album of the day

Artist: Various
Album: Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller
This has pretty much been my record of the summer. Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist from Radiohead, spent months picking some of his favourite tracks from the Trojan Records’ archive. The end result of his efforts was an outstanding compilation. The disc pulls together bits of ska, rocksteady, dub, and [...]

Artist: Crowded House
Album: Time On Earth
I’ve been listening to Time On Earth for a couple of weeks now. The record, which is the first new recording from Crowded House in a long time, takes a couple of listens from start to finish for the listener to appreciate the lyrical and musical quality of the songs. [...]

Artist: Various
Album: Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974
For those of you who like your music full of energy, sweet licks and all out funkiness. More Motown (soul) then Kingston (reggae), this collection of songs recorded in Toronto is great for a warm Saturday afternoon barbeque with friends and a cooler full of cold [...]

Artist: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Album: Once: Music From the Motion Picture
For fans of The Frames, Damien Rice, and those who like their music with emotion & passion exposed bare. A solid record from top to bottom. While the songs may have been pulled from various discs (The Cost, The Swell Season, etc), [...]

Artist: Feist
Album: The Reminder
The new record from Feist drops in a week. First few listens reveal lots of jazz, blues and folk influences. The songs are engaging and captivating, much like those on Let It Die. Standout tracks include Sea Lion Woman and My Man, My Moon.
If you’re looking for a great album [...]

Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: Songs of Leonard Cohen
I spent some time yesterday with this classic Leonard Cohen record. Spent some time with is the best way to describe this record. This is a collection of songs that you need to allow yourself to get lost in. The mixture of melody, lyrics and a voice create images [...]

Artist: Travis
Album: The Boy with No Name
A return to the days of The Man Who form by Fran Healy and the lads in Travis. The Man Who was one of my favourite records back in 1999. Songs like Driftwood, Writing To Reach You, Why Does It Always Rain on Me? and Turn received countless [...]

Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: Cassadaga
Cassadaga is a rewarding listening experience. The alt.country feel of the album is enhanced by the contributions of Ben Kweller, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, M.Ward, Rachael Yamagata to name a few. Upon reaching the end of the disc, I felt like I needed to start it all over again – my favourite [...]

Artist: Neil Young
Album: Live At Massey Hall 1971
Neil Young, in peak form, delivering solo renditions of songs that will eventually become the cornerstone of Harvest. His voice is great. The arrangements simple and focussed. The crowd and performer creating a special bond. This record will make many best of 2007 lists come December.
I got [...]

Artist: Josh Rouse
Album: Nashville
All of the songs on Nashville are well crafted. Rouse counterbalances the sunshine and happiness of the music with emotional lyrics full of loneliness and nostalgia. There is a sense of honest within this record and that is probably why I enjoy listening to it more than two years after first hearding [...]

Artist: The Frames
Album: The Cost
An album that is dramatic and brooding yet with a warmth to it. Fans of Josh Ritter, Damien Rice, Coldplay, U2, World Party and The Waterboys would probably find it appealing. I first found the band after they released For The Birds in 2001.
Find the right time of day [...]

Artist: U2
Album: War
Released in the winter of 1983, this disc is known for songs like New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday and 40. Each has become a must play for fans seeing U2 live in concert.
The tracks that appealed to me as I pulled my original vinyl edition out of the crates where those [...]

Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Boys and Girls in America
If you like Springsteen circa Born To Run, a dabble of Tom Waits, a heavy dose of The Replacements, and then an unhealthy slab of bar band then you might want to give The Hold Steady a listen. Lots of songs about the “bar lifestyle” – perhaps [...]

Going to try something new here. I’ll post albums, songs and artists that I’ve been listening too lately and that I think are worth sharing. Be sure to leave a comment on these. And so without further ado, here is today’s pick:

Artist: Modest Mouse
Album: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
The record is [...]