Best of 2009 by Jay of Stranger Dance

Who: Jay, Editor in Chief
BlogStranger Dance
Location: San Francisco
Twitter@strangerdance

The OCMD Best of 2009 Questionnaire

  1. Best Album: Dark was the Night compilation – tough to beat out this much fire power
  2. Most Overlooked Album: Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms – I just can’t stop listening to this album.
  3. Best Song: Yikes. This one’s to close to call. Last.fm tells me I’ve listened to “So Far Around the Bend” by The National the most this year, so I guess that’s as good an indicator as any.  Elvis Perkins’ “Shampoo”, Phoenix’s “1901” and “What I Mean To You” by Justin Townes Earle are all right up there.
  4. Best Live Show: Josh Ritter’s NoisePop gig at Great American Music Hall last February just edged out J. Tillman’s surprisingly epic show at Cafe du Nord. Both shows outmatched a lot of the bigger ticket shows I caught this year.
  5. Band/Artist I am most happy to have discovered: Patrick Watson
  6. Band/Artist I kick myself for missing: St. Vincent
  7. Band/Artist everyone seems to love but I just can’t get behind: Animal Collective
  8. Favorite SF Band: Maus Haus. You’d probably get a different answer tomorrow, but that’s my pick today.
  9. One to Watch in 2010: Girls / Maus Haus

Best of 2009: Cian, See What You Hear

Who: Cian
Blog: See What You Hear
Location: UK
Twitter: @seewhatyouhear

The OCMD Best of 2009 Questionnaire

  1. Best Album: at the moment it’s a tie between Real Estate – S/T and Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
  2. Most Overlooked Album: Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms
  3. Best Song: Girls“Lust for Life”
  4. Best Live Show: Patrick Watson / Spiritualized
  5. Band/Artist I am most happy to have discovered: Kurt Vile
  6. Band/Artist I kick myself for missing: I missed a Nobunny show; I missed Primavera, and as I write this, I am about to miss a special intimate gig by Beach House. But I broke my personal best for shows this year, so I can’t complain!
  7. Band/Artist everyone seems to love but I just can’t get behind: Wilco
  8. Favorite SF Band: Thee Oh Sees
  9. One to Watch in 2010: Joseph Childress

2009 Polaris Prize Short List Announced; Handsome Furs Snubbed Again

polaris

The acclaimed Canadian Polaris Music Prize committee has announced their short list for the 2009 awards. And shockingly, The Handsome Furs get snubbed again. Balls! What’s wrong with you Canuks?  Well, needless to say, I’m disappointed.  I thought this year would be their time to shine.  And with all do respect to the nominees that did make the cut, sorry for the rant and congratulations. I’m going to cast my vote for Chad VanGaalen, but my guess is Metric or K’NAAN or Great Lake Swimmers will win.

Artist: Elliott BROOD
Album: Mountain Meadows
From: Toronto
Listen: “The Valley Town”

Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry Of Common Life
From: Toronto
Listen: “No Epiphany”

Artist: Great Lake Swimmers
Album: Lost Channels
From: Toronto
Listen: “Everything is Moving So Fast”

Artist: Hey Rosetta!
Album: Into Your Lungs (and around your heart and on through your blood)
From: St. John’s
Listen: “I’ve Been Asleep for A Long, Long Time

Artist: K’NAAN
Album: Troubadour
From: Toronto
Listen: “If Rap Gets Jealous”

Artist: Malajube
Album: Labyrinthes
From: Montréal
Listen: “Porte Disparu”

Artist: Metric
Album: Fantasies
From: Toronto
Listen: “Help, I’m Alive”

Artist: Joel Plaskett
Album: Three
From: Halifax
Listen: “It’s Catchin’ On”

Artist: Chad VanGaalen
Album: Soft Airplane
From: Calgary
Listen: “Willow Tree”

Artist: Patrick Watson
Album: Wooden Arms
From: Montréal
Listen: “Tracy’s Waters”