15 things to help get you through until the weekend...

1. The Magnetic Fields - California Girls
2. Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Stand and Deliver
3. The Replacements - Buck Hill
4. Liars - Plaster Casts of Everything
5. Beastie Boys - Sabotage
6. Bruce Peninsula - Crabapples
7. Chad VanGaalen - Bare Feet on Wet Griptape
8. Constantines - Easy Money
9. Nirvana - Aneurysm
10. Husker Du - New Day Rising
11. Fugazi - Life and Limb
12. Smothered in Hugs - Money Came Through
13. Sebadoh - Gimme Indie Rock
14. Sonic Youth - Androgynous Mind
15. Mudhoney - Overblown

"California Girls"


"Plaster Casts...."


"Life and Limb"

"Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west..."

happy friday. dance and sing.

Soft Airplane

WHAT is wrong with me that I put off listening to Chad VanGaalen's Soft Airplane until recently? I ignored everyone having listed it on their top 2008 albums lists, I ignored it when Glen (who sits not far from my office door) played it during the day, I ignored it for way too long and I deserve every i-told-you-so and kick in the butt you wish to dish out. I liked other Chad VanGaalen stuff, but I do believe that I love this. Don't make the same mistake I did... if you like brilliant indie pop, this is for you. Although I do recommend you listen to it as an album, and not download random songs. It's worth the .99 per track to have the entire thing.

Snow Storm

it's storming out. like, snowing sideways type o' deal... let's sing it off:

Stevie Wonder drum solo

i stole this from Jeremy (of boxer the horse)'s facebook. holy crap.

Podcast: Is This Thing On : Sunday

These songs are great. the podcast as a whole could be better. but i went out last night and don't overly feel like playing the perfectionist today... enjoy.

1) Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero / No Limit
2) Neil Young - Winterlong
3) Nina Simone - Aint Got No / I Got Life
4) The Faces - Flying
5) Elvis Costello - Lip Service
6) The Band - The Weight (last waltz version)
7) Koko Taylor feat. Willie Dixon - Insane Asylum
8) Candi Staton - That's How Strong My Love Is
9) Ray Charles - Lonely Avenue
10) Velvet Underground - Rock n Roll
11) David Bowie - Moonage Daydream

"The reactor's down. I guess for Labour Day..."

There's a new Hip song, "Morning Moon" on their website from the upcoming album (due out in April). It sounds like it might be a mellower effort this time.

I can't even begin to put how I feel for Gord Downie into words. I've met him twice and both times I made an ass out of myself. I dont tend to get starstruck, but I felt like a deer in the damn headlights. The first time we talked about our jackets. The second, Mike O'Neil. But that's ok. If you can't be weird around Gord Downie, who can you be weird around?

"Grace Too" (SNL)

Listen All Y'all...

Appreciation Post: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust...

I just played this really loudly while trying to sort through some stuff here at work. The office didn't seem to mind. SO SO SO good.

Now, you go play it loud too. you deserve it. so do the people around you. and DON'T give me any of that "i'm not really a bowie fan" stuff. that means you just dont know any better... this record is worth setting all of that crap aside. trust.

"Five Years" Live

"Is This Thing On" feat. Dan Griffin (Or "JB & DG got a case of the Mondays")

It's been almost an entire YEAR since my last podcast. A year!? How that happened, I just dont know. However, I had the pleasure of collaborating on the first episode of Is This Thing On 2009 with my buddy Dan Griffin. Dan came into my office yesterday morning only a short time after waking up and I was in my office working away / fighting to stay focused as I was out much too late (yes, on a sunday, but it was worth it), and I was exhausted. A great way to start a monday for both of us. However, putting this little episode together over lunch was a nice addition to the otherwise not very awesome day. So, I'd like to thank Dan for chosing the artists and most of the songs, and for taking care of the introduction (again, we're sorry for the mic sound)...

As stated, the theme of this podcast is 'Monday'. ..From waking up on Monday morning to going to sleep on Monday night. We hope you enjoy it.

- JB&DG

1) Yo La Tengo - Little Eyes
2) Nick Rose - Light At Dawn*
3) Bon Iver - Beach Baby
4) Magnolia Electric co. - Hard To Love A Man
5) The Replacements - Can't Hardly Wait (Acoustic outtake)+
6) Arkells - I'm Not The Sun**
7) Paul Westerberg - Dirty Diesel+
8) Loose Fur - Answers to your Questions+
9) Fleet Foxes - Quiet Houses
10)Constantines - St. You


*A big thank you to Nick Rose for sending me "light at dawn" for this podcast. To all of you in Toronto on Jan. 30th, head down to the Riv for his cd release show w/ guest...Dan Griffin :)
**Dan plays in Arkells. See these guys live. so great.
+Really love Paul Westerberg. And Jim O'Rourke.

THIS Sunday - Dan Griffin & Ryan Cook solo show

Dan Griffin is in town playing with Arkells at The Marquee with Matty Mays, and while he's here, he'll also be performing a solo show at The Carlton on Argyle st. 9 pm sharp, with Ryan Cook. What a great way to end the weekend. I definitely told you all about Danny G, already. you know this is special...

Dan live solo - "She's A Drug":


And the wonderful Ryan Cook, covering Hank Williams' "Ramblin Man":

Luke Temple - Daytrotter Session

"...is that a weight, my dear?"

What a lovely lazy Sunday find. I currently have "Thankful Survivor" on repeat. Listen or download here.

Bonus:

The catchy song - aired on Grey's Anatomy and in the short film Fortune Hunters (which I just watched - rent it on itunes). This is some type of fan made video: "Make Right With You"

LIVE: "Medicine"

Appreciation Post: Bruce Peninsula

Matt Charlton sent me a message that said "hey JB, have you heard Bruce Peninsula? i think you'd really like it". God love Matt. I DO really like it. It's quickly become my winter record. If you like gospel-folk-indie-rock-choral stuff or something that sounds like fleet foxes meets tom waits with a little bit of wooden stars thrown in on "Steamroller"( I know that's a lot to take in...), then you should like it too. I'm not usually that great at giving the perfect description, but I am pretty good at recommending stuff that i like. and i like this. more and more with each listen, actually.

Let's put it this way: I walked to work this morning bundled up as if i lived in Alaska in the Winter. it was -20 or something with the windchill. Now, I HATE, nay, DESPISE the cold. So for the walk, I knew I had to choose an album on my ipod that i'd not feel the need to change half way through my trek (because the thought of taking off my mitts was terrifying), so I chose A Mountain is a Mouth. 2 minutes and 55 seconds in to the first song, "inside outside", I was walking gleefully along as if it was +20 degrees. When I arrived at my desk, my feet were frozen... but my ears were pleased.

LISTEN

Top 8 of 2008

Alrighty. It's the end of the year, so if I want to call myself a 'blogger', it's about time I submit the obligatory best albums of the year list. As I sit down to write this, I have NO idea what is about to pour out. I don't think I've listened to THAT many new releases this year. I meant to, but didn't really get around to it. For instance I still haven't listened to the new Mogwai record. Which is ridiculous. So, I'm not sure how exactly I will work this out....

While I'm thinking, I shall distract myself from the task for a little while longer and give you various other 2008 JB favourites lists to look over....

Best 8 Shows, 2008
1 - Leonard Cohen. May. Rebecca Cohn, Halifax (1st night). Best show of the year. and tied for my very favourite show ever. A-MAZING
2 - Neil Young. November. Metro Centre, Halifax. Wilco opened. prettay pretttayyy good. nay, great.
3 - Wintersleep. January. Phoenix, Toronto. Technically, they walked off stage at midnight Feb 1st, which made it Tim's birthday also. I've seen many a Wintersleep show, but they KILLED it this night like i'd never seen before. Runner up Wintersleep show(s): February. Cyclone, Tokyo.
4 - Daniel Lanois. October. Marquee, Halifax.
5 - Boxer The Horse. June. Baba's, Charlottetown. My first time seeing Boxer. I walked in hoping and praying that they were as good as I hoped they'd be. They were better.
6 - The Sadies. May. Marquee, Halifax. Ah, The Sadies. Just so good.
7 - Steve Poltz. July. The Carlton, Halifax. I wasn't even going to go to this night #3 of 3 show, but am I ever glad I did. this dude knows how to entertain. Go for the tunes, stay for the insane stories. including the one that goes with this: http://www.poltz.com/blognews/stevejewel23.jpg
8 - Inbreds. October. Marquee, Halifax. Inbreds. live.

There are a bunch of other good ones... Runners up include Black Keys at Summersonic, MMET at the q104 show and NG Jubilee, Boxer's first Seahorse show, Ryan Cook at NSMW, Hayden at the Metro Centre, David Myles CD release in the casino ballroom, Bloodsport and the Lodge on some wharf in the country, um... oh yeah, and Bob Dylan at the Metro Centre. i didn't really love that show, but I do love Dylan.

Best Trip of 2008.
Most definitely Japan.
"What are you going to do tonight?" "go to karaoke with you..."



Runner up: Junos in Calgary. Just because I liked being there to see the boys win. I jumped up and yelled with arms raised high in the air if I remember correctly. Then came lots of champaign and beer.

Favourite Songs of 2008.
These weren't all necessarily released this year, but they are likely the ones I've listened to the most this year. Or rather, 8 of the ones I've listened to the most this year.

1- Fleet Foxes - Mykonos. From the Sun Giant EP. So very good. see #12 on their myspace
2- Boxer The Horse - Rock n' Roll Band. Smart. catchy. cute. Just like the band. AND it's my ringtone. hear it on sonicbids.
3- The Replacements - Alex Chilton. Honestly, I've been on a HUGE Replacements kick in the past 6 months or so. I have all 8 albums on my ipod (or HAD.. now they are just on my iTunes as i managed to lose my ipod), and listen to 7 of them all of the time. I chose "Alex Chilton" here, but I could have also listed "Seen Your Video", "If Only You Were Lonely", "Buck Hill", "You Lose", "Can't Hardly Wait", "Anywhere's Better Than Here"... you get it. Love the 'Mats. everyone should listen to them WAY more.
4- MGMT - Electric Feel. My summer dance party song.
5-Neil Young - White Line. From Ragged Glory. An oldie but a real goodie.
6-Beyonce - Single Ladies. I became a little obessed with this song. I don't know how it happened, but I don't think I'm really over it yet.
7- Snailhouse - Salvation Army. mmmmm.
8- L'il Wayne - Got Money. I only just started listening to this two days ago. but i like it. i like it a lot.

Others: Black Mountain's "Stormy High", Mays' "Stand and Deliver" (it do), "Oh My Darling" by Basia Bulat, Superfriendz' "Come Clean", "Sometimes" by Lanois...

Best 8 Albums of 2008
1- Boxer The Horse - The Late Show EP (Like you didn't know I was going to say that...)
2- Snailhouse - Lies On The Prize (Love. love love)
3- Contrived - ___,___,___. (Contrived!)
**the other 5 in no particular order**
- The Roots - Rising Down
- Black Mountain - In The Future
- The Streets - Everything is Borrowed
- Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (Mostly because i don't want to be the only blogger not picking this as a top record of the year. Just kidding. sort of. "White Winter Hymnal" makes it worth it.)
- Smothered In Hugs - The Healing Power of Injury

Others: Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Terminal Romance, Hayden - In Field & In Town, Lay Low - Farewell Good Night's Sleep (mellow and pretty), Portishead's Third...

Right on. Done. Happy Holidays!
JB

The Archives, Vol. 1

I wannit.

"Enough about us, let's talk about me..."

For the Lemonheads fans in the house... It's About Time:


And now for something completely different (for all the single ladies):

Monday, Nov. 24th

Bonus: Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives (top of the pops)



Happy Monday...

Tell Me About Her

Image: Anne-Marie Proulx

"Images call to memory and imagination. Everyone will make a different interpretation, will imagine a different story. Tell me about her"

Artist Anne-Marie Proulx has an exhibition coming up in Montreal. Her artwork, drawings of women in various scenes and situations, will be accompanied by printed captions submitted (anonymously) by YOU. Check out her website, browse through the images by clicking on them, and if one strikes you, stop and input your thoughts about the woman or women you see. I submitted a few and found it to be a really fun project. Participate!

Image: Anne-Marie Proulx

Metaform

I just got an email from this guy. Sometimes I will admit that I am leery of checking out random artist sites that have been sent to my inbox, but the email was convincing and the back story was good, so I went to http://www.metaformonline.com/ and found the perfect mix of ambient / electro / hip hop tunes that I was craving on this dark rainy friday afternoon. they're fun but not too over the top. And not too much of one thing. But a lot of good things. "Sunday" has taken the lead as my favourite track. I recommend the click.

BONUS VID - Metaform Live in Japan:

Arkells Can Perform While Driving...

The Arkells = a band from Ontario. they are out on the road with Matt Mays & El Torpedo for MMETs cross country CD release tour. Dan Griffin is in the Arkells band. You KNOW how much i love Dan Griffin, right? well, i now love this video just as much. If you need something to make you smile, this is it: