Highway to the Danger Zone

[...]
It is stuck in my head and now it will be stuck in yours.

[hunk]

TOP 100 ALBUMS OF THE DECADE (woh)

I’ve loved the 2000s. I’ve loved the music, I’ve loved the fashion, I’ve loved witnessing the impact of our move to digital everything. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of rehashing of styles and sounds, but there was a lot of “making it new” à la Ezra Pound -- taking old classics and molding them to be relevant, fresh, sometimes lame, other times awesome, always intriguing. I’ll save my favourite trends, films and moments of the decade for a another blog, though. For now, it's music.

The thing with Top 10 (20, 100) lists is that they're never truly comprehensive. Particularly when you're trying to sum up the best of a whole decade. Where do you start? Fundamentally, the picks will always be subjective because musical tastes are a very personal thing. So for this list, I decided against simply putting what I thought were the most revolutionary and influential albums of the 2000s and chose, instead, ones that were memorable and landmark for me. Self-indulgent? Maybe. But isn’t that the best part of being a college radio DJ?

Note: sometimes I just couldn’t choose between two albums from the same band so I just put both down. F*ck that.

Note2: this started off as a Top 20 list. Oops.


Top 100 Albums of the Decade

1. Zero 7 – Simple Things
2. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mother
3. Beck – The Information // Modern Guilt
4. Radiohead – Kid A
5. TV On The Radio – Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
6. The Strokes – Is This It
7. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
8. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
9. Boards of Canada – Geogaddi // Campfire Headphase
10. Death From Above 1979 – You’re A Woman
    
    And in no particular order…
11. The White Stripes – Elephant / White Blood Cells
12. The Shins – Oh, Inverted World
13. The Dandy Warhols – Welcome to the Monkey House // Thirteen Tales of Urban Bohemia
14. Handsome Furs – Plague Park
15. Air – Talkie Walkie
16. Mindless Self Indulgence – Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy
17. Groove Armada – Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)
18. Ladytron – 604
19. Justice – Cross
20. Swan Lake – Beast Moans
21. Metric – Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
22. Sunset Rubdown – Shut Up I Am Dreaming
23. The Killers – Hot Fuss
24. Mount Sims – Wild Light
25. The Postal Service – Give Up
26. Daft Punk – Discovery
27. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever to Tell
28. Thievery Corporation – Cosmic Game
29. The Kills – Midnight Boom
30. Autolux – Future Perfect
31. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar
32. Vitamins For You – I’m Sorry for Ever and for Always
33. Sinewave – Unity Gain
34. MSTRKRFT – The Looks
35. Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
36. Caribou – Andorra
37. The Rapture – Echoes
38. Black Lips – Good Bad Not Evil
39. M.I.A. – Kala
40. Does It Offend You, Yeah? – You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into
41. Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
42. Jackson and His Computer Band – Smash
43. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block
44. Sam Roberts – We Were Born in a Flame
45. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
46. Wintersleep – Untitled
47. Destroyer – This Night
48. Digitalism – Idealism
49. Edit – Crying Over Pros for No Reason
50. Feist – The Reminder
51. Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Like Bad News
52. Le Tigre – This Island
53. The Go! Team – Thunder, Lightning, Strike
54. Grizzly Bear – Yellow House
55. Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther [Bonus CD]
56. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
57. The Horrors – Primary Colours
58. M83 – Saturdays = Youth
59. Bellavista – Bellavista
60. Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene
61. The Blood Brothers – Crimes
62. The Black Keys – Thickfreakness
63. The Chemical Brothers – We Are the Night
64. The Von Bondies – Pawn Shoppe Heart
65. Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights
66. Hexes and Ohs – Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover
67. John and Jehn – Amour Ne Nous Dechirera Pas
68. You Say Party! WE Say Die! – Hit the Floor!
69. Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
70. I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness – Fear is on Our Side
71. All India Radio – Permanent Evolutions
72. Dungen – Ta Det Lugnt
73. Coldplay – Parachutes
74. Giant Drag – Hearts & Unicorns
75. Goldfrapp – Black Cherry
76. The Hives – Tyrannosaurus Hives
77. Beef Terminal – Anger Do Not Enter
78. Ulrich Schnauss – Far Away Trains Passing By
79. Eagles of Death Metal – Death By Sexy
80. Frog Eyes – The Folded Palm
81. Vinyl Republik Compilation – Fear of a Digital Planet
82. Peaches – Teaches of Peaches
83. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
84. Wolfmother – Wolfmother
85. Madonna – Confessions on a Dance Floor
86. We Are Wolves – Total Magique
87. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
88. Tokyo Police Club – A Lesson in Crime
89. The Knife – Deep Cuts
90. T. Raumschmiere – Radio Blackout
91. Supergrass – Life on Other Planets
92. Miles Tilmann – Xenon EP
93. The Presets – Beams
94. Calvin Harris – I Created Disco
95. Alphawezen – L’après midi d’un microphone
96. The Organ – Grab That Gun
97. Nouvelle Vague – Bande a Part
98. Nathan Fake – Drowning in a Sea of Love
99. Hot Chip – Rarities and Remixes
    I’ll finish off with one of my favourite songs of the decade: Louis XIV – “Finding Out True Love is Blind”
    

AND a huge thanks to somafm.com’s “Groove Salad,” last.fm and CJLO Radio for getting me through many a late-night paper session, to all the cool people I’ve shared music and musical moments with over the years (you know who you are), to iPod playlists, to CMJ marathon, Pop Montreal, Mutek, Piknic Electronik, RESFEST and the dozens of great festivals, shows and venues (RIP Spectrum), to Montreal artists period, and finally, to the blessed Internets, with your discographies, lyrics, band info, set lists, Myspaces, Facebooks, Wikis, Youtube vids [making a music videophile not ever have to videotape another music clip (15 tapes of videos is enough, right?)], and just your, like, everything.

BIRTHDAY FAIL

Deciding to forgo any sort of birthday celebration this year seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, on a Friday night with one hour left of birthday time, I realize I may have miscalculated things.

HELLO 29!


This message was brought to you by PMS. Because whining never felt so good.

This Just In

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I am still alive. Apparently.
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TOP ALBUMS AND SHOWS OF 2008

MOST-LISTENED-TO ALBUMS

1. At Mount Zoomer – Wolf Parade
Yes, it’s true. I have a serious hard-on for Wolf Parade. If you ask me about musical faves, I’ll inevitably blather on about Spencer and Dan or, by extension, Sunset Rubdown, Handsome Furs or Swan Lake, even. My love for the band, however, is not unfounded; I think they write fantastic shit -– both lyrically and musically –- and the uniqueness of the two lead vocals solidifies the fact. Apologies to the Queen Mary was, and still is for me, a close-to-perfect album –- one that grabs you with its catchy hooks, and lingers with its lyrical dexterity. So much so that three years later, it’s still on my heavy rotation list. You could imagine, then, how much I was anticipating their sophomore record -– especially after seeing what the two leads were doing with their side projects. Admittedly, At Mount Zoomer didn’t really stick right away -– it took several listens for me to warm up to it. But when I did, *sigh,* I really did. Unlike Apologies’ quick catchiness, ... Zoomer beckons us slowly, almost subtly at first, and has more of an experimental and epic feel to it, revealing that Dan and Spencer have interpolated their side-project musings into Wolf Parade. This is not a bad thing. The tracks maintain an air of unpredictability, many of which build up to gloriously satisfying climaxes (“California Dreamer” “Kissing the Beehive,”). Songs like “Language City,” however, keep up the spirit of the band’s generational-anthem sing-alongs that made their debut so yummy. Oh, and their use of keyboards totally kicks ass. Don’t believe me? Check out “Animal In Your Care” and “The Great Estates.” What else can I say about this album except that it makes me cry happy tears?

2. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
I debated putting this album on my list at all, never mind making it my number two. The controversy surrounding the band gives me a headache, but, unfortunately, they managed to sample their way into my heart. Their use of excerpts from the likes of Death From Above and Van She, and their collaboration with Health yielded some of my most listened-to songs of 2008 (“Untrust Us,” “Vanished” and “Crimewave”). And while at times this album sounds like a schizophrenic Atari console, it finds balance with more mellow and highly listenable tracks. Like it or not, these kids have upped the ante on late 2000’s electronic music, and will have, no doubt, a slew of both copycats and followers.

3. Midnight Boom – The Kills
How do you perfect the lo-fi bluesy goodness of No Wow? You release Midnight Boom, evidently. With hints of Blondie and Peaches, this album has more of a dance spin to it but never abandons the raw feel that the band is known for. Overall, a refreshing and sexy rock release. Oh, and do me a favour and see The Kills live, too.

4. You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into – Does It Offend You, Yeah?
“We Are Rockstars” was swimming around the scene for years without a home, so it was fine time these guys released an album. While You Have Know Idea… consciously combines all that is trendy in dance-punk today, it does it well enough to create a fun, energized album. Sebastian Grainger’s vocal appearance is also *very* welcomed.

5. Welcome To The Third World – The Dandy Warhols
Courtney Taylor-Taylor and his crew continue to what they do best -– self-consciously, and successfully, allude to different rock eras. I still enjoy.

6. We Are The Night – The Chemical Brothers
The Brothers still manage to work it out. A fantastic record to drive to.

7. Dear Science – TV On The Radio
In my opinion, Dan Sitek, Tunde Adempipe and co. can do no wrong. Wait, I lie. Return to Cookie Mountain was a slight downer for me, simply because parts of it felt like a rehash of some of Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes’ finer moments. Dear Science, however, is a step in an exciting direction, and the follow-up album I had been hoping for.

8. Heavenly Bender – Sam Champion
Maybe I have a little soft spot for Sam Champion because they were the first band I ever interviewed (and they were so damn nice!) Regardless, Heavenly Bender houses some wonderfully nostalgic garage tracks.

9. Saturdays = Youth – M83
A valentine to children of the 80’s everywhere.

10. A Heart Full of Sorrow – Yussuf Jerusalem
I have Mike to thank for introducing me to this gem of an album. I’m really not sure how to describe the sound, other than awesomeness, and maybe lo-fi 60’s garage. Not interested? You will be, after you’ve checked him out. No, seriously, check him out. I demand it.

Forgotten Mentions (how could I?):
Modern Guilt - Beck
Trouble In Dreams - Destroyer

Honourable Mentions:
Attack & Release – The Black Keys
?Como Te Llama? - Albert Hammond Jr.
In Ghost Colors - Cut//Copy
Dystopia - Midnight Juggernauts

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MOST AMAZING SHOWS

There is too much to be said about all these concert experiences, so I will save their elaboration for my blog. All you need to know about them is…THEY GAVE ME ONE. (100 points for identifying obscure quote.)

1. Wolf Parade @ Metropolis
I didn’t think I could love Wolf Parade any more. I love them even more.

2. Caribou @ La Tulipe
One of the best shows I’ve seen. Ever.

3. The Kills @ Le Studio Juste Pour Rire
Hot chemistry + hot music = hot concert

4. Radiohead @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
Do I really need to explain? Didn’t think so.

5. Beck @ Theatre St-Denis
Proof that Beck still has it and will always have it.

6. Destroyer @ Lambi
Dan Bejar is really not as pretentious as you may think! He's awesome, actually.

Happy Thanksfusion

It's no secret that I love food/cooking/baking/mixology. The whole deal. Those who know me well enough, know of my slight [sic] addiction the Food Network, my mounds of cooking mags/books, my love of hosting dinner parties and my desire to learn about the origin, science and cultural impact of food (for those of you who share that interest, or have any curiosity about the chemistry/history of gastronomy, I really recommend picking up Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. A food-lover's dream.) If it was up to me, I'd spend all day in the kitchen (ideally, one of those cool, top-of-the-line ones with gas ranges and stainless steel everything), preparing meals for the people I love (luckily for you, I love many). Much to the chagrin of the flames of my teenage feminism, I am a domestic soul at heart.

I get especially excited about trying different ethnic cuisines (are we still allowed to say "ethnic"? Do I care?) Montreal has its pick of worldly restaurants, but my philosophy has always been, if you can make it at home, why not? And, thanks to the Internet, you'll find shit* that you would have never tried before, wowing yourself and everyone else in the process.

All this to say that this year's Thanksgiving was a fun one. Yes, I had the huge Turkey-with-the-works meal that my Mom and Nonna make so well, but Raeanne (my radio and Jean-Talon Market partner) and I decided to fuck with tradition and make Indian on Saturday. We're both obsessed with naan and have the hots for Ramasutra (ok, maybe that's just me, but come on, he's hot), and our recent visits to two of my favourite Indian restos, Mysore and Bombay Choupati, just fueled our fire.

One of the most amazing dishes I've ever had, and continue to enjoy, is Bombay Choupati's Chole Chaat. It's a potato/chick pea/tamarind/yogurt/coriander food thing that is as close to a food orgasm as it can get. I can't really describe it; you'd have to try it for yourself (I've tried it at several different places, but none compare to Bombay's version).

Chole Chaat [from Bombay Choupati]

This dish, for the time being, was off the agenda (I didn't want to mess with it just yet); instead, I decided to attempt tarka dal, my other stomach pleaser (for this, Mysore tops the list) and homemade chapatis. Rae was going to try to recreate a potato-spinach curry plate she had (also at Mysore). After a day of shopping at J-T Market and finding out what the hell asafoetida was, we finished the meal.

The result? Success! Not only did Rae and I discover just how kitchen compatible we were (should we ever decide to bat for the other team, we're getting married), but the food was damn tasty. My tarka dal, while not as layered as Mysore's version, was still yummy. Rae's on-the-fly potato curry dish rocked (it was brought to new heights by an improvised addition of pineapple curry sauce she purchased in Amsterdam). The chapatis were a bit of a FAIL, though Rae and her fiance, Denis, were too nice to say otherwise. For some reason, they didn't puff up...I blame the wok I made them in completely. And myself, for losing the war on flat bread. Still, all and all, our experiment yielded awesome results.

What truly made the night, though, was our catapult back into "holiday" spirit with the pumpkin pie Rae had prepared for dessert. While we were knocked semi-conscious by the mix and thus had to rain-check our Rock Band band practice, the meal kept us laughing all night. Therefore, Curry + Lager + Pumpkin Pie = Best Thanksgiving Ever. Next Thanksgiving, I'm making Yemini.

Homemade Indian FTW

"Changes in my life / I've *GOT* you by my side"

I just realized something.

Okay.

I didn't just realized it. Nor did I just realized it. (Confused yet?)

This blogspot hasn't been updated in ages. Mainly due to the fact that life after Facebook is a very strange place. Also partly because after grad-school bitching, what is there to talk about really?

There's plenty. So I will revive this. From the ashes, a new blog will rise...stronger and more outrageously awesome than the last.

Are you ready for it? I hope so.

Oh, and this colour scheme will go. Oh, there will be changes...

* Sad thing is that the only people who understand this reference won't even read this.