Thursday, March 18, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Slate Pacific - The Safe Passage Remix EP
The Slate Pacific Remix EP is an absurd idea that somehow works.
It's even funner when they're right. I reviewed this Fredericton outfit's last EP, Safe Passage, almost a year ago, and if you were to ask me which EP's I've heard in the last year are a perfect candidate for a remixed version of themselves, I have to confess that this one likely wouldn't come to mind. And that's not any comment on the EP's quality, I liked it quite a bit, but the heavy, emotional feel found on most of Logan Hawkes' songs doesn't seem to to make them a good companion for the uptempo electronic treatment. But that's why this remix EP proves two things: 1) I often don't know much 2) When music is concerned, it always pays to experiment.
Or rather, have some friend to experiment with you, and The SP enlisted friends like Paranerd, Professor Undressor, Senor Citizen, and Sean One to transform their songs - to a rather pleasing effect. Senior Citizen opens the EP with a fairly faithful take on Thirteen Kinds of Chemicals, adding some big drums and fizzy modulation to the moody track. The subdued drums & re-worked guitars used by First Words MC/producer Sean One on his remix for Jenn's Not Going To Make It might make it my favorite track on this EP. It certainly has some competition though, as the sunny, Professor Undressor remix of OEC is very catchy, and renders the original almost un-recognizable.
So kudos to the folks from Slate Pacific for being able to have some fun with their music, and trusting their songs in the hands of their friends. Now they want these songs to be in your hands, as they're giving the EP away for free, so go ahead and have a listen. I myself will be listening for new Slate Pacific music, in whatever form it comes.
MP3:: The Slate Pacific - Jenn's Not Going To Make It (Sean One Mix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/theslatepacific
Labels: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Quick Hitters, Remix, The Slate Pacific
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Circle Research
I went with some instrumental electronic music for yesterday's post, and because that went so well, I thought I'd do the same today. Of course I base the assertion that yesterday's post went well on nothing but my own opinion, but such is my right as the jerk writing this here post. Anyhoo, today's post comes after I was recently introduced to Toronto production duo Circle Research, who have a new album called Gardiner Express coming out on Urbnet next month.
Circle Research is comprised of longtime friends Nik T and Gil, whose latest album pays homage to their nights spent making the pilgrimage from their home-burb of Etobicoke to downtown Toronto. The duo has all kind of sample-y goodness on their myspace and youtube pages, and it's good stuff in my humble - plenty of hip hop influence evident in it's boom-bappery, but still plenty of other influences on display as well. Apparently they are going even further back to the essence on their new album, leaning heavily on classic analog drum machines & samplers, and I, for one, won't argue with such a tactic.
So if you're in the market for more Canadians who can make the machines sing, or go bleep and blurp in rather pleasing fashion, I'd check out Circle Research (they have a mini-remix version of Yes! available on their myspace, that's a good starting point).
MP3:: Circle Research - Tick Tock
MP3:: Circle Research - Valentine Girl
MP3:: K-Os - 4,3,2,1 (Circle Research Remix)
MYSPACE::www.myspace.com/circleresearch
Labels: Circle Research, Electronic, Instrumental, Quick Hitters, Toronto, Urbnet
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Eli & Papillon
Instead, bands like Eli & Papillon work hard to force that connection on you. Elise's voice moves with an emotion and charm that helps you understand what she is saying, even if you only pick up a few words. Like a traveler in a foreign country, the romanticism you feel from catching the odd sentence as you walk by conversation after conversion puts you inside even the most personal admissions and helps you become invested in the broken hearts these two young artists bring to the plate.
But truthfully, even if you missed every word, this bedroom pop duo would still tug at your heart strings. It's hard not to hear the piano and Elise's charismatic vocals on L'aurevoir and not feel your heart beating along with the song. The song blossoms into a theatrical, almost magical effort but still manages to keep at least one toe on the ground.
For such a young act, the diversity they provide is impressive. Layers of strings, piano, guitar, bass and vocals mesh nicely - case in point the playful, uptempo Train de Vie (the laugh at the end just kills me or the swirling Un peu d'espoir - but they know when to strip everything back to the core elements as well. The piano and guitar pop gem, Une fois de trop is as straight forward as any track you will hear from the duo, but impact is surprisingly powerful.
I don't want to steep this review in hyperbole. The rough recordings of a bedroom pop act shows the band still has plenty of room to grow, but it's rare I get demos in the mail these days and instantly see the potential of a pop act trying to carve their own sound. Elise and Marc are certainly not interested in sounding like every other pop act out there right now, and that is the type of courage and creativity that can turn a bedroom pop band into something special. I for one, and excited to see where this ends up.
MP3:: Eli & Papillon - L'aurevoir
MP3:: Eli & Papillon - Train de Vie
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/elietpapillon
Labels: Eli and Papillon, Francophone, Montreal, Music, Pop, Quebec, Quick Hitters
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Boats Cannonballs, Cannonballs!
The band still displays some Unicorns-ish whimsy, kinetic energy and quirky, discount bin synth sounds - Drinking The Lake and Movie Scores; We Hummed for example - but Cannonballs, Cannonballs! finds Mat exploring more complex narratives and the band using bigger textures and taking some risks. I'm not sure if I could have predicted Mat and his rotating cast of characters crafting a beautiful electro pop gem like Smokestack & Lucy's Magnificent Cabaret last time out, but it's one of many highlights on the new record.
Interestingly enough, when their last record came out I remember Dave Ullrich saying that Boats was like Arcade Fire without the drama. At the time I thought he was off his rocker, but now the comparison seems very fitting. As I let TV Scientist fade into the heavier drums of Summercamp vs. The Fake Moustache Tree, feel the thump of Chrome Eyelids or settle into the catchy Our Athletic Friends I get swept up in the potential of this young Winnipeg outfit. CBCB! is only their second album, but they put together twelve songs that are powerful, but never attempt to be bigger than the instruments they use or the sounds they prefer. They don't throw on layer after layer hoping to impress you; Boats lets you feel like you are a part of the song, and slowly builds to a climax after hooking you in early. Plus, at the end of the day I don't think they'd ever steal my basketball.
MP3:: Boats - Chrome Eyelids
MP3:: Boats - Our Athletic Friends
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/boatthemusicband
Labels: Boats, Canada, Music, Quick Hitters, Winnipeg
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday Morning Coffee:: The Sheepdogs
I'm 99% sure that traveling along the road of a modern classic rocker is almost impossible. People give anyone sounding like Neil Young or The Beatles a pass - not a John Mayer type of pass - but if you try to rekindle a love of Foghat people give you the gas face. Honestly, if you can actually find a classic rock fan, chances are they would always pick up a dusty CD from their shelf before heading down to a dingy club hoping to hear someone get it right when it comes to sampling from The Stones catalog.
It's also the one genre that everyone assumes bands attack with a tongue planted firmly in cheek, resulting in songs steeped with irony. It becomes easy to dismiss the effort as a novelty act, instead of a bunch of dudes just loving music that came from years ago and was made with guitars, bass, drums and keys instead of Mac Books and loops. That my friend, is too bad because when a band gets it right - like Vancouver's Lions in the Street - the results are enjoyable. An act that is right on the cusp of reaching that level is Saskatchewan's The Sheepdogs. Their latest record - Learn & Burn - is full of classic rockers with some soul and sepia-drenched keys/organ mixed in an encased in a giant cloud of sweet smelling smoke.
I can't say the record ever reaches that "classic" status for me, but I never question the band's integrity. These songs never feel like The Sheepdogs are simply pilfering from the past and that's why, even with the occasional mention of facebook, no one would object if you threw this record onto an old dive bar juke box and hit play. The recipe of guitars, drums and nicely executed harmonies feels legit, built on years of listening to the same songs and jamming out in the garage. You hear the familiar touch points - heavy in 70's southern rock and some Beatles-y riffs - but you also can tell The Sheepdogs are trying hard to carve out their niche in a genre forgotten by most people unless karaoke is on the menu.
When the band gets it right - like they do with the nostalgic anthem, I Don't Get By - you can't help but think back to a time when music meant something and the nights spent listening to it were the best nights of your young life. The band will be making a stop here in Halifax to burn the Seahorse down on March 3rd. Might be time to get your matching denim jacket and jeans out of the closet and rock out.
MP3:: Sheepdogs - I Don't Know
MP3:: Sheepdogs - Down By The River Louder (Neil Young)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thesheepdogs
Labels: Canada, Music, Quick Hitters, Saskatchewan, The Sheepdogs
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Babe Rainbow Shaved EP
I know a mid-level music blog isn't the place for political pontification, but I'm one of the few that don't see the two week athletic combination as a great thing for the city or the country. Without a doubt, Vancouver is the most beautiful place I've ever lived, but there's a darker side to Vancouver that once you've seen it, you can't ignore. It's all well and good to show off the best side of Vancouver and the surrounding areas, but people in the city are trying to sweep the unsightly elements (and the "unsightly people") under the rug.
That's why the release of Cameron Reed's - a.k.a. Babe Rainbow - Shaved EP seems incredibly timely. Instead of rays of sunshine reflected around the glass city and pristine mountains and ocean views, Reed's self described "surf step" sound moves slowly, hidden by the shadows. The songs take on the feel on the city and even though they might not be the picturesque images outsiders associate with Van-city, they are just as beautiful and more realistic (just listen to Tummy Sticks to hear what I mean).
By no means am I a dub step expert and any meaningful comparisons I try to come up would simply be an exercise in name dropping that would ultimately fall short, but when I sit down with this 7-song effort I get hit with a swell of emotion. The rubber band bass lines and echo filled drum claps that make up the foundation of Screwby are captivating, as are the atmospheric electronics that grab your ear on the opener, Popcommon. The gentle, uplifting feel Cameron subtly adds to offset the unsettling undercurrents and harrowing vocals of Care shows a complexity you might not expect in such stripped down arrangements.
Right now we all seem focused on showing the world what we have to offer, and musically that's just what Shaved does. Reed's unique spin on dub step is entrenched in the gutters of the city, but still manages to walk alongside the ocean side beauty of Vancouver, and really gives Canadian dub stepping producers something to strive towards.
BONUS:
Just so this post isn't all doom and gloom, it's worth pointing out that Babe Rainbow and Rico Uno have a pretty killer mixtape out as well. This collabo (with help from fellow Vancouverites, Basketball) is a bit more uplifting and melodic and shows another side to Reed's compositions.
Babe Rainbow X Basketball X Rico Uno - Proper Feeling
MP3:: Babe Rainbow - Screwby
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/bbrnbw
TUMBLR:: http://baberainbow.tumblr.com/
BUY:: http://warp.net/records/babe-rainbow
Labels: Babe Rainbow, Music, Quick Hitters, Vancouver
Friday, February 5, 2010
Quick Hitters:: By Divine Right
If you're in Halifax, go see By Divine Right at The Seahorse tonight. If you aren't in Halifax, go buy yourself a copy of Mutant Message right now.
Because I've already said it like 5 times in the last 2 or 3 weeks, I'm not going to say "I've been meaning to write about By Divine Right since last year", but I have. I stumbled into their last set at The Seahorse during HPX when I wandered into the Hand Drawn Dracula showcase in hopes of catching the end of Julie "Shitballs" Fader's set, but although I had missed hers entirely, Jose Contreras & Co. were getting setup for theirs. I'd heard the name By Divine Right often, but knew nothing about them, so I thought I'd check them out. Contreras ended up breaking a string on the first song, so he asked Brian Borcherdt if he could "borrow his nastiness" while BB replaced the string, which I enjoyed for some reason. I also enjoyed their set a great deal, and was humming "Que Paso, Que Paso" to myself for the next couple days.
So when we were sent Mutant Message, I eagerly loaded it up on the ole iFizzle, and I've been enjoying it ever since. I kept trying to carve out some time for a proper review of it, but that time escaped me as it so often does. But let me just say that on MM I think Contreras chops as both a musician and a producer shine through, as it sounds effortless, catchy & fun, but it also feels rather painstakingly crafted in many spots. It's a great record in my humble, with songs like I Love A Girl, Que Paso, Wings Too Big, Kiss My Chakras, and I Will Hook You Up all surely to inspire a lot of smile & singing along tonight at The Seahorse.
MP3:: By Divine Right - I Love A Girl
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/bydivineright
VIDEO:: By Divine RIght - I Love A Girl
Labels: By Divine Right, Halifax, Hand Drawn Dracula, Live, Quick Hitters, Shitballs, Toronto
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Great Canadian Mixtape:: NL Preview - The Once
I know it has been forever - the Canadian Mixtape project has been on the shelf longer than Gran's favorite preserves - but we getting the band(s) back together and compiling the Newfoundland edish of the Great Canadian Mixtape project. Obviously, if any fans of rock from the rock have any suggestions, feel free to send them our way, but without question, one band that will make the final cut is The Once.
The trio may only have one record under their belts, but the way the polish and tradition of their folk arrangements instantly surround you is pretty astounding. Elegant melodies built on picked banjos, guitars, mandolins all float along and allow the purity of Geraldine's voice to set the tone of your listen. Each word she delivers shines and thanks to the understated, but perfectly placed support Andrew and Phil offer, you feel like you've unearthed some old collection of folk gems from decades ago - the one giveaway is a Tom Waits cover - not just a year ago.
So to get you excited about The Once and this upcoming mixtape, here's a nice little medley that shows the talent this folk troop has to offer.
MP3:: The Once - Is The Big Man Within/Hound's/Gerald Thomas' Burnt Potato
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/nowtheonce
BUY:: http://www.theonce.ca/
Labels: Canadian Mixtape, Newfoundland, Quick Hitters, The Once
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Quick Hitters:: More Sleepless Nights!
I know what you're thinking now though, the contrary little dickens that you are, you're wondering why you should bother checking out the Sleepless Nights, despite their free EP-age. Well, band has gone through it's fair share of members in the past, but it's now solidified into a lineup of A.A. Wallace, Jeff Pineau, Trevor Murphy, and Josh Pothier, and they're playing as catchy a brand of the indie rock & roll as you'll find anywhere. Don't just take my word for it though, my 3 year old son and I were rocking out to the guitar & synth-propelled Everybody's Dancing in the car this morning, and when I asked him if he liked the song he gave me an enthusiastic "Yes!".
As catchy as the Sleepless Nights can be, I like the fact that they're showing a bit of a different side on this EP, as the middle two songs are a definite change of pace with the instrumental Politic Part II and the contemplative You Don't Anymore show the still-heavy, yet more reserved side of the fun-loving foursome. But never fear, the synths and the scenester-slaying sarcasm get turned back up to 10 for the enjoyable closer Politic Part I. Might the Sleepless Nights be the current holders of my much-coveted "Favourite Halifax band of the Moment" title? I think they may.
Good news, if you live in the eastern portion of Canada (and not just Upper Canadian Eastern!), you will be able to find out in short order if the Sleepless Nights are also your favourite Halifax band of the moment. Behold:
HALIFAX, NS: Gus' Pub w/ Hamilton Trading Co. & Doug Mason, Jan. 28
FREDERICTON, NB: Capital w/ Wooden Sky & Hamilton Trading Co., Jan. 29
SACKVILLE, NB: George's Roadhouse w/ Wooden Sky, Jan. 30
ST. JOHN, NB: Blue Olive w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Jan. 31
OTTAWA, ON: Zaphod's w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Feb. 1
KINGSTON, ON: The Mansion w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Feb. 2
WATERLOO, ON: Maxwell's House w/ Diableros, Feb. 3
GUELPH, ON: Jimmy Jazz w/ Diableros, Feb. 4
BAYFIELD, ON: Black Dog w/ Diableros, Feb. 5
HAMILTON, ON: The Absinthe w/ The Hamilton Trading Company and Pneumatic Transit, Feb. 6
TORONTO, ON: The Boat w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Feb. 7
MONTREAL, QC: Green Room w/ Hamilton Trading Co., Feb. 9
MP3:: Sleepless Nights - Everybody's Dancing
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thesleeplessnights
Labels: Halifax, Quick Hitters, Sleepless Nights, Tour Dates
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Quick Hitters:: The Pinecones Sage
The songs turned out great, but the process and logistics must have been draining. It only makes sense that this time around, Randall has trimmed down the band to four full-time members (himself, Brian O’Reilly, Joel Goguen and Paul Linklater) and shared the song writing duties with each member. The results - the 16 song effort Sage - are less polished, much more psychedelic and honestly, more lasting.
From the tambourine laced opener, Sage to the heavier riffs of tracks like Ardmore Jenny or shimmering, sunshine-y pop hits like Never Seen The Likes, this record will instantly appeal to a wider (read PRO-Beatles) audience. Randall's always been open with his admiration for Macca, but the transition to a more Fab Four style writing arrangement gives the band a freedom that was impossible when Randall was the only pen. It also gives the band the chance to play more shows and build a much larger fan base.
The band blends styles and influences nicely, relying on solid harmonies and 60's UK subject matter, but the melodies work because they are rougher and more accessible. The four songwriters experiment with different inspiration without having to fit the sounds into the narrow, albeit enjoyable, focus of Randall's previous work. I don't think the bluesy 5 o'Clock Shadow (of a Moonbeam) would have worked in any previous incarnation of the band, but the more classic sounding Randall songs aren't hurt by the stripped back arrangements.
If Randall had turned around and written another record of orchestral pop, it undoubtedly would have been just as enjoyable as his last effort, but would have felt stagnant. With Sage, you see him stretching his comfort level and benefiting from the experience of his talented band, and delivering some 70's inspired gems (the undeniable charm of the theatrical Mr. Shoemaker Man and the Sunday afternoon ready Tea Tonight are the two album standouts).
MP3:: The Pinecones - Tea Tonight
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/brentrandall
Labels: Brent Randall, Quick Hitters, The Pinecones
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Brass Tackz - The Outfit
Evil Ebenezer. They released this EP to get some buzz going for a potential Brass Tackz full length, and after going back and listening to The Outfit a few times over the last couple days, I would welcome more material from the trio for sure.
I must confess that I'd seen these MC's names here and there on the ole internet box (and unless I'm mistaken, Evil was featured on the last Josh Martinez album), but I'd never heard anything from any of them. Well, there's a wrong I'm happy to have righted, and I'm not sure how close the 3 MC's were before doing this project, but they have plenty of chemistry. Snak The Ripper has a demonic high pitched flow which contrasts well with Young Sin's confident baritone, and Evil is somewhere in between the two, so the mix works well. As the cover might suggest (as well as the creepy guest vocal contributions from Edmonton's legendary Junkyard Dog) there are certainly some aggressive, Horror-core in the Gravediggaz sense, songs on the EP (October Skies, Moral Terror & Find Out), but they aren't afraid to also tackle something like an ode to their respective Moms' Mom Dukes.
Right from the jump you get a "little taste" of what Brass Tackz is all about on the smoothed-out, yet creepy opener October Skies, that features each MC spitting some dark, free-flowing, braggadocios rhymes over a piano-laced QB8 beat. Authentik sounds great - it features bubbly xylophone mixed with old-timey horns and some bumpin' drums provide the backdrop for the trio to rundown their hard-earned hip hop history. The somber-but-still-catchy Broken Promises is the kind of thing pretty much any Canadian rapper can relate too: struggling to continue making music when everyone close to you likely thinks your crazy. Also, the line "It's either broken promises or broken dreams, where I see a career you see hopeless schemes" would also work as the slogan for this here blog. The Aries-produced beat for Find Out mixes electronic bleeps with ominous backing sounds and an ominous & addictive chorus. I should also mention that video for this song was my intro to the group, I was intrigued by the quality of the song as well as the visuals - not many rap groups go with the "western hobo" theme for their videos. Perhaps they should. The heartfelt mom-ode Mom Dukes has a really banging guitar-laced beat that the guys seem to be feeling, as they all turn in pretty enthusiastic performances on the vocals and the chorus is a bit of an ear worm.
You can get yourself a copy of The Outfit gratis from Camobear Ditigal, so why wouldn't you? Solid Canadian hip hop for a price anyone can afford. Get on it.
MP3:: Brass Tackz - Authentik
MP3:: Brass Tackz - Find Out
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/brasstackz
VIDEO:: Brass Tackz - Find Out
Labels: Brass Tackz, Canadian Hip Hip, Evil, Hip Hop, Quick Hitters, Snak The Ripper, Vancouver, Young Sin
Quick Hitters:: Fanshaw Dark Eyes
I kept expecting to see her name everywhere, but I think Olivia had a few things working against any chance of instant success. Trying to pronounce her last name would be one, but the most telling is her desire for perfection. Olivia's debut is finally ready for release on Mint Records but the journey has been long, as the songs have been shaped and reshaped over the last five years.
Luckily, those 5 years have been good to Olivia and her patience has paid off. Her voice is stronger, the arrangements bolder and all that potential has been realized. With tracks like Strong Hips (I compared her to Feist way back in the day, and it seems I'm not alone now), and the support of one of Canada's finest labels, the stars could be aligning for this talented chanteuse. Obviously she could have delivered a record full of catchy hooks (the horn laced O Sailor shines the focus directly on Olivia's vocals but benefits uses galloping drums and a few electric chords), but Fanshaw is more than 70's pop and beautiful vocals.
The opener uses a plucked bass, some eerie harmonies and casts ominous clouds over the record and even when she picks up the pace on the title track, you can't help but think something dark is around the corner. Instead it's the suggestive country tune Vegas, that finds Olivia determined to hold onto her man. The slow moving Nobody is another example of terrific vocal interplay - a skill she's honed as part of The Choir Practice. Fanshaw challenges you with swirling arrangements that float all around your headphones, but ultimately you are rewarded with 34 minutes of music that stands out from the masses and well thought out narratives.
MP3:: Fanshaw - Strong Hips
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/fanshawmusic
BUY:: BUY Dark Eyes
Labels: Canada, fanshaw, Mint Recs, Music, Quick Hitters
Friday, January 8, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Jenocide - Machines to Make Us Wet
In reality though, my enjoyment of Machines is purely innocent and not surprising really, as the electrofied jams found on the album are just damn catchy. Some of the credit for that goes to beatmaster Ed Renzi, who meshes his drum-dense production with Jen's confident, 80's-inspired vocals and synth playing to excellent effect. And really, although the female empowerment quotient is at a high level on the album, as she says in this Coast feature, Jenocide isn't trying to exclude anyone:
"People get scared off by the word feminist," she says. "But I just wanted to create a character that is strong, and not completely alienating. I have a message for those who identify with it, and if you're about it, that's awesome."
Well we're about it, 'bout it here at the hill. I'm partial to the more uptempo songs on the album, as I could listen to the 1-2 opening punch of Coming For You and Fashion Icon (and it's Push It-esque synth line) on repeat with little to no problem. But there are plenty of other jams to get your one-person party started, like the dense groove of On/Off, the almost spoken-word house of Junglefk (I Want It) and the hypnotic 28 Mansions. It's the kind of clever album I'd want my daughters dancing to in their room, if I had daughters, and not sons. Oh, but I might erase the tags on the mp3's unless my daughters were old enough to not come to me with awkward-times inducing questions about song titles like Boa Constrict Her and Junglefk.
So, if you're in need of getting some indie kids on the dancefloor, I think you'd be wise to get Jenocide on your side.
MP3:: Jenocide - Junglefk (I want it)
MP3:: Jenocide - 28 Mansions
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/jenocidemusic
Labels: Dance, Electronic, Halifax, Jenocide, Quick Hitters
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Quick Hitters:: Novels giving away an EP - literally
photo - Marshall Angus
The notion of labeling a group of musicians a "super group", especially when the members are in hard working but relatively unknown indie outfits, is kind of played out. Almost every musician enjoys playing music with their friends, so it makes sense that people start new projects in an effort to try out new sounds.
That being said, any time members of Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, Will Currie & The Country French, EX~PO and Jay Sad get together to bang out some songs, most fans will get a little excited about the possibilities. The band - Novels - consists Graham Wright of TPC, Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Will Currie, Dean Marino of EX~PO and Jay Sad and their mission was simple. Share, finish, arrange and record 5 tracks in a single day and share them with the world.
While the results are fun and crisp (and I hesitate to dismiss anything born out of pure enjoyment and from such selfless beginnings), I'm not sure if the songs the band delivers ever reach the heights of the work we've heard from the original bands. Regardless of expectations, there are certainly moments in this 12-minute effort worth hearing. The opener - This Wouldn't Be The Last Time - saunters along with confidence and Big Run drifts into the jangly pop realm but still surfaces a familiar vocal delivery and some nice hand claps. Even the 50's piano pop the band offers up on Mr Foster's Teenage Daughter shows the band heading in an interesting direction; one that could be explored more successfully with less aggressive deadlines.
What makes this project special is that it was done for the simple pleasure of writing songs for people to hear. The EP will never be sold and the band hopes it will be shared with strangers. They are hoping you download the EP, listen, enjoy and return the favor by leaving a copy of the disc in a coffee shop, phone booth or tucked in an unsuspecting hipster's scarf.
The notion of labeling a group of musicians a "super group", especially when the members are in hard working but relatively unknown indie outfits, is kind of played out. Almost every musician enjoys playing music with their friends, so it makes sense that people start new projects in an effort to try out new sounds.
That being said, any time members of Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, Will Currie & The Country French, EX~PO and Jay Sad get together to bang out some songs, most fans will get a little excited about the possibilities. The band - Novels - consists Graham Wright of TPC, Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Will Currie, Dean Marino of EX~PO and Jay Sad and their mission was simple. Share, finish, arrange and record 5 tracks in a single day and share them with the world.
While the results are fun and crisp (and I hesitate to dismiss anything born out of pure enjoyment and from such selfless beginnings), I'm not sure if the songs the band delivers ever reach the heights of the work we've heard from the original bands. Regardless of expectations, there are certainly moments in this 12-minute effort worth hearing. The opener - This Wouldn't Be The Last Time - saunters along with confidence and Big Run drifts into the jangly pop realm but still surfaces a familiar vocal delivery and some nice hand claps. Even the 50's piano pop the band offers up on Mr Foster's Teenage Daughter shows the band heading in an interesting direction; one that could be explored more successfully with less aggressive deadlines.
What makes this project special is that it was done for the simple pleasure of writing songs for people to hear. The EP will never be sold and the band hopes it will be shared with strangers. They are hoping you download the EP, listen, enjoy and return the favor by leaving a copy of the disc in a coffee shop, phone booth or tucked in an unsuspecting hipster's scarf.
NOVELS - Introduction & Pitch Session from Wade Vroom on Vimeo.
MP3:: Novels - This Wouldn't Be the Last Time
MP3:: Novels - Big Run
WEB:: http://www.okaynovels.com
D/L EP:: http://www.okaynovels.com/Novels.zip
Labels: Born Ruffians, EXPO, Music, Novels, Quick Hitters, Tokyo Police Club, Will Currie
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Peter Project - Fresh EP
Either way, I enjoy this brief slice of eclectic goodness from TO's favorite "indie-geek-rap DJ phenomenon". I'd heard a couple Peter Project songs before, but basically knew nothing about him, so this EP serves as a nice little intro to what he's all about. After hearing it, I'd have to say it's almost more his production skills that are on display here, rather than his DJ-ing (although competent scratching with a broken arm is no small feat), as he shows himself to be a versatile beatmaker who isn't afraid to pull in a bunch of different elements but still keep a hip hop core. His DJ skills are on point though, and of course this helps with keeping that hip hop core.
EP opener Simply Fresh is a fun, 8-bit filled intro to the EP's concept that features various clips of people discussing their thoughts on personal hygene. This is likely now my second favorite hygene-related hip hop EP, second only to Birdapres' Toothpaste. Perhaps the EP's best track, Unorthodox features one of Canada's more unappreciated MC's, More Or Les, flowing over PP's rather orchestral sounding beat, and it has a funky breakdown at the end that sounds like it might have been played live on a drum machine, or that old keyboard at your parents house, or something. The Quest For Extreme Personal Freshness is perhaps the craziest track on the album, a hyper track that flips some freaky synth's and Laura Barrett's kalimba playing into a crazy dancefloor pleaser. The indie rap posse cut In Retail is an ode to the unpleasantness that is working in the retail bizz and features some nice vocal contributions from Masia One, Maylee Todd, and Haltown's favorite burglar of words, Wordburglar.
So there you go, if you've been getting your Shabba Rank on lately, and are also in need of a Canadian hip hop fix, Peter Project is your man, his Fresh EP is your plan. The EP is available from the Fuzzy Logic store, but I'm not sure if that's the bar of soap version or not.
MP3:: Peter Project - Unorthadox f. More or Les
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/peterproject
Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Hip Hop, Peter Project, Quick Hitters, Soap, Toronto
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Quick Hitters:: The Dojo Workhorse
The Dojo Workhorse is the solo project of Dan Vacon, frontman of Calgary rock & roll heroes The Dudes. Now my feelings on The Dudes are well-documented: I like them. You might have your own feelings about The Dudes, but cast those aside because we're talking about The Dojo Workhorse here. Specifically we're talking about Weapons Grade Romantic, the DW's debut album, which I think you should listen to. I have five reasons for this, and they are as follows:
1. The Name. Dojo Workhorse is simply a great name, and I will ruthlessly sweep the leg of anyone who disagrees.
2. These things have happened to Dan:
Two days before heading out on tour lead singer/guitarist Dan Vacon’s white BMX took him down the highway of hurt resulting in 12 staples to the head and a broken collarbone.
Most recently Vacon crashed into a tree skiing at Lake Louise and broke the other side of his collarbone. Again two days before leaving out on tour.
So yeah, short of buying him a new, non-cursed BMX or paying for a skiing safety course, it's the least you can do for him.
3. The lyrical excellence:
"Nobody cry, and nobody get hurt, except me, and possibly her"
"Oh girl let's misbehave, fuck what your girlfriends say, let them pay for tomorrow,
their time is borrowed give me today"
"And kindness she's a two-way street, now don't it feel good not to be a total asshole"
"Oh my sweet angel, if you're near me, spread your wings and get us the F out of here...and take me to Cleveland, I hear it's lovely"
"I'll not blame my heart, he is my partner and he's smarter than I am. Sometimes we disagree, on what to do with our body"
4. It's perfect as a Christmas gift (there's even a song called New Years Eve!). It is described as the "emotional counterpoint to Vacon's work in the dudes", which sounds fancy-dan, but one must remember that the Dudes write songs about: drinking, ladies who ruin an intimate liason by talking too much, getting busted by their girlfriends when drinking with their buddies, chicks, and drinking. As such, this album is chock-a-block full of similar songs, albeit of a much softer bent, and therefore it's a perfect gift for that boyfriend who would never listen to wussy love songs, or that girlfriend who busted you when you were out drinking with your buddies.
5. The whole thing really sounds quite good. I've always enjoyed Dan's soul-influenced vocal stylings, and musically the album is really very impressive - I guess 50-some folks involved in the Calgary music scene have lent their time to the Dojo Workhorse at some point, and it shows. Lovely picked guitar, vocal harmonies, horns, strings are an unlikely match for Vacon's roguish charm, but the pairing works and is also a lot of fun in my humble.
MP3:: Dojo Workhorse - I Got Life
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/dojoworkhorse
Labels: Calgary, Dojo Workhorse, Quick Hitters, The Dudes
Friday, December 11, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Montag DES CASSETTES & UN WALKMAN JAUNE
Montag - aka Antoine Bedard - decided to cover songs he loved at some point in life and release the "EP" as a tape (it was recorded to tape and then made digital but will also be available as a tape) and as awesome as that idea is, it's only the tip of a Titanic wrecking sized iceberg folks. Calling the EP DES CASSETTES & UN WALKMAN JAUNE (a couple of tapes and a yellow walkmen) and including a cover of PM Dawn's Sit Adrift on Memory Bliss basically means he touched on two of my favorite classic Golden Age hip hop moments.
First - any 90's rap lover remembers the awesome Nice and Smooth video with the yellow boom box floating in the pool (and probably had or pined for a yellow Sony Sports Walkmen, I mean, they were waterproof) - and of course, who can forget PM Dawn. No, not for the music but for the legendary story of KRS-1 bumrushing the stage and pushing that tubby hippie off the stage. I know neither image is what Antoine is channeling on this time capsule of his musical journey, but we here on the hill still talk about both stories at least once a month, so it seemed important.
So anyway, the EP.
This ode to music and music collection from back in the day is a great stop until the next full length because it really opens you up to see who Andre is. The "EP" is a six song collection of tracks that in original form, wouldn't really fit together on even the most outlandish mix tape. The thing is, Antoine's respect of the songs mixes with his creativity to actually pull it off. I'm not sure many listeners can connect the dots between The Breeders, PM Dawn, Low, Supertramp and Bronski Beat, but his crisp, crystalline electronics and subdued vocals really helps his take on the songs work nicely as a cohesive piece.
He really pay homage to the songs but still makes them his own. Instead of trying to replicate Prince Be's rap, the song is transformed by Antoine's spoken work delivery, but grounded by the familiar sounds of Spandau Ballet on the chorus and the longing heartbreak of the surprisingly touching verses. The slowcore build of Low's classic Sunflower is replaced with a slow moving electro beat and a more Beach House feel, but the core of the song is there for any fan of the band. You can't help but smile as he loses the simple chunky riff and sonic explosion that The Breeders use to drive No Aloha and turns the song into a frigid morning walk along the beach, they type of walk where the chill and greys consume you, before doing a 180 and spiking the tempo and energy.
Honestly, the EP is fun. I'm not sure Antoine wanted to accomplish other than give his listeners song new songs at Christmas, but even trapped amongst the cold textures and heartache, he's shown us another piece of who he is... and done it in a way that brings a smile to music lovers that remember the old days but aren't stuck in them.
MP3:: Montag - Set Adrift Memory of You (PM Dawn)
MP3:: Montag - No Aloha (The Breeders)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/montagmontag
BUY:: http://www.montag.ca/
Labels: Canada, EP, Montag, Montreal, Quick Hitters
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Quick Hitters:: La Strada
At first blush, the pairing of the St. John's superheroes with a band from Brooklyn seems like an odd one, but if you listen to both bands, it's a rather apt pairing. Both bands create sweeping, anthemic songs around the literary songwriting of their headman (James Craft in La Strada's case, Tim Baker for Hey Rosetta!), but whereas HR are naturally inclined to be inspired by the traditional sounds of their home province, which admittedly they shape and mold into a thoroughly modern folk-rock type sound, La Strada bring to mind island sounds of a different, more European bent. Like Corsica perhaps (Yeah, I just name-checked Corsica. Big deal, that's how we operate around here). Given Craft's geographically diverse past, he was born in France, and has also lived in Northern California and Romania, this assertion might actually make a bit of sense.
I'd love to say I was blown away by my first listening of La Strada's latest EP, but their songs have a more subtle charm that draw you in after a few listens. I can happily say that after spending a bit of time with the record, the songs have revealed themselves to be really quite catchy. The wistful Orphan mixes soaring strings with accordion and somber drums to create a Dickensian soundtrack with which to greet your morning. That morning would be enhanced even further by The Sun Song, with it's marching band drums and triumphant vocals, it's an unlikely peptalk of a song. While I'm not exactly sure you could really describe Flying as up-tempo, it uses some rather lovely, albeit word-free, vocal harmonies, and almost Asian-sounding strings, to send the listener on a rather enjoyable trip. Starling is an accordion-led sing-along that feels as though it should be accompanied by the synchronized thud of beer-mugs being banged on the table at your next indie-Oktoberfest gathering.
So, if you're in Halifax this weekend, make your way to the Paragon for this show (I believe Saturday is sold out, so Friday might be the move), because I think it's going to be a great one. I should also mention that a portion of that greatness will be coming from hill favorite Jon McKiel, who is also on the bill, and no less important than the other two acts - I'm just not smart enough to have worked him into the post before now. If you aren't in Halifax, check out La Strada's EP, and give it a few listens, it's worth it I think.
MP3:: La Strada - Starling
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/lastradanyc
Labels: Halifax, Hey Rosetta, Jon Mckiel, La Strada, Live, Quick Hitters
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Dan-E-O - Dilla Pickles
Yes, Kish, aka Andrew Kishino. The man behind the much-beloved I Rhyme The World In 80 Days, is brought out of retirement by Dan-E-O to kick a verse and let the doubters and scoffers know he's still around. So yes, I was dying to hear this song, and you can't blame me, as the amount of comments on the post I wrote about this song can attest, Canadian dudes my age, who love the hip hop, still have a lot of fond memories where Mr. Kishino is concerned.
But what of the rest of the album? As you might expect from an album (as mentioned, Dan-E-O is giving this album away, both in album & mixtape format) that uses Dilla beats exclusively, it sounds pretty damn good. I'm a little chagrined to admit my knowledge of Dilla's beat canon isn't nearly up to snuff, and so I can't identify the original usage of the beats themselves but Dan has done a good job picking beats to fit his style.
And it's style that pretty much dictates my favorite songs on the album, as Dan-E-O is at his best on the energetic, up-tempo tracks like Break It Down or Lose Your Mind, which prove Dan hasn't lost a step as a battle rapper. The jazzy, Adrock sampling Check The Grind is a pretty fun tag-team between Dan & the Canadian king of the annoying PR email, FAMOUS. The aforementioned Hoodafukayoo has a real throwback beat for Dan to big up the voice-over success of Kish, and I have to say, Kish sounds pretty decent on his verse. I do have to say, as much as I love bringing Kish back (and hopefully it isn't only a temporary thing), Dan's verse, the whole "Tom Green and Kish are the biggest successes to come out of Canadian rap" thing, will likely inspire more skepticism than respect. The light, soulfull beat for Haterz is opposite in mood to the diss-fest brought on the song by Dan & Marvel, but it does include a line that shall bring a smile to the Ack's face: "I hate that Master-T ain't on Much Music no more". The album closes with some interesting tracks, as Mice To Men has a really cool sound, almost sounds like the beat was recorded live somehow, and the off-kilter The Factory uses a classic Kool Moe Dee reference on the chorus, and shows how diverse Dilla could be.
So, here's the heart of the matter at hand: good Canadian hip hop & great Dilla beats - at a price you can't beat. Oh, and Kish is involved. Seems like something one shouldn't pass up, so reach in the jar and get some Dilla Pickles for yourself.
MP3:: Dan-E-O - Break It Down
MP3:: Dan-E-O - Hoodafukayoo (feat. Kish)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/daneo10
VIDEO:: Dan-e-o - Break it Down
Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Dan-E-O, Hip Hop, Kish, Quick Hitters
Quick Hitters:: Marie-Pierre Arthur
First - before I go much further - apologies to Malajube. In the past, I dismissed them as enjoyable but little more. When they took the stage Saturday night in front of 2000 people what I once viewed as quaint and charming French rock blossomed into songs of epic stature that filled the room. I wish they could have played for an hour, not a slim thirty minutes, but they certainly won over a critic that had locked them in a box that certainly didn't fit.
But the act that really blew me away, maybe my favorite set of the whole weekend, was the lovely and talented Marie-Pierre Arthur. With little fanfare, she strapped on a McCartney looking bass, stood front and center, and she and her talented band proceeded to charm/rock/impress a room full of strangers, most of whom couldn't understand what she was saying. The emotion she presented however, was never lost in translation. Heads nodded along to uptempo jams like Elle but when the spacey folk elements of the band stood up to be noticed, an appreciative hush fell over the crowd.
Her band was obviously filled with talented musicians, but none of the players overstepped their role. Solos were natural and tasteful, fills and harmonies fit like a perfect embrace and they moved around Marie-Pierre's voice like Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment (beautifully, never missing a step). I have no idea where Marie-Pierre fits into the mix - I do know she had the room in the palm of her hand - but I hope the she gets the chance to showcase her talent to a larger audience soon. The record touches on so many styles (even the bluesy Tout Ca Pour Ca works for the band) that I find it hard to believe you won't be smitten by at least one track.
MP3:: Marie-Pierre Arthur - Elle
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/mariepierrearthur
WEB:: http://www.mariepierrearthur.com/
Labels: M for Montreal, marie-pierre arthur, Montreal, Music, Quick Hitters
Monday, November 30, 2009
News:: DUZHEKNEW 7" and tape on the way!
I've never met Adam, but he's been involved in two local projects I have fawned over (Roomdoom and Fall Horsie if you are asking). A quick glance showed that he's branching out with a solo effort under the cryptic moniker, DUZHEKNEW. The name may be impossible to spell first time around, but the tracks are impossible to ignore. Mashing enough Talking Heads to please the masses with a oddly distinct Halifax feel, Adam's first few tracks are the type of shit that gets me excited about music again.
The two tracks he sent over are only the tip of the iceberg. For these recordings he played every note himself, but when he gets back to Halifax he's going to join forces with herohill favs Cousins to play a few shows, and in early 2010 he's going to release a tape in a ziplock bag on Stacy Lloyd Brown's new label, Drawn Daggers. Honestly, this post could have been as simple as "listen to Came out the other side, ok, find one of your new favorite Hali bands and pre-order the tape right now". Vanish/Banish is going to be a doozy folks.
MP3:: DUZHEKNEW - Came Out the Other Side, OK
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/duzheknew
LABEL:: http://drawndaggers.com/
Labels: Best-of '10, DUZHEKNEW, Halifax, Music, Quick Hitters
Friday, November 27, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Outdoor Miners release 7"
Pop Echo is a small run label out of Edmonton with a great ear when it comes to unsigned Canadian talent. Whether it's Junior Bloomsday, The Golden Hands Before God, or The Whitsundays, the Edmonton label just keep churning out talent. Sadly, most of the acts are under appreciated by music fans coast-to-coast.
The newest, under the radar outfit the label offers up is Outdoor Miners. This bunch of young scamps offer up three delightful, fuzzy rock tracks that seep into your brain. I know it's "only" a 7" - three songs, not even 10 minutes - but it's the type of release that makes an impact. The Edmonton trio may enjoy heavily reverbed vocals that are so popular, but eschews the dreary lo-fi surf inspired tunes that dominate today's music scene and opts for melody and energy . The lead single - Twelve Hundred Dollars - is a gritty anthem with a simple plea for all artists. No matter how broke you are, PAY YOUR F*CKING RENT. After that, it will probably be ok. The slacker anthem sounds are completely contrasted by the surprisingly responsible attitude the band takes.
The nice thing about this 7" is that the other two songs the band offers up are just as strong (maybe even stronger). Keep You Warm is another scorcher, heavy in feedback and sing-along vocals but really its the shimmering guitar tones of Turn You into Glue that shows the band's potential. The track hits you with a surprising warmth, taking advantage of some nice harmonies and a change of pace to really stand out. I'm not sure what's next for this band, but I'll tell you one thing - I'm excited to see what else they have up their sleeves.
MP3:: Outdoor Miners - Twelve Hundred Dollars
MP3:: Outdoor Miners - Turn You Into Glue
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/outdoorminers
BUY:: http://www.popecho.com/merch.html
Labels: 7", Best-of '09, Canada, Edmonton, Music, Outdoor Miners, Pop Echo, Quick Hitters
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Everything All The Time
So where is that bit of opening waffle leading us you might ask? Right into the waiting arms of Toronto six-piece Everything All The Time, which is comprised of folks who have played in bands like Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Josh Reichmann Oracle Band, Feist, Jason Collett, Sleepless Nights, Sarah Harmer and the Hidden Cameras. EATT is a seven-keyboard, dance-pop monster that leans closer to radio-friendly sounds than we usually dabble in here at the hill, but the band's collective pedigree imbues their sound with a little more quality and character than your average synth outfit. You can also add to that the fact that lead-singer Alanna Stuart has a voice so lovely that she could do an album of Nicklesack covers and I'd be on board with it.
Seriously, Stuart has a big, velvety voice which makes one wonder why she isn't better known in this country (she is in fact known by those more in the know than I for her solo work and for being 1/2 of electro outfit Bonjay). I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that EATT also has a Halifax connection in the presence of former Sleepless Night contributor Mary Cobham (I believe she's on the keys for EATT, but I've bigged her up for her drumming skills previously). Anyway, EATT just released a five song EP last month, and if you're looking for a little something to brighten your mood as the weather gets progressively darker, it would certainly do the trick.
MP3:: Everything All The Time - Lazy Days
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/everythingallthetimeband
Labels: Everything All The Time, Quick Hitters, Toronto
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Quick Hitters:: Keys N Krates
Keys N Krates is a trio from T.O. comprised of a DJ (Jr. Flo), a keyboardist (Matisse) and a drummer (Adam Tune), that have pooled their talents to create a sound that they call "live re-mixing". Basically what they do is use the keys, drums, and especially the turntable wizardry of Jr. Flo to re-create the sound of your favorite songs, many of them old school hip hop and R&B classics. Sounds simple enough, but the results are G.D. catchy, I can tell you that. And based on the non-stop touring they are doing (especially in the US), I'm not the only one whole thinks so.
But it's likely for the best if you sample their sounds for yourself - they've made their debit mixtape, Live Re-Mixing 101, available for download via Soundcloud, so by all means go check that out. It features their take on "Mos Def's Ms. Fat Booty, Tribe Called Quest favorites, The Fugee's, Fu-Gee-La, Talib's Get By, Dr. Dre's, Next Episode, Simian Mobile Disco's We Are Your Friends and more", and really, if it doesn't induce a little chair-dancing, or at the very least, some vigorous head-nodding, from you this afternoon, well then you likely need another coffee. Or you're in a coma.
MP3:: Keys N Krates - The Longest Night
MP3:: Keys N Krates - City of Awards (KNK X TRIBE LIVE RMX)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/keysnkrates
Keys N Krates - Fugees - FuGeeLa Live REMIX
TRIBE CALLED QUEST (KEYSNKRATES REMIX)
Labels: Keys N Krates, Quick Hitters, Remix, Toronto
Quick Hitters:: Mike Duguay
One of those essential cogs is Mike Duguay. You might know him from countless other projects as well (Evening Hymns, Weird Weather) but Michael is also a prolific song writer and right now you can grab his debut EP for free over at Zunior.
It's a quick hitting three-song treat - essentially an amuse bouche to pique your interest for his debut full-length - but don't let the price tag cheapen the affair. Lion's Share kicks off with the rollicking, electric guitar and keys heavy anthem, Not My Party. The 5-minute jam builds off a simple guitar riff and some nice keyboard work, but slowly gains confidence and swagger. The last-two minutes finds Duguay cranking up the guitar and keys, throwing in some great group vocals, horns and a bouncing bass line that gets you moving. It's a more complete effort than anyone has the right to expect from a solo, songwriter EP and shows the talent the young Peterborough stable possesses.
What really grabs me about this EP is that even though Duguay obviously crafts these songs on his own and the core of the tracks form the foundation, he never shies away from stepping layers into the mix. The title track starts like a tender, coffee shop affair but blossoms into a fleshed out track that has you straining to hear each and every subtle texture that's introduced as you nod along to the hook. On the final track, The Kettle Black, Duguay proves he's a convincing story teller. The two-minute folk nugget never moves faster than a leisurely walk, but Duguay's voice keeps you listening.
Basically, Lion's Share EP does exactly what it sets out to accomplish. Duguay gets his name out there, and proves he can be the center of attention, not just a key supporting player. I'm already looking forward to the full length, and I think after a couple of listens, I think you will be too.
PS - Head over to his myspace and take a listen to his electro Xmas duet with Evening Hymns. He sets the bar quite high for Ricardo and his Oldfolks Christmas project that we will be revealing soon.
MP3:: Mike Duguay - Not My Party
MP3:: Mike Duguay - The Kettle Black
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/mikeduguay
BUY:: Download at Zunior
Labels: Canada, Mike Duguay, Music, Ontario, Peterborough, Quick Hitters, The Burning Hell
Friday, November 20, 2009
M for Montreal:: Silly Kissers
One band is Silly Kissers. These youngens are all about the shimmering, sunshine-y electro pop that makes you want to dance - the swagger they offer up on Easy Fantasy is hard to shake and the 80's vibe of Thinking of You is strangely addictive - but the EP showcases the band's darker lyrical preference. I Never Said comes across as the counter point to a Casiotone For the Painfully Alone where vocalist Jane Penny refutes Owen's melancholic heartbreak and longing. They are a young band, and a few more laps of the track will help, but the potential is obvious.
They play tonight @ 9:05 PM and rumor has it that Cadence Weapon and his awesome high-top fade will be hitting the stage with them for a collabo.
MP3:: Silly Kissers - Halloween Summer
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/sillykissersmusic
Labels: M for Montreal, Montreal, Music, Quick Hitters, Silly Kissers
