Architecture In Helsinki set to release "Moment Bends"

Aussie indie pop band and members of the 'we're-not-actually-from-where-our-band-name-would-suggest' club Architecture In Helsinki, are returning with their fourth studio album.  Moment Bends has been slated for a May 3rd release.

The band have some tour dates slotted, but there's nothing looking like a serious North American tour yet.  I'll keep you posted though.

Architecture In Helsinki's website

The Kills stream first song "Satellite" from "Blood Pressures"

After doing the near-impossible and making Jack White interesting again (for one album anyway), Alison Mosshart is back where she belongs, putting out a new album with The Kills.  The duo return with their new album Blood Pressures on April 5th.

Take a listen to the first song "Satellite" now:
The Kills - Satellite by DominoRecordCo

The Kills play the Sound Academy in Toronto on May 1st.

The Kills' website

Grand Mal: "Guitars Strum In Dejection" (video)

Grand Mal's "Clandestine Songs" landed at number 4 on my best albums of 2010 list.  Now they've released a new video from that record.

Check out "Guitars Strum In Dejection":


Grand Mal's website

David Lowery: "The Palace Guards" (album review)

With all his work fronting cult-favorite bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker, it's amazing to me that David Lowery has never released a solo album.  That is until now.  His new album, The Palace Guards, hits shelves on February 1st.

From the outset it's obvious that this is going to be a very diverse sounding record.

The album kicks off with the title track.  With it's ebb and flow and constantly shifting pace, it comes across as more Stephen Malkmus than David Lowery.  Some Camper experimental influence creeps in with "Deep Oblivion", a spacey ballad with some twang.   A drum machine dominates the bright "Big Life" with surprising success.

Country music still provides a backbone to many of these songs.  It takes centre stage on the harmonica-driven "Raise 'Em Up Honey", the Cracker-esque midtempo number "Marigold", and the lilting closer "Submarine".

Lyrically, Lowery is his typical far-out self.  While he's not as laugh-out-loud funny as he's been known to be, the quirky-yet-philosophical lines of a cut like "I Sold the Arabs the Moon" will put a grin on your face.  The same can be said for "Ah, You Left Me", which juxtaposes a strong melody with a gloomier theme.

It's clear that this record is neither Camper nor Cracker lite, but something completely of its own.  All the variation in sound makes for a less than cohesive listen, but it does provide a great survey of the breadth of Lowery's abilities.

Best tracks: "Ah, You Left Me", "Big Life"

Track listing for The Palace Guards:

• The Palace Guards
• Raise 'Em Up Honey
• Deep Oblivion
• Ah, You Left Me
• Baby, All Those Girls Meant Nothing To Me
• I Sold the Arabs the Moon
• Marigold
• Big Life
• Submarine

7.0/10

David Lowery's website

This week's entertainment picks: The Decemberists, Best Coast & Wavves

It's a pretty busy week for concerts in T.O.  Here are my picks:

The Decemberists w. Wye Oak, Sound Academy, Feb 1
Colin Meloy and crew are back touring their new album.  The only drawback is an outrageous ticket price.

The Decemberists' website 

Best Coast, Wavves, and No Joy, The Phoenix, Feb 6
Yes, Best Coast and Wavves are both vastly overrated, but put enough of those band's together and you will get a decent show.

Best Coast's website
Wavves' website

...also this week:

• Random Recipe, Feb 2
• Cancer Bats, Feb 2
• The Moondoggies, Feb 2
• Hollerado, Feb 3
• Julie Doiron, Feb 3
• Jim Bryson & the Weakerthans Band, Feb 4
• Gang of Four, Feb 4
• Steven Page, Feb 4
• Agent Orange, Feb 5
• Danko Jones, Feb 5
• The Headstones, Feb 5
• Steven Page, Feb 5

Exit 451 invite fans to help create a new video

Montreal indie rock band Exit 451 are inviting fans to get involved with the making of their next video.  The song will be "You Exist" from their album The Sea Above the Sky.

The band is asking fans to write in with a synopsis for a concept.  The best three ideas will move on to the next stage where the videos will be produced and posted.

You have until February 14th to submit your ideas here.

Exit 451's website

Toronto concerts announced this week: Jeff Tweedy, Black Lips, Sleigh Bells

Here are the concerts announced for Toronto over the past week:

The Black Lips

• Done With Dolls, The Rivoli, Feb 17
• Great Bloomers w. Huron, The Garrison, Feb 18
• INXS, Sound Academy, Mar 2
• United Steel Workers of Montreal, Lee's Palace, Mar 3
• Jeff Tweedy, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Mar 22
• Jeff Martin, Mod Club, Mar 23
• The Grapes of Wrath, El Mocambo, Mar 25
• Henry Rollins, The Great Hall, Mar 29
• The Blank Dogs, Sneaky Dee's, Mar 31
• Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Horseshoe Tavern, Mar 31
• The Joy Formidable, Horseshoe Tavern, Apr 2
• Jackson Browne, Massey Hall, Apr 5
• Timber Timbre, Trinity St Paul's, Apr 8
• House of Pain, Sound Academy, Apr 9
• The Black Lips w. Vivian Girls, The Phoenix, Apr 16
• Yacht, Lee's Palace, May 2
• Echo & The Bunnymen, The Phoenix, May 16
• Sleigh Bells w. CSS, The Mod Club, May 16
• Switchfoot, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, May 16
• Edge Fest (f. Rise Against, A Perfect Circle, Tokyo Police Club, The Weakerthans, and more), Downsview Park, Jul 9

"Under the Spotlight" showcase series looking for Toronto indie bands

Here's something for everyone in a Toronto-area indie band.

Hyacinth has put out a call for bands to perform in their "Under the Spotlight" series at Tattoo Rock Parlour.  They are looking for bands to play their showcase the first Thursday of every month.

Bands have a chance, not only to perform at the showcases, but to also win studio time and a headlining spot at a future event.

To apply, simply post your video or demo on Hyacinth's Facebook page here.

Brutal Knights' Nick Flanagan announce release party for comedy album

Talk about a change of pace, this one might very well take the cake.  Nick Flanagan, lead singer of Toronto group Brutal Knights, has just released his debut comedy album I'll Be Here All Weak.

To celebrate the records release, Flanagan will be holding a release party on February 4th at the Silver Dollar.  Joining him that night will be Tropics (Slim Twig) and one of my favorites Pkew Pkew Pkew (gunshots).

Doors open at 9:00pm and the cover is $8.  If you can't make it out, you can buy the album here.

Pkew Pkew Pkew (gunshots) Myspace
Tropics' Myspace

Quick Hits: Diana Pops, Tyburn Saints

Here's a quick look at things I couldn't address properly this week:

Diana Pops, For Bright Minds In Dark Corners
This is the forthcoming EP from the Winnipeg singer/songwriter.  These four tracks have earned her comparisons to the likes of Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, and Norah Jones.

If that intrigues you, then be sure to check it out with the record gets released on February 22nd.

Diana Pops' Myspace

Tyburn Saints, For The Benefit of Strangers
Who among us doesn't like a good murder ballad?  Personally, I can't get enough of them.  Unfortunately Nick Cave can only produce so many albums.  That's where Brooklyn's Tyburn Saints step in.  If you like your music with a heap of American Gothic doom-and-gloom, then this band and this album are calling your name.

Tyburn Saints' website

Cass McCombs to release "Wit's End"

The nearly impossible to define Cass McCombs has put the finishing touches on his new album.  The record, Wit's End, is slated for release on April 12th.

You can hear the track "County Line" here.

Here's the track list for the album:

• County Line
• The Lonely Doll
• Buried Alive
• Saturday Song
• Memory’s Stain
• Hermit’s Cave
• Pleasant Shadow Song
• A Knock Upon the Door

Cass McCombs' website

The Cubadors give away "Salon des Animaux" EP

As a precursor to the release of their double-LP City Now/City Down, Toronto trio The Cubadors have made their 4-song demo EP Salon des Animaux available for free on their website.

Check out the track "Whistle":
Whistle by the Cubadors

The Cubadors' website

First Rate People release "Funny Games" single

Ontario's First Rate People (seriously, none of their info seems to get any more specific than that) have just released a new single "Funny Games".  The track sounds like the collision of Interpol and Passion Pit- a unique sound to say the least.

Check out "Funny Games" now.

First Rate People will be touring Ontario in support of Born Ruffians.  Dates include:

• Peterborough, The Legendary Red Dog, Mar 23
• Waterloo, Starlight Social Club, Mar 24
• Kingston, The Grad Club, Mar 25
• Hamilton, The Casbah, Mar 26
• St. Catharines, L3 Nightclub, Mar 27
• London, Call The Office, Mar 29
• Barrie, TBD, Mar 30
• Ottawa, Ritual Nightclub, Mar 31

First Rate People's website

The Fervor: "Arise, Great Warrior" (album review)

Lousiville's The Fervor comes with intriguing reference points for their forthcoming second album Arise, Great Warrior (out February 8th).

The band's music comes from a similar place as the mope rock formula of Cat Power.  The group strive to create a dark, moody atmosphere with their music.  They can certainly pen a strong melody as demonstrated on "Bent Around A Dying Dream".

While they can certainly rock harder than Cat Power, they still come across as a tad one dimensional.  With the exception of the gripping rhythm of "Birds On the Bridge", there are not a lot of sounds that demand you to pay attention.  Singer Natalie Felker's vocals are more dynamic in range than Chan Marshall's, but somehow they lack the soulfulness.

The band seem pre-occupied with reinventing their songs as the progress.  Almost every song starts as one thing, but ends as something completely different.  While that works once in a while, like on the title track that begins as a stripped down Fleet Foxes-esque number but evolves into an epic rock excursion, The Fervor go back to that trick way too often.  The result are sprawling tracks that meander aimlessly for way too long.  If you were to skip ahead to the last minute of each track you would get the band's point and save yourself some time.

The Fervor has a good sound.  They are more than competent players and the vocals are strong.  Unfortunately, this is a case of a band that really needs to edit themselves.

Best tracks: "Bent Around a Dying Dream", "Birds On the Bridge"

Track listing for Arise, Great Warrior:

• Arise, Great Warrior
• Lead Me
• Bent Around A Dying Dream
• Clearly As the Sun
• Birds On the Bridge
• Crazy for the Feeling
• Let's Get Loaded

6.0/10

The Fervor's website
The Fervor's Myspace

Last minute plans: The BB Guns

Photo: Joe Fuda

If you're looking for a way to get your weekend started right, may I suggest the live debut of new Toronto garage/surf act The BB Guns.

The quartet features Laura Hermiston on lead vocals and guitar.  She's backed up by Charlotte Marie, Machetes' Alana DeVee, and Mike Warne of Pkew Pkew Pkew.

Check out some of their tracks on their Myspace page.  I'd particularly recommend "(She Thinks She's) So Soho".

The show takes place tonight at the Silver Dollar.  Doors are at 8:00pm and it's a $6 cover.

The BB Guns' Myspace

3 More To Explore: Hello Bella, Kids Icarus, DAD ROCKS!

Here are three more artists to give some time to this weekend:

Hello Bella
For those who like: Diamond Rings, Small Sins

Hailing from Sarnia and environs, this electro-pop band has just released their debut full length album Echoes of the Atmosphere.

Hello Bella's website

Kids Icarus
For those who like: hard music without the screaming

Connecticut doesn't get much love when it comes to music.  Post-punk band Kids Icarus are trying to change that with the full-throttle frenzied attack on their self-titled EP.

Kids Icarus' Myspace

DAD ROCKS!
For those who like: Akron/Family

You can't help but love a quirky Icelandic/Danish dude who has fun with every aspect of his craft.  Hell, just look at that publicity shot.

DAD ROCKS!'s Myspace

O'Death set to release "Outside" (MP3)

New York folk-punk quintet O'Death have announced the release of their third studio album.  Outside will see the light of day on April 19th.

You can check out the track "Bugs" here and now.

O'Death's website

Lykke Li: "I Follow Rivers" (video)

By now you're keenly aware that Lykke Li's new album Wounded Rhymes comes out on March 1st.

She's just posted the video for the album track "I Follow Rivers".  It's a slow-grower, but it gets there for sure:


Lykke Li plays the Phoenix in Toronto on May 22nd.

Lykke Li's website

The Barettas: "Touche" (video)

Hamilton is typically known for its unique, um, aroma it gives off as you approach it.  But sometimes those conditions churn out some great rock.

That's definitely the case with Hamilton trio The Barettas.  The group have just released their debut two-song digital 7" "Touche".  It's jangly, yet rough around the edges.  Best of all, it feels (and I hate this term) authentic.

You can download both tracks from the group's Bandcamp page.  I almost feel guilty downloading something this catchy for free.

They've got a grainy, yet endearing clip for the a-side as well:


It reminds me a lot of Jale, in style if not exactly in sound.

The Barettas' Bandcamp

Born Ruffians: "The Ballad Of Moose Bruce" (video)

Born Ruffians have a new video from the track "The Ballad Of Moose Bruce" from their 2010 sophomore album Say It.  The wrestling-themed clip features Ring Of Honor star Chris Hero and culminates in one nasty looking moonsault.

Watch it here:


The band have a bunch of Ontario stops on their cross-Canada tour including:

• Thunder Bay, Crocks, Mar 20
• Sudbury, The Townehouse, Mar 22
• Peterborough, The Red Dog, Mar 23
• Waterloo, Starlight, Mar 24
• Kingston, The Grad Club, Mar 25
• Hamilton, The Casbah, Mar 26
• St Catharines, L3 Nightclub, Mar 27
• London, Call the Office, Mar 29
• Ottawa, Ritual, Mar 30

Born Ruffians' website

DATAROCK to release "most extravagant single in history" (MP3)

Norwegian Indie dance darlings DATAROCK are releasing what they dub as 'the most extravagant single in history'.  The single, "Catcher In the Rye", comes out on March 21st.

The band aren't exaggerating their claim.  The 4GB USB key single comes in the form of a toy and will be loaded with:

• 110 bonus tracks (album cuts, b-sides, remixes, instrumentals, and more)
• 1500 photos
• 20 music videos
• a 1 hour concert film

You can grab the less opulent "Catcher In the Rye" now.

DATAROCK's website

L'Orchestre D'Hommes-Orchestres performs the songs of Tom Waits in Toronto

This has the potential to be the most fun night of music all year long.

Quebec City's L'Orchestre D'Hommes-Orchestres (that's quite the mouthful) are coming to Toronto to play the songs of newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Waits.  They'll be here for four performances March 2-5th at the Theatre Centre.

The group incorporate nearly 100 found sound instruments into the performance.  Among them are scissors, boxing gloves, baby cradle, handkerchief, and spaghetti (dry I'm assuming).

Judging from this clip it looks like a wild ride:


Tickets are $25 and you can get them here.

Theatre Centre's website

Last minute plans: Indie Machine showcase f. The Rest and more

Toronto blog The Indie Machine present their next showcase tonight at Rancho Relaxo.  Doors open at 9:00pm and it's only a $6 cover to see four great bands.

Tonight's line-up includes:

• The Rest
• Ketch Harbour Wolves
• Blackbells
• Beware! The Leopard

Not a bad way at all to spend a Thursday night.

Kasey Anderson & the Honkies: "Heart of a Dog" (album review)

I have to admit I was completely unfamiliar with Kasey Anderson prior to listening to his forthcoming album Heart of a Dog (out February 15th).  I was familiar with the work of his backing band, The Honkies.  The trio consists of Long Winters' Eric Conson and Andrew McKeag, as well as Mike Musburger who's played for a slew of northwestern bands, including my beloved Supersuckers.

The album opens with "The Wrong Light", a dirty blues groove that makes more than one appearance on the record.  That blues sound dovetails with the sweet twang of the country rocker "Mercy" and the thoughtful southern lament of "Your Side of Town".

Anderson and company show a sharp sense of humour in their songwriting.  Nowhere is that more obvious than on the irresistible "My Baby's a Wrecking Ball".  The gritty "Sirens and Thunder" provides a great sing-along for the next time you're barreling down a gravel road in your pick-up truck.

When the tempo slows it does become harder to enjoy the album.  The eponymous "Kasey Anderson's Dream", for instance, is almost atonal.  "My Blues, My Love" is a similarly dull experience.

They even wrap every up nice and tight with a rollicking cover of The English Beat's "Save It For Later".

Best tracks: "Mercy", "My Baby's a Wrecking Ball"

Track listing for Heart of a Dog:

• The Wrong Light
• Mercy
• Exit Ghost
• Your Side of Town
• Sirens and Thunder
• Kasey Anderson's Dream
• My Blues, My Love
• My Baby's a Wrecking Ball
• Revisionist History Blues
• For Anyone
• Save It For Later

7.5/10

Kasey Anderson's website

Enio set to release "Neon Dreaming: The Formative Years, Vol I"

Toronto musician Enio has taken the slow organic route to building his fan base.  He's worked hard to win people over with his electro-pop sound.

On February 1st he releases a new 8-song mini album Neon Dreaming: The Formative Years, Vol I.  The album consist of songs Enio wrote before he had any means to record them.

These tracks are a little bit too slick and overly-processed for my own tastes, but if you like acts like Owl City, this will be right up your alley.

Enio's website

Steve Earle announces album and novel "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive"

Rough-around-the-edges troubadour Steve Earle has always kept himself busy.  Somehow he's found time between acting, writing, scoring, and other activities to record a new studio album.  I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive has been slated for an April 26th release.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Waitin' On The Sky
• Little Emperor
• The Gulf of Mexico
• Molly - O
• God is God
• Meet Me In The Alleyway
• Every Part of Me
• Lonely Are The Free
• Heaven or Hell (with Allison Moorer)
• I Am A Wanderer
• This City

On May 12th, Earle will be releasing his debut novel, also titled I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive.  His website describes the book as follows:

The novel imagines the troubled life of Doc Ebersole as he is haunted by the ghost of his former patient and friend, Hank Williams. Thomas Cobb, author of Crazy Heart, stated "This is an impressive debut novel. The characters are unforgettable, and the plot moves like a fast train. A fantastic mixture of hard reality and dark imagination." The title of both Steve Earle's new album and debut novel is taken from the Hank Williams song by the same name; the last single released during his lifetime in 1952.

It should all be pretty cool stuff.

Steve Earle's website

Kemo Treats do satirical hip hop like no others (video)

If I said to you 'Edmonton music', obviously the first thing that will spring to your mind is hip hop.  If not it will when you get a dose of the tongue-in-cheek rhymes of satirical hip hop duo Kemo Treats and their debut album Straight Gold.

Check out the video for "The Program" here.  I think you'll find they hit on all of the hip hop cliches:


Personally, I love how they end the track with the classic '80s rap line 'we are the best'.  That shit's straight out of an L.L. Cool J. cut.

Kemo Treat's website

John Vanderslice: "White Wilderness" (album review)

John Vanderslice is an artist that has constantly been evolving over the course of his eight full length records.  It's never a huge shift, but he always tries to bring something new to the fans.  On his new album, White Wilderness, Vanderslice does this by teaming up with the San Francisco-area Magik Magik Orchestra.

The combination works well for the most part.  The string arrangements can be alternately elegant, as on "After It Ends", or whimsical, like on the playful "Convict Lake".   Things hit their stride when the rock kicks in on "Overcoat".

Sometimes the arrangements drift to become a little too subdued.  The results, like the title track, are less than gripping.  You may very easily find your mind wandering off to other more pressing matters, like 'what am I going to have for lunch?'

Even if the experiments don't work one hundred percent of the time, it's very difficult to blame an artist for trying to broaden their sound and their listeners' experiences.  For that alone White Wilderness is worth a listen or two.

Best tracks: "Convict Lake", "Overcoat"

Track listing for White Wilderness:

• Sea Salt
• Convict Lake
• White Wilderness
• The Piano Lesson
• After It Ends
• Overcoat
• Alemany Gap
• English Vinces
• 20K

7.0/10

John Vanderslice's website

Thao & Mirah join forces for new album

Single-named West Coast indie singer/songwriters Thao and Mirah have joined forces for a new album project. The record, simply titled Thao & Mirah, sees the artists split the songwriting and arrangement duties.  That should make for an interesting listen if nothing else.

Here's the track list:

• Eleven

• Folks

• Little Cup

• Rubies and Rocks

• Teeth

• Spaced Out Orbit

• How Dare You

• Sugar and Plastic

• Likable Man

• Hallelujah

• Squareneck

The album comes out on April 26th.

Thao's website
Mirah's website

The Strokes reveal "Angles" track list

Last week I posted that The Strokes will be returning with their new album, Angles, on March 22nd.  Now the band have revealed the track list for the record.

Here it is:

• Machu Picchu
• Under Cover of Darkness
• Two Kinds of Happiness
• You're So Right
• Taken for a Fool
• Games
• Call Me Back
• Gratisfaction
• Metabolism
• Life Is Simple in the Moonlight

The Strokes' website