It's hard not to get nostalgic as Thrush Hermit preps to descend on Halifax in a mere six days. Not just for the band, but for the time and most importantly, the feelings we all took from those angular guitar anthems that seemed so plentiful only 5 years ago. Thankfully, as more and more acts hold onto the "quiet is the new loud", there are still a few acts like Toronto's Soft Copy that plug in and give fans heavy tracks with a sweet, pop center.

This three piece eschews superfluous layers for straight forward bass, drums and guitar anthems. They crunch, chug and shimmer, but the powerful trio writes hooks and choruses that keep you singing along. Vicious Modernism is the type of record that could have shaped your musical personality back when people bought records hoping to find something to hold onto, not just download and discard with little thought.

Even outside of the record, which is worth grabbing as soon as you can find a copy, First Date is one of the catchiest songs I've heard all year. Starting with soft drums, the shimmering guitar notes dance nicely before the band explodes into a driving hook. Timing out after an all too brief 2:26, this songs shows that Soft Copy isn't going to let guitar rock die... and for that we should all be thankful.

MP3:: Soft Copy - First Date

MP3:: Soft Copy - Extracurricular
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/softcopy

Labels: Best-of '10, Music, Soft Copy, Sunday Morning, Toronto

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

Not sure if you've heard, but the almighty Hermit is making it's return. That's right, it's 2010, and Thrush Hermit is back. Ian, Joel, Rob & Cliff - together again FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Nine nights actually, but that sounded more awesome. And while we're on the topic of awesome, I have to think these shows are going to be exactly that. If you've been into Canadian indie rock at any point over the last 20 odd years, there's a good chance you agree.

So then, with the first of these shows set for roughly a month from today, some Thrush Hermit content here at the hill seems only appropriate. Because, as you know (or should know, with the amount of times we've mentioned it, we're shameless!), the Ack and I went to High School with Ian, Joel & Rob here in Halifax. How about some Herohill & The Hermit Fun Facts!

1. We know John Boomer. Yes, the John Boomer, inspiration for the band's 1993 self-released cassette EP. In fact the worst Super Bowl watching experience of my life occured at John Boomer's house, when his Mother threw a dish towel at his step-father in jest, and it landed on the face of said step-fathers' friend with a thwacking sound. Awkward times ensued after that incident. Boomer, as he was not-quite-affectionately known, has also been referenced on the hill before in relation to the "Boomer Two-Flow". And now you know.

2. Let's get even more obscure. We also went to High School with Tim Robbins, the namesake of occasional TH pseudonym, The Tim Robbins Experience. My Junior High basketball team once played against Tim's - the score at half was 31-1 in favour of my squad. This is no real reflection of what Tim Robbins is like as a person really, he and his friends just sucked at basketball.

Wasn't that fun? I thought so. If you live in any of the following four cities, I think it's time to start getting excited:

March 18, Moncton, NB @ The Manhattan
March 19, Halifax, NS @ Paragon Theatre
March 20, Halifax, NS @ Paragon Theatre
March 23, Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Social Club
March 24, Peterborough, ON @ Historic Red Dog
March 25, Ottawa, ON @ New Capital Music Hall
March 26, Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
March 27, Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
March 28, Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace (all ages)

And even if you can't make it to any of those shows, Joel's New Scotland Records is putting out an epic 7(!) disc box set of Thrush Hermit's complete recordings. That sounds pretty amazing, so keep your eyes peeled to New Scotland to find out how to get your hands on one. Now, for some songs. Quartermark, from the afore-mentioned John Boomer, and, because it's fantastic and I listened to this album a couple times this AM, From the Back of The Film, from Clayton Park. Enjoy.

MP3:: Thrush Hermit - Quartermark

MP3:: Thrush Hermit - From the Back of the Film

VIDEO:: Thrush Hermit- From the Back of the Film

Labels: Halifax, Joel Plaskett, Sleeping in a bush, Thrush Hermit, Thrush Hermit Reunion, Toronto

It's not surprising that Matthew Barber's upcoming release - True Believer - is flying under the radar of most of the sites I read and most of the music loving public in general. Barber is easy to classify - essentially he's a rock solid song writer that could charm you with just an acoustic or a piano - but the surprising range he presents when he writes songs makes it almost to lock into a sound or style. His understated arrangements consistently display his talent, but really don't translate into press quotes and hyperbole. He can't be put in a box with a generic, "he sounds like X + Y and a little Z" and sadly, that leaves this incredibly talented musician in a bit of a critical purgatory.

Descriptors like effortless, timeless, and classic are easy to throw around but really don't equate to anything you can hold onto. At the end of the day - to bastardize a Miles Davis quote - music either makes you smile and tap your foot or it doesn't. It would be easy if saying that Barber's songs make you move was enough, but the undeniable shift in how we gauge song writers makes that almost impossible. Barber's influences are people that wrote songs for the masses, unashamed that their strums made people happy, dominated the radio and could be enjoyed by anyone that listened, so why should we not extend the same courtesy to song writers in the current age?

I guess in an ironic twist, Barber puts out record after record of songs that fit all of those qualifiers but you rarely hear his name mentioned among our nation's best. To be honest though, I think Barber is ok with that and if pushed, he might say that he'd rather his songs be compared to his predecessors instead of his peers. So when he and producer Howie Beck sat down to record True Believer and Barber says that he was influenced by Neil Young, Tom Petty, Al Green, The Boss and The Band, I think those names are listed as a sign of respect and a potential measuring stick but not a blueprint for his sound. Barber doesn't want to sound like them, he simply wants his catalog to stand alongside theirs. Even when he adds some summery Paul Simon-esque guitar and percussion, the song is still built on Barber's musical foundation.

That small but significant difference is why the stripped down melodies he offers on True Believer are so infectious. Instead of forcing comparisons, you simply settle into the record knowing Barber's sound is his own. With only some perfect harmonies and a picked guitar line, Barber captivates the listener on The Little Things. Even when he beefs up the sound, layers are added for impact, not novelty. The booming horns and strings that get you nodding on the title track or the banjo and finger snaps that catch your ear on Comeback Baby never detract from the guitar and vocals, they just complete the sound. The gentle swell of horns on Revolution of the Sun don't overwhelm you, they force you to focus on his words and feel his emotion.

The ten songs on True Believer show the trademark flexibility of his voice - it's hard to imagine another contemporary artist that can deliver a perfect road trip anthem (Hawks on the Highway) and still sound completely comfortable on the most spare arrangements (Suddenly) or sharing the vocals with his talented sister (@JillBarber) - and should help cement his status as one of Canada's greats. I guess it all depends if people are ready to say sounding like Matt Barber instead of the slew of artists on which we gauge every song writer is finally good enough or not. Hopefully you are, because I certainly am.

MP3:: Matthew Barber - Revolution of the Sun
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/mbarber
BUY:: outside-music.com

Labels: Canada, Matthew Barber, Music, Ontario, Reviews, Toronto

This is going to be a super quick hitter as my time is being occupied by many non-hill activities this week, and my mind is having trouble thinking about anything other than my beloved Saints and their impending Super Bowl debut this Sunday night in Miami. So here is the crux of this post:

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

Today's coffee is a bit late, thanks in large part to beers and football, and a child that doesn't realize both equate to Dad wanting to sleep in. Thanks in large to Amanda Ash posting the new Tiesto track ft. Tegan & Sara, I realized it was time to talk about Toronto bedroom, electro malcontent, Digits.

Technically, Digits is the work of one man, Alt Altman, and that's extremely fitting. Instead of composing boombastic electronic symphonies that let you escape, hidden by thousands of other sweat soaked peers, Altman's music is written when you are by yourself, looking just to get lost in the sounds as they dart from ear to ear in your headphones.

His new LP - Hold it Close - is perfect for anyone that thought Erlend Oye's work with Whitest Boy Alive was just a bit too cherry and accessible. It's heartbreaking in it's chill, almost as if no matter how many times love presents itself, Altman is predisposed to let it pass him by. The songs are rich in the bleak depression that dominated 80's music, but not dominated by theatre or implied tragedy. You can grab some tracks at his bandcamp site, but I'd highly suggest grabbing the whole record for a mere 10 bucks.

MP3:: Digits - Sarah

MP3:: Digits - You're Going to Age
WEB:: http://digitsmusic.com/

Labels: Canada, Digits, Music, Sunday Morning, Toronto

That right there is my early front-runner for our 2010 artwork of the year award (which I will likely invent, just for this reason). We've been pretty unabashed in our appreciation for the moves D-Sisive has made in the last couple years (search D-Sisive on the hill to see what I mean), so any new material from him is greeted with open ears. We're even more eager to hear what D has to offer when it's something as interesting as his new single Anvil. Inspired by the unlikely combination of Anvil! The Story Of Anvil, a documentary about the forgotten Canadian metal legends of the same name (that I will now be watching in the near future), and the creepy goth-folk of duo Dead Man's Bones (one half of which happens to be Canadian actor Ryan Gosling), the song "is an updated 'Brian Wilson'" letting everyone know where D finds himself in 2010.

And where is D exactly? Well I think he's happy with the success and plaudits that have come his way in his home country since 2008, but he knows he's not going to retire on rap profits - and how long will he chase the dream? He promises not to turn out like the fellas in Anvil, still chasing the fame 25 years later. It's a great introspective track over a twinkling, piano-laced beat. More good stuff from D-Sisive, which isn't surprising at this point. C'maaan America. get on board!

MP3:: D-Sisive - Anvil
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/dsisive

Labels: Anvil, Canadian Hip Hip, D-Sisive, Hip Hop, Toronto

One of my favorite things to look for when the Year-End floodgates open are bands/albums that affected other artists over the course of the previous year. When it comes to '09, the one new name that kept coming up was Toronto's Lisa Bozikovic. Her record - Lost August - was recommended to us by a few musicians we trust and love, and despite the staggering depth of the record that hits you right out of the gate (and even in today's 'me first' blog culture), I wanted to wait until the new year to talk about this unique song writer, so Ms. Bozikovic wouldn't get lost in the shuffle.

I had no idea what to expect when I hit play on Lost August. It's rare that a record gets sent my way that I have never heard of, so I wanted to relish the excitement and let her songs soak in without any context or preconceptions. The talented multi-instrumentalist writes songs on piano, organ, accordion and guitar, and remarkably uses each sound and texture to weave a beautiful, perfectly flowing tapestry.

With support from some terrific artists - members of Ohbijou and Steamboat make appearances on Lost August - Bozikovic's songs are diverse and detailed, but still crackle with a spontaneity often lost in the melancholic world she prefers to write about. She can strip back any superfluous sound to expose a single, pure emotion (remarkably over spare piano keys, strums or accordion), but Lisa is just as comfortable spiking the tempo and energy with quick moving melodies (Phone Card) or lush, well constructed arrangements (the organ heavy Take and Take).

But without question, what Lisa does best is executing a subtle shift and just the right time. She pulls you close as she whispers her words on No Denial, and just before you hang your head and wish for something better for her (and you), James Bunton's drums kick in, strings are added, and some surging harmonies. The confessional builds into something epic, but remarkably stays grounded to its roots.

Lost August accomplishes something remarkable; it plays start to finish (and with help from co-producer Sandro Perri) and you wouldn't change a note. Lisa's voice is different, slightly off-kilter but full of soul and heart. You can't decide if she's a folk artist with a soaring imagination or a dreamer that makes sure to keep one foot on the ground just in case. Whatever side of the fence you think her songs rest, we can all agree that this young Toronto singer is a talent we should all keep an ear on.

MP3:: Lisa Bozikovic - Phone Cord

MP3:: Lisa Bozikovic - No Denial

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/lisabozikovic
BUY:: BUY FROM ZUNIOR

Labels: lisa bozikovic, Music, Ontario, Reviews, Toronto

Tough as it is these days to sell your musical wares, we've all seen artists coming up with creative ways to do just that. That said, I'm not sure I've heard of anything as creative, or as committed to the album's concept, as the new EP from Toronto's Peter Project, who is selling his new EP in the form of an iPod-shaped bar of soap that has a download card for the songs inside. Rather clever, or perhaps Peter just has some really stinky fans and is trying to remedy that. Who's to say.

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

I know a few things about Toronto duo Woodhands, the most important of which for you, the reader/consumer of excellent Canadian music, is that they have a new album coming out on Paper Bag Records on January 26th called Remorsecapade.

Now for some of those other things: I know they play brand of electro-influenced rock & roll that critics & fans alike have found pretty irresistible after one album, leading to high praise from folks like Rolling Stone, NME and Q Magazine. I know Paul Banwatt is a heck of a drummer and an even nicer guy (he couldn't have been nicer when we chatted with him during HPX 08. I assume Dan Werb is also a nice guy, but I don't know it to be a fact). I know I enjoyed this video about Woodhands first show, which was in an abandoned brick factory in Toronto with Holy Fuck and others. I also know they covered Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue, which is enough to win me over in and of itself.

One last thing I know: I'm looking forward to their new album. But for now you can help Paul & Dan greet our new robot overlords with their new video for CP24, and check out Pockets, another song from Remorsecapade.

VIDEO:: Woodhands - CP24

MP3:: Woodhands - Pockets
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/woodhands

Labels: Future Watch, paper bag, Toronto, Woodhands

If you were to ask me to name an album that came out of nowhere to become a favorite of mine, The New Tonic by The Extremities would certainly be one of the first records to come to mind. I knew of Fresh Kils and Uncle Fester individually, but knew nothing of their collaboration, and even less about their re-working of the CBC Jazz album Tonic. But, as I indicated in my review, the album was great and I was a big fan.

So, as you might imagine, news of a new Extremities album is greeted with enthusiasm. There's a new EP slated for early next year on 5&1/4 Records, but the first single, Lost Souls, is available now, and it's a good'un. Kils' drum machine expertise sounds bigger than ever, while Fester adds subtle cuts and samples for texture. The sounds are blended so expertly that it's kind of hard to tell, but I think some live musicianship is brought back again in the form of keys and horns (likely from Tim Crofts and Anthony Rinaldi who are also credited on the single). The result is a hip hop/jazz fusion that is way more headnod-inducing than one would imagine.

If you're not familiar with The Extremities, this is a great intro to their sound (although I'd encourage you to go back and check out The New Tonic), and keep your ears peeled for new music from the duo in 2010.

MP3:: The Extremities - Lost Souls
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/theextremitiesmusic

Labels: Halifax, Hip Hop, jazz, The Extremities, Toronto

Supergroup. Perhaps you've noticed, but that word is getting thrown around on a pretty regular basis these days on the musical interwebs. Perhaps a little too much. But one can understand why, as pretty much everyone who is attempting to play music for a living these days, indie and otherwise, plays in multiple bands. You can't blame them - playing shows is the lifeblood of a musician these days, and so, the more bands you're a part of, the more shows you can play. Smart business really, to say nothing of other factors like wanting to explore other sounds, have control of your own project, etc. and so on.

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

I don't know about you, but my sinus-clogged Wednesday needs a swift, musical-kick in the slacks. Luckily for me (and perhaps you), I found exactly that, whilst going through the mass of hill emails last night, in the form of 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

Between the two of us here at your favorite kung fu dude-mascotted music blog, I'd have to say I'm really not the guy you go to for hot new indie music trends. The Ack is certainly the guy to go to for that kind of thing, as he manages to do a rather decent job keeping his incredibly white fingers on the pulse of those things. I'm more the guy to go to when you're wondering which Chubb Rock album was the best (most people will tell you it's The One, but I'll always be partial to And The Winner Is.... That being said, I think I was in the vanguard of those discovering the very hot lo-fi movement when I discovered the wallscenery demos last year.

That last sentence is of course hogwash, as I discovered nothing. The man behind the wallscenery demos, James Hicken, is simply a super-nice dude, and a talented musician, who asked us to take a listen to his album. I did just that, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. I say surprised because I knew the album was a pastiche of songs that Hicken created and recorded himself from samples, live instruments, electronics, and of course in the infamous lo-fi fuzzed-out vocals, but I was surprised at how cohesive and listenable it was. Well, Hicken and WSD are back with a new release, check this!, and he picks up right where he left off.

check this! certainly has the DIY aesthetic of its predecessor, but I think it feels a bit more melodic this time around - if melodic is even a word one can use to describe a sample & shoegaze-filled lo-fi record. I'll have to go back to the last album and, ahem, check this, for myself, but I think this new album relies a little less on samples & trickery, and leans more on guitar work and the assistance of his musical friends (Hicken has re-located to Brooklyn, at least part-time anyway, but a lot of the TO folks that helped with his first album return for this one) to help lead the way. In some cases, the vocals have also been given more of a chance to shine, like they've fallen down (broken snare mix), which sounds more like a traditional pop song than anything from his last outing.

But Hicken hasn't strayed too far from the formula that I thought served him so well last time out. Most of the time he keeps the vocals fuzzed-out and blended into the track, or down to a hushed warble, like on i'm not around, on which he sounds an awful lot like Halifax's own Thomas/Richard. I know from talking to him that James still has a fond regard for hip hop, and if you couldn't tell that from the hip hop-influenced song titles like i kept it real and bring that shit back, the pairing of big drums & riffs with scratches on raw shit would let you know the deal. There are also still vocal samples aplenty, with the kung fu flick stand off on stephen harper being exactly what the PM ain't: fun.

Despite that diverse array of sounds, Hicken also proves he can write a catchy tune with the best of them on a song like hooked on lame, that would feel at home with a number of genres attached to it. And that's kind of the thing, no matter how you create your music, if it isn't fun or enjoyable to listen to, you've kind of failed. Hicken certainly hasn't failed with his second WSD outing, as its 23 tracks blow by way too fast. If you're at all into the lo-fi sounds being peddled by folks like Little Girls, I think you need to check this! for yourself.

MP3:: wallscenery demos - hooked on lame

MP3:: wallscenery demos - raw shit
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/wallscenery

wallscenery demos - raw shit

Labels: Brooklyn, lo-fi, Reviews, Toronto

WHAT!?! The random question machine is back? Oh yes friend, HPX is over, but the random question machine is here to stay. It`s just too fun a feature to put away, and I could say the same thing about this episode with frenetic Torontonians Oh No Forest Fires.



As you might be aware, we did an assload of these 5FS posts in an attempt to preview as many of the bands & shows for last month's HPX, but unfortunately we got this one from ONFF just a little too late, and so we couldn't get it posted in time. But after meeting super-nice Rajiv during the festival, and reading the care and enthusiasm he put into his answers (I'm fairly certain he wrote more than any of the previous 5FS participants), there was no chance I wasn't going to post this. Plus, in preping this post, I found out that ONFF have their acoustic TARA session available for d\l on their myspace (here, specifically), so that's a bonus.

Oh, and ONFF are also pretty great. I can't think of a more exuberant band that I've seen recently, even their acoustic set feels incredibly high-energy. So check out a the Q&A, and then go listen to some Oh No Forest Fires.

Name: Rajiv Thavanathan
Band: Oh No Forest Fires
Web: www.myspace.com/ohnoforestfires

1. If we commissioned you to write a song about herohill, what would the title be?

Our Herohill tribute song would be called "How the Fine Arts of Procrastination and Bafflegab Hobble the People Who Will be Trying to Save You When Things Get Really Bad"

2. What is your favorite venue to play (excluding those in your city of residence)

Hmmm, we have had some great out-of-town experiences. I'd say probably Oscar's in Barrie, ON. One time we were in Sudbury and we got locked in in the parking lot after an all-ages show at the Adanac Ski Hill. That was pretty hilarious. Oh, wait you said "favourite". Hmm, maybe Cafe Dekcuf in Ottawa? Our good friend Matt from iheartmusic has had us up there a bunch of times, and those shows are always super fun!

3. What's your favorite thing to do to pass time on the road?

We have a few.

a) "The Movie Game" - the way we play it, you name an actor, then one by one everyone names a movie that he/she has been in. Some particularly awesome actors to use are Tom Hanks, Jim Carrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Cruise. Longer careers = awesome. Brock is probably the best at this game, but Matt's can give him a really good run for his money. I am terrible at it.

b) "Sweatbox" - This is only really fun to play in the summer. You roll up all the windows, and turn the heat on bust. It gets REALLY hot, in fact once we actually kind of broke the heater in my car. Anyways. First person to roll down the window or take off a piece of clothing loses. The best part is, we're all so stubborn that people will try to rig up fancy loopholes instead of just losing- for example, last time Brock rigged up his hoodie so the arms hung down to the floor and he was breathing through that so he could get some "cool air". Pretty awesome.

c) "Hey Brock, would you ever..." - Pretty self-explanatory. Where the ellipsis is, you insert a really really lewd thing. Actually, sometimes it's not even that lewd, it's more about just seeing his reaction to it.

d) "Cartoon TV Theme Songs" - Matt has a folder in his ipod of just cartoon theme songs (sometimes we just do TV theme songs altogether, but the cartoon ones are the BEST) and he'll randomly put them on and whoever guesses the song first wins. This is an awesome game. I particularly love the string intro to Pinky and the Brain, and the bass octaves at the start of Ducktales.

4. Your preferred Neil: Diamond or Young?

Neil Young. Like, hands down. I do love Neil Diamond though. BUT IT'S NEIL YOUNG. I've waited for youuuu winterlong, you seem to be where I belooong, it's all illuuusion anywayyyy. <- That's my favourite Neil Young song.

5. You can ask any musician dead or alive one question, who do you ask?

Hmmmm there's a bunch of musicians that I always wished I could hang out with for a day because they seem so cool/crazy. Among them are Dave Grohl, Chad Van Gaalen, and Paul Westerberg. I think I would just like to meet John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats... I would walk up to him, stammer for a bit, then hug him warmly, hold him tight and ask "are you doing okay?". That's what I would ask.

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - It's Not Fun And Games Unless Someone Loses An Eye

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - 01 - Who Will Cut Our Hair When Our Hairdresser Is Gone (acoustic)

MP3:: Oh No Forest Fires - New Cove Road Back Home (acoustic)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ohnoforestfires

Labels: Five Funky Stories, Oh No Forest Fires, Toronto

The Wooden Sky have come out of nowhere to release one of the best roots records of the year. If I Don’t Come Home You’ll Know I’m Gone (review) is a slow burner laced with emotion and bar ready sing-alongs. It's also a lock for my Best-of '09 list.

So what does that have to do with you? Well lucky reader, we have two tix to their hometown return show at Lee's Palace in TO on Nov. 13th, and honestly, it would be worth it to see just The Wooden Sky, but with Hooded Fang and Brian Borcherdt on the bill it makes it a can't miss show.

Here are the details:
Who: The Wooden Sky w/ Brian Borcherdt & Hooded Fang
When: November 13th, 8 pm
Where: Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W.

All we need from you is an email with your contact info or just leave a comment with the important info.

The Wooden Sky - A Documentary in Pieces - PART ONE (HD) from Black Box Vimeo on Vimeo.

MP3:: The Wooden Sky - Oh My God (It Still Means A Lot To Me)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thewoodensky

Labels: contests, Music, The Wooden Sky, Toronto

This here music blogging thing can be quite the education, because even though most bloggers would be loathe to admit it, you learn at least a little something about music every day. Take sleaze for example. No, I don't mean what you'd find on the dancefloor at the New Palace at 1:45AM (HI-O!), but rather Sleaze Rock, which I have learned is the new slang for what was more widely known as "glam metal". Who knew? Well I'm sure many of you did, either way, one of Toronto's premier purveyors of Sleaze Rock is playing this year's HPX: Diemonds.



So folks, if you're hitting HPX and looking to party with a band that has ear-splitting guitars in abundance, and a badass female vocalist to boot, then you best be at the Toothy Moose next Saturday night to see Diemonds headline a bill that also features Bike Rodeo, Thrushes, The Pack A.D. and Carpenter. So yeah, that's going to be a loud evening. Priya Panda is that aforementioned badass female lead vocalist, and besides being able to belt out the jams, she has other skills that the youtube commentors for their Highway video articulated nicely ("good band? - good luck guys - sweet lookin' lady on vocals will help big time!"). Anyway, all male jerkish-ness aside, Priya was kind enough to answer our questions, so let's get to it:

Name: Priya Panda
Band: Diemonds
Web: www.myspace.com/diemonds

1. Name a Canadian band (past or present) that should be bigger outside this country.

April Wine!!!!! Hands down. They have a KILLER discography and they really wrote a song for everyone. And for a more current band, I'm gonna say Kill Cheerleader from Toronto. I REALLY hope they decide to play live again someday!

2. From your perspective, is the music business in better or worse shape when compared to 10 years ago?

Ii didn't affect me ten years ago, so it might just seem worse now...I don't really think about. I just wanna play!

3. What are your top 3 favorite songwriting topics?

The Apocalypse, Fresh Starts, and Unhappy Endings

4. Dream show...who plays with you/for you?

A badass free festival that went on for days with Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Wings, KISS, Guns N' Roses, Plasmatics, and Crucial Taunt all with their classic lineups oh, and Diemonds and a million people everywhere. And no bag checks! They ruin all the best parties, if you know what I mean.

5. What excites you about most about making music?

Just that whole feeling of being mentally and physically in the gray area between dream and reality, I guess.

MP3:: Diemonds - Highway
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/diemonds

VIDEO:: Diemonds - Highway

Labels: Diemonds, Five Funky Stories, Halifax Pop Explosion, HPX 09, Toronto

It seems our random question machine might have met its match in eclectic Toronto-area up & comers Fox Jaws. These fine folks had not one, not two, but three of their band members match wits with our question machine, which is indeed a new record.



Fox Jaws is a five person indie rock outfit, originally from Barrie, Ontario (I think they've now relocated?), that pairs large soundscapes with catchy songwriting and the gritty voices of Carleigh Aikin and Daniel Allen. Their debut full-length, Goodbye Doris was very enjoyable, and although I've yet to hear it all, their recently released follow-up At Odds (Or, Exercises in Separation While United in the Fall) has been equally well-received. If you're hitting HPX, you can sample Fox Jaws sound for yourself when they headline the attractive-looking lineup playing the Nevado records showcase at Coconut Grove where they'll be joined by Hot Panda, Yukon Blonde, and The Paint Movement. But now, on to a plethora of questions and answers!

Name: Evan
Band: Fox Jaws
Web: www.foxjaws.com

1. Name your all-time favorite Canadian album.

Left and Leaving (Weakerthans)

2. Would you trade places with Bono right now if you could?

No

3. What is your favorite venue to play (excluding those in your city of residence)

The Seahorse (Halifax)

4. What are your top 3 favorite songwriting topics?

Chimpanzees in suits on roller-skates smoking cigars; Alienation in the modern world; and, Back-bacon.

5. Name a band that you wish was still putting out records

The Rheostatics

Name: Daniel Brandon Allen
Band: Fox Jaws
Web: www.foxjaws.com

1. Why do people still say 'We're doing an East Coast tour!' when they're only going as far as Quebec?

Probably because they failed Geography and have never looked at a map of Canada before.

2. What's the longest time period you've gone without showering on the road?

6 days

3. If you worked as the maitre d' at a fancy restaurant, and Phil Collins came in wearing only a t-shirt, would you let him sit down?

Depends as to whether he was meeting Peter Gabriel there to discuss a Genesis reunion. I still haven't forgiven him for the Disney stint.

4. Your preference: Playing a huge outdoor festival or small club in your hometown?

Small club in my hometown hands down.

5. Would you trade places with Bono right now if you could?

I'de let my wallet trade places with his but not myself.

Name: Carleigh Aikins
Band: Fox Jaws
Web: www.foxjaws.com

1. If we commissioned you to write a song about herohill, what would the title be?

'We don't need another hero'...oh no! That one is taken!

2. What is the worst experience you've had on the road since you started touring?

When I lit the back of the truck on fire with a discarded cigarette, and all the gear went up in flames. Or when I had to endure the gastro flatulence of my bandmates through the entire east coast- windows closed.

3. Have you ever played a keytar?

In my dreams...only in dreams.

4. If you had to cover one Country song, what would it be?

Love Hurts- Graham Parsons styles.

5. What are your top 3 favorite songwriting topics?

The state of Affairs, the coming of a paradigm shift, and of course LOVE

MP3:: Fox Jaws - Karmonica

MP3:: Fox Jaws - Quarantine Girl
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/foxjaws

Labels: Five Funky Stories, Halifax Pop Explosion, HPX, Toronto

You know who gets the shaft as far as musical comparisons are concerned? Fall, that's who. I mean consider summer - and this one that's just past is a particularly good example - but there's no end of blog posts and other articles touting this song or that band as the best summer listening you can find. Spring and Winter, whilst not in summer's league, do all right themselves in this respect, but mentions of sounds perfect for fall are few & far between. Well let me remedy that with the help of Toronto's Bravestation and their dark, melodic rock.

I'm not exactly sure why I was compelled to check out Bravestation's songs after we were contacted by them, but I think there was something about the "fresh, catchy, dark" descriptor in the subject line of their email that seemed right for this time of year. And, thankfully I was right, because as it turns out, the tight grooves on Bravestation's self-titled, seven song debut EP are the perfect companion for the increasingly crisp fall winds that are starting to pick up here in Halifax. I say that now, but I on first listen I wasn't so sure that the band's sound, which hearkens back to what feels a lot of the time like 80's brit post-punk, was for me - but gotdamn these songs are catchy. A couple times through the EP, and I was hooked.

Tight guitars and propulsive drumming set the pace on EP opener Southern Company, which also switches tempos with aplomb and is likely the most post-punkish of this collection. Roaming Through The Capital, on the other hand, while still being plenty peppy, relies on more broad guitar work and Derek Wilson's solid vocal work to suck you in. The bouncy bassline, subtle handclaps and addictive swagger of the hook on Everglades make it another winner, while the fuzzed-out guitar goodness should appeal to the indie rocker in you no matter what your specific taste.

In all probability, I'm not doing these young fellas much justice in describing their sound, but they've got what many of us oldsters are claiming to desire - a great sounding rock record that only improves with each listen. So go ahead and listen for yourself.

MP3:: Bravestation - Roaming Through the Capital
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/bravestation

Labels: Bravestation, Quick Hitters, Toronto

I’m not sure what it is about Toronto’s Little Girls; the rub-you-raw abrasive guitar that dominates the mix, the hazy muddled vocals or even the catchy little samples they splice into the mix but the bottom line is that this TO two-piece solo affair is one I can’t get enough off. Even though I hesitate to call them lo-fi – the record is recorded well, just recorded to sound rough and distorted – Josh crafts the songs to avoid the summery washes we are all getting sick off, and crunches through track after track of noise filled bliss.

Not much has changed from what I said about the Tambourine EP released a few months ago – in fact most of the songs are included on Concepts – but the record still sounds fresh. What really grabs me about Concepts is how a crystal clear bass line propels so many of the tracks. Even as the vocals are warbled and the layers of guitars are fuzzed beyond recognition, you can attach yourself to the bouncing bass and nod along happily.

That little bit of structure helps you roam with the chopped up riffs and instead of succumbing to a gentle, persistent wash, tracks like the infectious Venom energize you, leaving your heart pounding. There are so many pleasant moments – the 80’s nod that shimmers on the album’s closing track Growing or the comforting drone of Youth Tunes that opens the record jump out of the speakers – but really you can mine any of the tracks for hidden nuggets and that’s why Concepts works as a full length.

McIntrye wrote songs that flow together and honestly, you might not be able to tell where you are in the record until you are countless listens in, but when you really sit down with Concepts and turn up the headphones as loud as you can, you start to appreciate his subtleties. For lack of any better words, the pulse of Seeing is inspiring and strangely freeing, like one of those scenes in a flick where a character just gives into the music and dancing in a dark club, covered by strobe lights and sweat completely unashamed or unconcerned with anything else.

Little Girls will be jump starting a killer night of music here in Halifax for HPX on October 24th, sharing the stage with Zeus (shit yeah), YSPWSD and Japandroids. That my friends might be what you call a can’t night miss of music.

MP3:: Little Girls - Concepts
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/MYSPACE

Bonus track

MP3:: Little Girls - Heinz (Artery cover)

Labels: Best-of '09, Canada, Little Girls, Music, Quick Hitters, Toronto

It’s not often you find a truly unashamed pop artist. One that still believes in the golden age of piano pop and writes songs filled with melancholic observations and self-loathing sung eyes closed, heart on sleeve without resorting to cliched turns of phrases, clever word play or the dreaded jaded disdain for the world around him. Somehow, after thirteen years of ups & downs, that's exactly the feel I get from Toronto ex-pat, Dan Bryk.

His story is long and full of stumbles, but it hasn’t impacted Dan’s writing. His new record Pop Psychology has been in the making for a while now and is a treasure that few will unearth, but one that will be held tight by all that take the time to listen. I know that sounds like hyperbole, and maybe it is, but there is something precious about how Bryk sees the world that has raised him up only to drag him down. His thoughts are crisp and clear, attacking himself and the industry that he relies on, but never resort to the piss and vinegar of the besieges so many artists especially now that the music industry gets less and less stable.

Nowhere is this more clear than the honest admissions that flow through the beautiful My Alleged Career. Artists rarely admit they dream of fame and often look down on those that get the chance to live the dream, but Dan isn’t jealous. Sure he wishes it worked out different, but instead of thinking he’s better than those jumping past him or fixating on the issue, he simply wishes he got his turn too. It’s a bizarrely honest and refreshing point of view from a struggling artist, but one that makes you feel like you can trust the words Dan delivers when he sits behind the piano to play.

And playing piano is something Bryk does quite well. His lush pop songs are layered nicely and steel and horns that accentuate his charming vocals making the whole morose effort palatable. No one wants to hear someone bitch and moan for 45 minutes, but the pleasant notes and deprecating humor makes surprisingly enjoyable. His blues and grey take on all the colors of the spectrum as he dissects record exs, street teams but mixes it all with – and sorry to use this term – humorous, fat guy self loathing.

There are few poppers out there that can use a piano and some instruments to lure you in to personal stories - Ben Folds used to be one before he rocked too many suburbs - of failure, but Bryk succeed where countless fail. From a selfish point of view, I'm sort of happy his struggles continue, that his wife bitches he can't pay the rent and he continues to doubt his worth, because if everyone realized his talent, we'd be left with a big void.

MP3:: Dan Bryk - My Alleged Career
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/danbryk
BUY:: http://www.umrecs.com/

Labels: Best-of '09, Dan Bryk, Music, Reviews, Toronto

Warped 45's, Stand By Me

What really constitutes a break out band these days? It certainly doesn’t revolve around record sales or record deals, and it’s not as clear cut as getting posted on a few blogs. With so many people simply cutting and pasting press releases or falling in line with the few big dogs that drive popularity, even the shittiest (most persistent) band can get love from a hundred blogs.

To be honest, despite the insane amount of people talking about music these days, popularity has little to do with who is talking about you and more to do with who shows up when you play. Becoming a successful band requires a more traditional, grass roots approach, especially when even your "biggest" fan has download your record the day after you get to hear the mastered version. Almost anyone can craft a hook and get their 15-minutes, but building a fan base and – not to get all Stillwater (especially after that doofus Bill Simmons beat it into the ground last week) on you – turning people on each time you hit the stage is a skill that precious few bands seem to possess and even less seem to care about.

That's why, of all the music that is cluttering up my desk right now, I am not sure how many will still be around in another year (let alone five), but if I had to pick one band that is going to make it (and by it, I mean have a career, a catalog and a fan base that stays with them as their sound shifts and matures), it would be Toronto’s The Warped 45’s. The band already has the hustle to start building fans organically – tons of shows and the passion to keep going when days stuck in the van watching the odometer turn start to take their toll – and more importantly, good f*cking songs that aren’t written hoping to latch on to the hottest sound.

These guys don't come off like like art schoolers toying with irony and sarcasm. No, you get the distinct impression they'd be playing music together on a Friday night, even if no one was listening. That’s probably why soon, tons of people will be all ears. It’s impossible to throw on their debut full length - 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan - without letting your thoughts drift to the music that has controlled the radio waves for decades. The Toronto quintet offer up their take – and make no mistake, the young band is writing original tracks that may offer a subtle tip of the cap to the great, but refuse to sample liberally from their buffet – on laid back country roots and is writing songs that could have been played years ago, but will still be poignant years down the road. There are moments of beauty, like the strings and piano on the opening title track or Andrew Penner's nice steel to the closer, Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper, but the textures and emotions all sound familiar.

No matter how the world shifts and music changes, there is always going to be a home for blue collar rock n roll, and pure country sounds. The Warped 45’s undoubtedly grew up listening to The Band, Neil, Petty and Merle, and understand the importance of connecting with the masses. They deliver working class inspiration (Progress), and craft melodies fitting for the best moments of simple days. The melancholic slow breeze of Two Month Old Apologies or the AM radio ready (and aptly titled) Radio Sky are tailor made for summer drives or back porch sing-alongs. They can tug on your heart strings with odes to the brokenhearted, like they do on the beautiful mandolin and string laced ballad Why Oh Why.

At the end of the day however, I think that it’s the road that is the key to the band’s future. Fine tuning their songs, energy and attitude night after night will help this band that is destined to be hand picked to open for some of the biggest names in the Canadian scene. Playing alongside people that have already made the jump will not only mature the band, it will inspire them. Admittedly, I’ve never seen them live, but I get the distinct impression that even with how successful their recorded output is already, their live show more than stacks up. Leader of The Lost Expedition and We Know One Thing (those hand claps will fill the venue) sound solid in the studio, but both have the potential to take on new life once the adrenaline and whiskey is flowing. The same can be said about the guitar noodles, harmonies and twinkled ivories of Really Don’t Mind.

The Warped 45's seem to have the elusive combination of sounds (think Wilco or Blue Rodeo) that hit home with people aged 14 to 50, sound great at festivals under the clear night sky or the beating sun, but still have the grit and energy to blow the roof of a tiny club. They've already grabbed the title of fan favorite from NXNE and I think comparable accolades will follow soon.

MP3:: The Warped 45's - Radio Sky

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thewarped45s
WEB:: http://thewarped45s.com/

Labels: Best-of '09, Canada, Music, The Warped 45's, Toronto

Not too long ago, mentioning "hip hop" and "live instruments" in the same sentence was kind of like using "baseball" and "steroids" together in the late 90's - it was a bit of a taboo. But these days hip hop has changed a bit, and just like steroids in baseball, (yes, I know you saw this coming) everyone is doing it. This move towards mainstream hip hop embracing live sounds, and even gravitating somewhat towards the indie rock scene, has been going on for a while, but things have already changed a great deal since Grand Analog came on the scene in 2006.

So it seems appropriate that GA, the hip hop band/collective helmed by Odario Williams, has evolved their sounds since their last release. I was a big fan of their '07 release, Calligraffitti, but right from the first paragraph of that review, I was classifying it as experimental. And with good reason, I mean the name suggests as much, and upon reflection, the songs, despite many being really rather catchy, maintained a rather eclectic, yet serious, tone (something like Touch Your Toes being an exception). This time out, it seems that Odario & Co. are content to just make music they enjoy, and not feel like they have to justify the inclusion of guitars and such in their sound.

At least that's my take on their new album, Metropolis Is Burning, and that shift seems apparent from the get-go, with chunky guitar riffs and sweet horn sounds taking the lead on "be yourself" anthem I Play My Kazoo. Not sure if it says more about me, or hip hop in general, that the kazoo solo outro doesn't seem as novel as it once would have. Whereas the reggae sounds on Calligraffitti seemed to have been mixed down into a number of other influences, they are out in front on the feel good city-escape endorsing Take It Slow (Spaces & Places), and the radio-ready song (well, if your radio station starts & ends with "C" and has a "B" in the middle) is better for it I would say.

The radio-friendly vibes continue on the bouncy I'm On Fire, which features guest vocals from Maiko Watson (ex-...ahem...Sugar Jones) and a scene-stealing guest verse from Winnipeg MC Len Bowen. I'm a big fan of this jam, really catchy stuff, good use of the female vocals on the hook. I'm afraid the same cannot be said of Stir Crazy, which also features vocals from Maiko, but feels like something is missing - not even the Nice & Smooth homage in Odario's opening verse can get it over the hump for me. However, the K-Solo homage found on the raucous Her Daddy (Don't Like Me) is certainly welcome, and had me hooked before the harmonica outro reeled me in for good.

Electric City features the always-solid Shad, and that alone pretty much guarantees my approval, but it also happens to be a pretty great song. The latter half of the album feels a little subdued, as it's dominated by more bottom-heavy, hip hop oriented tracks like Not Enough Mondays/Crunch and Videogames (which incidentally, isn't the best title if one were worried about being perceived as a nerdy/intellectual, not that Odario cares about that, purely an observation on my part). Everyday Always and Brothers Gotta Eat bring the reggae vibes back again, and the shifty Light So Bright unfortunately doesn't sample Corey Hart, but it does feature a cameo from Edmonton's new Poet Laureate.

So the verdict on Metropolis Is Burning? It's certainly a solid album, with a number of songs that stand out as singles (well, they would if Canada's hip hop industry wasn't so barren), and it strikes me as an album that would appeal to a wide-range of musical tastes. For me, I think the first GA album hit with a bit more impact, but really, what act can't you say that about? If you're new to Grand Analog, get this album and play it loud the rest of the summer. Or better still, check the dates below and catch Odario & Co on tour with Toronto electro outfit Lioness in Various Canadian cities over the next month.

MP3:: Grand Analog - Electric City f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/grandanalog

Jul 23: The Montreal House - Peterborough, ON
Jul 24: The Ford Plant - Brantford, ON
Jul 25: Toronto Day Show @ Dundas Square - Toronto, ON
Jul 25: Club Absinthe - Hamilton, ON
Aug  2: Cutting Edge Music Festival - Kitchener, ON
Aug  6: Media Club - Vancouver, BC
Aug  7: Habitat - Kelowna, BC
Aug  9: Shambhala Music Fest - Salmo, BC
Aug 11: Henotic Resto Lounge - Lethbridge, AB
Aug 12: The Hi Fi - Calgary, AB
Aug 13: Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB
Aug 14: Amigo’s - Saskatoon, SK
Aug 15: The Pyramid - Winnipeg, MB

VIDEO:: Grand Analog - Her Daddy (Don't Like Me)

Labels: Canada, Canadian Hip Hip, Grand Analog, Hip Hop, Toronto, Winnipeg