Normally we do an elaborate year-end list at TWM, but this year was different for me where I personally lost the ability to do that. I used to spend so much time checking out bands from all over the world based on review sites like Pitchfork, Coke Machine Glow and such. But with all the shows I'm putting on and how many great bands I'm finding in Canada that I can actually book, I've lost the time for that.
This list is composed of my 10 favourite bands that played the venue in 2008 that haven't played for TWM before. That means that even though Amos the Transparent, the Golden Hands Before God and many other fantastic bands returned to the Rancho this year, they won't be on thist list. I have another one of those coming before the end of 2008. Check out these myspaces and make plans to catch these bands in your city next year.
10. La Casa Muerte (http://www.myspace.com/lacasamuerte): You are going to listen to these recordings and think I am a nutter because they are about as lo-fi as humanly possible. Well, take a chance to see this band live and name me many others that put on anywhere near as high energy and absolutely infectiously fun set. It's chaotic at times, but in the most electric way possible. One of my favourite memories of the year is Brandon Lim (bassist) tumbling down to the ground and not noticing his bass was unplugged, just playing anyway as 20 people charged the Rancho stage to dance and sing along with the band's last song of the night.
9. Pants & Tie (http://www.myspace.com/pantsandtie): Imagine a mad scientist getting a hold of some DNA from Prince and Justin Timberlake, and then raising that kid listening to nothing but highly-charged, riff-driven, keyboard heavy indie-rock. You might end up with something like Pants & Tie. Creative, unique and challenging are three words I'd use to describe Pants & Tie, but when they played Rancho literally everyone was won over.
8. Lovely Killbots (http://www.myspace.com/lovelykillbots): Describing this band without using the world lovely is impossible, so I'll just say it. Lauralee brings the lovely both vocally and on the keys, and Ryan systematically drives these songs with his precise drumming. This band isn't content to do things the easy way, often times playing in unusual time signatures. You can tell that Lauralee and Ryan work hard at what they do, and might just payoff in 2009.
7. Language Arts (http://www.myspace.com/languageartnet): Not to future bands -- If I have never met you before and you come up the stairs dropping hilarious obscure quotes from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, you are going to be my new friends. Language Arts are from Vancouver and played a tour stop at the Rancho and absolutely killed it. Kristen Cucimore's quirky singing/rapping is oddly compelling and their song "White Socks and Birckenstocks" still gets regular mention around the Rancho when talking about year-end lists etc. Hopefully they'll come back someday as I would push that show with everything I had.
6. Gypsophilia (http://www.myspace.com/gypsophiliaband): A six-piece instrumental gypsy swing band from Halifax. Got your attention yet? We were unbelievably lucky to get this band twice in 2008. It is often said that in the current music scene you don't really need to be that great at music to be in a band and get gigs in the city. The whole adage if you can get 20 friends to go to all your shows you can play gigs whenever you want. I don't entirely buy that, but I will say it is refreshing to have top-rate musicians like Gypsophilia take the stage once and a while and display higher level musical skill.
5.The Paint Movement (http://www.myspace.com/thepaintmovement): Perhaps the least successful TWM show in the history of the series ends up having a band play it that cracks this list in the no. 5 spot. The Paint Movement played the venue several times in 2008, and they always bring their A+ game whether they are playing for 20 people or 120. Tremendous vocals, epic saxophone, and upper echelon songwriting are their staples. Hopefully they'll keep enjoying playing the Rancho in 2009!
4.Hank & Lily (http://www.myspace.com/hankandlily): If you know what is good for you then you will see Hank & Lily next time they tour. It was a pretty impressive moment, looking around the packed to the gills room knowing that Radiohead was going on at the same time and tons of people had to choose between the two. A little bit of vaudeville, a fair bit of cutesy Betty Boop, and a reasonable touch of haunting undertones would be my way of describing Lily. Hank, on the other hand, is a mask-wearing vocal distortionist who adds a darker element to the music and provides the perfect accompanient.
3. Racoon Wedding (http://www.myspace.com/theracoonwedding): Racoon Weddings writes songs and makes music that basically sums up the style of stuff I find myself listening to right now. While I hear a lot of bands that sound great on Myspace, Racoon Wedding is that rare band who can not only duplicate the sound they've recorded but actually surpass it live. There is a level of reckless enthusiasm in the music that lends itself to a memorable live show, but you know they've always got it under control.
2. Parlovr (http://www.myspace.com/parlourmontreal): The next big band out of Montreal! I fully believe this and am going to enjoy every second of their performance for Hi-Hat Compilation #3 at Rancho on February 13th as I doubt I'll get them back on that stage after that. There is a palpable comparison to Wolf Parade that I've heard made and I understand it, but in my opinion there is more of a dancey/electro and a higher rock vibe to Parlovr's songs. That isn't saying that Wolf Parade sucks, but if you gave me a chance to see either band tomorrow, I'd be going to check out Parlovr.
1. The Burning Hell (http://www.myspace.com/mathiaskom): Nobody impressed me as much at Rancho this year as did the Burning Hell. Once I knew we were going to be able to fit this band on the stage, the rest was going to be easy. The Burning Hell has everything that I love about Mark Berube & the Patriotic few, but with the big band sound and musicianship of Gypsophilia. Cross that with a bit of a punk/beatnik ethic that makes them undeniably unique. Oh, and did I mention they played with Hank & Lily? Enough said....
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