Sound Bites

Who the fuck cares what you're listening to? Right?

Well, possibly. Quite probably.

I've heard it said that providing the latest in your listening, reading, viewing pleasures is akin to blog suicide...

If you feel this way, then best toddle off. Right. Now.

Because this is one of those posts.

To those who have stayed, let me begin by saying that 2004 was, for music lovers everywhere, a big steaming pile of shite. (When I say for music lovers everywhere, I mean specifically for me, 2004 was a big pile of steaming shite).

With a few rare and notable exceptions (oh - who? The Arcade Fire, The Junior Boys, Sufjan Stevens), the past year has been a decidely flaccid affair in terms of sumptuous and scintillating musical specimens. Sadly.

Lacking.

The good news - the fantastically heartening and exciting news - is that 2005 is already shaping up to be a killer. Releases in the last month alone are almost enough to assuage the ennui brought on by the boredom of the past 12 months.

Let me get a bit more specific for you. Here are some discs that deserve your attention:


DOVES
Doves - Some Cities. Beautiful, soaring arrangements. Think The Verve crossed with Coldplay. Then think: much, much better.

thievery corp
Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Game. Mr Harza and Mr Hilton have done it again. Another album of delectable beats. Dub meets jazz meets lounge meets pop. Sophisticated and schnazzy in all the right places.
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Article Author: Kirsten Cameron

Kirsten Cameron is a displaced New Zealander who somehow ended up in the far flung reaches of the frozen north. Now working and living (and loving it) in Montréal, Canada.

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Article comments

  • 1 - Eric Berlin

    Mar 07, 2005 at 5:40 pm

    "assuage the ennui"... I like.

  • 2 - Michael

    Mar 07, 2005 at 6:52 pm

    The Album Leaf's In A Safe Place came out last year.

  • 3 - Mike Wu

    Mar 07, 2005 at 9:59 pm

    Heck we have a whole website dedicated to what people are listening to called FIQL.com so we applaud your post, your taste and hope you'll put up a playlist or two on our site.

  • 4 - sydney

    Mar 07, 2005 at 10:04 pm

    I'll add "arcade fire" to your list. another canadian band.

  • 5 - kirsten

    Mar 08, 2005 at 10:17 am

    Sydney: Arcade Fire topped my list for last year - I thrashed their album for a LONG time!

    Oops and thanks Michael - The Album Leaf did indeed come out last year - I heard about it through a friend from New Zealand, where it has just been released.

    And I will definitely check out FIQL.com - thanks Mike!

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