Briggins 2009 album recommendations (updated Nov 3)

[MrMagpie]

The last few years I have made this thread and it seems to have been successful and enjoyed. It's basically a thread where I talk about some albums of the year that maybe you haven't listened to or heard of. I usually have a Canadian bias, so you're not just going to see U2/Muse/mainstream crap in this thread.

 

Maybe some of these will make it into your final album list like Hey Rosetta! and City and Colour did last year.

 

Timber Timbre

Bruce Peninsula

The Most Serene Republic

Young Galaxy

[MrMagpie]

A band I saw this past week who blew me away right away. Check em out!

 

Who: Bruce Peninsula

Why: They are a big band featuring a chorus of vocals perfectly harmonizing with a sense of beauty and urgency.

What Songs To Check Out:

Steamroller

Crabapples

Shutters

Where: http://www.bruce-peninsula.com/amiam.html

 

Dreamt up by Misha Bower and Matt Cully in the summer of 2006, Bruce Peninsula has slowly mutated, elaborating on the Alan Lomax archives that initially inspired them and taking a new turn every time a new member or instrument is added to the mix. Since their second show, Bruce Peninsula has ballooned out to include a large cast of hoot-and-hollerers. The band mutates often but the last couple of years has seen contributions from Neil Haverty, Andrew Barker, Steve McKay, Leon Taheny, Kari Peddle, Daniela Geshundheit, Katie Stelmanis, Caseey Mecija, Maya Postepski, Isla Craig and Doc Dunn (the latter two no longer perform with BP but are honourary members for life).

 

The instrumental elements have expanded into new terrain (unlike most folk bands, prog isn't a dirty word for this band), but Bruce Peninsula's focus is devoted to the singing, first and foremost. Singing from the gut, singing with gusto, singing the way we were made to sing…

 

The early, simple call-and-responses have given way to more elaborate harmonies and compositions over time, but the teachings of those timeless old recordings from the American south remain in tact. There is no denying the power and conviction of old spiritual singers like Vera Ward Hall or Washington Phillips. And while each member of the band may have their own take on the powers that be, the words those legends sang (and, more importantly, the way they sang them) have forever converted Bruce Peninsula into devotees of the church of song.

 

The surge of experimental music in Toronto has been equally important for Bruce Peninsula, bestowing upon them a wide-eyed, anything-goes mentality. Purists may argue that the blues or folk tradition can't be properly expressed without an old steel string and a slide, but this band has never been too concerned with trying to crack open closed minds.

 

And so, a march of metalophone, lap-steel, zithers, and bells. Of drums and sticks and any other oddities of interesting and pleasing tone. Voices blaring all the while.

 

Bruce Peninsula have spent the last year travelling through churches and slums to make A Mountain Is A Mouth, their forthcoming debut LP. They also dropped a 7" somewhere along the way. Recorded by right-hand man Leon Taheny (ohbijou, Final Fantasy, Germans), these recordings took their shape slowly. Now they stand a a mountain range.

[Space Cadet]

so you're not just going to see U2/Muse/mainstream crap in this thread.

Oi! Who do you think you are calling Muse mainstream crap! :P I have yet to once hear them on C100. :smartass:

 

And still can't stop listening over and over and over... it's a sickness I tell you, a sickness.... :uhoh:

 

On a serious note, glad to see this back again. I've pretty much given up on being really struck by anything new this year at this point. But maybe I'll be surprised.

[Lore]

Muse?

 

bad boy! :whip:

 

I like your music threads anyway :wacky:

[MrMagpie]

 

And still can't stop listening over and over and over... it's a sickness I tell you, a sickness.... :uhoh:

 

 

Sick Muse?

[The Escapist]

Have you heard the debut ablum "Fine Fasination" by Red Light Company? One of the best albums of the year in my opinion.

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

But Muse are sensational.

[deaths_friend]

i dont think briggins was having a go at muse because he has coupled them in with U2, of who he is a big fan.

 

so is this a thread where briggins recommends albums to us? or other way around? or is everything fair game?

[iPsy]

U2 album is DREADFUL!

 

However the Muse album is OUT OF THIS WORLD! :D

[Pseudonym]

U2 album is okay, it's just nowhere near U2's prime. They've plateaued for a while now.

 

Muse's new album is some pretty good music, but it's no different than their previous albums. They need to try some new sounds, because they are getting old fast.

[iPsy]

^ I agree with all of that but you kind of get used to Muse's style! I'd be worried if they changed then they would ruin themselves!

 

I love Editors first two albums but their new one is an absolute mess, they experimented and it went very wrong!

[Pseudonym]

^ I agree with all of that but you kind of get used to Muse's style! I'd be worried if they changed then they would ruin themselves!

All bands need to grow and evolve some. Even if some think it's a disaster, it's natural to the musical process. If you get into a groove and stay in it and never change your style, you'll end up like U2. They are still okay, but the songs haven't really changed style much since their first 5 albums. Edge uses the same old guitar tricks, the rhythm section never seems to break out, and Bono's lyrics have grown thin and cliched. Muse needs to change up a little but. I like them but using the same vocal techniques, distorted basslines, and arena drum sounds is getting old.

[MrMagpie]

i dont think briggins was having a go at muse because he has coupled them in with U2, of who he is a big fan.

 

so is this a thread where briggins recommends albums to us? or other way around? or is everything fair game?

 

*sigh*

This wasn't supposed to be a Muse and U2 debate thread. I was just making the point that I'm not going to talk about albums here that the majority of people have heard.

 

And I can't really enforce rules in a thread :P

 

So I guess anything is fair game.

 

But it would be cool if people stayed on topic and talked about the bands that are posted here instead of going off on wild tangents about U2 and Muse.

 

p.s. You're right, I'm a huge U2 fan :P

[Violet]

Muse's new album is some pretty good music, but it's no different than their previous albums. They need to try some new sounds, because they are getting old fast.

 

I know I'm biased, but I have to vehemently disagree with that statement. I find that each album has its own special qualities that you really can't find anywhere else.

[Pseudonym]

I know I'm biased, but I have to vehemently disagree with that statement. I find that each album has its own special qualities that you really can't find anywhere else.

Of course you are biased as a fan. As a music lover who knows a lot of different music and can hear Muse objectively yet still enjoy them, I can tell you any subtle differences you may know are far too subtle for the ears of a casual fan.

[Violet]

...That totally contradicted what you just said.

 

You say they sound the same, and yet you mention that there are subtle differences. Which do you mean? :confused:

[iPsy]

I agree with Violet but maybe that's because I'm a mad Muse fan! :P

[Pseudonym]

...That totally contradicted what you just said.

 

You say they sound the same, and yet you mention that there are subtle differences. Which do you mean? :confused:

I said they overall sound the same. IF there are any subtle differences, they are too subtle to keep their sound interesting.

[The Escapist]

Have you heard the debut ablum "Fine Fasination" by Red Light Company? One of the best albums of the year in my opinion.

 

.

[MrMagpie]

^I'll check it out.

[MrMagpie]

Who: Timber Timbre

Album: self-titled

Why:Here is another fantastic Canadian album put out by the fantastic label Arts&Crafts (Feist, Broken Social Scene, Stars, etc.)

Timber Timbre is a very haunting artist with spooky yet beautiful songs. Its like the songs are almost too dangerous to be heard by the masses. The first listen to the album may not really strike you as anything special. But I dare you to listen to it a few times, late at night, in the dark, and see what sort of impact it makes on you.

 

Songs to Check Out:

Demon Host

We'll Find Out

No Bold Villian

 

Where: You can download his album FOR FREE! until Halloween. Do it up.

http://www.arts-crafts.ca/timbertimbre/

[MrMagpie]

:P it was bound to happen sooner or later.

[Violet]

I said they overall sound the same. IF there are any subtle differences, they are too subtle to keep their sound interesting.

 

Again, I disagree. However, I don't know if I could ever make my point. As I've said, I'm biased. I'm not gonna lie. I could try to be objective about it, but I don't know if you would really believe that I was trying to portray that in the post, you know?

 

-siiigh-

[noonsun]

I started listening to the Timber Timbre album, I'll let you know what I think of it :wacko:

[MrMagpie]

yaya!

I love it. It may take a few listens. But it is exceptionally awesome.