!earshot Top 200 of 2021

Hometown Heroes

Also check out the most under-rated, most over-rated and best of 2005 releases of the year.

The real underground is the local scene. Every town has its local heroes and as often as not they are known only to the hometown fans. If you are wondering what is happening around the country here is a good place to start. Who knows, maybe we�ll be seeing some of these artists on the national stage soon enough.

Ridley Bent - Blam!  
It rocks, it folks, and Chin Injeti?s production shines.
Seams - Castaway Motel 
Part of the growing East Vancouver collective scene, this debut is a sparkling old-timey made new gem.
Rae Spoon - Your Trailer Door 
The CD kd lang would’ve made 15 years ago if she hadn’t heeded the call of Nashville.
Indio Saravanja - Indio Saravanja 
From Gabriola Island by way of Whitehorse, NYC and Argentina -- a little Bob Dylan and a whole lotta Jeff Buckley.

Local to Victoria, typically Canadian, globally important. - Patrick McKenna on Immaculate Machine Greg MacPherson Band: Night Flares (G7 Welcoming Committee)
A great Vulnerable Fist of a record!. His toughest and most naked work yet. More Rock & Roll fire burns from Greg alone with a guitar on stage than from most bands with 2 semis worth of gear behind them. When Greg & his band are fully ON (which is most nights) they are, in my opinion, the most powerful and compelling live band in the country, don¹t miss em.

a) Immaculate Machine - Ones and Zeros – (Mint)
Opening for The New Pornographers no doubt gave them the exposure they deserve but their next tour better see them headlining.  Well crafted songs, great lyrics, amazingly intricate sound from a small three piece.  Local to Victoria, typically Canadian, globally important.

b) Vincat - I Like Their Older Stuff Better - (Independent)
Local kids from Victoria, and I do mean kids.  Hard to book because they conflict with liquor licenses, hard to ignore because they are just so good.  Most bands never get this creative with their sound or lyrics, these kids have in their first step, and I can't wait to see what direction they head.

Lampshade - Modern Behavior – (Vinyl Republik)
Paul Shrofel is Winnipeg’s hidden jem. His sensible nature and knowledge of jazz piano mixed with the synthesis of electronic music combines to form a wonderful listening experience. New to the Vinyl Republik label Paul shows his talents through vibrant compositions through his expressive piano and keyboard skills. In addition the samplers and drum machines conduct the backbone and structure which he also created. Although this studio knowledge didn’t come quickly he had the watchful eye of Precursor Productions Andrew Yankiwski (FLFK) to guide his ears in the right direction to make this quality creation of delightful sounds. Fans of Ninja Tune, Portishead and various other new wave electronic bands will take pleasure in this album.
Oxide - www.vinylrepublik.com

Novillero ­ Aim Right For The Holes In Their Lives ­ (Mint)
Winnipeggers have had the good fortune to see this band grow into one of the most awesome live acts and the material on their latest release reflects the time and energy they put into developing their songcraft.

The Perms-Better Days (Hugtight Records):
Their sound is straight up rock with melodic pop hooks. Definitely hands up in the air, shake your tail feather music.  Check out "Bring You Down" to get your head nodding and to start rocking out. Then wonder how they imported the horns from X-Ray Spex into the mix.

Shotgun and Jaybird - Shotgun and Jaybird – (Independent)
This is really a compilation/re-release of songs from previous records, plus a couple that usually only get played live. It was put together as a fundraiser, and is one of the only Shotgun and Jaybird records still in print which makes it Sackville gold.

Victoria's Immaculate Machine: Future rock stars?Grey Army – S/T - Indie
Punk rock in Victoria has a rich history, lately however it has been quite stagnant.  Thank god for Grey Army who stormed the scene this summer, recorded a full-length album at the infamous Sea of Shit studios, and released it just over a month after their first show. The Rampant, DIY and The Proles all pretty much died this year; Grey Army filled a bit of the void and has given hope to a dying scene.

Dean Drouillard Dream At Harmony Motel (Drou Music): Ok, He Lives In Toronto These Days, But This Ex-Windsorite Made A Fantastic Record In 2005. Dean Often Gets Compared To Elliot Smith, But In His Defense He's Been A Rabid Beatles Fan Since Day One. His Duet With Jill Barber Is Not To Be Missed.

1. Jon-Rae and the River - Old songs for the new town - Permafrost  (Toronto)
Religion, sex, and amazing covers...Everyone needs to experience the  gospel of Jon-Rae!
2. Simon Finn - Magic Moments - Durtro/Jnana  (Montreal)
This was the first record Simon Finn did in over three and a half  decades, after his acclaimed record "Pass the Distance" came out in  1970...It was worth the wait, as the result is an eerie and intimate recording.

Jah Beng stands out for a local Toronto artist.  He has been present at the station and festivals throughout summer until now (his official album release was recent). Humble, Shadrock... to name only a few others in this genre.  Isis, my Hip Hop Director and spoken word poet turned MC, is taking Toronto with attitude to spare.  She is one to check.  Andres from Vancouver has release his new mix cd and represents a neglected area of campus community radio in Canada~ Canadian R&B (adding to that, contemporary, with reggaeton/dancehall/hip hop).

Now Orchestra & Marilyn Crispell – Pola – (Victo)
After five years, this is the first CD released by the Now Orchestra and it is an amazing comeback for the Avant-Garde jazz big band from Vancouver.  The collaboration with the great American pianist Marilyn Crispell is a real success in the pure tradition of improv jazz for those dedicated musicians who are serving nothing except for the music.

Hank Pine and Lily Fawn - The Road to New Orleans.
They are an amazingly talented multi-instrumental duo and I can hardly describe their music except to say that it's damn fresh.  On first listen this was a bit disappointing as it's seemed like really long rambling album. It still seems like a really long rambling album but it sure grows on you. An impressive achievement.

Doomeastvan- 'You Will Die'. It contains a 12 minute death metal cover
of 'I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart' entitled 'Repent
Sinner'. Need I say any more?

It contains a 12 minute death metal cover of 'I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart' entitled 'Repent Sinner'. Need I say any more? - Luke Meat on Doomeastvan Bronx Cheerleader - Tough Guy Cliches - (Yummy Recordings)
This is the greatest pop release I've heard in a long time. No only does the album contain superb songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals, but the packaging is beautifully handcrafted. Think of a better, Canadian version of the Shins, with the odd mandolin riff here and there. Yummy Recordings is run by Joe Lapinski who does everything DIY, is super nice, writes great music (Joe Lapinski and Palooka) and he certainly knows what he's doing. Canada meet Yummy, Yummy this is Panada. (shake hands here)

Angel Grinder - Angel Grinder....
One of THE best Metal bands to come out of Vancouver since SYL.....The production is so bombastic, you'd think the album was recorded out in Europe where all the great Scandinavian Metal bands have been.

Asha - (selftitled).
Mainly because I know the guy who produced it/played guitar on it. Good folky-pop stuff.

I really dug the Volume demo/EP (volumetheband.com). Very different from previous works by the band (ranging for noise rock to a CD containing nothing but songs from the Spiderman cartoon), this release is a lot more radio friendly and reminds me a bit of Radiohead meets... I can't remember what the other band was.  Pretty fun and catchy light rock.

The Straits - Self-titled EP
Since you already know how I feel about London-s Raised By Swans, I would like to redirect the spotlight onto another local band. The Straits self-titled EP was officially released in December, 2004, but it did not find it’s way into the on-air studio at CHRW until early 2005. Not only have these four local lads made a great record that harnesses a raw energy that is reminiscent of The Replacements, it is obvious that they know how to market themselves.

Best local release is the After Four and More with superb backing by local musicians.  Ken Foster, Larry Ernewein, Fred Blumas and Sandy Mackay.