All about variety

Music recommendations!

I've always wanted to do this, since I am pretty well-known to my inner circle for having a very 'diverse' but passionate interest in music; I've decided to compile a list of the must-haves (for everyone who has a sense of appreciation for music of all genres)


Albums
#1 is
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns
What an amazing band, and my favourite album of all time. Takes you through a journey along the Alberta highways, badlands and mountains. Makes me miss a place I've never even been to. I primarily enjoy it during the winter months, listening to it during snowsqualls. I am going to see them live February 4th: review to follow. I expect great things from them.

#2 goes to
Joel Plaskett and the Emergency - Ashtray Rock
Another unbelievable album. So great from start to finish. I love it when I can listen to an album in its entirety. Joel Plaskett is a master of the emotional wail; his voice triggers in me a overly-sentimental kind of nostalgia. Incredible to jam out or reminisce to. Well rounded album.

#3 is
Explosions in the Sky - All of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
Goodness. This album blows my mind every time I give it a listen. You lose time listening to Explosions; I often row to their music, as it gives a beautiful background with peaks and valleys to help me give'r. Dubbed instrumental post-rock, the band puts post-rock to shame. It's beyond post rock, more like post-post rock. Incredible Album: would kill to see them live.

#4 belongs to
Dario Marianelli - Pride and Prejudice OST
I am not usually a fan of soundtracks. I find them irritating or that you cannot listen to them without the background noise of the movie. Dario Marianelli is an artist of the craft: this soundtrack takes you through the movie in 17 songs, varying in strength and serenity. You can feel the emotion of characters and of the historical period through the piano, as well as the excellent clarinet and string solos. Amazing. Simply amazing.

#5 rests with
Ingrid Michaelson - Slow the Rain
An unlikely winner, the 5 spot on the list goes to Ingrid Michaelson of Girls and Boys fame. This album, probably unknown to a lot of people is simply by far her best and this is why it's on my list. It's incredibly good. OUTSTANDING lyrics and melodies. Great to sing along with or get upset with. I have loads of memories now tied to these songs. Short album but all around outstanding.

#6
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire
A beautiful album from one of my favourite Canadian artists. Stars shine with the album as well as the remixed Do You Trust Your Friends? version. Your Ex-Lover is Dead is probably one of my most beloved songs of all time. Nearly all of Stars' songs are conversations between Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan: love stories and conquests played out for us with synth and peppy tunes. Excellent starter album if you're looking to delve into Stars.

#7
Deftones - Around the Fur
Absolutely love this album. So many great songs, so many killer beats. Around the fur tickles the inner egoist and nymphomaniac you've probably got hidden in there. Deftones' Chino Moreno has the best moaning scream I can easily say I've ever heard. His voice accommodated with Stephen Carpenter's incredible guitar talents produces album and song after song of pure heavy pleasure. Definitely great stuff to get angry to.

#8 is
Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds
Owen Pallett is a God with a violin. Excellent melodies, dissonances and overall beautiful sound. The album is well-rounded but has a few songs that I wouldn't care for if they were singles; overall however the album is great. I usually play it while cooking, it's hard to get mad or frustrated when you have got these beautiful, cheerful, and sometimes satirical lyrics playing in the background.

#9
Owen - At Home With Owen
Coming close to the top 10, Owen makes it in simply because I love the style of this album. Simple, short, and well done. Lyrics are clever and ambiguous, and the guitar technique is sensational. Love to listen to this over and over, I think you will too.

#10
In Flight Safety - We are an Empire, My Dear
In Flight Safety: another amazing Canadian band. Certainly a unique sound which I adore; terrific vocals and melodies which lift even my groggiest of moods. I adore Paperthin and Paperthin II. Ridiculously awesome these guys are: I've been cranking this album for a couple of years now and it has yet to get old. Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean. Something to get addicted to every week.


Now of course, who would I be without the honorable mention section-- If the band is listed below it means it's freaking awesome, but not as awesome as the 10 above. You may like these below more than the above, and that's okay. They're all amazing artists. Shout out to the Canadians: Broken Social Scene, Great Lake Swimmers, Lights, Mother Mother, and Wintersleep

The Honourable Mentions!!

Broken Social Scene - Lo-Fi For The Dividing Lights
Bruno Mars - Doo Wops and Hooligans
Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer
Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
The Cure - Disintegration
The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
Lights - The Listening
Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling
Mother Mother - Oh My Heart
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Ratatat - Classics
Sigur Ros - ()
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Wintersleep - Untitled
Warsaw Village Band - Spring People