AWmusic

Part 1 was written yesterday. Since I have to fill in for a few writers, I’m going to have to rush this. Without wasting any time:

Tim Hecker – An Imaginary Country
100 years Ago by Tim Hecker
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Now THIS belongs on the Polaris Prize nomination list. I love it. Wall of sound hits the right nerves, abstract and trippy – yet freaking awesome. Time to get a review copy .

Hey Rosetta – Into Your Lungs
There’s An Arc by Hey Rosetta!
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Based on this song alone. I would say that I wouldn’t ask for a review copy of their album. However it is decent, not as bad as the Arkells’ track I reviewed. The song offers more musically and that’s probably a key point. It’s enough to check out other songs by them.

Japandroids – Post-Nothing
Young Hearts Spark Fire by Japandroids
Rating: 4 out of 5
I don’t think they deserve to win – deserving to be on the shortlist for sure though. Music is good but not great to me.

Junior Boys – Begone Dull Care
Hazel by Junior Boys
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Album was reviewed by Ghalib Islam. Song is enjoyable but meh not digging it THAT much.

K-os – YES!
4321 by K-os
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
One word: NO! Not a great song.

K’Naan – Troubadour
Take A Minute by K’naan
Rating: Rating: 3.9 out of 5
Having not listened to K’naan before…I’m pleased after all I’ve heard. Not sure if this song would represent K’naan well but it’s good enough that I’ve got nothing negative to say.

La Patere Rose – S/T
Les Deux Bonnes Soeurs by La Patere Rose
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Another band that sings in French. I don’t mind them because I judge the music that much more and they pass the test. Nice vocals even if I can’t follow.
No mp3 to give. Can’t find anything on the internet and asking for a review copy anyhow.

Land of Talk – Some Are Lakes
Some Are Lakes by Land of Talk
Rating: 3 out of 5
Jon really liked this record. I wasn’t impressed when checking out mp3s before so this isn’t the first time I’ve tried to listen to Land of Talk. Her voice is nice but musically – it’s bland to me on this track, even vocally while nice it gives off a boring feeling.

Lhasa – S/T
Rising by Lhasa
Rating: 4 out of 5
Steven Young review the album.
Her voice is very powerful and resonates in ears much longer after she’s done singing.

Malajube – Labyrinthes
Porte Disparu by Malajube
Rating: 4 out of 5
I’m a sucker for pop.

Metric – Fantasies
Help I’m Alive by Metric
Rating: 4 out of 5
Wanes a little bit towards the end or else it would be higher – starts off hot.

$100 – Forest of Tears
No Great Leap by One Hundred Dollars
Rating: 3.6 out of 5
Was not expecting country, having heard a lot about this band. Good but taking this rating as more of a “personal tastes”. Just not into it and country hasn’t been my thing…ever.

Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love
Axis: Thrones of Love by Pink Mountaintops
Rating: 4 out of 5
Really digging the vocal melodies.

Joel Plaskett – Three
Through and Through and Through by Joel Plaskett
Rating: 4 out of 5
We didn’t review this album because it was lost in the shuffle of being a multi-writer website. Short story, writer left before writing a review. I’ll ask for a copy asap. I like this song, not sure if it’s highly original but I still like it.

All in all, lots of songs that are pretty good but even then, I’m still sour that some my choices didn’t make it. Whether or not my point of view is respected – I don’t care – I’ll still say I’m not happy with it. While reviewing singles doesn’t give me the greatest idea of how good the list is, I’m still not convinced this longlist a “good” list. A lot of the Montreal artists DO deserve to be on here but some don’t and some Toronto artists don’t either my point is made. Look for Part 3 tomorrow or the weekend.

Bloodgroup, don’t let the name fool you there is nothing even slightly dark about their music. The beats and synth sound all too familiar and left me feeling disappointed as the Icelandic music scene usually offers a refreshing sound. The music is lacking bass, attempts to mix way to many elements, and has very awkward sounding vocals.

While I was listening to the EP, it felt like someone took The Knife’s Silent Shout album and continually pressed that annoying fog horn sound that is all to common in gino beats, only with less subtly and rhythm if that’s possible. The copy I received had only three one of which I didn’t mind. Red Egypt the second on the EP didn’t over do the effects and had simple drum, bass, and strings with flowing vocals to produce a decent song. With this being said the other two songs Moving Like a Tiger and Chuck were beyond annoying, as rather than focusing on a steady drum and bass line they added in constantly changing loud noises that continually went off throughout the song. Overall I really didn’t enjoy it and would not listen to it again.

1/5

Chuck by Bloodgroup

The Cab exploded on to the scene last year with their much anticipated album, Whisper War. Managing to stay relevant with a heavy touring schedule, the Las Vegas boys are back with The Lady Luck EP. The Cab have a style best noted for their vibrant use of piano neatly wrapped into a dance-rock sound. The Lady Luck EP only further solidifies their knack for catchy chorus’s and jazzy melodies, as it combines remixes of old songs, a few new tracks and a cover of Queen. In terms of material, listeners can expect a seemingly more tranced up version of The Cab as well as the laidback version of themselves, most notable in their early works.

The very first track is a remixed version of Take My Hand, perhaps one of their most well known songs. This version still has all the jazziness of the original and takes things further with an electrifying mix of synths and sounds. Quite obviously intended as a feel-good track, it steered further away from its meaningful and emotional values. Also what makes this track unique from the original, is the pleasant added vocals of Casadee from Hey Monday. They did a great job with the remix, making a exciting and more care-free version of the original, the female vocals were also a nice touch.

The Cab also added an acoustic/strings version of I’ll Run, another infamously known song of theirs. They took the opposite path in this remake, by considerably slowing things down, giving off the added effect of meaning. A nice touch, it is their very own ballad to split the EP and slow things down. While it is a very pretty version of I’ll Run, I do like the more powerful emotions expressed in the original, but nonetheless still a great listen.

Now for the good stuff, the new material. I Am Who I Am is vintage The Cab, with that undeniable dance-rock style. Like a jazzier and more upbeat version of Maroon 5, it has very exciting qualities about it. While lacking the meaning and emotions of other tracks, it is still fun and entertaining at the very least. The track even features a little rap verse by Eloquent, making it hip and fitting for a band from Las Vegas. Diamonds Are Forever, is much of the same, an exciting and catchy track. Featuring one of the most addictive chorus’ on this EP, I thought it had the right amount of fun and sincerity. Diamonds Are Forever still sounded like it belonged in a club of sorts but at the same time I still felt the honesty and meaning behind the words. Finally Lights is on the softer spectrum of things. It boasts a far more meaningful sound that listeners will feel and relate to. Similar to The Cab of old, when they first released I’ll Run as a single, this is the kind of sincere music they were producing. While they have mastered and have made some truly inspiring dance rock music, I’d like to see them delve back into the emotional stuff.

That said, The Lady Luck EP is a good listen, and a nice gift for fans that cannot wait until their next album release. There is also a really nice cover of Queen’s I Want To Break Free featured on this release. The Cab is still doing some major touring, and this EP should definitely help grow their stock a little. While the style hasn’t changed much, it still doesn’t miss a beat, proving their place in the genre.

Check out their Myspace for more info.

The Cab – Diamonds Are Forever

The Cab – Lights

Before I begin, I guess some people weren’t happy when I said the “longlist sucked” but hey, for some reason to me it felt lacking and I still feel that way. Anyway, while our site has covered most of these albums – a lot of them have not been checked out by me personally. It’s hard to say I listen to all my writer’s music but it generally doesn’t give an idea how good an artist is when I just listen to a few mp3s.

Instead of trying to review all the albums now (we can await the shortlist and start with the albums there), I figure for Canada’s Day (happy Canada’s day btw) I’ll just review singles widely available on artist’s myspace to see if any more of them will interest me (on a personal level). These reviews will be quick, because I can’t dwell on writing an essay when I’m supposed to be having fun on a holiday (sadly missing out on Harbourfront Centre shows since I’m still in no shape to go to any concerts). Again, it doesn’t give me any idea of how good an artist is but it’s the same way I’d go to approach checking out new music.

Here’s the Polaris Music Prize website if you want to check out the list for yourself.

Arkells – Jackson Square
MP3: Ballad of Hugo Chavez by Arkells
Rating: 2.75 out of 5
It’s well crafted but is it just me or is this not exactly the most creative or original work. Not sure I personally like them as much as Josh Greenblatt. I don’t expect the Arkells to be on the shortlist and is it just me or is their music seemingly so radio friendly? It doesn’t hurt the band that they are mentioned on The Edge every time I turn the radio on. John Lennon is a slightly better track.

Jill Barber Chances
Chances by Jill Barber
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
O, I’m in love! Time to put an album request in. She’s a really good singer, even though I know what to expect next, I’m highly anticipating it. I don’t think it’s wild/unique enough that would have many people flock it but still the song is still good. Simplicity at it’s finest.

Beast – S/T
Devil by Beast
Rating: 3.2.5 out of 5
Saw this band live. I sway more towards not liking them, then Jon Pinkus’s opinion of them. Is it unique yes? Does that make it good? No. They rocked live but I still wasn’t into their music then. The track isn’t bad but it just doesn’t please on the enjoyable/sing along factor. I don’t feel find this trippy or particularly complex.

Bell Orchestre – As Seen Through Windows
Elephants by Bell Orchestre
Rating: 3 out of 5
Song starts with siren like vocals. You’d think it was so some sort of “Sleep to sounds by the sea” compilation. I have to start to think, 8 minutes – can I really enjoy this if I’m not sure 2 minutes in? I feel like it’s hard to knock a Orchestra but at some point you have to say this isn’t for you. I got bored 4 minutes in despite some things I liked. Unique but laborious to listen to. Pay off doesn’t come until 6 minutes in and reverts back to being soft and boring.

Bison B.C. – Quiet Earth
Dark Towers by Bison B.C.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
High paced to start, just like you’d expect out of heavy metal. However, it starts off pretty derivative (for metal for the first 1:30. It starts changing tempos and gets much better. Still as far as metal goes, this song is pretty derivative and while it does have the energy – it doesn’t excite me as a non-metal fan.

Bruce Peninsula – A Mountain Is A Mouth
Steamroller by Bruce Peninsula
Rating: 5 out of 5
Been listening to this song for the whole year. Not really fair to the other songs here but it amazes everytime I listen to it.

Cœur De Pirate – S/T
Comme Des Enfants by Coeur De Pirate
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Ooh, something beautiful sung in French. My french sucks but Beatrice Martin’s vocals are fucking great (pardon my French . Take this rating with a grain of salt, understanding lyrics is pretty important and I dig the song quite a bit.

Leonard Cohen – Live in London
I’ll spare the review, he’s great but shouldn’t be on the list for other obvious reasons. Live and not in Canada sigh.

D-Sisive – Let The Children Die
Like This f. Guilty Simpson by D-Sisive
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Had a chance to listen to this before. I passed. Wasn’t a big fan of it but not a bad track.

Elephant Stone – The Seven Seas
Bombs Bomb Away by Elephant Stone
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Nothing here shows me they were more deserving to be on the longlist. Alas, another Montreal artist. The song is decent but it’s pop and people are always against straight forward pop tracks on the Polaris prize. Considering what was left off the list….probably shouldn’t be here.

Elliott Brood – Mountain Meadows
Write It Down All For You by Elliott Brood
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
I like it, rough vocals mixed in with solid acoustics and “hey hey”. Found it enjoyable even though I’m tired from listening to all this music now.

Fucked Up – The Chemistry of Common Life
Looking for God by Fucked Up
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
I wonder what I would’ve scored the album if giving it a full listen. We had a mixed review up but it seems everyone I talked to thought it was excellent. The songs I’ve heard were superb.

Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels
Pulling On A Line by Great Lake Swimmers
Rating: 4 out of 5
Good track.
We were supposed to review Lost Channels but I guess I’ll have to ask Carmen if she’s still interested or I may pick up this one.

Handsome Furs – Face Control
Legal Tender by Handsome Furs
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I was a big fan of the album so no surprise I love this song.

I’ve done 14 out of 40 so far. I’ll make this a 3 parter or I’ll go insane. Catch Part 2 tomorrow or Friday.

Following up their first two releases, 2006’s EP Act I: The Lake South, The River North and 2007’s full length, Act II: The Meaning Of And All Thing Regarding Ms.Leading, theatrical rockers, The Dear Hunter have returned with the third act in a planned six act story arc, Act III: Life And Death.

The Dear Hunter began as the side project for Casey Crescenzo while he was still a member of the now defunct post hardcore act The Receiving End of Sirens. While it’s true that TREOS did have their theatrical moments, see Planning a Prison Break off of their disc Between The Heart and the Synapse, nothing even hinted at what Crescenzo was capable off upon being kicked out of TREOS in 2006. Wanting to create music that didn’t feel smothered within its own genre Crescenzo set out to craft a theatrical brand of hard rock that borrowed elements from anywhere and everywhere. On their first two releases, there are songs that point towards jazz, big band, and opera, but all while maintaining a slightly post hardcore bent.

ACT III finds the band walking the same path, but with some less light hearted fair, resulting in a darker and more intense installment in the series. Like the albums before it, Life and Death, is a dramatized to the hilt version of Cresenzo’s own life with this more epic disc having a very war like feel to it.

Songs like the dense, multi-layered In Cauda Venenum, make use of Cresenzo’s thick vocals and team them, at times with backing vocals that feel like they belong on a broadway stage. Couple that with instrumentation too deep to fully dissect even on a fourth or fifth time through the song. You’ll notice that there are bongo’s or a trumpet where you hadn’t realized it before.

The Tank opens with strings, and brings in the big band feel and deep gang vocals backing Cresenzo’s staccato post hardcore voice, before it slows down and smooth, almost volta feeling vocals, leads us back into the deeper, darker, heavier style. The song recounts a man on the battle field charging forward despite the likely sense that he is not going to make it. The song wraps you in it’s story and style and carries you through the same battle.

Life and Death, is dense and epic and finds The Dear Hunter pushing their story forward with methodical steps that promise three more gems to finish out the story arc. The Dear Hunter is in a genre all it’s own now, one which can not be described so much as it needs to be experienced. The orchestration is beyond anything going on in any other genre, whether those genre’s consider themselves prog or otherwise. It’s hard to listen to this album, or any Dear Hunter album and not realize that you’re listening to something so incredibly original and deep that it almost pure gold.

The Dear Hunter – In Cauda Venenum
The Dear Hunter – The Tank

Vancouver is losing it’s culture! While the creativity and talent of new artists and musicians is on a steady increase, the outlets these arts need in order to reach an audience is rapidly decreasing. There has been a sweep of smaller venues closing and a sense that those who run this city are trying to contain any sort of nightlife to “The Entertainment District” – a small patch of the downtown hub, located primarily on Granville Street, that houses a small collection of generic dance clubs and bars. Anything that is committed to the growth of underground talent is quickly falling to the outdated drinking laws and regulations by city hall.

‘No Fun City’, which is set for release in fall 2009, is a new documentary by filmmakers Melissa James and Kate Kroll that explores the decline of cultural development of art and music and it’s eradicated projection to Vancouver’s population. This film talks to musicians, artists, club owners and promoters all feeling the effects and with an agreed understanding we quickly need serious stages of rebuilding.

Another point in question has always been the division between the west end and downtown east side in Vancouver. The east has been looked upon as almost the toilet of this beautiful city, even more so as 2010 quickly approaches. While the Olympic clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery counts down the days, those in the power seats are developing ways to “clean up” the east side of it’s drug and homeless problem. ‘No Fun City’ looks deep into the issues surrounding this, letting it be known that this is an area that has always been devout in the growth of our artistic movement by producing some of the most unknown yet greatest venues to date.

Although we are so fortunate to have all this amazing talent at our doorstep, we will never get to experience most of it. What’s also very sad is the majority of artists trying to make a name for themselves will most likely have to leave this city to ever do so, causing us that care about the artistic aspect of Vancouver with even more to lose.

Check the website http://nofuncity.org for more information.

Trailer:

www.nofuncity.org from melissa on Vimeo.

Bat For Lashes is the stage name for Britain’s Nastasha Khan. I’m actually quite familiar with Bat For Lashes despite not being the biggest fan. I was a fan of the song and video – What’s A Girl To Do but I didn’t really like the album Fur and Gold (here’s a review in our site’s infancy).

Back then, I was very liberal with scores but I would say that Fur and Gold would get a 3 out of 5 at best from me – with the same mindset I have today. Part of the reason I think, is that Fur and Gold did not really cater to Khan’s skills as a frontwoman. Two Suns however actually accomplishes the correct usage of Khan.

I’ve heard a lot polarizing comments on this album, Pitchfork gave this album a good review, Jim from Quick Before It Melts liked the album (trusting his opinion more of course as well but there are a bunch of reviews disliking the album or are either very lukewarm to Bat For Lashes.

I can see where both sides are coming from. It’s an easy comparison, she does indeed sound like Cat Power and Feist but with the British sensibility of Kate Bush. The album especially is in a soft toned really allowing Khan to steal to the show so to speak. Yet, in another sense she’s sort of exposed lyrically. She isn’t as good as a writer as her influences no matter how much she sounds just like them. That’s part of the problem in my opinion, she sounds great but I can’t get that much into her. It isn’t as great as St. Vincent’s writing and both singers are comparable in terms of vocal quality.

To me Khan, doesn’t do anything unique or wild that her popularity would suggest. I’m doing more comparing to other artists then saying a lot about her natural ability. Lyrically, she didn’t do well in a faster higher paced setting in Fur and Gold. In Two Suns, she sings really well but lyrically – it’s slowed to a numbing pace. She doesn’t seem to mix the two all that well.

Still, there are upsides to this album. Top to bottom, the album remains consistent and serves a pretty good listen with subtle music in the background (tons of instruments being used). It also doesn’t take away that Khan can fool you into thinking songs are better then they are. Usually the last thing I look at with an album is lyrics so I doubt if you like a song, you’ll be bothered by some of the weaker moments (some of the writing does stick out to a point where I think I should read the liner notes – in a bad way).

Overall, I think this album is average. It could go either way. It isn’t great to any extent in my opinion but Natasha Khan is a solid talent out there and what can I say, deserving of her popularity. The album is in no way bad – just perhaps a little bit on the side of “having to be in the mood for it”.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Daniel by Bat For Lashes

(Other then Daniel, this album also lacks stand outs. Can’t really choose any favorites.)

Grrr… is the third studio album from Harvard-grad pop group Bishop Allen. Unlike their grandiose last album, The Broken String, the band simplifies their sound on this disc. The straightforward, cute instrumentation provides a perfect background for Justin Rice’s straightforward, cute vocals.

The album opens with ‘Dimmer’, a quirky, childish tune. Rice’s wavery voice on this track starts out a bit annoying, but as he gets to the chorus, the warbling makes way for a more pleasing melody. Thankfully, this is really the only time throughout the album where Rice’s voice is in the least bit aversive. In tracks such as ‘The Lion & The Teacup’ and ‘Cue The Elephants’ Rice actually uses his voice so successfully that what he is saying becomes irrelevant. Which might be a good thing, considering fun but pointless lines like “The morning belonged to the grapefruit.”

Musically, nothing too complex shows up on this album, which makes the album all the more charming. It’s nothing too overblown; rather, it revels in its own simplicity. The simple guitars, simple keyboards, and simple drums all mesh together wonderfully to create an album full of pop gems.

While none of it is boringly familiar, the band also manages to stay away from being abrasively odd. His voice never quites get as warbly as, say, Alec Ounsworth (from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). At the same time, he never sounds intentionally poppy enough for us to confuse him with someone like Ben Gibbard. The closest parallel I can come up with is Fishboy, who has the same odd-but-familiar poppiness.

The one problem I have with this album is that it’s quite mood-dependent. As I listened to it more and more, I began to realize that, depending on what mood I’m in, I either love it to pieces or I can’t wait for it to be over. I guess you could say that with all indiepop though. Other than that, this is an outstanding album that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Check out their myspace and their website for more information. While you’re at it, check out this video of them playing ‘Butterfly Nets’ (from The Broken String) in a bathroom.

Bishop Allen – Don\'t Hide Away
Bishop Allen – The Lion & The Tea Cup
Bishop Allen – The Ancient Commonsense Of Things

Wild Light is a band out of New Hampshire with some close associations to Win Butler of the Arcade Fire (according to Wikipedia). Anyway, I was interested in the band after hearing a few songs, and actually haven’t seen many bands out of New Hampshire. (Go FisherCats)

To describe Wild Light’s style, perhaps would be to call it schizophrenic pop. Not crazy pop but multiple personalities musically while they have multiple vocalists. Sometimes it goes from baroque pop other times other times using electro synths while being catchy at the same time. It’s pretty good pop to say the least – doesn’t it make sense why I picked it up in the first place?

Adult Nights sounds like a name for a porno movie rather then an album but with my mind in the gutter constantly, I just had to get that off my chest. As adults, they seemingly hate California, with their lyrics of “Fuck San Francisco, Fuck California” on opener California On My Mind. It’s nice they don’t hold back and they are great in that regard.

I think when analyzing each individual song, I’ve got a lot of good things to say. Tons of good songs with good late gems like Lawless River. It’s very good pop music. However, on the flipside the album as a whole gives a sense of mediocrity when shoved together. I don’t really have major favorites other then California On My Mind and New Hampshire. Though if I just flip to a song in the middle, I’d like what I hear.

I guess, what I’m saying is, the album for all intents and purposes seems mediocre. At times it flashes brilliance in the “indie pop” genre but lacks a consistent sound. It doesn’t make the album bad but I am just not feeling the album as much. The band just jumps around from sound to sound without progression and it really gets me lost as a listener. This goes for the style of lyricism: an angry emotional “Fuck California” on the opening track yet we get descriptive writing on New Hampshire. I like both songs but they don’t go very well back to back.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
The least you could do is enjoy the singles that do come out from this record. Wild Light does have the potential to do very well and it’s at least a decent album even though I don’t like to listen to it in full.

California On My Mind by Wild Light
New Hampshire by Wild Light

A lot can be said about Portico’s second full length album “First Neighbours” but perhaps the most accurate representation from them would be its memorable appeal. The trio from Vancouver has come a long way from 2005’s “Shape to Form”. That’s saying a lot considering how well it was received by the public (myself included). The music is engaging with heavy handed themes and complex syllogisms. Yet, the pop/rock elements of chorus and melody make it very approachable to new listeners as well.

First thing you should know is nobody likes to admit that they have a gap in their knowledge. That’s the main reason why the old sketches from “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” starring Rick Mercer talking to Americans were so successful. People would rather play along than admit otherwise but in this case I’ll be the first to admit that while listening to parts of this album, I recognized familiar names and themes but my memory would draw blanks. After listening to songs like “Battle For Duck Lake” and “Louis Riel leaves College de Montreal” I would find myself consulting old textbooks and Wikipedia entries to re-familiarize myself to the themes of Canadian history to better understand the music. With that said, the first thing that will captivate you throughout the album are the lyrics. They’re deep enough to make you want to know more in order to relate to the music. The melody compliments the lyrics subtlety with wavering guitars and humming bass. Each instrument the trio uses has its own time in the sounds forefront and it’s layered such for listening. Subtlety is another key element throughout the record. First Neighbours never relies on catchy hooks or grandiose displays to make the point, thankfully.

From start to finish First Neighbours is a cascade of Canadiana. Lead singer Lyn Heinemann does a compelling job in emotionally connecting herself to each song’s concept, sketch, or emotion it’s trying to evoke through the first person perspective. In doing so, Portico really achieves that lasting memorable appeal with each consistent track from start to finish.

MP3:

Portico – The Battle Of Duck Lake

Portico – First Neighbours

Buy at:

Portico Nation Merch / Amazon / iTunes

More info:

Portico Nation / Myspace