Dawes got even better with the release of Nothing is Wrong last year, and it's beyond me why these guys haven't been on SNL or got the buzz that say, Black Keys or Black Lips gets. Maybe they should change the name to Black Dawes, but that's a tad too close to Black Crowes. Anyhow, Dawes for me brings out some Jackson Browne comparisons, a guy for whom I have never really given much time, but I like Dawes so much I might give him a real try. Dawes also reminds me of Warren Zevon, that edge and wry sense of humour that fits in rock 'n' roll like a prairie dog fits in Saskatchewan. If you make it to the bottom of this post you'll hear Dawes with Browne and Jonathan Wilson doing a Zevon classic. Go.
Everyone's got a best of the year list. Sorry, not here. But you do get a bunch of music that I loved this year (some of which may have been released prior to 2010, I don't care), some of which I've blogged about already, and some of which I didn't get to sharing. So here it is, Part One, come on back for the next parts.
Apex Manor's album, The Year of Magical Drinking, comes out January 25 on Merge. Apex Manor is Ross Flournoy's first project since the break-up of The Broken West, who were pretty much brilliant (download Perfect Games here or Daytrotter version here. Here's Under the Gun from the upcoming Apex Manor record.
The debut album North Hills by Dawes came out before 2010, but it's still on high rotation. Sunny, gentle music that is guaranteed to evoke good feeling. I'll probably still be playing this beautiful music regularly next year, too. So should you. The band will give you an mp3 of When My Time Comes if you surrender your email address and stuff.
Drivin' N Cryin' finally put out a record of new music, The Great American Bubble Machine. Not too many bands can combine big dumb southern rock 'n' roll with intelligence, but Kevn Kinney and his merry men manage it. Punk, country, glam rock, folk - these guys can throw anything into their mix and make it work. I remember when Michael Stipe threw in an a capella snippet of a Drivin' N Cryin' song live, I thought, Yes! Now more people will get how great the songs were, hearing a different interpretation. Didn't seem to happen, for some reason. As a bonus I tacked on an old live version of one of the best songs ever, Straight to Hell (no, it's not The Clash song).
Brian Dunn quietly released my favourite record of the year, Examining the Fallout, which as far as I know can still only be purchased at shows or by emailing Mark Browning at mb@cosmicdavesguitaremporium.com. Better than Ryan Adams, cooler than Jeff Tweedy, more stylish than Neil Young? You decide. Remember, he's from Sudbury.
Listen to him play solo and try not to admit he's the bee's knees.
Lawrence Arabia - I don't know much about this New Zealander, but this is one of the catchiest songs I've heard. Brilliant pop sensibilities. And he cuts such a dashing figure - look at that photo!
mp3s will be posted for a limited time and are for promotional purposes only. If you like it, buy the albums, go to the shows, buy the t-shirts - support the artist so they can keep on keepin' on. Artists - if you would like an mp3 or video removed, please contact me directly at chrisyakchart@hotmail.com.
If you've got something Scruffy should hear, same email. Snail mail is cool too.
Scruffy the Yak 34 Allenby Cres Winnipeg Mb R2C 3J4
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