Whether or not this was the best film of the year, or even my favourite, I can’t confirm. But, like a piece of history that helps shape your conception of the world, it ingrained itself into my conscience and left me decidedly enriched. Frida is the story of an artist who, crippled early on in… Continue reading Frida
Month: January 2003
Kathleen Edwards, Failer
By James Keller
The biggest challenge for any folk artist, especially any with the obvious country undertones of Kathleen Edwards, is to escape the pigeon-holing that lets critics so freely disregard many similarly excellent artists. However, simply stuffing Edwards’ debut onto the country shelf to be forgotten for greater, more established folk musicians would be a mistake, as… Continue reading Kathleen Edwards, Failer
The Corb Lund Band, Five Dollar Bill
By Russ Dyck
There was no doubt in my mind that Five Dollar Bill would be my pick for the best album of the year since it has stayed in my stereo since the day I bought it. The album is not the regular pop/country you hear on the radio but real country music, written and played by… Continue reading The Corb Lund Band, Five Dollar Bill
Jurassic 5, Power in Numbers
Let’s face it, 2002 was not 1993. This was not a watershed year for the music industry, and generally, the top ten per cent of albums released were good, not great.Jurassic 5’s Power in Numbers is one of these good albums, and is certainly a worthwhile disc to add to your collection. Its laid-back beats… Continue reading Jurassic 5, Power in Numbers
Bad Astronaut, Houston we have a drinking problem
By Josh LaVoie
Four weeks of contemplation and it came down to the selection of my ride home from work last night. Bad Astronaut’s Houston: We Have a Drinking Problem is the best selection to calm me down after an endless day at work and is a perfect selection for album of the year. The band successfully mixes… Continue reading Bad Astronaut, Houston we have a drinking problem
Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
I actually didn’t want to choose this as my album of the year. It’s had so much acclaim already, has topped so many top ten lists; it seemed almost redundant. But no matter how many times I looked through my CD collection, I just couldn’t find anything to put above it. From the opening drums… Continue reading Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Spacemonkeys vs. Gorillaz, Laika come home
By Falice Chin
Those hyperactive Gorillaz cartoons never seemed to chill until this spacey dub re-creation of their debut came out. Laika Come Home is full of creative remixes and surprises that is sure to tranquilize fans into a blissful trip of experimental electronica. Original in every sense, the album cleverly reinvents Gorillaz’s music into a compound of reggae trumpets, pop-synth, jungle, turntablism, and rap–but all in slow motion. In fact, the… Continue reading Spacemonkeys vs. Gorillaz, Laika come home
Alanis Morissette, Under Rug Swept
By Nicole Riva
On Under Rug Swept, Morissette finds a perfect balance between the anger expressed on Jagged Little Pill and the spiritual clarity on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. Songs like “Narcissus” prove that men still piss off Morissette, and she is still dealing with self image though songs like “So Unsexy.” Her voice has never been stronger… Continue reading Alanis Morissette, Under Rug Swept
Norah Jones
By James Keller
Perhaps it comes as no surprise that Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” charted as a number one song in the U.S. last year. While it’s a cleverly simple and beautifully sung jazz track, it also has all the key ingredients of a good pop song. It’s catchy, full of hooks and perfectly produced. The real… Continue reading Norah Jones
Internationally renowned, locally grown
Yeehaw? The High Performance Rodeo and the Calgary Stampede; a brief comparison. The Rodeo is a month-long arts and entertainment festival featuring works from across Canada and beyond, representing a variety of disciplines and media. The Calgary Stampede lasts for two weeks and sees drunken businessmen line dance while wearing overpriced western wear. While both… Continue reading Internationally renowned, locally grown