24 Albums of December - MODERN WATER - First Light in the Uncanny Valley

How on earth are we supposed to select 24 albums representative of Fascinating Rhythm’s 2019? Trust us that it’s an unenviable task, but we’ve given it a good ol’ go. In my opinion this year has been a vintage one for music, so in truth we’d could have picked 100 or even 200 great records all worthy of inclusion. For example, we didn’t include releases by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Lizzo, Deerhunter, Steve Gunn, The National, black midi or Sacred Paws – whose 2019 album I’m still obsessed with. So, there’s a LOT of great stuff we didn’t include, but we’ve done our best to present a span of selections from every area of the store, including some great local and wider Canadian releases. Between now and Christmas Eve, we hope you enjoy the tracks we’ve put together for you.

For all your music needs, go to Fascinating Rhythm, located in downtown Nanaimo.

8/ MODERN WATER – First Light in the Uncanny Valley

As odd as it may sound, in respect of my age (59) I cannot help but feel some kind of paternal pride when friends of mine in the ever-exciting Nanaimo scene turn in an amazing new release, but, in truth that is becoming an all-too-frequent occurrence these days. Such is the case with the first album from Modern Water, namely Jesse Kennedy and Arlen Brown of local roots rockers, Coal Moon (whose second album will be released in 2020). Five years in the making, First Light in the Uncanny Valley is a superior contemporary rock album of great depth and texture, and as exciting to me on the 50th listen as it was on the first. I could pick any one of this wonderful album’s songs to play, but have chosen track 3, The Bluebird Inn.

Dave Morrison
Fascinating Rhythm
51 Commercial St, Nanaimo.
☎️ (250) 716-9997