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Zulu Report: An Audible List Of Our Favourite Records In 2010

Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…

The Track

currently on heavy rotation in the store…

Destroyer performing Chinatown live, solo, in Dallas.

A lot of people were shocked when Destroyer dropped the Archer On The Beach ep a few weeks back, but really they shouldn’t have been. Dan Bejar, the captain of the Destroyer ship, likes to keep things interesting, and if that means ditching the Van Morrison and Dylan-isms of the past several releases and instead pairing up with Tim Hecker and Loscil for some electro-crooning then so be it. Archer On the Beach is a stunning new vision from a guy who’s never shy to try on a new pair of pants. If a few people get seriously freaked out, so be it. This live clip is a great snapshot of Bejar on his own, but when Kaputt drops in January, don’t say I didn’t try to prepare you.

The Playlist

Forget the rest, this is the best! Here are some of our favourite records of 2010, hand picked and approved by the Zulu team. Check out individual staff best of lists here.

SONNY AND THE SUNSETS Tomorrow Is Alright (Fat Possum)

Sonny’s Jonathan Richman-like charm plus the Sunsets’ rickety Beach Boys melodies equals a real good time. And they get bonus points for giving a shout out to the sweet joys of lovin’ an older gal.

GRINDERMAN 2 (Anti)

Nick Cave and his band of hairy, horny, dirty old men kick out the jams like a band half their age. This is a lesson in aging gracefully.

BIG BOI Sir Luscious Left Foot (Uni)

The other half of Outkast steps into the limelight for his first solo endeavour and gives us one of the best hip hop albums of the year.

GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer (Warp)\

From the sun scorched California deserts comes the warped, psychedelic mind fuck that is A Sufi And A Killer. This album sounds like the old world and new world riding high on a purple magic carpet ride.

ORA COGAN The Quarry (INW)

We were stunned when local dark-folky Ora Cogan dropped this masterpiece on us. Great songs, great sound, can’t wait for more.

SALEM King Night (IAMSOUND)

A spooky, hazy blend of drugged out horror-hip hop-psych that’s given birth to a half dozen new micro-genres, King Night just sounds like a good time to these ears.

APOLLO GHOSTS Mount Benson (self released)

Another superb release from this local trio, Mount Benson is a masterpiece of sly storytelling and simple pop dynamics that get better with each listen.

FLYING LOTUS Cosmogramma (Warp)

Cosmogramma is the latest chapter in the grand old book of Afro-futurism. Coming out of several disparate genres – hip hop, electronica, jazz, new age – this album takes you places you didn’t know existed.

MGMT Congratulations (Sony)

A paisley pop journey through the decadent and demented history of rock and roll. A call to arms for travellers of all known dimensions. A pop album that just won’t quit.

The Gig

The upcoming show that we’re really looking forward to…


Thu JAN 6 WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – RICKSHAW

Known for living wayyyy off the grid of the modern world – like, growing their own food and living off of solar panels – Wolves In The Throne Room are coming up from hinterlands of Washington state for their first Vancouver appearance, and it’s guaranteed to be a fine lesson in crusty-hippy-doom metal. This will be the perfect detox after a busy season of Xmas/NYE hoopla.

The Glance

Fri DEC 17
EDWARD MAYA – FABRIC – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Sat DEC 18
WINTERHARP – ST.ANDREWS

Sun DEC 19
JOHN GRANT – MEDIA

Mon DEC 20
LMFAO – GOSSIP
STEVE AOKI – GARFINKLES (WHISTLER)
KID KOALA – BILTMORE

Tue DEC 21
KID KOALA – BILTMORE
TOTAL CHINESE BUFFET – KENTIZEN CHINESE CUISINE

Wed DEC 22
CHRISTMAS RAPPIN’ w/MAESTRO FRESH WES, SWOLLEN MEMBERS, RASCALZ – BAR NONE

Mon DEC 27
AVICII – GARFINKLES (WHISTLER)

Tue DEC 28
CALVIN HARRIS DJ SET – VENUE – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Wed DEC 29
LISSIE – BILTMORE – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Fri DEC 31
CARIBBEAN NEW YEARS – SULLIVAN HALL
W2 LIGHTS NYE – W2
MSTRKRFT & FELIX CARTAL – HASTINGS RACECOURSE

JANUARY

Thu JAN 6
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – RICKSHAW
ZAAC PICK – BILTMORE

Tue JAN 11
LITTLE DRAGON – FORTUNE

Wed JAN 12
SKRILLEX – GARFINKLES (WHISTLER)

Thu JAN 13
RED CEDAR – BILTMORE

Fri JAN 14
RICK ROSS – GOSSIP

Sat JAN 15
SARAH HARMER – COMMODORE
SUBCON FEAT. DOWNLOAD – RICKSHAW
HUUN HUUR TU – CHRIST CHURCH

Sun JAN 16
PETER WOLF CRIER – MEDIA

Wed JAN 19
HANDSOME FAMILY – BILTMORE

Thu JAN 20
EXCISION – GOSSIP

Sat JAN 22
WOVENHAND – BILTMORE
SASHA – COMMODORE
THE THERMALS – MEDIA CLUB

Mon JAN 24
DARWIN DEEZ – MEDIA CLUB
WEEN – QE THEATRE

Tue JAN 25
DEVIL DRIVER – VENUE

Wed JAN 26
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS – COMMODORE

Fri JAN 28
THE PACK AD – BILTMORE
BIG RIVER – SHARK CLUB
BOBBY LONG – MEDIA