Mr. G's Song of the Week: "When I Go Away"

If you've been a regular reader of Mr. G's Song of the Week since its inception not too long ago, then it's likely become obvious to you that I have a certain affinity for modern indie rock music. This is true. There are a lot of fantastic bands playing cool and innovative music that can be placed under the broad umbrella that is "indie". But, dear friends, I must inform you that this is only one side of my musical personality (and a relatively new one, at that). The truth is, the foundation of my appreciation for music in general is steeped in the raw deliciousness of rock music from the '60s and '70s. Personal favourites include The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Little Feat, and the band to whom today's SOTW selection is inherently connected... The Band.

The inherent connection to which I allude is that Levon Helm, the artist responsible for this week's outstanding auditory offering, was the drummer of the legendary The Band. Today he fronts The Levon Helm Band and this week's selection is off of his new album, Electric Dirt, the follow-up to his Grammy award-winning Dirt Farmer, his first studio release since 1982. So allow me, if you will, to break from my indie rock monotony and present to you a song that incorporates the staples of what one would consider to be true music Americana. Incorporating elements of country, blues, gospel and soul, "When I Go Away," penned by the band-hopping multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, and brought to another level by Levon's raspy vocal delivery, is a foot-stomping hand-clapper that you won't soon forget. And he shall be Levon. The legend continues to grow.

[mp3] Levon Helm - When I Go Away

Parkas w/ Whitebelt Octopus & Tacoma Hellfarm Tragedy @ the Silver Dollar, July 25. 2009

I went to see the Parkas on Saturday night and I've finally recovered (note: part of this may be moving and/or drinking related).

The Tacoma Hellfarm Tragedy was the first band up, who I missed... next time.

Next, the Whitebelt Octopus, who drove all the way from Ithaca, NY, performed his brand of incredibly vulgar, superbly hilarious, white-boy-electro-rap songs for about 40 minutes. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't supremely shocked by all the "hat" (see photos below), the number of MF bombs, and the number of references of him beeing his el on some tees, but after the initial shock, I had an awesome, awesome, time. He writes the kind rhymes that kids in grade school write, subject matter aside. They're certainly not clever, or thought provoking, or anything else particularly moving, but the rhymes combined with the hat, dancemoves, and electro-beats were nothing short of entertaining. I think had the set gone on longer, it would've been a little too much, but I would definitely, definitely, go and check the Whitebelt Motherfucking Octopus if he swims his way back up to the T.Dot.

The Parkas, while they share the same sense of humour as the Whitebelt, their set took a different sort of tone. Yes, they made jokes (often at the expense of other members of the band, as is their way), but there was an underlying sense of sadness/nostalgia (this makes much more sense if you know that this was the Parkas last show ever). But I think the Parkas, knowing it was their last show, really savoured every moment. They weren't always perfect - not that I could really tell other than based on the 'I definitely just screwed that up' looks that they would flash each other - they played music like I imagine they would've when they first started as a band: a little bit drunk and ripping away on their instruments.

And, if I haven't plugged their stuff enough, a reminder that their soon to be released, post-humous album, You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance, is out soon and is excellent. A couple of songs from their new album:

[mp3] The Parkas - Don't Say No
[mp3] The Parkas - The Gang's All Gone


Whitebelt Octopus





The Parkas

Pick of the Week #29: The Parkas - You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance

Most of the picks of the week that are made on this here blog are because I really, really, like the albums; many of them are from bands that I feel are under appreciated, and, occasionally, its because I have some type of personal connection (real or imagined) with the band... this time its all of the above!

Certainly part of my connection stems from recently graduating from teacher's cottage with lead singer Michael Brown, but, I think my (vast) appreciation of the band and their work, comes from the 2006 Documentary, A Life of Crime, by Jon Eagan and James Loftus (which I wrote about here) about the Parkas cross Canada tour and the subsequent re-structuring of the band... its hard to watch something that agonizing and not come away with a connection with the band.

This connection, of course, makes the Parkas last show ever this coming Saturday and the release of their final record You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance, a little (or a lot) bittersweet. The new album, which Mike sent me over the weekend (and will be available at the show, and on-line later in the summer, I suspect) is a little (or a lot) bittersweet, as well. And, in some ways, YSKUWYHtC doesn't really feel like a Parkas album.

Those familiar with the band will know them for their poiniant sense of humour and the intensity of their country tinged Strokes-esque rock tunes, which, are still present, but in a more subdued sort of way. There are some moments on the album where it kind of feels like the band is trying to get it all out it its collective system, and moments of pause where they seem very conscious that its all coming to an end, but mostly its just another terrific addition in the Parkas catalogue.... and here are two songs to prove it:

[mp3] The Parkas - Don't Say No
[mp3] The Parkas - The Gang's All Gone

A Life of Crime Trailer



Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou (Swift Feet for Troubling Times)
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians
Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players
Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade
Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck
Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops
Pick of the Week #23: Still Life Still
Pick of the Week #24: Hayden
Pick of the Week #25: Snailhouse
Pick of the Week #26: Dog Day
Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou (Beacons)
Pick of the Week #28: Dog is Blue

(Sexy) Singles: The Wooden Sky, Wax Mannequin, Alan Wilkis

I'm pretty confident I've seen the Wooden Sky open for someone, at somepoint, but needless to say they weren't overwhelming (or memorable). Their new album, If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone, to be released August 25th, I think is going to be a different story. And, if the song "Something Hiding For Us In The Night" is any indication - which it is, I've heard the album - I'm not going to be not remembering tWS again. The song, like the album, (more on the album later, I expect) is a perfect blend of pop/country, angst/without being whiny, tension/without being too tense... a lot of good things already being said about this one...
[mp3] The Wooden Sky - Something Hiding For Us In the Night


Wax Mannequin, a Wolves, Hawks and Kites favourite, also has a new-soon-to-be-released album, Saxon on August 5th. That album, in contrast to the Wooden Sky's, is a one man onslaught of emotion. Despite being a prolific song-writer (5 albums in 4? years and counting), I've never managed to sink my teeth into an entire album - this may be because I've moved from listening to a global selection of bands, to a more Canadian centred sonic space (three cheers for nationalism and xenophobia!) - and I'm not quite sure what I think, of Saxon, that is. There are spots on the album that are absolutely overwhelming (sometimes in a good way, and sometimes not), but the more roots/folk songs like "End of Me" are impossibly moving (and potentially the soundtrack to the next epic movie set in the middle ages)...
[mp3] Wax Mannequin - End of Me


And, if you were looking for something completely, completely, different from the first two singles you needn't look any further than "N.I.C.E." by NYC electro-popster Alan Wilkis from his recently released Pink and Purple. "N.I.C.E." sounds like its taken a backing track from a hidden song from M'Js Off the Wall and... well, it just has a very 80s feel... if you like Chromeo, this may be right up your alley...
[mp3] Alan Wilkis - N.I.C.E.

The Parkas Final Show/CD Release. The Silver Dollar. July 25. 2009.

Today is the official beginning of Parkas week at the Burgeoning Metropolis...

Next Saturday is going to be like a funeral... of a new mother. The Parkas, who are awesome and I've have said so on a number of occasions, are packing it in as a band (they're dying). And, even though they're dying (figuratively) they're releasing a new album, You Should've Killed Us When You Had The Chance (the baby), which is pretty exciting, because we're going to have a way to remember the band.

So, the way I see things going on Saturday is more of a 'celebration of life (and their new bastard child)' rather than the show being a somber, sad affair (feel free to wear bright colours!); as well as, part OISE re-union (I hope). And, who knows, maybe playing their last show is exactly what the band needs to get their record on MTV and start making bazillions of dollars to quit being teachers and doctors and stuff...

*Although (History) Jen has pointed out that Amy Milan and Gentleman Reg are playing down for free down at the harbour front, Mike Brown (Parkas lead singer) points out that: 1/they'll be finished; 2/ they'll be playing again; and I'll point out that, 3/ the Parkas will be WAY more fun than either of them...

Who: The Parkas (duh!) w/ Tacoma Hellfarm Tragedy & Whitebelt Octopus
What: Rock and/or Roll
When: 10:30 pm
Where: The Silver Dollar (College & Spadina)
Why: ... why not?
How (much): $6

[mp3] The Parkas - Don't Say No

Mr. G's Song of the Week - "Casablanca" and "The Valley Town"

I'd like to begin this installment of Song of the Week by apologizing to my throngs of loyal readers for missing last week's post. It's something I hope does not happen often, but sometimes life (including a wedding in Ottawa, awesome white water rafting on the Ottawa river, and spending the night attempting to sleep on the floor of an empty classroom with sugar-riddled children running through the halls well into the early hours of the morning) gets in the way. Hopefully you'll forgive me. To make it up to ya'll, I've decided to make this week's SOTW a Polaris Prize double bill.

Perhaps you're like me and you haven't heard of some of the bands that have made the short list for this year's prestigious Polaris Prize. Instead of using this as an opportunity to verbally berate the bloggers and journalists who decide upon the nominees for said award, I look at it as a chance to get into some new Canadian music that is likely to be very, very good. As predicted, I've been pleasantly surprised by some of what I've come across during my recent Polaris Prize-inspired musical forays.

My first of two selections this week is "Casablanca" off of the album Labyrinthes, the latest by Montreal band, Malajube. The largest city in Quebec has been a breeding ground for some the best music Canada has to offer in recent years. The Arcade Fire, Plants and Animals, and Patrick Watson (winner of the Polaris Prize in 2007 and once again nominated this year) immediately come to mind. What makes Malajube different, and especially impressive, is their ability to cross over to English audiences while sticking to their francophone roots. All of their songs are written and performed in French. Enjoy the beautiful layerings of sound and the orchestral rock vibe that "Casablanca" has to offer. The language barrier should not adversely affect your listening experience.

[mp3] Malajube - Casablanca























The SSOTW (second Song of the Week), although in no particular order, is "The Valley Town" by hometown boys (I'm from Toronto), Elliott Brood. It comes off of their newest album, Mountain Meadows. To be perfectly honest, I'm not quite sure what to make of this band. Their country-tinged rock stylings are impressively catchy at points, but at others, things just don't seem to click. In part, I think it's because lead singer Mark Sasso's gritty vocals don't jive with the type of melodic music the band produces. His throaty howls seem better suited to a more "hardcore" genre. That being said, "The Valley Town" is a wonderfully captivating, ukelele-driven ditty that'll have you snapping your fingers in no time. The singing is slightly more subdued on this one, and in a classic case of less is more, it adds to the song's tastiness. Bon appetit!

[mp3] Elliott Brood - The Valley Town

Pick of the Week #28: Dog is Blue

This pick of the week has been a long time coming. I've e-mailed back and forth with Paul Watson, mentioned the album a couple of times, and I managed to catch 'the band' live a couple of weeks ago, but, alas, ...Makes Ghost Noises has not been given the illustrious (and much sought after) title of "Pick of the Week". (... until now!)

Certainly, part of the reason that Dog is Blue didn't make the cut earlier was just the nature of the song-songwriter or self-described ghost-folk music; this isn't the kind of music that is going to bowl you over. Paul's voice, while having a lot of character, doesn't really make him a contender for American (or Canadian) Idol, the arrangements aren't exactly epic, so, I guess that's my explanation for why I didn't "pick" it earlier. And really, that probably says more about my lack of patience... anyhow...

So, ...Makes Ghost Noises didn't blow me away, but it has become kind of like my PJs (no, Paul, I'm not hitting on you). MGN has become a very comfortable album that I'll put on while I'm reading, or watching the CP24 traffic in the morning before work, with the gentle whirring, clip-clopping, and the female vocals hovering in the background. But, just because I'm very comfortable with the album, doesn't mean that its not catchy, or compelling, or that its just something that's going to put you to sleep; because I think the best thing about ...Makes Ghost Noises is that something different (lyric/riff/hook/track/and-so-on) stands out to me every time. And that is a reason to grab the album @ Zunior for $5.55.

[mp3] Dog is Blue - Seacaptain (live @ the Tranzac)
[mp3] Dog is Blue - Grandma

"Happy Halloween"



Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou (Swift Feet for Troubling Times)
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians
Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players
Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade
Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck
Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops
Pick of the Week#23: Still Life Still
Pick of the Week #24: Hayden
Pick of the Week #25: Snailhouse
Pick of the Week #26: Dog Day
Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou (Beacons)

Bowerbirds w/ Megafaun @ Sneaky Dee's. Tues. July 14. 2009

I'm exhausted (what else is new...) from work, etc. (but mostly work), so some thoughts on the Bowerbirds show at Sneaky Dee's last night in 15 minutes or less (so I can relax, have a beer, play some NBA '09, and watch some Ali G)...

Megafaun, and no, I'm not mis-spelling Mega-fun, although they were fun. And certainly that's what I'd take away from the Durham, NC band's set. They get an A+ for their banter: talking to the guy who was wearing a Durham Bulls t-shirt, inviting an audience member up to do a harmonica solo, and closing out the set acoustically in the middle of the floor (see photos below). That said, I've got a suggestion for the band: you ought to change your name from Megafaun, which is cool, I guess, to Men with Beards (see photos below).

Bowerbirds, by contrast, probably couldn't have been much more serious, not necessarily in a bad way, but were much more clinical about reproducing songs that are, in a word, breathtaking. Their songs, which are driven by the classical guitar, were put together just as beautifully as they were on the album, only could've sounded better if they were in a place with better acoustics -- say, Massey Hall, or, Aoelian Hall in London, On -- rather than above a place that was surving half priced fajitas (which I wouldn't recommend)...

A couple of other Bowerbirds notes:

• Their last album, Hymns for a Dark Horse, as I re-reminded you all the other day was my 6th favourite of 2008.
• And that video for 'In Our Talons' was pretty slick.
• What drew me to the band was their Blogotheque session in some NYC candy shop, which, like most of the Blogotheque videos couldn't be better.
• They've got a new album out now, Upper Air, which I'm expecting, based on their performance last night, will be equally good (but probably similar sounding). You can order that album here.
  

[mp3] Bowerbirds - In Our Talons (live @ Sneaky Dee's)
[mp3] Bowerbirds - Bur Oak (live @ Sneaky Dee's)


Megafaun




Bowerbirds

The Kickdrums....

So, I'm sitting around this afternoon (yesterday) trying to find something to write about for tomorrow (today) and I'm feeling like many of you will probably not want to hear about my NBA '09 team (NYK w/ LeBron James and a 37 yr old Steve Nash who is past his prime but can still pass and hit the 3) or my thoughts on UFC 100 (watching people get hurt is fun!), but I'm thinking you may want to hear about this band, The Kickdrums.

Actually, I'm not so sure they're a band as, from what I can gather from their press-release/myspace stuff they are two guys, one DJ/Producer, one guitarist/singer-songwriter. Their album/EP, Just A Game, kind of has the feel of that collaboration that Jay-Z and Chris Martin did "Beach Chair" on Jay's Kingdom Come (you know, the first album he did after he retired). Their songs are hip-hop production with a sort of atmospheric vibe, but they have this kind of Brit-rock sensibility the way the guitars and drums are overlayed on the beats... if that makes any sense whatsoever...

I'm not sure whether the Kickdrums have the potential to have as broad an appeal as someone, like, say, Mark Ronson (producer of Lily Allen's first album) or Mike 'The Streets' Skinner, but listening to the beats on tracks like "Impatient (Slow Down)" and "Things Work Out" you gotta think there's a chance.

[mp3] The Kickdrums - Just a Game
[mp3] The Kickdrums - Things Work Out

We're only human, this at least we've learned...

This is too good not to pass along. That, and I think I may have grown up playing tennis with the guy who directed this video, I'm not sure.

You may remember the Bowerbirds from snagging the #6 spot on my best of 2008 list with their folky, Americana sound, but their video - and when I say 'their' I mean, a video a fan 'Allan Poon' made - for "In Our Talons" is some really next level shit. I'm not really sure how to describe it, so you really ought to just watch it...



Best of all, bumping into this video has reminded me that the 'birds have a new album out called Upper Air, which I'm really looking forward to throwing in the car tomorrow... also, I'm strongly considering seeing them - even though its a school night - at Sneaky Dee's on Tuesday night...

Beirut w/ the Dodos @ the Phoenix - July 9. 2009.

To give you an idea of my general impression of the show last night, I changed my facebook/twitter status to this last night: Beirut (the band) = impressive, people @ Beirut (the band)... less than impressive...

So, Mr. G and I bought tickets to the show ages ago - at least a couple of months ago - and, of course, I completely forgot that we had them, so when he texted me on Monday to ask when he thought we should leave I said "For what?". But, after he explained, I got excited since I think Beirut is terrific (and is responsible for one of my favourite albums of the 00s, Gulag Orkestar), and it felt like it was free (since we paid so long ago). I got even more excited when Mr. G informed me that the Dodos were opening.

Some thoughts, point form, on the Dodos & the Dodos' set:

• I feel like their last album, Visiter, had a lot of really great moments (songs) but was probably a little too "jammy" in spots.
  
• Their live performance, which, somehow, included only three dudes (or Dodos) was surprisingly dynamic considering there were only three of them. The percussion - a drum kit, and sometimes a cymballist(?) - was pretty spectacular, and somehow reminiscent of one my favourite Ottawan bands, The Acorn.
  
• The lead singer, who's name I'm not going to pretend to know, was really on point with his vocals. Also, he looks a shock amount like Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun).
• The sum total of these points is that I will be, in all likelihood, paying attention to the next Dodos release Time to Die (Aug. 31 - UK, Sept. 15 - US) - or, as Mr. G pointed out, available now via the internet.
  

And Beirut:

• The show made me remember on the way home that my first blog post ever was on Beirut's Flying Cup Club videos (note: these may be some of the first Blogotheque videos) and they are outstanding.
• Mr. G comments to me almost immediately after Zach Condon + band walk on stage... "this is the nerdiest band I have ever seen", and I reply "what do you think the odds are that any one of these guys ever got laid before they were in this band?"
• Despite their general nerdiness, the band sounds insanely, insanely, good. They are incredibly tight, and I'm shocked at how the horns 'popped' and sounded so clean, crisp (I think they really stand out in the audio - below)... the live show is definitely a step up from their recorded material, which, after hearing The Flying Club Cup and March of the Zapotec stuff live, I don't think I've been giving it enough love...
  
• As good as the band was, and they were excellent, I have a few suggestions for Beirut fans and concert goers in general. It is not okay, at least in my books, to: A/ cut in front of someone in a general admission venue and stop so close in front of them that you brush against them ever time you move resulting in - what appears to be some type of dry-hump, b/c of their head-bob-hip-thrust movement to the music; B/ raise your fist like you are Tommie Smith or Juan Carlos at the '68 Olympics in Mexico; C/ risk giving a concussion to those around you everytime you decide to do a extremely douchey kid street clap.... maybe I'm just getting old (I'm not that old) and crabby...
  
• Those videos - the Blogotheque ones - are really, really, spectacular and well worth watching; in fact, I'm ordering the DVD right now...
  

From the show:
[mp3] The Dodos - Unknown #1 (live @ the Phoenix)
[mp3] The Dodos - Unknown #2(live @ the Phoenix)

[mp3] Beirut - Scenic World (live @ the Phoenix)
[mp3] Beirut - After the Curtain (live @ the Phoenix)

... I've got a few more more Beirut songs for anyone interested can send me an email...

The Dodos




Beirut

Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou - Beacons

I'm leaving to see Beirut @ the Phoenix in about 15 minutes (and I've got to plow through dinner at the same time!), so, some very quick thoughts on an album that deserves much better treatment. That said, I've been a big cheerleader for Ohbijou over the last couple of years, so I don't feel so bad...

Here's the one thing that I don't like about Ohbijou's sophmore album, Beacons: they really could've picked a better lead single... and that's about it. Everything else? Just about as good, possibly better, than expected; which is saying something given that their debut, Swift Feet For Troubling Times (pick of the week #7), charted in at #8 in 2007.

Here's what I do like: everything else. From the intro the album sounds cleaner, more elegantly produced, and the voices of the Mecija sisters, somehow, sound sweeter (note to the sisters: I feel like you could have a bright future singing in Disney movies). What's more, as the album progresses, it gets stronger. With a lot of albums - and maybe this is a testament to my short attention span - I get to track 4/5/6 and get a little tired and switch things up. With Beacons the songs up front are strong enough that I don't want to skip through them, but the album really begins to hit its stride with the stretch beginning with "Thunderlove"-"New Years"-"Make it Gold" which is, for my money, the best 3 song stretch of the year...

... off to the Phoenix! Beirut stuff up sometime Saturday...

[mp3] Ohbijou - Black Ice

Continuing Continued Commentary of the Polaris Process...

As many of you may have gathered the Polaris Jury narrowed down their long list of 40, to a short list of 10 yesterday. The albums that made the cut were:

Artist: Elliott BROOD

Album: Mountain Meadows
From: Toronto
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry Of Common Life
From: Toronto
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Great Lake Swimmers
Album: Lost Channels
From: Toronto
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Hey Rosetta!
Album: Into Your Lungs (and around your heart and on through your blood)
From: St. John's
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: K'NAAN
Album: Troubadour
From: Toronto
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Malajube
Album: Labyrinthes
From: Montréal
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Metric
Album: Fantasies
From: Toronto
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Joel Plaskett
Album: Three
From: Halifax
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Chad VanGaalen
Album: Soft Airplane
From: Calgary
Links: Website | MySpace

Artist: Patrick Watson
Album: Wooden Arms
From: Montréal
Links: Website | MySpace

If I were choosing the list, it would look a lot more like this, than the list above; in fact, I only expressed a preference for one of the albums on the short list (Chad VanGaalen's Soft Airplane). But, the nature of these sort of competitions is finding some sort of common denominator, which is difficult, given the depth and quality of Canadian music in 2009. Its certainly unfortunate that bands like Bruce Peninsula and the Black Hat Brigade didn't make the short (or, in the case of the latter, the long) list, but its certainly understandable that they're not on the radar screens of jury members outside SW Ontario since I'm fairly certain neither band has ever played out East/West.

That said, if I were a betting man both BP and tBHB are going to get their due i.e. make their way onto some sort of Polaris list - even if their next albums aren't as good - since I'm fairly confident that that's what happened with CVG's Skelliconnection, getting retro-active votes for the far superior Infiniheart. And if you scrolled through the albums on the list, Great Lake Swimmers, K'Naan, and Metric, all kind of seem to me like pretty reasonable cases for 'retrovoteitis' for Great Lake Swimmers, The Dusty Foot Philosopher and Old World Underground respectively.

On the whole, I can't say that I'm entirely disappointed with the list (at least, there's more representation from the T.Dot.Oh), and its nice to see some representation from east to west (just like the Senate!)... now you'll have to excuse me while I look through my inbox to see if I've got an email from Hey Rosetta! with a copy of their album...

* * *

And a humourous list of reasons "Why Your Album Didn't Make the Polaris..." via CHARTattack