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[Pook]

As most people, my tastes have expanded considerably over the last few ears-- so those that might remember ol' Pookie as a teen, some of these things you may like/remember, blah blah, and some might shock and surprise you. 

 

Without further ado…

 

 

Track ONE:

Say Anything - Judas Decapitation

(from the 2014 album Hebrews)

 

 

Say Anything is one of the greatest mainstays of indie rock to come from So Cal in the earl 00’s. Fronted by songwriter Max Bemis, the band as gone through various line-up changes through the decade, but has consistently made great music. Hebrews is a concept album about the personal struggles of Bemis through the metaphors of collective heritage, humanity and change.

Edited by Pook, 14 August 2014 - 01:42 PM.

[Pook]

Track TWO:

Manchester Orchestra - The Ocean

(From the 2014 album COPE)

 

[Pook]

Track THREE: 

Mongol Horde - Blistering Blue Barnacles

(From the 2014 Mongol Horde album)

 

 

Fans of Frank Turner know the man is just as fond of heavy music as he is with folk music, always finding ways of releasing his creativity in tasteful portions.

His new project, Mongol Horde, featuring bandmate Matt Nasir (also plays keyboards in Frank Turner's solo band) and ex-Million Dead bandmate Ben Dawnson.

 

It's brutal. It's honest. It's fun.

Love it.

[Pook]

Track FOUR:

Ancient Lasers - Kill Your Idols

(from the 2014 Kill Your Idols EP)

 

 

Ancient Lasers is an electronic group from Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of becoming friends with this artist, and I do a pretty sick cover of his track "Ancestors". He also works with Daniel Anderson (Idiot Pilot, The Ghost and the Grace, Glowbug) on this and other music. Awesome. I might cover this one too.

[Pook]

Track FIVE:

Against Me! - Unconditional Love 

(from the 2014 album Transgender Dysphoria Blues)

 

 

The struggle of Against Me! and Laura Jane Grace has been well documented over the last few years, and this album is a true testament of it. If you haven't yet, listen to the entire album. I don't want to bastardize this by speaking too long...

[Pook]

Track FIVE:

The Dear Hunter - A Sua Voz

(from the 2011 release The Color Spectrum)

 

 

Just listen to the Dear Hunter. Explaining further is ridiculous. Thanks DevilPaladin for the recommendation...7 years ago

[Pook]

Track SIX:

New Found Glory - Connect The Dots 

(from the 2013 live album Kill It Live)

 

 

As I've always felt and said, New Found Glory always lives up to expectations and accomplishes something new with each new release. This live album was no different, as it featured three new studio recordings-- "First Bite", "I Want To Believe" and the aforementioned track. For fans of pop-punk elite.

[Pook]

Track SEVEN:

The Chariot - Yanni Depp 

(from the 2005 Unsung EP)

 

 

Now for something on the heavier side of my tastes. Not for the faint of heart.

[Pook]

Track EIGHT:

Dredg - Brushstroke: An Elephant In The Delta Waves (ft. Azaam Ali)

(from the 2002 album El Cielo)

 

 

El Cielo is an album based on the sleep paralysis phenomenon (aka astral projection). Some lyrics were crafted from letters received by the band about fans who had experienced it as well. Dredg are an incredible rock band from San Francisco who have only released 5 albums in their career thus far, while each member participates in side projects as well. This song in particular features Iranian singer Azaam Ali who writes and performs vocals and arrangements, which is a wonderful splash of culture. Check this album out if you enjoy art-rock and psycho-philosophical introspection.

[Pook]

Track NINE:

Four Year Strong - Go Down In History

(from the 2014 Go Down In History EP)

 

 

 

Four Year Strong combine the best elements of pop-punk music and hardcore into some of the most powerful, uplifting, positive music. Love these guys-- especially the beards.

[Pook]

Track TEN:

Motion City Soundtrack - Pulp Fiction

(from the 2010 album My Dinosaur Life)

 

[Pook]

Track ELEVEN:

Chiodos - Behvis Bullock

(from the 2014 album Devil)

 

[Pook]

Track TWELVE:

Massive Attack - What Your Soul Sings

(from the 2003 album 100th Window)

 

 

And now for something completely different. Sinead O'Connor provides vocals and lyrics to this and two other songs on the above mentioned album. One of my favourite trip-hop records and electronic soundscapes. Enjoy.

[Pook]

Track THIRTEEN:

Every Time I Die - Moor

(from the 2014 album From Parts Unknown)

 

 

This band is constantly redefining their brand of music with each successful release. This album, produced and engineered by Kurt Ballou (Converge) is the epitome of honesty and brutality. "Moor" is a great example of a new experiment gone right.

[Pook]

Track FOURTEEN:

Glassjaw - The Number No Good Things Can Come Of

(from the 2005 El Mark EP)

 

 

Glassjaw is one of my favourite bands, hands and pants down. One of the best things about this band is their mystery-- how they are able to, without a label or funding other than their own, release music so infrequently but still have a rabid fan base. And I mean rabid. You should've seen how hazy it got just trying to get those goddamn singles back in 2011... but anyway. This song, like most of the songs written and recorded for their 2002 album Worship and Tribute, is diverse and unique all on it's own. The band went from making hardcore music to this. And then further. Go listen to them.

[Pook]

Track FIFTEEN:

New Found Glory - Selfless

(from the upcoming 2014 album Resurrection)

 

 

NFG is back and sounds killer. So excited for this new record.

[Pook]

Track SIXTEEN:

What's Eating Gilbert - Complaining

(from the 2012 Cheap Shots EP)

 

 

Keeping up with the NFG chain, this is the solo project of lead guitarist Chad Gilbert. Classic 50's pop with his punk twist.

[Pook]

Track SEVENTEEN:

Kevin Devine (and the Goddamn Band) - Private First Class

(from the 2013 album Bubblegum)

 

[Pook]

Track EIGHTEEN:

Thrice - Digital Sea (Dillinger Remix)

(from the 2008 iTunes Come All You Weary EP)

 

 

Ben Weiman of Dillinger Escape Plan does a remix of Digital Sea from Thrice's 2007 The Alchemy Index Vol. II Water, and in it's typical fashion, is very much a fresh perspective on the song. Remixes are fun.

[Pook]

Track NINETEEN:

The Bled - I Don't Keep With Liars Anymore (hidden track)

(from the 2005 Found In the Flood LP)

 

 

This is the hidden track off of the aforementioned LP. It reprises melodic motifs played earlier in the track "I Don't Keep With Liars Anymore" with an electronic/ambient edge, never again repeated in their music.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY:

Casualties of Cool - Bones

(from the 2014 self-titled LP)

 

 

CoC is a collaboration between renowned artist Che Aimee Dorvall and sir-crazy-pants himself, Devin Townsend (of Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai, DTP, DTB, Zimmer's Hole...). A very unlikely duo, but they work so well together. This music is self-described as being haunted-Johnny Cash songs and it lives up to all expectations. I suggest listening to this album in whole.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-ONE:

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Bartender (live)

(from the 2007 Live At Radio City album)

 

 

One of my most favourite songs from the DMB catalogue, he and Tim Reynolds put on a brilliantly haunting performance to start their Live At Radio City performance. This song is very symbolic for the band since the passing of their sax player LeRoi Moore back in 2008. I fuckin' love Dave Matthews.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-TWO:

Glowbug - Go Easy

(from the 2013 Go Easy single)

 

 

In between his 2012 album Suit of Swords and the upcoming as-of-yet-untitled album, Glowbug (aka. Daniel Anderson (the Ghost and The Grace, Idiot Pilot, Hyro Da Hero)) released this one-off single with a Huey Lewis and the News song "Hip To Be Square" as a bside. Since Idiot Pilot went on hiatus, Anderson has been pursuing a successful career as a solo artist, composer and songwriting partner, made best through his secrecy. He rarely ever announces anything, and if he does, it's vague and tempting.

I can't wait for his next album. 

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-THREE:

The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site

(from the 2003 Reconstruction Site LP)

 

 

For the next 7 days, it will be Canadian music only, eh! In 2006 I went through my first depression, first crisis of faith, first point where I started questioning everything in life including myself. It was a rough time. That Christmas season my family and I drove up to my Grandfather's home up North, and this album (with Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue) was there for me when I really needed it. This song encapsulates my headspace during that time. Great music through tough times...

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-FOUR:

.moneen. - Start Angry...End Mad

(from the 2003 album Are we really happy with who we are right now?)

 

 

.moneen. is one of my favourite Canadian bands that didn't blow up nearly as much as they deserved. They are close friends of the Alexisonfire dudes (all grew up in the same town) and toured together incessantly. While AOF blew up in international markets, .moneen. hasn't really fared as well. God knows why? They're way fucking better.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-FIVE:

Remy Shand - Rocksteady

(from the 2002 album The Way I Feel)

 

 

Remy Shand came and went in a flash. Hailing from Winnipeg (look it up), he jumped into mainstream success by signing with Universal Motown (who gets signed to a major that easily, wtf?) and putting out his first album of cool jazz, slow jams and songs you could fuck to. Then, in the midst of recording his second album, Remy disappeared. No shows. No announcements. No interviews. Disappeared. His website was still unchanged for many years until it was taken down (probably to save money, 'cause you know how major labels work) and he wasn't heard from again until last summer where he posted a few new tracks to YouTube.

 

This album rules, and anyone who tells you differently is wrong.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-SIX:

Portal - The Kingdom

(from the 2008 album Blood Red Tape)

 

 

In my 'Canadian Music Appreciation Week', I've selected a band/artist from each different province (of which we have 10, foreigners) and will be showcasing a wide range of incredible music. This band, Portal, comes from my hometown. I worked with the singer/rhythm guitarist at Outback Steakhouse back in '06, and became good friends after sharing our appreciation for Tool. I was fortunate enough to see the band perform twice in support of this album, once which fell on my 20th birthday. The band has been apart for a few years now, and it is uncertain whether we will hear more, but this album is an opus. Check it out.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-SEVEN

Matthew Good - Garden of Knives

(from the 2013 Arrows of Desire LP)

 

 

Matthew Good is one of the few Canadian artists that had very little luck getting south of the border. Why? I couldn't tell you. He's been making music since '95 and each album released has been great. Some had some weak spots, but what album doesn't?

Anyway. This is off his last album (his weakest thus far) but it's a killer track.

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-EIGHT:

Misery Signals - Lost Relics

(from the 2013 album Absent Light)

 

 

This one requires a little explanation. Yes, they are an American band, but they have Canadian roots and members, so this shit counts. Karl Schubach (the vocalist) comes from Regina, Saskatchewan, and up until their most recent line up, they also had guitarist/vocalist Stu Ross (from St. Albert, Alberta-- right outside of my hometown). The band originally formed from the fall-out of two bands, one from St. Albert and the other from Minneapolis, so... I'm counting this as my Saskatchewan choice for Canadian Music Week (or so).

 

This song comes from their crowdfunded album Absent Light. To be honest, I feel like it's the greatest accomplishment they've made so far, even though their last album was phenomenal. It just goes to show that DIY marketing and music making is the way of the future. Great sound, didn't break their banks, and they had constant support from their fans. If only the rest of the industry would follow suit..

[Pook]

Track TWENTY-NINE:

Sam Roberts - The Canadian Dream

(from the 2003 album We Were Born In A Flame)

 

 

Today's artist is brought to you by La Belle Province, Quebec. Sam Roberts has had a decent career (not one that I've followed much since the late 2000's) and is finally being recognized for his ability to craft great songs.

This is from his first album and is a song that I will occasionally cover live, especially during the winter.

 

"Everything moves real slow when it's 40 below..."