Gunslingers: "Into the Garage" and news

French psych-rock group Gunslingers have been busy.  The not only is the band preparing new material and touring but frontman GR is set to release a pair of solo albums (GR and the Full-Blown Expansion and Experiments from Within the Tentacular).

Not familiar with them?  Check out the track "Into the Garage" here:

Gunslingers' Myspace

June Toronto Concert Planner

Here it is, your June Toronto concert planner:

• 
  
• Jun 1
• Ron Sexsmith
  
• A Camp (album review)
  
• Doves (album review)
  
• Fischerspooner (album review)
  

Jun 2

• Jane's Addiction & Nine Inch Nails
  
• TV On the Radio w. Dirty Projectors
  
• 
  
• Jun 3
• Santigold w. Amanda Blank
  

Jun 4

• Telepathe
  
• Flotilla

Jun 5

• SNFU
  
• Emmylou Harris
  
• Grizzly Bear (album review)
  

Jun 10

• Telekinesis w. An Horse
  
• 
  
• Jun 13
• Bif Naked
  
• Rock Plaza Central (album review)
  
• 
  
• Jun 14
• Pink Mountaintops (album review)
  
• 
  
• Jun 16
• Alejandro Escovedo w. Joseph Arthur
  
• Passion Pit
  
• 
  
• Jun 17
• Patrick Wolf w. Jaguar Love
  
• 
  
• NXNE- Jun 17-21
  

Jun 19

• Pink Martini
  

Jun 20

• Edgefest fea. Metric (album review), The Arkells, The Stills
  
• 
  
• Jun 23
• Cracker (album review)
  
• 
  
• Jun 25
• Jonathan Richman
  
• Propaghandi
  
• 
  
• Jun 26
• Jose Gonzalez
  
• Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
  
• 
  
• Jun 27
• Camera Obscura (album review)
  
• Sea & Cake
  
• Medeski, Martin and Wood (album review)
  
• 
  
• Jun 29
• Jay Reatard
  

Jun 30

• Sonic Youth (album review)
  

Flotilla: "One Hundred Words for Water" album review

One Hundred Words for Water is the second full length album from Montreal-based indie band Flotilla.  

Hailing from Montreal, playing ornate indie rock, and featuring a mixed gender Anglo/Franco line-up, it seems inevitable that Flotilla would garner comparisons to Arcade Fire.  However, I would warn against making that sweeping comparison.

While both bands do play elaborately arranged music, Flotilla's style erects walls of ambient, moody atmosphere around their songs.  Tinkling keys, subtle shimmering guitars, and harp work in tandem with vibrant lyrical imagery to create a medieval chamber pop aura reminiscent of the best of Mary Timony and Helium.

Veronica Charnley's vocals are lovely.  While she does occasionally attempt notes that are outside her range, the best songs on the album are propelled by the lush vocal harmonies.

One Hundred Words for Water is not a perfect album.  Songs in the middle portion of the record ("Ophelia", "Court and Spark") have a tendency to sound alike and run together.  

There is plenty of great material to pull the record through though.  Songs like "Charlie, I'm Through" with its surprisingly funky bassline, keyboard riff, and sultry vibe, seem tailor made to be indie underground hits. 

Flotilla hold a CD release party at Tranzac in Toronto on June 4th and play Rancho Relaxo as part of NXNE on June 18th.

Best tracks: "Charlie, I'm Through", "Clouds"

Track listing for One Hundred Words for Water:

• Song for Yannick
• Prelude and Epilogue
• A Thousand Jacobs
• Ghost In a Landscape
• Ophelia
• Charlie, I'm Through
• Two Boys
• Court and Spark
• Clouds
• Old Mill
• Meet Me Outside

7.5/10

Flotilla's Myspace

Better Than Ezra: "Paper Empire" album review

Lots of bands that tasted success in the '90s have fallen off the face of the Earth.  Better Than Ezra is an exception.  The band that had million selling success on the back of hits like "Good" and "King of New Orleans" has powered on.

I'll always fondly remember Better Than Ezra as the subject of one of my favorite SNL Weekend Update items of all-time ("This week's #1 album is by Better Than Ezra.  Number 2? Ezra).  Their latest album is Paper Empire and features the newest member of the trio, drummer Michael Jerome.

Much of the album, like the opener "Absolutely Still" and "Fit", are vintage Better Than Ezra alternative rock.  There are plenty of catchy choruses on tracks like the hook-heavy singalong "All In".  Nothing fancy, nothing surprising to those tracks.  

The band does stray from the pop rock formula on occasion.  String arrangements lend a grand scope to "The Loveless".  "Hell No!" shows more attitude than we're used to from the band, while "Nightclubbing" (not an Iggy Pop cover) is out and out danceable.

At the end of the day there's nothing terrible shocking on Paper Empire.  If you are looking for a fix of decent adult pop rock, then this will sate your desire.

Best tracks: "All In", "Absolutely Still"

Track listing for Paper Empire:

• Absolutely Still- MP3
• Turn up the Bright Lights
• Just One Day
• The Loveless
• All In
• Fit
• Hell No!
• Hey Love
• Nightclubbing
• Black Light
• Wounded
• I Just Knew

6.0/10

Better Than Ezra's website

Better Than Ezra's Myspace

The Steps "Take It All In"

Austin, TX's The Steps are set to release their new EP.  Take It All In will be available July 21st.

The EP, produced by Chris "Frenchie" Smith (JET, Dandy Warhols), will showcase the band's Brit Pop-inspired garage rock.

Get a sample of it here:

• "Cold Floors"- MP3

The Steps' website

The Steps' Myspace

Pretty Lights offer double album for free

Colorado-based duo Pretty Lights are making their double album, Filling Up the Pretty Skies, available for free download.  Yep, that's right, free.

Don't want to download it all on spec (It's free, don't worry about it)?  Then sample it first here:

• "More Important Than Michael Jordan"- MP3

Pretty Lights' website

Pretty Lights' Myspace

Superchunk to release "Crossed Wires" single

Power pop legends and indie label magnates Superchunk are set to release a new 7" single, hot on the heels of their Leaves In the Gutter EP.  "Crossed Wires" will be out on July 7th.

The single, produced by Scott Solter, will be backed by the b-side "Blinders (Fast Version)".

This is all good news because I love me the 'chunk.  

Superchunk's website

Superchunk's Myspace

Placebo: "Battle for the Sun" album review

There's much familiar and comforting on Battle for the Sun, the forthcoming sixth studio album from UK alt-glam veterans Placebo.  

The album, to be released June 9th, features the uniquely nasal vocals of androgynous singer Brian Molko and rife with his themes of self-loathing and defiance.  Tracks like "For What It's Worth" and "Breathe Underwater" will sound instantly familiar to fans, as will the cathartic "Kings of Medicine".  The quasi-electronic blend of Glam rock ("Ashtray Heart" features a New York Dolls-worthy refrain), power pop, and Brit pop is woven throughout the record.

Molko and company do have some new tricks up their sleeves.  There is a new pop sensibility on the record, manifesting itself in little bits and pieces such as the hand clap bridge on the opener "Kitty Litter".   There is an island sound to the track "Speak In Tongues" which seems to pay homage to the Talking Heads World-influenced album of the same name.  "Happy When You're Gone" is as low key and introspective a song as we have heard from Placebo.

Occasionally the experiments go awry.  The sunny "Bright Lights" sounds like it belongs on the latest Killers album.  Things go completely off the tracks as the song lifts the "a heart that hurts/is a heart that works" line word for word from Juliana Hatfield's "Universal Heartbeat".

Some more of those experiments would be welcome as some of the songs are less than engaging for the listener.  "Devil In the Details" holds little interest beyond a rumbling drum beat.  "The Never-ending Why" grinds slowly along with no satisfactory payoff.

It must get harder for Placebo with each passing album.  They are so linked to the glam sound that listeners get upset when they don't hear it in the new songs.  However, to keep the band interesting and relevant they must move away from that perception, at least incrementally.  Battle of the Sun does both to a certain degree, but doesn't completely achieve either.

Best tracks: "Breathe Underwater", "Ashtray Heart"

Track listing for Battle for the Sun:

• Kitty Litter
• Ashtray Heart
• Battle for the Sun
• For What It's Worth
• Devil In the Details
• Bright Lights
• Speak In Tongues
• The Never-ending Why
• Julien
• Happy You're Gone
• Breathe Underwater
• Come Undone
• Kings of Medicine

6.0/10

Placebo's website

Placebo's Myspace

The Rest: "Phonetically, Phonetically" MP3

Everyone All At Once is the sophomore release from Hamilton's The Rest.  The band plays Neu+ral in Toronto tonight.

If you haven't checked them out yet, give this a listen and think about heading down to catch their set:

• "Phonetically, Phonetically"- MP3

The Rest's website

The Rest's Myspace

Mat Kearney: "City of Black & White" album review

City of Black & White is the new album from Oregon-born singer/songwriter Mat Kearney.  The record is Kearney's third full length.

It would be a stretch to say that Kearney breaks new musical ground or pushes sonic boundaries.  What he does deliver however, is enjoyable adult pop rock.  Yes, it's fairly conventional, but not everything needs to be genre-bending to be worthwhile.

The songs are well-crafted.  The lyrics are personal and introspective, yet still manage to convey a sense of hope.  

Vocally, Kearney's style is and interesting fusion of Anglo and roots rock.  As a result he sometimes sounds like Chris Martin, sometimes like Adam Duritz.  More often than not his singing is a hybrid of the best elements of both.

There are several slower songs, such as the title track, on the album.  Kearney is at his best though when he verges on power pop.  Those are the moments when the big hooks shine through.

City of Black & White isn't going to make anyone forget OK Computer, but it is an enjoyable record that's perfect for those moments when escape is the goal.

Best tracks: "All I Have", "Here We Go"

Track listing for City of Black & White:

• All I Have
• Fire & Rain
• Closer To Love
• Here We Go
• Lifeline
• New York To California
• Runaway Car
• Never Be Ready
• Annie
• Straight Away
• On & On
• City of Black & White

7.0/10

Mat Kearney's website

Mat Kearney's Myspace

Whatever happened to: Afroman?

So he was only a one hit wonder, but Afroman's "Because I Got High" was incredibly catchy.

What ever happened to him?

Black Moth Super Rainbow: "Eating Us" album review

Pittsburgh-based electronic indie band Black Moth Super Rainbow are back with a new album.  Eating Us is the fourth full length studio record from the group.  

Produced by Mercury Rev's Dave Fridmann, the album is an journey through various branches of electro-weirdo music.  The album kicks off with the hypnotic "Born On a Day the Sun Didn't Rise" before transitioning into "Dark Bubbles", a song awash with analog vibe.  

Both lightness and dark are explored on various tracks throughout the album.  "Twin of Myself" is a bright and sunny stroll through the park.  It's doppelganger is "Iron Lemonade" with its subtly evil warbling strut, while "Tooth Decay" has a psycho-sexual "Warm Leatherette" undertone bubbling just below the surface.

"American Face Dust" is particularly noteworthy.  The banjo-plucking intro serves to bring a touch of roots rock to the electronic proceedings.  Thankfully the band is skillful enough in their execution to steer clear of "Cotton Eye Joe" territory.

Like most electronic music there are definite lulls on Eating Us.  Songs like "Gold Splatter" and "Fields Are Breathing" are tracks that really go nowhere, and do so slowly.  Fortunately, most of the songs on Eating Us are strong enough to help us forgive these meanderings.  

Looking for some electronic music with some punch (Stereolab on 'roids?), then Eating Us may be just the ticket.

Best tracks: "Twin of Myself", "American Face Dust"

Track listing for Eating Us:

• Born On a Day the Sun Didn't Rise
• Dark Bubbles
• Twin of Myself
• Gold Splatter
• Iron Lemonade
• Tooth Decay
• Fields Are Breathing
• Smile the Day After Today
• The Sticky
• Bubblegum Animals
• American Face Dust
• Untitled

6.5/10

Black Moth Super Rainbow's website

Black Moth Super Rainbow's Myspace

Vivian Girls to release "Everything Goes Wrong"

NYC indie sensations Vivian Girls have announced details of their sophomore album.  Everything Goes Wrong will be out September 8th.

As you can see we've already got the artwork for the cover and we also have this track listing:

• Walking Alone at Night
  
• I Have No Fun
  
• Can't Get Over You
  
• Desert
  
• Tension
  
• Survival
  
• The End
  
• When I'm Gone
  
• Out for the Sun
  
• I'm Not Asleep
  
• Double Vision
  
• You're My Guy
  
• Before I Start to Cry 
  

We'll keep you updated as more details are released.

Vivian Girls' website

Vivian Girls' Myspace

Patrick Wolf: "The Bachelor" album review

Fans are responsible for funding The Bachelor, the forthcoming album from UK oddball Patrick Wolf.  The album, out June 2nd, will be the fourth from the multi-instrumentalist musician.

The Bachelor is a vibrant and expansive record.  Wolf works many genres into the mix.  The result is a fresh, almost living sound wrapped up in a highly stylized package.  So stylized in fact, Wolf at times comes across, particularly on songs like "Oblivion", as a modern day Adam Ant.

There is a theatrical aura to the album as well.  The drama conveyed by a violin riff like that on "Hard Times" is undeniable.  The inclusion of a choir vocal on "Damaris" lends a sweeping aspect to the song.  The flutes on "Thickets" provide the track a fantastical feel.

Many of the songs, like the title track, cast a dark, imposing shadow.  The cult chanting of "Count The Casualty" and the smoldering electronics of "Vulture" have Wolf bringing us to the brink of Goth.

The intensity and innovation rarely abate on The Bachelor.  That makes the album a winner for music fans, especially if you donated to Wolf's cause.

Patrick Wolf plays the Mod Club in Toronto on June 17th.

Best tracks: "Count The Casualty", "Damaris"

Track listing for The Bachelor:

• Kreigspiel
• Hard Times
• Oblivion
• The Bachelor
• Damaris
• Thickets
• Count The Casualty
• Who Will
• Vulture
• Blackdown
• The Sun Is Often Out
• Theseus
• Battle
• The Messenger

8.5/10

Patrick Wolf's website

Patrick Wolf's Myspace

Hoots and Hellmouth: "The Holy Open Secret" album review

The Holy Open Secret (out June 2nd) is the forthcoming album from Americana rockers Hoots and Hellmouth.  The album is the sophomore release from the Philadelphia trio.

The record is a slightly bent take on roots, country, and traditional American music.  Mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and more give the album an organic feel.

It's the unique collage of genres that makes the album most enjoyable.  The record kicks off with the indie hillbilly sound of the exceptional "Root of the Industry".  "You and All of Us" is a delightfully soulful jugband groover.  "Family Band" provides a saloon-worthy stomp that will have you toe tapping.  

A pair of mellow ballads serve to break up the album.  The tenderly sung "Ne'er Do Well" and the spiritual "Roll, Brandywine, Roll" provide the record's beautiful moments.

The lulls in the album come when the band play more standard alt.country fare.  Tracks like "Three Penny Charm" could come from any of hundreds of other bands. 

At the end it's the irresistible clappers and stompers, like "Known for Possession", that win the day.  

It's time to through out your Dr. Dog albums and groove away with Hoots and Hellmouth.

Best tracks: "Roots of the Industry", "Known for Possession"

Track listing for The Holy Open Secret:

• Root of the Industry
• You and All of Us
• Watch Your Mouth
• Three Penny Charm
• Ne'er Do Well
• What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords
• Dishpan Hands
• Family Band
• Known for Knowledge
• Roll, Brandywine, Roll

8.0/10

Hoots and Hellmouth's website

Hoots and Hellmouth's Myspace

eels: "Hombre Lobo" album review

Hombre Lobo (Spanish for werewolf) is the forthcoming album (out June 2nd) from lo-fi slack rockers eels.  Subtitled "12 Songs of Desire", the record is the seventh studio full length from the band and their first since 2005.

eels have never really rocked out for the duration of an entire album.  Hombre Lobo doesn't alter that.  Many of the songs are in the slower to mid tempo range.  "In My Dreams", the noir "Fresh Blood", and the longing "The Longing" are perfect examples.  The string arrangement on "All the Beautiful Things" is typical of more lush eels tracks.

There are a few rocky tracks however.  The opener "Prizefighter" is a hurky jerky romp that see lead singer E more more boisterous than usual.  "Lilac Breeze" has an Anglo New Wave vibe.  "Tremendous Dynamite" is a thunderous blues-rock number.  The standout cut is the bouncy "Beginner's Luck" with its 'whoa-oh-oh" refrain.

All that said there's a spark that's missing from Hombre Lobo.  The clever turns of phrase that eels are known for as just a little less clever, while the catchy bits are just a little less catchy.  Not the best record in the eels catalogue. 

Best tracks: "Lilac Breeze", "Beginner's Luck"

Track listing for Hombre Lobo:

• Prizefighter
• That Look You Give That Guy
• Lilac Breeze
• In My Dreams
• Tremendous Dynamite
• The Longing
• Fresh Blood
• What's a Fella Gotta Do
• My Timing Is Off
• All the Beautiful Things
• Beginner's Luck
• Ordinary Man

6.0/10

eels' website

eels' Myspace

Charlie Wadhams: "Someone To Kiss" MP3

Charlie Wadhams is an LA-based singer/songwriter who has recently released an EP entitled In a Goldmine.  

You may be familiar with Wadhams' music.  Some of his songs were featured in the movie Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Get a sample of Wadhams' EP with this nifty free download:

• "Someone To Kiss"- MP3

Charlie Wadhams' website

Charlie Wadhams' Myspace

3 More To Explore: Doll, The Wylde Bunch, Jeannine Hebb

With summer approaching and the weather heating up we've got three more hot ones for ya.  Check out these acts this weekend:

Doll

For those who like: Soundgarden, Alice In Chains

This Ottawa grunge band can really bang out the noise.

Doll's Myspace

The Wylde Bunch

For those who like: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fishbone

Funk, rock, and a great sense of humour.  I'm really digging these guys.

The Wylde Bunch's Myspace

Jeannine Hebb

For those who like: Fiona Apple

A well-trained musician with a piano and some introspective songs.

Jeannine Hebb's Myspace

Donny Hue & the Colors send "Letter from New Virginia" (MP3s)

Donny Hue & the Colors have announced the release of their new studio album.  Letter from New Virginia will be released on June 23rd.

In anticipation, the band is releasing a series of "freesides" from the recording sessions.  Grab the first one here:

• "Oh Lord"- MP3

You can also get the first single here:

• "I Speak of the Hayseed Cousins"- MP3

I'm really looking forward to this one.

Donny Hue's website

Donny Hue's Myspace

Paolo Nutini: "Sunny Side Up" album review

I'm beginning to wonder if Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini doesn't suffer from some reverse Benjamin Button thing.  The 22 year-old's new album, Sunny Side Up (out June 2nd), is the sound of a young man aging in front of our eyes.

The record is a collection of songs written and sung by a man who is mature beyond his years.  Nutini draws upon a number of old time genres to create a summer-oriented adult alternative soundtrack.

What strikes you first with Sunny Side Up are the island vibes.  Songs like the bright and sunny "High Hopes" have you almost feeling the Carribean breeze while "Coming Up Easy" has that '70s Clapton atmosphere.  The opener "10/10" features a light ska sound which makes one sense Nutini has some strange channel to a 50 year-old Jamaican musician.

That's by no means the only genre to appear on the record.  "Candy" has an alt. country tinge.  American roots music strongly influences "Simple Things".  Dylan-esque folk drips from "Tricks of the Trade" and "Chamber Music".  "Pencil Full of Lead" is an all out '20s swing number. 

With the constant shifting of genres would make one believe that they can't all be winners.  And that's true.  For example, Nutini's attempt at soul/r&b falls flat on "No Other Way" and the stab at writing a sea shanty, "Worried Man", is similarly just off the mark.

Sunny Side Up is an interesting example of an artist paying homage to the past.  It just doesn't click quite as often as one would like.

Best tracks: "Pencil Full of Lead", "10/10"

Track listing for Sunny Side Up:

• 10/10
• Coming Up Easy
• Growing Up Beside You
• Candy
• Tricks of the Trade
• Pencil Full of Lead
• No Other Way
• High Hopes
• Chamber Music
• Simple Things
• Worried Man
• Keep Rolling

6.0/10

Paolo Nutini's website

Paolo Nutini's Myspace

Aeroplane Pageant: new album, "Stars Still Pretty" MP3

NYC indie five-piece Aeroplane Pageant are set to release their sophomore full length.  Even the Kids Don't Believe Me will hit shelves on June 9th.

You can get a sniff of what to expect with this peppy little download:

• "Stars Still Pretty"- MP3

The track listing for the record closely resembles this:

• Memory Begins Elsewhere
  
• Stars Still Pretty 
  
• And We Go
  
• Nobody Gets Hurt
  
• Even The Kids Don't Believe Me
  
• Where To?
  
• See You At The Circus
  
• I Remember I Think
  
• Mouthful Of Flowers
  
• End The Impasse
  
• After The Car Crash
  

Aeroplane Pageant's website

Aeroplane Pageant's Myspace

Paul Spencer and the Maxines release "Whatever Forever and Ever"

One of this blogger's favorite bands in recent years is New Hampshire power pop rockers Paul Spencer & The Maxines.  Spencer has just released a new album, Whatever Forever and Ever.

The track list for the album, including a cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", looks like this:

• Crash City
• I Was Doing Great (Before I Met You)
• Summer In the Spring
• Jealous Guy
• Rite On Time
• Burning Up From the Inside
• Double Tunnel Vision
• No Good Reason
• The Calm After the Storm
• Project Serpo
• Top of My Head, Bottom of My Soul

Paul Spencer's website

Paul Spencer's Myspace

Kasabian: "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" album review

UK band Kasabian take a broader approach on their third studio album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, out June 9th.

Best known as purveyors of frenetic electronic-infused indie rock, the band take a much more diverse path on the new record.  Sure songs like "Vlad The Impaler" and the flaring "Fire" provide the electro-jam we've come to expect from Kasabian, but there is far more to this album.

From the outset of the album opener, the funky groove "Underdog", it's obvious the band have undertaken to become musical chameleons a la Primal Scream.  The band shifts effortlessly from danceable numbers like "Where Did All the Love Go" and "Fast Fuse" to jazzy instrumental ("Swarfiga") to mellow '60s-influenced pop noir ("Secret Alphabet").

The quartet even strip things down for us.  "Thick As Thieves" is a sleazy minimalist waltz, while the band gets really mellow on "Ladies and Gentlemen".  Most surprising, and most effective, is the album closer "Happiness".  Kasabian seem to channel Spiritualized for the soulful gospel choir track.

The third album is often a crossroads for a band.  Kasabian have chosen wisely to explore different avenues and expand their musical landscape while at the same time staying true to their roots.  West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum bodes well for the future of Kasabian.

Best tracks: "Fire", "Happiness"

Track listing for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum:

• Underdog
• Where Did All the Love Go
• Swarfiga
• Fast Fuse
• Take Aim
• Thick As Thieves
• West Ryder Silver Bullet
• Vlad The Impaler
• Ladies and Gentlemen
• Secret Alphabet
• Fire
• Happiness

8.0/10

Kasabian's website

Kasabian's Myspace

fun urge you to "Aim And Ignite" on new album

Aim And Ignite is the forthcoming debut album from New York-based indie trio fun.  The album is set to hit the streets on August 25th.  

The album showcases the band's '70s pop-inspired indie rock.

The track list for the album looks remarkably like this:

• Be Calm
  
• Benson Hedges
  
• All The Pretty Girls
  
• I Wanna Be The One
  
• At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)
  
• Light A Roman Candle With Me
  
• Walking The Dog
  
• Barlights
  
• The Gambler
  
• Take Your Time (Coming Home)
  

You can get a free download of the track "At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)" by signing up for the band's email list.

The band is currently on tour in support of Manchester Orchestra.

fun's Myspace

A Camp set to release covers EP

A Camp, the new project from The Cardigans' Nina Persson, have announced the release of a covers EP.  The EP, available through iTunes June 9th, comes hot on the heels of the release of the band's debut album Colonia (review here).

The three track EP consists of:

• Us and Them (Pink Floyd cover)
• Boys Keep Swinging (David Bowie cover)
• I've Done It Again (Grace Jones cover)

...and if there's one the we love here it's covers!

A Camp play the Mod Club in Toronto on June 1st.

A Camp's website

A Camp's Myspace