For artists like Marc Morrisette, travel tales are often delivered in a hushed fashion, heavy on introspective analysis as they try to figure out what their place in the world really is. The free time and solitude that makes up a denizen's day often dictates the end result of their art.

Winnipeg native Greg MacPherson goes the other route. The opening single to his new record - Mr. Invitation - explodes into a muscular riff that heightens the intensity of his voyages. He reminds us about those first few exciting days of a trip when everything seems new, not the days that blend together as you wait for trains or fill long days by sitting in hostels or cafes.

The quick moving guitar really sets the tone for MacPherson's first record in over 4 years, one that focuses on bringing studio songs to the same excitement as his live sets. The charging pace of Backflow and Outside Edge are perfect examples. Instead of crafting stories that are best consumed alone, through headphones, MacPherson is determined to fine tune his sound to transform every moment to the heights of a live rock show. Even the personal, slow burners like and Visitor sear with an intensity that you associate with time tested narrators like Steve Earle and show MacPherson unafraid of displaying the confidence to write songs that speak to and for us all, not just for himself.

Mr. Invitation drops on March 30th, and I highly recommend you give the record the time it deserves.

MP3:: Greg MacPherson - First Class
WEB:: http://gregmacpherson.com/press/
LABEL:: http://smallmanrecords.com/

Labels: Canada, Greg MacPherson, Music, Smallman Records, Winnipeg

It's been a while since we checked in on the quirky synth poppers from Winnipeg. Boats! made an appearance on our Manitoba Mixtape and Mat's awesomely named debut (Intercontinental Champ - of which Ricky Steamboat was the all-time great) was a pleasant discovery to say the least. Well, since that time it seems they've dropped the ! and that decision corresponds with a more mature outlook and sound.

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

When people think of Winnipeg, thoughts undoubtedly drift to the Golden Boy, Louis Riel's home and frigid winters. Thanks to talented song writers like John K. Samson, we all have vivid mental images of a city most have never even stopped in; the music we love has made their stories our stories. We've all been on that bus or alone in that shitty apartment. We've all spent cold nights with broken hearts and broken dreams, trapped in The Gateway to the West. Undoubtedly, we've all hated or loved the Winnipeg Jets and muttered, "I Hate Winnipeg" with more conviction than we have about any other city.

Without typecasting the sound - especially after we found out just how diverse the sound was on our Manitoba mixtape - I've found a surprisingly high number of acts that effortless blend emotion, energy, characters and heart into surging anthems that make you move, even when you focus in on what's being said. Whether it's The Weakerthans, The Paperbacks (a band Ian shares a sound and member with) or new to me, but seasoned vet of several releases, Ian La Rue & The Condor, Winnipeg seems to be full of artists that pen songs tug on your heart strings, but sound better the louder you crank them up.

A History of Layers is heavy on sing-alongs and fist pumpers (Sanguine Cursive, Cadence) and slow burning ballads (A Crow's Flight, Altruist's Anthem), but La Rue never hides his narratives behind the music. On every song, you get the impression the words La Rue sings mean something to him, and as a result, they mean something to us. More importantly, no matter how much emotion the Winterpegger adds to his songs, he never drifts into the emo-esque emotional realm that caters to angst ridden mall teens and no one else. The record is accessible and easy, but has a depth you don't get from people that haven't experienced life.

La Rue's songs move with a sense of purpose. The undercurrents that run through the record's narratives (fear is the one that you get hit with most often) are matched with atmospheric undercurrents that add drama and electricity to even the most restrained of songs. The B-side of the record is slowed in pace, but the Condor (his band) really thickens up the mix and keep things interesting. The nicely executed slow build of the penultimate track - And It All Comes Down To This - is heavily influenced by Death Cab for Cutie, a band La Rue sites as a potential jump off point for new fans. A History of Layers may never reach the heights of Gibbard's best work, but it certainly fares well enough to warrant the comparison.

MP3:: Ian La Rue & the Condor - Sanguine Cursive

MP3:: Ian La Rue & the Condor - A Crow's Flight
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ianlaruemusic
BUY:: http://www.ianlarue.ca

Labels: Canada, Ian La Rue, Music, Reviews, Winnipeg

We've long been a fan of Ricardo of Oldfolks Home fame. We crossed paths about five times in three nights at this year's HPX, and we championed his debut LP way back in the day. He's a stand up guy that gets us in a good mood, so why wouldn't we jump at the chance to debut his Christmas song project? For the next four weeks, tune into the hill to get a sneak preview of his 4 holiday treats, each with a unique story and cover art from a different Canadian artist. It's never too early to get in the holiday spirit, so enjoy and get out the rum and eggnogs. So deck the halls, it's Christmas time in Hollis herohill.

We Won’t Cry at Christmas Time
When I had decided to do this project, I thought that I would try to write an original Christmas song, but was stumped for ideas. Knowing I was clearly stressed about it, my lovely wife suggested (half-jokingly) that I write about how she wishes that no one else in her family would die the week of Christmas. I thought it was an amazing idea. The song itself transitioned from a classic-rock, alt-country(?) ditty (which sounded nothing like Christmas) to a smooth, electro jam, with bells, because bells totally mean Christmas. It made Kerri-Lynn cry. But in a ‘it’s-so-beautiful’ way, not a ‘fuck-you-for-soiling-my-memories’ kind of way. We hope it makes you cry (with happiness?) too. Or at least that you enjoy it.

This is part 1 of 4, “We Won’t Cry At Christmas Time” featuring art by Kerri-Lynn Reeves.

MP3:: Oldfolks Home - We Won’t Cry at Christmas Time
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/oldfolkshomemusic

Labels: Canada, Music, Oldfolks Home, Winnipeg

Now that the countdown for HPX '09 is on, we've been trying to pit our magical random question machine against as many of this year's performers as possible in the hopes that hilarity and/or insight would ensue. So who's our latest contestant? Why it's Ricardo Lopez of Winnipeg's Oldfolks Home.



Ricardo and OFH is a natural choice for us, considering he's been featured on our Manitoba mixtape, done a fantastic take on a BSS song for our sporadic Word On The Beat section, and seems to be by all accounts a very nice dude. Ricardo & OFH are part of a great HPX show, playing The Paragon on Thursday, October 22nd with Jenocide, Think About Life, and mr. Roland Pemberton - so read his answers below, and then get out and see him next month.

Name: Ricardo
Band: Oldfolks Home
Web: www.myspace.com/oldfolkshomemusic

1. Super tight pants on dudes: Yes! or Noooooooooooooooo!

It depends on how hot the weather is. Although my yoga shorts are pretty tight, but I am expecting to sweat and they're shorts. Does that count? I guess my real answer is no. I don't have the right kind of legs.

2. What's the best band name you can think of in the next 15 seconds?

I can't say on the internet for fear of insulting too many people and ruining my bands good name.

3. Name your all-time favorite Canadian album.

You Forgot it in People by BSS

4. Mr. Dressup or The Friendly Giant? (or neither because you're too young and have no idea who they are)

Because I don't remember either (although I watched both), The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.

5. Patio Lanterns, Go For Soda, or WFT does that mean?

Patio Lanterns because he complains too much in Go For A Soda.

MP3:: Oldfolks Home - Letter To Kerri

MP3:: Oldfolks Home - I Hate Dell (Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees RMX)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/oldfolkshomemusic

Labels: Five Funky Stories, HPX 09, Oldfolks Home, Winnipeg

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

Well the rain has been coming down in buckets here in Halifax today, so if there's ever a hump-day in need of a boost, it's this one. Luckily, Winnipeg's Crosstown Rivals has provided just such a boost. The four-man indie dance rock force has released a new single on the new digital label Better Swimmers. The digital single for Exits contains the original version, plus remixes from Vitaminsforyou, Get Famous! and DJ Co-op.

You might remember Crosstown Rivals from our Manitoba mixtape, where Hold Tight, from their last EP added some pep to the halfway point of the mix. Exits certainly remains in the same fuzzy, urgent vein, but perhaps with a bit more of an electronic bent provided by the modulated bassline that runs through the track. It's perfect to get the kids up and shaking - perhaps Bones should bring this one to Gus' this Friday night. The remixes certainly keep the spirit of the track intact, and while I enjoy the 80's goodness of the Vitaminsforyou remix, the stadium guitar lick & 808 combo of the Get Famous! remix is my preference.

Oh, and did I mention this is a free download? Well go get it, and call yourself Parker Lewis while you're at it, cause you can't lose.

MP3:: Crosstown Rivals - Exits

MP3:: Crosstown Rivals - Exits (Get Famous! Remix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/crosstownrivalswinnipeg

Labels: Crosstown Rivals, Free.99, Winnipeg