Omgigosh, 2011 is almost done. This is the music that got me through.  Here’s our best album / ep picks!!!

25. Radiohead – King Of Limbs

Radiohead surprised fans with a new album in February announcing it five days before it’s release with out any press following it because they don’t need to.

Radiohead – Morning Mr Magpie

24.Lil B “Based God” – I’m Gay

The living meme, rapper Lil B has one of the biggest outputs in the rap game releasing two albums and more mixtapes than I can keep track of, including one with 676 tracks over the last year. That’s not even counting all of the twitter feeds he fills @lilbthebasedgod. Despite not being a house hold name yet he is one of the most prolific and fascinating artists of our time with his personality outshining his often rough but hidden gem ridden music.

Lil B – Neva Stop Me

23. Tony Castles – No Service (ep)

Brooklyn’s next Yeasayer?

Tony Castles – Black Girls in Dresses

22.  Metronomy – The English Riviera

Metronomy’s third disco tinged album will transport you to the English Riviera with a cocktail in hand.  Still bummed I missed their recent trip through town.

Metronomy – The Look

21. Wild Beasts – Smother

I didn’t miss this show and it was spectacular.  There were fellow Wild Beast fan boys/men singing their falsetto songs before the group went on; it was beautiful. It was one of my favourite shows of the year.  Definitely not for those who don’t like melancholic music or people who get uncomfortable by men singing in falsetto.

Wild Beasts – Lions Share

20. Sean Nicholas Savage – “Flamingo”

Montreal’s DIY pop label Arbutus Records, home of Grimes and Braids’ latest release was up as free download.  Sean Nicholas Savage brings you to a smokey Las Vegas lounge to great effect.  In “Days Go By”, below it’s almost as if he’s channeling late 70′s Lennon.

Sean Nicholas Savage – Days Go By

19. Cults – Self Titled

Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin of Cults have put together one of the best pop albums of the year with their debut borrowing heavily from Spector-esque 50s and 60s pop to pleasant effect.

Cults – Most Wanted

18. Hercules & Love Affair – Blue Songs

A retro disco album with hints of early house thrown in to help you dance away the pain.

Hercules & Love Affair – Falling

17. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

Vice Records rocker darlings. At-lana’s Black Lips teamed up with producer Mark Ronson on this album. He proves his talents really filling out the Black Lips garage rock sound into a riotous party.

Black Lips – Family Tree

16. Born Gold – Bodysongs

Formerly known as Gobble Gobble which they deemed to silly of a name to continue on as, Born Gold have been tearing up every place they touch from basement to festival main stages around NA. Touring their butts off they have been building a very solid young fan base.

Their name change makes sense perhaps isolating them from older / new fans? They shouldn’t be put off, Born Gold are the modern dance party.  It’s almost like it’s the electronic version of the Pixies as reinterpreted by the children of the late 80′s.

They happen to play Fortune with Grimes for the soon to be sold out show February 18th. Advertise with Winnie.

Born Gold – Eat Sun Son

15. Lost Lovers Brigade – Little Skeletons

A late Vancouver entry with a November release.  A compilation of singer / songwriter Elisha Rembold’s songs written over the last ten years finally being released.  Little Skeletons is a beautifully haunting play from start to finish.  It will take you away to a windy cabin the woods.  At times surf rock-ish with two of the Apollo Ghost gents in the band backing Elisha’s country / Wanda Jackson-esque vocals.

Lost Lovers Brigade – All the Stars

14. Oh No! Yoko – Pau Pau (ep)

Wtf is a Pau Pau? Our favorite high school grads will take you back to that time in between childhood and adolescents when the world seemed like it could be yours and maybe it will be.  They need to get to work on their follow up asap.

Oh No! Yoko – Go Alien

13. ASAP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP (Mixtape)

Speaking of which, Odd Future may of created the most hype by a long shot for a new hip hop act but as far as listen ability goes ASAP takes it.

ASAP Rocky – Get Lit (feat. Fat Tony) (prod. Soufein3000)

12. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine + Freaking Out (ep)

Toro Y bro ditches the chill wave moniker for a full band disco sound.  He still satisfies his old fans with the more electronic 80′s influenced Freaking Out EP which is just as boss as the full length. He reinvented himself opening up his sound.

Toro Y Moi – Go with You

Toro Y Moi – All Alone From the Freak Out Ep.

11. Tiger & Woods – Through The Green

An obvious play/extended joke on the sexiest man in the golf game perhaps? It has been a big year for the return of house music, not “electro” or “club” but warehouse.  Tiger & Woods sound how I would love the next Daft Punk album to be.  A crisp loopy filter house sound with an 80′s electro-funk feel created by two Germans.

Tiger & Woods – Gin Nation

10. Holy Ghost! – Self Titled

I feel like there is so much good music made these days and so much less money in the industry to properly push the top acts that an album like this can slip by and not be even bigger than it is.  Holy Ghost’s debut is quite accessible. Their live show was one of my favorites of the year. If you are looking for someone to fill in for LCD Soundsystem this is your band.  They managed to sell out Fortune Sound Club but they deserve to be filling at least something twice that size especially with the amount of analog gear they haul around.

Holy Ghost! – Some Children

9. Elite Gymnastics – Ruin (ep)

Minneapolis’ Elite Gymnastics reinvent dance music sounds of the past yet their music sounds fresh, new and unlike anything else.

Elite Gymnastics – m i n n e a p o l i s   b e l o n g s   t o   y o u

8. Tennis – Cape Dory

Tapping into the pop sounds of the 50′s and 60′s Cape Dory is a pleasant melody driven “jingly jangly” pop album.  I love every song on it but perhaps it’s not for everyone? Best bro / @Beatroutebc’s @glennalderson can’t stand them.  Different strokes.

Tennis – Pigeon

7. Austra – Feel It Break

Pronounced “Oh-stra” not “Ahhstra” as I had at least been saying.  I still can’t believe we hosted this act in a tiny basement show. I was trying to tell people they would be the next Fever Ray thanks to a hot tip from fellow Toronto act Diamond Rings.

Austra – The Future

6. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

This album has a raw feeling to it as if two top of their game rappers are at play rather than at work. Does that make any sense? Either way it’s a classic that people will listen to and rap heads will discuss many years from now.

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as in Paris

5. No Gold – Self Titled

Local Vancouver chill bro act, No Gold are a pitchfork nod away from big things.  You can hear the wealth of diverse influences from world music to house and disco and a willingness to experiment in their bizzaro pop gem of an album.

No Gold – Council Jam

4. Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – We’re New Here

A very odd remix album from one of the best new producers, Jamie XX (Of The XX) of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 album, I’m New Here, his first in 16 years.  Gil is best known for his spoken word work and is arguably one of the biggest pioneers of rap. The forward thinking album really grew on me as the year went on and I think became even more important with the passing of Gil right after the albums release and bringing to light his amazing although troubled life and body of work.

Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – Ur Soul And Mine

3. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

Releasing an entire trilogy of work, it was a big year for an act that started the year out as a mysterious unknown act posting videos on youtube. They are now one of the biggest acts I still havn’t heard on the radio. Perhaps still under the mainstreams radar releasing all of their material through their website for free? Or maybe it’s all of the singing about sex, drugs and after parties?

The Weeknd – The Morning

2. James Blake – Self Titled

James Blake brought the underground UK electronic sound to the masses with his ethereal voice.  One of the big breakout acts of the year.

James Blake – Unluck

1. Drake – Take Care

Y U SO SAD YOUNG DRIZZY? YR number 1 bb.

For years the highest selling Canadian hip hop act has been late 80′s / early 90′s Maestro (Fresh Wes). Big ups Maestro but twenty years is a long ass time to be the highest selling Canadian rapper. Drake has finally changed that.  I can’t find anything else to say about Drake that doesn’t make me sound like i’m riding his shit so i’m going to leave it at that.

Drake – HYFR (Hell Ya Fuckin Right)

posted by @tristanorchard

Hey hey hey wanna WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS to see HOLY GHOST! at Fortune Sound Club on November 8? derp.

As usual, it’s mega easy to enter. Here’s how…

Just email win.e.coop.r@gmail.com with subject “Holy Ghost Ticket Giveaway” and answer the following:

Name 1 of the 3 special guests touring with Holy Ghost.

So simple, right! Enter as often as you want until midnight Thursday November 3 when this contest closes. Imma announce the winner Friday morning.

If you didn’t know, Holy Ghost! have a new single called “I Wanted To Tell Her” (featuring Nancy Whang and Juan MacLean) and it will be available as a FREE download on November 10. Remember to hit up GreenLabelSound.com to get more info and to grab the download!

Hold My Breath – Holy Ghost! from DFA Records on Vimeo.

ok be sure to ENTER NOW to win the free tickets, this show will be amazing! And stay tuned, this is the first of 2 big ticket giveaways this week!

UPDATE 11/4: Congrats to Shawn Bourks the winner of the Holy Ghost! tickets. Always keep your eyes on Winnie cuz we have LOTS of giveaways okeeeee! xo

Posted by Christian Flores

One of my favorite secret hidden gem dance albums this year is Tiger & Woods’, “Through The Green”.  They sound like early 80′s disco but cut up and sampled in a more modern loopy French house style.

They have teamed up with NYC disco act Holy Ghost on their latest single.  If you havn’t check out Holy Ghost’s self titled debut lp they released this year, it is a highly under hyped pearl.

Holy Ghost play Fortune in Vancouver November 8th. Winnie says it’ll be hype***

Holy Ghost! – Hold My Breath (Tiger & Woods Remix) by DFA Records

Also on remix duties, Cosmic Kids.  Sign up for the Holy Ghost mailing list for a free download of this.
Holy Ghost! – Hold My Breath (Cosmic Kids Remix) by CosmicKids

 posted by @tristanorchard

Photo Courtesy of Surfing on Heroin

Radiozero‘s got a spanking new website, lots of new music, singles, shows, news, weekly 90minute broadcasts, and as always the monthly(ish) radiozero mix series. the latest one is below…

RADIOZERO 67 by Tyler Fedchuk (55mins)

Tracklisting

1. Rove Dogs – Innocence Lost
2. Memoryhouse – To The Lighthouse (Millionyoung Remix)
3. Dre Skull – I Want You
4. Acid Washed – Apply
5. Wolf Gang – Back To Back (Active Child Remix)
6. Millionyoung – Youthless
7. Crystal Castles – Suffocation
8. Acid Washed – The Rain
9. Holy Ghost! – Say My Name (U Tern Remix)
10. Westbam feat Nena – Oldschool, Baby (Piano Mix)
11. Desmond & The Tutus – Kiss You On The Cheek (King Of Town Remix)
12. Caribou – Sun
13. LCD Soundsystem – Home
14. Tame Impala – Make Up Your Mind

In 2008 I hit an all time high caught in a whirlwind of quality people, copious amount of “must go to” gigs and moments on the dance floor where I just wanted to stop time. I’m so thankful and fortunate to have experienced over 160 performances this year.

I’ve seen a considerable change in stage presence for artists I’ve seen several times. 2008 was a big year for letting loose, here’s my choice for Most Improved live acts of 2008

-Mmmm

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Chromeo
from Oct 4, 07 @ Fabric
to Oct 12, 08 @ the Commodore

Surkin – Chrome Knight feat. Chromeo

They have always been two true friends out to have a good time and share the electrofunk that they’ve been brewing up in their basement. Add a splash of Red Bull production to The Big Bang @ the Commodore, there was no choice for the overflowing abundance of Chromeo lovers to break out the fancy footwork and cheer them back onto the stage several times for an encore galore.

MGMT
from Feb. 1 08 @ The Bourbon
to April 6 08 @ Coachella

MGMT – Of Moons Birds and Monsters (Holy Ghost! Remix)

I was surprised to hear that MGMT was opening for Yeasayer @ the Bourbon in Feb. It was hands down a sold out double bill, but it was obvious by their performance that they were like a deer caught in a head-on collision of success from their debut album Oracular Spectacular. From the Bourbon to the Coachella performance it appeared that they got a lil’ grip on their success. The trio song encore at Coachella, Electric Feel, Time to Pretend, and Kids made me jump to my feet to shake what little I had being sun drunk and immobilized by fun cookies. I truly wonder who they will pass on the torch to in 2009. Who will have the same caliber of music?

Justice
from Oct 13, 07 @ the Commodore
to March 25, 08 @ the Commodore

Birdy Nam Nam – The Parachute Ending (Prod. by JUSTICE)

Their religious obsession with towering stacks of speakers and synths spilling with wires made me think, what are they really doing up there? on the internet? In any case, besides the slap-ass bass & synths it was great to witness how personable they can be. For the first time ever ½ of Justice, Xavier de Rosnay, walked out onto the crowd like we were water, and was held up high.  Not only that, he exited the front doors with the sheep like fans in tow and the strict Commodore security wouldn’t let him back in.