The Best of 2011 with Joshu Hyslop

My Top 3 records of the year
Bon Iver - Bon Iver -  (Jagjaguwar) Such a solid record from start to finish with brilliant lyrics and incredible melodies. He's a huge inspiration to me. boniver.org

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow - (Sensibility Music)-
I had the pleasure of seeing them live at the Vogue a few weeks ago. They are the tightest duo I've ever seen. I'm really attracted to interesting and different melodies/harmonies and their debut is full of both. thecivilwars.com

Wilco - The Whole Love- (dBpm Records-)
I've been in love with this band since 2002 when they released their masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Since then I've gone out and bought every album they've ever released. They are my soundtrack to several books I've read, at least two of my journals and to the Fall. Admittedly, they're not for everyone, but if you give their records the time they deserve, you get hooked like I did. I've seen them live 5 times now and every show has been incredible. They are, simply put, a great band. wilcoworld.net

Most over-rated record of the year

With very few exceptions (namely, Kanye West and Jay-Z's new album), I'd say most of what's on the top 40's. Sure, there's a time and a place for it but a lot of it just sounds the same to me. Like one continuous, trance inducing song, synonymous with the word 'hangover'. Although I did see Journey's, "Don't Stop Believin'" at #45, or something like that, so maybe there's still hope?

Best local release or a band you think people should know about but don’t.
I'd have to say Zaac Pick's new EP, Whitewater is probably the best local release I've heard this year. He's a great musician and a good friend of mine. I don't know many people who put the same level of emphasis and importance on their lyrics. Each song on that album is wonderfully produced and full of meaning and emotion. It's solid, for sure. www.zaacpick.com

Best personal musical moment or experience of the year.
 My favorite musical moment this year was getting to fly out to Toronto and play for live in studio at CBC Radio. I met a lot of great people in the short time I was out there and had a blast performing three of my songs at CBC with Anne Lindsay on violin and John Marshman on cello. Even though it was 7 am when we performed and we'd only met the night before, we played well together and had a lot of fun. 

Record you are most anticipating for 2012
Three spring immediately to mind:
1. Mumford & Sons www.mumfordandsons.com
2. Andrew Bird
3. Ben Kweller