Basia Bulat's sophomore album was released this week, Heart Of My Own. I missed Basia last time she was in Halifax, but am looking forward to see her someday!
Check out Go On recorded live at CBC and read Herohill's review of Heart Of My Own and download Go On here
Check out the video below for Marina and the Diamonds latest single Hollywood. The single, along with remixes will be released Feb 2nd. Marina's debut album, Family Jewels will be released Feb 23th (a bit disappointing because it was supposed to be released next week!) You can listen to 30 sec clips of Family Jewels on the UK iTunes
You can watch the Gonzales reworking of Hollywood here and download the mp3 here.
Here are a few of my favourite non-remixed songs that came out in 2009. They aren't all singles, and I'm sure I should be doing albums, but I guess this is going to be the way it is! I won't be able to explain anything and I'll use the word favourite far too many times. Let's let the music do the talking :)
In no particular order :
Fever Ray - Coconut
This is the last track on Fever Ray's Self titled album. I love every song but this one just closes it SO beautifully. While I said no particular order, I would have to say this song hit me harder than any other song this year!
Dragonette - Liar
A lot of great songs will get missed on this list but there is no way I could miss this one! First time I heard this song from their Fixin To Thrill album, I was in awe :) It ended up being my most played song of 2009 and the album was only released the end of September.
Miike Snow - Silvia
I didn't get into Miike Snow when everyone was loving them. A music friend with great taste had me listen to it just two weeks ago. I listened to Silvia over and over. Great album. Other highlights from their Self titled album are Burial, Cult Logic and In Search Of.
Passion Pit - Moth's Wings
Great song from Passion Pit's Manners album.
Florence + The Machine - Any song from Lungs
Wow.. it's hard to pick a song from Lungs. Since it came out in early July, I've had a new favourite every week. While Swimming and Bird Song hold a special place in my heart, let's go with Drumming Song. Out of her videos, Drumming Song is my fave. I love her cute dancing! Florence has a big love for Beyonce and I can always tell in her moves! She does a sweet dance rendition of Single Ladies - youtube it!
Bat For Lashes - Daniel
Two Suns came out in early 2009. Great album! It was hard to pick between Pearl's Dream and Daniel. I really really like Natasha Khan. Love watching her interviews.
This one could be a little questionable. Not for the song, but for the year... 2009 or 2010?! Marina released the video the end of Novemeber and the mp3 is available on some blogs, but won't be available to buy until February 1st. The album, The Family Jewel's to be released later that month. Sounds like I may have messed up, but whatever. I enjoyed this song in 2009 so I'm going for it! What do you think? 2009 or 2010?! I love the video as well. Marina has a great sense of humour. Check out her blog at http://marinaandthediamonds.com/ for her great posts!
Jack Peñate - Pull My Heart Away
I love this! I also love Tonight's Today and Be The One from his Everything Is New album almost as much, but I could only pick one!
Kasabian - Fire
This one from their album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, is such a fun late night driving song!
Regina Spektor - Dance Anthem of the 80's
Oh, I did not love this song at first but when I started coming around to it, it totally grabbed a hold of me! Gotta love the slow-growers. Other notables from her album Far would be The Calculation and Folding Chair.
Last but NOT least
Chauffeaur - Soles Of Fire
This was originally a Top 10 list but when I went through it I realized I missed one that just couldn't be missed! Chauffeur is Mark Ronson, Theophilus London, Sam Sparro. I still can't believe this song didn't totally blow up. I think it's unreal!
And gotta love Theophilus London's Humdrum Town :)
Some honourary album mentions would have to go to Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees - S/T, Metric - Fantasies, White Lies - To Lose My Life, Royksopp - Junior, Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and Jenny Wilson - Hardships!
In the end I can see I am not meant to do Top 10 Lists, or lists of any kind! I wanted to do a Top 10 Remixes of 2009, but there is no way I can get it below 30 songs!
A new Fever Ray video - always great news! Check out the video for Keep The Streets Empty For Me. Fever Ray are re releasing their album. It'll include a DVD with their music videos and a live album, Live At Lulea (a must buy!)
My music life since April has been so unbelievable rich. I think I've only encountered two music ruts and they have been pretty short. I must thank all the fantastic music blogs, my blip and twitter people and hypem when I'm feeling a bit lazy! And of course it goes without saying - The Musicians!! Much love :)
Here are a list of songs that have been rocking my world - ENJOY!
Chauffeur - Soles on Fire
Even if you're not a fan of rap - how is this not the best thing you've ever heard?! This super group consists of Mark Ronson, Theophilus London, Sam Sparro. You can download this track here. My fingers are crossed that this wasn't a one-time thing. I need more, we all need more!
Florence + The Machine - Flakes (Mystery Jets Cover)
Oh I love a good cover. I'm lucky one of my favourites, Florence + The Machine, provides them! You can download here.
La Roux - Farewell To The Fairground (White Lies Cover)
Another great cover done at BBC Radio 1. Unfortunately it wasn't on the newest Radio 1's Live Lounges album. Luckily we can all get our hands on it here.
Elsiane - Ecclesia
Wow wow wow.. if you like chillout music, their 2007 album Hybrid is a MUST. It was hard picking out what song to post as they are all fantastic. I heard talk of them being back in the studio. Can't wait to hear what's next from this duo out of Montreal. Check out Elsiane on their Myspace and download Mend (To Fix, To Repair)(track #2 on Hybrid) here.
... I could spend the next 5 hours posting more, but life calls!
Went to Montreal this past weekend and caught three shows. Each one so amazing. Other than wishing they went on for weeks at a time, no complaints! I now plan on attending Pop Montreal annually!
Dragonette - Pick Up The Phone Fantastic song! Make sure to do a hypem search on them to get the remixes - fantastic! Liar is my favourite as of right now!
Next we have the phenomenal Fever Ray. Here is the video for Seven. Another song with some good remixes. My personal fave is the CSS remix.
And last but certainly NOT least, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees. While there are no music videos, take a listen to Danse Danse Resolution. RBATTB debut album is fabulous. They also put on a live show like you wouldn't believe.
If I was rich I'd buy everyone tickets to all those shows... but I'm not :)
Oh.. I cannot stop watching this! New video from Florence & The Machine. I enjoy it much more than her past videos! The Drumming Song single is out Sept 7th and hopefully the 8th for the rest of us!
Jenny Wilson just released an EP for Like A Fading Rainbow. This was such a pleasant surprise because I had no idea there would be more remixes other then the OK Franklin remix, which gets me through cardio at the gym with no problem!
Here is Jenny Wilson's video for Like A Fading Rainbow (Van Rivers Rock Remix). This is my favourite out of the 3 remixes on the EP. You can listen to the remixes on Jenny's myspace page.
Oh, love this video! Love the blue hat! I would love to meet Jenny Wilson, she seems so interesting! Hardships! is a fantastic album! Highlights are String of Grass, Anchor Made of Gold, The Wooden Chair, Like a Fading Rainbow... the list goes on :)