!earshot Top 200 of 2021

The Best, The Worst and the Rest

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Alex Cairncross
has a 2-hour radio show Thursday afternoons called Alone At The Microphone on CHUO 89.1 FM (www.chuo.fm) out of Ottawa , He plays play a lot of independent music from Canada and the world-round. He plays in bands and does a lot of photography as well, documenting shows in Ottawa as well as Montreal . You can check out his website of photography at www.missionlessdays.com .

Best of 2004

The Arcade Fire - Funeral Merge - Records)

From Montreal , here's an album inspired by death, but brought together some great people with love to record this album which is more of a celebratory dance for change & life fuelled by great musical talent, and an array of instruments. Every song is original with neat arrangements and different moods, and orchestral group backing vocals. The Arcade Fire's main players collaborated with a few people on this one and are now joined by Ottawa 's own Jeremy Gara (Kepler, Weights & Measures) on drum duties!

Bjork - Medulla One Little - Indian-Elektra

Brilliant. Who knew an album of this sort could have great impact. All sounds on this record made simply by the human voice, and done beautifully. Bjork will never fail to surprise (and please) us with her music. Her decision to exclude instruments made for an appealing listen. Check it out for yourself.

Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing In The Hands / Nino Rojo - Young God Records

I say both because they were recorded at the same time, Nino Rojo being the �companion' album, released a bit later. These recordings are intimate and honest, and recall folk with an antique sort of feel to it and Banhart is always trying new things with his sound without getting monotonous. I caught his show in Montreal and this proved to be even more true with a full out band for the majority of his songs, and an infectious vibe inviting the crowd to participate in his rejoice. These albums are a nice contrast to most things out this year and are perfect to listen to quietly in an abandoned barn in the middle of nowhere.

Isis - Panopticon - Ipecac

Isis continue to evolve their intense sound, this time drawing more influence from the instrumental Mogwai -ish side of things (the bands toured together for a few dates last year) and singer Aaron Turner tries some less heavy vocals this time and it fits nicely with the more drawn out instrumental segues on this album. The power of this band in blending the heavy and melodic matches perfectly with their use of dynamics and they still keep their trademark of crushing, impenetrable noise. A great follow up to their fantastic Oceanic album, and don't out forget to check them live and be blown away by their wall of sound.

Most Under-Rated Record of the Year

Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans Sounds Familyre

Maybe only appealing to a smaller crowd of music fans, this album is one of my favourites. Hailing from Michigan , with a great brand of slightly quirky banjo folk, he has put out a gem of an album. His intimate voice and natural affection expressed in his lyrics, come out with a feeling hope stemmed from his more spiritual side, and invite us to listen to his stories. His ability to go from sparse and quiet, to drawn out and epic is effective, as is his ability to turn songs of grief, where he may seem lost at times, into anthems of hope, delivered with complete sincerity and compassion.

Most Over-Rated Record of the Year

Modest Mouse Good News For People Who Love Bad News Epic

Sure it had a few catchy songs and was a good overall album, but we've heard it before, and with all the mainstream radio play, it's just too much after awhile, considering they perfected their sound long before this album.

Best Local Release - Ottawa

Buried Inside Chronoclast Relapse Records

A recent addition to the Relapse Records roster, these guys are one of the most powerfully intense, intelligent and original bands out there in the realm of Canadian punk/hardcore. Inspired by Ottawa area bands in the nineties like Union Of Uranus, Shotmaker & One-Eyed God Prophecy, they are hard-working, constantly tour Canada and the US and it really pays off. This is their 3 rd full length and they just keep getting better. Keep your eyes on one of the best heavy bands out of Canada (if not North America ) right now.

Most Anticipated Record of 2005

Broken Social Scene's album now being recorded (tentatively titled Windsurfing Nation ).

This band puts Canada on the map for many reasons. This collective of musicians has exploded in the past couple of years, with irresistible music they play and want to share with you their passion for music and positive attitude. Their live shows are fantastic performances and make you feel like part of their family, and with a great following worldwide now, you know a lot of people will be happy when their new album is released next year.

Best Personal Campus/Community Radio Moment Or Experience of the Year

There are so many good shows I've been to this year and they've all been fantastic in their own ways. Catching Sonic Youth on tour and seeing them do their thing was one of the best shows this year and showed us they will never grow old. A couple of shows at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield come to mind (one of Canada's greatest venues) most notably Silver Mt Zion in January, packed to capacity on quite possibly the coldest night of the year was quite the experience, and The Arcade Fire most recently, with also a fantastic show with the place full and dancing. And of course stellar performances from Broken Social Scene at the Ottawa Folk-fest, and The Constantines at Pop Montreal!

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