Experimental & Avant-Garde
Readers Poll Results 2005
Sigur Rós
Takk... (Geffen)
"Another amazing album from these guys. More impactful than ( ), and the climaxes have a greater pay off." Nate Terry, Toronto ON
"This album exemplifies everything that I love about Sigur Rós. Each track is powerful with musical landscapes that stretch into your soul, yet still pushing the boundaries. Though it may be considered their most commercial sounding' album, it doesn't make it any less beautiful." Zaheen Karim, Ottawa ON
"It made me feel like some kind of happy small child. I am usually a large angry man-child and the new perspective was delicious. This was refreshing." Erik Lindholm, Victoria BC
"Surreal and emotional dreamscapes painted through one's stereo speakers." Kevin Kehler, Winnipeg MB
"I would say an album of slow-building epics topped by Icelandic lyrics qualifies as avant-garde, wouldn't you? There is nothing to dislike about this album; it's just beautiful. Play it at the right time and it'll leave you floating all day; play it at the wrong time and you'll be a useless pile of melted flesh, sobbing away in the corner." Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
2. Bell Orchestre
Recording a Tape the Colour of Light (Rough Trade)
"It deserves praise for the fact it didn't kowtow to people who wanted it to sound like Funeral, yet managed to win people over in spite of that." Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
"Messy, almost silly at times, but takes me away somehow." Abe Levy, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux QC
"This is one of the best instrumental albums that I have ever listened to." Kris McIllwraith, Montreal QC
"Even on their own, individual Arcade Fire members will blow your mind." Scott Sparling, Chatham ON
"Beautiful. A nice aside from the Arcade Fire." Justin Cantin, Ottawa ON
"This album creates a maze in the mind: a whirlwind of passages and comings and goings." Kathleen J. Edwards, Edmonton ON
3. Konono #1
Congotronics (Crammed)
"I wouldn't have necessarily qualified this as avant-garde or experimental, but I really enjoy what this album is doing for the international scene." Danielle Gregoire, Ottawa ON
"Weird and wonderful." Gareth Sager, Toronto ON
"This album is so much fun! The people, the thumb pianos and that whistle Blow that whistle!" Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
4. Black Dice
Broken Ear Record (DFA)
"Although moving again towards a colder, more industrial sound, Black Dice have managed to maintain the warble of shifting tones and strange rhythms that define them a combination that gives Broken Ear Record a serious pulse. There are parts of this album that get into such amazing, strange grooves that you are left bewildered when it shifts into walls of noise instead, like walking out of a car accident that was just starting to feel good." Liam Crockard, Toronto ON
"Mind expanding. From the crazy ear-shattering beats of Snarly Yow,' to the incredible chanting of Motorcycle,' Black Dice push their boundaries even further into leftfield." Max Turnbull, Toronto ON
"Broken Ear Record severs the relationship between the experimental music listener and their headphones, and introduces them to the dance floor for some much needed exercise and gives the dance music fan something to come down to." Daniel Sylvester, Windsor ON
5. Six Organs of Admittance
School of the Flower (Drag City)
"We all know what a weapon the acoustic guitar is, but mixed with swirling loops and eerie vocals, the damage is done. Admitt to the six organs." Chris Perlman, Waterloo ON
"Folk music falling into the farthest depths of darkness. This album has some of the most soothing and irritating moments in music this year." Jeff Friesen, Winnipeg MB
Readers Poll Results 2005
Sigur RósTakk... (Geffen)
"Another amazing album from these guys. More impactful than ( ), and the climaxes have a greater pay off." Nate Terry, Toronto ON
"This album exemplifies everything that I love about Sigur Rós. Each track is powerful with musical landscapes that stretch into your soul, yet still pushing the boundaries. Though it may be considered their most commercial sounding' album, it doesn't make it any less beautiful." Zaheen Karim, Ottawa ON
"It made me feel like some kind of happy small child. I am usually a large angry man-child and the new perspective was delicious. This was refreshing." Erik Lindholm, Victoria BC
"Surreal and emotional dreamscapes painted through one's stereo speakers." Kevin Kehler, Winnipeg MB
"I would say an album of slow-building epics topped by Icelandic lyrics qualifies as avant-garde, wouldn't you? There is nothing to dislike about this album; it's just beautiful. Play it at the right time and it'll leave you floating all day; play it at the wrong time and you'll be a useless pile of melted flesh, sobbing away in the corner." Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
2. Bell Orchestre
Recording a Tape the Colour of Light (Rough Trade)
"It deserves praise for the fact it didn't kowtow to people who wanted it to sound like Funeral, yet managed to win people over in spite of that." Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
"Messy, almost silly at times, but takes me away somehow." Abe Levy, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux QC
"This is one of the best instrumental albums that I have ever listened to." Kris McIllwraith, Montreal QC
"Even on their own, individual Arcade Fire members will blow your mind." Scott Sparling, Chatham ON
"Beautiful. A nice aside from the Arcade Fire." Justin Cantin, Ottawa ON
"This album creates a maze in the mind: a whirlwind of passages and comings and goings." Kathleen J. Edwards, Edmonton ON
3. Konono #1
Congotronics (Crammed)
"I wouldn't have necessarily qualified this as avant-garde or experimental, but I really enjoy what this album is doing for the international scene." Danielle Gregoire, Ottawa ON
"Weird and wonderful." Gareth Sager, Toronto ON
"This album is so much fun! The people, the thumb pianos and that whistle Blow that whistle!" Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
4. Black Dice
Broken Ear Record (DFA)
"Although moving again towards a colder, more industrial sound, Black Dice have managed to maintain the warble of shifting tones and strange rhythms that define them a combination that gives Broken Ear Record a serious pulse. There are parts of this album that get into such amazing, strange grooves that you are left bewildered when it shifts into walls of noise instead, like walking out of a car accident that was just starting to feel good." Liam Crockard, Toronto ON
"Mind expanding. From the crazy ear-shattering beats of Snarly Yow,' to the incredible chanting of Motorcycle,' Black Dice push their boundaries even further into leftfield." Max Turnbull, Toronto ON
"Broken Ear Record severs the relationship between the experimental music listener and their headphones, and introduces them to the dance floor for some much needed exercise and gives the dance music fan something to come down to." Daniel Sylvester, Windsor ON
5. Six Organs of Admittance
School of the Flower (Drag City)
"We all know what a weapon the acoustic guitar is, but mixed with swirling loops and eerie vocals, the damage is done. Admitt to the six organs." Chris Perlman, Waterloo ON
"Folk music falling into the farthest depths of darkness. This album has some of the most soothing and irritating moments in music this year." Jeff Friesen, Winnipeg MB