You see that bad ass graphic? Run DMC, Christmas in Hollis. In terms of holiday jams, it gets no better. Anyway, around this time blogs and publications make with the best-of lists and trade them back and forth like Pokeman cards. This year, we decided to go another route, and channel our inner child. [...]
Canada
Exclusive:: New Donovan Woods!
It seems we’ve been yelling from the mountain top about Donovan Woods, and sadly we’ve only heard our weary voice echo back. I get it; Donovan seems like a reserved, understated guy and his last record, The Widowmaker was delayed and the momentum he built up was engulfed by the blog world’s perpetual energy and [...]
Quick Hitters:: Silver Dapple
God damn. If 2011 sat in a confessional, it would beg forgiveness for the ocean of shoegaze acts offering the same reverbed guitars, precious melodies and universal adoption of shitty sounding recordings. Being an old ass dude, I’m ok with a return to 90′s guitar rock, but even I have to say enough is enough. [...]
Quick Hitters:: Doug Tielli
Doug Tielli’s solo debut is the result of a Thoreau like journey. All too often these adventures in solitude result in boozy epiphanies and first year psychological self evaluations, but for Tielli, the three month retreat allowed the talented song writer to embrace Thoreau’s most important philosophy. Simplify, simplify. Tielli plays in countless extremely [...]
Best-of ’11:: Rich Aucoin We’re All Dying To Live (Public Publication EP/Over The Top LP)
Originally, I wasn’t going to do anything with the debut LP from Halifax’s electro-pop star, Rich Aucoin. And when I say anything, I mean the record was on my desk for weeks and I hadn’t even pulled off the plastic wrap. It’s not that Rich isn’t talented, genuine or creative; the effort he puts into [...]
Quick Hitters:: Carpet of Horses
Simply because of the name, I was hesitant to check out Tobin James Stewart’s solo work. I mean, Carpet of Horses is not exactly a name that jumps out of the ole inbox and screams quality, but the supporting players involved in the project more than erased any uncertainty. With contributions from Ray Cammaert [...]
Reviews:: Jesse Futerman Super Basement
There was a time when you could find slick sounding, hip-hop influenced, vintage sample laced electronica records as easily as you could find a Starbucks. Sadly, in 2011, the burnt coffee mecca persists, and the appreciation for jazz infused, well crafted beats all but disappeared. I know almost nothing about Toronto producer Jesse Futerman, [...]
Reviews:: Old Man Luedecke & Lake Stew Sing All About It
New music from Old Man Luedecke is always welcome news in these parts. The banjo picker has charmed audiences all over the world, won a Juno award and even with all his success, Chris has never lost the humility that makes him such an inviting performer. Sure, he has “hits” like “Quit My Job” and [...]
Favorite-of ’11:: Wake! Owl Wild Country EP
Unfortunately, music blogging has evolved from promoting the bands we love to an analytical activity that makes standard cybermetrics feel like casual bar room conversation. Ratings, pageviews, hypem rankings; all of these things are all well and good, but music isn’t a scientific measure. EPs and LPs aren’t built on coefficients and derivatives. They are [...]
Reviews:: The Speaking Tongues self-titled
The constant struggle for a band like The Speaking Tongues – a white hot, boogie heavy garage blues band from Toronto – to get their music heard and appreciated has to be frustrating. I know there is a Canadian rock n roll revival/blues scene , but there aren’t many people writing about it and the [...]