Hello all. Let’s get right into it. Here are my best records of 2009:
Propagandhi – ‘Supporting Caste’
Like a finely-aged wine, Propagandhi just keeps getting better with age. While their peers that came up on the scene with the Winnipeg foursome during the mid-90’s punk rock boom (see NOFX, Pennywise, etc ) have grown content to release renamed versions of the same album every couple years, Propagandhi strive — and reach — unimaginable heights. From the opening strikes of “Night Letters” through to the final, painfully-beautiful notes of “Last Will and Testament”, ‘Supporting Caste’never lets up — not for a moment. This record is lyrically stronger than ever before, evidenced by songs like “Without Love,” and the more satirical ”Human(e) Meat” (where Chris, the vegan frontman, talks about skinning and preparing a human for dinner). There were times throughout the year where I literally had to force myself to listen to other records to hear what else was happening in the music world, but it never left for long. This is quite possibly the most powerful punk record of all time, and hands down my record of the year.
Thrice – ‘Beggars’
While listening to Thrice’s element-inspired releases, ‘The Alchemy Index: Volumes 1-4,’ I was more than a little curious to see where the band would land at the outset, and what would come of all the experimentation. Well now that we’re on the other side, Thrice not only survived the experimentation, but they’ve also released their most solid and cohesive record to date. The sound of ‘Beggars’ is what Thrice should always have been: soul-inspired heavy rock. Dustin Kensrue allows his voice to speak in ways never before heard and what was previously been hidden behind angst, now sounds impassioned and soulful. While maintaining their heavy edge, they’ve also dug up an organic sound, coming across as a band well beyond their years. Simply amazing.
Mew – ‘No More Stories…’
Mew did everything within their power to make this record as impenetrable as possible. From the absurdly long – 23 word (?) – album title, to the almost “non-song” of a song that opens the album (“New Terrain”), to the intro of the second song (“Introducing Palace Player”) that twists, turns, and contorts the brain in an attempt to follow along with rhythm. Yet, once that fog clears, what comes out of the speakers is the most beautiful collection of sounds put to tape in 2009. The first explosion of that sound on “Introducing Palace Player” is powerful and inspired, and carries through the entirety of the album. As hard as they tried to make it, the pull of this record is irresistible.
Best ‘09 shows
1. Constantines – December 11 – Lee’s Palace, 10yr Anniversary Show
Had it not been for the Cons placing a stake in the ground to mark their ten year anniversary, it may have flown right past me without taking notice. What a shame that would have been. The Cons have been a fixture in my life since I first heard them on London’s 94.7fm back in 2001. They have been one of my favourite bands through each of their records, from their self-titled record to ’Shine a Light,’ or from ‘Tournament Of Hearts’ to last year’s ‘Kensington Heights.’ This show touched on every one of their records, bringing out favourites like “Young Offenders” and rare gems like “On To You.”
While some of the shows over those 10 years may have lacked the enthusiasm of the band’s upstart years, this show’s significance definitely brought back a heightened sense of excitement for both the band and their fans in the room. Needless to say, I was happy to mark ten years with one of the greatest bands in Canada.
2. The Gaslight Anthem – Friday March 20th – Opera House
The Gaslight Anthem’s first headlining show in Canada sold out in a few short days. It seemed like over night, Gaslight went from being a little unknown punk band to being the most exciting band in punk rock. I remember when our good friend Serge first told me about the band – it was like a little void that I didn’t know existed had been filled – and Gaslight was the band I needed. At the Opera House on March 20th, I think that feeling was mutual between the 900 people in the room. Every fan knew every word to both new and old songs alike, and never before had the Opera House room felt so hot, sweaty, and joyful. There was a point early in the show when Gaslight’s main man, Brian Fallon, told a story about a friend’s death with enough sincerity and honesty as if to seem like it was his first time telling it, right before breaking into the title track “’59 Sound.” When the emotion of those first notes kicked in, I literally felt tears in his eyes. If that’s not the sign of a great show, then I don’t know what is.
3. Propagandhi – June 26, The Phoenix
There’s a line in Propagandhi’s song “The Banger’s Embrace” (which is a tribute to the band Sacrifice) that says “Returning kings back to reclaim lost disciples that remained to tend the flames.” Well let me say, if it was my place to write a song in tribute to a band’s show, Propagandhi would be the band, and this would be the show.
The previous Toronto show that Propagandhi played, in 2008, was a benefit show and a chance for old fans to come out and see one of their favourite bands. This show, however, was that of a band at the pinnacle of their career — supporting their strongest album to date, while still paying respect to the great albums that came before. It was typically Propagandhi; starting with a rally call against the Alberta Tar Sands, the band broke out three songs from their new record: “Supporting Caste,” “Tertium Non Datur” and “The Banger’s Embrace.” Every album had its due representation, and the band again, as they did is 2008, closed out the show with where it all started: the first song on their first record, ‘Anti-Manifesto.’
On “The Banger’s Embrace”Propagandhi may be out to sing praise for Sacrifice, but for my money this show marked Propagandhi as the kings back to tend the flames.
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