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Whenever a person is introduced to substantive and substantial change it impacts every nuance of their peripheral characteristics. From the way they view themselves and their place in the world to the impact of arts and culture upon their soul. I happened upon a year such as this and it impacted that which affects me the greatest, my love of music. I’m very emotionally reactive and music has always had a profound impact upon me. If I’m feeling positive and upbeat, music enhances that. Should I be down and dark, the music only serves to dig me deeper into a hole. It’s not just the lyrics; in fact the lyrics tend to be low on the “influence meter”. It’s the tone, the “feel” of the music.  As such, this year, while I attempted to tread water and avoid drowning, the music I loved and listened to reflected these emotions and inner battles. 

This brings us to late December, typically one of my favorite times of the year (no not because of the holidays, they tend to take me the other way). The end of the year is a time of reflection, of looking backwards and as a music fan, it’s a time where every sideline expert waxes poetic about the music they’ve deemed the greatest of the year. “Greatest” of course is a completely arbitrary term. This is so ridiculously subjective as to almost be redundant. HOWEVER, having said that, we all have finite budgets and time, so it is helpful to peruse these lists to see if there was something we missed. I think these lists should be used more as guides, rather than “all knowing, all brilliant, I am so smart and you are dumb” lists of pretentious hyperbole.

I enjoy sharing and many of my peers come to me, asking that I share what I’ve listened to. Not because I’m smarter than them or have some extrasensory gift of aural intellect, but because I invest more time and energy into learning about what’s “out there”.  The following is not a list of what is “THE best” music out in the world. It’s a list of music I enjoyed or was the most important to me over this calendar year.

I hope that in introduces people to a few new artists they may have missed but most importantly I hope it provokes some discussion. Music is a part of the arts, a very important one. In this day and age of cost cutting and economic efficiency, the arts are getting slaughtered. Few are speaking up and their voice is simply not being heard. I implore you; if you care about music then you need to be a part of the process. “How” is irrelevant. If you have children, take the time to share the music with them, don’t write them off based on their age, play something for them, if they like it, make it “theirs” (“Want music do you want to listen to Monkey”?, “I want to listen to MY music Mommy.”). If you find an artist you love, support them, and not simply by buying their CD (yes, I still do this…because I believe it is the right thing to do. If I love the music, I will buy it), but by going to see them live. Spread the word, share with your peers. Most importantly perhaps, come election time listen to what the delegates have to say on matters related to the arts.

Ok my little diatribe is over but I won’t apologize for it. This is important to me, but now onto the music. I’ve always split this up into two lists, Canadian music and then the rest of the world. The reason is obvious to those that know me. I think Canada is making the best music out there right now (although Scotland is coming really really close, which I actually think is great), and I want to emphasize that. The lists are numeric, but there isn’t really a fixed order. Do I think there’s a massive difference between the album I list tenth and the one I list first? Not likely. Over 365 days, how can ten spots on a list really make that much of a difference? So I wouldn’t over analyze that, and if you are, you’ve lost focus on what’s really important here.

Without further ado…

CANADA – Home of the brazen

Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer

Wolf Parade may be the preeminent family in Canadian music right now, with off shoots that include Sunset Rubdown, Handsome Furs and Swan Lake. There are those that criticize Spencer Krug’s voice, but frankly, it works with the sounds he creates. This is just intelligent “indie” (I hate the term, but it is useful when describing a sound) rock, besides, anyone who quotes the tale of Icarus is ok by me.

Key Track – Idiot Heart

Black Mold – Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz

Chad VanGaalen’s instrumental/electronic side project serves to further prove his ability as an artist. It’s not all beeps and blips, his use of traditional strings creates an atmosphere of old and new blended together to create an original sound. As is his tradition, I have no clue how he comes to name his tracks.

Key Track – Metal Spider Webs

Metric – Fantasies

By now everyone knows this album, so there’s not a great deal left to say. This probably should have been The Polaris winner this year. It stands as one of the great “breakout” albums and is a far cry from their previous work.

Key Track – Gimme Sympathy

Handsome Furs – Face Control

I can’t decide if I would rather have one new Wolf Parade album or two side project albums. Where Sunset Rubdown is more traditional rock sounding, Dan Boeckner goes the other way, adding more of an electronic sound and feel.

Key Track – I’m Confused

K’NAAN – Troubadour

His story is quite impressive and has become fairly common knowledge, but he deserves to be known for his music. In this day and age of rap/hip hop being about “bling”, “bitches” and other clichéd crap; it’s refreshing to hear someone lay intelligence and consciousness on top of infectious beats. He also happens to have the official song for the 2010 World Cup. Just sayin.

Key Tracks – Wavin’ Flag, T.I.A

Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns

Seems to have taken people by storm and quickly. This band is reminiscent of Rock Plaza Central; both have a very distinctive vocal sound. They are a probable Polaris Short List nominee next year, and worthy of it.

Key Track – The Ballad of the RAA, Don’t Haunt This Place

Young Galaxy – Invisible Republic

They’ve come a long way since I saw them upstage Peter Bjorn & John in Montreal years ago. They’ve perfected the haunting melody while developing a more upbeat sound. This has everything to do with the quality of Catherine McCandless’ voice and the band recognizing its strengths. This is stronger and more cohesive than their self titled album.

Key Track - Firestruck