Jukebox The Ghost: "Empire" (MP3)

As previously reported, piano-fueled power popsters Jukebox The Ghost release their sophomore album Everything Under the Sun on September 7th.  I've got an MP3 of the first single to share with you now.

Grab "Empire" today.

Jukebox The Ghost's website
Jukebox The Ghost's Myspace

Interpol: cover art, track list

Interpol's self-titled fourth album has been pushed forward a week in the release schedule.  Interpol will now come out on September 7th.

The band have also released the art work and track listing, both of which you can see here:

• Success
• Memory Serves
• Summer Well
• Lights
• Barricade
• Always Malaise (The Man I Am)
• Safe Without
• Try It On
• All Of The Ways
• The Undoing

Interpol play the Kool Haus in Toronto on August 10th.

Interpol's website
Interpol's Myspace

Computer Vs Banjo give away new album "Riverboat Swing"

In 2008 Computer Vs Banjo released what was then an innovative record that coupled traditional roots music with computer-generated sounds.  Since then others have taken up the tactic.

Now Computer Vs Banjo have returned with their sophomore album Riverboat Swing.  The hook: the band are giving the entire thing, plus multitracks for remixing, away for free.

Grab your copy of the album here.

Computer Vs Banjo's website

Winter Gloves announce new album "All Red"

Indie rockers Winter Gloves have put the finishing touches on their new album.  The Montreal group will be releasing All Red on September 7th.

Here's a look at the album track list:

• Glow In The Dark
• Strange Love
• Plastic Slides
• Use Your Lips
• Gym Class
• We Need New Transportation
• Tooth Fairy
• Jump
• Trap The Mouse
• Ending Soon

Winter Gloves' Myspace

Wolf Parade: "Expo 86" (album review)

Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug stay very busy.  Between the two Montrealers we've gotten an almost constant stream of records from Sunset Rubdown, Handsome Furs, Frog Eyes, Swan Lake, and others.

The latest entry is Expo 86 from arguably the biggest of their projects, Wolf Parade.  This third album from the group is named after the Expo that took place in Vancouver during my youth (1986 to be precise).

What's been great about the constant output is that, for the most part, each band configuration has had a quite distinct sound.  That changes a bit on Expo 86.  The traditional Wolf Parade indie rock leans noticeably towards the Handsome Furs sound thanks to more prominent keyboards and an underlying whir.  Tracks like the standout "Ghost Pressure", with an electronic drive and hook-laden chorus, would've sounded right at home on the Furs' Face Control.

The rock is still there though.  The album closer "Cave-O-Sapien" is a high octane blast of indie rock.  "Pobody's Nerfect" is a hits hard and fast, while "What Did My Lover Say? (It Had To Go This Way)" settles into a deep indie blues groove that helps to balance tracks like the methodical synth tune "Oh You, Old Thing".

There's a fair amount of filler this time around.  Tracks like "Two Men In New Tuxedos" and "In the Direction of the Moon" are forgotten almost as soon as the last note is struck.  As a result the album feels like it would have made a brilliant EP.

You may have to slog through some less than impressive tracks on Expo 86, but the gems that you find are worth your time.

Best tracks: "Ghost Pressure", "Yulia"

Track listing for Expo 86:

• Cloud Shadow On the Mountain
• Palm Road
• What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)
• Little Golden Age
• In the Direction of the Moon
• Ghost Pressure
• Pobody's Nerfect
• Two Men In New Tuxedos
• Oh You, Old Thing
• Yulia
• Cave-O-Sapien

7.0/10

Wolf Parade's Myspace

Best albums of 2010 (so far)

Today marks the end of the first half of 2010.  Has it been a good one for ya?

It's been a pretty good one musically, so I thought I'd take this time to review my top 10 albums of the year so far.

10. Freelance Whales, Weathervanes
Review

9. The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night
Review

8. Angus & Julia Stone, Down the Way
Review

7. Stars, The Five Ghosts
Review

6. Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record
Review

5. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Review

4. Josh Ritter, So Runs the World Away
Review

3. Butch Walker & the Black Windows, I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
Review


2. Murder By Death, Good Morning, Magpie
Review
Interview

1. Phantogram, Eyelid Movies
Review

Honourable mentions: Roky Erickson & Okkervil River, Basia Bulat, Kate Miller-Heidke, Leroy Powell & the Messengers, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Ruth Cassie, Minus The Bear

With albums on the way from Interpol, Superchunk, Arcade Fire, Ray LaMontagne, Eels, !!!, Ra Ra Riot, The Klaxons, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Grinderman, The Walkmen, Manic Street Preachers, Pete Yorn, Corin Tucker, Antony & the Johnsons, and more, the second half of the year looks to be just as good as the first.

Grinderman post "Heathen Child" teaser (video)

There's almost nothing I look forward to more than a Nick Cave-related project.  On that note we already know that Grinderman 2 is due out on September 14th, but now we know the first single, "Heathen Child", will be out on August 31st.

We've got a painfully short teaser for the single for you:


Grinderman's website
Grinderman's Myspace

Screaming Females announce "Castle Talk"

New Jersey breakout band Screaming Females have announced the release of their fourth album.  Castle Talk will hit the fans on September 14th.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Laura + Marty
• I Don't Mind It
• Boss, Normal
• A New Kid
• Fall Asleep
• Wild
• Nothing at All
• Sheep
• Deluxe
• Ghost
• Sold

Screaming Females' Myspace

Marina & the Diamonds: "Oh No!" (video)

UK sensation Marina & the Diamonds have just released a video for their track "Oh No!".  Check out the fun clip here:


Marina & the Diamonds' website
Marina & the Diamonds' Myspace

Maps & Atlases: "Perch Patchwork" (album review)

Chicago's Maps & Atlases have put themselves on the, ahem, map with a highly acclaimed math rock EP.  Now the band are finally out with their debut full length record Perch Patchwork.

With shifting time signatures, a constantly morphing structure, and tracks that ebb and flow in frenzied fits and starts, Perch Patchwork is a challenging listen.  Orchestrals mix with nuggets of indie rock to create some truly quirky concoctions.

Of course, the constant wide swings in tempo and style, often within a single song, makes for a disjointed album.  That makes Perch Patchwork difficult to get into, and difficult to remain engaged with.

If you like your music to be entertaining, to be something you sink into and enjoy, then this album is likely not for you.  If, on the other hand, you view music as a way to test your boundaries, you will want to spin this.

Maps & Atlases play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on August 7th.

Best tracks: "

Track listing for Perch Patchwork:

• Will
• The Charm
• Living Decorations
• Solid Ground
• Is
• Israeli Caves
• Banished Be Cavalier
• Carrying the Wet Wood
• Pigeon
• If This Is
• Was
• Perch Patchwork

6.5/10

Maps & Atlases' website
Maps & Atlases' Myspace

New releases for Jun 29th: Wolf Parade, Scissor Sisters

It's a relatively quiet week for new music.  Here's a look at some of the things coming out tomorrow though:

• CFCF (remixes)
• Alejendro Escovedo- Review
• The Harvey Girls
• Hey Marseilles- Review
• Maps & Atlases- Review
• Scissor Sisters
• Wolf Parade

Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) announces new album details (MP3)

My Morning Jacket multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel has announced that he will be releasing a new solo album.  All Birds Say is scheduled for an August 31st street date.

Check out the track "Heaven Knows" now.

Carl Broemel's website

Against Me!: get tickets to MTV performance in Toronto

Florida punk/power popsters Against Me! play the Sound Academy in Toronto tomorrow night with Silversun Pickups.  If you can't get to the show though, you have another chance to see them.

The band will be performing and answering questions from a live studio audience at MTV Canada earlier in the day.  To get tickets to see them (if you are 16 years old or older), you can call 1-888-491-6888 or email liveaudience@mtva.

Against Me! recently released their solid new album White Crosses (review).

Against Me!'s website
Against Me!'s Myspace

Georgapher: "Kites" (MP3)

Geographer is a relatively new San Fransisco trio consisting of Michael Deni, drummer Brian Ostreicher, and St Vincent cellist Nathan Blaz.  The group have their album Animal Shapes set to come out on August 17th.

In the meantime, wet your whistle with a taste of "Kites":


Geographer's Myspace

The Love Language: "Libraries" (album review)

In 2009 The Love Language released their self-titled debut album.  The record was really a way for band mastermind Stuart McLamb to deal with a recent break-up.  That album spawned the indie hit "Lalita", and turned a cathartic process into a going music concern.

On July 13th the North Carolina band return with their follow-up to that album, Libraries.

The change in sound is only slight between the debut and sophomore efforts.  The production quality is slightly better, but there is still a pronounced hazy wall of sound quality to the tracks.  The arrangements are slightly more sophisticated as well, involving a wider range of instruments in more layers.

Strong melodies and vocal harmonies remain the cornerstone of the music, but they are presented here in a more varied set of styles.  The album openers is full on atmospheric indie rock.  The laid back "Summer Dust"   boasts a gnarly surf vibe.  The catchiest album track, "Heart To Tell", is a bopping strummer.  The trippy "Anthophobia" references psychedelic '60s hits.

The most intriguing track is "Brittany's Back".  The songs opens with an ominous beat that sounds like Big Black covering The Knack (or what one imagines that would sound like).  That quickly fades as poppy vocals chime in and carry the track off in another direction.

As far as sophomore albums go, Libraries is an evolution for The Love Language.  It's a tiny, tentative step in the progression of the band.  Hopefully some cleaner production accompanies the next album, as it would be good to be able to hear a less muddled take on McLamb's songs.

Best tracks: "Summer Dust", "Heart To Tell"

Track listing Libraries:

• Pedals
• Brittany's Back
• This Blood Is Our Own
• Summer Dust
• Blue Angel
• Heart To Tell
• Anthophobia
• Horophones
• Wilmont
• This Room

7.0/10

The Love Language's Myspace

This week's entertainment picks: Silversun Pickups w. Against Me!, Pride 2010

Here's a look at what may be worth your time to check out this week:

Silversun Pickups w. Against Me! and Henry Clay People, Sound Academy, Jun 29
Sure Silversun Pickups are the bigger band, but there can be no doubt that it will be Against Me! that rock the shit out of the Sound Academy that night.

Silversun Pickups' website
Against Me!'s website

Pride Week, various venues, Jun 25-Jul 4
North America's biggest Pride celebration has a stunning musical component which will include performances from Cyndi Lauper to Woodhands.  Check out the festival website for complete details.

Pride's website

...also this week:

• John Hiatt w. Levon Helm Band, Jun 29
• Serena Ryder w. Cuff The Duke, Jun 29
• Bettye LaVette, Jun 29
• You Can Be A Wesley, Jun 29
• Streetlight Manifesto, Jun 30
• Mavis Staples w. Allen Toussaint, Jun 30
• The Sadies, Jul 1
• Men, Jul 2
• Wax Mannequin w. Jenny Omnichord, Jul 2
• Iron Maiden, Jul 3
• Minus The Bear, Jul 4

MB4A holding Toronto digital music seminar for musicians

Music Business 4 Artists (MB4A) is an organization that helps teach musicians how to succeed in the music industry in the digital age.  They will be hosting a two-day seminar in Toronto on July 7th and 8th at the Gibson Showroom.

For $75 you get to attend the seminar, panel discussion, and receive support materials.

If you are an artist and are interested, check out the group's website for more information and tickets.

MBA's website

Bravestation: "Bravestation" (EP review)

Toronto's Bravestation made a splash (with me anyway) with their 2009 debut EP.  They return on June 29th with their second EP release.

The band takes a different approach this time around.  Gone are the shimmering, Killers-esque power pop tracks.  In their place are more challenging soundscapes.

Their is a palpable shift to a moodier sound on the new EP.  The atmospheres are methodically built, bringing in influences, like a funky guitar line on "Colour Us With Youth", that one wouldn't necessarily expect to hear on this type of record.

The new EP lacks the instantly catchy aspect of their debut, but full marks need to go to a young band who are spreading their wings and experimenting with new approaches.

Bravestation play the El Mocambo in Toronto on July 17th and The Painted Lady on August 31st.

Best tracks: "Clocks & Spears", "Colour Us With Youth"

Track listing for Bravestation:

• White Wolves
• Clocks & Spears
• Their Calling
• Outlines of Everyone
• Colour Us With Youth

7.0/10

Bravestation's Myspace

Toronto concerts announced this week: Interpol, Stars, Peter Murphy

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

• Emm Gryner, Hugh's Room, Jul 2
• Dex Romweber Duo, Dakota's, Jul 6
• Ha Ha Tonka w. Langhorne Slim, Horseshoe Tavern, Jul 21
• Richard Laviolette & the Oil Spills, Holy Oak, Jul 22
• Metavari w. Your Pretend Boyfriend, Rancho Relaxo, Jul 22
• Fear Factory, Opera House, Jul 23
• Apollo Ghosts, TBA, Jul 27
• United Steel Workers Of Montreal, Horseshoe Tavern, Jul 31
• Airbourne, The Phoenix, Aug 4
• Apollo Ghosts, Sneaky Dee's, Aug 6
• Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants, Drake Undergound, Aug 7
• Peter Murphy, Lee's Palace, Aug 10
• Interpol, Kool Haus, Aug 10
• Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Hugh's Room, Aug 11
• Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Hugh's Room, Aug 12
• Delhi 2 Dublin, Harbourfront Centre, Aug 14
• Wye Oak, Horseshoe Tavern, Aug 28
• Procedure Club, Parts & Labour, Aug 28
• Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin w. Telekinesis, El Mocambo, Sep 4
• Strung Out, The Phoenix, Sep 9
• Slash, Kool Haus, Sep 10
• Sick Of It All w. Swingin' Utters, Opera House, Sep 18
• Teenage Fanclub, Horseshoe Tavern, Sep 22
• Teenage Fanclub, Horseshoe Tavern, Sep 23
• Serj Tankian, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Sep 29
• The xx, Massey Hall, Sep 29
• Tom Tom Club, The Phoenix, Sep 30
• Shad, Kool Haus, Oct 1
• The Walkmen w. AA Bondy, Opera House, Oct 9
• Stars, Massey Hall, Oct 23
• Gary Numan, Opera House, Oct 24
• Johnny Reid, Massey Hall, Nov 13

See Green: "Think Twice" (MP3)

See Green is a Los Angeles indie pop/rock act, built around the vocals and songs of singer Courtenay Green.  The band currently has an EP out, Violet, with a full length on the horizon.

I'm happy to be able to bring you an MP3 from the EP to check out for yourself.  Have a listen (or several) to "Think Twice":


See Green's website
See Green's Myspace

The City Streets: "The Jazz Age" (album review)

The Jazz Age is the third full length album from Edmonton-bred, Montreal-based indie rockers The City Streets.  The record is a collection of indie rock tunes, rooted firmly in indie rock that bridges the time and space gap between Sonic Youth and The Weakerthans.

The City Streets seem equally comfortable and competent doing rowdy rockers as they do taking exploratory  free form excursions.  In particular, the guitar can be create expansive soundscapes, or they can provide the grit and dirty licks for blues-inspired numbers.

Hooks aren't the band's forte.  However, tracks like the very Canadian "Song for Lee" and the bop and jangle of "Irish Rose" have their toe-tapping moments.

On occasion the album does have a tendency to drag.  Tracks like constantly shifting "Last Waltz Party" are a little too indulgent and unfocused to click with the listener.  These instances seem like the band is trying to hard to impress folks with how well they can play.  That's never a fact that's in doubt, and is proven in a more natural feeling way with the sprawling 9-plus minute Art Rock symphony "Slothrop's Ghost".

In the end with so many different musical styles happening all at once it becomes difficult for the listener to stay in the moment with the band.  It's definitely worth devoting some time to it if you are turned-on by musicianship.

Best tracks: "Irish Rose", "Slothorp's Ghost"

Track listing for The Jazz Age:

• Midnight Sun
• Song for Lee
• Irish Rose
• Young Runs Out
• White Noise
• If I Go Back To Paris
• The Jazz Age
• Last Waltz Party
• Glory Nights
• Big Love
• All Is Grace
• Almost Forgot Your Face
• Slothrop's Ghost

7.0/10

The City Lights' Myspace

Casey Neill & the Norway Rats: "Goodbye To The Rank & File" (album review)

Goodbye To The Rank & File is the new album from Portland, OR-based musician Casey Neill.  Providing back-up for this record are the Norway Rats, a collection of local musicians that includes past and present members of The Decemberists, The Minus 5, and Lucinda Williams band.

Neill may have spent time in a Pogues cover band, but the album has  more of an Uncle Tupelo sound to it.  Tracks like "Guttered" and "Radio Montana" have a distinct twang, occasionally possessing a bluesy twist.

The vocals are delivered with a warm, heavy drawl.  The standouts though, happen when Neill is supported by backing vocals from contributor Little Sue.

The Pogues influence takes hold more in the lyrical content than in the musical arrangements.  These whiskey-fueled laments may not feature the same level of debauchery as MacGowan's crew, but they convey a similar depth of emotion.

The biggest criticism of Goodbye To the Rank & File is that it lacks some energy.  It would be a big boost if Neill and company could burst out of the mid-tempo mold a little more frequently.

Anytime we get a countrified cover of Husker Du ("She Floated Away") we can't complain too much though.

Best tracks: "The Ramble", "This Year Was A Blur"

Track listing for Goodbye To The Rank & File:

• All Summer Glory
• When the World Was Young
• Ouroboros
• When I Came To You
• Guttered
• Radio Montana
• The Ramble
• She Floated Away
• This Year Was A Blur
• Idyll
• Night Owl and the Skylark
• Stonewall

6.5/10

Casey Neill's Myspace

Quick Hits: Fela!, Emily Greene

Welcome once again to my weekly wrap-up of things I was too lazy to get to this week.  For your consideration this time:

Fela! Original Broadway Cast Recording
There's been a lot of buzz for Fela!, the Broadway musical about the live and times of Afro-beat icon Fela Kuti.  The Tony Award-nominated musical, presented by Jay-Z and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, has now made it's way to disc.

Not having seen the production it's difficult to give an in depth review of the recording.  That said, the recently released album is not short on energy.  The rhythms and beats are bold and colourful, making me do a chair dance on more than one occasion.

Deeper than the music, there's a compelling story of Kuti and his struggles to bring improvements to his homeland of Nigeria.  A CD rendering of the story doesn't quite do this aspect of the show justice, but very few Broadway recordings actually tell the complete narrative.

Fela! website

Emily Greene, Is That What You Had In Mind
This is the new album from the NYC-based singer/songwriter.  Greene's songs are unique as she explores jazz, piano pop, and flat-out rock all on the same record.  That diversity makes it a little hard to follow through the entire record, especially as her jazzy numbers are far stronger than the rock ones.  Everything she does though, is built around her strong vocals.

Emily Greene's Myspace

Of Montreal announces "False Priest" album details, give away new track

Quirky indie band Of Montreal (who probably don't need an introduction from me) have announced the release of their new studio album.  False Priest will be out on September 14th.

There are some interesting guests pitching in with Kevin Barnes and crew this time around.  Two tracks feature Janelle Monae, while a third features the all-of-a-sudden cool Solange Knowles (I'm still not sold).

You can download the first single, "Coquet Coquette", for free here.

Here's a look at the track list for the record:

• I Feel Ya' Strutter
• Our Riotous Defects [ft. Janelle Monáe]
• Coquet Coquette
• Godly Intersex
• Enemy Gene [ft. Janelle Monáe]
• Hydra Fancies
• Like a Tourist
• Sex Karma [ft. Solange Knowles]
• Girl Named Hello
• Famine Affair
• Casualty of You
• Around the Way
• You Do Mutilate?

Of Montreal's website
Of Montreal's Myspace

Young Heretics: "Risk/Loss" (video)

Young Heretics are a duo from Melbourne, Australia who play atmospheric, slightly Gothic rock.  They are about to release their debut album, We Are The Lost Lovers, there.

I have no idea when, or even if, the album will be available here in Canada, but the video for the intense first single "Risk/Loss" should tempt you:


You can also download the track here.

Young Heretics' Myspace

Brad Laner (Medicine) announces new solo album details

Brad Laner, formerly of the feedback and reverb-heavy Medicine, has announced details of his new album.  Natural Selections, Laner's second solo venture, will see the light of day on August 24th.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Eyes Close
• Throat
• Lancaster
• Crawl Back In
• Magnolia Doubles
• Brain
• Why Did I Do It
• Dirty Bugs
• Vicky
• Runner
• Little Death

It's funny how things happen.  I was just thinking about Laner the other day when "All Good Things" came on my iPod.

Brad Laner's Myspace