Ok, here we go. Formatting this was a pain, but I had good music to listen to. I’m going to try to write something for each of these, but there are 50! Seriously, this is actually an awesome playlist. Kick-ass. Spectacular. All that stuff and a basket of fun.
I did try and put it in some sort of order. Unlike Rocca, I have no idea when some of these songs were part of my list, but I do know they all were. I think there are a couple which double up with his list to, but it just means that was a really good song.
THE END IS OVER HERE! I MEAN, CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC!
- Owen Pallett For, Many Lives for 49 MP from the album He Poos Clouds
I start off with a pair from Pallett, since he’s unique and seriously awesome. For some reason the classy string quartet sound of this one balanced with the shouting is perfect to me. I’m a huge fan of strings in pop music arrangements, and of songs which build from quiet to a peak. - Owen Pallett He Poos Clouds from the album He Poos Clouds
I think this is actually a better combination of indie and the string quartet sound, with his vocals and the drums, and just the melody overall. Also “Gotta find and kill my shadow self…” - Kathleen Edwards Chameleon/Comedian from the album Voyageur
I think this is one of the double up songs that Taylor and I both chose. It also was all over the R3-30 countdown, and I think she’s up for the Polaris Prize this year still, making the short list. Sold? - Destroyer Poor in Love from the album Kaputt
“I was poor in love, I was poor in wealth, I was alright in everything else.” First lines of this song and it could be my twitter profile. - City and Colour Coming Home from the album Sometimes
I know it was pretty mainstream, and for some that means it should be disregarded. They are wrong. - Great Lake Swimmers Your Rocky Spine from the album Ongiara
What I’m trying to dub prairie folk or prairie country with a perfectly wilty voice describing our nation, filling out to a simple love long to Canada. - Current Swell Too Cold from the album Long Time Ago
A west coast flavour from some home town heroes to Victoria. Yep, I mentioned Vic. It melds the clap along with a thoughtful, almost melancholy song, but shies away from getting too down. - Elliott BROOD Oh, Alberta from the album Tin Type
I’ll be honest, Alberta is not my favourite province. Sorry guys. But this throwback bluegrass style piece is a great ditty touching on many of the provinces and prairies. - The Barr Brothers Old Mythologies from the album The Barr Brothers
A soft piece with perfect harmonies. Reminds me of something and I can’t quite place it. If you know another band that has a song or two like this, let me know, it’s killing me, I want to rediscover what that is. - Aidan Knight Jasper from the album Versicolour
A bit of a bluesy/folksy sound to Knights work here. A great solo artist. Part of what makes this great isn’t just the fantastic guitar work, but how happy he is. Also, this is one of those songs that really builds into a fuller piece. - Stella Ella Ola Peter Sellers from the album Stella Ella Ola EP
Ok, we’re out of the folksy/country/softer work here, moving into some low-fi post punk and indie pop gems or what have you. Super simple here and a little dirty. Try not to bop. - The Wellits Fort McMurray from the album The Wellits
I went to Fort McMurray. In fact, I’m there right now. Unfortunately, this song misses me on almost every lyric, but I like the sentiment. - cub New York City from the album Come Out Come Out
I wish these guys were still around. If I made high school John Hughes films, these would totally be used. - Vancougar Distance from the album 7″
To me they sound a bit like an updated, more serious cub. Less bop, a little more attitude. - Immaculate Machine Dear Confessor from the album Fables
Ok, not sure the term for it, but the way the vocals intertwine in here is great for what starts off sounding like another relatively simple, though fun, song. And of course, another weakness for me is a dual vocal, male/female, team. The harmonies aren’t as bang on, but the juxtaposition and complexities it can add are fantastic. - Acres Of Lions Reaction
I mentioned those simple little fun pop-indie gems? This is right at the top of the pile. - Jon and Roy Little bit of Love
Stripped down to the most basic elements of modern music, I cant believe there aren’t more songs like this sometimes. - Hollerado Good Day At The Races from the album Margaritaville 2: The Reckoning
Hopefully it’s become obvious at this point what section you’re in in this playlist. Indie-pop for everyone. While the music is modern-rock-indie-pop, the lyrics, while direct, are beefier and relatable. - Yukon Blonde Stairway from the album Tiger Talk
For some reason I just feel like this should be used for a baseball advertisement. - The Slakadeliqs Call Me Your Friend (feat. Sandie Black) from the album The Other Side of Tomorrow
And this one would be perfect for a phone or Volkswagen commercial. - Plants and Animals The Mama Papa from the album La La Land
An older piece from a very good band. It might not be cutting edge this summer, but respect some of those great tracks from a year or two ago that get forgotten by the buzz bands and trendsetters. - Great Lake Swimmers Easy Come Easy Go from the album New Wild Everywhere
Another piece from GLS, go out on the patio with a growler of beer and a friend and don’t come in until the growler is done. - Jason Collett I’ll Bring the Sun from the album Idols of Exile
See, now that you’re on the patio this is the perfect follow up track. Also, is anyone surprised Collett ended up on my list? - Andrew Vincent Canadian Dream from the album Rotten Pear
Probably my favorite discovery of the summer. Most of these bands I knew to some extent before embarking on this playlist project. Such Canadian lyrics. I have another soft spot for songs about things I can relate too on a daily basis and mention specific, real word things. It doesn’t have to be bland monotonous activities or emotions being sung about, but still something a normal person is likely to experience. - Mother Mother Dirty Town from the album Touch Up
My favourite piece from one of the most popular outfits in Canadian indie right now. It might be one of the older ones, but the harmonies and onomatopoeia catch me. Also, high tempo, rhythm heavy, catchy, all well played. - Rococode Empire from the album Guns, Sex & Glory
Heavy on the electronic sounds here, a simple melodic song with some fun keyboards. Also, for some reason the use of an extended note rising at the end, I like that. - Jets Overhead Boredom And Joy from the album Boredom and Joy
Recently highlighted by Rolling Stone magazine as their download of the day. - The Weakerthans Plea From A Cat Named Virtute from the album Reconstruction Site
One of my favourite lyrical concepts ever. POV: Cat. - Arcade Fire We Used to Wait from the album The Suburbs
When they broke out with Funerals everyone knew these guys had talent if the could keep the ego in check. It’s going to be hard for them to beat Suburbs. This song is relatable on a basic level, and that driving piano really allows some great material to be built around it. - Broken Social Scene Meet Me In The Basement from the album Forgiveness Rock Record
Strings, upbeat positive sound, builds to a crescendo. Right in my zone. - New Pornographers My Rights, Versus Yours from the album Challengers
For some reason I find this song just brilliant, but I don’t think I’m the only one. - Rocky Mountain Rebel Music Light it up from the album Rocky Mountain Rebel Music
One of the bands I’ve seen live a few times, as their based (at least used to be) in Victoria. And I still would go see a show at any opportunity. - The Stanfields Ship to Shore from the album Vanguard of the Young & Reckless
As a huge fan of celtic punk (seen Flogging Molly, the Streetdogs and the Dropkick Murphys all live), when I first found the East Coast’s Stanfields I listened to everything they had online a few times. Subject matter matches perfect to the sound. - Bruce Peninsula Crabapples from the album A Mountain is A Mouth
Percussive and tribal mixed, but with a modern take. - Fucked Up No Epiphany from the album The Chemistry of Common Life
The juxtaposition here of a strong rock song and epic vocals is unique for some reason. IT realy sounds like something that should have happened before, but for some reason hasn’t. - The Pack A.D. Sirens from the album Unpersons
These girls brought the rock. And the rock star attitude. - Duchess Says Narcisse from the album In A Fung Day T!
Some space rock here with squeaky guitar and an attack right around the 2 minute mark. - Dearly Beloved Living Proof from the album Hawk vs Pigeon
We’re into the party rock now and I have a feeling this would be a great live track in a small/mid-sized venue. - You Say Party Downtown Mayors Goodnight, Alley Kids Rule! from the album Lose All Time
The first of two You Say Party! songs, the shouty female vocals over the disco-punk really lends credence to the You Say Party! part of the name. - Controller.Controller PF from the album x-amounts
What? I like the shouty girl vocals over disco-punk. - You Say Party Like I Give a Care from the album Lose All Time
Do I need to repeat myself? Actually, I will expand here. SO CATCHY! - Japandroids The House That Heaven Built from the album Celebration Rock
Big buzz when this band released there most recent tracks this summer. Shout out anthem here. I haven’t looked at what this song is actually about, but from listening to it just feels like it’s from a big city, at night, with city lights reflecting off windows and walking into a concert where these guys are playing. - Death from Above 1979 Blood On Our Hands from the album You’re A Woman I’m a Machine
A buzz band from a few years ago, I’m still partial to them and the one album the put out. Just a bass and drums for these sounds, at least until they got ahold of a sound board and warped the hell out of the bass. - Buck 65 Zombie Delight (Buddy Peace Remix)
It’s about Zombies. No exposition on to some social ill or emotional state. It’s about zombies, what they do, and how to deal with them. - Cadence Weapon ’88 (Prod. Grimes)
Probably my top artist in the whole hip hop/rap genre right now, up against Buck 65. Roland knows english. - Buck 65 Blood of a Young Wolf from the album Secret House Against the World
Favourite Buck 65 song all time, one of my favourite songs all time. I’d quote my favourite lyrics, but thats most of the song, and you don’t want me to write favourite again. - Death from Above 1979 Black History Month (Josh Homme Remix) from the album Romance Bloody Romance
A stripped down remix, I’m not sure what the instrument is, maybe a xylophone run through something? Anyways so foreboding, and awesome. - Caribou Odessa from the album Swim
Moving to the end nearly, more of an electro feel now. Just a classy sounding song. - A Tribe Called Red Electric Pow Wow Drum
A bit of a break out this year from these guys this summer with this mixing of traditional First Nations beat and singing with modern electronica. Really interesting, unique mix. - Bruce Peninsula Satisfied from the album A Mountain is A Mouth
I had no idea where to stick this song, so it got the end. Short and percussive. Satisfied?
Ok, that’s it folks. No playlists for awhile, but we’ve got hundreds of songs lined up for you with these playlists and CBC Music has a bunch more. Thanks for reading and I hope you guys keep checking out this site, since we will be continuing on with various other projects. The radio show should be coming back, and I’m going to be trying out a new series here. And since I’m Arts and Entertainment editor for the Omega at TRU again this year, expect a few reviews of concerts and albums here as well.
Good night,
Kergin
Threat Shark 