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There is a new and exciting year ahead of us, but we here at CJLO 1690AM want to take this chance to reminisce about the wonderful music, film, events, and FUN that 2017 bestowed upon us. The folks at the "little station that does!" give you their top picks of the year, and the lists reflect the amazing radio that broadcasts on CJLO every day, as well as the eclectic tastes of our DJs, volunteers, and staff!

And while you're here, have a look at our on-air schedule for more information on our programming, or click on a DJ's show page, all hyperlinked for your convenience below (because we care, man).

All the best to you and yours in 2018!

Yours truly,

CJLO 1690AM in Montreal

Alex hosts Ashes to Ashes, every Tuesday from 1 to 2 PM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2017

1. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound
2. Paramore – After Laughter
3. Peter Peter – Noir Éden
4. Paupière – À jamais privé de réponses
5. Heat – Overnight
6. Priests – Nothing Feels Natural
7. Alvvays – Antisocialites
8. Loud – Une année record
9. Corridor – Supermercado
10. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

1. Jason Bajada – Loveshit II (Blondie & the Backstabberz)
2. Nicolet – Hochelaga
3. Partner – In Search of Lost Time
4. Phoenix – Ti Amo
5. St. Vincent – Masseduction
6. Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

TOP 10 EPs

1. Exit Someone - Dry Your Eyes 
2. Pascale Project – 7AM
3. Ralph – Ralph
4. De La Montagne – VOSTFR
5. Buddy – Ocean & Montana
6. Radiant Baby – It’s My Party
7. Cléa Vincent – Tropi-cléa
8. Mort Rose – Avoir 20 ans
9. Mundy’s Bay – Wandering & Blue
10. Venus – Venus

TOP 5 NON-2017 ALBUMS

1. Alaclair Ensemble – Les frères cueilleurs (2016)
2. Cléa Vincent – Retiens mon désir (2016)
3. Merle Haggard & The Strangers – Mama Tried (1967)
4. KNLO – Long jeu (2016)
5. Dead Obies – Gesamtkunstwerk (2016)

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: Being voted the #4 Best Radio Show in Cult MTL’s Readers’ Poll was definitely the most unexpected memorable moment!

Chris the Frog hosts Sewer Spewer, every Wednesday from 1 to 2 PM.

TOP 10 MONTREAL ALBUMS OF 2017

1. Show of Bedlam, Transfiguration
2. Teen Seizure, Seizure Bloody Seizure
3. French Frogs, Advienne que pourra
4. Explicit Delicious, S/T
5. Society’s Ills, Stumble
6. Les Ordures Ioniques, S/T
7. The Barrel Heads, Canned Peaches
8. Days of Rage, We’ll Sleep When We’re Dead
9. Banal, Contra
10. Code 40-11, L’Amérique du Mort

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2017

1. Full of Hell, Trumpeting Ecstasy
2. Boris, Dear
3. Converge, The Dusk In Us
4. King Parrot, Ugly Produce
5. The Arson Project, Disgust
6. All Pigs Must Die, Hostage Animal
7. Code Orange, Forever
8. Tau Cross, Pillars of Fire
9. Iron Reagan, Crossover Ministry
10. Get The Shot, Infinite Punishment

HONOURABLE MENTION

Dr. Colossus, The Dank

FAVOURITE CONCERT

Trap Them’s final Montreal show at Turbo Haus, with Call of the Void, Dark Circles and Mhedved.

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: Performing a spoken word version of “Bawitdaba” by Kid Rock for CJLO’s Big Shiny Tunes 4.

Michal Langiewicz is CJLO’s Station Manager, and hosts Plus1, every Thursday from noon to 1 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. Juana Molina, Halo
2. Do Make Say Think, Stubborn Persistent Illusions
3. High Five, Renovation Ruin
4. Casper Skulls, Mercy Works
5. Mauno, Tuning
6. Land of Talk, Life After Youth
7. Manners, Motions
8. Palm, Shadow Expert
9. AIM LOW, Scratched Out
10. Blessed, II

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year:

1. CJLO 1690AM was the only Canadian station to debut Brian Eno’s new piece, “Reflection”.
2. The massive success of our Funding Drive, where we raised $11,422 for community radio

Sean hosts Sublime State of Doom, every Monday from 8 to 9 PM.  

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017 (not in order of importance!)

1. Bell Witch, Mirror Reaper
2. Power Trip, Nightmare Logic
3. Striker, Striker
4. Wormwitch, Strike Mortal Soil
5. Profane Order, Tightened Noose of Sanctimony
6. Code Orange, Forever
7. Primitive Man, Caustic
8. Electric Wizard, Wizard Bloody Wizard
9. Stalker, Shadow of the Sword
10. Big|Brave, Ardor

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: the metal overnight show for Metal March.

Genaro PC hosts The Cornice Show, every Sunday from 10 to 11 AM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2017

1. Big Wreck, Grace Street
2. Whitehorse, Panther in the Dollhouse
3. Kacy & Clayton, The Siren's Song
4. Common Holly, Playing House
5. Drake, More Life
6. Alter Bridge, The Last Hero
7. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Backlash
8. Terra Lightfoot, Paradise
9. Donovan Woods, They are going away 
10. Rose Cousins, Natural Conclusion

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: 2017 Diego Awards!

Allison O’Reilly is CJLO’s Program Director, and hosts Eastern Passage, every Friday from 11 AM to noon.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017 (in alphabetic order, not order of importance!)

1. Mirror Reaper, Bell Witch
2. Booji Boys, Booji Boys
3. Light Information, Chad VanGaalen
4. Number 1 Angel, Charli XCX
5. II, The Courtneys
6. Modern Pressure, Daniel Romano
7. Neo Wax Bloom, Iglooghost
8. Tuning, Mauno
9. A Crow Looked At Me, Mount Eerie
10. Nothing Feels Natural, Priests
11. Rocket, (Sandy) Alex G
12. Slowdive, Slowdive
13. CTRL, SZA
14. Big Fish Theory, Vince Staples
15. Out in the Storm, Waxahatchee

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: the Spring Folk Fest, and playing at Bar Le Ritz with the CJLO All Stars.

TOP TRACKS RELEASED IN 2017

1. “It’s Okay To Cry”, SOPHIE
2. “Hungry Ghost”, Hurray for the Riff Raff
3. “raingurl”, yaeji
4. “Road Head”, Japanese Breakfast
5. “Big Gay Hands”, Partner
6. “What You’re Looking For”, Raveen
7. “Nothing”, Common Holly
8. “You & I”, Toro y Moi
9. “Ki Swui Kya”, Century Egg
10. “Lush”, Heat

TOP CONCERTS OF 2017

1. Slowdive at L’Olympia
2. Deerhunter and Cindy Lee at Le National
3. Simply Saucer at Bar Le Ritz
4. Homeshake at Theatre Fairmount
5. Dinosaur Jr. at Theatre Corona
6. Allison Crutchfield and Vagabon at La Vitrola
7. PJ Harvey at Metropolis
8. Blank Banshee at Newspeak
9. (Sandy) Alex G and Japanese Breakfast at Bar Le Ritz
10. Jeff Rosenstock at Bar L’Escogriffe

Sarah Boumedda is CJLO’s Magazine Editor, and hosts Hallyu Central, every Monday from 3 to 4 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. EXO, Universe. It might be a very biased thing to put my favourite K-Pop group at the number 1 spot, but Universe truly was a great release—despite its very late release in the year! As opposed to The War, the LP the group put out earlier this year, the EP Universe had a much more cohesive sound, blending indie rock and R&B together in the most perfect ways; it almost made me forgot my favourite member wasn't part of the ensemble through the eight tracks. Lay’s Sheep would have made it to this list, too, if only it was a little longer…
2. Red Velvet, Perfect Velvet
3. BTOB, Brother Act.
4. DAY6, Sunrise
5. CODE KUNST, Muggles’ Mansion
6. Lights, Skin & Earth
7. Loud, Une année record
8. SEVENTEEN, Al1
9. Rad Museum, Scene
10. Car, the garden, Apartment

HONORABLE MENTION

Jonghyun, The Collection “Story Op.2”. News of Jonghyun’s passing, on December 18, left me pretty shaken. There’s no denying that his music left a deep impression on me, especially the more intrinsic, insightful works that were his Story Opuses compilation albums. I’ll always remember him for his incredible artistry and overflowing kindness, and for speaking up on issues that are sometimes easily disregarded in music—especially in Korea.

TOP TRACKS RELEASED IN 2017

1. LAY, “Mask”
2. Red Velvet, “I Just”
3. B1A4, “Call Me”
4. BAEKHYUN, “Take You Home”
5. DAY6, “I Need Somebody”
6. NCT 127, “Sun & Moon”
7. Lu Han, “On Call”
8. Epik High, “People Scare Me”
9. BTOB, “Red Lie”
10. hyukoh, “Wanli万里”

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: It’s hard to choose just one… Possibly the simple fact of finding myself at the office, week after week (despite my busy schedule sometimes keeping me away) was always so great—and it’s all thanks to the team!

DJ Lady Oracle is CJLO’s Hip Hop Director, and hosts The Limelight, every Saturday from 6 to 8 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. Miguel, War and Leisure
2. Kendrick Lamar, Damn
3. Notion, Heart On My Sleeve
4. Fredy V, #ITTAKESAVILLAGE
5. Sampha, Process
6. The Foreign Exchange, Hide and Seek
7. Amp Fiddler, Amp Dog Knights
8. Young RJ, Blaq Royal-T
9. She Devils, She Devils
10. Cherry Glazerr, Apocalipstick

FAVOURITE CONCERT

Talib Kweli, Lizzo, Rhapsody at SXSW, and Wayne Tennant Single launch for Bend at Petit Café Campus, October 23rd 2017

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: There are two great moments that happened this year. First, going to SXSW with my fellow music directors. The second was the Hip Hop showcase at Casa del Popolo in October.

Danny Payne and Stephen Deane host The Pressure Drop, every Monday from 5 to 6 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017 (not in order of importance!)

1. (Various Artists), Function Underground: The Black And Brown American Rock Sound 1972-1977
2. Sinkane, Life and Livin’ It
3. Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Subatomic Sound System, Super Ape Returns to Conquer
4. WITCH, We Intend To Cause Havoc
5. Wild Honey, Torres Blancas
6. Idles, Brutalism
7. Songhoy Blues, Résistance
8. Bee Bee Sea, Sonic Boom
9. Public Service Broadcasting, Every Valley
10. Strange Ranger, Daymoon

HONOURABLE MENTIONS 

• Freddie McKay, Picture on the Wall
• Hamad Kalkaba and The Golden Sounds, Astadjam Dada Sare
• Tinariwen, Elwan
• Juana Molina, Halo
• Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Build Music
• Dom Drummond, Don Cosmic
• Bob and Gene, If This World Were Mine
• Birds, Everything All At Once
• David Myles, Real Love
• Kingston All Stars: Presenting Kingston All Stars
• Matias Aguayo & The Desdemonas, Sofarnopolis
• (Various), Pop Makossa
• (Various), Version Dread
• The Frightnrs, More To Say
• Black Bambi, Voodoo Booze EP
• Po Lazarus, O Body EP
• Antibalas, Where The Gods Are In Peace
• Re-TROS, Before The Applause
• Trupa Trupa, Jolly New Songs
• Nassau, Heron

FAVOURITE TRACKS

• Catholic Action, “Doing Well”
• Diazpora, “Kinshasa”
• Delgres, “Mo Jodi”
• Boy Azooga, “Face Behind Her Cigarette”
• Bro Valentino, “Stay Up Zimbabwe”
• Black Bambi, “Cocaine Girl”
• Trees Speak, “Soul Machine”
• Acid Dad, “Die Hard”
• Shame, “Concrete”
• Sleaford Mods “B.H.S.”
• Re-TROS “At Mosp Here”
• Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings “Matter of Time”
• The Orielles “Sugar Tastes Like Salt”
• ShitKid “Alright”
• Shiners “Just Got Paid”
• Jackie Shane “Any Other Way”
• Shopping “The Hype”
• Nicole Willis “Still Got A Way To Fall”
• Indian Wells “It’s Where The World Ends”
• Idles “Mother”
• Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton “Statuette”
• Touts “Bombscare”
• Circuit Des Yeux “Paper Bag”
• Les Veterans “J’aimerais que tu sois ma fan #1”

TOP CONCERTS OF 2017

• FME (Festival de Musique Emergente en Abitibi-Temiscamangue)
• Shazamfest
• Delgres @ Festival Nuits d’Afrique
• Po Lazarus @ Quai des Brumes
• Shame @ M for Montreal
• Public Service Broadcasting @ Pop Montreal
• Liam Gallagher @ Osheaga (sorry! Danny had to put this one in for the Oasis tunes!)
• Black Bambi @ assorted venues
• Sinkane @ Bar le Ritz
• Hot Garbage @ la Rockette
• Les Deuxluxes @ Theatre Fairmount
• Re-TROS @ Ritz PDB
• Acid Mothers Temple @ La Sala Rossa
• Thee Oh Sees @ La Tulipe
• Teke Teke @ L’Esco (Distorsion Psych Fest)
• Hailu Mergia @ La Sala Rossa
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard @ Theatre Fairmount

Zakary Slax hosts Slax Trax, every Tuesday from 5 to 6 PM.

TOP 10 ALBUMS THAT AREN’T D.A.M.N.

Obviously Kendrick's 2017 LP is excellent, but as it's so widely lauded, he hardly needs another plug from me… although indirectly, I guess that's what I just did. Anyway, here's 10 killer releases of the past year that are somewhat more under the radar.

1. Shabazz Palaces - Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star + Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines
2. Plasmalab, Love/Life
3. Mavis Staples, If All I Was Was Black
4. Caterina Barbieri, Patterns of Consciousness
5. Booji Boys, Booji Boys
6. Fiver, Audible Songs From Rockwood
7. Tough Age, Shame
8. Downtown Boys, Cost of Living
9. Not You, Misty [EP]
10. METZ, Strange Peace

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: Rollin’ around Austin, TX with the CJLO music department for SXSW 2017.

Certainly there was so much more greatness launched into the universe this past year than these 10. Tune in to Slax Trax on January 2nd to hear the above and beyond in a wild 'n weird 2017 retrospective.

Holden Carroll hosts Multiple Tabs, every Thursday 11 PM to midnight.

Multiple Tabs Top 9 Mixes of 2017

• DJ DVD RIP 101
• Classical Trax with SIM and Rooots - 11th November 2017 
• CalvoMusic - Cypher Mix III 
• Sophiaaaahjkl;8901 - Post-Post Cultural Radio Mix on 2-26-17
• Vivian Koch - Reliance
• 7777777 - datafruits5 mix 01-06-17
• EntzugszKlinique - Korgstyle
• tchan - Mad as Hell
• O.M.A.A.R. - Lost Tape

Multiple Tabs Top Trax of 2017

• DJ J HEAT - Transit
• Oli XL - Rogue Idiot
• James Ferraro - SUKI GIRLZ 6
• Blank Body - ROADKILL
• wharfwhit - WHISTLEBLOWER
• Visible Cloaks - Valve (feat. Miyako Koda)
• ACEONTOP ft. ABE201 and Deejayvone - Bounce Your Back *Extended Version
• DJ Telly Tellz - Just Wanna Pop
• Rhucle - Lemon Soda
• ALEXALFONS - IV FREEDOM
• Kodak Black - Top Off Benz (feat. Young Thug)
• SHE Spells Doom - Glance
• RaEazy - From The Krypt
• Hefu X Eski Myth - Untitled
• Life Sim - Lightning Lipgloss Life
• Jubilee - I-95
• DJ Orange Julius - Finally Together ft. DJ Mastercard
• holeminer - STAY TRUE
• ✧٩(•́⌄•́๑) ✧ - 24HOURBANKING
• EMILY GLASS - Don't B Scared
• Yves Tumor - Limerence
• Terekke - Mix 91
• paul jacob hunter - cooldopesuperyesamazing
• kfaraday - Op. 40 No. 7, Intermezzo (Kapusty Fried Chippin')
• Hannah Diamond - Concrete Angel

Prince Palu co-hosts The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, every Friday from 6 to 9 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017 (I cannot put numbers in front of these albums because it is too hard to decide which one I liked more… but they are in a rough order.)

• Daniel Romano, Modern Pressure
• Tavis E. Triance & The Natural Way, A Brief Respite From The Terror Of Dying
• Curtis Harding, Face Your Fear
• Barry Paquin Roberge, Voyage Massage
• Spoon, Hot Thoughts
• The National, Sleep Well Beast
• Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Soul of a Woman
• Chicano Batman, Freedom is Free
• Mattiel, S/T
• The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding
• The Babe Rainbow, S/T
• Doug Tuttle, Peace Potato
• Tracy Bryant, A Place For Nothing And Everything In Its Place
• Hiss Golden Messenger, Hallelujah Anyhow

FAVOURITE CONCERTS OF 2017

1. Arcade Fire @ Bell Centre w/ Wolf Parade
2. Daniel Romano @ Bar La Ritz PTB
3. Spoon @ MTelus
4. The National @ MTelus
5. Allah-Las @ Rialto Theatre w/ Babe Rainbow
6. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears @ La Sala Rossa
7. Chocolat @ Theatre Fairmount w/ IDALG + Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire
8. The Sadies @ La Sala Rossa
9. Michael Rault @ L’Escogriffe
10. Barry Paquin Roberge @ Le Catcus w/ Dangereens

Kelly Belfo is CJLO’s World Music Director, and hosts Flat Cola Presents: Mother Tongue, every Monday from 6 to 7 PM, and co-hosts Beat The World, every Saturday from noon to 2 PM.

TOP 20 CHARTED WORLD MUSIC ALBUMS OF 2017

• Shakky Allyene, Dance With Me
• Daymé Arocena, Cubafonia
• Ondatropica, Baile Bucanero
• Auresia, Raices
• Lido Pimienta, La Papessa
• Tinariwen, Elwan
• Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band, IWA
• Vieux Farka Toure, Samba
• Oumou Sangare, Mogoya
• Queen Ifrica, Climb
• Morgan Heritage, Avrakedabra
• Omar Souleyman, To Syria, With Love
• Lord Echo, Harmonies
• Alice Coltrane, The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda
• Mystery P, Walk With Jah Jah
• Meklit, When The People Move the Music Moves Too
• Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet, Ladilikan
• Antibalas, Where the Gods Are in Peace
• Lee Scratch Perry, Subatomic Sound System
• The Souljazz Orchestra, Under Burning Skies

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: SXSW Conference & Festival, Austin, Texas, March 10-18, 2017

Andrew is CJLO’s Metal Music Director, and hosts Grade A Explosives, every Sunday from 4 to 6 PM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. Toothgrinder, Phantom Armor. This album suffers at time from clunky lyrics, but in the end the catchy guitar riffs and spastic feel easily make it the most solid record of the year.
2. Nine Inch Nails, Add Violence. Trent Reznor's 2017 offering is far better than the last EP, putting together a cohesive record which matches the best parts of the previous two releases.
3. Zeal and Ardor, Devil is Fine. A half-black, American / Swiss dude who came up with this entire band by asking people to challenge him to combine two different types of music—on 4chan of all places—makes the most interesting record of the year, combining black metal and gospel Southern slave chants.
4. Electric Six, How Dare You? Finally a return to fun from a band that was created to have fun. What a novel concept.
5. He Is Legend, Few. This “grower not a shower” has only a few standout tracks, but it's consistent with good guitars and well put together tracks.
6. Aborym, Shifting.Negative. Combining the best parts of Skinny Puppy, NIN "The Fragile", and Ministry, this is an industrial kids dream come true.
7. Royal Blood, How Did We Get So Dark? English two-piece that puts together a dark, catchy record that is full of ear worms that burrow into your skull.
8. KMFDM, Hell Yeah. Though KMFDM cannot be said to be the most innovative group in recent times, let it not be said that they don't know how to make a great record. If you like their stuff, you'll like this too.
9. Ancient Vvisdom, 33. Folk songs about Satan... Need I say more?
10. Gone is Gone, Echolocation. An underappreciated album with high caliber talent (members of Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, and At the Drive-In). Though it stays a bit too long and doesn't exactly do super inventive things, it definitely is a great record.

Sylvain Verstricht hosts The Rest of Us, every Tuesday from 8 to 9 PM.

FAVOURITE ALBUMS

1. Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.
2. Sampha, Process
3. Moses Sumney, Aromanticism
4. Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Navigator
5. St. Vincent, Masseduction
6. Ryuichi Sakamoto, async
7. Arca, Arca
8. SZA, CTRL
9. Jackie Shane, Any Other Way
10. Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dreams and Daggers

FAVOURITE SHOWS

1. Truck Driver + Sour Spirit @ THE CULT
2. Ho99o9 @ Turbo Haüs
3. Hurray for the Riff Raff @ Piccolo Rialto
4. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan @ Bar Le Ritz PDB
5. Aye Nako @ Casa del Popolo
6. Algiers @ Bar Le Ritz PDB
7. Acid Mothers Temple @ La Sala Rossa
8. Buffalo Hat Singers, Thunderbird Drum @ MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels)
9. Woods @ La Sala Rossa
10. Run the Jewels @ MTELUS

Deevo hosts Hot Chaud!, every Sunday from 11 AM to noon.

Top 5 Hot Chaud! guests of the Year

1. Scott Helman (second interview)
2. Dennis Casey from Flogging Molly
3. Charlie Puth
4. Sam from Glass Tiger
5. Gus from alt-J

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: The most memorable moment probably happened during and after my interview with Dennis Casey, guitarist from Flogging Molly. The interview went extremely well and after we hung up, I went back on the air to talk up the guest I was going to have the following week: comedian and television personality, Ali Hassan. As I am on air, the phone starts ringing, and I was very surprised that someone was calling me while I was on air—anyone who would be listening would probably know that I can’t really answer the phone while I am on air. It so happened that I had a one-minute clip of Ali Hassan’s stand-up at the Just for Laughs festival, so I rapidly introduced the clip so I could get to the phone before the person hung up. Long story short, it was Dennis from Flogging Molly thanking me for the amazing interview and that he wanted to give me two tickets with two backstage passes to Flogging Molly’s sold out show at the Metropolis that night. I obviously accepted and went to the show and hung out with Dennis and one of my friends, backstage at the Metropolis. We chatted for an hour and had a couple of beers, meanwhile Flogging Molly members and the opening bands were having a jamming session. Dennis kept complimenting my interview style and thanking me for welcoming him to Montreal that morning. At the end of the night, I was over the moon. An artist went the extra mile to show me he appreciated my research, dedication and hard work towards his craft and mine, and those are the kinds of moments (and many other moments) that make me proud to be part of the CJLO team.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

• Scott Helman, Hotel de Ville. Favorite Track: “You Made Her”
• Ryan Kennedy, Love is Gold. Favorite Track: “Whiskey Bar”

TOP 5 FAVOURITE CONCERTS OF 2017

1. Scott Helman at l’Astral, October 15^th, 2017
2. Flogging Molly at MTELUS, May 28^th, 2017
3. Guns N Roses / Our Lady Peace at Parc Jean-Drapeau, August 19th, 2017
4. Julien Tremblay at Chapiteau Juste Pour Rire in Bromont, August 25th, 2017 (stand-up comedy show)
5. Amos J at Petit Campus, August 10th, 2017

I do love and support the artists that come on my show and try to promote them as much as I can—but don't get it twisted, these concerts were truly great shows!

Angelica hosts BVST, every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM.

These are my Top 10 records of 2017, along with songs to try out. Want to listen to them? Click here to check out a playlist of (almost) all of them!

• Biblical, The City That Always Sleeps. A solid rock record with plenty of psych flights and introspective moments. this a bit of a departure from their status quo, but it spoke to me. Track to taste: “Fugue State”
• Dead Quiet, Grand Rites. With a title fitting the big, brash songs on this album, this record will ceremoniously stomp into your ear. Like The Murder City Devils, but with more headbanging. Track to taste: “Dear Demon”
• Desert Mountain Tribe, If You Don't Can, You Don't Know Köln. With only four tracks, this EP definitely leaves the listener wanting more. Like their “spirit molecule” namesake, DMT weaves a trippy, spacey web in under 20 minutes. Track to taste: “Circles”
• Jess and the Ancient Ones, The Horse and Other Weird Tales. A surprise late entry from a band with which I never really bothered previously, this new record's strong vocals and spooky Sixties sound are inexplicably fresh. Track to taste: “Minotaure”
• Lousy Riders, Orphans. A late addition to the list, this record channels Mongrels and Muffler Crunch with lots of riffage and just enough fuzz to keep you warm this winter and beyond. Track to taste: “You Made Me”
• L.A. Guns, The Missing Peace. Never in my life would I think I'd ever include a record from a Sunset Strip band that arguably peaked by 1990, and yet here we are. OG singer and guitarist Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns reunite on a very respectable slab of sleaze. Track to taste: “The Flood's The Fault of the Rain”
• Longhouse, II: Vanishing. This extremely strong, super punishing stoner-doom release is possibly the heaviest thing to ever come out of Ottawa. This is all killer, no filler. Track to taste: “The Vigil”
• Ritual Master, A Horrific Return. This was a good year for spooky, occultist metal, and Montreal's own Ritual Master threw a bewitching offering on the altar with something that sounds like it was recorded in Satan's basement. Track to taste: “Pharisee”
• Santa Cruz, Bad Blood Rising. Their 2015 self-titled was a tough act to follow, but this year's offering earns a spot just sheer balls-to-the-wall hair metal bravado. Opportunities for fist-pumping and shouting along abound. Track to taste: “Bad Habits Die Hard”
• Zeal & Ardor, Devil is Fine. It's increasingly difficult to hear things that sound entirely new, but this Swiss-American genius blends black metal with slave spirituals into a record that is unlikely anything you've heard before. Track to taste: “Blood in the River”

As for CJLO memorable moments, mine were being able to give away tickets to high profile shows, including Metallica and Guns N' Roses, as well as presenting the CJLO Ryan B. Arditi Lifetime Achievement award to Stephanie Pastel!

Remi Caron hosts At the Movies (With Iconic Sounds), every Tuesday from 8 to 9 AM.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

• Harry Styles, Harry Styles. It's not easy getting away from the boy band persona, but Harry Styles goes to prove that there is a life after the boy band with his debut album. This is one of the most solid pop albums that I have listened to in a while.
• Iron and Wine, Best Epic. Move over Father John Misty, Samuel “Sam” Ervin Beam had one of the best Adult Folk Contemporary albums of the year. With the tornado of 2017 ripping through the stratosphere, Beam will always be there with his voice to calm things down.
• Foster the People, Sacred Hearts Club. With their third album, Foster The People did a good job at experimenting with various sounds and instruments, while drawing from 60's psychedelia.
• Arcade Fire, Everything Now. Everything Now has to be one of Arcade Fire's least ambitious works; but even though it's more of a rock pop accessible album, Arcade Fire keeps their same experimental sound.
• Jay-Z, 4:44. I haven't been on Jay-Z's side since The Blueprint 3, and then I gave a listen to 4:44. The visual components of the album and the music videos are great in addition to the tracks, and underline the album’s awareness about black culture. 
• The National, Sleep Well Beast. When it comes to my favourite indie rock record of the year, The National came close to the top. There is something about Matt Berninger voice that resonates with his listeners no matter what mood they are in.
• Feist, Pleasure. It has been a while since Leslie Feist released an album, however coming out around the spring of 2017 Pleasure provided a breath of fresh air.
• Kendrick Lamar, Damn. How do you follow up one of your most ambitious and successful albums, is a question that Kendrick Lamar had to answer when following To Pimp A Butterfly, and did a great job with Damn. Sonically, Lamar moves away from the jazzy nature of his previous album, and tries a new hard rock sound for some tracks. Some great featured artists include U2 and Rihanna.
• Lorde, Melodrama. Melodrama feels as Lorde wanted not only to make an interpersonal album, but one that would have some banger tracks for the club. This album takes a hold of you as Lorde keeps you intrigued, right up until the club lights come on and you have to go home.
• LCD Soundsystem, American Dream. 2016 saw LCD Soundsystem reunite and promise the world a new album. James Murphy brings back the same dance house music juxtaposition to themes of depression, social issues, fear, and ending of love and friendship in the album. Thank god there will always be LCD Soundsystem.

FAVOURITE TRACKS OF 2017

• Lorde, “Hard Feelings/Loveless” 
• Kendrick Lamar, “DNA”, Humble” 
• Jay Z, ”4:44”, “Moonlight” 
• LCD Soundsystem, “American Dream” 
• Arcade Fire, “Creature Comfort” 

Favorite Concert (A Very Biased Opinion): LCD Soundsystem, American Dream Tour.

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: Having a successfully fun Funding Drive. 

DJ Mister Vee hosts Beats From The East, every Thursday from 10 to 11 PM.

TOP TV SHOWS OF 2017: The Punisher & Stranger Things

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: DJ'ing at the Millennial Party.

TOP ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. Ruby Ibarra, Circa91
2. Prince, Purple Rain (Reissue)
3. Alfa, Spark and Fury
4. Little Dragon, Season High
5. Cynthia Lin, Ukelele Days
6. Kero One & Azure, Kero & Azure!
7. Dumbfoundead, Foreigner

TOP TRACKS RELEASED IN 2017

• Carlos Vives, “La Bicicleta” ft. Shakira)
• No Riddim & Megan Lee, “Young & Broken”
• Kero One & Azure, “Jazzhop”

FAVOURITE CONCERT OF 2017: CJLO FUNDrive 2017 Kick-Off

The Franklin Armstrong Collective host #GeektastiqCypha.

GAMES…
you should and could play

By SkinDeep

• #5 Cuphead
• #4 Uncharted, Lost Legacy
• #3 Super Mario Odyssey
• #2 Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• #1 Horizon Zero Dawn

COMICS…
for geeks & non-geeks alike

By Tobi

• #5 Black Panther and The Crew
• #4 Moon Knight Vol. 1: Lunatic and Moon Knight Vol. 2: Reincarnations 
• #3 Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles
• #2 Spider-Men (2012)
• #1 Saga by Brian K. Vaughan 

MUSIC…
for those who love game OSTs

By Doc Holidae

• #5 Cuphead OST  – Admission To Perdition
• #4 Super Mario Odyssey OST – Wooded Kingdom
• #3 NieR:Automata OST – Wretched Weaponry
• #2 Destiny 2 OST – Battle Stations
• #1 Persona 5 OST – Awakening

TRANSFORMERS…
for beginners and winners

By JawzD

• #5 Titan Returns – Hot Rod
• #4  RiD – Warrior – Bludgeon
• #3 Titan Returns – Overlord
• #2 The Last Knight – Premier Edition Deluxe – Cogman
• #1 Masterpiece – MP-34 – Cheetor

MOVIES…
your geek friends have seen

By Brandon

• #5 The Disaster Artist
• #4 I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (Netflix)
• #3 Brigsby Bear 
• #2 Get Out
• #1 Logan

Omar Sonics is CJLO’s Head Music Director, and hosts Hooked on Sonics, every Thursday from 6 to 8 PM.
*Here's a Spotify playlist of all my fave tunes and records of 2017 - keep the shuffle on!

FAVOURITE 30 ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2017

1. Slowdive - Slowdive
2. Afghan Whigs - In Spades
3. Cloud Nothings - Life Without Sound
4. Kendrick Lamar - Damn
5. Alex G - Rocket
6. Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory
7. Priests - Nothing Feels Natural
8. Sorority Noise - You're Not As ____ As You Think
9. Big Brave - Ardor
10. Brother Ali - All the Beauty in This Whole Life
11. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
12. Charly Bliss - Guppy
13. Converge - The Dusk in Us
14. METZ - Strange Peace
15. New Year - Snow
16. Waxahatchee - Out of the Storm
17. Mogwai - Every Country's Sun
18. Dälek - Endangered Philosophies
19. Bvdub - Heartless
20. Day Wave - The Days We Had
21. Alvvays - Antisocialites
22. Godflesh - Post Self
23. Sylvan Esso - What Now
24. P.O.S. - Chill, Dummy
25. Lee Ranaldo - Electric Trim
26. Jay Som - Everything Works
27. RIDE - Weather Diaries
28. Lees of Memory - The Blinding White Light of Nothing At All
29. Hammock - Mysterium
30. Ben Frost - The Centre Cannot Hold

    Honourable mentions: Julian Baker, Bell Witch, Cigarettes After Sex, Cloakroom, Kelela, Japanese Breakfast, Jidenna, Kid Koala, Kindling, Migos, Kelly Lee Owens, Propagandhi, Rainer Maria, Reduction Plan, SZA, Fred Thomas, Tigers Jaw, Wilsen, Cheslea Wolfe, Yumi Zouma

​FAVOURITE 10 EPs RELEASED IN 2017

1. Mansions - Deserter EP
2. Iris - Iris EP
3. Bleach Bath - It'll Get Worse If You Let It EP
4. Blessed - II EP
5. No Aloha - Sway EP
6. Alice Glass - Alice Glass EP
7. No Joy - Creep EP
8. Colour Wheel - Colour Wheel EP
9. Fotocrime - Always Hell EP
10. LOLAA - LOLAA EP

MOST ANTICIPATED RECORD OF 2018 (and 2017, and 2016...sigh)

• Chromatics - Dear Tommy

FAVOURITE 15 CONCERTS OF 2017

1. Afghan Whigs @ The Apollo (their show @ Theatre Fairmount also was up there)
2. Big Brave / Lungbutter @ Sala Rossa
3. Brother Ali @ Belmont
4. Hans Zimmer @ Bell Centre
5. Kid Koala's Interactive Satellite Music @ Phi Centre
6. Rocket from the Crypt @ SXSW
7. Slowdive @ L'Olympia
8. Priests @ SXSW
9. Sigur Rós @ Place des Arts
10. John Carpenter @ Metropolis
11. North of America @ The Ritz
12. Mogwai @ Theatre Corona
13. Jidenna @ SXSW
14. Lee Ranaldo @ Sala Rossa
15. Anderson Paak @ Place Des Festivals

Your most memorable CJLO moment of the year: Miraculously making it to SXSW with the CJLO Music Department in the middle of an extreme snowstorm which included such bizarre insanity such as seeing Snoop Dogg and meeting Madea, the Big Shiny Tunes fund drive party, and interviewing Walter Schriefels, Slowdive and Lee Ranaldo for Hooked on Sonics.

FRIDAYS = CHART DAYS!!

Above is CJLO's weekly TOP 30 from December 5th-11th. Our charts are compiled from actual airplay on our airwaves, broadcasted on 1690 AM in Montreal and its surrounding areas, as well as live via our website at CJLO.com

Montreal Locals: Ritual Master, Common Holly, Technial Kidman, Tshizimba, Shem G and The Barr Brothers

Canadian: Nordheim, Chad VanGaalen, Seer, METZ, Julie and The Wrong Guys, Casper Skulls, Mauno, Destroyer, Odonis Odonis, Alvvays, Tough Age, Beliefs and King Khan

To hear a taster of all this wonderful music, tune into Charts & Crafts at 12pm every Friday!

For the next two weeks, you're about to get all the holly jolly you can handle courtesy of BVST!

Tune in on December 13th for a special replay of Angelica's 2015 HEAVY METAL XMAS SPECIAL and then, one week later, on December 20th, it's the yearly event you've been waiting for...  

BVST goes Santapalooza for the 6th year in a row! Mr. Santapalooza himself, Matt Kiernan, brings you the best Christmas covers and originals with tons of rare, vintage and newly released Christmas music to put you in the spirit! The fun starts at 7pm ET on Wednesday the 13th and continues on December 20th.

Ho ho hope you won't miss it!

A year after her breathtaking album My Woman, North-Carolina based singer-songwriter Angel Olsen releases her rarities album Phases. This treat gives listeners insight into how Olsen’s diverse genre palette came to be, reflecting all the different directions her musical abilities can take—from quiet lo-fi folk to sprawling psych-rock.

Phases is a multifarious album, B-sides that didn’t fit the flow of pop-oriented My Woman or the alt-rock Burn Your Fire for No Witness: raw and heartfelt demos of love and loss, and covers by artists that have influenced her musical and writing process.

Put together non-chronologically, this album really allows listeners to hear the songs that have shaped Olsen into the musician she is today. The two opening tracks have the highest production value and are the two most complex and experimental of the album, both cut from My Woman. Olsen’s vocals in “Fly On Your Wall” mirrors Leonard Cohen’s lyrical lingering and Roy Orbison’s dreamy 60s pop crooning. Ambience fills the backdrop of this track towards the end, hinting at the similar soundscapes in My Woman. The second track, “Special”, is a mellow and hypnotic psych-rock track detailing the feelings that come when you feel a partner is losing interest. Though produced well, there is roughness in sound that contrasts the clean-cut recordings in My Woman. The echoing vocals, grainy guitars and leading baseline slowly builds a crashing wall of sound.

Olsen uses simple four-chord guitar progressions with a phaser in the lo-fi breakup song “Only With You”. “Sweet Dreams”, on the other hand, is a moody lo-fi track entering garage rock territory, Olsen’s vocals similar to the 13th Floor Elevators’ Roky Erickson. She also covers “For You” by Erickson, gently and intimately with only an acoustic guitar. Though diverse in its tracklist, as B-sides tend to be, this rarities album is a treat for fans of her previous two hit records, and also works as a beginner's gateway to what Olsen has to offer.