Trent Reznor's How To Destroy Angels give away debut EP

As I mentioned a few weeks back, Trent Reznor has been working on a new project with his wife Mariqueen Maandig.  Well, the NIN mastermind has decided that the debut EP from the band, How To Destroy Angels, will be free to download.

Beginning tomorrow (June 1st), fans will be able to download the entire 6-song EP for free from the band's website, or here:

CD, vinyl, and high quality download versions will be available at a price.

...judging from the tracks I've heard so far, the cost of the electricity it takes to download the EP may even be too much to ask.

How To Destroy Angels' website

Coming to T.O.: Heartbeat Hotel (stream)

Fans of Fleet Foxes should listen up.

Toronto-based, Peterborough-bred, Heartbeat Hotel recently released a new 7".  "The Hello Barrel" boasts gorgeous vocal harmonies with an indie folk foundation that should make the Seattle blog-darlings envious.

Listen to the new single here:


Heartbeat Hotel play The Piston in Toronto on June 3rd.

Heartbeat Hotel's website

Q&A with: Fjord Rowboat

Toronto's own Fjord Rowboat have a stellar new album Under the Cover of Brightness and are playing a CD Release show at The Horseshoe on June 5th.

I recently had the chance to ask the band about the new record and their perspective on music in general.  Here's what they had to say:

T.O. Snob: First off, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us.  You’re playing a CD release show for your new album Under Cover of Brightness at the Horseshoe on June 5th. For people who haven’t seen Fjord Rowboat before what can they expect?

We try to make our shows a really immersive experience for the audience so people can get lost in the moment. You can expect it to be loud, lush and probably a bit foggy. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see Craig knock something over on stage.

T.O. Snob: What inspires a Fjord Rowboat song?

I’m sure it’s different for all of us but for me I’m inspired to make music that moves people. Nothing beats the first time you hear a song and it just floors you for whatever reason. Whether it’s a pop song or a 10 minute droner you can get lost in doesn’t matter, it’s just that feeling where you want to listen again and again cause of how it makes you feel, be it, happy, sad, excited or whatever.

T.O. Snob: Your new album is phenomenal. “When I Think of Violence” is one of my favorite songs of the year so far. How has the writing and recording process changed for you between the first album and this one?

I’d say the writing process on our two releases was actually fairly similar. Songs either start as something that one of us has brought in or a lot of times are a result of us just jamming until we hear something special that’s worth working on. From there it’s lots of experimentation and input from everybody which I think keeps things fresh since it’s not just one central songwriter’s approach and vision.

Recording-wise, it was pretty similar in ways to the half of "Saved The Compliments For Morning" that we did ourselves. We were lucky enough to be living in a studio at the time so we essentially got to record in our living room. It’s obviously a pretty nice luxury to not be on the clock paying someone and we took full advantage, recording about 15 songs to start off and then finding the best blend for the album. We were smart enough though to get someone else to mix it this time as mixing your own stuff is enough to drive you crazy.

T.O. Snob: Some artists clearly put more effort into their lyrics, others focus on a killer riff or fancy arrangement. Is there one element of a song that is most important to you?

I think they’re all pretty equal in my mind. I always find it depressing to hear a fantastic riff or song and then realize the lyrics suck when you figure out what they’re singing, so we try to make everything as good as it can be. Not saying it always works out of course but everything gets about the same amount of love

T.O. Snob: The shoegazer sound was pretty much an abandoned genre for much of the late 90s and into the 2000s. Now it seems to be coming back strong. What do you credit for the genre’s return to prominence?

I feel there’s always been good shoegazer bands around as people who are into that sound tend to be really into it. I don’t really know why it’s coming back a bit more these days but I am glad to be enjoying all the good music.

T.O. Snob: I know you’re selling and marketing the album through your website. How do you view technology in the music industry?

It has made it so much easier for smaller bands to do what being a musician should be all about - getting your stuff out there so people can find it and hopefully like it. Recording is way more affordable and digital distribution makes getting it all around the world something you can do from your house. Compared to the old model I think its a pretty amazing time to be an independent musician.

T.O. Snob: If someone were to look at your CD collection (or iPod playlist) what would they find that would surprise them?

Hmm thats a tough one since I have such a big collection so I’ll narrow it down to just the iPod where the current biggest surprises would probably be Massive Attack, Boards Of Canada, and Caribou.

T.O. Snob: Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us.

No problem and thanks for talking to us! Really glad to hear you like the album too

Fjord Rowboat play the Horseshoe in Toronto on June 5th.

Fjord Rowboat's website
Fjord Rowboat's Myspace

Born Ruffians: "Say It" (album review)

It's expecting too much for Toronto's own Born Ruffians to come back with a song as instantly infectious as "Hummingbird".  On the strength of that track alone the band forged a name for themselves amongst the indie music community.

Now the band is back with their sophomore album Say It, and there's nothing on it that even comes close to "Hummingbird".  So wipe that from your expectations right away.

What we do get are a lot of loose sounding and jangly indie pop.  Tracks like "Retard Canard", "What To Say", "Blood, the Sun & Water", and frankly most of the album, comes across as a slightly less annoying Vampire Weekend (without the irritating faux-reggae).

In listening to the album one gets an overwhelming sense that it is almost only half-written and half-though out.  The album feels more like a carefree jam session than a composed and coherent record ready for release to the public.

There are a couple of bright(er) spots on the record.  The lead single "Sole Brother" has a beach-side campfire groove that will get your head bopping.  "Come Back" has a mid-career laid back Elvis Costello quality to it.

Aside from those few tracks the highlights are few and far between on Say It.  The loose-to-the-point-of-near-collapse thing may have worked for The Fall or even The Violent Femmes, but there simply isn't enough depth to these songs for Born Ruffians to pull it off.

Best tracks: "Come Back", "Sole Brother"

Track listing for Say It:

• Oh Man
• Retard Canard
• Sole Brother
• What To Say
• The Ballad of Moose Bruce
• Higher & Higher
• Come Back
• Nova-Leigh
• Blood, the Sun & Water
• At Home Now

4.0/10

Born Ruffians' website
Born Ruffians' Myspace

This week's entertainment picks: The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti & Spearhead

It's a week front-end loaded with great show potential.  Check out these picks for the week:

Avett Brothers, The Phoenix, Jun 1
The alt.country powerhouse rolls into town, promising to leave nothing but tumbleweed and whiskey-fueled dreams behind.

Avett Brothers' Myspace

Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Guvernment, Jun 1
Unfortunately on the same night we have one of the hardest artists on Earth to hate, Franti, performing his uniquely uplifting brand of music.

Michael Franti's Myspace

...also this week:

• The Sour Notes, May 31
• Diana Ross, May 31
• Dying Fetus, May 31
• Dave Matthews Band, Jun 1
• Mouse On Mars, Jun 1
• Angus & Julia Stone, Jun 2
• Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jun 2
• Broken Bells, Jun 2
• Keeping Riley, Jun 2
• The Darcys, Jun 3- 7" Release Show
• Andy Kim, Jun 3
• Basia Bulat, Jun 4
• Crash Karma, Jun 4
• Evelyn Evelyn, Jun 4
• Julia Nunes, Jun 4

Crystal Castles: "Crystal Castles II" (album review)

Toronto electronic indie duo Crystal Castles made quite an impact on the blogosphere with their debut album.  Now the pair have returned with the highly anticipated follow-up Crystal Castles II (apparently they get their naming scheme from Peter Gabriel).

The creepy graveyard cover artwork would seem to be an omen of the dark, occult world inside.  The album opens and closes with "Fainting Spells" and "I Am Made of Chalk", a pair of Space-Aged spook tracks, there's little here to fear.

The textures of the record don't allow for much room to play in the shadows.  A hypnotic tweak and buried background vocals make "Empathy" a standout.  "Year of Silence" is a digitally ethereal track.  The choppy bang and reverb of "Doe Deer" can be heard all over nowadays in the music of groups like Sleigh Bells.  '80s synth pop gets a nod on the almost whimsical "Not In Love", while "Suffocation" is revelatory and liberating.

Being electronic music, Crystal Castles II does have it's slow parts.  Tracks like "Violent Dreams" are bland and can seem interminable.  The monotonous beats of "Baptism" are techno clubbing music at it's most vile.

Crystal Castles make a good go of it with some highly entertaining songs, but the album may be just a little bit too long to be completely enjoyable.

Crystal Castles play the Kool Haus in Toronto on August 14th.

Best tracks: "Empathy", "Doe Deer"

Track listing for Crystal Castles II:

• Fainting Spells
• Celestica
• Doe Deer
• Baptism
• Year of Silence
• Empathy
• Suffocation
• Violent Dreams
• Vietnam
• Birds
• Pap Smear
• Not In Love
• I Am Made of Chalk

6.0/10

Crystal Castles' Myspace

Toronto concerts announced this week: Arcade Fire, KISS

Get out your red pen, it's time to start circling dates in your calendar because here are the concerts announced for Toronto this week:

• Strike Anywhere, Wrongbar, Jun 14
• The Zolas, Horseshoe Tavern, Jun 14
• Catherine MacLellan, Hugh's Room, Jun 23
• Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Lee's Palace, Jun 26
• Wide Mouth Mason, Harbourfront Centre, Jul 23
• The Felice Brothers, Horseshoe Tavern, Jul 27
• Old Crow Medicine Show, The Phoenix, Jul 31
• Blitzen Trapper w. Avi Buffalo, Opera House, Aug 3
• The Black Keys w. The Morning Benders, Kool Haus, Aug 4
• Lyle Lovett, Massey Hall, Aug 10
• Deer Tick, Horseshoe Tavern, Aug 10
• Arcade Fire, Olympic Island, Aug 14
• KISS, Molson Ampitheatre, Sep 10

The Dandy Warhols announce "best of" album

Northwest power popsters and documentary subjects The Dandy Warhols are releasing a career retrospective.  The compilation, which is essentially a 'best of' record, will be titled The Capitol Years 1995-2007 and will be released on August 24th.

Here's the track list for the compilation:

• Boys Better
• Every Day Should Be A Holiday (Tony Lash Mix)
• Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth
• Good Morning
• Godless
• Get Off 
• Bohemian Like You 
• We Used To Be Friends 
• Scientiest (Are Sound Version)
• The Last High
• Plan A (Are Sound Version)
• Holding Me Up
• All The Money Or The Simple Life Honey
• Smoke It
• This Is the Tide (Bonus Track) 

The Dandy Warhols' website

Jessica Stuart Few: "Kid Dream" (album review)

Have you ever looked at a list of influences an artist list and just thought "how the hell does that work?".

If you haven't, you need to take a look at Jessica Stuart's.  Listing  seemingly incompatible acts like Stevie Wonder, Stereolab, Alice In Chains, Primus, and Bjork, Stuart has just released her new album, with The Jessica Stuart Few, Kid Dream.

While the hard rock influences don't rear their heads on the album, the others interact to create a unique dynamic.  Jazz is the basis for much of Stuart's music, although "So Slow" is really the only straightforward jazz/pop song.  Keyboards swirl on many tracks, while violins add an orchestral flair.  On tracks like "White Rice, Brown Sugar", Stuart and her band lay down a funky wah wah groove.

It's the influence of Stereolab that is most dominant on Kid Dream though.  Stuart's songs are often structured in the choppy, ebb and flow manner of Stereolab.  That feeling is heighten with Stuart's use of her voice almost as though it were an instrument in and of itself.

The Jessica Stuart few is definitely not for everyone.  But a music fan who is searching for something different, something fresh, Kid Dream is an album that holds phenomenal opportunities to dig into.

The Jessica Stuart Few play The Piston in Toronto on June 19th as part of NXNE.

Best tracks: "White Rice, Brown Rice", "Midgey Ponchey"

Track listing for Kid Dream:

• Midgey Ponchey
• Kid Dream
• So Slow
• White Rice, Brown Rice
• Climb The Mountain
• (Don't Just Live For The) Weekend
• Aerobelts
• Aha
• Epic
• Make It Right
• Palindramatic

7.5/10

Jessica Stuart's website
Jessica Stuart's Myspace

Quick Hits: Dukes of Burgundy, We're All Just Passing Through

It's time to clear the desktop once again.  This is my weekly look at things I couldn't deal with properly this week:

Dukes of Burgundy, Dukes of Burgundy
This is the debut EP from Montreal quartet Dukes of Burgundy.  The band takes pride in their deliberately non-trendy approach to music, boasting no skinny jeans or dirty mustaches.

The music has a strong rock backbone, but unless you like five minute-plus midtempo numbers the hooks that could make the music compelling are just not there.

Dukes of Burgundy's Myspace

We're All Just Passing Through, Bedroom Recordings Vol 1
This is the new EP from Long Island's We're All Just Passing Through.

There are no studio tricks on the EP.  Instead the record relies on solid song writing and a deft pop ear.  The results are catchy tracks like "The World At Your Feet" and the clever "Nobody Picks a Fist Fight In New York City".

Adding the "Volume 1" qualifier to the title indicates that there should be more volumes to come.  That would be a very good thing.

We're All Just Passing Through's Myspace

Best Coast announce debut album details

California indie buzz band Best Coast have finally announced the release of their debut full length.  July 27th is the day we will all get to hear Crazy for You.

Best Coast plays The Great Hall on June 17th and The Garrison on June 18th both as part of NXNE.

Best Coast's Myspace

Coming to T.O.: Candy Claws (MP3)

Candy Claws are a Fort Collins, CO band who release their sophomore album Hidden Lands on August 3rd.

A duo in the studio, the group balloons to an 8-piece outfit for live shows.  On July 6th the band pull into Toronto to play the Drake Underground with Pepper Rabbit.

Get a preview with the gauzy pop track "Sunbeam Show" now.

Candy Claws' Myspace

Miniature Tigers unveil "Fortress" plans (MP3)

Miniature Tigers have announced the release of their next studio album.  Fortress, produced by The Morning Benders' Chris Chu, will hit the streets on July 27th.

In the meantime, we have a track from the album.  Enjoy "Gold Skull", produced by blogger-fueled sensation Neon Indian.

Miniature Tigers' Myspace

"Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine" (album review)

Tribute albums can be hit or miss.  Some turns out spectacularly well, others miss the mark completely.  The forthcoming tribute to American songwriter John Prine, Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows (out June 22nd) falls somewhere in between.

What I most look forward to with tribute albums is to hear how artists interpret a song in their own style.  On the Prine tribute that comes in the form of Justin Vernon's ghostly take on "Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)" and the mellow indie of Lambchop covering "Six O'Clock News".

Unfortunately, too many of the songs are straightforward renditions.  Covers by Justin Townes Earle, Sara Watkins, and Deer Tick, offer little to differentiate themselves from the originals.  Sure, there are some faithful takes that are simply mindblowing, those by Conor Oberst and The Avett Brothers for example, but mostly they are bland copies (My Morning Jacket).

All that, and Those Darlins' superb "Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian", amounts to a decent, but not vital, tribute to an exceptional songsmith.

Yesterday Prine also released In Person & On Stage, a live album.

Best tracks: ""Weeding Day In Funeralville", "Spanish Pipedream"

Track listing for Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine:

• Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)- Justin Vernon
• Wedding Day In Funeralville- Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band
• All the Best- My Morning Jacket
• Mexican Home- Josh Ritter
• Six O'Clock News- Lambchop
• Far From Me- Justin Townes Earle
• Spanish Pipedream- The Avett Brothers
• Angel From Montgomery- Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Late John Garfield Blues- Sara Watkins
• Daddy's Little Pumpkin- Drive-By Truckers f. Liz Isenberg
• Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian- Those Darlins

6.0/10

John Prine's website

3 More To Explore: The Parlour Suit, Astha, Not Like This

Here are some acts that you may not be aware of, but whom deserve some love this weekend:

The Parlour Suite
For those who like: She & Him

Yet another reason why Minneapolis may be the coolest musical place on Earth.  This girl/boy duo make delightfully sweet indie pop.

The Parlour Suite's Myspace

Astha
For those who like: Nelly Furtado, Imogen Heap

A Brampton-native of Nepalese descent, Astha makes soulful music with just enough edge to call it "underground".

Ashta's Myspace

Not Like This
For those who like: Weezer, Foo Fighters

From the other half of the Twin Cities, this power pop trio makes catchy songs that are a little harder in delivery than we get from Rivers Cuomo and the boys.

Not Like This' website

Wavves announce new album details

Inexplicably popular indie act Wavves have announced the release of their/his new album.  The record, King of the Beach, will be available on August 3rd.

I'll keep you informed as more information comes out.

Wavves play Lee's Palace in Toronto on June 18th and Yonge-Dundas Square on June 19th, both as part of NXNE.

Wavves' Myspace

Paul Weller to webcast today's Royal Albert Hall concert

The Modfather Paul Weller will be webcasting his concert from London's Royal Albert Hall.  The live performance will be available at 3:45pm EDT today with a replay at 8:45pm tonight.

The first 15 minutes of the show will be free, but after that you have to pay for it.

You can register for a free ticket or to purchase your full e-Ticket here.

Paul Weller's website
Paul Weller's Myspace

Arcade Fire (finally) reveal "The Suburbs" details

In an overnight post on their website, The Arcade Fire have announced more details about their new album.  A handwritten and scanned note posted on the site lets us all know that the highly-anticipated The Suburbs now has an August 3rd street date.

The album can be pre-ordered from the band's website now.

Check out the album cover art as well (right).

Of course, I'll bring you more details as they become available.

The Arcade Fire play Toronto's Olympic Island on August 14th.

Arcade Fire's website
Arcade Fire's Myspace

Faded Paper Figures: "Small Talk"

Indie-tronica trio Faded Paper Figures released their sophomore album New Medium this week.  I've got a taste of it for you with the single "Small Talk".  Check it out:

Faded Paper Figures - Small Talk by MikeRog10

Faded Paper Figures' Myspace

The Like: "Release Me" (album review)

Why is it that often dull albums that try to make a grandiose statement about the human condition or records that feature nearly unlistenable "experiments" garner all the critical acclaim.  Those are rarely the albums music fans reach for when they want to get something positive out of their listening time.  Instead we grab albums with well-crafted, catchy songs that suck you in and keep hold.

Release Me, the forthcoming album (out June 15th) from LA quartet The Like unquestioningly falls into the latter category.  The Mark Ronson-produced record will never be mistaken for a world-view changing political treatise, but it is a damn fine indie pop record.

The band encases tracks like "Catch Me If You Can", "Walk of Shame" or "He's Not a Boy" in a sugary coating.  Once you've taken a bite though, you realize the acerbic lyrics that are at the centre.  Disguising defiant, even malicious themes within a pop-as-fuck outer layer makes you feel almost devilish as you soak them in.

Structurally, the songs are melodic, even cinematic at times, relying on a fairly simply power pop base.  Elements of organ and a '60s girl band aura flesh out a sound that falls somewhere between Elastica and The Pipettes.

After a while, the synth-pop does tend to blend together as the songs get less distinctive, or possibly less of a novelty, as the record progresses.  For a good while though, Release Me will be a candy-coated guilty pleasure for you.

The Like play the Mod Club in Toronto on June 10th opening for The Futureheads.

Best tracks: "Catch Me If You Can", "He's Not a Boy"

Track listing for Release Me:

• Wishing He Was Dead
• He's Not a Boy
• Release Me
• Walk Of Shame
• Narcissus In a Red Dress
• I Can See It In Your Eyes
• Fair Game
• Square One
• In The End
• Trouble In Paradise
• Catch Me If You Can
• Don't Make a Sound

7.5/10

The Like's Myspace

Lola Dutronic: "Beautiful World" (video)

Toronto/Berlin/Paris electronic group Lola Dutronic have recently release their new EP Musique.

You can check out the great video for the French pop act's track "Beautiful World" here:


Lola Dutronic's Myspace

Ra Ra Riot reveals "The Orchard" details

Ra Ra Riot's 2008 debut The Rhumb Line was so outstanding it earned my Album of the Year nod for that year.  I've been waiting in anticipation for the follow-up ever since.

On August 24th we'll finally get that follow-up with the release of the Syracuse band's sophomore record The Orchard.

Here's the track list for the album:

• The Orchard
• Boy
• Too Dramatic
• Foolish
• Massachusetts
• You and I Know
• Shadowcasting
• Do You Remember
• Kansai
• Keep It Quiet

Ra Ra Riot play the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto on August 28th with Tegan & Sara and City & Colour.

Ra Ra Riot's website
Ra Ra Riot's Myspace

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals: "Tiny Light" (video)

On June 8th highly buzzed-about Grace Potter & the Nocturnals release their self-titled full length album.  I'm pleased to be able to bring you a video from the record now.

Check out the uber-stylish cliip for "Tiny Light":


Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' website
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' Myspace

Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers to release solo album (MP3)

Kathryn Calder, pianist, keyboardist, vocalist for The New Pornographers has put the finishing touches on her debut solo album.  Are You My Mother? is scheduled for an August 10th street date.

Fellow Pornographers Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, and Todd Fancey make appearances on the album, as do members of Frog Eyes and Ladyhawk.

Grab yourself the gorgeous "Slip Away" now.

Here's the track list for the record:

• Slip Away
• Low
• Castor and Pollux
• Arrow
• If You Only Knew
• Follow Me Into The Hills
• Down The River
• A Day Long Past It's Prime
• So Easily
• All It Is

Kathryn Calder's website
Kathryn Calder's Myspace

Paul Weller: "Wake Up the Nation" (album review)

Paul Weller is one of those artists that just seems to be getting cooler with age. It's hard to believe that someone with a pedigree of The Jam/Style Council leader could do it, but it appears to be true with his recent releases.

Now Weller's back with the follow-up to 2008's expansive 22 Dreams.  Wake Up the Nation, out June 1st in North America, is trimmer and more focussed album than its predecessor.  There are still trippy and ethereal tracks on the new record, such as "Andromeda" and "She Speaks", but it's rock that is more front and centre.

The album is book-ended by a pair of Weller's most rock tracks of late.  The opener "Moonshine" begins with a piano riff that could easily be from "Takin' Care of Business" while "Two Fat Ladies" hearkens back to Weller's days in The Jam.

In between we get an assortment of styles that we've come to expect from Weller.  Those tracks work, with varying degrees of success.  Tracks like the New Wave "Trees" and reverb-drenched (what else would you expect from a track Kevin Shields plays on) "7 and 3 Is the Striker's Name" hit the mark.  Others, such as the funky "Aim High" never quite ignite.

The oddest of the tracks is "Find the Torch, Burn the Plans".  The track has a vocal that sounds eerily similar in structure to the verses of The Beatles' "Ticket To Ride".  It took me a couple of listens to make the connection, but it's definitely there.

When all is said and done, Wake Up the Nation, is not Weller's most artistically ambitious album.  However, it is a solid and diverse rock record from a veteran musician who shows he still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Best tracks: "7 and 3 Is the Striker's Name", "Moonshine"

Track listing for Wake Up the Nation:

• Moonshine
• Wake Up the Nation
• No Tears To Cry
• Fast Car/Slow Traffic
• Andromeda
• In Amsterdam
• She Speaks
• Find the Torch, Burn the Plans
• Aim High
• Trees
• Grasp & Still Connect
• Whatever Next
• 7 and 3 Is the Striker's Name
• Up the Dosage
• Pieces of a Dream
• Two Fat Ladies

7.5/10

Paul Weller's website
Paul Weller's Myspace