Superchunk's McCaughan and Wilbur to play unplugged Toronto show

In a rare treat Superchunk/Portastatic's Mac McCaughan and Jim Wilbur will be pulling into Toronto for a rare stripped down performance.  The show is part of an advance screening of Matt Bissonnette's new film Passenger Side.  There will also be a discussion of the movie (which looks pretty good from the trailer).

Following the movie, McCaughan and Wilbur will play a selection of Superchunk and Portastatic songs (and apparently covers if we're lucky).

The performance and screening take place at the Royal Theatre on April 7th beginning at 8:00pm.  Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased here.

Mac McCaughan's blog
Passenger Side website

Monsters of Folk: "Dear God" (video)

Indie supergroup Monsters of Folk (Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James, and Mike Mogis) have released a new video for the song "Dear God" from their 2009 debut album.

Check it out here:


Monsters of Folk's website
Monsters of Folk's Myspace

Milks & Rectangles give away "Troubleshooters" EP

If there's one thing I love it's free music.  The latest free-to-the-public item to come to my attention is from PEI indie pop band Milks & Rectangles.

The quartet is making their new EP, Troubleshooters, available for free download from their website.

Not sure if you want to commit the 30 seconds it will take to download the entire EP?  You're in luck.  Check out the track "Wink and a Gun (The Jury's Hung)".

Milks & Rectangles' website

Spookey Ruben and Feist play cowboy dress-up (video)

I'm not even sure where to start with this one.

This video of Spookey Ruben's Dizzy Playground sees the veteran Toronto musician in the role of Spaghetti Cowboy, a man charged with apprehending the nasty El Bandido, portrayed by a mustachioed Leslie Feist.  That's Toronto radio stalwart Alan Cross narrating.

Just don't think about it too hard and enjoy:


AUX.TV's website

Willie Nelson: "Man With the Blues" (video)

On April 20th Country legend Willie Nelson returns with a brand new album.  Country Music was produced by T-Bone Burnett and sees Nelson return to his roots.

Check out this video of Nelson performing the album's "Man With the Blues":


Willie Nelson's website

Tender Forever: new album details

Portland, OR musician Tender Forever, aka Melanie Velera, has announced details of her new studio album.  No Snare is her third full length and will be on store shelves June 8th.

Check out the lead single "The Only Sounds You Made" now.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Got To Let Go
• Like The Snare That’s Gone
• Only The Sounds You Made
• Nothing At All
• Day Number
• But The Shape Is Wide
• Nowhere Good Enough
• Unfortunate Friends
• When I’m In The Dark And You Take Away The Dark

Tender Forever's Myspace

Jonsi: "Go Do" (album review)

I'm going to be upfront with you: I've never been a huge fan of Sigur Ros.  My feelings towards the beloved Icelandic group are verging on total indifference.  So that's the bias I come to the table with as I approach Go, the forthcoming debut solo album from Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi.

After listening to Go I have to admit that I can claim anything but indifference.  The album is a vibrant, driven affair that leaves a lasting impression.

The record opens with "Go Do", a frenzied technicolor swirl of a track.  "Animal Arithmetic" follows with an electronic cacophony.  The dark "Kolnidur" borders on the nihilistic in its sound.

The album also marks the first time Jonsi sings predominantly in English.  On tracks like "Around Us" his vocals are as ethereal as ever, not losing any of that characteristic with the change in language.

Where Go falls off the rails for me is when Jonsi dials down the tempo.  Slower tracks like the string-heavy "Tornado", "Sinking Friendships", and the spacey "Grow Till Tall" strive for beautiful ambiance, but in fact what they achieve is at best dull background noise.

In the end though, Go is a strong, daring album and one that shows a definitive break from the gauzy haze of Sigur Ros.

Jonsi plays the Sound Academy in Toronto on April 30th and May 1st.

Best tracks: ""Go Do", "Kolnidur"

Track listing for Go:

• Go Do
• Animal Arithmatic
• Tornado
• Boy Lilikoi
• Sinking Friendships
• Kolnidur
• Around Us
• Grow Till Tall
• Hengilas

7.5/10

Jonsi's website
Jonsi's Myspace

The Sadies: new album "Darker Circles" streaming now

Toronto's own country rock powerhouses (and frequent Neko Case collaborators) The Sadies have announced the release of their new studio album.  Darker Circles was produced by The Jayhawks' Gary Louris and is set for a May 25th street date.

Check out the track "Another Year Again" here:




The entire album is currently streaming here.

The Sadies' website
The Sadies' Myspace

LCD Soundsystem: album name, track list, cover art

Last week I let you know that the new LCD Soundsystem album had a release date (May 18th), now we've got a name and the album cover art.  The record will be called This Is Happening.  You can cast your gaze upon the art at left.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Dance Yrself Clean
• Drunk Girls
• One Touch
• All I Want
• Change
• Hit
• Pow Pow
• Somebody's Calling Me
• What You Need

LCD Soundsystem's website
LCD Soundsystem's Myspace

Kaki King readies new album

Critically acclaimed Atlanta musician Kaki King releases her new album Junior on April 13th.

You can hear the first single, "The Betrayer" at Stereogum now.

King does have a bunch of tour dates scheduled, unfortunately, none of them appear to be in Canada yet.  I'll let you know if that changes.

Kaki King's website
Kaki King's Myspace

Villagers announce album release, video

One of the acts that really blew me away during Canadian Music Fest was Irish singer/songwriter Villagers.  Now the Ben Lee-esque popster has announced the North American release of his debut album Becoming a Jackal.  The record will hit our shores on June 8th.

Check out the video for the title track here:


Here's the track listing for the album:

• I Saw the Dead
• Becoming a Jackal
• Ship of Promises
• The Meaning of the Ritual
• Home
• That Day
• The Pact (I'll be your Fever)
• Set the Tigers Free
• Twenty-Seven Strangers
• Pieces
• To Be Counted Among Men

Villagers' Myspace

Walking Sleep announce debut album details

LA indie pop band Walking Sleep have announced the release of their debut full length album.  May 25th will see the 6-piece release Measures.

Get yourself a taste of what's to come with the insanely catchy track "Final Chapter".

Here's the track listing for the album:

• The Cause
• In A Dream
• Final Chapter
• As A Volunteer
• Let It Go On
• Arso
• Don't Be Fooled
• What We Forgot
• Shake The Cold
• Standing In The Threat

Hopefully we'll get to see them in this neck of the woods soon.

Walking Sleep's Myspace

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: "I Learned The Hard Way" (album review)

Artists like Duffy, Adele, and Amy Winehouse have been inundating us with '60s girl pop-inspired music for a few years now.  None of them though, do it with the r&b/soul bent that we get from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.  On April 6th the band return with their new album I Learned The Hard Way.

Proving she's an almost unmatched soul singer, Jones belts out lung fulls on tracks like "Window Shopping" and the title track.  She's as forceful and commanding as ever, while still providing layers of emotion.

The Dap-Kings back Jones up with their usual horn-focussed music.  This time around however, there's something missing.  There is precious little fire to these songs.  Save for the instrumental "The Reason", they almost all fail to ignite.  The results are bland and dull.

Not all the blame can be laid at the feet of the Dap-Kings though.  Jones needs to connect better with the backing she's being provided.  As it stands it sounds like she's singing in a vacuum, with absolutely no relation to what's going on around her.

Even another strong vocal performance from Jones isn't enough to salvage this record.  It's not as though I Learned the Hard Way is a horrible listen, but it's just not up to the level we've come to expect from Jones.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings play the Sound Academy in Toronto on May 25th.

Best tracks: "The Reason", "Without a Heart"

Track listing for I Learned the Hard Way:

• The Game Gets Old
• I Learned the Hard Way
• Better Things
• Give It Back
• Money
• The Reason
• Window Shopping
• She Ain't A Child No More
• I'll Still Be True
• Without a Heart
• If You Call
• Mama Don't Like My Man

5.0/10

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings' website
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings' Myspace

New releases for Mar 30: Angus & Julia Stone, Holly Golightly

Here's a look at the new releases coming out this week:

• AfterpartY- Review
• Annuals- Review
• Blues Explosion
• Free the Robots
• Holly Golightly
• Andy Kim
• Manafest
• Angus & Julia Stone- Review
• Sweet Apple

Tokyo Police Club give away "Breakneck Speed"

The best band to come out of Newmarket, ON since Glass Tiger is returning.  That's right, Tokyo Police Club have announced their return with the release of their new studio album Champ.  The record hits streets June 8th.

You can download the first single, "Breakneck Speed" here.

Watch the guys talk about the album here:


Tokyo Police Club's website
Tokyo Police Club's Myspace

Dosh: album, tour details, "Number 41 (featuring Andrew Bird)" (MP3)

Minneapolis-based on-man band Dosh is poised to release his new album.  The eclectic Tommy has been scheduled for an April 13th release.

Check out the fresh sound on "Number 41 (featuring Andrew Bird)".

Here's the track list for the album:

• Subtractions
• Yer Face
• Number 41
• Town Mouse
• Loud
• Airlift
• Country Road X
• Call The Kettle
• Nevermet
• Gare de Lyon

Dosh plays The Drake in Toronto on April 18th.

Dosh's website
Dosh's Myspace

Jamie Lidell: album details, "The Ring" video

Australian-born, NYC-based musician Jamie Lidell will be releasing his new album, Compass, on May 18th.

Check out the brand-spakin' new video for the album track "The Ring" here:


Jamie Lidell plays the Mod Club in Toronto on June 12th.

Jamie Lidell's website
Jamie Lidell's Myspace

Dr Dog: "Shame, Shame" (album review)

Philadelphia's Dr Dog have established a rabidly loyal following for themselves.  I must admit that I haven't been among them.  In the past I've found their Americana/folk rock to be a bit bland and indistinguishable from hundreds of other bands.

The band's new album, Shame, Shame (out April 6th), has certainly swung things for me though.  This batch of songs are far more vibrant and diverse than what we've heard previously from Dr Dog.

On the new album the group have placed a much stronger focus on vocal harmonies and melodies.  Songs like "Stranger", "Unbearable Why", and the title track rely heavily on multi-layered deftly arranged vocals to provide a pleasing punch.

The most impressive part of the record is that the band have managed to increase the vocal pop quotient without sacrificing their overarching rootsy focus.  While songs like "Where'd All the Time Go?" and the Beatles-esque "I Only Wear Blue" border on trippy psychedelica, they are the exception rather than the rule.  It's the country weeper "Station" and the twangy "Jackie Wants a Black Eye" that are more indicative.

It's nice to hear something fresh from Dr Dog.  Shame, Shame may not be a masterpiece album, but it definitely helps to ignite my enthusiasm for this much beloved band.

Dr Dog play Lee's Palace in Toronto on April 14th.


Best tracks: "Stranger", "I Only Wear Blue"

Track listing for Shame, Shame:

• Stranger
• Shadow People
• Station
• Unbearable Why
• Where'd All the Time Go?
• Later
• I Only Wear Blue
• Someday
• Mirror, Mirror
• Jackie Wants a Black Eye
• Shame, Shame

7.5/10

Dr Dog's website
Dr Dog's Myspace

The Chapin Sisters ready new album, tour with She & Him

You may not be familiar with Los Angeles-based duo The Chapin Sisters, but you will be pretty soon.  The sisters, Lily and Abigail, will be releasing their sophomore album Two in August or September of this year.

To help promote the album the group has scored a pretty sweet spring tour gig.  Not only will they be performing as the opening act for She & Him's tour, but they will also be acting as opener for most of the shows.

It should be worth getting to the venue on time to get an early peek.

The Chapin Sisters play The Phoenix in Toronto on June 9th with She & Him.

The Chapin Sisters' website
The Chapin Sisters' Myspace

AfterpartY: "The Army You Got" (album review)

Tomorrow will see the release of The Army You Got, the debut full length album from Toronto indie dance rock quartet AfterpartY.

Combining slick grooves with decent hooks, it's easy to find yourself subconsciously bopping along to the beats.  Shimmering guitars and synths take turns acting as the driving force behind the songs.  Add in a healthy appreciation of '80s techno pop and a hint of glam sensibility and you have full-bodied concoction.

Lead singer Kristina B is undoubtedly the focal point.  Her self-assured vocals ooze sexuality and her delivery commands your attention.

When all of these elements are pulled together the final result sounds like what would happen if Silversun Pickups swallowed Garbage while they were in the midst of playing Killers covers.

While each song stands up well on it's own, as you listen to the album front-to-back, the sound does begin to lose its impact.  A better strategy for listening to The Army You Got is to put this one on your iPod and be excited every time a track comes up on shuffle.

It's not hard to imagine any one of these tracks in heavy rotation on commercial alternative or new rock radio.

AfterpartY have a series of Ontario dates coming up including:

• Toronto, Sneaky Dee's Apr 8
• Peterborough, The Spill, Apr 16
• Ottawa, The Rainbow, May 5
• Toronto, Poor Alex, May 30
• Toronto, El Mocambo, Jun 26

Best tracks: "Soft City", "Die for Memphis"

Track listing for The Army You Got:

• Love Lasts Six Years
• Die for Memphis
• Tokyo Blonde
• Automatic
• Soft City
• Hesitation Wounds
• Strength In Magazines
• Your Love So Retro
• Siren AM
• Scratches in the Sky

7.0/10

AfterpartY's website
AfterpartY's Myspace

This week's entertainment picks: Spoon, BRMC

It's a busy post CMW, post SXSW week for shows.  Check these out:

Spoon w. Deerhunter, Sound Academy, Mar 29
It's Spoon.  What more is there to say?

Spoon's Myspace

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Phoenix, Apr 1
The neo-shoegazers turned garage blues rockers pull into town in support of their new album.  They're back on April 11th.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Myspace

...also this week:

• Japanther, Mar 29
• Nada Surf w. Dawn Landes, Mar 29
• Beach House, Mar 30
• Javelin, Mar 30
• The Ruby Suns w. Toro Y Moi, Mar 30
• The Temper Trap, Mar 30
• Vampire Weekend w. Abe Vigoda, Mar 30
• HIM, Mar 31
• Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, Mar 31
• Seabear, Mar 31
• John Corabi, Apr 1
• Judy Collins, Apr 1
• Shearwater w. Wye Oak, Apr 1
• Microbunny, Apr 2
• Julian Casablancas, Apr 2
• RX Bandits, Apr 2
• Serena Maneesh, Apr 2
• You Say Party! We Say Die!, Apr 2
• Japandroids, Apr 3
• Miike Snow, Apr 3
• Two Hours Traffic, Apr 3

Household Names: "Driving To LA" (MP3)

Austin, TX alt rockers Household Names may have one of the best monikers in music.  What the quartet also has is a new album, Stories, No Names, coming out on May 11th.  The album will be the group's third.

You can get a sense of what to expect with the sun-drenched track "Driving To LA".

Household Names' Myspace

Tegan and Sara releasing remix album

Everyone's favorite Canadian indie rock twins Tegan and Sara will be releasing an album that amasses 17 different remixes of their latest single "Alligator".  The album, out Tuesday, includes contributions from TV On The Radio's David Sitek, Ra Ra Riot, Holy Fuck, and a phalanx of other top indie names.

Here's a look at the track list:

• Alligator (Holy Fuck remix)
• Alligator (Passion Pit remix - 80s Mixtape Jam Flex Edit)
• Alligator (Toro y Moi remix)
• Alligator (Vhs or Beta remix)
• Alligator (Doveman remix)
• Alligator (Four Tet remix)
• Alligator (Murge remix)
• Alligator (Ra Ra Riot remix)
• Alligator (Automatic Panic remix)
• Alligator (Hi-Deaf remix)
• Alligator (Dave Sitek remix)
• Alligator (Sara’s Original Demo Version)
• Alligator (Morgan Page remix)
• Alligator (Kevin St. Croix remix)
• Alligator (Mad Decent remix)
• Alligator (Josh Harris remix)
• Alligator (Hamel remix)

Tegan and Sara's website
Tegan and Sara's Myspace

Toronto concerts announced this week: Them Crooked Vultures, New Pornographers, Green Day

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

• Microbunny, The Rivoli, Apr 2 (CD Release)
• AfterpartY, Sneaky Dee's Apr 8 (CD Release)
• Mantler. Tranzac, Apr 10
• Jenny Whiteley, The Rivoli, Apr 23
• Mantler, Tranzac, Apr 24
• MGMT, Mod Club, Apr 29
• Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders, Horseshoe Tavern, May 3
• Stars, Mod Club, May 5
• Everybody Was In the French Resistance...Now, El Mocambo, May 8
• Man Man, Lee's Palace, May 9
• $100, Lee's Palace, May 14
• Screeching Weasel, The Phoenix, May 14
• CocoRosie, The Phoenix, May 15
• Them Crooked Vultures, Air Canada Centre, May 15
• Rufus Wainwright, Elgin Theatre, May 15
• Fuck Buttons, Horseshoe Tavern, May 19
• Alice Cooper w. Rob Zombie, Molson Ampitheatre, May 21
• New Pornographers w. The Dodos, Sound Academy, Jun 15
• Green Day w. AFI, Molson Ampitheatre, Aug 18

Phoenix give away free live album

2009's most successful indie rock band, Phoenix, are thanking fans by giving away a free 8-track live album for download.

You can grab your copy of Live In Sydney here.

Phoenix's website

Leroy Powell & The Messengers: "Atlantis" (album review)

Atlantis is the fourth full length album from country rock artist Leroy Powell and the first with his new backing band The Messengers.  Prior to going solo, Powell served as guitarist for Shooter Jennings and has also worked with big names like Hank Williams Jr, Dickey Betts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Waylon Jennings.

Powell doesn't shy away from his country roots.  Whether it's twangy ballads like "It's Our Turn Now" and "Family Tree", or grittier dirt roads-and-dust tunes like "Tumbin' Down" (which boasts a wagon wheel-sized groove), the Nashville influence shines through.

Separating Powell from the pick-up truck loads of country acts around though is his ability to pull inspiration from other genres and incorporate them seamlessly into his sound.  He seems equally comfortable taking a bluesy turn on "Evil" and "Look Out World (I'm Coming)" as he does stacking a swampy classic rock riff onto "Gravedigger's Blues".  The soulful back-up singers give many of the tracks a Gospel feel.

The songs on Atlantis are heartfelt and authentic.  Powell does hold back, laying it all out in his honest, personal lyrics and delivered with vocals to match.

If you're looking for your fix of Outlaw Country Gospel Blues Rock with a timeless quality, then I think the only man you can turn to is Leroy Powell.

Best tracks: "Look Out World (I'm Coming)", "Tumblin' Down"

Track listing for Atlantis:

• I Ain't Human
• Tumblin' Down
• Telluride
• Break It Easy
• It's Our Turn Now
• Evil
• Gravedigger's Blues
• The House Is Rockin'
• Family Tree
• Look Out World (I'm Coming)
• You Can Count On Me
• One Kiss, One Love
• When The Morning Comes
• Song For You

8.5/10

Leroy Powell's website
Leroy Powell's Myspace

Quick Hits: The Weakerthans

Here's the weekly look at what passed me by:

The Weakerthans, Live At the Burton Cummings Theatre
The Winnipeg indie darlings play a hometown gig that has just been released as a live DVD/CD.  The band sounds surprisingly clear for a concert recording as they blister through 18 tracks including favorites "Civil Twilight", "The Reasons", and "One Great City".

The Weakerthans play the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on May 26th & 27th.

The Weakerthans' website
The Weakerthans' Myspace