Zunior Dave's 2014 Picks - "Some albums that really did it for me in 2014"
Bry Webb - Free Will
Bry Webb did such a great job at our 10th anniversary celebration, Sandbanks New Waves. His return to the Canadian musical landscape was just in time for us, and for all music lovers. This is a thoughtful and warm album. A good one to throw on and do some pondering.
Timber Timbre - Hot Dreams
This band is in a groove. They have hit on such a consistent sound across several albums now and it just works. Spooky, spacey and cryptically melodic. One of my favourite artists no matter what they do.
Steve Dawson - Rattlesnake Cage
Steve and his label Black Hen have been such great friends of Zunior over the years, and he is such an amazing musician, that I couldn't have been happier to hear this one. A fully instrumental collection that sounds decades old, and southern fried.
Ought - More Than Any Other Day
For me this "new" new music...like REALLY new. I don't want too sound to self-satisfied saying that but... I'm not a spring chicken anymore, and many of the other titles on this list are from bands that been around for a while, or have several albums. Ought are from Montreal, they are young and they represent everything about why I got into music in the first place. Energy, originality and a subtle sense of humour.
Tanya Tagaq - Animism
It was such a great idea to pair our old Zunior friend Jesse Zubot with Tanya Tagaq for this album. Both come from the fringes of the musical and ideological landscape in Canada. The more I learn about Tanya's politics, her personality and her ability to communicate, the more I like her. In music, in words and in tone she gets across very serious ideas in a way that forces you to take notice. Winning the Polaris Prize for this album ensures her profile and message will continue to spread and grow.
Lydia Ainsworth - Right From Real
This would be another 'new' new one to me. We added Arbutus Records from Montreal this past year and they have so much good music. Lydia is getting attention from all right people, from all around the globe, for all the right reasons. An amazing musician with great ideas, classic influences and endless potential.
Elliott Brood - Work and Love
A great Canadian band with a whole slew of great albums. I think what got me with this one was hearing it on the radio. That's so great to see and I hope they continue to get bigger and bigger breaks around the world.
Zeus - Classic Zeus
The name says it all...this is 'Classic Zeus'. They just don't make bands like this anymore. Versatile, melodic and rock solid.
Tony Dekker sings 10 Years of Zunior
I was so happy when Tony agreed to do this album to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The simple concept was for him to cover some of our favourite songs in his classic haunting voice and guitar combo. Nothing else. This albums plays like a collection of my very favourite songs done by one of my favourite singers-songwriters ever. THIS is the Zunior birthday cake with 14 delicate burning song-candles. You gotta love it!