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Needles//Pins

!earshot year-end picks 2008 : The Church of Noise


Jorden Ager

� Station Manager
CKXU 88.3 FM � Lethbridge

The Church of Noise
Monday Noon-13:30pm
CKXU 88.3 FM - Lethbridge

I have a pretty eclectic show: From Jazz to Metal, Classic Soul to Punk/Hardcore, Folk/Roots to Hip Hop, and Avant-garde to Electronic. Nothing is off-limits. If I like it, I will play it, simple as that!

2008 in Review

Top 200 of 2008

As the new year comes in, it time to look back at the musical year that was...

The '2008 Best of...' Playlists

The year-end playlist for friends and family is an annual tradition for many music lovers. !earshot takes a look at what a few of our friends and family from the music obsessed world of c/c radio are cooking up this year.

Weirdoes & Movie Stars: Bazooka Goes Bonkers In the O-EIGHT
By Bruno Mazzotta

Fader in the Key of Simultaneity
By Andrea-Jane Cornell

Meat's Sweet Treats
By Luke Meat

Picks and Pans 2008

Looking back at some of the best, the over-rated, local surprises and more...
New Shit
Jazz Notes with Jim
The Church of Noise
Jazz on the Rocks
I Am Collecting Beautiful Things
Nasty Jag Sound Crew
Canada Post-Rock
The Kitchen Sink

My Top records of the year

Dear Science is one of the most unforgettable and comprehensive albums I have heard in years.

1. TV on the RadioDear Science – (Interscope)
Dear Science is one of the most unforgettable and comprehensive albums I have heard in years. Every song is unique and stands on its own, but they easily flow together better than anything TV on the Radio has ever released (maybe with exception to Young Liars (Touch and Go) ep). I get chills every time I hear the drums pick up near the end of Family Tree, as well as the double climax of the last two tracks DLZ and Lover’s Day. With Dear Science, TV on the Radio has proven that being signed to a major label is not always a hindrance on creativity, but rather an opportunity to create more.
http://www.myspace.com/tvotr

2. All the SaintsFire on Corridor X – (Touch and Go)
One of the best Touch and Go releases in recent memory, Fire on Corridor X has been in regular rotation with me for quite awhile now. It has a modern twist on the shoegaze and noise of the nineties, with a completely original feel. To top that off the songs are excellently written and memorable.
http://www.myspace.com/allthesaints

3. CarpenterLaw of the Land – (Smallman)
Law of the Land is a solid, catchy, energetic rock release. A throwback to the emo-core releases of the late nineties, but with a roots-rock twist. The songs have huge guitars and great stop-start moments, with lyrics that focus on agribusiness issues and the independent farmer.
http://www.myspace.com/johncougarisgod

Runners up:

4. 65daysofstatic – The Distant and Mechanised Glow of Eastern European Dance Parties EP – (Monotreme)
http://www.myspace.com/11488230

5. Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling –(Matador)
http://www.myspace.com/mogwai

Most under-rated record of the year

Lights Out AsiaEyes Like Brontide – (n5MD)
I am blown away that this album was virtually ignored here at our station. Very chill, but intense at the same time. Easily the best album Lights Out Asia have released.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=13935750

Most over-rated record of the year

Black MountainIn the Future – (Scratch/Jagjaguwar)
I just don’t get it. If I wanted to listen to Jefferson Airplane, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, I would listen to Jefferson Airplane, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind and Pink Floyd. I personally do not believe they have added anything new to the genre. I did like the album cover though….
http://ca.myspace.com/blackmountain

Best local release

Endangered ApeVariations on a Theme EP – (Independent)
The first time I saw Endangered Ape live, I knew I was witnessing something special, something bigger than Lethbridge, but yet a perfect fit for Lethbridge. This EP is very noisy and brooding, but it has a charm all its own. Underneath all the noise there are great straight to the point rock songs, with excellent musicianship, and a subtle sense of purpose.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=32641435

Best personal campus/community radio moment or experience of the year.
Seeing as I am new to campus/community radio, so far everything has been memorable.

Record you are most anticipating for 2009

DredgTBA – (Interscope?)
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Can’t wait, Dredg is one of the most underrated bands in rock music today. They are one of those bands that kind of float between indie rock and radio rock, allowing them to be despised and loved from both sides of the spectrum. 
http://www.myspace.com/dredg

 

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