SilentTalkie

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1. “About Today” by the National from “The Cherry Tree EP”

This song was at one point the National’s go-to closing song of their live sets, and was performed far more energetically and driving than this recording. You can check out a live version on their “Viginia EP” if you want to compare for yourself. But I personally love this original version… it’s way more intimate and perfectly communicates the strange, pseudo world that is easy to slip into with long-term relationships… like how conversations may only be real in the middle of the night, when somehow you are both lying awake in bed together. Or maybe it’s the quick gasps of the guitar players as they play. Beautiful.

2. “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens from “The Avalanche”

You can have your bombastic version of “Illinoise,” I’ll take this one for myself, even if it’s vocal performance is a little lacking, it’s the harmony and the warm tones that make this version for me simply spectacular. The orchestration is actually nicely reinged in, and the guitars are perfect. And yes, in your life a road trip to Chicago is a must, and yes, you must remember it fondly with this track.

3. “The First Five Times (Russian Futurists remix)” by Stars from “Do You Trust Your Friends.”

If you haven’t heard the Stars’ “Set Yourself on Fire,” then go, listen… it’s an overlooked gem that belongs in the top six “Montreal” albums of all time. (In no particular order, the others are “Funeral” by the Arcade Fire, “Apologies to the Queen Mary” by Wolf Parade, ” F?A??“ by Godspeed You Black Emperor!, “No Cities Left” by the Dears, and “Sometimes I Cry” by Tricky Woo). I also love the Russian Futurists, which are one of my favourite bands from Toronto… they have a very distinct style, basically pop music with a super heavy back beat. This is a great melding of worlds.

4. “Heavens” by Katie Stelmanis from “Join Us”

Another Toronto-bred favourite; brief bio info reads that she’s a Children’s Opera Company of Canada graduate who got into Ani DiFranco, then crafted her backing tracks with Midi programs, with the sole purpose of putting out a record on Blocks Recording Company here in Hogtown. She succeeded. I saw her perform for the first time at Sneaky Dees during a Halloween weekend show and while at first I didn’t “get it,” I later found myself scouring everywhere for a copy of her album.

5. “Blood Embrasse” by Bonnie “Prince” Billy from “Super Wolf”

Others like Will Oldham’s rootsier material, but I’m in love with his “Super Wolf” collaberation with Matt Sweeney. Not only is there way more distorted electric guitars and loads of “space,” Oldham really goes forth into the religious material, but then really mixes in these interesting relationship observations. The quote in the middle of this song is from an Errol Flynn movie, “Rolling Thunder,” which stars Tommy Lee Jones, which is about a POW war hero returning home, and finding it an unfamiliar place.

6. “Cruiser” by Red House Painters from “Old Ramon”

People rave about Mark Kozelek and the Red House Painters, but no one really mentions this album much because it was “lost” for about five years thanks to label problems, but eventually found the light of day on Sub Pop. This is a two-chord opus about failed dreams in Hollywood, with shout-outs to Hanoi Rocks and Social Distortion. Thankfully, not another ode to his cat