D-Sisive announces "Vaudeville" deatils

Toronto hip hop favorite D-Sisive has announced the release of his new studio album.  The record, Vaudeville, will hit the streets June 15th.

The album features a guest appearance by Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith.  Yeah, that seems weird to me too.

Here's the track list for the record:

• Vaudeville (Friends Forever)
• The Riot Song
• Shotgun Wedding
• Tree Swing
• Ray Charles (Looking For A Star) (with King Reign)
• The Night My Baby Died
• Percocet
• Never Knew Me
• Liberace (with Ron Sexsmith)
• Scaredy Cat
• Wichita
• I Love A Girl
• Aeroplane

D-Sisive's Myspace

Cate Le Bon: "Me Oh My" (album review)

Cate Le Bon has an intriguing backstory.  The Welsh singer shelved her first attempt at a debut album.  Following that she spent time in Neon Neon's touring band.  That experience gave her enough confidence to return to the studio to give a full length debut another shot.  The result is the forthcoming record Me Oh My (out May 4th).

It's easy to see why Le Bon has drawn so many comparisons to Nico.  Vocally she shares the same timbre and deadpan delivery as the late German chanteuse.  Add a Velvet Underground art rock vibe on many songs like "Digging Song" and the title track and the comparison becomes almost irresistible.

Delving deeper into the music will demonstrate though, that Le Bon is far more eclectic than Nico ever was.  The musical styles on Me Oh My flow easily from mellow and trippy ("Sad Sad Feet") to '90s alt rock ("Hollow Trees House Hounds") to cacophonous white noise ("Burn Until the End").

The diverse styles and influences can create a chasm between the vocals and the arrangements.  On several occasions it feels as though two completely separate songs are being performed simultaneously.  The results are incredibly distracting for the listener.

In those instances when the words and music converge, good things happen.  For example, the simple keyboard accompaniment on "Terror of The Man" makes for a nearly magical song.

One thing is for certain though, there are precious few artists today who are making music like that of Cate Le Bon.

Best tracks: "Digging Song", "Terror of The Man"

Track listing for Me Oh My:

• Me Oh My
• Sad Sad Feet
• Shoeing the Bones
• Hollow Trees House Hounds
• It's Not the End
• Terror of The Man
• Eyes So Bright
• Digging Song
• Burn Until the End
• Out To Sea

6.5/10

Cate Le Bon's website
Cate Le Bon's Myspace

The Black Keys: "Next Girl" (video)

The Black Keys may be the hardest working guys in indie rock right now.  On May 18th they return with the release of their new album Brothers.

The band have just posted a really cool clip for the track "Next Girl" which features bikini girls fighting over the affections of a dinosaur hand puppet.  And who said the music video was dead?

Check it out:


The Black Keys' website
The Black Keys' Myspace

Tift Merritt gives away "Engine To Turn"

As previously reported, highly-acclaimed North Carolina singer/songwriter Tift Merritt releases her new album See You On The Moon on June 1st.  To wet your whistle she's giving away a free track from the album now.

Grab yourself a free download of the track "Engine To Turn" here.

Tift Merritt's website
Tift Merritt's Myspace

The Fall: "Your Future Our Clutter" (album review)

There is no arguing against the fact that Mark E. Smith and The Fall have contributed immensely to the growth of underground music.  For nearly 35 years now the band has served as an example to up-and-coming artists that you don't need to fit in or try to be popular to have a successful career.

That may be the problem with The Fall's new album Your Future Our Clutter though.  The record, out May 4th, shows that the band itself has progressed very little over the course of 25-plus albums.

The UK post-punks are still churning out clatter filled, loosely structured music.  And it's beginning to grow tiresome.  Smith and company seem content to exist within the niche they've carved out for themselves.  They seem as though they can't be bothered to try something new.  With the possible exception of the vaguely funky "Mexico", this is the sound of a band that's happy producing the same old, same old.  What was cutting edge in 1985 is no longer cutting edge.  It's a fact The Fall hasn't discovered yet.

What's even worse is the energy that they gave us on tracks like "How I Wrote Elastic Man" or "High Tension Wire" is completely absent.  The biting wit of "The Man Whose Headed Expanded" and other songs of yore is also missing.

The question we're left with at the end of it all is: did this album need to be made and does The Fall have any new ideas to throw our way?

Best tracks: "Mexico", "Cowboy George"

Track listing for Your Future Our Clutter:

• O.F.Y.C. Showcase
• Bury
• Mexico
• Cowboy George
• Hot Cake
• Y.F.O.C./Slippy Floor
• Chino
• Funnel of Love
• Weather Report 2

3.5/10

The Fall's website

3 More To Explore: Volcano Playground, Cady Finlayson, Kris Gruen

Here are three more acts to listen to while you do yard work this weekend:

Volcano Playground
For those who like: Mates of State, Metric

A Toronto quartet, Volcano Playground are making their EP available for free download.  They also play a gig at Toronto's Bread & Circus tomorrow night (May 1).

Volcano Playground's Myspace

Cady Finlayson
For those who like: Loreena McKennitt

This Brooklyn-based celtic fiddler has never played Toronto, but I bet she'd find a welcoming audience.

Cady Finlayson's Myspace

Kris Gruen
For those who like: The Decemberists

A Vermont roots/folk rock musician, Gruen's music will sound eerily familiar to indie rock fans.

Kris Gruen's Myspace

The Dead Weather: tweet and download "Hustle and Cuss"

There's lots of news on The Dead Weather front (like the pun?).  As you know the new album, Sea of Cowards, comes out May 11th.  But there's lots happening before then.

First, you can get a free download of the new track "Hustle and Cuss", and possibly win a trip to Bonnaroo, by tweeting about it.  Get all the instructions here.

Second, the band will be streaming a live performance exclusively on their Myspace page on May 3rd at 6:00pm EDT.

Finally, there's a new video for the song "Die By the Drop".  But guess what, we Canadians can't watch it.  Thanks Warner and Youtube!

The Dead Weather's website
The Dead Weather's Myspace

Pink Mountaintops and more featured in new film "Leslie, My Name Is Evil"

I don't cover a lot of movies here.  But I will make exceptions for those that revolve heavily around music.

That's the case with Leslie, My Name Is Evil, a Canadian film the prominently features music from indie bands like Pink Mountaintops and West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band.  The film even takes it's name from a Pink Mountaintops lyric.

Check out the trailer for what seems destined to become a psychedelic dramedy cult favorite here:


The film, which debut at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, opens in Toronto and Vancouver on May 21st.

Woodhands release free remix EP

Toronto indie electronic act Woodhands are giving away a new remix EP.  Remixcapade features six new takes on tracks from their latest album Remorsecapade.

You can get your free copy of the EP here.

Here's the track list for the remix record:

• Pockets (Diamond Rings Mix)
• Dissembler (Mathemagic Mix)
• Dissembler (French Husband Remix)
• CP24 (Teen Mix)
• Pockets (JG's Stay Real Dub)
• Dissembler (Dan's Piano version)

Woodhands play Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on May 25th and the Main Stage of Pride on July 3rd.

Woodhands' website

Interpol give away new song "Lights"

In another move that suggests a new album is just around the corner, NYC post-punks Interpol are giving away a brand new track.  You can get your download of "Lights" here:

Interpol plays the Rogers Centre in Toronto on July 3rd opening for U2.

Interpol's website
Interpol's Myspace

Blur gives away new track "Fool's Day"

Just because they haven't released an album in seven years and Damon Albarn's been busy living the cartoon lifestyle, it doesn't mean that nothing's going on with Blur.

The band actually released a limited edition 7" single as part of the recent Record Store Day festivities.  You can get a digital download of that track for free right now from the band's website.

Check out "Fool's Day".

Blur's website

Josh Ritter: "So Runs The World Away" (album review)

Craig Finn gets a lot of acclaim for his blue collar songwriting.  I believe that Josh Ritter would give him a heck of a run for his money any day of the week.  It's Ritter's songwriting that is once again front-and-centre on his forthcoming album So Runs The World Away (out May 4th).

Ritter's songs are bursting with vivid imagery and strong storytelling.  With  "Lantern" he proves he can do the Springsteen working man thing.  On "Rattling Locks" he tries his hand at absurdist Tom Waits style.  He's most successful though when he is writing in the folk genre.  The standout this time is "Folk Bloodbath" on which he retells the tale of the great American myth of Stagger Lee.

While Ritter proves adept at jangly folk ("Long Shadows"), breezy pop ("Southern Pacifica") and even waltzes ("The Curse"), the arrangements are best when he concentrates on simple vocal folk.  Tracks like "Change of Time" or the Simon & Garfunkel-esque troubadour folk of "Lock" are among the most melodic yet simple in Ritter's catalogue.

It's hard to find any fault with So Runs The World Away.  Vocally, lyrically, and musically Ritter is at the top of his game.  It's remarkable that this talent is not better exposed.

Best tracks: "Folk Bloodbath", "Lock"

Track listing for So Runs The World Away:

• Curtains
• Change of Time
• The Curse
• Southern Pacifica
• Rattling Locks
• Folk Bloodbath
• Lock
• Lantern
• The Remnant
• See How Man Was Made
• Another New World
• Orbital
• Long Shadows

8.5/10

Josh Ritter's website
Josh Ritter's Myspace

Be Good Tanyas' Frazey Ford announces solo album details (MP3)

Frazey Ford of the Canadian roots group The Be Good Tanyas has announced the release of her first solo album.  Obadiah will hit stores on July 20th.

Grab yourself a download of the track "Firecracker" here:

You'll be able to catch Ford as she plays the Hillside Festival in Guelph in July.

Frazey Ford's Myspace

Hillside Festival line-up announced: Calexico, Los Lobos, Stars and many more

The line-up has been announced for this year's Hillside Festival in Guelph and it's a good looking one.  Artists performing at the event include:

• The Acorn
• Basia Bulat
• Brasstronaut
• Calexico
• Corb Lund
• Good Lovelies
• Gord Downie
• Horse Feathers
• Japandroids
• Los Lobos
• Sarah Harmer
• Stars
• The Wooden Sky
• Young Rival
• Yukon Blond

The 2010 version of the festival takes place July 23-25 at Guelph Lake Island.

Hillside Festival website

Ratatat announce release of "LP4"

Instrumental music heavyweights Ratatat have announced the release of their new album.  The cleverly title LP4 will hit stores on June 8th.

I'll keep you posted as more details become available.

Ratatat's website
Ratatat's Myspace

Hotel St George: "Little Childrens Bones" (video)

Our friends in California indie/rock/folk band Hotel St George have posted a new video for the track "Little Childrens Bones".

Check out the very entertaining clip here:


Hotel St George's Myspace

Mystery Jets: new album coming, "Flash a Hungry Smile" (MP3)

UK indie rockers Mystery Jets will be releasing a new album in July.  Serotonin will be the band's third full length.

You can get a taste now with a free download of the single "Flash a Hungry Smile".

Mystery Jets' website
Mystery Jets' Myspace

The New Pornographers: "Together" (album review)

When it comes to supergroups there really aren't any in Canada who can hold a candle to The New Pornographers.  A.C. Newman, Dan Bejar et al are poised to release their fifth studio album Together on May 4th.

This time around the group takes a slight step back from their usually dose of delicious power pop.  Strings, keyboards, and horns (provided by the Dap-Kings) take a far more prominent role.  The result is a more intricate, at times orchestral sound.  At times, such as on "Daughters of Sorrow", the feel borders on theatrical.

The quasi-title track, "Your Hands (Together)", is possibly the band's heaviest effort.  The arrangements in the introduction and verses features a heavy guitar riff that seems to draw its inspiration from the cadence of "War Pigs".

Unfortunately, to get this sound what suffers is the hooks.  There are still a handful of tracks, like "Silver Jenny Dollars" and "What Turns Up In the Dark", that boast big, catchy melodies.  But the ratio is disappointing.

In yet another frustrating turn, Neko Case is absolutely spectacular in belting out songs like "Crash Years".  I say frustrating because it's the Neko Case we get to hear on New Pornographers albums that I so desperately want to hear on her solo material.  In comparison to these songs, her solo material comes across as listless and uninspired.

In addition to the usual cast of characters the band has recruited some indie rock friends to contribute in the form of Okkervil River's suddenly omnipresent Will Scheff, Annie Clark of St Vincent and Beirut's Zach Condon.

When push comes to shove, there is more positive than negative about Together.  But despite adding some elements, the new record is far from the band's most essential work.

The New Pornographers play the Sound Academy in Toronto on June 15th.

Best tracks: "Crash Years", "Silver Jenny Dollars"

Track listing for Together:

• Moves
• Crash Years
• Your Hands (Together)
• Silver Jenny Dollars
• My Shepherd
• If You Can't See My Mirrors
• What Turns Up In the Dark
• Valkyrie and the Roller Disco
• A Bite Out of My Bed
• Daughters of Sorrows
• We End Up Together

7.0/10

The New Pornographers' website
The New Pornographers' Myspace

The Middle East set for Toronto debut, win the album!

Australian indie band The Middle East make their Toronto live debut on May 5th at the Horseshoe Tavern.

In anticipation I've got two copies of their debut EP to give away.

Want one?  Just get in touch with me one of these ways to let me know:

• Email
• Twitter
• Myspace

Check out the track "Lonely" for a taste.

The Middle East's Myspace

Chromeo to release "Business Casual"

Indie electro funk outfit Chromeo have picked August 17th as the release date for their new album.  The Montreal/NYC act will unleash Business Casual on fans that day.

Here's a look at the track list (the running order may change):

• Hot Mess
• I'm Not Contagious
• You Make it Rough
• Don't Turn the Lights On
• Grow Up
• Night by Night
• Don't Walk Away
• When the Night Falls (feat. Solange Knowles)
• The Right Type
• J'ai claqué la porte

Chromeo's website
Chromeo's Myspace

Born Ruffians: "What To Say" (video)

Toronto's Born Ruffians release their sophomore album Say It on June 1st.  The band has now posted a video for the track "What To Say".

Check it out here:


Born Ruffians play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on May 28th.

Born Ruffians' website
Born Ruffians' Myspace

Regina Spektor covers Radiohead for Haiti

Forgot about the Haitian earthquake already?  Apparently Regina Spektor hasn't.  The singer has just released a cover of Radiohead's "No Surprises" as a benefit single.

You can hear it before you buy it here.

The single is available now through iTunes.

Regina Spektor's website
Regina Spektor's Myspace

Dearly Beloved: "They Will Take Up Serpents" (EP review)

Rob Higgins was a stalwart on the Toronto indie scene throughout the '90s.  Working with such highly esteemed local acts as Change Of Heart, Tristan Psionic, and By Divine Right, his contributions to the development of the scene are immeasurable.

Now Higgins has teamed up with a cast of Toronto music veterans for the project Dearly Beloved.  The band releases their new EP They Will Take Up Serpents today.

This is the kind of kiss ass guitar rock record that we hear very infrequently nowadays.  Grinding axe work on "Make It Bleed" and the highly combustible "The Ride" hearken back to the sloppiness of '90s hard rock.  And it may not be "hip" to say it, but that's a very welcome change of pace.

The other element that helps put Dearly Beloved over the top are the backing vocals of Niva Chow.  Her contribution serves to soften the impact of the songs, giving tracks like "Candy Coated" a tuneful feel.

The EP is too short to contain much filler, but as it is "When Slow Is the New Fast", verges on Emo at times, which doesn't encourage one to engage in multiple listens.

You won't discover anything groundbreaking on They Will Take Up Serpents, but you may rediscover a sound that's been buried in your teenage memories.

Dearly Beloved play a CD release party at the Drake in Toronto on April 30th.

Best tracks: "The Ride", "Candy Coated"

Track listing for They Will Take Up Serpents:

• Move On
• Make It Bleed
• The Ride
• When Slow Is the New Fast
• Candy Coated

7.0/10

Dearly Beloved's website
Dearly Beloved's Myspace

New releases for Apr 27: Gogol Bordello, Hannah Georgas

There's lots of great new music coming out this week, including:

• Dearly Beloved- Review
• Melissa Etheridge
• The Futureheads
• Hannah Georgas- Review
• Gogol Bordello
• Hole
• Jesse Malin
• The Mynabirds
• Nathaniel Rateliff
• Run With Kittens
• Wounded Lion

Hot Hot Heat give away track, post "Times a Thousand" video

As previously reported Vancouver's Hot Hot Heat are poised to release their new album, Future Breeds, on June 8th.  You don't have to wait that long to sample it though.  You can download an alternate version of the track "21@12" now.

You can also check out the "unofficial" video for "Times a Thousand" here:


Hot Hot Heat's website
Hot Hot Heat's Myspace

Ottawa Bluesfest 2010 line-up announced: Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire, The Hold Steady, and much much more

The line-up for the 2010 Ottawa Bluesfest has been announced and it's an impressive one once again.  This year's festival runs July 6th-July 18th.

Big names tapped for this year include:

• Iron Maiden
• Santana
• Jimmy Cliff
• Keith Urban
• Great Big Sea
• Gord Downie
• Joan Jett
• B-52s
• Crowded House
• Rush
• John Hiatt

Some of the big indie/alternative acts scheduled include:

• The Flaming Lips
• Weezer
• The Arcade Fire
• Great Lake Swimmers
• The Hold Steady
• Metric

Other acts of note include:

• Kevin Costner(?)
• Andrew Bird
• Planet Smashers
• Basia Bulat
• Passion Pit
• Timber Timbre
• The Swell Season
• Ozomalti
• Moneen
• Cat Empire
• The Rural Alberta Advantage
• Amos The Transparent
• Woodhands
• Blonde Redhead
• We Are Wolves

Check out the festival website for a complete list of artists and set times.

Ottawa Bluesfest's website

Sun Kil Moon reveal new album details

Mark Kozelek's Sun Kil Moon have announced the release of their fourth studio album.  Admiral Fell Promises will be available July 13th.

Those who purchase the album directly through Kozelek's website will also receive a bonus EP that includes covers of the Jackson 5 and Stereolab among others.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Alesund
• Half Bay Moon
• Sam Wong Hotel
• Third and Seneca
• You Are My Sun
• Admiral Fell Promises
• The Learning Tree
• Australian Winter
• Church of the Pines
• Bay of Skulls

Sun Kil Moon's website
Sun Kil Moon's Myspace