Thoughts on 2008: Put the Rifle Down

Published Jan 1, 2009

To tide us over while we indulge in the holiday spirit gorging on stuffing and egg nog, we asked a bunch of musicians to tell us their thoughts on 2008. Some of them replied with lists of their favourite music, some told us their fondest memories and some came up with much more creative ways to commemorate this past year.

Put the Rifle Down chose to make us a mixtape filled with some of their favourite songs of 2008:

2008 was fun for Put the Rifle Down. Opening for the Teenagers, playing an outdoor electro festival in Quebec with Duchess Says and Numero, remixing the Coast and great gigs with new friends Golden Girls and 84.85 are just a few of the moments that will certainly stay will us.

For us, 2009 will really start with the late January release of our long-awaited debut disc, Selector, on Montreal label Summer Lovers Unlimited (we're obviously really excited about this). We've also spent the three months since Pop Montreal taking a break from touring and live shows to write and demo. Now we've got almost an album's worth of new songs that we're going to start playing and passing around soon. Stay tuned!

But enough about us, this list is meant to compile/celebrate other people's tracks that have rocked our world over the past 12 months. So without further adieu, here is the recipe for PTRD's 2008 mixtape. The track order isn't a ranking - it's totally a flow thing.

1. Futurecop "NASA" (Cryptonites Remix) (Southern Fried)
This remix sounds both futuristic and retro at the same time and has a sweet paddy synth hook too. It's a great track to make evening plans to.

2. Cut Copy "Lights & Music" (Modular)
This song was summer 2008. The main post-punk riff and the breakdown in the bridge are two of the best guitar hooks of the year.

3. TMDP "Glades" (YYZ)
This Toronto duo will be coming on strong in 2009 - mark our words. We've seen their pristine production and knack for epic catchiness bust dance floors wide open.

4. Woodhands "I Wasn't Made For Fighting" (Paper Bag)
Dan Werb's voice is full of paranoia and desperation but Paul Banwatt's racing hi-hats make sure that everyone knows this is dance song - a weird, awesome dance song.

5. Apache Beat "Tropics" (Summer Lovers Unlimited)
Apache Beat are in-vogue storm pop from NYC. Once when we played with them their gear got stuck at the border so we lent them our bass. After their set we caught their bass player in the washroom scrubbing his blood off it - that's how intense they are. Watch for their full-length to drop in early 2009, and for it to be totally spectacular.

6. Chairlift "Planet Health" (Kanine)
One of the prettiest songs to come out all year, the "Stop drop and roll" breakdown is a total show-stopper. We still get emotional hearing it.

7. The Coast "Ceremony Guns" (Aporia)
Just one of many great tracks off our friends the Coast's debut LP, Expatriate. Channeling a bit of the National's dapper noir, this track explodes at the ending - a part they absolutely kill when playing it live.

8. The Teenagers "Streets of Paris" (XL)
Everyone knows these pervy Parisian hipsters for their potty mouthed party rock but "Streets of Paris" showcases their knack for pure pop sensibilities, without using any of their favourite four letter words. Will Smith would approve.

9. Poni Hoax "This Bird Is On Fire" (Tigersushi)
While this track is primarily influenced by Italo disco, Paris's Poni Hoax also draw on cool elements of moody brit rock and spiky post-punk.

10. Crystal Castles "1991" (Last Gang)
Some people have a problem with Crystal Castles but not us. This song rules.

11. CFCF "The Explorers" (Paper Bag)
Already famous in blogs for his HEALTH and Apache Beat remixes, it turns out that Montreal native CFCF (aka Michael Silver) can write his own catchy tunes too.

12. SALEM "Redlights" (ACEPHALE)
This song was fall 2008. Weird slo-mo club sprinkled with ethereal vocals meets a distorted guitar riff that somehow completes a bizarre leftfield hook. It blows my mind every time.

13. Gang Gang Dance "First Communion" (Warp)
From one of the most creative albums this year, "First Communion" isn't just catchy, it's fucking hypnotic.

14. Metronomy "Heartbreaker" (Because Music)
Joseph Mount creates a weirdly soothing hook in "Heartbreaker," one that carries an almost misplaced Modest Mouse influence.

15. Buck Starball "Dude Jackets!" (Independent)
Not many people know of the drug-addled awesomeness that is Toronto MC Buck Starball, but his record, They Took Your Drugs Away, turned out to be one of our favourite finds of the year. "Dude Jackets!" is a bizarre electro rap masterpiece.

16. OPOPO "Clockstop" (Urbnet)
We love our friends OPOPO because their mischievous, motoric beats always make us want to dance.

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