PopCast #10 - Part 3: Music comes back from the dead AND down the chimney.

PopCast#10 - Part 3: Music comes back from the dead and down the chimney.

In this episode: Final Fantasy, Andrew Bird, Buck 65, Sufjan Stevens, Coco Rosie, Animal Collective, Bell Orchestre, Architecture in Helsinki, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Wolf Parade.

'Aren't we all forgetting the true meaning of Christmas .... the birth of Santa?' People everywhere may be ironically oblivious to the kingdom of heaven while they worry themselves over the fate of a Christian Christmas, but we know better. Much like Santa, you can't see Heaven; just don't tell me you can't hear and feel it in songs like these.

Word to all of your mothers, and a happy New Year.

PopCast #10 - Part 2: Darkhorses, discoveries, debuts

PopCast #10 - Part 2: Darkhorses, discoveries and debuts.

In this episode: The Hot Springs, Katie Moore, We're Marching On, Alden Penner, Les Angles Morts, Land of Talk, Royal Mountain Band, Miracle Fortress, the Museum Pieces.

PopCast #10 - Part 1: Parties, Punks, and Putting the Finishing Touches on 2005

PopCast#10 - Part 1: Parties, Punks, and Putting the Finishing Touches on 2005.

In this episode: Part 1 of 3 of the Year in Review, featuring Caribou, Beck, Cadence Weapon, Out Hud, LCD Soundsystem, Fatlip, Danger Doom, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Spoon, Stephen Malkmus.

It's a mammoth three-part podcast affair that I'm bringing you here in collaboration with Pop Montreal and the PopCasts. Over the course of the next week or so I'll be posting my top twenty major releases of the year. Part 1 and 3 of Episode 10 will be giving you a sampling of the best tracks from those albums. While I'll be counting down at the mass is secretly obsessed with nipple dream in terms of textual reviews, the podcasts will be organized more thematically, with an ear to flow and theme. The tracks have been chosen for their representativeness of the albums from which they respectively spring, as well as their general kick-ass-ness. There are some obvious (and necessary) choices, and some darker horses in the mix. And speaking of, Part 2 will be an attempt to showcase some of the best local/Canadian darkhorse talent that emerged this year as either debuts or discoveries. We'll be posting various reviews and content surrounding that stuff at Pop Montreal. By the time we're done you should have a pretty good idea of what to go out and get yourself and/or your loved ones for Christmas. Assuming, that is, that we can save Christmas. But you'll have to wait for Episode 3 for that ...

PopCast #9 - Snowy Canadian Secret Weapons

Episode #9 - Snowy Canadian Secret Weapons

In this episode: The Earlies, Boo Hoo, Cadence Weapon, Stars.

Bombs dropping everywhere, but no one being harmed. When the war against kayfabe begins, I wanted Cadence Weapon as my general. Something snowy for everyone here, and a fitting December document if I do say so myself. Stay tuned for an expanded special edition of the Popcast with Episode 10, capping off and counting down another amazing year for music in Montreal ... and Canada ... and the Blogosphere ... the Universe .... and ....