Anthony Augustine

Winnipeg Free Press Best Albums of 2011

1. Art Department, The Drawing Board

This Toronto duo seem like they came out of nowhere, but Jonny White and Kenny Glasgow had been quietly paying their dues on their own until they got together in the studio, released a couple of monster singles and a stunning debut album that made everyone else take notice. Their dark, stripped-down, vocal heavy tech-house vibe is just what electronic music needed.

2. ASAP Rocky, LIVELOVEA$AP

2011 seemed to be the year of the mix tape and nobody made bigger waves than Harlem MC ASAP Rocky. The mayor of Swaggerville dished out a taste of his New York state of mind with stoner slow rhythms, hazy melodies and boastful proclamations getting served up with effortless ease on the near perfect debut.

3. Explosions in the Sky, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

More than just the band that provided music for Friday Night Lights, this Texas instrumental act is the best at what they do. Take Care, Take Care, Take Care takes you on an emotional roller coaster that gets more rewarding every time you hear it.

4. F—ked Up, David Comes to Life

5. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

6. J Mascis, Several Shades of Why

7. Cannon Bros, Firecracker/Cloudglow

8. The Weeknd, House of Balloons

9. Police Teeth, Awesomer Than the Devil

10. Diamond Rings, Special Afflictions

2011’s Top 10 (Uptown Magazine)

Anthony Augustine, Uptown
Top 10 albums, in order
1. Art Dept – The Drawing Board 
2. ASAP Rocky – LIVELOVEA$AP 
3. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care 
4. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life 
5. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming 
6. J Mascis – Several Shades of Why 
7. Cannon Bros. – Firecracker/Cloudglow
8. TIE: The Weeknd – House of Balloons & Thursday  
9. Police Teeth – Awesomer Than the Devil 
10. Various Artists – The Starter Era, mixed by Skratch Bastid 

November 17th - Uptown Magazine

Occupy Tebow
One of the fastest-growing memes of the year has been the Occupy Tebow phenomenon that has taken over the ESPN comments section of a now-famous article on Denver Broncos’ struggling QB and former college star, Tim Tebow. While ESPN originally tried to delete negative comments about the QB, it couldn’t keep up with the onslaught of posts and instead of just turning off the comments, it let the page get taken over. OccupyTebow.com is a collection of some of the best phrases that have popped up since the meme started.

Canadian Street Style
 A new street style blog seems to pop up every day, but finally there’s one that focuses on what hip Canadians are wearing. Shot in Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver, Canadian Street Style proves you don’t have to live in New York, London, Paris or Milan to be fashion-forward.

MP3 of the Week: ASAP Rocky – LIVELOVEA$AP
The three million man’s new mixtape dropped on the Interweb last week, slowing servers to a near halt as eager fans, hipsters and curious music lovers gobbled up one of the most anticipated hip hop releases of the last few years. ASAP Rocky may be the new kid on the block, but his slow-burning, purple juice-sippin’ style is already making people take notice.

Video of the Week: Thomas Fehlmann – Live at The Cube (MEME 2011)
Looking back at Thomas Fehlmann’s performance on the second night of the Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition, it felt like Winnipeg’s electronic scene had come full circle. From under-the-radar illegal warehouse events in the Exchange District, to a free, three-day event in Old Market Square that saw thousands of Winnipeggers of all ages dancing together, it was impossible to not feel the significance of the weekend. Along with a who’s who of local, Canadian and international talent, the fact that MEME organizers managed to book a rare solo performance by a member of one of the most influential electronic groups of the 1990s, The Orb, made the weekend even more special. Here is an extended clip of Fehlmann’s trippy brand of dub-influenced melodic techno, recorded near the end of his hour-and-a-half-long set.