Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#30-26)

For ramblings on how I came to compile this list go here. And for commentary on previous selections: [#50-46] [#45-41] [#40-36] [#35-31]

30. Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams (2000)

The argument that most of the world's greatest art is derived from sadness is one that I've always worked hard to refute, but a guy like Ryan Adams doesn't make it easy for me to do so. It doesn't get much sadder than his solo debut, which apparently was inspired by the ending of a romantic relationship. Obviously this is not exactly uncharted territory in the world of (real) country music, but Adams leaves no misplaced notions that the feelings portrayed here are anything but genuine. I love the album's deceiving opening, where it begins with a hilarious interchange between him and David Rawlings about whether or not Morrissey's Suedehead is on the album Viva Hate (it is), before lunging into an upbeat rockabilly number called To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High). From that point on though, Adams plays some of the most melancholy music I've ever heard. Oh My Sweet Carolina is a homesick ballad featuring the always beautiful vocals of Emmylou Harris. You may be able to remain composed during Bartering Lines or Damn Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains) but by the time Come Pick Me Up comes along on the playlist, you might as well just set aside the foolish machismo for awhile and let the waterworks flow, because this is an artist that was not put in the recording studio for our foolish amusement. [Myspace: Ryan Adams]

29. Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes - TV On The Radio (2004)

TVOTR is a band that has been very consistent throughout this decade as all three of their studio albums were considered quite seriously for inclusion on this list. When I listened to them all through more recently though, it was this 2004 (studio) debut that had to be the winner since it's the original in terms of them solidifying an avant garde sound that is currently beyond comparison. For me, TVOTR is basically a genre unto themselves. When I want to listen to psych rock for example, there are many artists, old and new, that I could go to. The same goes for folk music, and pop music. But when I'm in the mood for TVOTR music, only TVOTR will do. The harmonies and swirling vocalizations of Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone take bizarre doo-wop sonics to another level, while the music itself takes the standard bass, guitars and drum approach and layers it to a point where it becomes a grand looping orchestra. And the acapella groove of Ambulance hits me in a clouds parting, heavens opening sort of way. There's no doubt that they'll continue to be one of my 'purchase without needing to hear first' bands, since their consistency is now an established fact, as far as I'm concerned. [Myspace: TV On The Radio]

28. Cryptograms - Deerhunter (2007)

While last year's Microcastle and subsequent tour established to us all that Bradford Cox has gotten most of the weird out of his system, I'm eternally grateful that he managed to get this psych rock experience out to the masses beforehand. His more streamlined sound of today is still amazing as he continues to break down boundaries with his unique and original vision, but in terms of artistry and special experiences, nothing can compare with the sonic achievement of Cryptograms. I love the album's schizophrenic approach with the songs alternating between heady rockier, almost straightforward numbers and disjointed soundscapes that make the spaces inbetween the songs crucial to the album's overall tone. The fact that the album was recorded at two different sessions actually works in its favor as this enables it to serve as a document of growth from a confused disheveled beginning to a more focused yet eclectic conclusion. [Myspace: Deerhunter]

27. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood - Neko Case (2006)

There are many reasons why Neko's Fox Confessor... album is one the best of the decade. For one, there is the unique structuring of the songs as they deliberately steer clear from anything overly conventional while still borrowing heavily from the pioneers of the past. There is also the strength that is to be found in the lyrical aspect of the album. Lines such as "The night I fell into the lion’s jaws /To my regret /And your delight /Those teeth themselves could not divine /Nor their pressure estimate /The haze I wish to never break /And to never contemplate" are stacked with unusually stark imagery. But let's be honest, the main reason she's here is that voice! That unparalleled, powerfully sultry voice is such that one can't help but be a slave to its charms. Nowhere is this more obvious than when she belts out the title to That Teenage Feeling, where that intoxicating vocal presence of hers takes me back, not to my own teens, but to the pre-adult years of generations past with a classic feel that epitomizes a time that is often categorized as innocent, even though Case's homage makes it clear that such was not always the case. [Myspace: Neko Case]

26. Let It Die - Feist (2004)

And while we're on the topic of unparalleled vocalists, is it any surprise that Leslie Feist has gone on to become the household name that we all knew she should be? Well, I guess the true answer to that question is actually 'yes' since although she's discovered the pot of gold, so to speak, there are many other equally deserving artists who have not. And it's true that her current popularity has spawned a crapload of imitators but even more tragic is the fact that artists who have been doing this longer than she has are now in danger of being accused of imitating her as well, since she has opened a path that many are now free to follow. Wow, what was supposed to be praise for her album is now sounding like a rant, but let me apologize by saying that Let It Die deserves it all. What's interesting is the fact that, although I like the popular Mushaboom song, as well as the popular Bee Gees cover (Inside and Out), one of my favorite songs is actually the cover of Françoise Hardy's L'Amour ne dure pas toujours simply because, for me, that song encapsulates all that I find endearing about Feist's whole persona. She's certainly got an air of mystery about her, that certain twinkle in her eye if you will, but she also seems completely down to Earth and approachable as well, and both of those sides shine throughout the course of this album. [Myspace: Feist]

Tomorrow: Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#25-21)

Dog Day - Concentration (Review, CD & Ticket Giveaway)

A quick Dog Day scan on the net reveals that the critics already get it when it comes to this band. I'm just wondering what everybody else's problem is? They may be the furthest cry from being a household name as you can get for many, but their last album Night Group was one of my most played albums of 2008, and the only reason it didn't make my year end list is due to the fact that it actually came out in April 2007 and I just found out about it too late. While that album was a fun and upbeat display of Nova Scotia meets New York swagger, it presented only a smidgen of what Dog Day are apparently capable of. Concentration is more mature and focused, with a sound that bands in the past have only accomplished after 3 or 4 albums worth of paying their dues. If Dog Day is this good already, than their future is going to be frightening.

The first song, Happiness, immediately emanates John Agnello's production. Having worked with both Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. in the past, he has managed to harness the production qualities heard on albums by both of those bands. It's that sweet meeting of high production with lo-fi gutteral sounds that allows the album to simmer in sinisterism. Stray is another example of this. Seth Smith's droning vocals accompany a Joy Division-ish bass and drum line, while the female backing vocals remain in a near monotone creating a very hypnotic vibe. Nancy Urich does a good job of harnessing her inner Julie Doiron meets Kim Gordon vocal style. This is noticeably captivating whether she's singing lead, as in the slightly masochistic Neighbour and the epic Rome, or she's singing accompaniment as on the shoegazey Saturday Night. What's most amazing about this release is the fact that although it is all quite deep, dark and brooding, it is also all very very catchy. Judgement Day is a case in point: the song is ultimately about death yet I defy you to avoid dancing and singing along to the vocal doot-doot-doo's.

I don't think that it's a huge stretch to say that Dog Day is one of the most underrated bands in Canada right now. Part of this might be the fact that both shoegaze and psych-rock are a couple of the more underrated genre's in Canadian rock right now. Dog Day is a high quality amalgamation of both and I think that Concentration is a must-have to any fan of either.

Dog Day is playing Lee's Palace on Thursday May 28th. The photo above is on myspace.

Myspace: Dog Day
Video: Happiness on youtube
Download: Rome mp3


***CONTEST UPDATED MAY 15TH***

I've got two Dog Day prizes to giveaway. There are as follows:

1) Two tickets to the show at Lee's Palace on May 28th along with a copy of the new CD. This one is only open to those who are geographically able to attend the show.
2) A copy of the new CD. This one is available to anyone anywhere with a mailing address.

Contest is now closed; thanks to everyone that entered. Congrats to Justin M. and Alex H.

Other stuff:
Bobby B. Fun Fact: Did you know that Peter Gabriel is actually my favourite artist of all time? And while we're on the subject: Magnet Magazine lists their opinion on Pete's most overrated and underrated songs. I would agree with most of it, although Family Snapshot is actually his most underrated and Shock the Monkey is his most overrated IMHO. [Myspace: Peter Gabriel]

Neko Case is back in T.O. again and she'll be playing the acoustically pleasing Massey Hall on July 14th. Tix are between $29.50 and $40.50. Details are at Chart. [Myspace: Neko Case]

Jack White confirms that The White Stripes are still very much together and they do, in fact, have a new album on the way. He also talks about Meg's anxiety and the reasons for their recent hiatus over at Music Radar.com [Myspace: The White Stripes]

This weekend is the Festival In The Square at Don Mills Town Square. On the Saturday night (My 16th) Serena Ryder performs with special guests Carly Rae Jepsen and Danny Michel. It's free and it starts at 7pm. [Myspace: Serena Ryder; Danny Michel; Carly Rae Jepsen]

Because I'm an idiot, I forgot to RSVP to this year's NXNE press conference yesterday, but thankfully it doesn't look like there were any real surprises. The big names at this year's fest are Black Lips, Matt & Kim, Woodpigeon and No Age. The biggest deal for me though is the return of 60's garage rock giants The Sonics, whose "hits" include Psycho and Strychnine. They will be playing Yonge and Dundas Square on Saturday June 20th at the end of the night. Now that's pretty cool. As usual, the best of our locals are playing too and you can see the full lineup over here. [Myspaces: Black Lips, Matt & Kim, Woodpigeon, No Age, The Sonics]