If you're anything like some of us here at CBC Hamilton, you aren't even close to finishing up your Christmas shopping.
But that's okay – we want to help you out. Giving the gift of music has never been easier, considering the city's music scene keeps churning out some of the best bands in Canada.
When you're heading out to shop this season, buy local. Here are some great albums released by Hamilton artists this year for the people on your list.
Arkells: High Noon
It was hard to miss Arkells in 2014. Between the band's incendiary performance at Supercrawl and their new album High Noon, this was a banner year for the band.
High Noon was one of the best Canadian pop/rock albums of 2014, and represents a huge leap forward for the band in terms of songwriting and production. It's also the first time they've integrated strings into their sound, and that orchestral push gives everything a massive lift.
This album is a safe bet for anyone on your list who likes rock, pop and indie music.
Dirty Nil: Cinnamon/Guided by Vices and SMITE
Dundas' The Dirty Nil continued a tradition of releasing short, fiery bursts of punk-rock goodness on vinyl this year – first with SMITE and then Cinnamon/Guided by Vices.
The trio continues to blend the energetic underpinnings of punk rock with 90s alternative vocal hooks in a way that feels frenetic and refreshing. Now if they could finally put out a full-length release, we'd all be happy (hint, hint).
The Dirty Nil is a great choice for anyone on your list who loves heavy rock and roll or melodic punk rock.
Caribou
Dundas' Dan Snaith — better known as Caribou — released his highly anticipated sixth album Our Love this year to widespread critical acclaim. Dan's sound tends to change from album to album, but Our Love really sounds like a logical progression from his last record — 2010's Swim.
There's a kind of simplicity here evokes memories of early techno and house music, but still sounds contemporary.
Owen Pallett and Hamilton's Jessy Lanza played on the record too, giving it even more Polaris Prize cred. This album would work well as a gift for anyone who is into shimmering synths and upbeat, danceable music.
Harrison Kennedy: This is From Here
Harrison Kennedy is one of the best blues musicians Canada has ever seen. Full stop.
At 72, Kennedy is still able to coax authentic, rootsy blues out of his guitar, and nowhere is that more evident than on his newest release, This Is From Here.
His voice just keeps getting better with age, too. Buy this album for someone who loves the blues. Buy yourself one too, while you're at it.
Dinner Belles: The River and the Willow
The Dinner Belles play country and roots music that's steeped in tradition, but do it with a youthful exuberance that's impossible to ignore.
Their new album The River and the Willow is the sort of CD you could give to someone who claims to "like every type of music but country" just to prove them wrong.
Or you could just give it to a country fan. That works too.
Harlan Pepper: Take Out a $20 and Live Life to the Fullest
Harlan Pepper wins the award for best album title of 2014, hands down. There is no better way to sum up being in your early 20s.
But questionable decisions made at a bar aside, these guys have tightened up considerably on their newest record, and are playing like a band that has much more experience under its belt.
That experience (and a newfound love for Steve Miller) has the band channelling classic rock in a big way. This album is a great pick for anyone who loves the Stones or Leon Russell.
Daniel Lanois: Flesh and Machine
Daniel Lanois is one of the city's most prolific producers and songwriters, and he's back with a new album called Flesh and Machine.
If you only know Lanois for his seminal work as a producer on albums like U2's The Joshua Tree or Bob Dylan's Time Out of Mind, this album might not be what you'd expect. But longtime Lanois fans know he's obsessed with textures and tones, and won't be shocked that Flesh and Machine veers off into abstract territory.
It's moreso a collection of soundscapes rather than a bunch songs in any traditional sense. If you have a friend or relative whose tastes lean towards the abstract, this is a solid choice.
Tongue Fu
Longtime promoter and club owner Lou Molinaro made the jump to performer this year, as his band Tongue Fu released its first EP.
Molinaro unapologetically wears his early punk rock influences on his sleeve, and is playing with some of his own heroes here, like Gord Lewis from Teenage Head and Gene Champagne from the Killjoys.
This EP is a solid choice for anyone who likes early punk rock and Alice Cooper, The Hold Steady, or spends a lot of weekends at This Ain't Hollywood.
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