In 2008, we were filled with hope. A black man had been elected president and it seemed like the liberal movement was getting a foothold. Finally, we could look past the color of a person’s skin and into their heart and actions. It took over 40 years, but it felt like Sam Cooke’s premonition was actually coming true.

During that time, troubled soul singer Andre Williams went into the studio with The Sadies and Jon Spencer’s Heavy Trash to record some songs. If drugs, bad luck and depression hadn’t side tracked the project, Andre’s thoughts about the state of America would have been lost under the overwhelming tide of change. William’s world, one of drugs, poverty, racial inequality, would have been brushed aside or ignored like the actions of Japanese solider that didn’t realize the war was over.

Now, in 2012, William’s words seem prophetic. That hope we all shared is gone, and the idea of equality has been swallowed up by a world that believes wearing a hoodie is justification for murder, and scoring a playoff goal warrants vulgarity and hatred similar to what Jackie Robinson had to endure. After opening up with a tried and true gritty number about booze, murder and getting his buddy out of jail, Williams challenges his country’s hope and calls Cooke on his promise. You said a change is gonna come, but it’s not any easier for a black man in America.

Night & Day is unfiltered. Williams refuses soften the blow of race and poverty, but he’s far from a one-trick pony. He’s able to move from drunken wordplay and prison-like boasting to genuine sincerity without sacrificing energy or credibility. No matter what emotion Williams delivers in his sing/spoke, quick hitting couplets, you never question his hard edge or harder life. His language cuts through any of the pleasantries – you might be tempted to think the sway of “I Thank God” is a salvation, but Williams’ message is not so simple. He’s thankful to be alive, but he knows life ain’t easy and never will be – and hits with the weight of a sledgehammer.

But a hardened, down on his luck blues man is not a new discovery. What makes Night & Day really smoke is the supporting players push Andre outside of his comfort zone and into new styles. The Sadies have worked with Williams before and Spencer is no stranger to this type of collaborations (he pushed R.L. Burnside in much the same way on A Asspocket Full of Whiskey), and those relationships provide new sonic opportunity. The beautiful female backing vocals are the perfect counterpoint to songs like “America (You Say “A Change Is Gonna Come”)” and “Mississippi & Joliet” and the perfect use of fiddle on tracks like “Hey Baby!” and “I’ll Do Most Anything For Your Love” brighten the listen, but it’s the punky blues, ripping garage rock and even country-fried R&B push his message even farther away from the blue-eyed soul that’s sweeping the nation.

Night & Day isn’t an easy listen when you really try to digest Andre’s words, but it’s appropriately named for many reasons. The most obvious is the transformation Williams made to get sober and stay sharp, but the hardest hitting is the difference between where we wanted to be in 2012 and where we are. If only we were at a point where it was a battle between the haves and have-nots, instead of the same tired fight between the ares and the are-nots. Instead, we are still waiting for that change Sam promised… and if Williams is right, it won’t be a peaceful movement that triggers sparks the fire.

MP3:: Andre Williams & The Sadies – One Eyed Jack
Web:: http://www.yeproc.com/artists/andre-williams-the-sadies

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

As we get close to June, it means that I’ve got to start eliminating the pretenders from the contenders for the 2012 Polaris Prize. There are countless records that deserve to be on my ballot and won’t get included, and like any subjective vote, there will be adoration showered on records I can’t stand. So be it.

I try to keep an active list of my “favorite records” but the Polaris mandate asks for more than just good records. The goal is to find a record that is as close to perfect as an artist can get. It’s not about a few great songs, and can’t just be a collection of thoughts. Ideally, this record should be a start-to-finish vision executed with skill, and show true artistic merit.

As of today, I have a list of fifteen records that could make the final ballot, but need to spend a few weeks with these records before I make the final decision. Here are the last five.

Artist: Adam & the Amethysts
Album: Flickering Flashligth
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/09/best-of-11-adam-the-amethysts-flickering-flashlight.htm

Web:: http://adamandtheamethysts.com/

Artist: The Barr Brothers
Album: self-titled
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/08/reviews-the-barr-brothers-self-titled.htm

WEB:: http://thebarrbrothers.com/

Artist: Cold Specks
Album: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/05/reviews-cold-specks-i-predict-a-graceful-expulsion.htm

Stream:: Cold Specks – Reeling the Liars In (Swans)

Web:: http://coldspecks.com/

Artist: The Wooden Sky
Album: Every child a daughter, every moon a sun
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/02/favorites-of-12-the-wooden-sky-every-child-a-daughter-every-moon-a-sun.htm

WEB:: http://thewoodenskymusic.com/home/

Artist: Japandroids
Album: Celebration Rock
Review: Coming soon.

WEB:: http://japandroids.com/

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

Now I don’t want to make it sound like the main reason I’m posting on Halifax Singer-Songwriter Morgan MacDonald is that the submission email he sent us was pretty much note-perfect in relation to the cranky-pants submission manifesto we cobbled together a while back, but it certainly didn’t hurt. Either way, I’m glad Morgan took the time to get in touch with us, because he has a great, 4-song debut EP on his hands (entitled Back to the Wilderness), and I’m happy to help spread the word about it.

Recorded in Toronto with Paul Aucoin (The Hylozoists) and in Riverport, NS with Diego Medina at the Confidence Lodge, Back to the Wilderness is a roots-rock affair with more heart and/or ooomph than a lot of the releases we tend to get from that rather crowded genre. That could be because Morgan is clearly writing songs about subject matter that really means something to him, be it a lament for his lost childhood home & innocence, a yearning to escape city life, or expressing his gratitude and admiration for his father. It could also be that he had plenty of talented musicians helping on on the record (Kris Pope, Ben Ross, Ron J Hynes, Sasha Muise), giving it a deeper and more varied sound then a lot of the singer-songwriter albums we recieve.

Whatever the reason, this EP is an enjoyable listen, revealing MacDonald to be an engaging, down to earth songwriter who also knows his way around a catchy melody. It’s a promising debut that’ll have me keeping my eyes & ears open for more material from this humble Haligonian, and I suggest you do the same.

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

It’s not easy to transition from standard songwriting to songs for written for the stage, but if anyone not named Wainright is equipped to handle the challenge, it would be Matthew Barber. A seasoned professional, Barber fine tunes his craft each and every time he hits record, considering his complete body of work instead of just hunting for a single.

He pours himself into each project, inspiration and influence and although his pristine voice and concise melodies might not be your first thought when you think of songs crafted to help drive the story of a Hank Williams inspired character and his flamboyant manager, his appreciation of the project and dedication to a sound make him a logical choice.

The 12-songs are surprisingly accessible for both fans of the theatre as well as traditional country swayers and foot stompers. Barber balanced the need for larger than life, upbeat sing-alongs with melodies that deserve multiple listens and he and the band worked hard to make Songs for the Haunted Hillbilly more that just a collection of songs that felt like forcing Andrew Lloyd Webber into a dusty, cowboy shirt.

Songs like “This Cautionary Tale” and “Good Lord’s Willin’” are natural progressions from Barber previous work, but this isn’t the same Barber we’ve heard on his last releases. Without question, Barber’s voice is unmistakable but the sonic exploration is new.

The rework of “Got That Lonesome Feeling on My Mind” (a song that most fans will know from it’s place on True Believer) is the easiest example of the change in sound Barber offers this time out, but the band consistently supports his vocals with tasteful pedal steel, mandolin and backing vocals from some of the purest voices in Toronto (Doug Paisley, Jule Fader, Oh Susanna and Justin Rutledge are just a few of the names that helped Barber realize his vision). Barber also wisely shows off his sense of humor as freely his sense of melody and heartache, and while that makes for great theatre, it also helps the record grow. Songs like “Father and Son” and “The Clap” could have been pulled from Ween’s classic Twelve Golden Greats, and even at a brief 1:03, “E-R-K-S-I-N-E” is a frantic, backwoods gem.

Songs for the Haunted Hillbilly may be a musical accompaniment, but the songs deserve a spot in Barber’s catalog and on your shelf.

MP3:: Matthew Barber – Father And Son
Web:: http://matthewbarber.com/

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

“The Beastie Boys were my Beatles.” This is how D-Sisive introduces his heartfelt tribute to Adam Yauch. Now some might perceive such a statement to be cliche or overblown, but I can tell you for a fact that it isn’t. For white kids who loved hip hop in the 80′s and 90′s, there is roughly a 0% chance you weren’t influenced by the Beasties in some way, and MCA was like the stabilizing force that made the group work so well. There are thousands of things I could say about MCA, but many people have said them much better than I could over the last 10 days, and since there’s no better way to remember MCA than through his music, have a listen and reminisce on a wonderful person. RIP Adam.

MP3:: D-Sisive – Adam [rip.mca 1964-2012]
Web:: nobodywithanotepad.com

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

As we get close to June, it means that I’ve got to start eliminating the pretenders from the contenders for the 2012 Polaris Prize. There are countless records that deserve to be on my ballot and won’t get included, and like any subjective vote, there will be adoration showered on records I can’t stand. So be it.

I try to keep an active list of my “favorite records” but the Polaris mandate asks for more than just good records. The goal is to find a record that is as close to perfect as an artist can get. It’s not about a few great songs, and can’t just be a collection of thoughts. Ideally, this record should be a start-to-finish vision executed with skill, and show true artistic merit.

As of today, I have a list of fifteen records that could make the final ballot, but need to spend a few weeks with these records before I make the final decision. Here are the second five.

Artist: Joel Plaskett
Album: Scrappy Happiness
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/04/reviews-joel-plaskett-emergency-scrappy-happiness.htm

Joel Plaskett Emergency – You’re Mine by Joel Plaskett
Web:: http://joelplaskett.com/

Artist: Cannon Bros.
Album: Firecracker/Cloudglow
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/02/favorites-of-12-cannon-bros-firecrackercloudglow.htm

MP3:: Cannon Bros. – Out of Here
WEB:: http://cannonbros.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Kathleen Edwards
Album: Voyageur
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/01/favorites-of-12-kathleen-edwards-voyageur.htm

MP3:: Kathleen Edwards – Change the Sheets
Web:: kathleenedwards.com

Artist: Eric Chenaux
Album: Guitar & Voice
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/03/favorites-of-12-eric-chenaux-guitar-voice.htm

MP3:: Eric Chenaux – Amazing Backgrounds
WEB:: http://cstrecords.com/eric-chenaux/

Artist: Sandro Perri
Album: Impossible Spaces
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/09/best-of-11-sandro-perri-impossible-spaces.htm

MP3:: Sandro Perri – Love & Light
WEB:: http://cstrecords.com/cst085/

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

Old School Mondays makes a return appearance with this Monie Love classic for a couple reasons. I heard it twice randomly in a couple days over the weekend, once in a coffee shop and once via the shuffle here at my house. As anyone who has heard it knows it’s a groovy, amazingly catchy tune, with Monie’s effortless flow exhorting her sisters to kick the trifflin’ dudes to the curb. What actually amazed me the most was that I’d completely forgotten that the song contains a sweet sax solo in the middle of it. Plus, Sunday was Mother’s Day, so here’s a belated one for all the moms out there.

Monie Love – It’s a Shame (My Sister)

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

I’ll say this about this new video from Ottawa’s Fevers, it certainly put some pep in my Monday afternoon step. I wasn’t familiar with this Ottawa five-piece that bill themselves as “purveyors of independent, electronic pop”, but if the rest of their output is as catchy as this tune – a perfect balance between waves of synth sounds and the powerful-yet-engaging vocals of Sarah Bradley, I might have to get familiar. Plus, it’s also refreshing to see a band looking like they’re actually having fun in a video. Enjoy!

MP3:: Fevers – Passion Is Dead (Long Live Fashion)
Web:: www.feversband.com

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

As we get close to June, it means that I’ve got to start eliminating the pretenders from the contenders for the 2012 Polaris Prize. There are countless records that deserve to be on my ballot and won’t get included, and like any subjective vote, there will be adoration showered on records I can’t stand. So be it.

I try to keep an active list of my “favorite records” but the Polaris mandate asks for more than just good records. The goal is to find a record that is as close to perfect as an artist can get. It’s not about a few great songs, and can’t just be a collection of thoughts. Ideally, this record should be a start-to-finish vision executed with skill, and show true artistic merit.

As of today, I have a list of fifteen records that could make the final ballot, but need to spend a few weeks with these records before I make the final decision. Here are the first five.

Artist: Mark Davis
Album: Eliminate the Toxins
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/06/best-of-11-mark-davis-eliminate-the-toxins.htm

MP3:: Mark Davis – Eliminate the Toxins
Web:: http://www.markdavismusic.ca/

Artist: Ox
Album: tUCo
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/11/best-of-11-ox-tuco.htm

MP3:: Ox – What I Love About Cars
Web:: http://www.oxmusic.ws/

Artist: Apollo Ghosts
Album: Landmark
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/04/favorites-of-12-apollo-ghosts-landmark.htm

MP3:: Apollo Ghosts – Newcastle
Web:: http://apolloghosts.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Bry Webb
Album: Provider
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2011/11/best-of-11-bry-webb-provider.htm

Web:: http://www.harbourcoats.ca/

Artist: Modulok
Album: You Look So Tragic
Review: http://www.herohill.com/2012/04/modulok-you-look-so-tragic.htm

Web:: http://modulok.bandcamp.com/

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it

Jesus. I don’t know why I feel the constant need to justify not writing about acts quickly enough (god knows most don’t care about even throwing us an advertising bone and treat us like interns), but I can’t help it. Every time I get a follow up email, it makes me realize I wish the hill was more than a two-man shop.

So, instead of simply getting frustrated, I’m going to have to start compiling some inbox cleaning posts. Quick (well, as quick as my rambling post steez allows) and dirty.

Digits certainly deserves of more attention than a few lines, but as days have turned into weeks I’ve never found the time to talk about our old friend Alt Altman. Alt’s been getting some great press for his latest LP, Death and Desire, and if you take a listen to “Because It’s Wrong” you can hear why. The ice cold programming and mellow vocals are hypnotic, but it’s the way he recreates the way we used to mash the shit out of the machine gun button on Lapaix’s mixer that gets me excited.

Nostalgic jokes aside, the best moments on Death & Desire are the best Alt’s come up with to date. Digits is no stranger to crafting chilled out, minimal jams, but this LP feels like something bigger. Risks and surprising twists (like the guitar solo on “So Cold”) are as important as the well executed, spare programing. Oh, and it’s a free download.

MP3:: Digits – Because It’s Wrong
Web:: http://www.digitsmusic.com

Herohill - ...yellin' it cuz no one else is tellin' it