Last minute plans: Ingrid Gatin & Megan Bonnell tonight

If you're looking for something to do tonight why not head over to The Central for an intimate evening of song.

Winnipeg-based, accordion-toting indie roots musician Ingrid Gatin makes her latest Toronto stop there tonight. Gatin has been vigorously touring her latest album Broken Tambourine.

Joining Gatin is Toronto folkies Megan Bonnell.  The classically-trained vocalist has an EP coming out shortly with a full length album in the hopper for 2011.

Ingrid Gatin's website
Megan Bonnell's Myspace

Dead Man's Bones: "Pa Pa Power" (video)

Dead Man's Bones have released a new video for the track "Pa Pa Power".  It's a new performance audio track to go with it.

As I watched it, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through the minds of the elderly audience:


Dead Man's Bones' website
Dead Man's Bones' Myspace

The Thermals: "Personal Life" (album review)

If one were to sit down and listen to The Thermals' debut More Parts Per Million and their forthcoming fifth album Personal Life (out September 7th) back-to-back, the evolution of the band would be obvious.

In some cases the evolution is positive.  The Portland trio are more confident and capable players than when they set out.  They also venture into a wider array of styles and influences.

There's something that's been lost over the course of that evolution though.  The expansion of their sound has had the effect of slowly but surely eroding the energy and intensity of their songs.

On Personal Life, frenzied power pop of "I Don't Believe You" and "Your Love Is So Strong" is the exception rather than the rule.  In it's place we get lifeless mid tempo numbers such as "Not Like Any Other Feeling" and "Power Lies", which fail to replace the energy with an equally gripping substitute.  Even the attempt at feedback breakdown that closes "A Reflection" comes across as half-hearted.

I certainly can't fault The Thermals for wanting and trying to push the boundaries of their sound and explore new territory.  Hopefully on the next album they manage to find a way to do that while re-injecting some of their passion into the songs.

The Thermals play Lee's Palace in Toronto on September 7th.

Best tracks: "You Love Is So Strong", "I Don't Believe You"

Track listing for Personal Life:

• I' Gonna Change Your Life
• I Don't Believe You
• Never Listen To Me
• Not Like Any Other Feeling
• Power Lies
• Only For You
• Alone, A Fool
• Your Love Is So Strong
• A Reflection
• You Changed My Life

5.5/10

The Thermals' website
The Thermals' Myspace

New releases for Aug 31st: Jenny & Johnny, Phil Selway (Radiohead), The Weepies

Here's a look at what new music the kiddies have to look forward to on this last week of their summer break:

Philip Selway

• Kyle Andrews- Review
• Elephant & Castle- MP3
• Jenny & Johnny- Review
• Make Up Break Down
• Portico Quartet
• Secret Message Machine
• Phil Selway- Review
• Shonen Knife
• The Weepies- video

Interpol: "Barricade" (video)

Interpol's new highly-anticipated self-titled album hits the streets next week (September 7th), to tide you over they've just posted a video for the track "Barricade".

Check it out:


Interpol's website
Interpol's Myspace

The polls are open: most anticipated album for September

September is shaping up to be a big month for new releases.

I'm interested in hearing what your most anticipated album is for the month.  Is it the second album from Nick Cave's Grinderman?  Is it the return of Interpol or the long-awaited new album from Superchunk?  Something from veterans like Bad Religion, James, or Neil Young?  Maybe it's something from current darlings like No Age or Of Montreal.

Whatever's getting you revving this month, vote in the poll in the sidebar.

The poll will stay open until September 6th.

The Coast: "Queen Cities" (album review)

On September 14th Toronto-based quartet The Coast drop a blast of guitar-driven indie rock on music fans with the release of their sophomore album Queen Cities.

The new album shows off a band that is ready for prime time.  With loads of shimmering guitars and the odd keyboard tossed in for good measure, these songs stand next to radio-friendly Canadian alternative rock acts like The Stills and The Trews.

There are plenty of hooks and memorable refrains to be found amongst the fuzzy guitars and drum bombast.  Songs like "Fire Out", "Lovers Go", and the powerful "Mother Tongue" will have you singing along before too many listens.

The one shortcoming of the album is power.  Having seen the band's live performance I can't help but feel they fell a little bit short in capturing the band's power and energy on the recording.  That leaves tracks like "Tigerlilly" and "Golden Gate" feeling more listless than the dramatic for which the band seemed to be aiming.

Nonetheless, Queen Cities is a solid guitar rock record, and one that should be putting The Coast on the radar far beyond the clubs and night spots of Queen West.

The Coast play the El Mocambo in Toronto on September 23rd.

Best tracks: "Heartbreak City", "Lovers Go"

Track listing for Queen Cities:

• Heartbreak City
• Lovers Go
• Queen Cities
• Tigerlilly
• Mother Tongues
• White Season
• The Fire Out
• Mohawk

7.0/10

The Coast's website
The Coast's Myspace

This week's entertainment picks: Kele, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Well to say the concert scene has hit the Labour Day doldrums would be an understatement.  However, there are a few things worth checking out in the T-Dot (yes I went there) this week:

Kele

Kele w. Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Mod Club, Sept 3rd
Let's hope that the Bloc Party frontman's live show is better than his atrocious solo record.  On the plus side, Does It Offend You, Yeah? will rock your boxers off.

Kele's website
Does It Offend You, Yeah?'s website

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin w. Telekinesis, El Mocambo, Sept 4th
An intimate venue is just what the doctor ordered for this nice little indie rock pairing.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's website
Telekinesis' website

...also this week:

• Scissor Sisters, Aug 31
• MAMMOX, Sept 2
• Joy Kills Sorrow, Sept 2
• Fake Blood, Sept 3
• Kissy Sell Out, Sept 5
• Rascal Flatts, Sept 5

Coming to T.O.: Deakin (of Animal Collective)

In a very rare appearance Deakin, the fourth member of Animal Collective, will be making a Toronto stop on his upcoming solo tour.  The guitarist, aka Josh Dibb, will be playing the Snowball Gallery on Queen West near Roncesvalles, on September 16th.

Joining him that night will be trippy Brooklyn act Prince Rama, as well as Tasseomancy (the re-Christened Ghost Bees), and Doldrums, the new project from Spiral Beach's Airick Woodhead.

With a four-act line-up tickets are pretty cheap at $10 and they go on sale September 1st.

Prince Rama's Myspace
Tasseomancy's Myspace
Doldrums' Myspace

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: "Let It Sway" (album review)

There is little doubt that Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin still have the greatest band name in all of music today, maybe ever.  Their new album Let It Sway also proves that there is little doubt that the band know how to play charming and quirky indie pop.

At this point we know pretty much what to expect from SSLYBY.  That's not a bad thing in this case.  Sometimes you just need the sunny melodies and tongue-in-cheek sense of humour.  That's exactly what the band provides.

Hooks abound with the 'na na nas' of "Banned (By the Man".  The whirlwind "Critical Drain" will have audiences swaying.  Despite it's title "All Hail Dracula!" is a surprisingly delightful pop rocker while "Sink/Let It Sway" is a choppy guitar number.

Let It Sway certainly isn't going to change the direction of music nor is it going to change your world view.  For a short period of time though, it will put a smile on your face.

SSLYBY play the El Mocambo in Toronto on September 4th with Telekinesis.

Best tracks: "Banned (By the Man)", "All Hail Dracula!"

Track listing for Let It Sway:

• Back In the Saddle
• Sink/Let It Sway
• Banned (By the Man)
• In Pairs
• My Terrible Personality
• Everlyn
• Stuart Gets Lost Dans Le Metro
• All Hail Dracula!
• Critical Drain
• Animalkind
• Phantomwise
• Made To Last

7.0/10

SSLYBY's website
SSLYBY's Myspace

Toronto concerts announced this week:

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

• Deakin w. Prince Rama, Tasseomancy, and Doldrums, Snowball Gallery, Sep 16
• The Beauties, Horseshoe Tavern, Sep 18
• Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, El Mocambo, Sep 21
• Baby Eagle, Dakota Tavern, Sep 23
• The Coast, El Mocambo, Sep 23
• Turbogeist w. PKEW PKEW PKEW (gunshots), Silver Dollar Room, Sep 28
• Talvin Singh, Lulu Lounge, Sep 30
• Zola Jesus, The Garrison, Sep 30
• Drag the River, Horseshoe Tavern, Oct 4
• Los Campesinos, Wrongbar, Oct 8
• The Jon Cohen Experimental, The Drake, Oct 22
• Mission Of Burma, The Garrison, Oct 22

Dead Confederate: "Sugar" (album review)

When one first listens to Sugar, the sophomore album from Georgia rockers Dead Confederate, it's hard to believe it's the same band.  The southern grunge of their debut Wrecking Ball has been traded in for more textured and nuanced soundscapes.

The album opens with "In the Dark", a track that boasts highly-stylized dissonant guitars.  The wash of sound is almost My Bloody Valentine-inspired.  A relentless time and simple guitar line turns "Run From the Gun" into an unconventionally catchy tune.  Machine gun drum bursts provide a strong backbone on "Semi-Thought".

Sure to win over more respect from the hero-worshipping crowd, the album even features an appearance by Dinosaur Jr guitar messiah J Mascis.  He provides a now trademark guitar solo on "Giving It All Away".

On repeated listens there are traces of Dead Confederate's sound that seep back into the mix.  "Father Figure" strikes the stoner rock chord while "Mob Scene" features a dirty southern groove.

Not all the experiments work on Sugar, but credit has to go to Dead Confederate for being bold enough and confident enough to deliver a record so radically different from what they've done before.

Best tracks: "Run From the Gun", "Semi-Thought"

Track listing for Sugar:

• In the Dark
• Run From the Gun
• Father Figure
• Quiet Kid
• By Design
• Mob Scene
• Semi-Thought
• Giving It All Away
• Sugar
• Shocked To Realize

7.0/10

Dead Confederate's website
Dead Confederate's Myspace

Last minute plans: Little City CD Release tonight

Let this be the first of an occasional feature where I'll suggest something for you to do tonight.  In case you don't have any plans for tonight, and really what kind of nerd would that make you not going out on Saturday night, I have a suggestion for you.

Toronto-based band Little City will be playing a CD release party for their debut EP The Going and the Gone.  Their sound combines pop, folk, and dreamy melodies, so if you're a fan of any of those you'll want to check them out.

The show is at Bread & Circus (299 Augusta) doors open at 9:30pm.  Admission is $5, but $10 will get you in and a copy of the record.

Little City's Myspace

Tin Star Orphans: "The Days of Blinding Fear" (album review)

It takes some guts to base an album on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.  That's exactly what Toronto's Tin Star Orphans have done with their forthcoming album The Days of Blinding Fear (out digitally August 30th, physically September 21st).

The record, the band's sophomore effort, draws it's inspiration from Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic novel The Road (now a major motion picture as the movie tie-in would say).

The themes can be heard throughout the album.  It makes for a bit of a slogging opus at times, but when the band is at the top of their game, like on the dark and foreboding "Deadly Medley" or the slow building opener "Jaw Wired Shut", it is a fitting musical accompaniment to the story.

The basis for the arrangements is rooted firmly in roots rock traditions.  For the most part it's the up tempo numbers like the head-bopping "We Are Lions" and the delightfully rock shambles "Year of the Wave" that provide the most memorable moments.

There is a tendency to drag with the slower numbers.  While songs like "Hand Me Down" and "Fire" may serve to set an atmosphere, they are not particularly gripping as pieces unto themselves.  However, the same cannot be said for the closer "Someday Tourniquet".   Strings and an impeccable guitar solo help make this a finale of epic proportions.

I am not usually a big advocate of concept albums or theme albums.  On The Days of Blinding Fear though, Tin Star Orphans do a pretty good job of making me a (temporary) convert.

Tin Star Orphans have a series of Toronto dates coming up including:

• The Rivoli, Sep 17
• Supermarket, Sep 22
• Horseshoe Tavern, Oct 5

Best tracks: "Year of the Wave", "Someday Tourniquet"

Track listing for The Days of Blinding Fear:

• Jaw Wired Shut
• We Are Lions
• Year of the Wave
• Fire
• Fighter
• Men With Guns
• Three Cheers for the Coward
• Deadly Medley
• Hand Me Down
• Someday Tourniquet

7.0/10

Tin Star Orphans' website
Tin Star Orphans' Myspace

Quick Hits: The Goodnight Loving, Secret Message Machine

Here's my weekly clearing of the decks.  This week I meant to get to:

The Goodnight Loving
This Milwaukee band have released their new album The Goodnight Loving Supper Club.  Their fun-loving jangle pop is definitely something you'll want to spend you're waning summer hours with.

Check out the 'Mats-meet-Monkees "Doesn't Shake Me".

The Goodnight Loving's Myspace

Secret Message Machine, Orphanville
What sets this Carolina band apart from thousands of indie rock compatriots is their willingness to fuse old and new.  Their album Orphanville, out September 1st, is one of the few I've heard recently that mixing lo-fi and hi-fi recording techniques, often within the same song.


Secret Message Machine's website

Tristan Clopet takes first stab at Cee-Lo's smash "F**k You"

I think this speaks for itself:



Too awesome.

Tristan Clopet's website

Paper Lions set to release debut EP

PEI quartet Paper Lions will be releasing their debut EP, Trophies, on September 28th.  From what I've been able to hear so far this is going to be 6 songs of pure pop rock joy.

Check out the clip for the making of the "Lost the War" video:


Paper Lions play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on September 30th with Library Voices.

Paper Lions' Myspace

Liars announce EP, Thom Yorke remix

Liars drop a new EP, Proud Evolution, on October 19th.  The record features three versions of the song, including a remix by Thom Yorke, and three b-sides.

Liars have a series of Ontario shows coming up including:

• Toronto, Lee's Palace, Sep 29
• Ottawa, Ritual, Oct 1
• Hamilton, This Ain't Hollywood, Oct 2

Liars' website
Liars' Myspace

The Dø: win tickets to their Toronto show (CONTEST)

Eclectic French-Finnish indie pop duo The Dø are playing The Mod Club in Toronto on September 11th.

I've got a pair of tickets to the show to give away along with a copy of their latest album, A Mouthful, and a poster.

I'm not going to get all fancy with a skill testing question of anything like that.  Just hit me up one of the following ways and let me know you'd like to go, if you're the one whos asks the nicest you're in:
Email
Twitter
Myspace
Facebook

The contest will close September 6th.

The Dø's website
The Dø's Myspace

Elf Power: "Elf Power" (album review)

Elf Power are far from rookies on the indie rock scene.  After sixteen years and ten full length albums it must be difficult to find inspiration and keep things fresh for both themselves and their audience.  For their latest self-titled album (out September 14th), the Athens band drew inspiration from the tragic death of their long-time friend Vic Chesnutt.

With that thought never far from mind it's not surprising that the album has a dark overtone that haunts it.  Yes, the sound is still ornate indie pop, but no matter how sunny the songs seem, scratch the surface and you'll reveal something more sinister underneath.

From a purely musical perspective there is ample to latch onto here.  Waves crash as you sway to the breezy pop of "Stranger In the Window".  "Spider Eggs" and "Ghost of John" both boast irresistible hooks.  A violin and clap groove make "Like a Cannonball" a motivation to dance.

It may be the album opener "The Taking Under" that has the most impact though.  The track has a solid base that seems to constantly rise, taking you with it.  It's an inspirational number to set the tone for an album that had a very sombre genesis.

With a large catalogue behind them, there seems to be little left for Elf Power to prove.  Regardless of that, the band set forth and produced an album that stands as a fitting tribute to a friend.

Best tracks: "Stranger in the Window", "Ghost of John"

Track listing for Elf Power:

• The Taking Under
• Wander Through
• Stranger in the Window
• Like a Cannonball
• Boots of Lead
• Spider Eggs
• Ghost of John
• The Concrete and the Walls
• Goldmine In the Sun
• Tiny Insects
• Little Black Holes
• Little Hand

8.0/10

Elf Power's website
Elf Power's Myspace

3 More To Explore: Wade Warren, Drive Faster, Derbert Plaza

Here's three more artists to consider as we kiss August goodbye.

Wade Warren

Wade Warren
For those who like: Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed

The dark debut from the New Yorker will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.  As a bonus, the album was partially recorded in a Toronto hotel room.

Wade Warren's Myspace

Drive Faster

Drive Faster
For those who like: Silversun Pickups, Letters To Cleo

The Toronto band's music may be very commercial alternative, but that doesn't mean it's not damn catchy.

Drive Faster's Myspace

Derbert Plaza

Derbert Plaza
For those who like: Japandroids, Mates Of State

Combine post-punk with loads of synth and you have this genre-defying Toronto duo.  Now if I could only figure out where Derbert Plaza is.

Derbert Plaza's Myspace

The Box Tiger: "The Box Tiger EP" (review)

Comparisons are always a dangerous thing to use when reviewing a record, especially when it's a debut EP.  Unfortunately, they are an important device when trying to convey a band's sound to readers.

It's with that in mind that I draw a very careful comparison for the debut self-titled EP for Toronto's The Box Tiger.

Fierce music arrangements on tracks like "Faceless" and "The Ballad of My Bones" are high octane indie rock at it's finest.  "Comes and Goes" shows a keen pop sensibility.

It's the often booming, forceful vocals of Sonia Sturino that lead me to my ultimate conclusion though: fans of Florence + the Machine hold on to your hats.

The Box Tiger play the Rivoli in Toronto on September 24th.

Best tracks: "The Ballad of My Bones", "Comes and Goes"

Track listing for The Box Tiger EP:

• Faceless
• Feel It
• Comes and Goes
• The Ballad of My Bones

8.5/10

The Box Tiger's Myspace

Sufjan Stevens reveals "The Age of Adz" details

The Internet is all a-twitter because Sufjan Stevens has announced the release of his new studio album.  The Age Of Adz will be out on October 12th.

Personally I find his music pretentious for pretentiousness' sake, but people seem to love him.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Futile Devices
• Too Much
• Age of Adz
• I Walked 
• Now That I'm Older
• Get Real Get Right 
• Bad Communication
• Vesuvius
• All for Myself 
• I Want To Be Well
• Impossible Soul 

Sufjan Stevens plays Massey Hall in Toronto on October 13th.

Sufjan Stevens' website
Sufjan Stevens' Myspace

Hot Panda: sophomore album details, "Mindlessnesslessness" (MP3)

Edmonton indie popsters Hot Panda have announced the release of their sophomore album.  How Come I'm Dead? will hit stores on October 12th.

Check out the awkwardly-titled "Mindlessnesslessness" now.

Here's the track listing for the album:

• Membership Fees
• Evil Nature
• Pools
• Shoot Your Horse
• Fuck Shit Up / Hell Hey Hex
• Start Making Sense
• Poor Little Ambulance
• Clever Fox
• Mindlessnesslessness
• 1995
• Masculinity
• The Ghost
• Late Night Calling

Hot Panda play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on October 12th.

Hot Panda's website
Hot Panda's Myspace

Backyard Brunch Sessions cook up a storm with Nicole Atkins (video)

File this in the 'why didn't I think of that first' category.

Brooklyn-based music blogger David Chaitt has created a series of videos dubbed the Backyard Brunch Sessions.  Each session features Chaitt and an invited guest musician cooking up a brunch for friends and is accompanied by a performance.

Check out the first episode, featuring Nicole Atkins, here:


You can grab Atkins' complete performance here.

Watch for future episodes here.

Backyard Brunch Sessions' Facebook

Coming to T.O.: Turbogeist

Turbogeist

UK band Turbogeist were in town to play NXNE this year and have announced their return for a September 28th show at the Silver Dollar.

Included in the heavy, punk-inspired band is Jimmy Jagger.  I think his dad has a little band of his own.

Opening for them are fun local ass-kicking rockers PKEW PKEW PKEW (gunshots).  Their current EP deserves a lot more attention than it's gotten so far.

It should be an interesting double bill to say the least.

Turbogeist's Myspace
PKEW PKEW PKEW (gunshots)'s Myspace

Philip Selway: "Familial" (album review)

There are lots of reasons to approach Philip Selway's debut solo album Familial (out August 31st) with some trepidation.  First, solo albums disappoint more often than they please.  Second, he's a drummer.  Third, he's the drummer for one of the most pretentious bands in the world, Radiohead.  Somehow though, with all of those things working against it, Familial still manages to charm.

The brilliance of Familial is that Selway deliberately works to not sound anything like Radiohead.  Selway doesn't smother us with "artistic" sounds, instead choosing simple arrangements that put the emphasis back on actual songs.

Melody, another musical component long-ago declared obsolete by Radiohead, makes it's return on this album.  Tracks like the stylish "The Ties That Bind Us" are more Cat Stevens than Radiohead, while tunes like the wafting lullaby "Don't Look Down" and "The Witching Hour" have barbs that verge on full-fledged hooks.

Any question about Selway's vocal abilities are quickly laid to rest.  While he may not have the most forceful or technically sound singing voice, he's smart enough to pen songs that work well with his hushed, introspective delivery.  That helps to enhance the deeply personal nature of his lyrics too.

Familial is not one of those albums that will be on heavy rotation on your stereo, but after years of having self-important critics force-feed us tuneless snippets of Radiohead's self-indulgent noodling and being told it's genius, this album will be an absolute revelation.

Best tracks: "The Ties That Bind Us", "Don't Look Down"

Track listing for Familial:

• By Some Miracle
• Beyond Reason
• A Simple Life
• All Eyes On You
• The Ties That Bind Us
• Patron Saint
• Falling
• Broken Promises
• Don't Look Down
• The Witching Hour

7.5/10

Philip Selway's website
Philip Selway's Myspace