10
Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
I know. My favourite band at number 10? I like this album. But i don’t love it. It’s nice to listen to in the background. It just didn’t feel like a standout to me.
9
Volcano Choir – Unmap
A few years ago i started listening to Bon Iver. It was the perfect mix of folkish indie lo-fi music mixed with really amazing lyrics and vocals. This year i discovered Volcano Choir a new band from Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame. It’s a little more synthy, but perhaps more evolved too? Anyway, one of my favourite new finds this year.
8
Vampire Weekend – Contra
Sometimes i feel like i’m too old to like Vampire Weekend. Perhaps yes. Perhaps i just don’t care. Vampire Weekend played one night at Sasquatch and the energy between them and the audience was so magical i became an instant fan. Plus, it’s great running music.
7
Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Totally new band to me this year. One night i was on Twitter chatting with my radio host friend, Jeremy Baker, and i told him i needed something new to listen to and he gave me Frightened Rabbit. Awesome!
6
LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening
Another band i saw at Sasquatch Music Festival. The 20,000 person dance party will always play in slow motion in that good memory part of my brain. Not a band i love per se, but best live show ever! And another good soundtrack for running and late night dance parties in your bedroom.
5
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Shane doesn’t like this album. I love it. I think because my love for The Shins runs so deep this album was an easy win for me.
4
Diamond Rings – Special Affections
I dunno. I just like it.
3
Florence and the Machine – Lungs
This band reminds me of the 80′s. British, big, eccentric, fun. Obviously, “Dog Days Are Over” was the standout song – but the whole album is really great. Such a pretty voice.
2
Faith, My Atheist Love – Songs For Broken Lovers
Shane’s album. I may not love the words to all the songs, only because they hurt my heart. I love this album, i love him. I don’t really love the racket coming from my basement as he builds his recording studio.
1
The National – High Violet
Took me a few listens to really love this album. The National have been on heavy rotation in my house for a few years, i had high expectations for this new album. I think what i love best is… everything. The sound, the coherence between songs and albums, the lyrics – oh the lyrics, they speak to my heart. I saw The National twice this year. The second time at Malkin Bowl in Vancouver and it was hands down the best live show i have ever seen – and that is saying something.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
hey lady – love all the songs…recognize some of them, dog days are over is an amazing song..I’ve been playing the songs in the background for a day or so…its nice to listen to something different. Thanks.
Looks like we have similar music tastes, only I’m so unaware of most new music now that I’m old. I did already know that I liked Florence + The Machine. I really liked Shane’s video, too. Whose poor disturbed Cockatoo is in the video? We have one of the pluckers, too. She seemed to go nuts when we moved into the Vegas house (after we’d had her for a few years – got her right after she was weaned and she was completely normal until shortly after the move) and the house next door wasn’t built yet, so we think the construction made her pluck….or I guess it could’ve been the gases from the new carpeting. We’ll never know. She looks like a fuzzy chicken, over-groomed, but w/o bald spots.
I’m off to listen to more of Shane’s music…