no more overt sign that your band is about to jump the shark than a “Greatest Hits #1 collection” being released. This year’s selection was especially bad. What comes to mind is Destiny’s Child, 311, Blink 182, The Offspring, Kylie, Eminem, Britney, Hillary Duff, Mandy Moore, etc… etc… etc… Welcome to a quiet life of mediocrity.

Top 5

1. Sufjan Stevens – (Come on Feel the) Illinoise! (Our Review)

Illinoise, the second installment in Stevens’ ongoing ’50 states’ project’, is the runaway choice for record of the year. ‘Chicago’ and ‘Come On Feel The Illinoise parts I and II’ are possibly the best two songs anyone wrote this year. While no two songs sound the same, every song is brilliant in its own way. In fact, the only thing more brilliant than the songs themselves is the philosophy in which they were created. A no-doubt-about-it classic.

2. Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene (Our Review)

One of the most hyped Canadian releases of the year, and Canada’s favorite alternative collective delivered with an artistically imaginative record – this should surprise no one, and because the band is not coming out of left field this time, the impact of this record will not be as strong as their debut. Nonetheless, BSS prove they remain major players in both the conscience and the innovation of Canadian alternative.

3. Johnny Cash – The Legend (Our Review)

The lack of any American Recordings material aside, this is probably the definitive and most wide-ranging Johnny Cash collection ever assembled. This 4-disc box set features 104 songs, ranging from the hits to Americana classics to songs recorded with family and friends, and also contains seven previously unreleased songs. A timeless collection of songs from one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century.

4. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary

Signed to legendary Seattle indie label Sub-Pop, Wolf Parade picked up in 2005 where The Arcade Fire left off in 2004. Less frenetic than their Montreal brethren, ATTQM is nonetheless adventurous. Wolf Parade can now be placed among the leaders of Canadian alternative pop.

5. Buddy Miller – Universal United House Of Prayer

Featuring the likes of Regina and Ann McCrary and Emmylou Harris, Universal United House of Prayer is an alternative country masterpiece, while lyrically Miller attempts to reconcile the social, political, and spiritual state of America. Though no one outside the industry knows who Buddy Miller is, it’s easy to see why Miler is so respected by his peers.

Worst Release

Backstreet Boys – Never Gone (Our Review)

Normally, the year’s biggest disappointment would be the much-hyped X&Y by Coldplay. While a competent release, its risk-free approach makes it nowhere near as impacting as 2002’s A Rush of Blood to the Head. However, this was not a normal year, and so the biggest disappointment of 2005 actually has to be the Backstreet Boys, not because they made a bad record, but because they made a record at all.

Top 5

1. Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have It So Much Better… (Our Review)

Two parts inside joke and one part social commentary, this album oozes with a level of cockiness, swarm and charm rarely seen in modern rock. From name dropping Stalin, Churchill, Mao and Hitler (Walk Away) to rehashing homoerotic fellatio (Do You Want To), Kapranos seems to be lyrically flirting with disaster. Yet, the record is sonically stronger and more diverse then Ferdinand’s first release. It jumps from Psycho-billy (Evil and the Heathen) to 90′s Brit-pop (What you Meant) while staying true to their boisterous sound of misguided art-house dance(I’m your Villain). About as complete of an album released in years, you just can’t get much better.

2. Despistado – The People and Of Their Versus

You’ve never heard of this band and this is the last you ever will. The People and of Their Versus was supposed to be Despistado’s sparkling début on Jade Tree records. They were supposed to be ushered in as Regina’s answer to At-the Drive in. I guess these prairie boys took that title a little too literally. Now the comparisons between ATDI and Despistado will revolve around their explosive demise, rather than their sonic ferocity. Hands down this was the best record you never heard this year; for further listening, search for Stirstick Prediction from the Emergency Response EP to truly feel what could have been.

3. Kanye West – Late Registration (Our Review)

From the moment I heard the first few bars of Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix), I was hooked on Late Registration. I have always had a soft spot for Shirley Bassey samples. There is just something about her sultry voices over a perfect assembly of rhythm and bass. With this follow-up, West reinforced the foundation for his colossal ego with a second hip-hop classic. Tracks like Gold Digger, Roses, Diamonds and Bring Me Down will all but erase the fact that Mr. West was the male diva who brought “Collar Popping” to the gated White suburbs of North America.

4. The Go!Team – Thunder, Lighting, Strike (NA edition)

Remember in ‘87 when you’d guzzle litres of Jolt Cola and/or assortments of sugar based fizzy candies and then because of the noxious combination of preadolescences and high test Colombian grade sugar you’d be all hyper and giddy and then somebody would do/scream something so stuuuuupid and you’d spend 20-30 minutes like almost soiling your pants with gut-wrenching hilarity. Remember how much fun that was. This record is like that, but with a female rapper named ninja, and like 30 times funkier!

5. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm

Officially order me a big plate of humble pie, because when I first reviewed Silent Alarm I thought this band was just riding the coat-tails of Franz Ferdinand. The similarities seemed so obvious. Was I ever wrong! Silent Alarm turned out to be a hip swaggering masterpiece equally as infectious, but fuelled by angst and passion rather than bravado and charm. A mesmerizing début which seems mere seconds away from disintegrating into a soci-political dance off.

Worst Release

Weezer – Make believe (Our Review)

I find it difficult to harp on Rivers, based solely on his previous classics (the blue album, Pinkerton and Maladroit), but no single prescription of rose-colored glasses could shade the fact this record was lyrically uncomfortable and embarrassing. There is no single combination of emoticons that can describe how disappointing this album was.

Top 5

1. Sufjan Stevens – (Come on Feel the) Illinoise! (Our Review)

One last “whoo-hoo!” for Sufjan Stevens this year. Both seamlessly complex, and at times, necessarily simplistic, Sufjan Stevens paints a perfect picture with Illinois.

2. Lucinda Williams – Live at the Fillmore

This two disc live collection is a tour de force of raw energy and emotion. Lucinda Williams’ high powered fusion of country, blues, folk and rock pulses with passion and sets the bar high for live albums to come.

 
 
 
3. Blue Rodeo – Are You Ready

Blue Rodeo combines new influences with their own classic style to produce their best effort since Five Days in July and Lost Together. Lyrically at the top of their game, (especially with Greg Keelor’s eerie tale of jealosy in Phaedra’s Meadow) and musically spot on as usual, including experimentation with a few new instruments. This album is much needed refreshment after the last few which, although good, were not great.

4. B.B. King & Friends – 80

Eighty years old and the King of the Blues is showing no signs he’s ready to pass down his crown. Teaming up with music’s latest and greatest for twelve blues standards, Lucille and King howl together and outshine, a mostly stellar set of performances by his guests (who include Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Elton John, John Mayer and Sheryl Crow).

5. Shona Le Mottée – Destination Grouville

In her debut solo CD; fiddler Shona Le Mottée puts together a fantastic Celtic experience. A combination of both instrumental and vocal songs, the album is uplifting and guaranteed to get the blood flowing and feet tapping. Most praise worthy is that the assortment of traditional Celtic tunes are greatly eclipsed by the original material that makes up just over half of the album.

Worst Release

The Backstreet Boys – Never Gone (Our Review)

Damn, and we were so close.

Top 5

1. Thrice – Vheissu

Thrice’s latest CD Vheissu is the most accessible album the band has ever released. This time around the California quartet experiments with different styles incorporating electronics alongside their trademark screamo sound. The result is a rewarding listen that at times can be a bit uneven but still has enough bite to satisfy the core rabid fan base. One of the year’s most dynamic releases, Vheisu may not be as hard edged as previous Thrice releases but it’s a step forward for a band unwilling to rely on the past for inspiration. Strong cuts include “Red Sky,” “Between the End and Where We Lie,” and “Atlantic”.

2. North Atlantic Explorers – Skylines

The North Atlantic Explorers have crafted an experimental album full of spacey sounds and earthy arrangements. Skylines is a mixture of the atmospheric abstraction of Sigur Ros and the down home simplicity of Neil Young, The Red House Painters and the Cowboy Junkies. Packed with emotion, Skylines is a first-rate debut from a group not only willing to challenge listeners but also themselves.

3. System of A Down – Mezmerize

Metal masters SOAD returned in 2005 with Mezmerize the first of two albums to be released this year. Mezmerize still contains the edge and outspoken social and political views of past releases but this time features more of guitarist Daron Malakian sharing mic duties which is great since his shriek perfectly compliments lead vocalist Serj Tankian’s voice. And oh yeah, “BYOB” is the catchiest thing the band has ever come up with.

4. Brian Borcherdt – The Remains of Brian Borcherdt Vol. 2

Brian Borcherdt’s The Remains of Brian Borcherdt Vol. 2 is an emotional and thoughtful hybrid of melancholic alt-country and abrasive alternative rock. Every song summons a different feeling whether it’s the heartfelt ballads or the rockers. The album won’t cause you to get up and dance like some kind of teenage pop idol but it will satisfy those yearning for something introspective and thought provoking.

5. The Mohawk Lodge – Rare Birds

Rare Bird is classic Canadiana taking equal parts Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot with the contemporary flavour of Ron Sexsmith and non-Canadian British supergroup Coldplay. A melancholic album that was also the very first release for Vancouver’s White Whale Records, Rare Birds is not perfect, actually far from it, but its imperfections are its charm and its lack of production only enhance the overall feel of the album.

Worst Release

50 Cent- The Massacre

I didn’t have high expectations for 50 Cent’s sophomore release. By the time of it’s release I was already growing tired of the whole gangsta thing. I listened to it once and that was good enough for me. I felt no regret lending the disc to my buddy and felt even less remorseful when I was informed that my buddy had thrown the disc out his car window as he was driving to Red Deer from Edmonton last spring.