!earshot Top 200 of 2021

!earshot year-end picks 2005

Donald Kennedy

Handsome Don Kennedy/We Are Ugly But We Have the Music/CFUV 101.9fm/Victoria, BC

My Top 3 records of the year

Grayskul - Deadlivers - (Rhymesayers)
Grayskul and label mates Boom Bap Project both dropped wicked albums this year.  It was a good year for Seattle Hip-Hop; the city has been pumping out major talent lately, but lots of artists are going unnoticed.  Deadlivers not only brought some attention to the scene, but also gave us "Prom Quiz" which is quite possibly the #1Hip-Hop track of the year.

Idiot Pilot - Strange We Should Meet Here - (Reprise)
Why these guys didn't blow up nationally is beyond me.  Most will call them "a hardcore version of Radiohead", but they are more than that.  They sound extremely familiar while at the same time sounding completely fresh.  They're also one of the best live acts going.

Various - Punk History Canada Presents: Only in Canada, Eh (1977-81) Volume 1 - (Punk History Canada)
An amazing compilation of rare and well known Canadian punk rock from an era when Canadians were pioneers in the genre.  The disc features The Action's "TV's On the Blink" which is a true lost classic.  I can’t wait for a volume 2 (how about some punk from the territories?)

Most under-rated record of the year Mon Frere - Real Vampires - (Cake)
This is an EP rather than a full length, but who cares. The EP is overflowing with catchy tunes that stay true to the mid-nineties PNW sound.  The difference is lead singer Nouela Johnston who adds a personality to the songs that sets them apart from the same old indie crap.  Their full length coming in 2006 on Cake should be great.

Most over-rated record of the year
Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary - (Sub Pop)
Hey man, check out this new Canadian band!!  They’re totally lo-fi and Isaac Brock produced!  He’s that dude from Modest Mouse!  Whatever happened to Sub Pop putting out wicked rock albums?  Now it’s all weepy indie rock crap; if Sub Pop didn’t have the Constantines and Mudhoney I’d say they were a bunch of Nancy boys.

Best local release
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.

Best personal campus/community radio moment or experience of the year.
Any call I received from CFUV’s number one listener (Rick from Port Angeles) was memorable.  However, when he called and told me, “Sixteen is a beautiful age,” and started singing the O’Kaysion’s track “Girl-Watcher”…I almost died.

Record you are most anticipating for 2005
Fan_3 - Let Me Clear My Throat - (Geffen)
A white, teenage, female rapper that does the theme song for "Darcy's Wild Life"; watching to see if she scores a hit single will be too entertaining for words.