2009: The Shows

Every year I say that I'm going to tone down the amount of shows that I go to, and every year I end up seeing more than the year before. This year's final tally sits at 143 different artists to have graced the live stage in my presence, including three more than I still haven't gotten around to reviewing but I will. Eventually. Of course, I have friends that have probably seen that amount in a weekend but for an old married guy, I'd say that's still a pretty obscene number.

Overall though, this year has been a fabulous concert going experience, with my top three shows being amongst the best shows I've ever attended in all of my 20+ years of concert going. So, here are my top 10. This week I've been feeling a bit of the overwhelmed blogger meh's, so I'm going to make life easier by simply plagiarizing my own words from prior reviews but hey, so it goes. If it's good enough for For The Records, than it's good enough for me. I'm deliberately choosing the expressions that are laced in my usual penchant for blatant hyperbole.

1. The Decemberists @ Kool Haus on August 3rd (Review)

"When I'm an old(er) man and reflecting back on all of my concert going experiences, I'm pretty positive that the Short Fazed Novel Tour of 2009 will be one of those shows that I'll be referring to often. A Decemberists show goes beyond simply being another concert; a Decemberists show is an event."

2. Wilco @ Massey Hall on October 14th (Review)

"I would have to say that my favourite part of the evening though was during the encore when they came very close to displaying a slightly different version of the magic Being There moment of my previous experience when they played Monday and Outtasite (Outta Mind) from that album, only to follow it up with Hoodoo Voodoo from Mermaid Avenue. Classic!"

3. Sonic Youth @ Massey Hall on June 30th (Review)

"...their youthful energy allowed me to ride that time capsule into my past and enjoy this show, not as just another concert, but as a significant event."

4. The Hoa Hoa's / Your 33 Black Angels / The Disraelis @ Silver Dollar on December 4th (Review)

"You'll have to pardon the hyperbole, but this show was life altering!"

5. Tom Fun Orchestra / Bruce Peninsula / The Darcy's @ The Horseshoe on January 31st (Review)

"The second encore showcased the band playing the snot out of all of their respective instruments and jumping around the stage, falling all over each other and generally creating merry chaos all over that Horseshoe stage."

6. Roky Erickson / The Sadies @ Lee's Palace on October 28th (Review)

"I think it was expressed most eloquently by a friend of mine, who was also there, when he described the image of Roky with his back to us playing guitar, fan blowing his silver-ish hair like he was on a beach in psychedelic garage heaven as completely blissful. Nicely put."

7. The Sonics @ Yonge and Dundas Square on June 20th (Review)

"I was standing with a couple of people who were obviously there for The Sonics the first time around, but when I turned around to look at the crowd, I was amazed at the fact that, by and large, most of them were the same age as the people who usually go to the shows that I attend. Appreciation for musical heritage is very important to me, so it was great to see all of these young 'uns jumping around like crazy, almost as if they were at a White Stripes concert."

8. Holler, Wild Rose @ The Boat on March 15th (Review)

"I love that feeling when you're watching a band and suddenly you realize that you are actually in the midst of greatness. That moment for me came when they performed Captive Train. The harmonies were absolutely cherubic on that song, and the steady build of those ringing guitars continued to climb to euphoric heights before Jon Mosloskie's high pitched Buckley-inspired throat tore a strip out of the atmosphere and made me completely forget where I was."

9. Gary Louris and Mark Olson @ The Mod Club on February 4th (Review)

"These days my attention span isn't what it used to be, so to be able to command my attention for an hour and a half with an acoustic set is no ordinary task. But of course, Gary Louris and Mark Olson are no ordinary performers and this was certainly one for the concert memory books."

10. Joe Pernice @ Dakota Tavern on September 24th (Review)

"By the time he finished, we had been treated to almost two hours of material, many of which were obscurities from his career which made for a very special night."

Honorable Mentions:

• Modernboys Moderngirls / Fox Jaws / Amos the Transparent / AfterpartY @ Sneaky Dee's on January 23rd (Review)
• No Shame's 100th feat. Skeletones Four, Pick A Piper, Ruby Coast and Green Go @ Horseshoe on Sept. 18th (Review)
• Fallout Party feat. Volcano, The Hoa Hoa's, Postcards and Easy Targets @ Rancho Relaxo on Nov. 6th (Review)
• Depreciation Guild @ The Horseshoe on Sept. 7th (Review)
• Sunparlour Players @ Theatre Centre on August 14th (Review)
• Lovely Killbots / Whale Tooth / Make Your Exit / Amos the Transparent @ Horseshoe on May 22nd (Review)
• The Sound of Sea Animals @ The Legion on April 18th (Review)
• Slakah the Beatchild @ Revival on June 11th (Review)
  

I'm afraid that I haven't had the time to compile a 'Sup in January post this time around, but I will say that I've got my ticket for The Cribs @ The Phoenix on January 15th, and I do have my eye on a few other possibilities also, although I'm not committing myself to anything else just yet. I promise that I'll get my review of the Spiral Beach / Boys Who Say No / Romo Roto show up sometime soon and I'll end by saying that I hope that everyone had a safe 2009 and will continue to make 2010 a groovy experience of its own!

Gary Louris and Mark Olson @ The Mod Club

Over the last few years, I've witnessed the hyperactive passion that emanates forth from some of the younger up and coming bands in the GTA. Youthful enthusiasm, energetic showmanship and cocky teenage angst all have their place in the world of rock 'n roll, but nothing can compare to the refined confidence and the nothing-to-prove comfortableness that accompanies the performance of a seasoned professional. And when two of such legendary stature as The Jayhawks' principle founding members Gary Louris and Mark Olson take the stage - theatrics, rock 'n roll cliches and a desperate need to impress no longer become necessary. It was this relaxed atmosphere that contributed to making Wednesday night's show at The Mod Club one to remember.

The duo was in town to promote their recent collaboration Ready For The Flood, which was released at the tail end of January. Referring to this as a Jayhawks reunion may have been tempting for some, but it would not have provided an accurate representation of what this show was to provide. This was not a celebratory return to the country-rock stylings of their heyday. This was a laid back, seated affair and although Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo), Mike Belitsky and Dallas Good (The Sadies) were all in attendance, they would not be joining the boys on stage for this one. This was Gary and Mark's show, intimate and subdued. They thanked everyone for waiting, and lunged into The Rose Society from the new album, a wispy little number that showcased the beautiful contrast between their two voices. You could here the recognition in people's cheers when they followed that up with Nothing Left To Borrow from 1995's Tomorrow The Green Grass, instantly putting to rest any thoughts that this stripped down showcase was not going to be offering much from Jayhawks past. On the contrary, the show was pretty much divided in half between the old and the new. Not surprisingly, there was not a note to be heard from the Olson-less poppier mid period of The Jayhawks catalogue, but both TTGG and Hollywood Town Hall were represented well. There were even a couple of Blue Earth tracks thrown in there for good measure.

Other than a few obligatory listens to the tracks streaming on their myspace, I haven't really heard much from the new album at the time of the concert, but a few songs stood out immediately. Bicycle boasted a mild sense of psychedelia, even in this acoustic setting, and Saturday Morning On Sunday Street was a folksy Simon & Garfunkel type of tune. They even included a new song in the encore, namely The Trap's Been Set, which contains the line that is used for the title of the album, and it has an instantly classic feel to it. In fact, the way it was presented at the show made me wonder if it was a classic Jayhawks song that I didn't recognize. The harmonies were spectacular, with their weathered voices having only improved with time. Also notable is Gary Louris' guitar work, showing that he can still pick with the best of them. Some of the other highlights were Two Hearts, Over My Shoulder and Martin's Song, which is another one of their really old cuts. And of course the show ended with Blue, a song that easily fits into my elite list of songs that I've heard a billion times but never seem to tire of. The awesome bridge section of the song sounded especially powerful, and to say it was chill inducing to see Gary and Mark together again singing that part in particular, would be an understatement, to say the least.

These days my attention span isn't what it used to be, so to be able to command my attention for an hour and a half with an acoustic set is no ordinary task. But of course, Gary Louris and Mark Olson are no ordinary performers and this was certainly one for the concert memory books.

Setlist: The Rose Society /Nothing Left to Borrow /Bicycle /Bloody Hands /Turn Your Pretty Name Around /Two Angels /Say You'll Be Mine /Saturday Morning On Sunday Street /Chamberlain, SD /Two Hearts /Sister Cry /Black Eyes /Doves and Stones /Over My Shoulder /Waiting for the Sun /When the Wind Comes Up /Life's Warm Sheets /Settled Down Like Rain /Encore: See Him On the Street /Martin's Song /The Trap's Been Set /Blue.

Eye Weekly also has a review of the show over here.

Louris and Olson left Toronto and headed on down to the David Letterman show the very next night. You can watch it over on youtube.

Photos: My shots from the show are on flickr.
Myspace: Gary Louris
Myspace: Mark Olson
Myspace: Ready For The Flood

2008: The Songs

Coming up with a list of ten great songs is significantly more difficult than coming up with a list of ten great albums for the simple reason that a study of the most basic mathematics suggests that songs usually outnumber albums by about 50 to 1. (OK, I randomly pulled that number out of a hat but I think that I've made my point...) Unlike last year's list however, there was no one song that really stood out above the rest for me. Therefore all eleven songs this year are basically tied for first place and the basic thing that they all have in common is the fact that they consistently forced me to use the repeat button on my mp3 player of choice.

Accountant's Dream by Entire Cities (from Deep River)

There is no other song this year that so perfectly captures the essence of a band's live show than this one. It makes good use of the never ineffective build up process; beginning with a subtle and unassuming acoustic guitar before exploding with screams of joy and celebration. And what's most amazing is that I'm pretty sure that the song is simply about getting money wired, no?

Download: Accountant's Dream mp3

Care For Some Whiskey? by Leerone (from Imaginary Biographies)

This year saw more of the rise of the prolific female singer/ songwriter, some very good, and others very run of the mill. Leerone stood on her own in the sense that she chooses to lace her poetic personal whimsy with experimentation and fantasy. This song emanates a ray of light that leaves me feeling celebratory.

Download: Care For Some Whiskey? mp3
Photo by Alisha Blanchard

Kim And Jessie by M83 (from Saturdays = Youth)

Originally Graveyard Girl was my M83 pick for this list, but upon repeat listens I find it increasingly more difficult not to cringe at the lyrical references to Molly Ringwald in that song, as great a song as it is. K&J does just as good a job at evoking the feeling of a John Hughes movie, without sounding as forced. A lot of bands emulate the 80's, but the beauty of this song is that it sounds like, totally authentic, y'know?

Video: Kim and Jessie on youtube

The Old Prince Still Lives At Home by Shad (from The Old Prince)

For the first time in history, hip hop makes an appearance on one of my year end lists. (The lists themselves predate the blog by several years.) I'll admit that I don't really know what differentiates the good hip hop from the bad hip hop but I do know a good pop song when I hear it, and this is one of the good ones. Besides the fact that the song rings eerily true for many, Shad's rhymes are dope, particularly when he 'spits the verse' accompanied by only hand claps at the end of the song (due to not being able to afford the rest of the beat.) Funny song, and even funnier video.

Video: The Old Prince Still Lives At Home on youtube

Jodi by The Dodos (from Visiter)

I'll admit that having my wife's unique name in the title likely caused me to pay more than the usual attention to this song, but ultimately it was the fact that it was such a sonically pleasing bluegrassy freakfest that I knew I had to add this one to the list. The song's intricate guitar work forcefully attacks you and the build up crescendos in a way that literally leaves you feeling exhausted once the song is over.

Download: Jodi mp3


Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? by She and Him (from Volume One)

There are way more actress-turned-singer failures than successes out there but whoever decided that Zooey Deschanel should team up with M. Ward should be awarded a medal. This song shuffled its way into my saccharine filled sixties lovin' heart, and Zooey's voice is a breath of fresh air.

Download: Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? mp3

Don't Haunt This Place by Rural Alberta Advantage (from Hometowns)

This is one of the more subdued songs of the album, but it maintains a steady pace that is accompanied by a cool stuttered drum sound, cello, organ and male / female vocals that keep the song moving along with an affection that is impossible to ignore.

Download: Don't Haunt This Place mp3

Nothing Ever Happened by Deerhunter (from Microcastle)

A unique amalgamation of Velvet Underground haziness coupled with the pop sensibilities of Echo and the Bunnymen, this song is more infectious than the musical tag 'ambient punk' would lead you to believe. A solid jam.

Download: Nothing Ever Happened mp3

Vagabonds by Gary Louris (from Vagabonds)

There are several alt-country releases this year to have garnered more praise then this one by the former Jayhawks frontman, but as far as I'm concerned, this Dylan pastiche has 'instant classic' written all over it. Epic.

Video: Vagabonds (live at Southern Theater) on youtube

Furr by Blitzen Trapper (from Furr)

The trap boys can get pretty intense at times, but the title track from their excellent September release showcases a softer side of their sound. This song is folk music at its finest, with its sublime and intelligent lyrics proving to be a welcome companion to the song's simple, yet beautiful structure.

Download: Furr mp3
Neighbourhood by Ruby Coast (from Projectible Collections)

And this song features my favourite shout along moment of the year. I don't care where I am, if this song is playing on my Zune, I'm shouting "Take it all back! We don't want that!" at the top of my lungs. Seriously.

Download: Neighbourhood mp3
Photo by Kid With Camera

Other honoroable mentions:

123 My Friends by Jon McKiel (from The Nature Of Things)
I've Been Asleep For A Long Long Time by Hey Rosetta! (from Into Your Lungs)
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes (from Fleet Foxes)
Small by Portishead (from Third)
Stardust by Clouds That Look Like Things (from Hat Factory EP)
Golden Age by TV On The Radio (from Dear Science)
Lights Off by The Dears (from Missiles)
Love Is Impossible by This Is Ivy League (from This Is Ivy League)
Down In The Basement by Sloan (from Parallel Play)
The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room by Flight Of The Conchords (from Flight Of The Conchords)

and Dark Regrets by Schuman The Human (from Showtime For Schuman)
[this one actually came out in 2007 but I didn't hear it until this year and I really wanted to mention it because it's an amazing song that I think most people haven't heard.]
Download: Dark Regrets mp3

Gary Louris w/Vetiver @ The Mod Club

As much as I love seeing and exploring newer and younger acts throughout the city, every once in a while a guy has got to witness a true legend. Gary Louris is classic! Nothing compares to a show put on by someone who has the history and charisma of Gary, and this was certainly a very special night.

If you haven't heard it yet, his solo effort 'Vagabonds' is a flawless release that just gets better with every listen. I'll have to admit that, while I was looking forward to it, I wasn't expecting much. I figured that it was likely to be a very laid back, yet enjoyable listen. Truth is however, that it stands up alongside some of The Jayhawks best work. For this show, he featured many songs from this one, but he also played several from his vast back catalogue. What's great about seeing a seasoned professional like Louris is the fact that he no longer needs to prove himself. He's already done that several times over. So he is simply here to have a good time and give the audience what they want. That would include faves such as I'd Run Away, Save It For A Rainy Day, Angelyne, and of course, Blue. (BTW, that bridge towards the end of Blue still gets me every single time I hear it. And I've heard it a lot!) He opened the show with Omaha Nights, and he did some great versions of the songs from Vagabonds, my favorites being True Blue, the very Big Starsy I Wanna Get High and the title track, which is an instant classic in my not so humble opinion. Only building on the anticipation that I was already feeling was the fact that I saw The Sadies boys milling around throughout the audience that night. For the encore, Gary performed a few songs by himself before inviting The Sadies onstage with him to run through a powerhouse version of Tailspin and Dylan's You Ain't Goin' Nowhere.

Photos: My photos from the show are on flickr.
Myspace: Gary Louris

Opening the night was Vetiver, who were also Louris' backing band for the evening. Their songs were obviously inspired by their touring partner and sounded pretty good. They were a little bit predictable and formulaic, but they got better as the night went on. They had Eric Haywood join them on slide guitar towards the end of their set and he played throughout the night as well.

Photos: My photos from the show are on flickr.
Myspace: Vetiver