Old 97's: "Most Messed Up" (album review)

For over twenty years Rhett Miller and his Old 97's have been delivering great alternative country with lyrics that involve tongues being firmly planted in cheeks.  Now their back with a collection of new tunes, Most Messed Up.

Old 97's have inspired many an artist during their run.  It's easy to hear the germination of Bright Eyes, for example, in the jangly off-kilter opener "Longer Than You've Been Alive".  The more straight ahead fast-paced "Give It Time" could come from any number of current alternative country acts.

Emma-Lee: "What Would Tom Petty Do?" (video)

Irresistible Toronto singer Emma-Lee has a new single coming out next week.  It's titled "What Would Tom Petty Do?", and she's giving everyone a preview with a great video.

Watch it here:

New releases for Apr 22nd: Eels, Justin Rutledge

• Asher Roth
• Eels
• Justin Rutledge
• Modern Rivals
• The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

This week in Toronto concerts: The Black Lips, Band Of Skulls, The Knife

Garage rock favorites The Black Lips play The Phoenix on Tuesday while the slightly more stylish Band Of Skulls is back there two nights later.

...also this week:

• Kadavar, Apr 21
• Twenty One Pilots, Apr 21
• We Are Scientists, Apr 22
• Ingrid Michaelson, Apr 22
• I Break Horses, Apr 22
• Loop, Apr 22
• Dany Laj, Apr 23
• Pompeya, Apr 23
• Boy George, Apr 24
• David J, Apr 24
• Aretha Franklin, Apr 25
• Big Scary, Apr 25
• Iggy Azalea, Apr 25
• The Knife, Apr 25
• The Trews, Apr 26
• The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Apr 26

Toronto concerts announced this week: Cults, !!!

• Planet Smashers, Lee's Palace, May 23
• Sheezer, Lee's Palace, May 30
• Cults, Lee's Palace, Jun 8
• Kelis, Danforth Music Hall, Jun 11
• Murder By Death, Lee's Palace, Jun 18
• Logic, The Phoenix, Jun 24
• The Wytches, Drake Underground, Jul 21
• !!!, Horseshoe Tavern, Aug 3
• Passenger, Sound Academy, Aug 16
• Ed Sheeran, Air Canada Centre, Sep 18

Playlist Of The Week: metal

How about some "metal" bands?

Friday Find: Grand Cousin

For those who like: Grizzly Bear

If you like slick indie rock, then American trio Grand Cousin may be for you.  The band release their debut EP this spring.

Listen to the track "Let Me Know" here:

Gord Downie & The Sadies: "And the Conquering Sun" (album review)

The Sadies have spent a lot of time in recent years doing collaboration albums.  The Toronto roots mainstays have teamed up with the likes of John Doe and Andre Williams.  So hooking up with legendary Canadian singer Gord Downie for the new record And the Conquering Sun, makes a shit-ton of sense.

The opening track, "Crater", foreshadows what we're in for.  It is a clattery, sprawling number in the ilk of the Tragically Hip's recent output, with the vaguest of nods to The Sadies' roots style.  The same can be said for "I'm Free, Disarray Me", and the snoozer closer "Saved".

Vogue Dots: "Skinny Thing"

New Brunswick dream pop duo Vogue Dots are set to release their debut record.  The EP Toska is set for a May 6th release.

Listen to "Skinny Thing" here:

New releases for Apr 15th: Afghan Whigs, Odonis Odonis, Gord Downie & The Sadies

• Afghan Whigs- Review
• Nels Cline
• Rodney Crowell
• Deleted Scenes
• Gord Downie & The Sadies
• Ingrid Michaelson
• Needtobreathe
• Jamie O'Neal
• Odonis Odonis
• Shonen Knife
• Sonic Avenues
• Chuck E Weiss
• Woods