Monday, December 6th, 2010
Chromewaves’ favourite albums of 2010
Frank Yang
Well this was certainly a better year than last year, on pretty much every level. Of course, it would have required something on the scale of low-yield nuclear detonation in my bathtub – while I was in it – for it to have been worse, but I’ll take it. Musically, it was actually something of a banner year with what seemed like every active artist that I liked not only putting out new records, but good to great records. More hiatuses ended than started and despite intending to slow down the show-going, I ended up going to even more life-affirming, if not -changing, concerts than in any calendar year I can recall. In short, 2010 brought it.
So you’d think that with such a wealth of great records to choose from, assembling a short list of ten faves should have been easier than a year without as many worthy candidates but if anything, it’s tougher. Acts that release records that meet expectations, however high, are held to extra scrutiny; it’s like, “yeah this record was good but so was the last one – where’s that next level?” which of course is completely unreasonable. And conversely, acts heretofore unknown to me had the element of surprise on their side when it came to triggering the ineffable “wow” reflex. All of which is to say that, like past years, there’s nothing scientific nor quantitative about these selections – they’re alphabetical by artist and represent what I could get behind as of the first weekend of December, 2010, and strongly motivated by a desire to get this list over and done with.
So here they are, after the jump, or if you want to peer closely at my little photoshop project above (click for a bigger version) you can try and guess who made the cut before seeing the answers. Because I know the suspense is delicious.
Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday, December 5th, 2010
Superchunk covers The Cure
AV ClubThis week’s selection again comes from that treasure trove of people-doing-other-people-but-not-in-that-way-you-sicko goodness that is the AV Club Undercover. One of the things I liked about this series, besides everything, is that they didn’t only have it set up so that is was the new guard covering the old guard, but got a couple of the latter in to tackle other artists’ material as well.
So when the back with a vengeance Superchunk got their turn in the studio – and even though their own “Detroit Has A Skyline” was still in play, if they felt like not being sporting – they reached back another generation and opted to take on The Cure. And not one of their broodier numbers, though that’d have been interesting to hear, but the 1985 single which would serve as the blueprint for most of The Cure’s unabashed pop singles and biggest hits. Mac McCaughan’s voice is about as opposite from Robert Smith’s as you’re going to find, but otherwise the ‘Chunk pay pretty faithful service to The Cure in their take.
Superchunk’s first record in almost a decade, Majesty Shredding, gives the band reason to return to Toronto for the first time in forever this week with an in-store at Sonic Boom on Thursday, December 9 at 3PM in advance of their show opening up for Broken Social Scene at the Sound Academy that evening. The Cure haven’t put out a new record since 2008’s 4:13 Dream but their classic Disintegration was given a three-disc reissue this year so they’ve not been up to nothing, and Smith has promised more archival releases in the near future. And he’s also stopped saying each record/tour is going to be their last, so there’s that.
The Twin Cities welcome Superchunk back with a studio session at MPR and an extensive interview with McCaughan at Minneapolis City Pages.
MP3: Superchunk – “In Between Days”
Video: Superchunk – “In Between Days”
Video: The Cure – “In Between Days”
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
MyspaceWho: Memoryhouse
What: The Wintergaze Festival is a year-end celebration featuring some of the city’s (and outlying regions’) finest sneaker contemplaters and drone merchants.
Why: For the breakout Guelph dream-pop duo, they’re celebrating the release of their new “Caregiver” 7″. For everyone else, why not?
When: Thursday, December 16, 2010
Where: The Twist Gallery in Toronto (19+)
Who else: The rest of the lineup features Foxes In Fiction, Volcano Playground, Ostrich Tuning and Heartbeat Hotel
How: Tickets for the show are $10 in advance, but courtesy of Gold Soundz, I’ve got a pair of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Wintergaze” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, December 12.
MP3: Memoryhouse – “Lately (Deuxieme)”
MP3: Memoryhouse – “Lately (Troisieme)”
MP3: Memoryhouse – “Gian Lorenzo Bernini”
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
trickysite.comWho: Tricky
What: Famed British trip-hop pioneer who has never equalled the critical or popular acclaim of his debut Maxinquaye, but remains a prolific and interesting artist
Why: He released his latest album Mixed Race in October. Let him show it to you.
When: Sunday, December 12, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Support still TBA
How: Tickets for the show are $20 in advance, but courtesy of Domino Records I have a pair of passes and a copy of Mixed Race on CD to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Tricky” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Contest closes at midnight, December 8.
What else: The National talks to Mr. Adrian Thaws.
Video: Tricky – “Ghetto Stars”
Video: Tricky – “Murder Weapon”
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
Frank YangWho: Freelance Whales
What: Super-twee Brooklynite orch-pop project that’s been gallivanting about on the back of their debut album Weathervanes for some time now.
Why: After a number of decent-profile support slots, they’ve decided they’re ready for their own headlining tour. And this is it.
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Where: The El Mocambo in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Brooklyn’s Miniature Tigers and Los Angeles’ Baths will open things up
How: Tickets for the show are $15 in advance but courtesy of LiveNation, I’ve got three pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to hire Freelance Whales” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at noon, December 6.
What else: Denver Westword and Rock Edition have interviews with Freelance Whales frontman Jacob Hyman.
MP3: Freelance Whales – “Generator Second Floor”
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