The PSBZ 09 Top 5!

2009 for me has been one of the best years in music that I have ever experienced (especially Toronto/ Canadian music). While there are far more than 5 bands that I am super stoked on, The ones I am about to list are on my absolute top shelf. Each are unique in their own right and as well, I feel are important to what happens from this point onward.

So without further a due

1. Lost Cities
Overwhelming in the live format. Most memorable performance of the last 10 years.
http://www.myspace.com/wearelostcities

2. Expectorated Sequence
Mega epic, mega power, totally honest.
http://www.myspace.com/expectoratedsequence

3. Vilipend
Biggest risk takers both musically and with lives {glad you're OK Chris}. New ideas in hevy music that are tight, crushing and exciting. The way it should be.
http://www.myspace.com/vilipendmusic

4. The Bulletproof Tiger
New kings of the "math" scene. Regardless of the tech these guys sound amazing.
http://www.myspace.com/thebulletprooftiger

5. This is Picture
Most unique and inviting music possibly in the universe. Add to that, Rob is mega swell.
http://www.myspace.com/thisispicture

So there it is, it's such a hot list that my eyes are burning from the text alone. More important than clicking through the links is to see the bands live. It is their ultimate environment.

Looking forward to what 2010 has to offer. If you have a next level band/ project, get in touch.

Robotto ;)

photo :: Lost Cities Myspace

This Is Picture

Form over the course of evolution. The material that This Is Picture (Rob Shortill vocal/guitar) produces is certainly the result of evolution in music, while the project itself has as well been privy to change over time. This Is Picture appears to be quite change oriented evolving and morphing in a variety of ways, and refreshingly, all positive and good.

In the beginning of This Is Picture, there was just Rob. The amazing thing about the music that Rob produces is the magnitude of impact with only Rob's guitar playing and vocal. This is not your standard guitar and voice, singer/ song writer fair. Shortill, of past projects Model, Mare and more recently Five Blank Pages, has always been on the musical creative cusp, pushing things further than their stretch. Phrasing, technique, arrangement and melody are all grossly unique yet still highly engaging and sweet. Over the course of the last year and a bit, This Is Picture has morphed from 1 to 5 to 2 and back down to 1. As 5 [Grady Mutzel (bass), Kenzie Thompson (vocal), and Steve Dagg (drums)] This Is Picture occupied more musical, dimensional space, and did not in any way water down it's esoteric nature. Unfortunately as it seems for many creativity centric music projects, it's difficult to keep people together. The group paired down to Rob and Steve and then again back down to little ol' Rob.

Thankfully Rob has remained steadfast continuing to write and preform. Music and artists like this I believe to be important to listeners and other creatives in challenging the model by which they gauge quality, depth and expression in art/ music. This Is Picture is an example that odd and unique can produce something warm, beautiful, exciting and inclusive.

photo :: This Is Picture Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thisispicture