1. Radiohead Amnesiac (Capitol)
Not as experimental as other, more avant-garde artists, but other artists didn't have to deal with the pressures of being a multi-platinum band, and the resultant media scrutiny. Others may be more "out there," but few are as good. -Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
2. Sigur Rós Ágætis Byrjun (Bad Taste/Universal)
Haunting haunted stuff. Eerie and melodic from otherwordly habitants music not of this earth. -Rick Medland, Carleton Place ON
3. Fantômas The Director's Cut (Ipecac)
Not Merzbow or Francisco Lopez but still experimental enough for "normal" people. -Martin Choquette, Montreal QC
Mike Patton and Buzz Osborne headbang out an homage to Siskel and Ebert on lithium. -James Missen, Ottawa ON
4. A Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra And Tra-la-la Band Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward (Constellation)
The vocals aren't very good, but everything else about this album amazed me. It's much more energetic than their first album and is also more interesting. -Alex Cooper, Montreal QC
Nostalgia in an old world gone mad. -Alexis Charlebois, Laval QC
5. Set Fire To Flames Sings Reign Rebuilder (Alien8)
Spooky, ethereal and above all real. Jordan Smith, Vancouver BC
Recorded in some creepy old house, this album is madness (in the best way possible). -Chris Shapka, Edmonton AB
One of the most eerily beautiful things I've heard in awhile. Is "eerily beautiful" an oxymoron? -Bryon Hayes, Toronto ON
Not as experimental as other, more avant-garde artists, but other artists didn't have to deal with the pressures of being a multi-platinum band, and the resultant media scrutiny. Others may be more "out there," but few are as good. -Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
2. Sigur Rós Ágætis Byrjun (Bad Taste/Universal)
Haunting haunted stuff. Eerie and melodic from otherwordly habitants music not of this earth. -Rick Medland, Carleton Place ON
3. Fantômas The Director's Cut (Ipecac)
Not Merzbow or Francisco Lopez but still experimental enough for "normal" people. -Martin Choquette, Montreal QC
Mike Patton and Buzz Osborne headbang out an homage to Siskel and Ebert on lithium. -James Missen, Ottawa ON
4. A Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra And Tra-la-la Band Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward (Constellation)
The vocals aren't very good, but everything else about this album amazed me. It's much more energetic than their first album and is also more interesting. -Alex Cooper, Montreal QC
Nostalgia in an old world gone mad. -Alexis Charlebois, Laval QC
5. Set Fire To Flames Sings Reign Rebuilder (Alien8)
Spooky, ethereal and above all real. Jordan Smith, Vancouver BC
Recorded in some creepy old house, this album is madness (in the best way possible). -Chris Shapka, Edmonton AB
One of the most eerily beautiful things I've heard in awhile. Is "eerily beautiful" an oxymoron? -Bryon Hayes, Toronto ON