It seems as if I rarely have time to sit down and watch music videos anymore. My 12-year-old self would gasp with incredulity.

I had an amazing day today, cycling out to the Beach with one of my oldest friends in the world. We’re both in our 30s now, and spending an entire afternoon cycling around and chatting about life on the beach reminds me once again what’s most important in life.

But I still can’t skip a rock. Huh.

Anyway, I like the mood of this song. It makes me want to gobble up the world and never let go.

Of all the Canadian indie rockers living in Toronto, it’s Gentleman Reg that I see the most. Not only is he quite distinctive-looking, but he seems to be out and about everywhere I go, at shows, cafés, record stores. Can’t I just be left alone?!

Here’s one of his videos for his cute-popsy from 2007.

Gentleman Reg – Official site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Buy

I have a friend who complains that dance-rock has finished its run. I don’t know. If Woodhands can extend the era into this new year, I wouldn’t have any issues with that at all.

Woodhands – MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Sometimes it takes a few years before a band hits me the right way. I was a big fan of The Unicorns, so when they gasped their last breath in late 2004, I played the scorned lover and erased everything about them from my memory. I even foolishly discounted Nick Thorburn’s next project, Islands.

It’s too bad because I feel like I’ve missed out on a couple of years of fun, including this keeper from 2008’s Arm’s Way.

Islands – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Two weeks, and Christmas will be in our laps. However, I heard my first in-store Christmas song in mid-November and I’m almost over it.

Now, if all festive songs sounded like this one by the Raveonettes, I may be inclined to change my mind.

What I would’ve given to come across this impromptu jam session in L.A.

Lykke Li – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Bon Iver – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

This is my first proper winter back in Toronto. I wasn’t sure how I’d handle it all, given that I’ve either been in tropical countries or out in relatively balmy Vancouver for the past few years.

So far, the weather has been not that bad, really, with periodic snowfalls that have barely lasted a day. Today, I woke up to a beautiful landscape of flurries and then went out to play in it. A little over half an hour, I was surprised to feel a perma-smile on my face.

Am I romanticizing this weather too much? When will I get tired of this and purchase my one-way ticket to Cuba?

Well, how appropriate. Even indie bands are getting all messed up in this WORLD-ENDING! ECONOMIC! CRISIS!

And looks like I’m feeding into it, too.

Constantines – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Zunior

The one thing I noticed about Franz Ferdinand is their taste for good shoes. For this alone, I may be inclined to loiter around the Bathurst/Bloor area just for a cursory looksie at their tootsies and gawk at the line-up that will surely snake down the street.

Franz Ferdinand plays the sold-out gig at Lee’s Palace tonight and a private show tomorrow at the Masonic Temple. Tickets for the latter can only be won through 102.1 The Edge. New album comes out in 2009, after a 4-year studio hiatus.

Franz Ferdinand – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

La Blogotheque consistently blows me away, turning songs I think are so-so into vivid pieces like this one. This is one elevator I wouldn’t mind being trapped in.

Also, am I the only one who hopes that guy doesn’t run out of magazine pages?

Arcade Fire – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon