It is that time of year again. Lots of great music this year. All in all, I had 89 albums to reduce down to 10. The last 5 cuts were most difficult. They included (in band-name alphabetical order):

• “High Noon” by the Arkells
• “Sleeping Operator” by the Barr Brothers
• “Shines For All the People” by Mike Farris
• “The Future Happens Anyway” by NQ Arbuckle
• “Departures” by The Once. 

Just a fantastic year for music! So, here we go with the top 10 goodness…

10. “Shrink Dust” by Chad VanGaalen. My friend Jason also had this album on his top 10 of 2014 list and his words actually very much mirror how I feel about this dude, and this album. A few years ago, Jason, his wife, and I went to the Exchange to see Chad and his band play. It was hands down, the worst show I have ever seen. Loud, obnoxious, out of tune, and the man and his band seemingly laughing about it. It could be their thing to do so but at $30 per ticket, I expect a little more. Regardless, Chad and Co. make very beautiful music. I try hard to dislike him, but I suppose not that hard as this album is a delight in my ears. My favs include: “Weighted Sin”, “Monster”, and “Where Are You.”

09. “Work and Love” by Elliot Brood. Casey Laforet, Mark Sasso, and Stephen Pitkin really do know how to make beautiful music. I’ve seen these fine lads multiple times and each time does not disappoint. Just good ol’ toe tapping, wonderful music. Actually, the last time I saw these folks was at the Exchange and they had the whole crowd jumping up and down. I actually felt the floor flexing! (crazy but strangely excellent!) My favs include: “Little Ones”, “Jigsaw Heart”, “Each Other’s Kids”, and “Tired”

08. “South” by Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. Those who know me well know that Tom, Stephen, and Colin are huge influences in my music. Especially Tom and his deep dark voice (a lot like my musical voice in Burns & Maciag). Really, everything these fine folks do is gold. This album is simply a delight. It is more folky than their last few albums, which is likely why it really stood out for me this year. It seems the older I get, the more folk I get! Although I still also do love the heavy metal. As Rob Zombie said, something along the lines of “once a metalhead, always a metalhead.” I digress (ha). Favs on this album include: “Reinventing the Wheel of Love”, “North”, “South”, “I’d Have to be a Stone”, and “I’m Still Lovin’ You.”

07. “Help Your Self” by Sean McCann. When I first heard the news of Great Big Sea (GBS) sailing out the harbour I must admit I was in shock. I simply love GBS. Their music will always be in my playlists. I only wish I had seen them during the farewell tour. They came around these parts late last year but it was on a work night in Moose Jaw so I opted not to go (shit!). Although GBS has sailed away, the members are still individually making tunes. Alan has a new one coming out in January (looking so forward to this one) and Sean had this one in 2014. What a fantastic album this is! It is new and refreshing. Favs include: “Run”, “Wish you Well”, “Stronger”, and “Fire.”

06. “Once More ‘Round the Sun” by Mastodon. Here we go – MeTaL!! I love love love these dudes. I became a fan of them on their last album, “The Hunter” and have since got all their albums – all of which are AWEsome! “Once More ‘Round the Sun” does not disappoint. Fantastico! As you’ll see in the video below, there is a humour to their tunes. The official video for “The Motherload” is so hilarious, poking a bit of fun at the “twerk” (I must admit, I have turned into my dad lately – not really understanding the kids of the current generation…I mean , twerk? …WTF….ha). Favs include: “The Motherload”, “Tread Lightly”, “Ashes in the Deep”, “High Road”, and “Ember City”

05. “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” by Against Me! We’re midway here folks. I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to think of this album at first when I first heard about the lead singers transgenderism – not that I have difficulty with such things, just that I had been a fan for so long and, let’s face it, this is a pretty radical change. That all said, whatever you think of things like this, this album is classic Against Me! and it rocks ever so much. Favs include: “Black Me Out”, “True Trans Soul Rebel”, “Transgender Dysphoria Blues”, “Unconditional Love”, and “Dead Friend.”

04. “They Promised You Mercy” by Amelia Curran. Amelia is one of those rare souls that you come across in life, a person that just radiates all that is good. I’ve seen her perform a few times and each time was, simply put, magical. Her last album also was in my top 10. This album is no different – just wonderful. Favs include: “I am the Night”, “Song on the Radio”, “Somebody Somewhere”, “Coming For You” (this one is just WoW!), and “Fables & Troubles”

03. “Morning Phase” by Beck. I must say, I was pretty skeptical of this release by Beck. My memories of Beck only really include “Loser” – oh the 90’s 😉 That all changed on my first listen of this so very beautiful album. The layered acoustics and airing atmosphere. All I can say is WOW. It is just an all around wonderful album. I love every song on this album but if I were to pick favs, “Blue Moon”, “Country Down”, “Morning”, and “Blackbird Chain.”

02. “Indie Cindy” by the Pixies. Ok, getting down to the wire now here ladies and gents. After a crazy long hiatus, Frank Black and Co. return with this most excellent album. I might even dare to say that this is my favourite Pixies album (this is just crazy talk…bah to you says I…ha!). From the opening “BOOM” track to “Indie Cindy” to “Blue Eyed Hexe” to “Snakes” – this whole album is an ear yummy masterpiece (that’s right, ear yum yum!). Between this one and my number 1 album below are the narrowest of margins. Favs are those mentioned plus “Greens and Blues” and “Magdelena.” All of it really – so good!

01. “Mended with Gold” by The Rural Alberta Advantage. “Our Love – Our Love Love Love, Love Will Bring Ya Down, Love Love Love, Love will Burn it Down” Right from the opening track of this fantastic album, it had me. I saw these fine folks a couple years back at the Knox church with Dan Mangan. Loved them then, loved them before, still loving them now. “Mended with Gold” is just as excellent as their first 2 albums. Such energy, such great musicianship. Their song writing as well, simply wonderful. Do yourself a favour and pick up this little beaut. On the 33 it spins every other day and in the google play it is a constant. As I said above, between this album and the Pixies “Indie Cindy”, I constantly had them playing and will likely to continue to have them for all time. Every song is a delight but if picking favs is my thing, they would include: “Terrified”, “Our Love”, “Runners in the Night”, “On the Rocks”, and “Vulcan, AB”, and “Not Love or Death.”

Well, there it is. Yet another fantastic year in music. Actually, it was just a fantastic year in general. A lot happened – first home purchase (I’m still getting used to this one), marriage to my lovely Bean, new job! (I am a Supervisor/Team Lead!!…wha!!!! – but I am loving the job – helping people succeed at work brings so much satisfaction), trip to NFLD (amazing place). Thesis still is in the works, but hopefully soon now. I really need to do a 2014 year in review with pics. After the wedding/shindig thing, Newfoundland was the most amazing time. What a wonderful place! Here is bean and me dancing to the fine sounds of the Bystanders (thanks so much to those gents too, and my musical life partner Jason)

Before signing off for another year, I always say maybe I’ll blog more in the coming year – and maybe I will! 🙂 But just in case not – stay well out there everyone!

Signing off for now – tMac

Well well well. It seems my blog has all but died but for my annual “albums of the year.” Perhaps this year I’ll make more of an effort to write more…yes. But alas, I say this each and every year.  No Miley here friends. Also, Arcade Fire??? …WTF???  Omitting the blah blah, here is my top 10 of 2013, with some honourable mentions. For the most part, another great year in music! 🙂

 10. City and Colour, “The Hurry and the Harm” (LP)

Dallas Green has the voice of an angel. Yes, simply beautiful. From the opening track, “The Hurry and the Harm”, to “The Lonely Life”, to the slightly more rockin’ first single “Thirst” to the angelic “Take Care.” A solid good and great album.

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09. Young Galaxy, “Ultramarine” (LP)

I have always been a fan of Young Galaxy. There is something I really like about the smooth, toe tapping melodies that they make. Favourites on this album include: “Fever”, “Pretty Boy”, “New Summer”, “Fall for you”, “What We Want”

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08. The Black Angels, “Indigo Meadow” (LP)

I simply love these folks. Super psychedelic. One could for surely got lost in the reverb grooves (haha!). Favourites include: “Evil Things”, “Broken Soldier”, “War on Holiday”, “Love Me Forever” and, of course, “Don’t Play with Guns”

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07. Shotgun Jimmie, “Everything, Everything” (LP)

Someone, this “one” in particular, would consider Shotgun Jimmie to be a national treasure. His infectious beats, not to mention his most excellent of live show that he puts on, his kind nature. Just a fantastic person and musician. So many favourites on this one but in choosing, “Carry On”, “3212” (tractor beam, tractor beam!), “Skype Date”, “Proud Champions”, “Standing in a Line”, “Growing Like a Garden” (fantastic live!), and “Sum of my Parts”

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06. Ron Sexsmith, “Forever Endeavour” (LP)

Although making comparisons really isn’t a fair thing to do, if I were to do a comparison I would say Ron Sexsmith is the Neil Young of my generation. From his thoughtful songwriting, to his delicate guitar and beautiful voice. Perhaps another Canadian treasure!  Favourites include: “If Only Avenue”, “Back of My Hand”, “Nowhere Is”, “She Does My Heart Good”, “Nowhere to Go”, and “Me, Myself, and Wine”

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05. Killswitch Engage, “Disarm the Descent” (CD)

What an album! My brother Joey introduced me to these fine lads. I always say, once a metal fan, always a metal fan. And these boys sure do metal well!!  Not to mention that this album in particular has done wonders during my bicycling routine 🙂  My favourites include: “In Due Time”, “Time Will Not Remain”, “The Hell in Me”, “Slave to the Machine”, “Beyond the Flames.” What a kick ass album!

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04. Vampire Weekend, “Modern Vampires of the City” (LP)

“If ‘Diane Young’ won’t change your mind, baby, baby, baby, baby right on time.” Since first hearing this song I was like, “What the What, so good!”  Ok, I think I might have the lame award there. But seriously, this album is fan-tas-tic! From “Don’t Lie”, to “Everlasting Arms”, “Obvious Bicycle”, “Finger Back”, “Step”, “Ya Hey” …ya hey, there is not one bad song on this album! If you don’t have this, whatcha waiting for!?!

https://youtu.be/bg4c3L0rq1Q

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03. Portage and Main, “Never Had the Time” (LP)

Truth be told, when I first heard these guys I really did not like them. Perhaps it was the Radio3 over playing their single. Unsure. However, this album soon became a highlight of my 2013. Seeing them live at the Artesian was one of my most memorable highlights this year for live music (Skydiggers as well, and of course, you’ll soon be finding out about another 😉 Perhaps “The Band” of my generation. I just love this album! Every song is great but in choosing favourites, “Oona Jean”, “Epitaph”, “Sweet Darlin”, “As a Child”, “This Old Heart”, “It is You”, and “Better Man”…yeesh, just all 10 songs are great!

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02. Blue Rodeo, “In Our Nature” (LP)

One of my favourite bands of all time, and one of Canada’s finest (or the world’s for that matter). This particular album is really so very great. Truth be told, it has rekindled my eagerness to write music of my own (just as Portage and Main as well as my #1 album of 2013). Such a treat for everyones ears 🙂 All is good but if picking a few favourites, “Paradise”, “Over Me”, “Mattawa”, “Made Your Mind Up”, “Wondering” and “New Morning Sun” …oh and “Out of the Blue” …and “Never Too Late” …and “When the Truth Comes Out” …and 😉

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01. David Francey, “So Say We All” (CD)

One of my most favourite days of 2013 (minus a really big day I had in May ;), we went out to see this lovely person with his band at the Exchange. If you have not heard of David and his music, please do yourself a favour and youtube it up! I’ve listened to this album now thousands of times and I get shivers and goosebumps still. I always say the sign of a great song is one that gives me goosebumps. There are no individual favourites as I love each song on this album start to finish, from the opening “Rain”, to “Pandora’s Box” to “Satellite” to “Long Long Road” (so very great), to “Blue Yonder” (listening right now and goosebumps!!), to “BitterRoot” – “So Say We All,” this album is pure brilliance!

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Well, there you have it friends! My top 10 of 2013. What I like to call “cyrus-free!” and, sadly, Arcade Fire free (what the hell was that that they released?!?)  There were many other very good albums of 2013, just to mention a few, in no particular order:

• The National, “Trouble Will Find Me” (LP)
• Justin Rutledge, “Valleyheart” (CD)
• Alice in Chains, “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” (LP)
• Basia Bulat, “Tall Tall Shadow” (LP)
• Burns and Maciag, “Neyaskwaw” (LP) – of course I would have this one!! 🙂
• Pearl Jam, “Lightening Bolt” (CD)
• Powerwolf, “Preachers of the Night” (CD)
• Pokey LaFarge, Self Titled” (LP)
• Dream Theater, “Self Titled” (LP)
• The Burning Hell, “People” (LP)

Here’s hoping for a great 2014 for music! – tMac

It’s been a bit too long since I updated here. Just a brief update until I get to the business at hand. Still have some work to do re: thesis but it’s almost there. My weight loss efforts have taken a little hit recently with +4lbs re-gain over the last 3 months, +3lbs just over the Christmas break – eGaDs!!  But I am re-focusing my efforts to get back on track. The holiday season and all the food grazing and rum egg nog and ale was not very kind to me but it did rekindle my awareness that I’ve put in some good work and that I need to reamin focused so it’s not all lost. I’m back in industry again starting in the new year working for eHealth Saskatchewan as a Knowledgebase Analyst, and my happiness project is still on track and Nova even got me Gretchen’s new book “Happier at Home” which I’m really looking forward to reading.

Ok, to the business at hand, my top 10 picks for 2012 albums of the year.  This year I listened to 63 new albums and dwindled my top picks to 20. This is where the task became terribly difficult. In removing albums from my top 20 list I felt like I was nitpicking but I did manage to dwindle things down (it was very very hard indeed). I did add a few extra “honorable mentions” as this year, like all years since I started doing this, had some most fantastic music ringing in my ears.  This year I also started purchasing vinyl and let me tell you, what a different listening experience indeed. I actually think I like and appreciate the music more when spinning records on the ol’ 33. In brackets after each album are the various formats I have listened to the album in.

10. Justin Townes Earle, Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now (LP, MP3). This was an early favorite for me and it has been a constant in my playlists and on the 33.  My favorites on this album include: Movin’ On, Memphis in the Rain, Baby’s Got a Bad Idea, Look the Other Way, and Maria. 

09. Bidiniband, In the Rock Hall (MP3). Missing one of my favorite bands of all time, the Rheostatics, a good close second are the various side projects the members of the band have been putting out throughout the years. It took me a little time to get into the groove of Dave and Co.’s recent album here but once I did, I loved it!  My favorites include: I Wanna Go To Yemen, Hey Paul and Donna, Needle Beach/Outdoor Motors, Big Men Go Fast on the Water, and Last of the Dead Wrong Things.

08. Rah Rah, The Poet’s Dead (LP, MP3). Regina-based band really puts out an excellent album here. Actually, my favorite song of the year, Prairie Girl, is on this album – such a great song. This is one of the many albums that inspires me to pick up my guitar and write or pick up a paint brush and paint. It is just a good album!  My favorites include: Prairie Girl, Art & A Wife, Dead Men, I’m a Killer, and The Poet’s Dead.

07. Soundgarden, King Animal (LP, MP3). Wow!! One of my favorite bands from my high school years, and a band that was, and still is, a huge inspiration musically. They’ve come back! Kim Thayil is quite simply one awesome guitarist and Chris Cornell on vocals, Matt Cameron on Drums, and Ben Shepherd on bass all equal one recipe for musical awesomeness.  I love this album. Favorites include: Eyelids Mouth, Non-State Actor, By Crooked Steps, Taree, Attrition, Black Saturday, and Halfway There.

06. The Walkmen, Heaven (LP, MP3). I could not believe that I hadn’t heard of these folks before. When I first heard this album I immediately knew it was something special. My favorites include: Heaven, We Can’t Be Beat, Song For Leigh, Line by Line, Nightingales, Love is Luck, and The Love You Love.

05. Cowboy Junkies, The Wilderness (LP, MP3). One of the highlights of the year for me was when Jason and I headed up to the Cedar Lodge just outside of Saskatoon to see these fine folks. As part of a 4-LP/CD set called The Nomad Series this is the forth and final album. Such a great album! My favorites include: Fairytale, Unanswered Letter, I Let Him In, We Are the Selfish Ones, and Damaged From the Start.

04. John K. Samson, Provincial (LP, MP3). Another early 2012 album release – which could have been easily overlooked. Alas it surely was not as it was always a constant in my playlists and on the 33. From the opening song Highway 1 East you just know that you are listening to something special. My favorite song, partially maybe due to my own thesis, well, it was just given away (haha!). An very cool album with favorites including: When I Write My Masters Thesis, Highway 1 East, Highway 1 West, Heart of the Continent, and Grace General.

03. The Gaslight Anthem, Handwritten (LP, MP3). This album was an instant classic. Such raw energy and emotion from this New Jersey-based band. All of their albums are constantly in rotation on the 33 and otherwise. My favorites include: Handwritten, “45”, Howl, Biloxi Parish, bah!! It’s all great! Seriously, if you don’t have this album, go buy it now!

02. Amelia Curran, Spectators (CD, MP3). Another highlight of my year is when Nova, Jason, and I went to the Artful Dodger, a wonderfully beautiful music venue that just opened up in Regina, to see Amelia and her band (with opener Joe Nolan who was also AWEsome!). Such a talent and special person. On this album she adds a few more instruments to her normal repertoire and although this departs a tad from what we’re used to, still a very excellent album. Although all songs are great, if picking a few favorites they would surely include: San Andreas Fault, Blackbird on Fire, Years, and The Great Escape. Like with #3, go buy now!

01. Mumford & Sons, Babel (LP, MP3). And to the #1 of 2012 for me. This band was a band I just was introduced to in 2012 very recently. Simply fantastic!  Beautiful harmonies, excellent musicianship. These folks make me happy and are constantly spinning on the 33 or on the playlist. As with the last 2 albums all songs on this album are great but if I must pick a few: Lover of the Light, I Will Wait, Holland Road, and Hopeless Wanderer just to name a few 😉

Honorable mentions (no particular order, basically those in my top 20):

• Andrew Bird, Break It Yourself (LP, MP3)
• Mike O’Neill, Wild Lines (MP3)
• The Skydiggers, Northern Shore (CD, MP3)
• Joel Plaskett, Scrappy Happiness (LP, MP3)
• The Lumineers, Self Titled (LP, MP3)
• Patrick Watson, Adventures In Your Own Backyard (LP, MP3)
• Rush, Clockwork Angels (LP, MP3)
• The Tragically Hip, Now For Plan A (LP, MP3)
• The Wilderness of Manitoba, Island of Echoes (MP3)
• The Wooden Sky, Every Child a Daughter Every Moon A Sun (LP, MP3)

That’s all folks. As always, here’s hoping for a musically excellent next year! -t.Mac