Operation Manatee Music Prize: Top 5 Albums of 2020

I won’t go on about what we already know about this year. I’m just grateful for the absolutely mindblowing amount of incredible music that was released. For this year’s long list, I just put an arbitrary cap of 50 on it, because I just couldn’t dedicate the time necessary to include every great recording I’ve heard this year.

Which leads me to the top 5 – those revered few that stood way out and were on heavy rotation, despite my ever-evolving mix of new tunes.

Ladies and gentlemen, without more needless rambling, please allow me to present: The Top 5 Albums of 2020!

Operation Manatee #313 – We.Are.Doom

At the end of last week’s episode, Cory casually dropped a bomb about the news about the passing of MF DOOM. Chris… was not aware. It was potentially the worst bombing on Operation Manatee since the infamous “Kanye incident”.

Tonight, we explore a little more about the announcement of this legend’s passing and we continue to explore all facets of some wonderful new and wonderfully weird music.

Operation Manatee #312 – No You’re Late

Whoops! Let’s just chalk this one up to lockdown-not-knowing-what-day-or-night-it-is-anymore-itis. That can be a thing, right?

Broadcast originally on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, here is your weekly playlist!

Operation Manatee #311 – New Year, New You

Well, we all made it… look at us. It’s now officially 2021! I don’t know about you, but as soon as that ball dropped I felt my cough go away, my back stopped hurting and there was a general peace in the world. Must have been the arbitrary numerical year change and no way was it the empty bottle of whiskey at my feet…

Thank you all for supporting community radio in Regina for another year and listening to our modest little show, every Tuesday night. You keep tuning in and we’ll help you turn it up.

Operation Manatee #310 – Happy heavy holidays!

We don’t have many traditions at Operation Manatee, but one tradition we DO have is that our last show of the year (or at least one show during December) is intended to cut through the sweet and saccharine holiday music that you hear everywhere else throughout the month.

This year’s show is another straight banger, designed to be turnt up LOUD, passed 11 and so your neighbours will complain*.

*Operation Manatee and CJTR are not responsible for any actual complaints that are lodged and filed by your neighbours or family members for that matter.

Have a wonderful holiday season whatever your holidays may be! Be safe, continue to wear your mask, and be kind and helpful to everyone. It’s been a rough year and the holidays can be rough for a lot of people – take time for your own mental health and reach out to someone that might need some comfort.

Operation Manatee #309 – Time Travelling

Well, here we are still stuck at home. But since the world of music does not take a break, we will also not break! Well.. not break again anyways…

This show was recorded to originally air on December 15, 2020, but something happened with the gremlins in the machines in the station and it was not broadcast at it’s intended time. It will be re-broadcast (for the first time in actuality) on December 29, 2020.

Operation Manatee Music Prize 2020: The Long List

2020, right?

There was one thing I was sure of when we all went home in March: the output music and other art was going to be nuts! This year did not disappoint, in that respect. I have never listened to as much new music in a year as this one (and I make an annual best album list)!

Seriously, the amount of excellent new music released in this shit storm of a year has been staggering. When contemplating how best to start this list, I finally just admitted that I could not possibly cover every great, or even just really good, release from 2020. So I decided to cap it at 50. Cutting albums from this long list was torturous, but I didn’t want to be working on this list into next year. I’m willing to bet I’ll still be discovering great albums from this year in 2030. Damn!

Alright, so for the long list, I’m giving it to you straight, with no commentary. Just some notes about origin and release date.

Some rules to make it to this list:

• Must be good music
• No singles except full album-length/concept tracks; can be EPs
• No compilations
• Reissues considered only if more significant now

As always, the Top 5 Albums of the year are yet to come.

And so, I present to you, the best albums of 2020, so say I:

Operation Manatee #308 – Manatee at Home

In what is a monumental first, history is being made on Operation Manatee; we are on the radio but from the comfort of our own homes. With or without pants…. Whoduvethunkit? Technology, am I right?

Let it never be said that you can’t teach an old manatee new tricks.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Chris and Cory can’t broadcast from the same area anymore, so instead of flying solo and taking turns, we are harnessing the power of the machines to bring you a recorded, new episode of your favorite CJTR show. Same Manatee-time, same Manatee-station, slightly less “live radio”. But you can still tune in and enjoy some great music with your favorite Manatee-hosts.

Operation Manatee Lockdown 2: Pandemic Boogaloo

Good evening Manatee fans! There will not be a new show tonight because of the new Covid pandemic regulations. The wonderful folks at CJTR are helping curb the spread, but because of the regulations Chris and Cory can’t co-host in the studio live.

However, we’re working on a solution! Stay tuned and we hope to have new episode next week! Stay safe and wear your mask!

Operation Manatee #307 – Wanna Be In Our Bubble?

Sorry. We’re on lockdown.

You can join us on CJTR tonight from 11:00 to midnight though. That’d be pretty dope!