Best of 2011: Arif Mirabdolbaghi of Protest the Hero

by Sam Sutherland

December 20, 2011

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AUX is in the habit of ranking what we thought were the best of the respective genres we cover — Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, Metal, Punk, and Electronic. This year, we also reached out to as many of the artists featured on our lists as we could — our best-of the year’s best-of the year’s.

Arif Mirabdolbaghi of Protest the Hero

MastodonThe Hunter
It’s simpler to explain what Mastodon isn’t than summarize what they are. Every record sharpens the blade and The Hunter is no exception. Catch a listen to “Bedazzled Fingernails” before a suburban emcee samples the intro and spits shitty battle rhymes all over it.

Hazmat ModineCicada
I learned of Hazmat Modine through their collaboration with Tuvan celebrity throat-singers Huun Huur Tu. Later I caught wind of frontman Wade Schuman’s exceptional and intricate fine art. He’s equally at home with the paintbrush as the harmonica, evidenced in the staggering and mournful ‘Buddy’

Hayes CarllKmag Yo Yo (& Other American Stories)
I figure you can’t throw a dead cat in Texas without hitting a songwriter. Thank god for Hayes Carll holding a candle to the icons before him and reminding us the best is not necessarily behind us. Hayes Carll is joined by Todd Snider and (Canadian) Corb Lund for the toe-tapping hobo song “Bottle In My Hand.”

Gypsophilia
Constellation
Stylistically vast yet refreshingly accessible, Halifax’s Gypsophilia nod toward gypsy jazz without falling victim to its many kitschy pitfalls. A real victory for Canadian musicianship. Be patient with the opening track “Zachary’s Czardas,” which builds into a playful integration of Hungarian dance and hot jazz.

David BaxterPatina
Toronto producer and songwriter David Baxter released his second solo album this year. Patina proves unequivocally why Baxter has a hand in just about everything roots/country in this city. The sly interplay of Baxter’s guitar and Brian Kobayakawa’s bass make “River Moon” my favourite, but similar arguments could be made for the entire album which is a tour-de-force of disciplined and tasteful playing.

Merle HaggardWorking In Tennessee
Merle reminds us how lucky we are to witness new music from a living legend. Featuring slick production value and an appearance by Merle’s son Ben, this record is fresh and focused. “Laugh It Off” is a lazy, sauntering ode to lemonade from life’s lemons. Notice the pot reference!

The Human AbstractDigital Veil
This album featured the widely anticipated return of AJ Minette, who revived the original spirit of the band. I’m happy to call them friends of mine and delighted at their latest effort. In classic THA fashion, the album is heavily arpeggiated with dark themes equally at home in a haunted house or a rousing psycho-sexual thriller. While the album is full of great guitar work, I find myself particularly drawn to “Faust” as an example of vintage THA.

Blotted ScienceThe Animation of Entomology
Ron Jarzombek’s odd-ball progressive metal record is refreshing in its simple conviction to deliver deeply pocketed instrumental grooves with a 12-tone foundation. The album differs, albeit slightly, from 2007’s The Machinations Of Dementia, through the addition of Hannes Grossmanm on drums, whose approach lacks ex-drummer Charlie Zeleny’s massive tones and heavy-hitting, but benefits in his live-sounding organic style. This type of music is often guilty of being a collection of parts rather than a communion of songs. With that being said, check out how the groove sneaks into the start of “Cretaceous Chasm.”

Willie NelsonRemember Me Vol. 1
One of history’s greatest song interpreters returns with a collection of classic covers, ranging from Tennesse Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons” to Tex Williams’ “Smoke That Cigarette.” I’m always impressed with Willie’s smooth arrangements which remain faithful to the original while the updated production value allows people in my peer group to hear these classic songs with new ears. Have a listen to Kris Kristofferson’s poignant lament “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” and Willie’s ability to deliver the lyrics with resignation but without apology, a true mark of a modern master.

VariousThe Lost Notebooks Of Hank Williams
This album is a collection of songwriters interpreting the lyrics of Hank Williams discovered after his death in 1953. With a killer backstory and a stacked cast, this album was bound to be good but the spirited performances of Alan Jackson, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard and Patty Loveless make it great. Love him or hate him, Alan Jackson’s interpretation of “You’ve Been Lonesome, Too” is brilliantly idiomatic. Pay attention to the slight moan in his voice, so characteristic of Hank Sr. and wonderfully at home in this excellent envisioning of classic country.

Tags: Music, Lists, News, David Baxter, Gypsophilia, Hank Williams, Hayes Carll, Mastodon, Merle Haggard, Protest The Hero, Willie Nelson

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