A Day, A Week, Hemant, A Year

Anyone who knows me is aware that music plays a big part in my life. I love listening to it no matter what I’m doing – it’s safe to say that the only time I’m not listening to music is when I’m watching TV. My music tastes have changed a lot in the last few years, seeing me stray away from one specific genre to a more eclectic mix. As I get older, I have also grown out of my music snobbery that had plagued me in my days as a student.

I thought I would document my favourite albums (in no particular ofer) from 2005 – more-or-less, the soundtrack to my life for the passed year. Hopefully some of you take the time to give them a listen.

1) Coheed & Cambria – “Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume 1 : From Fear through the Eyes of Madness” : Despite the insanely tedious album name, this CD really grew on my during my 90 minute commute to Saskatoon during my first month of work. This is the 3rd in a series of concept albums based on science fiction graphic novels by one of the band members. For more on the band visit http://www.coheedandcambria.com and http://www.cobaltandcalcium.com.

2) Alexisonfire – “Watchout” : Even though this album was actually released in the summer of 2004, I’m including in my list since I didn’t pay any attention to it until 2005. For those of you who have never heard of ‘screamo’ music, that’s what this is. It is basically a mix of ‘emo’ rock and screaming. I know it sounds strange, but you’d be surprised how it can grow on you. The first time I heard a song by Alexisonfire I was thinking, “Who the heck would listen to something like this?” I kept getting little tastes of them and soon found myself compelled to buy the album. The mix of soft vocals, death metal vocals, and emo riffs is an unlikely, but great sound. For more on this band from St. Catherines, Ontario visit http://www.theonlybandever.com.

3) K’naan – “The Dusty Foot Philosopher” : This hip-hop album isn’t your run-of-the-mill hip-hop album. K’naan is a Somalian refuge who now lives in Toronto. His lyrics tell the story of his life experiences in the African nation against a fusion of African beats and hip-hop grooves. K’naan actually has something to say like his hip-hop pioneers, taking us away from the ‘gangsta’ garbage that has recently plagued mainstream rap. For more on K’naan, visit http://www.thedustyfoot.com.

4) The Mars Volta – “Frances the Mute” – If you want to put labels on a band, The Mars Volta would be considered ‘prog rock’ (progressive rock). Their music is often considered experimental, pushing the bounds of what some may even call music. This is not the type of album that you’re gonna love the first time you listen to it, but the more you do, the more it grows on you. For more information on this band from L.A., visit http://www.themarsvolta.com.

5) Esthero – “Wikked Little Grrrls” – Seven years passed between her debut album “Breath From Another” which you could intrepret as this album was going to be completely amazing, or it was so bad that it took that long to work out the bugs. This Toronto girl was definitely feeling the pressure over the last seven years after turning the heads of so many industry big-whigs. I personally can say that I was pleased with the album, even though I probably prefer her rookie effort in “Breath From Another”. “Wikked Little Grrrls” is all over the place, ranging from smooth jazz to hip-hop. I really thing there is something for everyone on this one. For more on Esthero visit http://www.nearlycivilized.com.