New releases for July 22nd: PS I Love You, Alvvays

• Alvvays- Review
• Anberlin
• Common
• Fozzy
• Freeman
• Got a Girl
• La Roux
• PS I Love You- Review

High Ends (Jeffery Innes of Yukon Blonde): "Intoxicated

High Ends is the new solo project from Yukon Blonde frontman Jeffery Innes.  He recruited some friends (including Louise Burns, and New Pornographers' Kathryn Calder) and laid down his debut album Super Class.  It's now set for an October 7th release.

Hear the latest single, "Intoxicated", here:

PS I Love You: "For Those Who Stay" (album review)

Kingston, ON's PS I Love You have been churning out raw, loud records for a few years now.  They recently came back with a sharp right-hand turn on their new album For Those Who Stay.  The album is the most dynamic and varied of their career, which also makes it their most listenable thus far.

The most striking moment on the album comes right off the top as "In My Mind At Least" reins in the frenzy, the restraint actually adds to the power of that song's controlled ruckus.

The hook-laden "Limestone Radio" melds a catchy melody with an awe-inspiring rock groove.  That is revisited on the rousing kick-in-the-ass "Hoarders", which wraps it all up in a B-movie shroud.

The Barr Brothers: "Half Crazy"

Montreal's Barr Brothers will be dropping their new studio album, Sleeping Operator, on October 7th.  We don't have to wait that long to hear new material though.

Listen to the first track, "Half Crazy", here.

Barr Brothers play the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on November 5th with Bahamas.

This week in Toronto concerts: Hillside Festival, Nine Inch Nails & Soundgarden

The Hillside Festival in Guelph is the big show this week.  Take in the likes of Born Ruffians, Hollerado, and Alvvays Friday through Sunday.

I'll be reliving a great concert experience from my teenage years on Sunday as Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden converge for the 20th anniversary of their landmark show at Molson Park in Barrie.

...also this week:

• The Wytches, Jul 21
• Camera Obscura, Jul 22
• Ooioo, Jul 22
• Glass Cloud, Jul 23
• River Run North, Jul 23
• Weatherbox, Jul 23
• James Taylor, Jul 24
• The Danger Bees, Jul 25
• Hudson Mohawke, Jul 25
• Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, Jul 25
• Crocodiles, Jul 27

Toronto concerts announced this week: Interpol, Beach House, Jason Mraz

• The Alternate Routes, The Garrison, Aug 27
• I Am The Avalanche, Hard Luck Bar, Sep 10
• GBH, Hard Luck Bar, Sep 22
• Beach House, Lee's Palace, Oct 3
• Hercules and the Love Affair, Wrongbar, Oct 4
• Code Orange Kids, Sneaky Dee's, Oct 5
• Jason Mraz, Massey Hall, Oct 8 & 9
• Merchandise, Wrongbar, Oct 10
• Interpol, Kool Haus, Nov 18
• Wet, The Garrison, Nov 26
• Blonde Redhead, Mod Club, Nov 29

Playlist Of The Week: Hillside Festival

Next weekend sees the stacked and eclectic Hillside Festival rock Guelph.  Here's a playlist to highlight some of the amazing acts that will be performing.

Friday Find: Alive Way

For those who like: slick hard rock

Coming from a Latvian background, I have a soft spot when it comes to pretty much anything Baltic.  So that's why Lithuanian band Alive Way caught my attention.  They make glossy, energetic pop-infused hard rock, which is great for a summertime listen.

Watch the video for "Big City" (with a super-funky bassline) here:

Gramercy Arms: "The Seasons of Love" (album review)

It's been nearly six years since we've been treated to an album from NYC music collective Gramercy Arms.  Well, group kingpin Dave Derby has rounded up some friends and put together The Seasons of Love, which comes out on July 21st.

English pop singer/songwriter Lloyd Cole serves as a strong influence for Derby on this record.  In fact, Cole himself appears on the Beatles-esque "Yours Untruly", and swaps lead vocals with Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman) on the Adult Contemporary "Beautiful Disguise".

New releases for July 15th: Morrissey, Army Navy

• Army Navy
  
• Cloud Boat
• John Hiatt
• Madlib
• Morrissey
• Needles/Pins
• Pennywise
• Richard Reed Perry
• Rise Against
• Trampled By Turtles
• Weird Al Yankovic