A quick re-up here. The Barr Brothers debut came across my desk halfway through last year, and it was a jaw dropping collection set of songs. “Beggar in the Morning” was probably my favorite song of 2010, and the album has aged like vintage wine or single malts. Secret City made the smart move to [...]
Best-of ’10
Quick Hitters:: Doug Paisley Constant Companion
Undoubtedly, the strength of Doug Paisley’s latest record, Constant Companion, is the simplicity of his melodies and how they warm the cold, hard truths he delivers. I know a skeptic might point out that honey coated country songs are a dime a dozen these days, but ones that act as the perfect counterpoint to engaging, [...]
Favorites-of 2010:: Canadian LPs (1-10)
Ok. The final installment. The big hitters. 1:: Fred Squire – March 12 March 12 is full of some of the most beautiful, genuinely sad songs I’ve ever heard. The songs hit on emotions and fears so real that Fred just can’t turn and tell someone, so he writes songs to tell everyone. [...]
Favorites-of 2010:: Canadian LPs (20-11)
On with the show. To be fair, I would bet there are records that should have been in the Top 30 that slipped outside so I could give some shine to bands I love that are making big strides, but from twenty to number one, we have heavy hitters and top shelf efforts. So sit [...]
Favorites-of 2010:: Canadian LPs 30-21
So here it is. The LPs list. For anyone that might be reading herohill for the first time, the list might look a little chaotic, but for the readers that have been around for a while, these 30 LPs are ones I’ve gushed about over and over again. I wasn’t going to draw it out [...]
Favorites-of 2010:: Canadian EPs
Just a quick disclaimer here; for those new to herohill we only cover Canadian content so my favorites list – note: not best-of, as that kind of debate is a bit pointless – is kind of like the cast of SCTV or peameal bacon. If it had a sweater, it would be warm and woolly [...]
Quick Hitters:: Mean Wind The guests are the guests are gone gone
There’s a minor plot premise in Punch-Drunk Love that sees Adam Sandler‘s character realize he can buy snackpacks of pudding as a part of an air miles promotion, and send in individual bar codes from each pudding container to essentially fleece the company and cash in on inflated travel mileage. For some reason, every time [...]
Best of ’10:: Olenka & The Autumn Lovers And Now We Sing
When it comes to trying to pigeon hole the voice, the songs, and even the heritage of Olenka Krakus, people fall over themselves trying to find the perfect comparison. Sure there are touch points that draw this behavior out of almost anyone that hears her songs or her story and these comforts give the record [...]
Best-of ’10:: Al Tuck All-time Favourites
For me, the release All-time Favourites is as melancholic as it is a celebration. When Al Tuck was at the height of popularity, he was a song writer that changed how Maritime song writers viewed and judged their craft. His list of celebrity fans include Chris Murphy, Jason Collett, Joel Plaskett; all ready to sing [...]
Best-of ’10:: Frederick Squire March 12
Originally, when I found out Frederick Squire had decided to bulk up his heartbreaking EP complete with three new songs, new titles, bigger sound and a more logical sequencing, I was simply going to express my jubilation and reiterate it was without question the best record I heard all year. I had already talked about [...]