Miracle Fortress ready new album, give away "Raw Spectacle"

Montreal's Miracle Fortress has announced the release of his sophomore album.  Was I The Wave? is slated to come out on April 26th.

Grab the first single "Raw Spectacle" with a free download now.

Here's the track list for the record:

• Awe
• Tracers
• Raw Spectacle
• Wave
• Spectre
• Everything Works
• Before
• Miscalculations
• Immanent Domain
• Until

There are some Canadian tour dates scheduled already, but strangely nothing in Toronto.

Miracle Fotress' website

Joe Lally set to release "Why Should I Get Used To It"

It seems like forever since we've heard any Fugazi-related news.  While it's not new material from the band as a whole, the announcement that the band's Joe Lally will be releasing his third solo album is welcomed.

The album, Why Should I Get Used To It, is slated for an April 26th release.

Here's the track list:

• What Makes You
• Nothing To Lose
• Revealed In Fever
• Fort Campbell, KY
• Philosophy For Insects
• Ken-Gar
• Why Should I Get Used To It
• Coral And Starfish
• Let It Burn
• Ministry Of The Interior
• Last Of The Civilized

The Rosebuds to release "Loud Planes Fly Low" (MP3)

Carolina indie-popsters The Rosebuds are returning with a new album.  Loud Planes Fly Low will hit the streets on June 7th.

You can grab the track "Second Bird Of Paradise" here:

Here's the track list for the album:

• Go Ahead
• Limitless Arms
• Second Bird of Paradise
• Come Visit Me
• Without a Focus
• Waiting for You
• Woods
• A Story
• Cover Ears
• Worthwhile

The Rosebuds' website

Two Crown King: "We Get Down" (MP3)

London, ON's Two Crown King are a band that spikes their hard rock power with a 40-oz of funkiness.  The group is poised to release their debut self-titled EP, which was produced by Ben Kaplan (Alexisonfire, Rise Against).

Grab a download of the lead single "We Get Down" now.

Two Crown King's website

The Murder Act: "Traum" (EP review)

It will come as no surprise that a band that takes it's name from a line in a Nick Cave song would draw comparisons to the master of the macabre.  That's certainly the case with London's The Murder Act, who take their name from a line in the classic "Deanna".  The group release their new EP, Traum, on April 25th.

It's the less refined Birthday Party or From Her To Eternity Cave that The Murder Act emulates.  The songs are cacophonous affairs, with a foreboding rhythm section, shouted vocals, and incendiary guitar work.  That concoction turns tracks like "Sew My Eyes" into veritable powder kegs poised to ignite at the smallest spark.

Things don't always work out perfectly though.  The spark never comes on "Ever In Fear", leaving a droning mess behind.  The vocals tend to be too far in the background as well.  That means you have to strain to make out the lyrics, a critical element to the success or failure of the songs.

The album wraps up nicely with the sprawling title track.  The song takes you on a 9-minute excursion across some very desolate musical planes.

If you are the type of person who likes their music dark, sinister, and threatening, then you should definitely get acquainted with The Murder Act.

Best tracks: "Traum", "Sew My Eyes"

Track listing for Traum EP:

• He'll Never Have a Name
• I Sing
• Sew My Eyes
• Repulsive Acts of Penetrative Entertainment
• Ever In Fear
• Traum

7.0/10

The Murder Act's website

Fleet Foxes: "Grown Ocean" (video)

Fleet Foxes release their highly-anticipated album Helplessness Blues on May 3rd.  They've posted a video for the track "Grown Ocean" to help get you hyped.

Check it out:

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

Fleet Foxes' website

Lindi Ortega: "Angels" (video)

Toronto singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega is getting set to release her debut full length album, Little Red Boots, on June 7th.  She'll celebrate it with a CD release show at the Dakota Tavern that night.

Check out the video for "Angels" now.  It was shot entirely on an iPhone:


Lindi Ortega's website

Canadian Blast SXSW 2011 free sampler

SXSW is in the books for another year, but the seemingly endless run of posts and wrap-ups keep coming in.  Here's one that will actually be of interest to people though: Canadian Blast has put together a free sampler of 65 Canadian acts that played this year's edition of the festival.

You can grab your download, that includes tracks from Hollerado, Chromeo, Said The Whale, PS I Love You, Mother Mother, and more here.

Sons & Daughters announce new album details

Preparing to head out to Edinburgh and Glasgow for a vacation next week I've heard that Glaswegian band Sons & Daughters are poised to release a new album.  The record, Mirror, Mirror, will be out June 14th in North America.

You can hear the track "Silver Spell" now.

Sons & Daughters' website

We Are Enfant Terrible: "Explicit Pictures" (album review)

After releasing two well-received EPs, French trio We Are Enfant Terrible will be releasing their debut full length album, Explicit Pictures, on April 5th.

From the pumping keyboard beat of the album opener "Make You Laugh", it's clear that you won't hear much guitar or drums on this electro pop record.  Instead, it's computerized blips and bloops that adorn songs like "Lobster Quadrille".

What sets We Are Enfant Terrible apart from electronic masses is the rough edges they manage to attain in their songs.  A track like "Because of the Bees" flies at you with a reckless abandon.  Similarly, "Shanghai" and "Sick Crooner" seem to come at you from all angles.

That's not to say there are no slick moments on the record.  "Filthy Love" has a smooth, groovy disco vibe.  The quirky "Flesh N' Blood Kids" has an unorthodox, yet highly effective hook.

The group may be at their best when they allow some darkness to creep into the music.  The shadowy spaces created on tracks like "So Fine" add extra layers to the songs.  It's important because "Wild Child" shows us that the band can be perilously close to becoming mindless techno when they aren't careful.

Explicit Pictures should appeal to fans of electronic indie pop, but it the songs may sound a little too similar to each other to grip the casual fan of the genre.

Best tracks: "Filthy Love", "Flesh N' Blood Kids"

Track listing for Explicit Pictures:

• Make You Laugh
• Filthy Love
• Lobster Quadrille
• Because of the Bees
• Sick Crooner
• A Song To You
• Flesh N' Blood Kids
• Shanghai
• Spade Attack
• Wild Child
• Nectarine Dream
• So Fine

7.0/10

We Are Enfant Terrible's website

Diego Garcia (Elefant): "You Were Never There" (MP3)

Former Elefant member Diego Garcia is poised to release his debut solo album.  On April 5th, Laura, will hit the streets.

The album sees Garcia getting assistance from musicians like Jorge Elbrecht of Violens and Chairlift's Caroline Polachek.

Check out the majestic "You Were Never There" now:
You Were Never There by Mace550

Diego Gracia's website

James Vincent McMorrow covers "Whip My Hair" (MP3)

Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow has been winning fans with his debut album Early In the Morning.  He's likely to win more with his cover, more of a complete deconstruction, of Willow Smith's atrocious hit "Whip My Hair".

Grab a download of it here.

James Vincent McMorrow's website

Radiohead: "The King Of Limbs" (album review)

I wanted to take my time in assessing The King Of Limbs, the latest offering from Radiohead.  With the physical release coming this week I figure it's about time to share my thoughts.

Radiohead have forged an almost unassailable reputation amongst bloggers and 'smart' music fans.  They've done this by pushing boundaries and challenging both themselves and listeners.  At least that's what they did between Pablo Honey and Kid A.  Since then the band has been in a terrible rut.  If it's possible to coast while experimenting, Radiohead have definitely done it.

The King Of Limbs does precious little to break them out of their creative slump. The featured track "Lotus Flower" is a perfect example of the listless music Radiohead has been giving us.  Indistinguishable vocals mean that lyrics are completely worthless.  The 'haunting' swirl we've heard from the band before, and signifies  laziness more than it does a musical vision.  Songs like "Feral", "Codex", and "Give Up the Ghost" a representative of an album that is unvaried and immediately forgettable.

There are some moments worthy of mention.  The percussion on the album opener "Bloom" is lively and engaging.  Unfortunately, they repeat it ad nauseum throughout the course of the record.  The bookend, "Separator", is the band's most defined song in quite some time, and can actually be described as hopeful.  That serves as a nice change of pace among a sea of otherwise unvaried, uninteresting, uninspired pap.

At this point the praise that gets heaped upon Radiohead is based far more on the band's reputation than it is on anything that have delivered on recent albums.  A wholesale reinvention of the band is desperately needed.

Best tracks: "Separator", "Bloom"

Track listing for The King Of Limbs:

• Bloom
• Morning Mr Magpie
• Little By Little
• Feral
• Lotus Flower
• Codex
• Give Up the Ghost
• Separator

4.0/10

Radiohead's website

New releases for Mar 29: Peter Bjorn and John, Mountain Goats

It's a good week for new releases.  Not only do we get the physical release of the Radiohead album, but there are some other things that really shouldn't be overshadowed.

• Dirty Blondes
• The Feelies
• Kopek
• Ladytron
• Los Lonely Boys
• Mars Classroom
• The Mountain Goats- Review
• The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
• Josh T. Pearson- Review
• Peter Bjorn and John- Review
• Radiohead- Review
• Those Darlins
• Unwritten Law

Death Cab For Cutie stream new single "You Are A Tourist"

By now you know that Death Cab For Cutie will be releasing their album Codes and Keys on May 31st.  Well you don't have to wait that long to hear something new.

The band are streaming the track "You Are A Tourist" here and now:
DEATH CAB for CUTIE - You Are A Tourist by ATL REC.

Death Cab For Cutie play The Phoenix in Toronto on May 18th.

Death Cab For Cutie's website

Okkervil River: "Wake and Be Fine" (video)

NPR has premiered the brand new video from Okkervil River.  The band's new album, I Am Very Far, comes out on May 10th.

In the meantime, enjoy "Wake And Be Fine".

Grab the download of the track here:

Okkervil River play the Phoenix in Toronto on June 10th.

Okkervil River's website

Will Currie & the Country French give us first election-themed song "Tommy Douglas"

As we Canadians march towards another needless election on May 2nd (thanks to Iggy and his Stooges), Warterloo's Will Currie & the Country French have become the first band to drop an election-themed single on us.

Get your free download of their new track "Tommy Douglas", based on one of Canada's most over-rated politicians, here:

Will Currie & the Country French's website

Arcade Fire big winners at Juno Awards

The 40th annual Juno Awards were handed out in a gala at the Air Canada Centre last night.  There's no surprised that the big winners were Arcade Fire, taking home Album, Group, and Songwriter of the Year awards.  Neil Young clocked in with Artist of the Year.

I didn't catch the entire thing, but from what I saw Drake did a nice job hosting.  His acting background seemed to come in handy.

I was disappointed in the job the crew did on the sound for the performances.  Tokyo Police Club sounded dreadful with a mix that really should have been fixed in sound check.  There was no excuse for such bad production.

Anyway, a list of full winners can be found here.

In The Audience: "Taller Than Trees"

Up-and-coming Portland, ME indie rock band In The Audience release their new EP on May 31st.  They currently have a new  single out with a b-side that features Sonia Sturino of Maple's own The Box Tiger.

Check out the track "Taller Than Trees" now.

In The Audience's website

This week's entertainment picks: Destroyer, Wire

Toronto benefits from the post-SXSW swirl this week as a slew of terrific (does that make me sound like a Brady Bunch character) bands come through town.  Here are my picks:

Destroyer, Lee's Palace, Mar 31
Dan Bejar's non-New Pornographers project pulls into town in support of their critically-acclaimed (okay blogger-fawned-over) new album Kaputt.  One thing's for certain, the music will be eclectic.

Destroyer's website

Wire, Lee's Palace, April 1
The legendary post-punk band come through promoting their not-quite-so-legendary new album.  Regardless, it should be a tremendous show, especially for people exposed to the band for the first time.

Wire's website

...also this week:

• The Residents, Mar 28
• Queens Of The Stone Age, Mar 29
• Sick Puppies, Mar 29
• DeVotchKa, Mar 30
• Gold Panda, Mar 30
• Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, May 31
• Blank Dogs, Mar 31
• Guster, Mar 31
• Music As a Weapon Tour f. Korn, Disturbed and more, Mar 31
• Raul Midon, Mar 31
• Slow Down Molasses w. Forest City Lovers, Apr 1
• Titus Andronicus, Apr 1
• Crystal Castles, Apr 2
• The Joy Formidable, Apr 2
• The Raveonettes, Apr 2
• The Greenhornes, Apr 3
• The Mountain Goats, Apr 3

Toronto concerts announced this week: Peter Gabriel, Death Cab For Cutie

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

• The Civil Wars, El Mocambo, Apr 5
• The Civil Wars, El Mocambo, Apr 6
• Frazey Ford, Dakota, Apr 20
• néGar, The Rivoli, Apr 27
• Deep Dark Woods, Dakota, May 5
• néGar, Rancho Relaxo, May 7
• The Wailin' Jennys, Hugh's Room, May 9
• The Wailin' Jennys, Hugh's Room, May 10
• Death Cab For Cutie, The Phoenix, May 18
• The Vaccines, Kool Haus, May 21
• Matmos, Rivoli, May 21
• néGar, Tranzac, May 27
• The Sadies, The Drake, Jun 8
• Michelle Shocked, Hugh's Room, Jun 9
• Anti-Flag, The Phoenix, Jun 17
• Peter Gabriel, Molson Ampitheatre, Jun 22
• My Morning Jacket, Kool Haus, Jul 11
• Jimmy Buffett, Molson Ampitheatre, Jul 16

San Sebastian: "Young Youth" (EP review)

There's something to be said for the energy of youth.  When you hear a band like San Sebastian, it's really their youthful exuberance that pulls you along as much or more than the music itself.  The Hamilton quintet have release a new EP, Young Youth, that plays on this strength.

Produced by Treble Charger's Greig Nori, the EP is heavy on the power pop.  "Wake Up" and "Things I Wanted To Say" both have sharp, catchy hooks with slick guitar lines.

The standout is the title track.  With a bounce and a jangle San Sebastian wind up sounding like early Strokes on the number.   It's actually a strong reminder of just how far that formerly great band have fallen.

The group have a ways to go on their lyrics.  They aren't horrible, but they certainly edge towards the vapid.  A little more depth or some more clever turns of phrase would help take these songs to the next level.

We'll have to see how the full length turns out, but the EP is a promising start at the very least.

Best track: "Young Youth"

Track listing for Young Youth EP:

• Young Youth
• Wake Up
• Things I Wanted To Say

6.5/10

San Sebastian's website

Quick Hits: Big Pauper, Richard Ashcroft

I'm scrambling at the day job and in life to get ready for my trip to Scotland in a few weeks, so I've been letting some things fall to the wayside.  Bad me I know.

But I'm trying to keep on top of it as best I can.  Hence this weekly brain-purge, which this time includes:

Big Pauper, Beyond My Means
Big Pauper is a Portland-based musician/artist/producer who blends electronic music with hip hop influences.  Using old school technologies and techniques and samples he's built a unique sound.  It's not really my thing, but it's worth a listen for the sake of curiosity if nothing else.

Big Pauper's website

Richard Ashcroft, United Nations of Sound
The voice of the former Verve frontman is unmistakable.  I say former, but I can't really keep track of their break-up/reunion saga.  This is Ashcroft's first solo album in four years and includes some highs: like the scintillating guitar work on "America", some lows: like the annoys "Beatitudes", and much in between: like "Royal Happiness" and it's playing off "Sweet Jane".

Richard Ashcroft's website

Gomez returning with "Whatever's On Your Mind"

UK indie rockers Gomez are poised to return with a new album.  Hot on the heels of Ben Ottewell's solo record comes Whatever's On Your Mind.  The album will see a June 21st release in North America.


I'll bring you more details as I get them. 

In the meantime, you can grab a download of the track "Options" here:

Gomez's website

Fucked Up unveil ambitious new album (MP3)

Polaris Prize winners Fucked Up have announced the release of their third studio album.  David Comes To Life is described as an 18-track, 78-minute rock opera.

That should be interesting coming from the Toronto punks.  Maybe there's a little Zen Arcade influence there.

Listen to "The Other Shoe" now.

Inlet Sound: "The Peculiar Disappearance of Marion Bojangles" (video)

Inlet Sound is a five-piece indie folk band based out of Toronto and Hamilton.  The group released a single and video for the track "The Peculiar Disappearance of Marion Bojangles" today.

Take a look at the clip for the light and airy roots track now:


Inlet Sound's website

CONTEST: Win a ticket to see Mike Watt @ The Horseshoe

A punk legend, Mike Watt, is coming to the Horseshoe in Toronto on April 9th.  I have a lone ticket to the show that I can't use, so I've decided to give it away to a loyal (or occasional) reader.

If you want to see the former Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Stooges bassist rock the cramped space, then just hit me up one of these ways and, if you're lucky, I will hook you up:
Email
Twitter

Mike Watt's website

3 More To Explore: High Tension Wires, Heypenny, Anomie Belle

I humbly present you with three more artists you may want to invest some time in this weekend:

High Tension Wires
For those who like: Riverboat Gamblers

I make that comparison because Riverboat Gamblers' Mike Wiebe is among the members of this garage-rock/punk outfit.

High Tension Wires' Myspace


Heypenny
For those who like: Of Montreal

These eccentric Nashvillians (Nashvillites? Nashvillese?) play music you wouldn't expect to come out of that town.  Their new album is A Jillion Kicks.

Heypenny's Myspace

Anomie Belle
For those who like: Morcheeba

Belle has toured with some of the biggest names in trip hop, including Tricky.  Her new EP, How Can I Be Sure, features a strangely true cover of Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place".

Anomie Belle's website

Rain Over St. Ambrose: "DG Gold Paint" (MP3)

Musically, Yarmouth, NS is best known as the hometown of Wintersleep.  There's another band from the scene trying to make their mark.

Rain Over St. Ambrose will be releasing their debut self-titled EP on April 19th.  Fans of The Constantines should check out the lead track "DG Gold Paint".

Rain Over St. Ambrose's website