I actually missed this by a couple of days as I had a lot going on this weekend. Out of all of the musicians alive in the world right now, Montréal's Murray Lightburn is the most talented and underrated and The Dears have been one of my favorite bands since 2003. A great place to start in their records is No Cities Left but I also love Degeneration Street and Gang of Losers quite a bit. Even his solo stuff is amazing because his voice is absolutely phenomenal-it's just more stirpped down solo. Here's a link to my favorite Dears song, "The Death of all the Romance" :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty41BuLsc1A

"Lost in the Plot" is also phenomenal:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0zRxxBKZ1A

If there's any band where you are curious about what they sound like, I am telling you I give my highest recommendation to The Dears. Their music has saved my life many times.

www.thedears.org/

**All photos are copyrighted.**

Tags:   Murray Lightburn The Dears No Cities Left Degeneration Street Gang of Losers Happy Birthday band concert music Canadian live live music monochrome Monochrome Monday black and white Noir et blanc

© All Rights Reserved

If I was going to SXSW, the one band I would make sure to check out is The Dears...they aren't touring and playing Chicago on this tour and their new album, Degeneration Street is really fantastic...I hope they come back soon...

www.myspace.com/thedears

**All photos are copyrighted. Please don't use without permission**

Tags:   The Dears Cabaret Metro Degeneration Street band live concert music Canadian Murray Lightburn

© All Rights Reserved

I've decided not to do an official numbered list this year. There are already too many divisive things happening and why divide a group of mainly independent musicians, some of whom struggle to express themselves or to make ends meet or both. That isn't to say there aren't a couple on this list who are more prominent (like Bjork) but I always try to support artists that aren't getting a massive amount of marketing behind them and have a great deal to offer the world. As in every year, I should also continue to put a disclaimer that quite often I find out about an album or a band or musician way after I have created this best of the year review. This happens quite frequently to me so always feel free to share your own favorites with me and to keep in mind if I didn't include one of your favorites, it might be because I just don't know about it.


The Dears: Times Infinity Volume Two

The Dears have been a favorite band of mine now since they released No Cities Left in 2003. Murray Lightburn (pictured in the above photograph) has a voice that is passionate and radiant both. There is such a depth of emotion every time he opens his mouth and a sincerity that hangs on every note. Though melodramatic popular song isn't really a genre of music people talk about, it's how I've always described The Dears because I think it fits. It's interesting how there is both a structure to his songs and yet also an evolution within each of the harmonies and the way his voice works with the voice of his wife, Natalia Yanchak, is pretty phenomenal. These are the deepest riches melodies and harmonies. They create songs you feel deeply so much that you might find even impossible after a few listens to not sing along to. There's such a gravity in the way Lightburn sees and feels each moment and his voice soars so effortlessly in expressing these moments. Well, a huge thank you to this band for existing and giving their best effort and even going on tour again. Incidentally, I have seen The Dears several times throughout the years and was ecstatic to see they are coming back to Schubas Tavern on March 21st, 2018. If you live in the Chicago area, you can find tickets here:

www.lh-st.com/Shows/03-21-2018+The+Dears

Here's a link to the album to listen to (please support all of these artists if you can by buying their life's work):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql73dvnObxk&list=PL3sSbOWtBq7...

Here's a link to their official site:

thedears.org/

Incidentally, when I photoblogged about their 2011 album release Degeneration Street being my favorite, that photo became my most viewed photo of all time. This album is still well worth listening to as well and there are several links for this here:

www.flickr.com/photos/kirstiecat/6666672209


******************************


Alvvays: Antisocialities

At first, I was just so annoyed with this band for the two v's thing. I know it sounds silly but I just thought that was too hipster or something but then I realized how clever it actually was when I went to do an actual Google search. Antisocialities is a work of lovely nostalgic feeling pop songs. I don't know why the music reminds me so much of growing up but it really does especially in the production of it. It's a little more polished than their 2014 self titled release but still has the same level of genuineness and feels very comforting and, at the same time, quite catchy.

Link to the album to listen to:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZqsyBiYZFQ18jd6yFr-eqZGZD...

Official site:

alvvays.com/


************************


Jlin: Black Origami

Jerrilynn Patton is a footwork Goddess. Hailing from the unlikely town of Gary, Indiana (though to be fair, the city was the hometown of Michael Jackson/The Jackson Five). Footwork and electronic music in particular is a genre that is heavily male dominated and so it's nice to see how adept a woman like Patton can develop unique and vibrant soundscapes that will challenge all different areas of your brain if you listen via headphones or a decent headphone system...even piecing together and finding an organization spatially in an auditory context to the sounds requires an active sort of listening. I can't think of another album this creative that came out this year. Though I enjoyed Dark Energy from 2015, this is a whole new level of mind blowing amazing consistently throughout the record. Very Highly recommended:

Listen to the whole album here on Bandcamp:

jlin.bandcamp.com/album/black-origami

Official facebook site:

www.facebook.com/jlintheinnovator/


******************************

I initially forgot to include The Magnetic Fields: 50 Song Memoir which is literally a song for each year of Stephin Merritt's life with all kinds of wit and intellectualism. It's not for everyone but, if you like the 69 Love Songs boxset, you'll probably love this one just as much!

www.houseoftomorrow.com/


*******************************

Shannon Wright: Division

I really detest when I am reading a review and the reviewer compares the musician/artist to another well known musician/artist so forgive me for doing so here but Shannon Wright really reminds me of a PJ Harvey that has all the delicate qualities of White Chalk with all the edginess of Rid of Me. There's such an urgency in the way she plays guitar and in her singing style and yet also a deep and rich sense of melody. I recently saw her perform at the Hideout Block Party in Chicago this past fall and was really astounded by how amazing her live performance was as well. Wright captures melody in a way that is haunting and gets into your head more easily than you can get it out of your head but then plays with a sense that she could bring down an entire city of skyscrapers with the power of her guitar. Such an interesting force in the universe-also check out her collaboration with Yann Tiersen.

You can hear some of her songs and watch some of her videos for this and other albums on Youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAjW1Hpw364

Official Facebook Site:

www.facebook.com/shannonwrightmusic


****************************


Nhung Nguyen: Ordinary Narrative

Delicate and wondrous is Nguyen's album. There's a real carefulness to each melody and an overall reflective mood that is created. There's nothing ordinary about something as heartfelt as these songs. These mainly piano based instrumental arrangements do show a measure of technical depth but even more so it's the weighing and timing of each note that is important. So, if you are feeling thoughtful and want to meditate or just ponder all of the different moments you've lived, look no further than this album.

Official Bandcamp site:

nhungnguyen.bandcamp.com/


****************************


William Basinksi: Shadow in Time

Though this album has only two tracks, they are both ones that are brimming like an auditorium, empty for thousands of years and now suddenly filled with the weight of human emotion once again with all of the joys and sorrows that we can fit inside of us. The waves of sound that envelop the listener are cathartic and add a new weight to the air surrounding your head space. You could dance with these notes but it wouldn't be a fast tap. It would instead be a slow languid dance that you would remember for a lifetime. And though you have to wait patiently, the songs also evolve into something that seems mysterious and strange but also makes a lot of sense.

williambasinski.bandcamp.com/album/a-shadow-in-time


**********************************


Cinchel: Music For a Wedding

Full disclaimer here that I am married to this human and so I can't help but enjoy so many of the things he creates. Music For a Wedding is, like all of his music, an instrumental (no vocals) work and it has an emotional complexity and depth that brought much joy to the couple it was performed for on their wedding day. It has a great deal to do with the nature of memories but the melodies themselves are rather swirly and like a layered lullaby. I can't help but think of how Brian Eno wrote Music for Airports, for example and this music is for an occasion that shows the breadth of longing two people entering into this point in their relationship might actually feel. This may sound corny but actually there is such a brightness and such a soothing optimism here within the pieces that I think it also works if you aren't in a relationship but want that warm feeling to surround you. This is another great album to meditate to.

cinchel.bandcamp.com/


************************


Bjork: Utopia

This definitely seems like the most mainstream release on this list and, though it will do just fine without any additional promotion, I still have to admit I am always a little more than merely captivated by what Bjork still puts out year after year and how she manages to put so many unique sounds together in her songs. This album is definitely one of her brighter ones and one senses that she's in a good place emotionally when you hear these songs. They are astounding in their beauty and her voice seems the most accessible that it has ever been with layering that effectively adds another level of depth along with the instrumentation. It's always really exciting to see where these songs go as they progress and to follow this talented woman.

www.facebook.com/bjork/


*******************************


Julie Byrne: Not Even Happiness

I left Buffalo, NY in 2001 thinking that just about anywhere else was better but that was before I heard music like Julie Byrne. I went to coffee shops many nights when I studied at university and was subjected to the upstate NY folk singer but none of them could ever hold a candle to Julie Byrne. Buffalo, NY is also the home of Mercury Rev (amazing band!) The Goo Goo Dolls (Oh God, my ears make it stop!) and Ani DiFranco (No, I can't take you to her house.) But there's a splendor in the way that her finger plucking works with her vocals..it's a timeless sound well mastered in this modern age but possessing a timeless quality that makes one think these tracks could have been created decades ago and will stand the test of time long after the apocalypse comes. Perhaps we'll soothe ourselves with remembering glimpses of her melodies and lyrics after all the electricity and our computers and ipads die.

Bandcamp:

juliembyrne.bandcamp.com/album/not-even-happiness


***************************************


C. Reider: Listening After the End

Using a mixture of harrowing and delightful sounds, this album takes one through quite an intriguing and sometimes tumultuous sound journey in its two lengthy tracks. There are sounds that make one think of industry and other sounds that make one think of nature being covered with a blanket of static. Between the thuds and the chimes is a kind of wonder of the power of our hearing to change our thoughts and minds and an appreciation of the range of all the sounds one might hear in any day if one only pays attention closely enough. The world is sometimes its own song.

c-reider.bandcamp.com/album/listening-after-the-end


**************************************


Juana Molina: Halo

Halo is consistent with Juana's other many stellar albums and offers up her typically innovative song constructions which are quite engaging and filled with sound textures. There's something about her voice that instantly soothes me with its enchanting Spanish lullabies. She has a way of changing up rhythms and mixing up the harmonies she does with herself that is always impressive and makes one long for more . And so, even though there are plenty of amazing Juana Molina albums to choose from already, Halo is a nice edition to the mix and will leave you feeling utterly complete and satiated with sound.

Full record on Bandcamp:

juanamolina.bandcamp.com/album/halo

Official site:

juanamolina.com/halo/


***************************************


Vagabon: Infinite Worlds

Strong soul and a sense of delicate lyrics and chords that end up turning out triumphant. The way that Laetitia Tamko sings and composes music expresses a kind of interesting versatility and shows an undeniable talent for pushing the envelope in the indie rock/folk department. The songs are poetic and still pack the kind of punch that forces you to really pay attention to what Tamko is expressing and doing with her music. For as much as it's energetic and engaging, it has its real fragile moments that draw you into the heart of the author. Tamko is indeed a mighty wonder. Also, as a real plus, if you follow Tamko's tweets and some of the mentions in interviews, it appears she might also be vegan! :)

Full record on Bandcamp:

vagabon.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-worlds

Official site:

vagabonvagabon.com/


***************************************


Eloïse Decazes / Eric Chenaux: La Bride

Decazes has such a lovely singing voice in her beautiful French. It's a little like Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab (who also put out a solo record this year called Finding me Finding You that is worth checking out) but the music accompaniment is a little stranger and also quite interesting stylistically. There's a solemn and haunting feel to the vocals but an almost sense of ceremony at times to the instruments. Definitely worth checking out if you love French female singers especially!

Some of their music on Bandcamp: eloiisedecazesericchenaux.bandcamp.com/


***************************************


Le Berger: A Somewhat Perceptible Transition

Though both of the releases Le Berger put out this year are worth listening to, I tend to prefer this EP length release which has a very warm and organic sound to me. Though it's short, it continues to grow even more on you for further listens and provides a real solace to the soul, which has definitely been needed more than a few times this year. These are gentle fulfilling wonders and gems in our postmodern consciousness searching for a sense of relief.

leberger.bandcamp.com/album/a-somewhat-perceptible-transi...


***********************************


Colleen: A Flame My Love, a Frequency


Cécile Schott is a French multi-instrumentalist who creates these intricate little surprises that enhance the collective consciousness of us all. It's impossible not to be enchanted by these treasures and by all of her albums. Like Juana Molina from Argentina, both women have led solid careers that highlight a radiant creativity that doesn't ever seen in short supply. At times, we also hear her lovely voice enveloping us and adding even more to the layers of sound. She's quite the chanteusevapor

colleencolleen.bandcamp.com/album/a-flame-my-love-a-frequ...


**********************************


Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Luciferian Towers

Is there any band in the world quite as powerful, as genuinely amazing as GY!BE? It's a tough call. I listen to every one of their albums and, even the ones I've heard several times each year for two decades, like F#A#infinity I am still quite transfixed by. This postmodern orchestra will revive your faith in the creativity of humanity and give you one more reason why the aliens shouldn't destroy the Earth when they ask you from their spaceship. Brilliant and unyielding, the band is as strong as ever with this new release. I'm excited to also see they are returning to Chicago with two nights at the Cabaret Metro March 18th and 19th, 2019. You can buy tickets to see them here: www.etix.com/ticket/p/6046219/godspeed-youblack-emperor-c...

Full album: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7t049ff9-c

Official website:

brainwashed.com/godspeed/

*All photos are copyrighted. Please don't use without permission*

Tags:   Eloïse Decazes La Bride Murray Lightburn The Dears Time Infinity Volume Two Luciferian Towers Alvvays Colleen French psychedelic folk Jlin footwork Le Berger music Best music 2107 Top records 2017 indie Juana Molina A Flame My Love, a Frequency Vagabon Infinite Worlds Laetitia Tamko Julie Byrne Not Even Happiness C Reider Listening After the End Bjork Utopia Nhung Nguyen Black Origami Jerrilynn Patton Shannon Wright William Basinski Shadow in Time Best of albums records Antisocialities The Magnetic Fields 50 Song Memoir

© All Rights Reserved

Oh silly Canada, I didn't forget about you! I was looking for my favorite film director Guy Maddin on Twitter all day but I couldn't find him so I friended Murray Lightburn (Natalia's husband) instead.

Above: Natalia Yanchak of one of my very favorite Canadian bands, The Dears. She's amazing. Enjoy!

www.myspace.com/thedears

All photos copyrighted. Do not use without permission.

Tags:   Natalia Yanchak band live Canadian Happy Canada Day Dears The Dears music concert Lakeshore Theater

© All Rights Reserved

more pictures, setlist, and review here:http://euclid.homelinux.net/~kirstiecat/blog/index.php/archives/1833

Tags:   The Dears Schubas Chicago Music Canada Radio Free Chicago Murray Lightburn

© All Rights Reserved