Without a Yard

Well, 2010 wasn’t the zen escape from the wreckage of 2009 that I’d hoped it would be.

Aside from a much-longer-than-anticipated convalescence period (5+weeks) wherein I had no choice but to explore ‘inner space’ (& all four seasons of Felicity); massive terrifying reconstructive surgery; re-learning how to walk; avoiding the siren song of oxycontin in periods of extreme pain; switching gigs (again); travelling to LA & NYC to work on doc fests; pathetic attempts at surfing (again); speaking at SXSW (bucket list); moving into a beautiful new home; breaking hearts; & solving crimes…I guess it was calm-ish.

One thing that kept me going, as usual, was music. Less live gigs, more oldies/reissues/vinyl & less new album purchases/downloads. Still, it wasn’t easy to whittle down a final ten for 2010. A tip of the hat must be directed at journo extraordinaire Waub (soon to be published author) for starting this tradition over 10 years ago.

Local Lurv – Top Toronto Releases of 2010

• The Strumbellas – S/T EP – Within a 100 mile radius of the Cameron House while these lads work their residency? Go. They’re destined for great twangy things.
• William Del Ray - n/a – Anything Wm releases on Myspace, Bandcamp or burns onto a CD-R.  Mark my words (again): he’s our generation’s Ron Sexsmith.
• Zeus – Say Us - Proud to be a long-time proselytizer. Finally, a full-length that captures all the great tunes they’ve perfected with a relentless touring regime.
• The Sure Things – Two Dollar Bottles – Extra points for having a gracious lap steel player who’s suffered a fool during her couchsurfing days & emo undergrad years.
• Woodhands - Remorsecapade – Nothing will ever be as great as experiencing this band live.  Ideally, they’ll release a concert DVD.  In the meantime, buy this already.
• Shad – TSOL – Top-notch world-class hip-hop from the Old Prince. Even Kanye agrees.
• Ian Kamau - Mixtape Vol. 3 Love and Other Struggles – Blown away by the thoughtful/interesting samples, interview excerpts & sweet lyrics.
• Hands & Teeth – Enjoy Your Lifestyle – Not just another adorable-mixed-gender-high-energy-hipster-bait-brouhaha.  They’ve been building buzz & receiving high-indie-praise for a reason.
• Evening Hymns – Spirit Guides - Released late last year.  Back off, I’m getting too old to stay on top of these things.  So, so hauntingly beautiful, let this ’09 one slip & check it out, please.
• Royal Wood – The Waiting – Slick & far richer than previous releases. Definitely proves that he’s earned his place alongside veteran singer-songwriters/tourmates like David Gray.

Worldwide Lurv – Top 10 LPs of 2010

• Caribou – Swim – Admittedly, I’m a sucker for trippy psychedelic tunes of any origin.  The fact that Dan’s dramatically evolved his sound from Manitoba days into such a unique, identifiable soundscape – & can pull it off on tour no less – makes it much more impressive.
• Spoon – Transference – Y’all know that I left my heart in Austin (among other sundry items). Consistently strong, well-thought-out, interesting records keep this band at the top of my playlist year-round.
• Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt - Just wow.  Dylan reincarnate.  One of many new artists I must thank Paul at Criminal Records for turning me onto.  You should shop there, too.
• Rufus Wainwright – Songs for LuLu – Absolutely hated the performance piece that accompanied this raw album.  But I’ve forgiven Rufus for indulging in his OOTT (operatic-over-the-top) ways.  His simplest record – with piano-only accompaniment of his a gorgeous, stronger-than-ever-voice – will hold its own in his growing discography.
• Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Learned the Hard Way - Anything Daptone Records releases is guaranteed to be warm, soul-stirring R&B.  Anything Sharon sings on is guaranteed to whip your ass into shape.  Ballsy, brassy, bold & badass.  Buy it twice, you’ll be compelled to give it to someone in need of a break-up care package.
• Black Mountain – Wilderness Heart – Again with the trippy psychedelia.  But Black Mountain’s sludgier, trudgier stoner rock is oh, so very different than Caribou.  Makes you want to buy a nasty old van & drive it across the country.
• The Black Keys – Brothers – As far as I can tell, these two can do no wrong.  Even last year’s risky BlakRoc collaboration confab stayed in heavy rotation throughout 2010.  I’m sure it’ll be the same for this gem.
• Robyn – Body Talk 1 (…& 2 & 3) – The official soundtrack of fag hag heaven.
• LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening –  Actually prefer James Murphy’s 10+ lower-key stripped-back tracks on the Greenberg s/t , but full-length-album-wise, this is as close to perfect as electropop gets.

Honourable Mentions - Caracol - L’Arbre aux Parfums (…but it was released in 2008) & Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night

What was your list?  Any glaring omissions?  I preferred older Deerhunter & Yeasayer records to the stuff they put out this year, but that might be general laziness on my part.  Excited to discover some new tracks & get some snarky feedback…