2011 Top 10: Finds of the Year
Starting with our Reader’s Poll, we’re looking back on 2011 with a series of top 10’s that will cover everything from album covers to music videos, from favorite 7“‘s to favorite LPs, so check back and see what our staff has to say as we make our way to the new year.
2011 is officially over! Looking back, it was a year of exploration for me. I turned up on Nashville’s doorstep on New Year’s Eve last year, and hardly a week went by over the past twelve months where I didn’t find out about some new awesome people who were contributing something amazing to the music world. So here are ten finds that really stuck with me as not just interesting but truly exciting.
1. Streaming
Pandora and Last.fm have been around for awhile now, but 2011 marked more sites gaining ground in the streaming music market. While Spotify may be the most obvious and controversial of the lot, there’s also 8tracks and turntable.fm, both of which move away from established databases and complicated memetic algorithms like the internet radio stations in favor of user created content. In short, it allows for members to upload and share literally any mp3 ever, without advertising or subscription fees. Labels and artists may still balk at a loss in royalties, and I’m sure there are many kinks to be ironed out in the long oncoming legal battle with streaming, but what people shouldn’t overlook is what these services provide that is unique and irreplaceable. These websites are like your favorite local record store, where you go in and you know all the regulars, where you can build connections with like-minded cultural rebels, but instead, fans across the world can meet and interact, recommend bands, geek out about shows, show off their obscure rare collections, and more. Hell, half of GET BENT started with a Last.fm post in the Garage Social Scene group, and it just goes to show that the way we interact with music is ever-evolving.
Guest Mix: Mongrel Zine
Take a romp through the archives of the Vancouver based Mongrel Zine, an old fashioned black and white zine that features interviews and reviews of the best in the underground. They also include a CD mix with every issue, so they’ve picked some of their favorites for this tasty little comp of the comps. Download it here. Listen to more mixes here.
All these songs have appeared on our Mongrel Zine comps. Mongrel Zine is a print zine and CD Comp edited, designed, photocopied, folded, and stapled by Janelle and Bob Scott. Get it at www.mongrelzine.ca.
