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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 12 Top 10: Talking music and waltzing with an architect That's I Life f "talking about music is like dancing about architecture" -- a catchy quote that has been attributed to everyone from Martin Mull to Elvis Costello, Steve Martin and Laurie Anderson -- then today I'm going to waltz all over Frank Gehry, or some other equally famous architect, as I reveal my top albums of the year. Listen: I take both my music and this list super seriously. I pull small muscles in my cranium agonizing over album placement on (or exclusion from) this list. The last few months of every year nd me cramming, listening to as much new music as possible while still managing to function as a human being. Typically, it gets to the point where my offspring don't recognize me without a pair of headphones antisocially attached to my head. Right out of the gate you should know that my taste in music is eclectic; everything from pop to rock to alternative-country. Further, I'm also a bit of a music snob. I haven't listened to Top 40 radio in 20 years. Alas, I don't know my Arianas from my Azaleas. Granted, occasionally my taste and the mainstream collide, but I assure you the collision is always an accident for which I should be absolved of any liability. Anyway, here goes: · No. 1: Conor Oberst, Upside Down Mountain. Nine years after the release of Bright Eyes' stunning I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning -- my favourite album to date of the 2000s -- the proli c one-time prodigy slams another album out of the park with his sixth solo effort; an intimate poetic record rooted in Americana and 1970s Laurel Canyon pop-folk. · No. 2: Alvvays, Alvvays (pronounced always). The Toronto band's rst album shinnied to the top of the U.S. college charts in August and Rolling Stone declared it "an idie-pop wonder." Anchored by the infectious single, Marry Me, Archie, it is indeed a memorable debut. · No. 3: The Rural Alberta Advantage, Mended With Gold. The power triumvirate's third album is rife with raw emotion, haunting hooks and, under it all, moving melodies that take up permanent residence in your head. · No. 4: Old 97s, Most Messed Up. The album opens with Rhett Miller's singing confessional: "We've been doing this longer than you've been alive...." Celebrating 20 years of awesome alt-country, the Texas band's tenth studio album is a gem. · No. 5: Sloan, Commonwealth. Andy Juniper Guest Contributor Claude's vaCuum shop Includes Deluxe Air Package Sales · Service · Parts Free Estimates on Repairs Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm sale $39999 Supreme 100, 10 Years Warranty 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net www.claudesvacuum.com Likewise, celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, the iconic Canadian rockers release their best album in ages; 15 songs that sound as energized and vibrant as the day the band was born. · No. 6: Neil Finn, Dizzy Heights; No. 7: Allo Darlin', We Come From The Same Place; No. 8: Jenny Lewis, The Voyageur; No. 9: TV on the Radio, Seeds; No. 10: Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams. · Honorable mentions: Justin Rutlege, Daredevil; Jamestown Revival, Utah; Nikki Lane, All or Nothin'; Ray LaMontagne, Supernova; The Black Keys, Turn Blue; Parquet Courts, The Sunbathing Animal; Broken Bells, After the Disco; Tokyo Police Club, Force eld; St. Vincent, St. Vincent; and Spoon, They Want My Soul. Happy Listening. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook, or followed on Twitter at @thesportjesters. DISCOVER OUR NEW HOME · GIFTS · FASHION Thomas Sabo | Pandora | Fine Diamonds | Kameleon | Brighton MENU! 905.338.6333 146 Lakeshore Rd.W. Monday to Sunday · From 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Ancaster 1090 Wilson St. W. (Walmart Plaza) 905-304-3044 30 Join Us... December 12th - 18th Burlington 2435 Appleby Line (Winners Plaza) 905-331-4477 % Christmas oFF DeCor Oakville 275 Hays Blvd. (Walmart Plaza) 905-257-0067 Shop op O Online www.apassionforliving.com