Tell me you love me Francine!

The Coachella line-up has been announced. Let down city in order of headliners! I mean, the last few years had Pixies and JAMC! Who the fuck cares about Jack Johnson? But the rest of the bands are alright. I don't think I will be too upset about missing it though.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does it Offend you, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters (“Dark Side of the Moon”), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen

Sorry Roger, I only have the heart for Syd.

There's no one I absolutely NEED to see. What happened to that rumour about My Bloody Valentine?! That would have made it worth it. Most of the bands I would want to see, I can probably catch at a much cheaper price. It would be brilliant to see Madness play "It Must Be Love" live though. I don't want to spend the cash, they might not even play it.

As I said. At least I don't have to whine about missing it this time around.

I won't let you buy it not at any cost

I saw Juno tonight and it deserves every bit of praise it has gathered. It has also rekindled my love for Jason Bateman and Michael Cera. Not enough Rainn Wilson though. I won't talk about it due to the fact that I am not from Spoiler City.

I picked up some more cheap 45sss. Devo Live, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (2 LPs!) and Talking Heads "Remain in Light". Sarah found the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, I hate that movie more than most things I can think of. She can recite every word. This is where we differ.

The man doesn't blink, mom! The man doesn't blink!

After roaming through general shit in a second hand superstore (Lionel Richie, Streisand, etc), I came across some lovely things in the 45s section! All 50cents!

ABC- The Lexicon Of Love (I LOVED THEM SO MUCH AS A KID. Cheesy pop music wins.)
ABC- The Look Of Love 7"


The Human League- Dare!
THE MONKS- Bad Habits (!!!)
Adam and the Ants- Stand and Deliver (According to my mum this is another album my dad was obsessed with)
The Knack- Get the Knack (for mum)
Ted Nuuuuuuuuugent- Weekend Warriors (not for me, for my brother's friend)

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT FIND:
Prince- Graffiti Bridge

Also. After much disappointment that the Horrors did not make a tour diary for their US/Canada dates last year (they seem to have one for every other tour they've done).. turns out the whole thing is now going to be a movie. It's premiering at SUNDANCE. How fantastic and strange! I've already recognized a bunch of people from the trailer alone. I wonder what they'll have from the show I was at! I can't wait to see it.




1:15-1:17= brilliant.

In like, fourth grade

Obligatory end of year list... now.
It actually took me a really long time to think of such a thing, because the majority of my music collection pre-exists 1996. Hence why it's the 3rd day of the new year when I got around to posting this.


ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Horrors- Strange House

Was this even going to have any competition? I can't remember the last time I was so excited about an album's release. Not to mention, it's their debut. I don't feel I have to defend this choice, really. Many refuse to give them a chance based on hype/appearance/things that don't even relate to the music itself. I've found that, generally, they change their minds as soon as they actually listen. Every song is something different, something you don't expect. Even their b-sides get better and better with every single. I'm really looking forward to what they come up with next. Apparently, that's happening very soon. They also win title for "Band I Refuse To Shut Up About" this past year.
TOP TRACKS: No, honestly. Listen to the whole thing.


HONOURABLE MENTION

Wilco- Sky Blue Sky

Wilco's one of those bands that are surrounded by major expectations. They've always won. This album, like the others, delivers brilliantly crafted songs full of everything going on in Jeff Tweedy's mind at the time. This round, he's a bit happier. It's gotten them another Grammy nod, and is all over the top critic's best lists. Well deserved for one of the hardest working bands today.


EPS/SPLITS OF THE YEAR

The Rentals- Last Little Life EP

FINALLY. That's the first word I can think of! When they first announced they were getting back together in 2005, I couldn't have been happier. Their albums are a staple in my music collection, and they were another band I thought I'd never have the chance to enjoy in person. This EP goes right back to where they left off.

Electricity In Our Homes- The Shareholders Meeting EP

The epitome of strange pop. This is just our first glimpse of these new dark heroes. I'm so excited to see what happens with this band in the future.

Graham Coxon/Paul Weller- This Old Town

Two of the most important figures in English pop music collide for this split single. Who knows why this took so long to conjure up, but in the end it was worth the wait.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Is Is

How does one sound now that they'll forever be dubbed "Grammy Nominated-"? Better. I really don't think that sort of thing would have an effect on Nick, Karen, and Brian. Though I do remember how excited they were about it. They've been one of my favourite bands since I heard their FIRST ep back in 2001. I still love them.

Crystal Castles VS. Health- Crimewave

They go together like rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga a dong.



SINGLES OF THE YEAR

Ipso Facto- Harmonise

What I'm about to say is not a bad thing. If it were not for a previously mentioned band, I wouldn't have come across this all-girl group so quickly. They're getting a lot of attention now though, and it's well deserved. As I've said before, I really hope I get to see them live soon.

Super Furry Animals- Run Away

They've always been known for their quirky pop music, but this takes it to another level. There's a sense of comedic irony, but somehow it's a completely genuine and a bit sad at the same time.

NEiLS CHiLDREN- You Didn't Care

The catchiest song of the year, period. If anything, the bass line will haunt you long after you've heard it.

Charlotte Hatherley- Siberia

It's been a good year for her. Her second album (THE DEEP BLUE) was released to very positive reviews, and she's finally getting away from being only known as "Ash's former guitarist". This tune is proof that she can go it alone, and she'll be just fine.

Spider and the Flies- Metallurge

The experiments of Mr. Furse and Mr. Webb. With brilliant results. More to come this year!

Robots In Disguise- The Sex Has Made Me Stupid

The Robots are back in full swing. They never really went away, but it's good to have new material. They're another band whose music has grown on a gigantic scale since first forming all those years ago. And another band on my list of acts to see live as soon as possible.

Britney Spears- Peice Of Me

No, I'm completely serious. Try not getting this song in your head. She may be trainwreck of the millenium, but she knows what producers can turn that into a hit song.

Gallows ft. Lethal Bizzle- Staring At the Rude Bois

A cover of the Ruts' classic, I passed this off as a guilty pleasure at first. It's just too good to be put aside, though. Gallows were definitely one of my favourite bands this year, though their album was released back in 2006. This is a fantastic homage to the original, and a guest appearance from Bizzle makes it even better.



CONCERTS OF THE YEAR

Interpol// Cowboys Ranch. April 17th.

I've seen them a few times this year, but this was definitely the best. It's got to be one of the greatest shows I've been to, ever. They played every song I wanted to hear, and they did it perfectly. Not to mention, Carlos D's moves are legendary. Having him play to the two of us directly was one of the greatest moments in my musical life. I don't care how fangirl that sounds, it was brilliant.


You can't tell unless I'm pointing it out, but you can see us.

The Horrors// The Mod Club. June 11th.

Featuring the most horrifying moment of my life (no pun intended) that will haunt my mind forever. Being dragged Faris-style through "Gloves" was both the best and scariest moment I've ever been involved in. It's too bad I never found a video of it.


Fact: This is the first and only time Toronto will ever see Death at the Chapel live. It has been officially retired from set lists.

White Stripes// JLC. July 14th.
I've explained on here how important this show was to me already. Not only was it the first time I got to see the White Stripes since first hearing them back in 2001- it was also that I got to see them with my cousin Katie. We were both too young to see them back in the day, so it was brilliant that of all places we were able to see them at home. Not to mention, they played all the songs we would have wanted to hear back then! Including Astro, TWICE! It was perfect.

The Gorgeous// Salt Lounge. March 13th.
Their second last show, and a fantastic send off to a band that was meeting their end far too early. It's very rare to capture the intensity in the room that night. It was amazing to be a part of it.

the gorgeous


For some reason, I have that microphone. Thanks to Liam from Cancer Bats, haha. Ugh.

Silverchair// G'Day Toronto conference. February 15th.
I can't even begin to explain how amazing this was for me. I've wanted to see them since I was a child, and to do it in such a small, relaxed environment was so beyond anything I could have imagined. Of course, they've been around years so they played a lot of newer material- but they didn't forget about the classics. They're still going strong.

Hawksley Workman// Old Roxy. Mount Forest. April 5th.
Take an artist you love, drive 3 hours to the middle of nowhere, and see them in a village's tiny theatre. Not to mention having random covers of songs like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" in between your favourite songs. Brilliant.



Sloan// Nathan Phillips Square. Toronto. January 27th.
So once again, another band that took me years to see live. They're one of my favourite Canadian groups, ever. I remember a point in time where all I listened to was the album "Twice Removed". When they played "Coax Me", I was ten years younger. They're so good live. I can't believe it's been almost a year since.

He was laughing at me/did that little point with his finger because I was screaming the lyrics to the top of my lungs and flailing like a twat. Oh, how it felt to be 11 years old again.



AND IN THE FORTHCOMING YEAR...

2008 is set to be very fantastic for music. I'm already anticipating new albums by NC3 (finally!), Ipso Facto, The Horrors, The Breeders, among others. Plus, I'll be travelling elsewhere to witness such acts in person! I can't wait.