Top 10

10. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Sound Of Silver
I’m all ears for music that makes me want to shake myself all around, so this album is clearly a perfect fit for me. I’ve been hearing a lot of LCD Soundsystem in random places (i.e. even at my day job) and it excites me every time I hear it. When it does come on, I like to tell everyone about this band and how they need to pick it up and have a listen to the entire album. And you should too.

9. MATTHEW DE ZOETE
Across the Sea
Matthew de Zoete is just oh-so-beautiful all around, and he’s been able to capture this beauty in his magical Across The Sea. This is man and his guitar at its best, and I truly and deeply believe in this artist and his talent.

8. SALIM NOURALLAH
Snowing in my Heart
Snowing In My Heart is special. I very much recommend it to all. If you’re in search of a great artist you’ve yet to hear, I hope you choose Salim Nourallah. He’s great.

7. PEDRO
You, Me and Everyone
I believe that a lot in life happens for a reason, and I’m sure glad that is so, as Pedro’s album landed in my lap at the exact perfect time in my life. This musician makes me sigh (obviously in a good way), and there’s something about You, Me and Everyone that makes me weak in the knees. I can’t get enough of its randomness and uncertainty, and I’m mighty glad that I’ve had the opportunity to meet Pedro just in time to include him on this list.

6. BOY IN STATIC
Violet
I’m going to have to quote myself for this one, as I don’t think I could say it any better than I already have, so here goes… Lyrics: Beautiful, expressive, genius, emotional, honest, refreshing, and the list goes on… Music/Instrumentals: Fucking breathtaking. General Vibe: Haunting, obsessive (I can’t stop listening to this record), creative and fulfilling. Favourite Song: "Where It Ends" (it walks through me, starting at the toes and moves its way up, sending shivers up my spine in the process. Simply fabulous.) In conclusion: A beautiful record that is worthy of your undivided attention, as it is a perfect shade of Violet courtesy of Boy In Static. The power of music is simply amazing.

5. THE WOODEN SKY
When Lost at Sea
I was captivated and entranced by this band when they made a stop in Victoria this summer, and I had the great pleasure of reviewing their show. Wow. The boys were super sweet, had great stage presence, and I became an instant fan. When the show was over, I almost cried. And then I wished for them to come back through town again, and I will continue wishing until they do, but in the meantime I have their record to get me through the waiting.

4. SONDRE LERCHE
Phantom Punch
The more I’ve listened to this record, the more I’ve decided on how truly and deeply I love it so. With a solid score of 9, it’s no surprise to me that Sondre Lerche and his Phantom Punch has found its way onto this list. I’ve been unable to get “She’s Fantastic” out of my head, and I absolutely love and adore the record’s energy and dance-ability, and Lerche’s special and magical touch.

3. BLOC PARTY
A Weekend In The City
Oh yes, Bloc Party. This is a fantastic record, and yet another one that holds a large array of great memories and stories. A lot has happened in my life while A Weekend In The City was playing along, and I hold it close to my heart. There’s no use in mentioning my favourite songs, seeing as I’d be pretty much rambling off the full track listing.

2. WHITE STRIPES
Icky Thump
It took the White Stripes six releases to really make their mark on me, but now that they have, it's permanent. This is one record I couldn’t wait for…I was anxious for weeks, and for whatever reason I couldn’t wait for this one to finally hit the shelves of my record store, and I felt like a little kid waiting to open Christmas presents. Why, you ask? I’m actually not too sure. The album’s first single, "Icky Thump", seemed to have cast a spell on me, and I felt extremely antsy to hear the rest of the goodness…and I must say the wait was definitely worth it.

1. BONDE DO ROLE
With Lasers
I initially gave this record a high score and was instantly in love with its multitude of greatness, and this has only grown and blossomed over the weeks that have followed. After finally hearing and writing about With Lasers, I had to share the goodness with my sister, and the record quickly went from being a great listen that I was excited about to becoming my favourite record of the year. My sister and I got so obsessed with it, and our lack of understanding it, we literally didn’t take it out of all of our available CD players for weeks. It was (and pretty much still is) on constant repeat on my iPod, as well as in my sister’s car, in my apartment, and I’m sure in hers now as well. Now that my sister has sailed ship back to the cold lands of Alberta, I will continue listening to With Lasers as I miss her each and every day, and remember all the great times that were had to this lovely, fantastic and beautifully distinct music. Cheers to baile funk and Bonde Do Role’s special, captivating powers.