Best of 2009

My Top Ten for albums of 2009 have been submitted to the North Shore News - many thanks to audiophile John Goodman. I have given him the caveat audiens for my picks - being far more folk/roots and of course, singer-songwriter stuff. No Lady GaGa (gag-gah) from me. How vile! You'll notice this is the year of really geeky looking guy bands. Save Morrissey and Neko Case.

10: Morrissey - Years of Refusal


9: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast


8: Wilco - Wilco


7: Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest


6: Bruce Cockburn - Slice O' Life


5: Joel Plaskett - Three


4: The Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels


3: The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love


2: Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


and my number one pick for 2009....

1: Neko Case - Middle Cyclone *** A highlight of the year and an obvious highlight to her recording career. Neko Case is outstanding in her vocal talent and this album is a must have by anyone's standards!

Smiths' Influence in The Drums

NME is reporting that Boy George is impressed with the band "The Drums", saying they remind him of The Smiths.

Susan Boyle's first single drags em away

Susan Boyle's first single will be an amazing cover of Rolling Stones "Wild Horses". Although I love the Sundays' rendition of the song, this is something so beautiful, I can see that Boyle's album entitled "I Dreamed a Dream", will set new records in the stratosphere. It's release isn't due until November and will be offered on Amazon.

Off the beaten down path of Mainstream, get yourself some Andrew Bird

Chicago Instrumentalist, Andrew Bird, does his rare vocal appearance on this single "Imitosis", from the album Armchair Apocrypha. Great tune, intriguing video.



he's keeping busy
yeah he's bleeding stones
with his machinations and his palindromes
it was anything but hear the voice
that says that we're all basically alone

poor Professor Pynchon had only good intentions
when he put his Bunsen burners all away
and turning to a playground in a Petri dish
where single cells would swing their fists
at anything that looks like easy prey
in this nature show that rages every day
it was then he heard his intuition say

we were all basically alone
and despite what all his studies had shown
that what's mistaken for closeness
is just a case of mitosis
and why do some show no mercy
while others are painfully shy
tell me doctor can you quantify
he just wants to know the reason why

why do they congregate in groups of four
scatter like a billion spores
and let the wind just carry them away
hows can kids be so mean
our famous doctor tried to glean
as he went home at the end of the day
in this nature show that rages every day
it was then he heard his intuition say

we were all basically alone
despite what all his studies had shown
that what's mistaken for closeness
is just a case of mitosis
sure fatal doses of malcontent through osmosis
and why do some show no mercy
while others are painfully shy
tell me doctor, can you quantify?
the reason why

Fiction Factory, from the Reese Peanut Butter Cup Ad

Someone just drove by with this song blasting out of their car

And you know, it was darn cool.

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop
by fred04dj

DANIEL LANOIS Lotta Love To Give

DANIEL LANOIS Lotta Love To Give

Shared via AddThis

Blondie, Dreamin

Birthday Blessings to Morrissey

Artist: Morrissey
Album: Years Of Refusal
Label: Lost Highway (US), Decca/Polydor (UK)
Rating: 8 of 10

It’s hard to believe Morrissey turns 50 on May 22nd, but luckily he never ceases to be the embodiment of eccentricity, an enigmatic oddball to revere. He fiercely continues to give mainstream pop the cold shoulder (and perhaps rightly so), and is no more acclimatized to the pop music scene than he was twenty-three years ago when he emerged as Britain’s beloved outsider with his 1980’s fêted band, The Smiths.

Never lacking of critics, Morrissey has been countering back with successful solo albums and touring to sold-out shows from L.A. to his birthplace of Manchester, England since 1988. His latest rebuttal, Years of Refusal, seemingly reflects the artist’s acceptance of a life-sentence of sour discontentment. Below its 12-track listing, the album’s subscript reads in lower cased italics “produced by jerry finn, recorded in los angeles, play very loud” and compelling proves that age hasn’t diffused Morrissey’s perspective nor his ability to deliver vocal potency. “It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore” hallmarks his sublime falsetto and track two, “Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed”, is lushly layered and enjoyable despite its somewhat disturbing lyrics. The opener, “Something is Squeezing My Skull” scowls with energetic ferocity, stating the big sound theme. Collaboration from long-time band mate Boz Boorer is evident as is punk-pop producer, Jerry Finn’s contribution, which was tragically the 39-year-old’s last effort, having succumbed to a brain hemorrhage only weeks after finalizing the Morrissey recording. A full-bodied intensity flares through to the finale, bonus track, “Shame Is The Name”. Undisputedly, melancholy and wry lyricism, not to mention a notorious quaff, have served Morrissey well and he deserves a very happy birthday.

- Stephanie Kiernan

Crossing A Canyon - 54-40 let me disappear and try again...

LOVE this song...




Sittin' on the edge, atop a canyon
I'm a piece of time too small to name
There's a sign that's hanging over me
Let me disappear and try again

I'm no prophet, but I've seen things
When right and wrong become too close
In that moment of my greatness
I become afraid and watch it go

And the day is long
And the bridge is gone
And the river's washed away
The road I'm on
Only road I know

Everybody's got a problem
Something to do with self control
You gotta tell somebody if you got one
You can't pretend you didn't know

Staring out, across the canyon
My eyes won't tell me what to see
If I let go, I could be floating
From the river to the sea

And the day is long
And the bridge is gone
And the river's washed away
The road I'm on
Only road I know

If I let go, I could be floating
From the river to the sea

And the day is long
And the bridge is gone
And the river's washed away
The road I'm on
Only road
Only road I know

This Girl needs some Beatles

Despite the fact that The Beatles and Apple Macintosh have more money than God, they continue to quibble over iTunes and name rights and copy rights of "Apple". Therefore, when importing your Beatles' CD's into your iMac iTunes, you don't get the automatic artwork. Tonight I pulled up The Beatles.com and downloaded all the album artwork so I can upload the images for my jukebox display. Now things look way better.

Pete Yorn's upcoming album can't come soon enough

But neither can Matthew Good's new studio recording "Vancouver". Pete has done a duet/vocals with him on the album. This is quite exciting.



New one called "Shotgun" - you can upload it on Facebook and improve your iLike profile. Hmmm, I likey. I likey alot.

Richard Hawley

Yesterday morning sitting in Starbucks on Robson awaiting Lianne's arrival so we could attend the Geist writers workshop, a song came on that caught my attention. An acoustic remake of Canadian legend Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain. I casually inquired what CD was playing and found the hard copy at the front counter. It was a Starbucks' compilation entitled "Sweetheart". It was also 24 quid - I wasn't in the mood to pay that, but I made my mental note.

This song is an oldie - the guy that re-recorded it isn't. Richard Hawley is a Brit - a Northerner, who was born in January 1967. From his vintage voice one would think he was 40 years old recording in 1967. Richard Hawley is a throwback and way cool. His voice is velvet, hitting that part of the past that is late 1960's and early 1970's. Check out this LINK and see if you think he could be of Glen Campbell's vintage. He's fabulous.

Proof? Here is his cover of "Born Under A Bad Sign" - a song made famous by a chap named Albert King but could just as easily been sung by Nancy Sinatra. This video is fantastic and so is our retro Richard Hawley.





The Starbucks "Sweetheart" Compilation was released January 30th. Here is it's line up of mellowed out covers. Jem's cover of Coldplay's Yellow is actually really well done.

01. Death Cab For Cutie - "Love Song" (Cure cover)
02. Katy Perry - "Black And Gold" (Sam Sparro cover)
03. DeVotchKa - "Hot Burrito #1 (I'm Your Toy)" (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
04. Department Of Eagles - "Love Me" (Elvis Presley cover)
05. Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Words Of Love" (Buddy Holly cover)
06. Ben Bridwell - "Your Love Is Forever" (George Harrison cover)
07. Kate Tucker - "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
08. Rogue Wave - "Maps" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
09. A.C. Newman - "Take On Me" (a-ha cover)
10. Jem - "Yellow" (Coldplay cover)
11. Richard Hawley - "Early Morning Rain" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12. Daniel Martin Moore - "I Hear Music" (Billie Holiday cover)
13. She & Him - "I Put A Spell On You" (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
14. Lila Downs - "My One And Only Love" (Frank Sinatra cover)

It's all fire and brimstone baby...

Maynard Keenan, lead singer of Tool, has a side project called Puscifer. His new song is The Mission featuring vocals of actress Mila Jovovich.  I am addicted to this song. I dare you not to love it as well.

What A Tease

Morrissey's upcoming solo album, Years of Refusal, features interesting inner sleeve artwork. The ninth solo studio recording for Moz will be released in the UK February 16, 2009. As usual, he has fun with his song titles....

1. 'Something Is Squeezing My Skull'
2. 'Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed'
3. 'Black Cloud'
4. 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris'
5. 'All You Need Is Me'
6. 'When Last I Spoke To Carol'
7. 'That's How People Grow Up'
8. 'One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell'
9. 'It's Not Your Birthday Anymore'
10. 'You Were Good In Your Time'
11. 'Sorry Doesn't Help'
12. 'I'm OK By Myself'

And if that isn't enough NEWS, there is also his interview with Russell Brand. So you MUST purchase the deluxe DVD edition of Years of Refusal in order to treat yourself to the full 20 minute interview, entitled "Wrestle With Russell".
God I love the intrawebs.

Hairdresser On Fire....really

Morrissey - Hairdresser on Fire from Steve Pope on Vimeo.

The Two-Minute Miracles

Thanks to CBC Radio 2 and a December 20th trip to Costco with Steve Jones, I now know about the Toronto based band, Two-Minute Miracles. These guys are so under the radar but totally authentic and unwary roots rock.

The video above is of a live performance of "Stall Tactics", which I encourage people to purchase off iTunes, from the album Volume III The Silence of Animals. Weird title, but that's good. I purchased several songs from various recordings of theirs and then burned a CD for Steve for Christmas. This I hope, will push him to set up his iTunes account on his "new" iMac and buy the albums in full. So far, Steve loves these guys.

This video link is of a more polished production; an upbeat sort of tune, which I will also buy, from the album "Lions of Love". Title song from that album is also really good.

The state of the union post Christmas 2008

This morning after a truly lack luster Christmas spent virtually alone, snow bound, suffering with achey-flu-like symptoms, and then yesterday from 11:45 am to 2:10 pm, joining in the “fun” with six other homeowners up on the roof of our apartment building, heaving twelve-thousand pounds of snow off to the ground, well, I have awakened to the fact that I am a cynical and fearful person. Buddy's down to one last tin of Fancy Feast and it's the Salmon flavor one which he's not wild about.

And even worse, reading the NY Times online this morning, right there in black and whitish, “Billboard reported that three-quarters of Santogold’s (singer Santi White – whom I don’t know or listen to) excellent album has already been licensed for commercials, video games and soundtracks, and Ms White appears in advertisements for sneakers.”

Journalist Jon Pareles has it right, it’s a hard one to fathom at times. He goes on to state, “this is the reality of the 21st-century music business. Selling recordings to consumers as inexpensive artworks to be appreciated for their own sake is a much-diminished enterprise now that free copies multiply across the Web.”

Good grief. I love his description of the two types of music listeners – me being of the first collective – an apparent dying bread; “While people (I’d be one of these people) still love music enough to track it down, collect it, argue over it and judge their Facebook friends by it, many see no reason to pay for it.”

Jon Pareles’ full article was published December 24, 2008, entitled Songs From the Heart of a Marketing Plan.

And so far, I have only received and opened 2 Christmas presents. One from Richard - thank you dear for the multiple DVDs -they have come in handy these past few days; and one from Hartwick - a lovely collector book of Audrey Hepburn. I'm hoping to get a few new CDs - including Jill Barber's Oh Heart. That is, if this fricken snow would disappear!

Eartha Kitt, January 17, 1927 - December 25, 2008

Sad to hear the news this afternoon that talented singer and actress Eartha Kitt has passed away from cancer. It's rather apropos that she passes away on Christmas day, as she made the song "Santa Baby" famous after recording the holiday hit in 1953 - Eartha was the original recording artist of the song.

The Best of 2008 - the year in review for music

It's already been twelve months. It seems like only a few months ago when I was publishing Best of 2007, so when John Goodman emailed me to contribute the The North Shore News annual Year In Review Section, I thought, "You gotta be kidding me? Another December?" It really has flown by.

1. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (Sub Pop)
2. Ray LaMontagne – Gossip In The Grain (RCA)
3. The Smiths – The Sounds Of The Smiths (Rhino)
4. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology (Lost Highway)
5. Kings of Leon – Only By The Night (RCA)
6. Lucinda Williams – Little Honey (Lost Highway)
7. City And Colour – Bring Me Your Love (Vagrant)
8. Kathleen Edwards – Asking For Flowers (Universal)
9. James – Hey Ma (Decca)
10. KD Lang – Watershed (Nonsuch)

While this year was rather dry for publishing, I was able to push through my pieces on Kathleen Edwards' Asking For Flowers, KD Lang's Watershed, City and Colour's Bring Me Your Love and Morrissey's Greatest Hits. All great albums, with the exception of Morrissey's so-called Greatest Hits (I know, how can I slag my man?!). I have included them in this year's submission, appearing in this past Friday's paper (NSN December 12th edition, page A19).

The year 2008 can be described as eclectic, still filtering commonality in the collective Best-Of-2008. For more than one nomination The Kings of Leon, Fleet Foxes, Lucinda Williams, Block Party, Wolf Parade, Hey Rosetta!, and the most frequent nominee being Kathleen Edwards for her album, Asking For Flowers. Ottawa-born Kathleen Edwards is as confident and reflective as Lucinda Williams. Her debut album Failer is one of my "desert island pics". The Kings of Leon simply rock. Lead singer Caleb Followill's vocals are so striking to me. I'm in love with everything he utters. Further mention must be paid to Dallas Green and his solo work as City and Colour for the album "Bring Me Your Love", because as I described back in March, his voice is soft as silk, transporting lines to a diaphanous lullaby.



My Top 10 Albums were in no way prioritized. They were submitted in random order because I find it dreadful to remark on art in terms of rating. The absolute worst part of submitting an article for an album is the dreaded numbering out of 10. Holding my breath, I type it in last thing before clicking the Send Button on my email. But that is what we do as humans. It's unfortunate, but it's safe to say society is competitive in virtually all aspects, including art, of existence. What is better or worse, what is fastest, most expensive, you name it, we'll rate it. With rating, measuring, ranking, assessing, gauging, grading or estimating, we limit art - we stifle, regulate and limit it. But Music is really very simple. Above all of the temperament, Music is for enjoying.

Snow Patrol's "A Hundred Million Suns"

Album: A Hundred Million Suns
Artist: Snow Patrol
Label: Polydor/A & M
Released: October 28, 2008
Rating: 7 out of 10
Review by: Stephanie Kiernan


Don’t expect to fall in love upon the first go around of “A Hundred Million Suns” – I’ve personally renamed Snow Patrol’s fifth album “A hundred million Starts” since that’s about how many plays it took for me to warm up to it and wipe off its monochromatic veneer.

Nevertheless, despite the repeated starts of the album in my car and on my iPod, it eventually wedged itself into my psyche. Irish-Scottish ensemble Snow Patrol resumes their clean-cut, soft-alternative sound, while lead-singer-lyricist Gary Lightbody fortifies the band’s tried and true post-Coldplay formula for a perfectly pleasant offering without any surprises.

And while surprises might be vital in satiating the iPod generation, Snow Patrol’s music is nevertheless cheerfully alternative, in addition to having the underpinning of distinguished Irish Producer, Garret “Jacknife” Lee; who’s pixie dust has illuminated other alternatives like Weezer, Kasabian, The Hives, and Bloc Party.

“A Hundred Millions Suns” stamps out 11 sashaying originals, including sixteen marathon-minute “The Lightning Strike” which swoons and flares with echoing high-tempo. Snow Patrol has mastered mellowness with extractions like track 7, “Set Down Your Glass” and track 8 “The Planets Bend Between Us” and yet plodded optimism strikes through “Engines” – a highlight of the release.

This Snow Patrol offering would make a decent Christmas stocking stuffer; just add this review disclaimer to the wrapping.

Greg Laswell Linked and Liked

It's early Saturday morning and I've logged on to Facebook to pick up some messages. Although I resisted Facebook at the onset last year, I must admit it has its advantages.

First it's about people. I've been able to connect with friends and family that I would otherwise not be able to. There just wouldn't have been that opportunity. The other of course, is the iLike application. I'd like to say that I'm turning friends on to new music by 'publishing' my iLike selections, but also, there are friends like Terrie, Jennifer and of course Marni, who are doing the same for me. So while many folks like to blame Book-Visage for everything from break-ups to gossip machinery, there's something to be said for the connection that a song or music can make between people.

With that said, thanks to Terrie and Jennifer for being very cool and selecting and publishing your pick for the multi-talented artist, Greg Laswell - hailing from San Diego, California. Besides being a producer and engineer, the guy clearly knows how to write and record good music. From his album, "Three Flights from Alto Nido", this song is entitled "How The Day Sounds" and it is my pick of the week.



Now I have to finish - actually start - my review for the new Snow Patrol. It's not doing it for me so far. Looks like another bleak 6 out of Tener.

Snow Patrol to Ryan Adams and back to Lucinda Williams

After receiving a brief email last week, the new Snow Patrol album is coming my way for review. The problem is, I wouldn't consider myself a big Snow Patrol fan. I mean, they're alright for soft edged pop. They're kind of like Coldplay's little brother aren't they? But I suppose I should save my reservations until I actually get the CD and hear it. Who knows, maybe I'll love it. It's much easier to write with love or hate. It's dreary if your feelings are grey or lukewarm. In writing, nothing could be more boring than indifference. In any case, my starting point before receiving the CD is research and I've found a few tricks for comprehending a band and an album. This morning my iTunes Store was my first stop. There's a few songs on it which might be palpable. But I was immediately uninterested and moved on to the new Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - now that's more my speed. I could sing my teeth into that one.

iTunes beguiles you in with one purchase and then thoughtfully recommends other artists and albums with their subtle "Listeners Also Bought" tool. Which naturally lead me to the newest Lucinda Williams' CD, "Little Honey". Steve said that Lucinda Williams was having a relationship with the wee Ryan Adams. I don't know about a romantic relationship. He's 34 and she's past 50. That would be rather Oedipus Rex-ish. I don't doubt they've observed in one another a strong sense of symmetry as artists.

The iTunes review of "Little Honey" was stirringly perfect; clearly the writer understands what it means to hear Lucinda Williams. The final paragraph of the review was irresistible, surmising

"the cover of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way To The Top" is at once bizarre and absolutely perfect, a blues lament coming from the mouth of a woman who has spent decades trying to get her point across."

Yes, that's exactly her.

It seems that most people are fairly flagrant with their music tastes and sadly, again, indifferent towards it. Hawksley Workman asserts "The poets let a generation down and modern music could be a healing sound" in his "We Will Still Need A Song". It's true, modern songwriters - real singer-songwriters - are vessels of poetry today; dispensing their stories and truths and harnessing them to harmonies; a double feat.

I guess my point is, I personally can't waste my precious time trying to assimilate monochromatic, common pop music. I know; pretty elitist.

"so I could parade it in all it's glory"

and Bernard Sumner is a total diva..hmmmm.

Phontaine

I worked on Saturday to help out at one of the showhomes in Heritage Woods. On the way home in the dark just after 6pm, driving along the quiet Barnet Hwy that hugs the inlet from Port Moody to Burnaby, I was listening to CBC Radio 2 and this catchy song came on. It was Sunny Day by local Vancouver music project Phontaine. Before the song ended I took note of the time and thought once I got home I'd check the CBC Playlist Web Site and find out what it was - there was no need because Tim Tamashiro, Tonic's host, plugged it immediately 'If you don't have any Phontaine, go out and buy an album - it's great music to have..." I was rummaging into my purse, nearly driving off the road for my ballpoint and note pad to scribble it down. Once home on Saturday night I purchased the album in which Sunny Day appears, Bibliotec. I wouldn't declare myself as a fan of electronic music, but I have to say, this got my attention.

This unofficial Phontaine video is of the final song on that album. I can't seem to find Sunny Day, but this entire album is pretty addictive at the moment. The track "Fin" is also fantastic.



Grant Baldwin is Phontaine and the music is grade A.

Home By The Sea - A Genesis forgotten classic

Tonight at the Cross, I scammed a few dollars off Steve Jones to throw into the "Juke Box". I punched in a few classics, but one surprised me - a Genesis song. I was a Genesis person in the eighth grade but this was post 1982. This is a great song. Post Genesis fan or not. The pub was filled and they liked it - but they didn't remember why.

"as we live relive our lives in what we tell you"

Ah Morrissey, we love you

Even though I "closed" my Airborne Confessions Blog down in August, I still receive the odd comment here and there. This morning I discovered this one left on a Morrissey post.

Morrissey is a rock ikon the world over as far as real people are concerned.
He refuses to conform to the commercialised and fake music scene. For this reason he is left out in the cold when his immense talent should be respected and idolised by true music fans.
Top bands such as The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Ordinary Boys, Wombats, Coldplay and many more all nod to his influence in their respective careers.
Morrissey is indeed the Last of The Famous International Playboys!

Vive la Moz!

PS. you are very pretty Stephanie. I will see you in far off places! Daz Manchester UK

Also, the photo above is most likely the confirmed artwork for his new album "Years of Refusal", due out February 3, 2009.

"Still On Fire" by First Aid Kit

Jason Collett you have my vote

I've been rather obsessed lately with bad politics, the crap Canadian election, the shite economy and the end of the world, so it was a little shining music that got me back on track. Although our election doesn't give us much hope, here in Canada we have great singer-songwriter talent to keep us from killing ourselves. I must say I just love this young cracking-folkish voice of Jason Collett's. He's just the perfect thing to get my mind off the negatives. I especially enjoy his song "Through The Night These Days". Jason Collett is signed to Arts & Crafts at the moment and they've done him a nice web-page, but other than that, I think you'd have to check out iTunes to get his album.

"Through The Night These Days" is from his latest release.

Finally something new!

While driving home over the Lions Gate Bridge, CBC Radio 2 played a track from a band I hadn't come across. The Fleet Foxes. I love their sound so I will leave you to their MySpace Page to see for yourselves. I say it's great Fall driving music. I like the tracks "English House" from the MySpace collection, but CBC played "Ragged Wood", which got me as far to blog this.

David Letterman appearance video