There will come a time late in the year when lists begin to get compiled. It’s one of the ways we mark time in life: somewhat arbitrarily attaching significance to dates as time passes. In this business, the usual means is a “top ten list.” If we’re being honest there’s a part of me that loathes these things: the arbitrary nature of the competition, the perception of ranking, the impact of personal taste, and limited access to music all add up to skew these lists. Buzz around a band means it makes more lists, while smaller, more unknown acts release works of astonishing quality that often go overlooked.
Despite all of this, it seems prudent just past the halfway point of the year to take a look at what’s happened thus far and highlight some of the stellar music that’s been released — at least as I see it. This is useful, in part, because by the time the end of the year comes the material that was released in January has often slipped onto the back burner — no matter how good it was. So, in no particular order, here’s what’s stood out so far and some of what there is to look forward too for the rest of the year. You can expect to see some of these when the year-end arrives to be sure.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings – South
So good is this album that I find myself shocked beyond the pale that it’s not nominated for Canada’s annual Polaris Music Prize. The long list of 40 albums contains weaker efforts than this and lends credence to arguments that that prize has lost its relevance as its profile has grown. Word was that Whitehorse’s The Fate of the World Depends On This Kiss was a strong contender last year, but at this point it looks increasingly unlikely that a roots/Americana-tinged album will ever win this thing.
Don’t let the fact that South isn’t on that list fool you: it’s bluesy/country vibe demands a place in your collection. it’s the perfect accompaniment for your next California road trip.
Doug Paisley – Strong Feeling
Paisley is a songwriter’s songwriter, following in the tradition of Bruce Cockburn, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and other Canadian greats that have made their mark on the radio. He’s earned the respect and admiration of his contemporaries and Strong Feeling shows why. The album’s opener, “Radio Girl”, would feel at home on any quiet night on the radio with top notch musicianship and a gentle twang to his voice.
Paisley writes the kind of music that goes well with a quiet summer night of contemplative listening. It’s both approachable and endlessly listenable. Pour yourself a beer — preferably one that’s not too pretentious — and settle into an evening of stargazing.
Del Barber – Prarieography
Dell Barber admits unashamedly that Prarieography was inspired and influenced by Ian Tyson, another in the long line of great Canadian songwriters. The album’s title is an homage to Tyson’s Cowboyography and it’s a fitting one. Prarieography is an album that’s firmly rooted in the Canadian prairie that Barber calls home and his love of the place shows through in every song.
The album’s production is spare and minimalist which allows Barber’s lyrics to shine. “Big Smoke” may be not only the best song Barber’s written but also one of the best songs about the prairies ever recorded. If you’ve ever been there it’s almost guaranteed to make you want to get you your car and drive to the middle of the country. With a mix of songs that are both quiet/contemplative and upbeat, the album offers something up for everybody. If you haven’t heard Barber tell the story of “Peter and Jenny Lee” live yet, make sure to catch a show soon. He swears the story is true, and that’s a big part of the charm here.
The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
And now, as the saying goes, for something completely different. Mike Seely wrote about the War on Drugs’ outstanding 2014 release here and, if you haven’t heard this one year, you need to. It’s got driving beats, outstanding guitar work, and the kind of songwriting that you’d associate with a slower rootsier aesthetic. The band’s been selling out venues fast on tour and it’s not hard to see why.
This one seems destined to go on to be a classic and a turning point in the career of a band which, until now, had seemed unremarkable. Put this one on for your next night drive down the highway and keep driving until it stops.
Miranda Mulholland – Whipping Boy
Whipping Boy marks the first full-length solo album from Miranda Mulholland, but it’s most definitely not the first time you’ve heard the fiery redheaded fiddler. She’s a full time member of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Stars and has played with just about everybody you can think of, including Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, Justin Rutledge, NQ Arbuckle, and Carolyn Mark. Mullholland’s sound is everywhere.
Basically, if you’re putting together an album, Mulholland is the secret weapon you want in your quiver.
Given that collection of friends, it makes sense that Mulholland’s solo debut would come out swinging strong. The album opens with the title track and it’s an upbeat rocker that kicks aside any expectations that this is going to be a collection of jigs and reels. Mulholland’s voice is strong and it’s nice to hear it in the foreground for a change.
The album showcases a mix of styles ranging from instrumental tracks to the classic waltz sound of “Hold My Tongue”.
Whipping Boy is a strong collection from a performer who’s only going to get better. Here’s hoping she can find time in one of the music industry’s busiest schedules to record a follow up. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for tour dates with one of her other projects over the summer — the Great Lake Swimmers are hitting the festival circuit, so you can see her there.
it’s worth pointing out that Whipping Boy is the first release on Mulholland’s new Roaring Girl Records label because apparently playing with everybody wasn’t keeping her busy enough. The label’s already release its second album and the imprint is off to a strong start. I’ll have a review shortly.
Wagons – Acid Rain and Sugar Cane
Watching Henry Wagons perform is like watching the love child of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Nick Cave take the stage. The Australian singer-songwriter certainly isn’t constrained by any conventional notion of what Country or Roots music is, and the band’s latest Acid Rain and Sugar Cane opens with a heavy drumbeat and a lot of reverb on Wagons’ voice in Hold on Caroline. We’ll put a checkmark on the Nick Cave side of the equation for that one.
The rest of the album leans heavily on the rock side of the equation too, and that should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen the band live. These musicians don’t really do “understated,” something that anybody who’s seen the band live can attest too. (I’m fairly sure I’ve left at least one gig with residual Wagons sweat on me, and it was totally worth it.)
The band’s trademark wry sense of humour is is on display here too, in particular on “Beer Barrel Bar” and “Talk To Her” with its story of a barmaid with the “right combination of charm and sass.” Sounds perfect to me.
A lot’s happened since the the last Wagons album burst forth. The band had a song featured in the television ratings monster Agents of Shield, Henry Wagons has gotten married and had his first child and thy continue to receive accolades everywhere they play.
With a summer tour of North American that’s just started, here’s hoping that this is the year that North America finally catches on to what may be the best live performer to hit the stage in years. Where Wagons go, a great show is sure to follow.
A Look Ahead – What’s Coming
It’s a sure bet that I’ve missed something above. One of the great things about the modern era of music is that there’s so much of it that’s so easy to access. Time and budget are the real limiting factors here. It can, to be honest, be hard to fit it all in. There’s surely something that I haven’t heard yet — point me at it if so.
With the year just a bit more than half over, there’s sure to be as much good music coming out in the months ahead as there was in the month’s past. So far, there’s been hints of a few things to come that seem particularly promising.
Jeff Tweedy has a new solo album coming and has been touring with a band that includes his son Spencer on drums. Expectations are high for this (particularly in my home) and it’s going to be interesting to see what a Tweedy album without the currently seemingly stable Wilco lineup behind him sounds like. The album raises obvious questions about the future of Wilco as well, though there’s been no chatter of an end to that band so far. Tweedy’s solo tour reviews have been good so far and I’m sad that I’m missing both the Ottawa and Toronto gigs — a new full-time job has me too busy to travel. The album shows up in September.
Daniel Lanois teased a new album with a single song called “Papineau” back in February. The songs harks back to the sound of “Jolie Louise” from his classic album Acadie. While that album remains his most enduringly popular solo work, I personally feel that its follow-up For the Beauty of Wynona is a stronger collected work. But, one thing is sure: a new album from Lanois is something to look forward to. The man’s musical talent is extensive and his penchant for exploration is sure to take him in interesting directions. Be prepared for anything, and expect something exceptional.
Rumours of releases from Carolina Chocolate Drops, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Joanna Newsom and Brandi Carlile abound as well, so keep your eyes peeled — 2014 is looking like a very, very good year.
