Steve McLean’s favourite music of 2020

This year was typical in that I listened to hundreds of new albums. I don’t have to tell you why it was atypical, as COVID-19 impacted all of our lives to some extent.

I don’t know if the coronavirus changed how I listened to music or affected my enjoyment of it, or if it played a role in the creation of the music itself, but there was less of it that stuck in a positive way with me. I don’t want to take anything away from any of the artists who released music this year, but there wasn’t as much of it that I enjoyed. Even a lot of what you’ll find on my favourite albums lists probably wouldn’t have ranked as high in past years.

Like many others, I insulated myself and very rarely saw friends over the past 10 months. And though it wasn’t conscious, when compiling these lists of my favourite music of 2020 it became apparent that a theme of familiarity ran through them. If I couldn’t see people in person, I seem to have gravitated to music that often provided a bit of that bond.

So while I always want to expose myself to new music by new artists, my favourite album was from a rock and roll band that I started buying music from in 1985 — maybe earlier if I check the dates of my What Wave compilation cassettes that UIC contributed to. I’ve seen UIC (and its spinoff band The Chickens) dozens of times over the years, and its members have become friends. And while I’ve always enjoyed the band more live than on record, its first newly recorded album in 27 years struck an immediate chord and I enjoyed it more than any LP that came out this year.

Two of the albums in my top 10 are completely comprised of covers, so again I was already familiar with and liked the songs — even if they were different interpretations. I’ve seen four of the top 10 artists live, five of the next 14, and four of the six on the EP list.

I keep live albums and compilations separate from newly recorded works but, had I amalgamated them, eight would have cracked the top 10 and knocked others down accordingly. All of the live albums were from groups I’ve seen before, five of them (or variations thereof, as The Minus 5 and The Baseball Project share members that perform together in different incarnations) late last year. I’ve had friendly conversations with all of them after shows, which enhances the concert experience and establishes a stronger connection.

And though live streams on my computer replaced live shows in clubs for me in March and through the rest of the year, again I seem to have been drawn to watching artists who I’ve seen several times, and many of whom I consider friends.

Going through my favourite online concerts, the only artist I watched more than once and haven’t yet seen in person is Ike Reilly. I hope to remedy that situation as soon as possible.

So while 2020 caused largely forced separations from people, music, as always, provided a comfortable fallback during isolation.

While I expect my group activities to remain curtailed through much of 2021, I look forward to a better year of personal music appreciation and being able to show my appreciation to musicians in person. Fingers are crossed.

My favourite 10 albums

1. UIC - FM Hill
2. The Nude Party - Midnight Manor
3. Chairmen of the Boards - Surfin’ The Apocalypse
4. The Pretenders - Hate For Sale
5. The Exbats - Kicks, Hits and Fits
6. The Yum Yums - For Those About To Pop
7. Billie Joe Armstrong - No Fun Mondays
8. Wank - White Knuckle Ride
9. Dangereens - Tough Luck
10. NOFX and Frank Turner - West Coast vs. Wessex 

The next 14 albums

11. RVG - Feral
12. Cornershop - England Is A Garden
13. Dehd - Flower of Devotion
14. The Speedways - Radio Sounds
15. John Borra - Blue Wine
16. The Homeless Gospel Choir - This Land Is Your Landfill
17. Cocktails - Catastrophic Entertainment
18. MAX - Turn It Up
19. Mark Malibu and The Wasagas - Dance Party a’ Go Go
20. Kurt Baker - After Party
21. Scott The Hoople - Rock & Roll Party 66
22. Ramblin’ Deano and His Enablers - Pills, Puppies and Bacon
23. Tami Neilson - Chickaboom!
24. Green Day - Father of All Motherfuckers

 

My favourite EPs

1. Muck and the Mires - Take Me Back To Planet Earth
2. The JetScreams - Escape!
3. Nick Lowe - Lay It On Me
4. Bike Club - Find Romance
5. The Swingin’ Blackjacks - Four Hot Tracks!!
6. Jack Sledge - Notes of a Drifter

 

My favourite compilations and live albums

1. The Minus 5 - Live at Yep Roc 15
2. Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets - Live at Haw River Ballroom
3. Southern Culture On The Skids - Live at Yep Roc 15
4. Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets - Walkabout
5. The Baseball Project - Live in Space
6. The Dollyrots - Girl Groups & Punk Beats: The Covers
7. Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls - Live in Newcastle
8. Los Straitjackets - Live at Yep Roc 15
9. Stray Cats - Rocked This Town: From LA to London
10. Krayolas - Savage Young Krayolas
11. Various artists - Mark Malibu presents: Surfin’ Kitty X-mas

My favourite concerts (chronological order)

I generally try to stick to attending live performances I know I’m going to like. While some don’t live up to expectations, I came home satisfied from those listed below that I attended in January and February below.

And since I’ve included online shows this year for the first time because of tour cancellations and venue closings due to COVID-19, I had little choice but to already be at home before, during and after shows from mid-March on.

Here are those I enjoyed the most:

The Beaudelaires, The Classy Wrecks, Skaface - Jan. 10, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Pkew Pkew Pkew - Jan. 10, Horseshoe, Toronto
Dodge Fiasco - Jan. 22, Cameron House, Toronto
Ichi-Bons, Olivia Jean - Jan. 22, Horseshoe, Toronto

Ichi-Bons

 
Ten Feet Tall, Mr. Pharmacist, The ARC Sound - Jan. 23, Dakota Tavern, Toronto
Frankie Foo and the Yo-Yo Smugglers - Jan. 31, Grossman’s Tavern, Toronto
Lucky Ron - Feb. 15, Chateau Lafayette, Ottawa
Dropkick Murphys - March 17, online concert
Waco Brothers - March 20, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - March 21, online concert
Corb Lund - March 21, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - March 23, online concert
Frank Turner - March 26, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - March 26, online concert
Jesse Malin - March 28, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - March 28, online concert
Ramblin’ Deano - March 29, online concert
Dan Bern - March 29, online concert
Frank Turner - April 2, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - April 2, online concert
Joel Plaskett - April 2, online concert
JD McPherson - April 2, online concert
Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) - April 3, online concert
Frank Turner - April 3, online concert
Dan Bern - April 3, online concert
Jesse Malin - April 4, online concert
Jon Langford - April 4, online concert
The Rizdales - April 4, online concert
Dan Bern - April 4, online concert
The Jimbos (Reverend Horton Heat) - April 6, online concert
Frank Turner - April 8, online concert
Frank Turner - April 9, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - April 9, online concert
Jesse Malin - April 11, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - April 11, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 11, online concert
Beans On Toast - April 12, online concert
Corb Lund - April 13, online concert
Ron Hawkins - April 14, online concert
Frank Turner - April 16, online concert
Joel Plaskett - April 16, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 16, online concert
The Sounds - April 17, online concert
Monte Warden - April 17, online concert
Johnny Hickman (Cracker) - April 17, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 17, online concert
Jesse Malin - April 18, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - April 18, online concert
Pete Donnelly (The Figgs) - April 18, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 18, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 22, online concert
David Gedge (The Wedding Present) - April 23, online concert
The Discarded - April 23, online concert
Frank Turner - April 23, online concert
Rhett Miller - April 23, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - April 23, online concert
Monte Warden - April 24, online concert
Jon Langford - April 24, online concert
Dan Heptinsall and Lorna Thomas (Skinny Lister) - April 25, online concert
catl - April 25, online concert
Jesse Malin - April 25, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - April 25, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - April 25, online concert
Steve Nieve, Chris Difford, Elvis Costello and Ajuq - April 26, online concert
Carolyn Mark, Jon Langford, Kelly Hogan and Washboard Hank - April 26, online concert
Stephen Stanley - April 29, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - April 30, online concert
Jon Langford - May 1, online concert
Jesse Malin - May 2, online concert
Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom) - May 2, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 2, online concert
John Szymanski - May 3, online concert
Frank Turner - May 5, online concert
Jon Langford - May 5, online concert
Ron Hawkins - May 5, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 5, online concert
Bruce Smith - May 6, online concert
Frank Turner - May 7, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 7, online concert
John Doe - May 7, online concert
Robbie Fulks - May 7, online concert
Ali Barter - May 8, online concert
Kobo Town - May 8, online concert
Monte Warden - May 8, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 8, online concert
Jesse Malin - May 9, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 9, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - May 9, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 9, online concert
John Szymanski - May 10, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 11, online concert
Rhett Miller - May 12, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 12, online concert
Frank Turner - May 14, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 14, online concert
Frank Turner - May 15, online concert
Monte Warden - May 15, online concert
Billy Bragg - May 16, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 16, online concert
Steve Poltz - May 16, online concert
Beans On Toast - May 17, online concert
John Szymanski - May 17, online concert
Josh Kantor - May 19, online concert
Bruce Smith - May 20, online concert
Frank Turner - May 21, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 21, online concert
Jesse Malin - May 23, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 23, online concert
Jon Langford and John Szymanski - May 25, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - May 26, online concert
Jesse Dayton - May 27, online concert
Josh Kantor - May 28, online concert
Frank Turner - May 28, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 28, online concert
Stephen Stanley - May 28, online concert
Dropkick Murphys with Bruce Springsteen and Josh Kantor - May 29, online concert
Monte Warden - May 29, online concert
Josh Kantor - May 30, online concert
Jesse Malin - May 30, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - May 30, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - May 30, online concert
Sally Timms - May 31, online concert
The Rizdales - May 31, online concert
Stephen Stanley - June 3, online concert
Ron Hawkins - June 3, online concert
Frank Turner and Jess Guise - June 4, online concert
Monte Warden - June 5, online concert
The Weeks - June 5, online concert
Dean Schlabowske and Jo Walston - June 7, online concert
Bruce Smith - June 10, online concert
Paul Simon with Edie Brickell, Alejandro Escovedo, Augie Myers and Flaco Jimenez with Los Texmaniacs, Bonnie Raitt with Boz Scaggs, Britt Daniel (Spoon), Charlie Sexton with Doyle Bramhall II, Gary Clark Jr., James Taylor, Lukas Nelson, Jerry Douglas, Jimmie Vaughan & The Tiltawhirl Band, Black Pumas, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Norah Jones, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Shawn Colvin and Ryan Bingham - June 10, online concert
Frank Turner - June 11, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - June 11, online concert
Jesse Malin - June 13, online concert
Barenaked Ladies - June 13, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - June 13, online concert
The Beths - June 15, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 16, online concert
Bruce Smith - June 17, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 17, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - June 18, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 18, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 19, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - June 20, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 20, online concert
Dean Schlabowske - June 21, online concert
Hayes Carll - June 23, online concert
Whitehorse - June 24, online concert
Alfie Jackson (The Holloways), Gerry del-Guercio (SixNationState), Billy Bragg, Beans On Toast and Frank Turner - June 25, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - June 27, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - June 27, online concert
Frank Turner and Jess Guise - June 29, online concert
Junior and Tanya Rae Brown - June 29, online concert
Jeff Tweedy and his family - June 29, online concert
Hayes Carll - July 7, online concert
Bruce Smith - July 8, online concert
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - July 10, online concert
Wussy - July 10, online concert
Monte Warden - July 10, online concert
The Weeks - July 10, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - July 11, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - July 11, online concert
John Szymanski - July 12, online concert
Bruce Smith - July 15, online concert
Monte Warden - July 17, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - July 18, online concert
John Szymanski - July 19, online concert
Monte Warden - July 19, online concert
The Sadies - Sept. 12, online concert
Monte Warden - Sept. 18, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Oct. 3, online concert
Ike Reilly - Oct. 3, online concert
Beans On Toast with Frank Turner, Jess Guise and other guests - Oct. 4, online concert
Junior and Tanya Rae Brown - Oct. 19, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Oct. 24, online concert
Amanda Palmer - Nov. 14, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Nov. 14, online concert
Frank Turner - Nov. 19, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Nov. 21, online concert
Bruce Smith - Nov. 25, online concert
Ike Reilly Assassination - Nov. 25, online concert
Monte Warden - Nov. 27, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Nov. 28, online concert
The Lowest of the Low - Nov. 28, online concert
Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer - Dec. 1, online concert
Monte Warden - Dec. 4, online concert
Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie) - Dec. 5, online concert
Jon Langford with John Szymanski - Dec. 6, online concert
Bruce Smith - Dec. 16, online concert
Ike Reilly & The Holy Family House Band - Dec. 19, online concert

Steve McLean's favourite music of 2019

I always try to seek out new music and discover unfamiliar artists, while also catching up with acts I’ve heard before.

I listened to a few hundred albums that came out this year. I thought there were several good ones but, for my tastes, not many great ones. However, following an annual tradition, I’ve compiled this list of records that I enjoyed the most in 2019.

My favourite 10 albums
1. Kitty Kat Fan Club - Dreamy Little You
2. Baby Shakes - Cause A Scene
3. Daddy Long Legs - Lowdown Ways
4. The Resonars - No Exit
5. Tacocat - This Mess Is A Place
6. Geoff Palmer - Pulling Out All The Stops
7. Dehd - Water
8. The Hold Steady - Thrashing Thru The Passion
9. Vandoliers - Forever
10. Charlie Faye and the Fayettes - The Whole Shebang

 
The next 10 albums
11. Bleached - Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough?
12. Michael Franti and Spearhead - Stay Human Vol. II
13. Holiday Ghosts - West Bay Playroom
14. Jason Ringenberg - Stand Tall
15. Chuck Mead - Close To Home
16. Redd Kross - Beyond The Door
17. A Giant Dog - Neon Bible
18. Pernice Brothers - Spread The Feeling
19. Stray Cats - 40
20. K-Man & The 45s - Stand With The Youth

 
The next 10 albums after that
21. Raygun Cowboys - Bloodied But Unbroken
22. The Discarded - Sound Check And Fury
23. Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains
24. King Prawn - The Fabulous New Sounds Of …
25. Screamin’ Rebel Angels - Heel Grinder
26. 500 Miles To Memphis - Blessed Be The Damned
27. Graham Parker - Squeezing Out Sparks Solo Acoustic 40th Anniversary
28. Lowest of the Low - Agitpop
29. The Planet Smashers - Too Much Information
30. Bad Religion - Age of Unreason

 
The next 15 albums after that
31. Olivia Jean - Night Owl
32. The Schizophonics - People In The Sky
33. The Menzingers - Hello Exile
34. Mattiel - Satis Factory
35. Juliana Hatfield - Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police
36. Shovels and Rope - By Blood
37. Ex Hex - It’s Real
38. Chuck Cleaver - Send Aid
39. Frank Turner - No Man’s Land
40. Nervus - Tough Crowd
41. The Tough Shits - Burning In Paradise
42. Have Gun Will Travel - Strange Chemistry
43. Foxhall Stacks - The Coming Collapse
44. David Picco - Out of the Past
45. David Hasselhoff - Open Your Eyes

 
My favourite EPs
1. Nick Lowe - Love Starvation/Trombone
2. The Hard Toms - Panties Not Included
3. Sunflower Bean - King of the Dudes
4. Los Straitjackets - Channel Surfing

 
My favourite compilations, reissues and live albums
1. The Specials - Live at La Bataclan and The Troxy (disc two from the deluxe version of Encore)
2. Roger C. Reale and Rue Morgue - The Collection
3. The Beaumonts - This Is Austin
4. Billy Bragg - Best of Billy Bragg at the BBC 1983-2019
5. Alex Chilton - From Memphis to New Orleans

My favourite concerts (chronological order)

I generally try to stick to attending live performances I know I’m going to like. While some don’t live up to expectations, I came home satisfied after these shows:

The ARC Sound - Jan. 26, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
The ARC Sound - Feb. 23, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
The Discarded - March 9, Duggan’s Basement, Toronto
The Supersuckers - March 20, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
The Interruputers - March 22, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
The Surfrajettes, UIC - March 23, Horseshoe, Toronto

The Surfrajettes

The Hard Toms - April 6, Duggan’s Basement, Toronto
Ten Feet Tall - April 11, The Dakota Tavern, Toronto
The Hilarious House of Hackenstein - April 19, Horseshoe, Toronto
Teenage Head - April 26, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Slackers - April 27, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
The ARC Sound - May 4, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
Television - May 6, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
Ferraro - May 11, Cameron House, Toronto
Jon Langford with John Szymanski, The Sadies and Burlington Welsh Male Chorus - May 23, Horseshoe, Toronto

Jon Langford

Thelonious Hank - Grossman’s Tavern, May 24, Toronto
Jon Langford with John Szymanski - May 25, 419 Brunswick, Toronto
Dave Bookman memorial with Blue Rodeo, Andy Maize, Andrew Cash, Kate Boothman, The Beaches, Sloan, Ben Kowalewicz with Chris Walla, Tim Mech, Stephen Stanley, Damhnait Doyle, The Inbreds, The Rheostatics, Hayden, Billy Talent, Danny Greaves, , Matt Mays, July Talk, Broken Social Scene, Hollerado, UIC - May 30, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Jet Screams, The Cliff Divers, The Champions of Justice, Mark Malibu & The Wasagas, Luau or Die - May 31, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
The Specials - June 18, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
Ten Feet Tall - July 18, The Dakota Tavern, Toronto
Odds with Steven Page, Moe Berg, Tom Wilson, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson - July 19, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Dreamboats - July 24, Cameron House, Toronto
Zorton & The Cannibals - July 26, Duggan’s Basement, Toronto
Mark Malibu & The Wasagas, The Discarded - July 27, Duggan’s Basement, Toronto
The Fleshtones - July 28, Horseshoe, Toronto

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie - Aug. 6, Horseshoe, Toronto
CJ Ramone - Aug. 15, Horseshoe, Toronto
New Swears - Aug.16, Monarch Tavern, Toronto
Ezra Furman - Sept. 9, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
The Quickshifters, Mark Malibu & The Wasagas, The Dreamboats - Sept. 13, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Long Ryders - Sept. 14, Horseshoe, Toronto

Steve McLean with Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets - Sept.18, Horseshoe, Toronto
Pkew Pkew Pkew - Sept. 19, Goose Island Brewhouse, Toronto
Waterboys - Sept. 25, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
Ramblin’ Deano and His Enablers - Sept. 28, 419 Brunswick, Toronto
Jesse Dayton - Oct. 2, Horseshoe, Toronto
Doghouse Rose, Kate Clover, Tiger Army - Oct. 7, Mod Club Theatre, Toronto
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls - Oct. 10, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto
The Hard Toms, The Ad-Ventures, The Members - Oct. 18, The Garrison, Toronto
The Sadies - Oct. 26, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Skinny Lister, The Interrupters - Oct. 30, Rebel, Toronto
Raygun Cowboys, The Creepshow, The Planet Smashers - Nov. 2, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
The Nude Party, White Reaper - Nov. 8, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Surfrajettes, Bloodshot Bill - Nov. 9, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Painkillers, Ichi-Bons, Champions of Justice, Mark Malibu & The Wasagas - Nov. 16, Baby G, Toronto
The Jayhawks - Nov. 20, Horseshoe, Toronto
George Westerholm and His Wild Wildcats, The Cliff Divers, UIC - Nov. 22, Duggan’s Basement, Toronto
Teenage Head - Nov. 23, Lee’s Palace, Toronto

Reverend Horton Heat

The 5.6.7.8.s, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Reverend Horton Heat with Dave Alvin - Dec. 3, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
The ARC Sound - Dec. 21, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
The Minus 5, The Sadies - Dec. 31,  Horseshoe, Toronto

Steve McLean's favourite music of 2018

I thought a lot of good albums came out this year but, for my tastes, not many great ones. However, I’ve compiled this list of those albums that made the cut and I considered good.

My favourite 10 albums

1. The Interrupters - Fight The Good Fight
2. Dan P and The Bricks - When We Were Fearless
3. The Longshot - Love Is For Losers
4. Bodega - Endless Scroll
5. The Whips - City Wide Special
6. Reel Big Fish - Life Sucks … Let’s Dance
7. The Nude Party - The Nude Party
8. Hicksville Bombers - Danger Road
9. Shannon and The Clams - Onion
10. Mark Sultan - Let Me Out

 The next 10 albums

11. Ike Reilly - Crooked Love
12. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs
13. Subsonic - Flesh Colored Paint
14. Old 97s - Love The Holidays
15. Jeen - Gift Shop
16. Superchunk - What A Time To Be Alive
17. 6 String Drag - Top Of The World
18. Barrence Whitfield and The Savages - Soul Flowers Of Titan
19. Brian Fallon - Sleepwalkers
20. The Mountain Flowers - Bye And Bye

 The next 10 albums after that

21. Pete Astor - One For The Ghost
22. J.D. McPherson - Socks
23. The Mavericks - Hey! Merry Christmas!
24. Table Scraps - Autonomy
25. Frank Turner - Be More Kind
26. The Reverend Horton Heat - Whole New Life
27. Sunflower Bean - Twentytwo In Blue
28. Bad Sports - Constant Stimulation
29. Born Ruffians - Uncle, Duke And The Chief
30. The Mercenaries - Mark My Territory

 

The next 11 albums after that

31. Unlikely Friends - Crooked Numbers
32. The Essex Green - Hardly Electronic
33. Sloan - 12
34. Ethers - Ethers
35. Black Uhuru - As The World Turns
36. The Discarded - Manifesto
37. Low Cut Connie - Dirty Pictures (Part 2)
38. Sarah Shook and The Disarmers - Years
39. Jim James - Uniform Distortion
40. The James Hunter Six - Whatever It Takes
41. Miesha and The Spanks - Girls Girls Girls

 My favourite EPs

1. The Pandoras - Hey! It’s The Pandoras
2. The Beths - Warm Blood

 My favourite compilations, reissues and live albums

1. Joe Strummer - 001
2. R.E.M. - At The BBC

My favourite concerts (chronological order)

I generally try to stick to live performances I know I’m going to like. While some don’t live up to expectations, I came home satisfied after these shows:

The Holy Gasp - Jan. 14, Horseshoe, Toronto
Frankie Foo and the Yo-Yo Smugglers - Jan. 26, Grossman’s Tavern, Toronto
Frankie Foo and the Yo-Yo Smugglers - Feb. 2, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Memberz, Mob Barley & The Railers - Feb. 9, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Ferraro - Feb. 23, The Cameron House, Toronto
Dwayne Gretzky - Feb. 23, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Discarded - Feb. 24, Duggan’s Underground, Toronto
Bloodshot Bill & The Hiccups - Feb. 24, Monarch Tavern, Toronto
The Real McKenzies - March 9, Horseshoe, Toronto

The Real McKenzies

Sam Cash - March 14, The Cameron House, Toronto
The ARC Sound - March 17, Trinity Common, Toronto
George Westerholm, Luau or Die, The King Beez, Senores Calavera, The Cliff Divers - April 5, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
The Slackers - April 6, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Harmonauts, The Slackers - April 7, Horseshoe, Toronto
KMan and The Radicals, Mustard Plug, The Planet Smashers - April 20, Horseshoe, Toronto
Stuart Joliffe memorial with Stuart Cameron, Tom Wilson, Ron Hawkins, Kim Stockwood, The Trews, Leah Fay and Peter Dreimanis from July Talk, Matt Mays, The ARC Sound  - April 22, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Cactus Blossoms - April 26, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Rizdales and guests - April 28, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
The ARC Sound - April 28, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
Dream Wife, Sunflower Bean - May 5, Horseshoe, Toronto
Mad Caddies - May 8, Mod Club, Toronto

Mad Caddies

Peeling - May 8, The Baby G, Toronto
Thomas Thomas - May 9, The Cavern Bar, Toronto
Brett Newski - May 10, The Cameron House, Toronto
July Talk, Omni - May 10, Horseshoe, Toronto
Pony, Pkew Pkew Pkew, The Dreamboats - May 11, Horseshoe, Toronto
AntiSocial Surf Club, Miesha & The Spanks, Starcrawler - May 11, Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
Ferraro - May 11, The Cameron House
Starcrawler, Sloan - May 12, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto
Northern Pikes - May 12, Horseshoe, Toronto
Hinds - May 13, Horseshoe, Toronto
Skating Polly, Charly Bliss - May 19, Horseshoe, Toronto
Atomic Beliveaus, The Calrizians, Luau or Die, The Cliff Divers, Mark Malibu and The Wasagas - June 1, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
The Royal Crowns - June 2, Dundas West Fest, Toronto
The Hard Toms - June 2, Duggan’s Underground, Toronto
The Mighty Swells, The Surfrajettes, Reverb Syndicate, Tsunamibots - June 2, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Street Dogs - June 10, Horseshoe, Toronto
Danielle Duval, Ferraro, Hutch - July 20, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Arsenals - July 21, Woodbine Park, Toronto

The Arsenals

The Discarded - July 28, Lazy Daisy Cafe, Toronto
Ferraro, C+C Surf Factory - Aug. 16, The Cameron House, Toronto
The ARC Sound - Aug. 17, 419 Brunswick, Toronto
Sarah Shook and The Disarmers - Aug. 25, Horseshoe, Toronto
Frankie Foo and the Yo-Yo Smugglers – Aug. 31, Grossman’s Tavern, Toronto
TUNS – Aug. 31, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Nude Party, Craig Brown Band – Sept. 7, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Black Pearls - Sept. 7, Cameron House, Toronto
The Greasemarks, The Surfrajettes, The Dreamboats - Sept. 8, Horseshoe, Toronto
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Sept. 11, Horseshoe, Toronto
Ramblin’ Deano – Sept. 13, 419 Brunswick, Toronto
The Hold Steady - Sept. 15, Horseshoe, Toronto
U.I.C., MC50 - Sept. 19, The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto

Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls

Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls - Sept. 20, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls - Sept. 21, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
The Hard Toms, Mark Malibu and The Wasagas – Oct. 12, The Linsmore Tavern, Toronto
Sarah Borges with Eric Ambel, The Bottle Rockets – Oct. 14, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Public Image Limited - Oct. 19, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Jeen - Nov. 1, Horseshoe, Toronto

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants – Nov. 2, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto
The Black Pearls – Nov. 2, Cameron House, Toronto
The ARC Sound – Nov. 3, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
The Mahones, Stiff Little Fingers - Nov. 7, Horseshoe, Toronto
Stiff Little Fingers – Nov. 9, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Alarm - Nov. 15, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Dreadnoughts - Nov. 22, Horseshoe, Toronto
Luau Or Die - Nov. 22, Bovine Sex Club Toronto
The Green Wasagas – Nov. 24, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Pony, Charly Bliss - Nov. 28, Horseshoe, Toronto
Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party, JD McPherson - Dec. 2, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
The ARC Sound – Dec. 15, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Dec. 21, The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto

Joel Plaskett Emergency

The Skydiggers – Dec. 22, Horseshoe, Toronto

Steve McLean’s favourite music of 2017

My favourite 10 albums
1. Guantanamo Baywatch - Desert Center
2. J.D. McPherson - Undivided Heart & Soul
3. Cowbell - Haunted Heart
4. Low Cut Connie - Dirty Pictures (Part 1)
5. The Orwells - Terrible Human Beings
6. Lowest of the Low - Do The Right Now
7. Fastball - Step Into Light
8. The Rubs - Impossible Dream
9. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy
10. The Len Price 3 - Kentish Longtails

The next 10 albums
11. The Discarded - The Discarded
12. Old 97’s - Graveyard Whistling
13. Hollerado - Born Yesterday
14. Dropkick Murphys - 11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory
15. Drew Beskin - Cha-Ching Machine
16. Chuck Prophet - Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins
17. Liam Gallagher - As You Were
18. Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song
19. Pokey LaFarge - Manic Revelations
20. Robyn Hitchcock - Robyn Hitchcock

The next 10 albums after that
21. White Reaper - The World’s Best American Band
22. Jon Langford - Four Lost Souls
23. The Strypes - Spitting Image
24. The Stanleys - The Stanleys
25. AJ Davila - El Futuro
26. Thelonius Hank - Walk Between the Raindrops
27. Wyldlife - Out On Your Block
28. The Mavericks - Brand New Day
29. Spiral Stairs - Doris and the Daggers
30. Mark Lanegan - Gargoyle

My favourite EPs
1. The Surfrajettes - The Surfrajettes
2. Lily Frost and the Gentlemen Callers - Rebound
3. Goodbye Honolulu - No Honey

My favourite compilations, reissues and live albums
1. Lydia Loveless - Boy Crazy and Single(s)
2. The Rolling Stones - On Air
3. Teenage Head - Fun Comes Fast
4. Frank Turner - Songbook
5. The Northern Pikes - Big Blue Sky (Super-Sized)
6. The Replacements - For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986

My favourite concerts (chronological order)
The Sadies - Jan. 1, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Gabba Heys! - Jan. 21, Shacklands Brewing Co., Toronto
Handsome Ned tribute - Jan. 29, Horseshoe, Toronto
Dwayne Gretzky - Feb. 3, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Arc Sound - Feb. 4, Duggan’s Brewery Basement, Toronto
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Arkells - Feb. 10, First Ontario Centre, Hamilton
The Tailbreakers - Feb. 11, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Whiskey Jack’s tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors - Feb. 12, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
The Del Fi’s - Feb. 18, Cameron House, Toronto
Dead Souls, The Crooked Beat, The Gabba Heys!, Amy Gabba - Feb. 19, Horseshoe, Toronto
Locomotive 8, The Discarded - Feb. 25, Duggan’s Brewery Basement, Toronto
Ferraro - March 3, Cameron House, Toronto

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express - March 21, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Screwed, Mr. Pharmacist - March 23, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Discarded, The Tailbreakers, The Sonics - March 25, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
The Cliff Divers, The Millwinders - April 1, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Ferraro - April 3, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Harmoniums, The Slackers - April 8, Horseshoe, Toronto
KOLARS - April 18, The Rivoli, Toronto
Dentist - April 19, Monarch Tavern, Toronto
Early Hours - April 19, Nightowl, Toronto
Punchline 13 - April 20, Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
The Velveteins - April 20, Cherry Cola’s Rock ’n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge, Toronto
Bueller - April 21, The Silver Dollar, Toronto
Early Hours, Devin Cuddy Band - April 21, Cameron House, Toronto
Twist, Casper Skulls - April 22, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Ferraro - April 22, Cameron House, Toronto
The Millwinders, Lilly Frost and the Gentlemen Callers - April 27, Lula Lounge, Toronto
Elliott Brood - May 20, Fort York, Toronto
Midnight Oil - May 20, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
The Rheostatics - May 26, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Arc Sound, Simply Saucer - June 3, Duggan’s Brewery Basement, Toronto
The Calrizians, The Surfrajettes, Champions of Justice, Ninth Wave - June 3, Cadillac Lounge, Toronto

The Specials

The Specials - June 7, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
Ethel and The Mermen, The Discarded - June 10, Duggan’s Brewery Basement, Toronto
The Inquisitors, Muck & The Mires - July 14, Trinity Common, Toronto
Lisa LeBlanc, TUNS - July 15, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
Royal Headache - July 16, Horseshoe, Toronto
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - July 20, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
Cockney Rejects - July 21, Velvet Underground, Toronto
Sloan - July 29, Toronto’s Festival of Beer, Toronto
Dropkick Murphys, Rancid - July 29, Echo Beach, Toronto
The Abruptors - Aug. 12, May, Toronto
The Classy Wrecks, Skaface - Aug. 18, Lee’s Palace, Toronto
Scott H. Biram - Aug. 20, Horseshoe, Toronto
Robyn Hitchcock - Sept. 22, The Drake Underground, Toronto
Billy Bragg - Sept. 27, Horseshoe, Toronto

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul - Oct. 9, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
Max Weinberg’s Jukebox (with Marshall Crenshaw) - Oct. 10, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Arc Sound - Dec. 2, The Artful Dodger, Toronto
The Rheostatics - Dec. 8, Horseshoe, Toronto
C + C Surf Factory, The Surfrajettes - Dec. 21, Cameron House, Toronto
The Skydiggers - Dec. 22, Horseshoe, Toronto
Lowest of the Low - Dec. 28, Horseshoe, Toronto
Jon Langford, The Sadies - Dec. 31, Horseshoe, Toronto

Steve McLean’s favourite music of 2016

The top 10
1. Gringo Star - The Sides and in Between
2. Hidden Stash - Mixed Cassette Tape
3. Dressy Bessy - Kingsized
4. Pixies - Head Carrier
5. Pkew Pkew Pkew - Pkew Pkew Pkew
6. Tuns - Tuns
7. Death By Unga Bunga - Pineapple Pizza
8. Waco Brothers - Going Down in History
9. Ferraro - Losing Sleep
10. The Seams - Meet The Seams

 

  

 

The next 10
11. The Monochrome Set - Cosmonaut
12. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
13. Dexateens - Teenage Hallelujah
14. Jonny Fritz - Sweet Creep
15. The Monkees - Good Times
16. Shonen Knife - Adventure
17. Brian Whelan - Sugarland
18. Skinny Lister - The Devil, The Heart and The Fight
19. The Mekons - Existentialism
20. Brian Fallon - Painkillers

Honourable mention
The I Don’t Cares - Wild Stab
U.I.C. - The Wiseman Sessions
Laura Sauvage - Extraordinormal
The Gotobeds - Blood Sugar Secs Traffic
Alejandro Escovedo - Burn Something Beautiful
The Thermals - We Disappear
Bleached - Welcome the Worms
Communism - Get Down Together
The James Hunter Six - Hold On!
The Coathangers - Nosebleed Weekend
JPNSGRLS - Divorce
Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker
Acapulco Lips - Acapulco Lips
Blue Rodeo - 1000 Arms
Cyndi Lauper - Detour
Dwight Yoakam - Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars
Jeff Rosenstock - Worry
Surf Bored - The Rehearsal
Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle - Colvin & Earle
Neil Young - Peace Trail
Nick Waterhouse - Never Twice
 

EPs
1. The Orielles - Jobin EP
2. The Kickstand Band - Summer Dream
3. Tokyo Police Club - Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness (Part 1)
4. The Accidentals - Parking Lot EP
5. Tokyo Police Club - Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness (Part 2)
6. Dogheart - Real Mood
7. The Donkeys - Midnight Palms

Reissues and live albums
1. The Beatles - Live at The Hollywood Bowl (Remastered)
2. Adam and The Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier 2016
3. Barenaked Ladies - BNL Rocks Red Rocks
4. The Velveteins - A Hot Second With The Velveteins (Reissue EP)

Concerts (chronological order)
Joe Strummer tribute - Jan. 8, Tennessee, Toronto
The Jammed, Blondee, Gabba Heys - Jan. 16, Cherry Cola's Rock 'n' Rolla Cabaret & Lounge, Toronto
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls - March 11, The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto

The Paul Collins Beat

Danny Laj and The Looks, The Paul Collins Beat - March 30, The Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Skinny Lister - March 31, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Royal Crowns, Chalk Circle, Crummy Stuff, Peter Zaremba's Rock Delegation featuring Keith Streng, U.I.C. - April 2, Royal Canadian Legion, Oshawa, Ont.
Jacques and The Valdanes, The ARC Sound - April 9, Tennessee, Toronto
Daddy Long Legs, Catl - April 21, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Who - April 27, Air Canada Centre, Toronto
The Rheostatics - April 29, Massey Hall, Toronto
Bob Mould - May 3, Horseshoe, Toronto
Mabel - May 4, Handlebar, Toronto
Darts, Archie Powell & The Exports, Punchline 13 - May 4, Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
The Kickstand Band, Laura & Greg - May 5, Nightowl, Toronto
The Orielles, Thrifty Kids, The Magic Gang, OL' CD - May 5, Handlebar, Toronto
Tommy Stinson - May 6, Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
New Swears - May 6, Horseshoe, Toronto
HUttch, The Spook School - May 7, The Garrison, Toronto
Forever Distracted - May 7, Cherry Cola's Rock 'n' Rolla Cabaret & Lounge, Toronto
The Orielles, Fat White Family - May 7, Velvet Underground, Toronto
Sam Cash & the Romantic Dogs - May 7, Horseshoe, Toronto
Ferraro - May 7, Cameron House, Toronto
Waco Brothers - May 13, Horseshoe, Toronto
Scott B. Sympathy, The Lawn, The Dundrells - May 15, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Black Eleven, The High Tides, The Hang-Ten Hangmen, The Men In Gray Suits, The Reverb Syndicate - June 4, The Cadillac Lounge, Toronto

The Royal Crowns

The Royal Crowns, The Shuffle Demons, The Dears - June 11, Dundas West Fest, Toronto
The Jayhawks - June 11, Horseshoe, Toronto
Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs, By Divine Right - June 14, The Rivoli, Toronto
Lucky Ron - Aug. 20, Chateau Lafayette, Ottawa
Ferraro, Gringo Star - Aug. 26, Velvet Underground, Toronto
Ferraro, Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs - Sept. 9, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Far East, The Specials - Sept. 13, The Danforth Music Hall
Margo Price, The Hives, Skinny Lister, Dropkick Murphys, Drive-By Truckers - Sept. 16, Fort York, Toronto
Lush, Okkervil River, Whitehorse, Barenaked Ladies, Guided By Voices - Sept. 17, Fort York, Toronto
The Mekons - Sept. 17, Horseshoe, Toronto
Corb Lund and The Hurtin’ Albertans - Sept. 18, Horseshoe, Toronto
Leather Uppers, U.I.C. - Sept. 24, Horseshoe, Toronto
Kenny James, The ARC Sound - Sept. 30, Tennessee, Toronto
Nick Waterhouse - Oct. 6, Horseshoe, Toronto

Nick Waterhouse

Catl, Dex Romweber - Oct. 22, Garagenoir, Toronto
Stiff Little Fingers - Oct. 27, Horseshoe, Toronto
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Arkells - Nov. 4, Massey Hall, Toronto
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Arkells - Nov. 5, Massey Hall, Toronto
Lydia Loveless - Nov. 5, Adelaide Hall, Toronto
The Johnstones, The Planet Smashers - Nov. 18, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Aquamaniacs, The Surfrajettes, The Blue Demons, The Men In Gray Suits - Nov. 19, The Cadillac Lounge, Toronto
Alejandro Escovedo - Nov. 23, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Tailbreakers - Dec. 10, Duggan’s Brewery Basement, Toronto
The Rheostatics - Dec. 10, Horseshoe, Toronto

Steve McLean's favourite music of 2015

The top 10
 
1. Guantanamo Baywatch - Darling … It's Too Late
2. J.D. McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll
3. The Mavericks - Mono
4. Tough Age - I Get The Feeling Central
5. Frank Turner - Positive Songs For Negative People
6. Dogheart - What Burns The Best
7. Best Coast - California Nights
8. The Bottle Rockets - South Broadway Athletic Club
9. Wilco - Star Wars
10. Dune Rats - Dune Rats


Honourable mention

Twin River - Should The Lights Go Out
The Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth
The Strypes - Little Victories
Lindi Ortega - Faded Gloryville
Whitehorse - Leave No Bridge Unburned
Elvyn - Valley Of The Kilowatt Hour
Barrence Whitfield and The Savages - Under The Savage Sky
Blur - The Magic Whip
Kitty, Daisy and Lewis - Kitty, Daisy and Lewis The Third
Beans On Toast - The Grand Scheme Of Things
Corb Lund - Things That Can't Be Undone

EPs

The Struts - Have You Heard
Sam Roberts Band - Counting The Days EP
The Bends - Bikini Grandma
The Key Frames - Monophone Heart
Jennie Vee - Spying EP

 





Reissues, compilations and live albums
 

Stompin' Tom Connors - Collector's Series: Bud The Spud & Other Favourites
Bob Marley and The Wailers - Easy Skanking In Boston '78
Pete Townshend - Truancy: The Very Best Of ...
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers: Deluxe Edition
Drive-By Truckers - It's Great To Be Alive!
Frank Turner - The Third Three Years
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain (Reissue)


 
Concerts (chronological order)

Frank Turner at South by Southwest

Steve Mahabir - Feb. 6, Cameron House, Toronto
Dwayne Gretzky - Feb. 6, Horseshoe, Toronto
Hushdrops and The Dickens - Feb. 21, Cameron House, Toronto
J.D. McPherson - March 7, Lee's Palace, Toronto
Beans on Toast and Frank Turner - March 9, Horseshoe, Toronto
South by Southwest Music Festival - March 16-22, various venues, Austin
The Real McKenzies - March 26, Horseshoe, Toronto
Canadian Music Week Festival - May 6-9, various venues, Toronto
The Pixies - June 7, Horseshoe, Toronto
North by Northeast Music Festival - June 17-20, various venues, Toronto
The Black Lips - July 10, Horseshoe, Toronto
Teddy Fury's 60th birthday party with Beatles cover band and The Millwinders - Aug. 6, Horseshoe, Toronto
Catl and Barrence Whitfield and The Savages - Aug. 22, Horseshoe, Toronto
Robyn Hitchcock - Sept. 11, The Drake Underground, Toronto
Robyn Hitchcock with The Sadies - Sept. 13, The Drake Underground, Toronto

The Pixies at Toronto Urban Roots Fest

Toronto Urban Roots Fest - Sept. 18-20, Fort York, Toronto
Low Cut Connie - Nov. 7, The Drake Underground, Toronto
The Arc Sound - Nov. 29, Artful Dodger, Toronto
Communism and The Lowest of the Low - Dec. 4, Horseshoe, Toronto
The Skydiggers - Dec. 19, Horseshoe, Toronto
Joe Strummer tribute with The Kensington Hillbillys (The Crooked Beat) and others, Dec. 22, The Old Laurel, Toronto
The Sadies with Robyn Hitchcock - Dec. 31, Horseshoe, Toronto