CMW Preview: Jean-Paul DeRoover

Thunder Bay's Jean-Paul DeRoover has released a full length album, Windows and Doors, and recently dropped a companion a capella EP Pitch Pipes.  Check out this video for the track "Fix", I'm sure the song will sweep you away like it did me:


CMW performance:
Date: Mar 10th
Time: 12:00am
Venue: Mitzi' Sister

Jean-Paul DeRoover's website

Lucinda Williams: "Blessed" (album review)

Over the course of nine albums, Lucinda Williams has established a rock solid reputation for penning touching, personal songs.  On March 1st she returns with her tenth full length album Blessed.

The new album holds little in the way of departures for Williams.  The deeply personal lyrics and soulful vocals are present as always.  The music is earthy and warm, enhancing the mood of the songs.

I've always been partial to Williams' more rocking tracks.  While she doesn't offer up too many of those this time around, the one's that we do get are strong.  In particular, the twangy opener "Buttercup" and "Seeing Black", featuring guitar work by Elvis Costello, are standouts.

The arrangements don't always support the songs as well as they could.  For example, "Soldier's Song" feels slow and long-winded, while the title track and "Sweet Love" are just plain uninteresting.  Those few instances are redeemed by the bulk of the album though.

As the gospel-inspired "Convince Me" proves, Lucinda Williams still has it, and she's showing no signs of slowing down.

Lucinda Williams plays Massey Hall in Toronto on March 3rd & 4th.


Best tracks: "Seeing Black", "Convince Me"

Track listing for Blessed:

• Buttercup
• I Don't Know How You're Livin'
• Copenhagen
• Born To Be Loved
• Seeing Black
• Soldier's Song
• Blessed
• Sweet Love
• Ugly Truth
• Convince Me
• Awakening
• Kiss Like Your Kiss

7.0/10

Lucinda Williams' website

This week's entertainment picks: Gord Downie, Pete Yorn & Ben Kweller

There's no lull in this week prior to CMW.  Plenty of great music is to be heard.  Here are my picks:

Gord Downie, Mod Club, Mar 1
It's rare that fans can get this up-close-and-personal with the Tragically Hip frontman.  This show will provide that unique opportunity.  The downside?  He's playing Gord Downie songs, not Hip favorites.

Gord Downie's website

Ben Kweller

Pete Yorn w. Ben Kweller, Opera House, Mar 5
Yes, you have to trek yourself down to the inconvenient Opera House for this one, but seeing two great indie rock songwriters should be well worth it.

Pete Yorn's website
Ben Kweller's website

...also this week:

• Smith Westerns, Feb 28
• The Beets, Mar 1
• Teenage Kicks, Mar 1
• Catherine MacLellan, Mar 2
• INXS, Mar 2
• The Low Anthem, Mar 2
• Revolver, Mar 3
• Lady Gaga, Mar 3
• United Steel Workers of Montreal, Mar 3
• Small Sins, Mar 4
• Levon Helm w. Lucinda Williams, Mar 4
• Levon Helm w. Lucinda Williams, Mar 5
• OMD, Mar 5
• Plants & Animals, Mar 5
• Telekinesis, Mar 6

PEI's The Sidewalks set to tromp into Ontario

PEI alternative/ska band The Sidewalks play fun, raucous music, guaranteed to get your ass moving.  Think of them as a bit of an East Coast Planet Smashers.

They are bringing the party back to southern Ontario with a series of shows which include:

• Toronto, Horseshoe Tavern, Mar 22
• Toronto, The Hideout, Mar 23
• Waterloo, Maxwell's, Mar 24
• Kingston, The Merchant Tap, Mar 25
• Ottawa, Zaphod's, Mar 26

Hey, apparently it's good enough for Gene Simmons.

The Sidewalks' website

CMW Preview: The On Fires

Melbourne, Australia's The On Fires have been around for the better part of a decade, however, CMW will serve as my first exposure to the band.  Their post-punk sound has garnered comparisons to everyone from the B-52's to the Stereophonics.

Take a look at this video introduction to the band:


CMW performance:
Date: Mar 11th
Time: 9:00pm
Venue: The Hideout

The On Fires' website

Toronto concerts announced this week: The Black Keys, TV On The Radio, Ray LaMontagne, Girl Talk

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

TV On The Radio

• Georgia Satellites, Sound Academy, Mar 4
• Sick Puppies, Horseshoe Tavern, Mar 29
• Wye Oak, El Mocambo, Apr 9
• Born Ruffians, Opera House, Apr 16
• TV On The Radio, Sound Academy, Apr 18
• Femi Kuti, Opera House, Apr 19
• Joe Pug, Horseshoe Tavern, Apr 20
• Frank Turner, El Mocambo, Apr 26
• The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Phoenix, Apr 29
• Low, Mod Club, May 2
• John Vanderslice, Drake Underground, May 10
• Pat Jordache, Horseshoe Tavern, May 12
• Portugal. The Man, Lee's Palace, May 27
• Ray LaMontagne, Massey Hall, May 30
• Gruff Rhys, Horseshoe Tavern, Jun 11
• The Black Keys w. Cage The Elephant, Molson Ampitheatre, Jul 7
• Girl Talk, Sound Academy, Jul 8

CMW Preview: Daniel Moir

Young Edmonton singer/songwriter Daniel Moir has a knack for writing folk-based music that doesn't bore the pants off you.  That's why you should check him out at CMW.  For his performance he will be accompanied by Grapes Of Wrath guitarist Kevin Kane.

CMW performance:
Date: March 11th
Time: 11:00pm
Venue: Mitzi's Sister

Daniel Moir's website

Stephanie Bosch: "Stupid Charlie" (EP review)

Stupid Charlie is the forthcoming EP from transplanted Albertan Stephanie Bosch.  Now residing in Toronto, Bosch is working tirelessly on building her audience.  This record should help a lot.

The EP kicks off with the title track, a number that hits you like an amped-up version of KT Tunstall.  It's quickly followed by the irresistibly hook-laden rocker "Skin".

Bosch slows things down to close things out with the minimal yet tense "Alone Eventually".  It's in this environment that her sharp-tongued lyrics stand out the most.

There are a couple of miscues along the way.  "Wasted" is a less-than-memorable cut, not quite filler, but certainly not up to the standards of the rest of these songs.  Bosch's rendition of Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" doesn't work either.  While I applaud the concept and the bravery involved in attempting to tackle that kind of song and make it her own, the execution of the arrangements is simply not right.

Despite the odd slip Stupid Charlie gives you more than enough moments to be able to tell that Bosch is a talented musician and songwriter.  We should be hearing a lot more from her in the very near future.

Stephanie Bosch plays a CD release party at the El Mocambo in Toronto on April 14th.

Best tracks: "Stupid Charlie", "Skin"

Track list for Stupid Charlie:

• Stupid Charlie
• Skin
• Wasted
• Beautiful People
• Alone Eventually

6.5/10

Stephanie Bosch's website

Quick Hits: Decade Of Sleep, Avril Lavigne

Wonder what I couldn't get to this week? Well, I'll tell you:

Decade Of Sleep, Decade Of Sleep
The Toronto band released their self-titled debut album in December, but it's definitely worth going back and having a listen if you missed it.  The record is pure rock n' roll and solid from front to back.  Hopefully these guys can lead a charge in the genre (add Ottawa's Right By Midnight to that list too).

Check out the video for "Sympathy" if you don't believe me:


Decade Of Sleep's website

Avril Lavigne, Good Lullabye
Yeah, it's weird but someone thought I'd be interested in this.  I'm not really, but a quick listen proves once and for all that the sterile teen rocker from Napanee is completely gone, replaced by an even more sterile, over-produced pop wannabe diva.  It's like when Darth Vader consumed Anakin Skywalker, only nowhere near as cool.

Avril Lavigne's website

Grinderman: "Palaces Of Montezuma (Barry Adamson remix)"

Nick Cave's Grinderman will be releasing "Palaces Of Montezuma" as the third single from their Grinderman 2 record.  It's most notable for the stellar line 'the spinal chord of JFK wrapped in Marilyn Monroe's negligee'.

Included with the album version of the song will be remixes by Barry Adamson, and Cenzo Townshend.  Their will also be a reworking of Grinderman's "When My Baby Comes" by Cat's Eye.  The package will be available on March 14th.

Here the Barry Adamson remix here:
Grinderman - Palaces of Montezuma (Barry Adamson Remix) by Mute Artists

Grinderman will also be releasing a limited edition 12" of "Evil" on red glitter vinyl for Record Store Day.

Grinderman's website

CMW Preview: Audio Blood mixtape

Let's kick off my CMW previews in style shall we?

The kind folks over at Audio Blood Media are offering up a free download from each of the artists they have playing at CMW this year.  Just head over to their website to check it out.

For the record, those artists are:

Wednesday March 9th
MAKE YOUR EXIT
10:30pm @ Lees Palace w/ Boxer the Horse

Thursday March 10th
HANDS & TEETH
12am @ Royal York Hotel, Indie Love Lounge: Audio Blood Sessions

ROB MOIR
1pm @ Royal York Hotel, Indie Love Lounge: Audio Blood Sessions

CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD
1:30pm @ Royal York Hotel, Indie Love Lounge: Audio Blood Sessions

HANDS & TEETH
2pm @ Toronto Institute of Music

THE BALCONIES
6pm @ Sonic Boom FREE In-store w/ Dinosaur Bones, The Most Serene Republic

CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD
8:30PM @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

BIRTHDAY BOYS
8:40pm @ The Mod Club w/ Crash Karma: presented by Blackburn Radio

BRETT CASWELL & THE MARQUEE ROSE
9:30PM @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

HURON
10:30PM @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

SANDMAN VIPER COMMAND
11:30PM @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

FIVE ALARM FUNK
10:00pm @ Comfort Zone w/ Empire Isis

GOLDEN ISLES
1:30am @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

HANDS & TEETH
2:30am @ Sneaky Dees: Audio Blood Showcase

Friday March 11th

ROB MOIR
9pm @ Dakota Tavern: FACTOR Breakthrough Series

GENTLEMEN HUSBANDS
1:30am @ Horseshoe Tavern: ChartAttack Showcase w/ Cuff the Duke

MAKE YOUR EXIT
2am @ Sneaky Dee: Travis Porter & Musebox Showcase w/ The Meligrove Band

Saturday March 12th

SANDMAN VIPER COMMAND
4pm @ Sonic Boom Free In-store w/ Hollerado, Les Breastfeeders

THE BALCONIES
10pm @ Lees Palace w/ Paper Lions, Electric Six

HANDS & TEETH
11:00pm @ Comfort Zone w/ The Zoobombs

ALERT THE MEDIC
12:30am @ The Underground Garage

THE JUNCTION
1am @ Sneaky Dees w/ Lifestory: Monologue, The Love Machine

Last minute plans: The Coppertone, Cowlick, New Country Rehab @ Steam Whistle

The Coppertone

If you're anything like me you have nothing to do tonight but sit around and eat popcorn while watching this week's episode of Smackdown.  If another Friday of that sounds less than appealing to you, why don't you get off your ass and head down to the Steam Whistle brewery for the latest installment of their UNSIGNED indie music concert series.

Tonight's show includes set from two of my favorite local acts: Amanda Zelina's The Coppertone and Cowlick, the latest project from Dylan Hudecki (By Divine Right, Holy Fuck).  Also on the bill are New Country Rehab.

Doors open at 8:00pm, so you can even get home in time for a full night's sleep.  Cover is $5 at the door and proceeds go to benefit the Artists' Health Centre Foundation.

Steam Whistle's website

Memphis: "Here Comes A City" (album review)

When I hear that an album took three years to record, I immediately worry what kind of disjointed hodge podge we're about to have to endure.  Thankfully, Here Comes A City, the forthcoming album from Memphis (out March 8th), is surprisingly cohesive.

The band is the project of Stars' Torquil Campbell and his friend Chris Dumont.  While Here Comes A City won't be mistaken for a Stars album, there are some obvious similarities.

As with Stars, a slick sheen of swirling atmospheres lays atop much of the music.  Where Memphis differs is underneath that topcoat.  There's a diversity of sound that doesn't readily appear in Stars music.  We're given pure pop on "Apocalpyse Pop Song", and frankly the end of the world has never sounded like so much fun.  "Five Loops" mesmerizes us with a spacey groove.  A weeping guitar and saloon-worthy stomp tempo chug along in "I Am the Photographer".  Your fingers will snap and toes tap during "Wait!".

Despite a sound that fits within the context of the album, the meandering instrumental "Reservoir" is a textured 7-minute trip that serves only to disrupt the flow of the record.  I took a similar sense away from "Way Past Caring", but at least it had vocals to provide some level of interest.

Here Comes A City is one of those side project albums that straddles the line well.  It's similar enough to Campbell's main gig to hold those fans, while being just different enough to provide the artist some freedom to express himself.

Best tracks: "Apocalypse Pop Song", "Five Loops"

Track listing for Here Comes A City:

• Here Comes A City
• Apocalypse Pop Song
• I Want the Lights On After Dark
• Five Loops
• What Is This Thing Called?
• I Am the Photographer
• Reservoir
• Wait!
• Way Past Caring
• m+e=me

7.0/10

3 More To Explore: Treekeeper, Lincoln Blanche, Slithering Beast

Here are three more artists to consider as we wrap up a snow-filled February:

Treekeeper
For those who like: Flying Lotus

Nashville's Treekeeper is the project of producer Morgan Splawn.  He dropped an EP of fun instrumental hip hop that should get you moving.

Treekeeper on Soundcloud

Lincoln Blanche
For those who like: Robin Thicke

This Toronto pop artist is poised to release his debut EP, Lincoln High.  It's a surprisingly good blend of pop, rock, and dance.

Lincoln Blanche's website

Slithering Beast
For those who like: tumbleweed and saddle sores

It's only a couple of days until this Louisville, KY alt country band release their new EP Delicious.

Slithering Beast's website

Frank Turner says "England Keep My Bones" on new record

Credit: Eric Weiss

Folk punk poet Frank Turner has announced that he is returning with his fourth studio album.  The record, England Keep My Bones, will be released on June 7th.

Among the musicians pitching in this time around is former Hold Steady multi-instrumentalist (and part-time mustache model) Franz Nicolay.

Frank Turner plays the El Mocmbo in Toronto on April 26th.

Frank Turner's website

TV On The Radio: stream the new song "Will Do"

We've had a plethora of side project distractions: Maximum Balloon, Rain Machine, Jane's Addiction (?), etc, but it the guys in TV On The Radio have been working together behind our backs.  Their new album, Nine Types Of Light, is reportedly scheduled for an April 12th release.

Radio station The End 107.7 has posted a stream of the first track "Will Do".  Check it out here.

TV On The Radio play the Sound Academy in Toronto on April 18th.

TV On The Radio's website

The Cool Kids to release full album "When Fish Ride Bicycles", stream "Bundle Up"

Uber-hep Chicago hip hop duo The Cool Kids will be releasing their first proper album, When Fish Ride Bicycles later this spring.

Currently, they have made their first single, "Bundle Up", available through GreenLabelSound.  Check it out here:


The Cool Kids' blog

Become The Sun: Ottawa band a true tale of perseverance

Ottawa is a great town.  Sure they're hockey team sucks even worse than ours, but it's my wife's home town and we were actually married there.  So I've spent my fair share of time in the city and it really doesn't warrant its reputation as the 'town that fun forgot'.

One of the reasons is its incredible, and growing, indie rock scene.

Become The Sun is an Ottawa quartet that has one of the most interesting stories I've heard in a while.  Coming from a diverse background (they are made up of musicians of Sri Lankan, Irish, and Canadian descents), they play some heavy jam-inspired rock.

Their debut album Fire, due out very shortly, almost didn't come about though.  The band's drummer Evan Camm severed twelve tendons and two arteries in his hand in a construction accident (why does this shit always happen to drummers?).  After rehabbing, he's back playing and recording, despite having no feeling in 90% of his left hand.

The band will be celebrating their long, courageous path with a CD release show and party at Live Lounge in Ottawa on February 25th.  You should join them in this feel-good story.

Become The Sun's Myspace

Lykke Li: "Wounded Rhymes" (album review)

The sophomore jinx is a real thing.  Many a band fail to produce a quality follow-up to their breakthrough debuts.  Something told me that it wouldn't be a problem for Swedish indie sensation Lykke Li and her second full length album Wounded Rhymes, out March 1st.

Wounded Rhymes definitely branches out further than on Youth Novels.  The album opens with "Youth Knows No Pain", which could easily be the theme to a '60s-era spy flick.  A similar sound seeps into "Sadness Is a Blessing", a track that benefits from a girl group wall of sound not unlike that of The Raveonettes.

Li delivers a big curveball to her fans with a pair of stripped down numbers.  "I Know Places" is mostly her vocals and a gently guitar strum, while "Unrequited Love" is has a vaguely country vibe that wouldn't sound out of place coming from someone like Emmylou Harris.

That's not to say that Li has abandoned what made her a darling with fans in the first place.  "I Follow Rivers" is infectious electro-dance pop.  Your hips will be shaking to "Rich Kids Blues".  She gets back to that dark, mysterious, sultry and wicked atmosphere with the tribal beats of "Get Some" and the thunder-rumble of "Jerome".

Wounded Rhymes may not be as immediately captivating as her debut, but Lykke Li manages to be an exception to the sophomore slump with a solid and enjoyable album.

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


Best tracks: "I Follow Rivers", "Sadness Is a Blessing"


Track listing for Wounded Rhymes:

• Youth Knows No Pain
• I Follow Rivers
• Love Out Of Lust
• Unrequited Love
• Get Some
• Rich Kids Blues
• Sadness Is a Blessing
• I Know Places
• Jerome
• Silent My Song

8.0/10

Lykke Li's website

Elbow set to hit you with "Build a Rocket Boys"

Mercury Prize winners Elbow are back with a new album.  The Manchester 5-piece will release Build a Rocket Boys digitally in North America on March 8th, with a physical release following shortly on April 12th.

More details and tour dates to come.

Elbow's website

The Watson Twins to release "Night Covers" EP (MP3)

The delightful Watson Twins are returning with a new EP of covers.  Night Covers will be released on April 18th.

The EP will include covers of PJ Harvey, Bill Withers, Sade, The Turtles, The Black Keys, and The Eurythmics.

Grab the download of the first track here:

The Watson Twins' website

The Swallows: "Shoot Out Sparks" (MP3)

The Swallows is the side project of Glenn Milchem, best known for his role as drummer in a little Canadian band , Blue Rodeo.  On March 1st he releases his fourth album from The Swallows, Demystified.

I'm sure you'll love the album track "Shoot Out Sparks".

The Swallows play a CD Release show at The Piston in Toronto on March 3rd.

The Swallows' Myspace

Does It Offend You, Yeah?: "Don't Say We Didn't Warn You" (album review)

UK band Does It Offend You, Yeah? have managed to do what precious few acts have done: keep one foot in the electronic world, one foot in the rock world, and somehow please both sets of fans.  On March 15th they return with their latest dose of amped-up dance rock Don't Say We Didn't Warn You.

The album kicks off in typical Does It Offend You style.  "We Are the Dead" has those big, disjointed hurky jerky beats we've grown to expect from the band.  "John Hurt" continue in a spastic manner.  That can grow a bit tiring after a while.  Adding a dose of hip hop and delectable chorus vocals to "Wondering" makes it hard not to dig the groove.

By the time "The Monkeys Are Coming" rolls around these songs have blended into one another.  Not even the samples of Paul Heyman at the beginning and end of "Wrestler" can shake it up enough.

There's a pop sensibility underneath some of these tracks as well.  When the band strip away most of their bombast for "Pull Out My Insides", there's a catchy pop song at the core.  "Wrong Time Wrong Planet" begins simply, and seems to almost grow as it progresses.

Surprisingly, one of the standout tracks on the record is the instrumental "Yeah".  Usually I find instrumentals boring and obvious filler.  This track however, keeps you engaged with lots of twists and turns.

In the end you really want more of those twists and turns and less of the obvious beats than what you get on Don't say We Didn't Warn You.  There are still a number of moments that make the album worth your time, but you just know there could've been so many more.

Best tracks: "Yeah", "Wrong Time Wrong Planet"

Track listing for Don't Say We Didn't Warn You:

• We Are the Dead
• John Hurt
• Pull Out My Insides
• Yeah
• The Monkeys Are Coming
• Wrong Time Wrong Planet
• Wrestler
• Wondering
• The Knife
• Broken Arms

6.0/10

Does It Offend You, Yeah?'s website

Wild Beasts post teaser for new album "Smother"

Mercury Prize-nominated rockers Wild Beasts have announced the release of their new studio album.  Smother will see the light of day on May 9th in the UK (that makes me assume May 10th here in North America).

The band have posted a painfully short trailer for the album:


Here's the track list for the album:

• Lion’s Share
• Bed Of Nails
• Deeper
• Loop The Loop
• Plaything
• Invisible
• Albatross
• Reach A Bit Further
• Burning
• End Come Too Soon

Wild Beasts' website

Lykke Li: stream all of "Wounded Rhymes"

Lykke Li's new album Wounded Rhymes comes out next week (March 1st).  Hype Machine is currently streaming the entire record.

Hear it here:
Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (Hype Machine Album Exclusive) by LykkeLi

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


Lykke Li's website

All Smiles: "Staylow and Mighty" (album review)

All Smiles is the solo project from Jim Fairchild.  You may not know his name right away, but you're probably familiar with his guitar work for Grandaddy and Modest Mouse.  Staylow and Mighty, the third album from All Smiles, gets its release on March 1st.

Fairchild has some help laying down the textures on this new album.  Modest Mouse's Joe Plummer, Gary Jarmen of The Cribs, and Menomena's Danny Seim all contribute to varying degrees.

It's atmospheres that rule the day on Staylow and Mighty.  The record opens with "Captives", a track that features an almost Modest Mouse-like cadence.  That only serves as a foundation however, as it's the more full cascade of sounds that are the focal point of the track.

The songs are at their best when the soundscapes are nuanced and varied.  One of the best examples of this is "First Sign of Snow", which principally features a desolate aura.  However, underneath that is a masterful guitar part that adds warmth and vibrancy to the song.

While there are no shortage of pleasant melodies on the album, there are precious few that are truly memorable.  The sunny, breezy "Sun, Number Two" is an exception, as is "Where the Feathers Fall".  The latter also boasts an enchanting guitar riff that will lead you around by the ear.  The lack of interesting hooks renders cuts like "Diana's Throne" and "Escalon, Decades Ago", tragically dull.

Fairchild seems so focused on creating a mood that the vocals float in almost as an afterthought.  That takes away from whatever impact his lyrics would otherwise have had.

Staylow and Mighty has its moments, unfortunately, you have to dig very deep to experience them.  Frankly, in a world as hectic as this one, who has the time for that?

Best tracks: "Sun, Number Two", "Where The Feathers Fell"

Track listing for Staylor and Mighty:

• Captives
• First Sign of Snow
• Trying To Wake You
• Virgil Shaw
• Escalon, Decades Ago
• Where the Feathers Fell
• Sun, Number One
• Sun, Number Two
• My Son, The Future
• Diana's Throne
• Totem

6.0/10

All Smiles' website

New Releases for Feb. 22nd: Adele, Loch Lomond, The Low Anthem

Here's a look at some of the great new albums you can expect to be able to hear this week:

• Adele- Review
• The Builders & The Butchers
• Cave Singers
• Katie Costello
• Peter Elkas- MP3
• Good Lovelies- Review
• Ruth Goodrich
• Imaginary Cities- Review
• Miles Kane
• Loch Lomond- Review
• G Love
• The Low Anthem- Review
• The Luyas
• Harlon Pepper
• Diana Pops
• Tahiti 80
• Toro Y Moi

Valentiger: "Oh, to Know!" (album review)

I really dug Power Lines To Electric Times, the 2009 album from Michigan band Valentiger.  So I was happy to get my hands on their forthcoming record Oh, to Know! (out March 5th).

Even with a solid album behind them, I didn't expect this from Oh, to Know!.  The new album shows a band with growing confidence that results in a loose, freewheeling, and downright fun record.

Valentiger's music is a combination of pop elements, like vocal harmonies and infectious hooks, with roots rock jangle (and the odd harmonica or weeping guitar).  Songs like "Love To Forgive" thrive on their ability to create seemingly effortless melodies.  While "Why I'm Not Great" puts just enough grit in the mix to get the approval of even the most jaded music fan.

They demonstrate tremendous judgement and restraint, making certain that none of the songs get too saccharine.  They show the ability to self-edit as well, since every track checking in at under four minutes long, leaving not an ounce of fat on Oh, to Know!

Oh, to Know! is one of those rare albums that is suitable for nearly every occasion.  Out for a drive.  Check.  Dinner party.  Check.  Lonely night at home with a bottle of JD.  Check.

If this album doesn't break make Valentiger a breakout indie band, then there's truly no justice in the world.

Best tracks: "Oh, to Know!", "Love To Forgive"

Track listing for Oh, to Know!:

• Oh, to Know!
• All I
• Another Cool Move
• Love To Forgive
• Sunshines Through
• Frozen Dozing
• Into the Sun
• Why I'm Not Great
• Good Day, Goodnight
• Oh My God! This Weekend

8.5/10

Valentiger's website