We Are The City: "In a Quiet World" (album review)

More and more often bands are needing to get creative to be able to finance the recording, mixing, and production of their albums. The same holds true for Kelowna, BC's We Are The City who approached fans with several ways to help them pull the money together for their debut full length In a Quiet World.

The fans shouldn't be disappointed with the end results. The trio rewarded their fans' faith with an album of eleven dramatic (on occasion over-dramatic) rock.

The most intriguing part of We Are The City is the band's musical arrangements. They manage to create a lot of vibrant sound with only three members. Most of that consists of a bold rock sound and impeccable vocal harmonies not unlike fellow Canucks Pilot Speed or melodic British bands like Keane.

However, there are no shortage of other influences on this record. Piano parts are integral to many songs on the album as is a fluid percussion style. The oddly titled "There Are Very Tiny Beasts In the Ground" stands out for the inclusion of an unexpected, yet very welcomed, World rhythm. That repeats itself with the Mariachi flavour of "Peso Loving Squid". Finally the accordion is thrown in for some down home East Coast flare on "Time, Wasted".

If the music is the strength of In a Quiet World, the vocals and lyrics are the weakness. Juxtaposing the accomplished arrangements are overwrought vocals and shallow lyrics that fall just this side of the evil "Emo" designation.

If the band can provide songwriting and singing that is merely blah rather than detracting from their stellar playing, they will truly be a force to be reckoned with.

We Are The City play Clark Hall Pub in Kingston on Oct. 1st and Arcadia in Sault Ste Marie on Oct. 13th.

Best tracks: "Time, Wasted", "My Old Friend"

Track listing for In a Quiet World:

• Intro
• Feel Is a Word
• There Are Very Tiny Beasts In the Ground
• There Are Very, Very Big Lights In the Sky
• Time, Wasted
• You're a Good Man
• My Old Friend
• Astronomers
• April
• Peso Loving Squid
• Now For the Rest

6.5/10

We Are the City's website

We Are the City's Myspace

Hard Drugs: "Hard Drugs" (album review)

Hard Drugs is the brainchild of musician and former Vancouverite Jeffry Lee. Riffing off Tommy, We Will Rock You, and countless other rock operas, Lee has put together one of the first indie rock operas of note (first that I've come across anyway).

The opera tells the romantic tale of Aline, a hooker with a heart of gold, and her boyfriend, the junkie Lloyd. To be together Aline decides she needs to be rid of her pimp Slim whom gets offed in the dramatic "No Choice". After Lloyd's friend Hank spills the beans on who killed Slim, Lloyd has no option but to send Aline away for her own safety ("Happiness").

Musically Hard Drugs is a delightful mix of styles. "Terminal City" and "When It's Dark Out and It's Raining" are perfect examples of roots-based indie rock. The pop sensibility comes blazing through on the infectious "Bad Ideas (Don't Give Up)" while the band tug at your heartstrings with the touching "The Proposal".

Lee portrays the role of Lloyd while his wife Jenni Lee Nelson is stunning as Aline. Helping them out along the way are members of Bonnie "Prince" Billy, as well as Canadian indie rock luminaries from Black Mountain, Pink Mountaintops, Lightning Dust, and Limblifter.

All of it is done with a theatrical flare that will sweep you up in the story. Let's hope there's a traveling show that makes it to town soon.

We have a poster hand made by the band to give away. Send us an email, Twitter or Myspace message to enter.

Best tracks: "Bad Ideas (Don't Give Up)", "Somethings"

Track listing for Hard Drugs:

• Lloyd and Aline
• Terminal City
• Bad Ideas (Don't Give Up)
• The Proposal
• No Choice
• Every Step
• Somethings
• To Get Drunk and Picked Up By Cops
• Happiness
• When It's Dark Out and It's Raining
• Footnote
• Salvation Blues
• Aline and Lloyd (Reprise)

8.0/10

Hard Drugs' Myspace

T.O. Snob invades Minnesota

Well as the exotic world traveller I am, I'm spending the next few days in lovely Minnesota. This state has given us a lot of great bands including Husker Du, Tapes N' Tapes, The Hold Steady, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, and of course my all-time favorite The Replacements.

If there's anyone out there from Minnesota or who has visited please send me a comment with your recommendations of things to do, musical or otherwise, while I'm here.

Thanks!

Black Feelings debut album details

October 14th will see the debut release from Montreal power trio Black Feelings. The cover art (above) was done by former AIDS Wolf guitarist Chris Taylor.

The track list for the self-titled album shapes up like this:

• Lost Rings, Pt 1
• Hidden Dance
• Gails
• Golden Children
• Lost Rings, Pt 2
• Eternal Bad Trip
• VH135
• Aum SHinrikyo

Black Feelings play the Garrison in Toronto on October 22nd.

Black Feelings' Myspace

The Arkells: 3 free Toronto appearances today!

Hamilton, ON rock up-and-comers The Arkells are playing a series of free acoustic shows in Toronto today. As part of the "Busking For Change" effort to raise money for War Child, the band will be appearing at:

• 102.1 The Edge (sic), 228 Yonge St at 4:00pm
• Commerce Coust at 5:30pm
• MuchMusic (sic) at 6:15pm

The Arkells are a great band and to see them in an acoustic setting (as I did at CMW) is incredible.

The Arkells' website

The Arkells' Myspace

Lou Barlow: "Goodnight Unknown" (album review)

At this stage we've really come to know exactly what to expect when we get a Lou Barlow record. Whether it's his solo material or recording with Sebadoh, Sentridoh, or Folk Implosion, we know the music on the disc will be lo-fi rock that has mucho slacker appeal.

So we know what Barlow's forthcoming album Goodnight Unknown (out Oct. 6th) is going to sound like right? Not so fast bucko. Barlow has decided to throw us a few curve balls on his new record.

Yes, the lo-fi slacker sound is still there on many of the tracks. Songs like "One Note Tone", "Praise" and the banger opener "Sharing" are pretty much like the Barlow we've grown up with, even if the production quality is a little higher than we're used to.

The changes are subtle, but there is a marked broadening in Barlow's sound spectrum for this album. The title track brings in a psychedelic keyboard swirl while "Don't Apologize" works piano into the lo-fi stomp. String arrangements adorn "I'm Thinking...".

Through the clatter of "One Machine, One Long Flight" Barlow finally embraces the role of lead singer with his biggest vocals to date. The back-to-back "Faith In Your Heartbeat" and "The One I Call" may be the closest Barlow has ever come to producing an honest-to-goodness ballad.

The songwriting itself may not be as gripping as some of Barlow's previous work, but the expansion of his sound is a welcome development. Goodnight Unknown should help to breathe new life into his music.

Lou Barlow plays the Phoenix in Toronto on January 21st with Dinosaur Jr.

Best tracks: "

Track listing for Goodnight Unknown:

• Sharing
• Goodnight Unknown
• Too Much Freedom
• Faith In Your Heartbeat
• The One I Call
• The Right
• Gravitate
• I'm Thinking...
• One Machine, One Long Flight
• Praise
• Take Advantage
• Modesty
• Don't Apologize
• One Note Tone

7.0/10

Lou Barlow's website

Lou Barlow's Myspace

New releases for Sep 29th: Hope Sandoval, Avett Brothers, Alice In Chains, Avett Brothers

It's another busy week for new music. Here are some of the highlights for releases this week:

• 7 Worlds Collide- Review
• Alice In Chains
• The Avett Brothers- Review
• Ian Brown
• Cory Chisel
• Jer Coons
• Drummer
• The Hi-Nobles- Review
• Langhorne Slim- MP3
• Port O'Brien
• Princeton
• Hope Sandoval- Review
• State Radio- Review
• You Say Party! We Say Die!

Holopaw: new album, "The Art Teacher and The Little Stallion" (MP3)

Indie 6-piece Holopaw have announced the release of their new studio album. The record, Oh, Glory. Oh, Wilderness is set for a November 3rd release.

We've got the first track from the album for you to download here:

• "The Art Teacher and The Little Stallion"- MP3

The track list for the album looks like:

• The Art Teacher and the Little Stallion
• Black Lacquered Shame
• Boys on Motorbikes
• Cherry Glow
• The Conductor and the Hobbyist (Avalanche)
• The Last Transmission (Honeybee)
• The Lazy Matador
• Little Stallion with a Glass Jaw
• Oh, Glory
• P-a-l-o-m-i-n-e
• Snow-packed Hush

Holopaw's Myspace

Jessica 6: "Fun Girl (Byzar Remix)" (MP3)

Jessica 6 is a New York electro pop trio comprised of Hercules and Love Affairs' Nomi Ruiz, Andrew Raposo, and Morgan Wiley. Their debut EP, Fun Girls, is slated for an October 6th release.

As a preview we have a remix from the record available for you to download here and now:

• "Fun Girl (Byzar Remix)"- MP3

Jessica 6's website

Jessica 6's Myspace

This week's entertainment picks: Yo La Tengo, Butthole Surfers

Wow. This is one of the busiest week's in Toronto concerts this year...and I'm somewhere in Northern Ontario on a roadtrip right now.

Oh well, you guys should enjoy these:

Butthole Surfers, The Phoenix, Oct. 2nd

Gibby Haynes and the weirdest band on the planet haven't been in town since god only knows when. Catch them now.

Butthole Surfers' website

Yo La Tengo, Opera House, Oct. 3rd

Really? The tiny Opera House?

Yo La Tengo's website

...also this week:

• Moby, Sep 28
• The Rifles, Sep 28
• She Wants Revenge, Sep 28
• Arctic Monkeys, Sep 29
• Brandi Carlile, Sep 29
• Jay Reatard, Sep 29
• KMFDM, Sep 29
• Micachu and the Shapes, Sep 29
• The Soft Pack, Sep 29
• Avett Brothers, Sep 30
• Gonzalez, Sep 30
• Van Morrison, Sep 30
• Bruce Peninsula, Oct 1
• Sufjan Stevens, Oct 1
• Fever Ray, Oct 2
• KISS, Oct 2
• Van Morrison, Oct 2
• Destroyer, Oct 3
• Kid Koala, Oct 3
• Living Colour, Oct 3
• Andrew W.K., Oct 4
• Manic Street Preachers, Oct 4
• Mars Volta, Oct 4

Bobby Birdman: new album details, "Only For a While" (MP3)

California pop-rocker Bobby Birdman has completed his new studio album. The record, New Moods, is set for a November 10th release.

We've got the first track for you to download now:

• "Only For a While"- MP3

The track list for the album looks like this:

• Only For A While
• Dust Design
• What You Say
• Weighty Wait
• Victory At Sea
• Bloody Mess
• Silent But Violent
• You'd Be Surprised
• Setting Sun
• Truth Be Told
• Well Sprung
• Back and Forth

Bobby Birdman's Myspace

Concerts announced this week

Here's a look at concerts announced this week for Toronto:

• Avett Brothers, Horseshoe Tavern, Sep 30
• The Fresh and Onlys, Wrongbar, Oct 1
• Vampire Weekend, Horseshoe Tavern, Oct 8
• Former Ghost, Whippersnapper Gallery, Oct 16
• Black Feelings, The Garrison, Oct 22
• Saul Williams, Opera House, Oct 23
• The Blakes, Horseshoe Tavern, Oct 27
• Liam Finn w. Miracle Fortress, Lee's Palace, Oct 29
• The Johnstones, Mod Club, Oct 29
• Bishop Allen, El Mocambo, Oct 30
• Har Mar Superstar, Horseshoe Tavern, Nov 1
• Vic Chesnutt, Lee's Palace, Nov 7
• Girls w. Real Estate, El Mocambo, Nov 10
• Mad Caddies, Opera House, Nov 13
• Quest For Fire, Sneaky Dee's, Nov 19
• The Cranberries, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Nov 20
• The Cranberries, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Nov 21
• Lights, Kool Haus, Nov 26
• International Pop Overthrow, various, Nov 25-28
• Rob Zombie, Sound Academy, Nov 28
• Russian Circles, Lee's Palace, Dec 7
• White Cowbell Oklahoma, Lee's Palace, Dec 18

Real Ones to release instrumental album (video)

On the heels of the North American release of their album All for the Neighbourhood, Norwegian indie popsters Real Ones are poised to release a new instrumental record. <> will be released in Europe on September 28th.

Catch a glimpse of the guys recording it with this video:

Real Ones' Myspace

Quick Hits: T.H. White

It's Saturday clearinghouse day, so I present you with some thoughts on albums that have crossed my desktop this week:

T.H. White, Company Book

This is the third full length album from T.H. White. On it he writes, produces, programs, arranges, and plays guitar and bass. Some of the songs are quite vibrant and innovative, but too many others sound like bad trance music. The record comes out September 29th.

T.H. White's Myspace

The Kut, "Doesn't Matter Anyway"/"Closure"

The UK trio are set to release this double A-side single on October 13th. It's pure in-your-face power rock, with big hooks. Check it out when it crosses the pond.

The Kut's Myspace

Winter Gloves announce digital-only album (MP3)

Winter Gloves have found an interesting way to celebrate their success. The Montreal band will be releasing a digital-only album, A Way To Celebrate, on October 6th. The album is a reworking of the band's critically-acclaimed debut About a Girl.

Grab yourself a download of what you can expect here:

• "Invisible (ease v Remix)"- MP3

Winter Gloves' website

Hard Drugs giveaway (contest)

Made you look.

Hard Drugs is the new indie rock opera project from Jeffrey Lee. It follows the romantic tale of a drug dealer, a hooker, and her pimp set to music.

The double LP features Lee working with members of Black Mountain, Limblifter, Lightning Dust, Pink Mountaintops, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and many more.

We're pleased to have a hand made poster from the group to give away to a lucky Snob's Music reader. Simply send us a message on Twitter, Myspace, or by regular email to enter.

You can get the album here.

Hard Drugs' Myspace

The Big Pink: "A Brief History of Love" (album review)

A lot of electrons have been used in spreading the Internet hype surrounding UK electro-pop duo The Big Pink. The pair, who draw their name from The Band's debut album, have just dropped their own debut full length in North America.

The songs that comprise A Brief History of Love are built on a very simple formula. The band takes well crafted, catchy pop tunes and layers electronics and other elements on top to flesh out a big bold sound.

The results tend to be impressive. Vibrant drum sound take "Frisk" from being a run-of-the-mill indie rock song to being an all-consuming aural experience. "Love In Vain" is transformed into a gauzy dreamscape. Likewise, the title track becomes hauntingly reflective with a gripping male/female vocal interplay. The combination of distortion, reverb, and drum machine loops make "Too Young To Love" a powerful textured track in the mold of My Bloody Valentine.

Underneath the bombast are often some serious hooks. The album closer "Count Backwards From Ten" is undeniably catchy. However, the standout is definitely "Dominos". You will find yourself helpless to resist singing along to the 'girls fall like dominos' refrain. You may as well pencil this one onto the best singles of the year list right now.

Occasionally we get a glimpse of the more pure pop that is at the heart of The Big Pink's songs. A track likes "At War With the Sun" and "Golden Pendulum", which feature fewer sonic layers are very little more than gussied up pop tracks. "Tonight" is a song that tries too hard to straddle the line between pop and alternative rock.

At the end of the day however, if you compare The Big Pink with some of the other hyper-hyped UK bands of 2009 (I'm looking at you Glasvegas), they stand head and shoulders above the crowd.

The Big Pink play Lee's Palace in Toronto on November 29th.

Best tracks: "Dominos", "A Brief History of Love"

Track listing for A Brief History of Love:

• Crystal Vision
• Too Young To Love
• Dominos
• Love In Vain
• At War With the Sun
• Velvet
• Golden Pendulum
• Frisk
• A Brief History of Love
• Tonight
• Count Backwards From Ten

8.5/10

The Big Pink's website

The Big Pink's Myspace

Greg Holden: "The Art of Falling" (video)

UK singer/songwriter has had a busy year. His debut album A Word In Edgeways came out earlier this year, and just this week he released the EP Sing for the City.

Holden was also in town recently, doing the opening act duties for Ingrid Michaelson.

If you missed him don't worry, a little birdie tells me he'll be back soon. You can also check him out with this homemade video performance of the track "The Art of Falling" from his full length:

Greg Holden's Myspace

3 More To Explore: wallscenery demos, Lindsey Mae, Go For The Eyes

Take some time to soak in these stellar acts that you may not be familiar with:

wallscenery demos

For those who like: Folk Implosion

This Toronto artist's check this! may be the lo-fi slacker masterpiece of the year.

wallscenery demos' Myspace

Lindsey Mae

For those who like: Brandi Carlile

The New York native writes songs far more mature than her 19 years would indicate possible.

Lindsey Mae's Myspace

Go For The Eyes

For those who like: Rocket From The Crypt

Energetic, balls-out rock is what you can expect from this Calgary band.

Go For The Eyes' Myspace

R.E.M.: "Man-Sized Wreath" (video)

In anticipation of the October 26th release of the 39-track CD/DVD Live At the Olympia in Dublin, R.E.M. has released another video from the performance.

Check out "Man-Sized Wreath" here:

Read my review of Live At the Olympia here.

R.E.M.'s website

Bernard Sumner's Bad Lieutenant: "Sink Or Swim" (video)

Bad Lieutenant, Bernard Sumner's post-New Order band, have posted a new video from their forthcoming album (out October 13th).

Check out the video for "Sink Or Swim" here:

Bad Lieutenant's website

Bad Lieutenant's Myspace

Asobi Seksu cover Hope Sandoval covering Leonard Cohen (MP3)

Brooklyn art pop group Asobi Seksu have just released a free download of their cover of Hope Sandoval covering Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (boy that's a mouthful of coverage). Grab your copy here:

• "Suzanne"- MP3

Asobi Seksu play the Horseshoe in Toronto on October 12th.

Asobi Seksu's website

Asobi Seksu's Myspace

Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions: "Through the Devil Softly" (album review)

It's been nearly a decade since we last heard from former Mazzy Star singer Hope Sandoval. Her debut solo album Bavarian Fruit Bread landed in 2001. Next week (September 29th to be exact) we get a highly anticipated end to that silence with the release of Through The Devil Softly.

The new album sees Sandoval once again backed by the Warm Inventions. This includes master sonic texturist Colm O'Coisoig of My Bloody Valentine.

In her solo work thus far, Sandoval hasn't wander far from her Mazzy Star dream pop roots. Don't expect that to change on the new album. Songs like "Sets the Blaze" and "Trouble" are highly layered and textured without increasing the volume level to contain the all-encompassing well of sound the band creates.

At the end of the day what Mazzy Star was beyond all else was mesmerizing. Sandoval had the ability to simply transfix the listener. She shows that once again on the album. A track like "For the Rest of Your Life" from anyone else would seem mundane, even monotonous. In the hands of Sandoval they become touching and heart-wrenching.

If I've had one complaint about Sandoval's music over the years it is that there is a tendency for some of the songs to begin to sound alike. Surprisingly, that issue is at worst minimal on the new album. A track like "There's a Willow" clearly has the potential to make you reach for the skip button, but the band insert intriguing arrangements which pull the song through.

It appears as though the Warm Inventions have learned some new tricks during the hiatus as well. "Fall Aside" features an unmistakable roots influence, incorporating banjo and traditional rhythms into the mix. Backing harmony vocals weave in and out of "Wild Roses", and "Blanchard" features the rarest of Sandoval elements: a hook.

In listening to Through The Devil Softly it's clear that Hope Sandoval has been missed. While there are many artists who boast beautiful voices, they all sound like Mojo Nixon when put up next to the silky, haunting tones of Hope Sandoval.

Hope Sandoval plays the Mod Club in Toronto on October 7th.

Best tracks: "Blanchard", "Bluebird"

Track list for Through The Devil Softly:

• Blanchard
• Wild Roses
• For the Rest of Your Life
• Lady Jessica and Sam
• Sets The Blaze
• Thinking Like That
• There's a Willow
• Trouble
• Fall Aside
• Bluebird
• Satellite

8.5/10

Hope Sandoval's website

Hope Sandoval's Myspace

The Antlers: Criminal Records in-store tonight

Brooklyn art rock trio The Antlers are in town for a show tonight. But for those of you who don't have tickets to the gig, we've got something for you as well. The band will be playing a free acoustic set at Criminal Records (493 Queen St W) at 6:00pm.

Go hear free music dammit.

The Antlers' full show is tonight at the Horseshoe.

The Antlers' Myspace

Criminal Records' website

Pretty Lights: "Sunday School" (MP3)

Passing Behind Your Eyes, the third full length album from Pretty Lights, will be released for free download on October 6th. The record will be posted on the group's website for all to share.

In the meantime we've got an MP3 from the album for you:

• "Sunday School"- MP3

Pretty Lights' website

Pretty Lights' Myspace

Port O'Brien: "My Will Is Good (Bodega Girls Remix)" (MP3)

American roots rock band Port O'Brien are releasing their new studio album threadbare on October 6th. We've got a new remix of the first single "My Will Is Good" for you to download. Grab it here:

• "My Will Is Good (Bodega Girls Remix)"- MP3

Port O'Brien plays Sneaky Dee's in Toronto on October 9th with Sea Wolf and Sara Lov.

Port O'Brien's website

Port O'Brien's Myspace

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announce 2010 nominees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for the class of 2010. This year's group includes:

• ABBA
• The Chantels
• Jimmy Cliff
• Genesis
• The Hollies
• KISS
• LL Cool J
• Darlene Love
• Laura Nyro
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• The Stooges
• Donna Summer

It will be interesting to see who makes the cut. KISS seems like a lock and you really need to include The Stooges, LL Cool J, and Jimmy Cliff for the contributions they made in breaking new musical genres.

The induction ceremony takes place March 15, 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's website

Dead Man's Bones: "In the Room Where You Sleep" (MP3)

Ryan Gosling's Dead Man's Bones will be releasing their self-titled debut on October 6th. We've got another single from the Canadian actor now:

• "In the Room Where You Sleep"- MP3

Just feel the eeriness.

Dead Man's Bones play the Music Gallery in Toronto on October 20th.

Dead Man's Bones' website

Dead Man's Bones' Myspace