Reviews

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Mngwa

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Andrew Franey

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The Shangs

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Alex Cuba

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Tri Nguyen

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Defend The Rhino

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Talltale

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Kiwi Jr.

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Plaster

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Hyness

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Black Suit Devil

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Yamantaka // Sonic Titan

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The Pack A.D.

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Chad VanGaalen

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Potengowski Anna Friederike

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Todd Rundgren

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Old 97's

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Needles//Pins

!earshot year-end picks 2005

Val Cormier

I am: Val Cormier, host of “Folk Oasis” on CiTR-FM 101.9 in Vancouver.
Two hours of eclectic roots music Wednesdays at 9 pm.; A kumbaya-free zone since 1998.; And yes, that is Beatle Bob in the picture with me.
Thanks for asking.

Most under-rated record of the year, and why:
Ridley Bent - Blam!;; This release is still picking up steam and requires more than one listen to appreciate the quality of the storytelling, but to some he?s still (undeservedly) stuck in the singer-songwriter ghetto.;
Most over-rated record of the year, and why:

Neil Diamond’s Twelve Songs.;
Proof that Rick Rubin’s Midas touch can fade now and then.

Best local releases:
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.

Best personal campus/community radio moment:
I thank Toronto for luring the hellacious neo-con Rachel Marsden away with the shiny promise of newspaper columns.;;Thanks also to Rachel for her role in the resurrection of CiTR?s programming committee.

Records you are most anticipating for 2006
The January release by Austin band The Gourds. I was lucky enough to see them live in 5 U.S. states during 2005 -- my most satisfying musical moments of the year. Also looking forward to the next Be Good Tanyas release which will hopefully wash out the bad taste of ‘that’Zellers ad.
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