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Three songs into the album I’m thinking that I can see people (B. Mr. Grosman, and Eliot if you’re reading this) who like “indie rock bands” really digging this album, and loving the live show. The live set was impressive: they were tight, everyone in the band could sing, they rocked out, they had great stage presence and a great co-ordinated jacket-vest-and-tie-thing going.

Thumbs up for The Darcys.

Band #2: Bruce Peninsula
They were absolutely overwhelming.

I think I read somewhere – and I forget where – someone describing them as a force of nature, and that couldn’t have been more accurate. There were 12 people on the stage last night each one playing, banging, hollering and creating this enormous wall of sound. So if the record was like being in a haunted country church (as I described it on Thursday) seeing them live was like being trapped in the church with no where to go (only probably less scary)… I really, really dug all the songs when Neil Haverty(?) and his growling Sunparlour-esque vocals were leading the charge… “Inside/Outside”, “Shutters” and “Crabapples” might be my three favourite songs this year…

Just awesome. They have a bunch of SW Ontario dates so check their myspace.

Band #3: Tom Fun Orchestra
I missed out on, and I feel kinda bad about that… both Liz and I were absolutely wiped… but from what Bob (It’s Not the Band I Hate, It’s their Fans) Battams said he thought they were quite good.

I’d expect Bob and/or Jen will have some thoughts posted in the next few days.

On a somewhat related note:
Also, I’ve got audio for “Shutters” “Steamroller” and “Weave Myself A Dress/Crabapples” from last night in .WAV format, if you’re interested in hearing it I’ll email you.
Holla at cha’ boyee: londononburgeoningmetropolisATgmailDOTcom

And – I went to go see Thunderheist @ Nathan Phillips Square and have some thoughts on that too.

The Darcys:

Bruce Peninsula

Bruce Peninsula was #5 on i(heart)music’s Hottest Canadian Bands Poll (which, I was a part of), but I had never sat down to listen to them (so, naturally, I didn’t vote for them). At that point, a large part of their absence – from my ears – was because they had only released a 7″ with 3 songs… and still they were #5 on a list that should make anyone whoever complains about CanCon on the radio feel really, really, bad.

At any rate, last week I got my hands on their full length A Mountain is a Mouth (mostly thanks to Allan and the fact that I’ve been writing a weekly review at AWmusic.ca) and have been enjoying it since. Enjoying it, yes; do I have any idea how to describe it? No, not really, but that hasn’t stopped me before I guess; nor, I’ll point out, has it stopped me from making ridiculous analogies that are sure to turn some people off…

To me, Bruce Peninsula sounds like being trapped in a haunted old church full of ghosts. The band, which has 12 members (if I counted correctly), has this way of creating these massive (creepy) choral swells of energy that just make me picture this haunted country church… maybe its the reference to “moving to Kansas City” on “Drinking All Day”… it’s impossible to say.

The bottom line, terrible analogies from the R.O.B. aside, is that A Mountain is a Mouth is able to capture this kind of mood the way that very few albums do (off the top of my head – Sufjan Stevens Illinois, Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago, Nas Illmatic, Beirut Gulag Orkestar). Its not just a collection of songs, its a story, its a feeling, it just moves you – in my case to picture the creepy country church – but it moves you to create a picture in your head; and I suspect it’ll be one of those albums that’ll make me remember being cooped up during Sno-Maggedons III – V.

Although, I may not remember the album so much as I may remember what promises to be a phenominal show on Saturday (Jan.31) at the Horseshoe w/ Tom Fun Orchestra (reviewed here) and the Darcys (and a quick reminder that Allan, Jen and Bob all still have contests running to win those albums plus tickets to the Toronto show).

[mp3] Bruce Peninsula – Shutters

[mp3] Bruce Peninsula – Weave Myself a Dress

Also see:
Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective

Here are the contents of the prize pack:
2 x tickets to the show (guestlist spots)
Tom Fun Orchestra -You Will Land With a Thud
The Darcys – Endless Water CD
Bruce Peninsula – A Mountain is a Mouth (digital copy)

If you are unfamilar of the bands, here’s my quick analysis.
Tom Fun Orchestra is a huge band (as you would expect with Orchestra in its name), they refer to themselves as a Soul/Western Swing/Post Punk. I hear some gypsy folk in their stylings while some actual western swing. They are definitely as unique of an indie band you’re going to find, with rough vocals and are an impressive set of musicians from Cape Breton.
Watchmaker by Tom Fun Orchestra

The Darcys are a local band doing a one off until march, their band line up is listed as a hockey line up (but with only one defensemen, they should know that 2 forwards and 2 defensemen work out a lot better especially if that defensemen has offensive ambitions). I kind of like the band, apparently Endless Water was released in 2007 and they are working on a full release. I find them to be a bit space rocky, but ultimately liking some of their work. Herohill is pretty reliable (potentially batshit insane ) with reviewing all Canadian bands that are mentioned, so check out their review of the Darcys.
I’m A Ship by The Darcys

Bruce Peninsula was #5 on the Hottest Canadians bands 2008 edition. I left off the list because it seemed like I was left out of the picture or a total left field projection. The local band includes 12 members such as Katie Stelmanis and is quite a unique band indeed. I’m know I’m not going to do a good job of explaining them, just visit their website, it centres around a male lead singer and some hypnotic type of chanting. At first I wasn’t sure if it was my thing but it’s grower material.
Steamroller by Bruce Pennisula

Here are the contest rules:
1. Contest open to Canadians only (it should be to just Torontonians but don’t want to limit it too much)
2. Enter by commenting in this post.
3. Must include a valid e-mail address.
4. Winner will be contacted by e-mail for their name and address.
5. Contest ends on Thursday, January 29th (need to respond asap).

Tour dates after the jump.
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