Carmel Mikol set to release "Creature" album and book

Cape Breton folky Carmel Mikol is set to release a new studio album.  The singer, nominated for a trio of East Coast Music Awards this year, will be dropping Creature on August 9th.

The album will come with a companion book of stories and poetry by Mikol.

There are a slew of east coast dates scheduled, but nothing Toronto way as of yet.  I'll keep you posted.

Carmel Mikol's website

2Cellos: "2Cellos" (album review)

2Cellos is completely different than what I normally review here.  The album is the debut from Croatian musicians Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, who use the classical instrument to rework pop and rock hits.  Think of it as a more high brow version of the Bossa N' series.

The album, out July 19th, tackles a wide range of artists, kicking off with U2 and "Where the Streets Have No Name".  It's a song that turns out to be extremely well suited for that purpose.

The most successful songs are also some of the least likely entries.  2Cello's manage to add elegance to Kings Of Leon's "Use Somebody" without sacrificing any of the intensity.  Their take on Guns N' Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle" unlocks some of the hidden depth of the original, while "Smells Like Teen Spirit" wows with dynamic swings.

The instrumental version of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is nice, but without hearing the lyrics it lacks the emotional impact of either the original or the Johnny Cash version.  Conversely, "With Or Without You" is far better without Bono's schmaltzy poetry.

There are a few other down moments as well.  Sting's forgettable "Fragile" is still forgettable in this format.  Muse's "The Resistance" is one of the most orchestral source songs, but not enough happens on this version to keep it gripping.  Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" comes perilously close to sounding like elevator music (although 2Cellos' version of "Smooth Criminal" kicks Alien Ant Farms' ass).

I envision 2Cellos as one of those albums that you ambush people with.  Throw it on during your next dinner party and see how long it takes for someone to groove along.

Best tracks: "Smooth Criminal", "Welcome To The Jungle"

Track listing for 2Cellos:

• Where the Streets Have No Name
• Misirlou (Theme from Pulp Fiction)
• Use Somebody
• Smooth Criminal
• Fragile
• The Resistance
• Hurt
• Welcome To The Jungle
• Human Nature
• Viva La Vida
• Smells Like Teen Spirit

7.0/10

2Cello's website

A.A. Bondy poised to release "Believers"

September is quickly becoming the big month for new music release.  You should be adding A.A. Bondy and his new studio album Believers to the list.  That record comes out September 13th.

Here's the track list:

• The Heart Is Willing
• Down In The Fire (Lost Sea)
• Skull & Bones
• 123 Dupuy Street
• Surfer King 
• Hiway/Fevers 
• Drmz 
• The Twist 
• Route 28/Believers 
• Scenes From A Circus

A.A. Bondy's website

Wilco announce release of "The Whole Love", tour dates

This one will get everyone excited.  Jeff Tweedy and Wilco are returning with a new studio album.  The Whole Love will be the band's eighth studio record and will be in stores on September 27th.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Art of Almost
• I Might
• Sunloathe
• Dawned On Me
• Black Moon
• Born Alone
• Open Mind
• Capitol City
• Standing O
• Rising Red Lung
• Whole Love
• One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend)

Wilco play Massey Hall in Toronto on September 16th & 17th.

Wilco's website

Drawn Ships prepare debut album

Drawn Ships is a Vancouver duo comprised of musicians Lyn Heinemann of Portico and Hinterland's Gregg Steffensen.  The pair have come together and are preparing to release their debut album as Drawn Ships.  The record, Low Domestic, is slated for a September 6th release.

Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother, and Hannah Georgas both provide backing vocals to the cause.

Here's the track list for the album:

• The Best Ones Go
• Silent Auction
• Glass Eye
• Sick With The Sound
• Fists, Hooves, Claws
• Body Parts
• Adventure Series
• Execution
• Buckner
• You Only
• New Lucky Room

Canada Day 2011 playlist (stream)

Canada Day is just around the corner.  That means beer, cottages, barbecues, and fireworks.  You need a soundtrack for that, and I've updated my annual Canada Day playlist just for you.

Classics from Neil Young, The Tragically Hip, and other expected artists are there.  I've got some new entries for you this year as well, among them are Said The Whale's stellar "Out on the Shield" and Shawn Clarke's ode to Toronto "To Think I Was Lost Once".

Enjoy the stream here.

Hooded Fang poised to release "Tosta Mista"

Toronto's Hooded Fang certainly don't waste any time.  It hasn't even been a year since the band dropped their debut full length Album, which was just long-listed for the 2011 Polaris Prize, and the band are already preparing to release the follow-up.

The new album, Tosta Mista, is set for a July 26th street date.  It has some pretty awesome cover art too.

Hooded Fang play the SummerWorks Music Series on August 6th.

Hooded Fang's website

Josh Reichmann: "After Live" (album review)

Josh Reichmann should be no stranger to observers of the Canadian music scene.  Whether it's his spot in The Tangiers or his work with Sebastian Grainger in Bad Tits, he's always got something on the go.  The latest is a new solo album, After Live.

This is far from the dark, broody electronic album that I expect.  The album opener and title track is about as far from that as you could get.  The rhythms and Adriatic vibe almost makes you think you're at a Greek wedding reception.

"Burning Blocks" is the most pure pop effort on the album.  The track is bright and bouncy and will have you bopping along.  The pair of "Florida" and "Florida II" provide the album's grooviest and gloomiest moments respectively.

The electronics do pop up, and when they do they are welcome.  Vocals warble and echo beneath shuffling electro beat on "All Day Wrong".  There's a cow punk guitar line on "People Fade Away" that intertwines with the electronics, creating a song that's a cross between Diamond Rings and the Meat Puppets.

After Live really isn't a groundbreaking effort.  But from front to back it is an album you can toss on and enjoy.  There are none of those 'god what the hell is that shit' moments that plague most electronic-based music these days.

Best tracks: "People Fade Away", "Florida"

Track listing for After Live:

• After Live
• All Day Wrong
• People Fade Away
• Track 04
• Burning Blocks
• Wildly Waiting
• Empty Purse
• Florida
• Florida II

7.0/10

Josh Reichmann's website

New Releases for June 28th: Gillian Welch, Handsome Furs, Graham Wright

The music industry doesn't shut down for the summer.  Quite the contrary, it's just hitting it's stride.  A testament to that are these new albums coming out this week:

Graham Wright

• Marianne Faithfull- stream
• Handsome Furs- Review
• Jolie Holland- stream
• KickDrums- stream
• Little Foot Long Foot- Review
• John Maus
• Various Rave On Buddy Holly- Review
• Gillian Welch- stream
• Graham Wright- stream

Black Francis teams with Reid Paley for new album

Fresh off the spring tour with the Pixies, Black Francis is at it again.  This time he's teaming up with Reid Paley to release a new album, Paley & Francis.  The record comes out on September 6th.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Curse
• On The Corner
• Magic Cup
• Ugly Life
• Seal
• The Last Song
• Crescent Moon
• Deconstructed
• Praise
• Happy Shoes

The only Paley & Francis gig announced so far is actually for the Supercrawl Festival in Hamilton on September 10th.

Black Francis' website

Cuff The Duke to release new album "Morning Comes"

Long-time Toronto indie faves Cuff The Duke have announced the release of their fifth studio album.  Morning Comes was produced by Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor and is scheduled for an October 4th street date.

Here's the track list for the record:

• When The Time Is Right
• You Don't know What It's Like
• Count On Me
• Standing On The Edge
• Brightest Part Of The Sun
• Bound To Your Advice
• So Many Times Before
• Drag Me Down
• Letting Go

Cuff The Duke's website

Q&A with: The Box Tiger

Toronto area power pop band The Box Tiger play the Supermarket in town on July 8th.

I had the opportunity to ask lead singer Sonia Sturino a few questions about the band, the show, and their music.  Here's how it went:

T.O. Snob: First off, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me.  You’re playing The Supermarket in Toronto on July 8th (and The Casbah in Hamilton on the 7th and Zaphod’s in Ottawa on the 14th). Give us your best sales pitch, why should people come out to see The Box Tiger?

SS: We are really excited for these small stream of shows we have lined up in July. We are playing outside of Toronto, which is always fun. We have some new line up add-ons and changes that are going to really take the songs to the next level in a live setting which we can’t wait to share with everyone.

T.O. Snob: What inspires your songs?

SS: It’s hard to say, it’s always changing and depends mostly on which song. It’s often really abstract things like trees, fabrics, patterns, old abandoned houses, and a lot of the time just certain words and how they sound and how different people say them. Also people, I really love the people. I know my friends and family play a big part in who I am. I put a lot of my heart into the relationships I have with people. So good or bad, I'm often inspired by that.

T.O. Snob: The natural tendency for music fans is to focus on the lead singer. I think that’s even more the case when it’s a female singer fronting an otherwise male band. Do you feel that has been the case with The Box Tiger yet? If so has it caused any tension or do you foresee that it could?

SS: I mean, like you said, it happens. We can’t control how people choose to view the band, we can only try to be the best we can. We all make sure that in the relationship we have with each other that we are all treated equal and are happy. So whether it happens or not, we don’t fuss over it.

T.O. Snob: You have a self-titled EP out now. When can we expect to hear a full length from the band?

SS: We hope to be recording in the fall with the hopes of having one ready for early next year :)

T.O. Snob: A good chunk of the band come from Maple north of the city. What challenges, if any, do you feel you face as a ‘suburban’ band?

SS: Well living in the shadow of a major city is really give and take. When living in Vaughan there are no real outlets or environments for the type of culture we see The Box Tiger as a part of to thrive. It’s always amazes me that with a population of over 200,000 people, you can’t find things like an indie record store or a music venue. It makes it really hard to do anything locally. One of the benefits is that Toronto is only 45min away, it’s not to bash Vaughan, we grew up here and we know there are kids who live here and feel just the same as we do, I’ve always felt a little out of place living here though.

T.O. Snob: Where does the band’s name come from?

SS: Really early on before there was even a band, Jordan had just suggested it as a joke. I liked it and started using it.

T.O. Snob: You’ve done work with Portland, ME band In The Audience. How did that relationship come to be?

SS: Jordan had contacted me after hearing some music I had posted on MySpace. I remember seeing a somewhat awkward but nice message in my inbox, where Jordan was saying how he really liked my voice and wanted me to sing on his songs. At first it seemed really strange, but after talking with Jordan I really realized that I might never meet someone again who I see so eye to eye with. In The Audience works as a collective which I was instantly really attracted to, the guys really trusted me and let me do my thing on their songs which was something I saw as really special. My work with in The Audience also just plays a big role in The Box Tiger and Jordan now plays with The Box Tiger and has always actually been a big part in the band.

T.O. Snob: I noticed there is no Wikipedia entry for the band yet. If you were writing one how would you start it?

SS: “The Box Tiger is a band from the outskirts of Toronto”. ...seems simple enough. I think someone else can do a better job though.

T.O. Snob: If someone were to look at your CD collection (or iPod playlist) what would they find that would surprise them?

SS: I feel they would be more surprised to find whats not there. I feel like a lot of times people will assume the music I listen to based on the fact that I’m a girl in an indie rock band. I’ll often get things like “ you must like bands like these.....” you know like blog bands or the big indie must know bands, but to be honest I hardly have any of that haha.

T.O. Snob: Thanks again for taking the time to speak with me.

The Box Tiger's website

This week's entertainment picks: The Tragically Hip on Canada Day, Toronto International Jazz Festival

Well this week we get to celebrate Canada's birthday.  Happy birthday Big Guy, you've never looked better.  There's plenty going on and here are my picks:

Toronto International Jazz Festival
This year's version runs until July 3rd.  You can still catch performances by the likes of Robert Cray Band, Los Lonely Boys, Count Basie Orchestra, Branford Marsalis, Bela Fleck, The Roots, Shad, and Bootsy Collins.

Toronto Jazz Festival's website

The Tragically Hip w. Weezer, Broken Social Scene, Hey Rosetta!, and Buck 65, Downsview Park, Jul 1
There's really only one choice for star-studded Canada Day celebrations in Toronto this year.  If you haven't seen the Hip on Canada Day you are missing out on an important experience.

The Hip's website

...also this week:

• Keren Ann, Jun 28
• Motley Crue w. Poison & The New York Dolls, Jun 28
• Sade, Jun 28
• White Denim, Jun 28
• Galatic, Jun 29
• The Elected, Jun 30
• Fitz & Tantrums, Jun 30
• Ringo Deathstarr, Jun 30
• Soundgarden, Jul 2
• Crooked Fingers, Jul 3

Toronto concerts announced this week: Jeff Beck, Erasure, Mother Mother

I know you love your concerts, so here are some of the notable ones announced for Toronto this week:

Emm Gryner

• Meaghan Smith, The Rivoli, Jul 2
• Blind Shake, Velvet Underground, Jul 13
• Real Estate, The Garrison, Jul 19
• Little Miss Higgins, Hugh's Room, Jul 22
• Emm Gryner, Drake Underground, Jul 27
• An Horse, The Rivoli, Jul 29
• "Harvest Picnic" w. Daniel Lanois, Ray LaMontagne, Emmylou Harris, Gord Downie, Christie Lake Conservation Area, Aug 27
• Harlan Pepper, The Rivoli, Sep 8
• Erasure, Sound Academy, Sep 11
• The Sheepdogs, Sound Academy, Sep 13
• James Vincent McMorrow, El Mocambo, Sep 13
• Active Child, The Garrison, Sep 14
• Mother Mother, Sound Academy, Sep 17
• Dark Dark Dark, The Rivoli, Sep 22
• Moody Blues, Molson Ampitheatre, Sep 23
• The Horrors, Lee's Palace, Sep 27
• The Toasters, Horseshoe Tavern, Oct 12
• Jeff Beck, Massey Hall, Oct 18
• Metronomy, Mod Club, Oct 26

Quick Hits: Anna Atkinson, Faraway Neighbours

Once again life proves to be too much for me to handle.  So more music has slipped through the cracks.  Here's a quick look at some of that for this week:

Anna Atkinson, Mooniture
Toronto-based Atkinson is a frequent musical collaborator on the local scene.  That's probably because, as a classically-trained musician, she's adept at many instruments.  On her new album she manages to do something special, successfully marrying elegant arrangements with the organics sounds of folk music, and tossing in a fling with theatrics as well.

Anna Atkinson's website

Faraway Neighbours, Carry On, Man
Growing up in North Bay means that you probably do live far away from all of your neighbours.  I'm not sure if that's the source of this folk trio's name or not, but it sounds like a good story to me.  A better story still is their new album.  It's a collection of melodic and dreamy indie folk pop that should appeal to fans of bands like Luna.

Faraway Neighbours' website

Neko Case & Nick Cave duet on Zombies cover

Two of my favorite artists, Nick Cave and Neko Case (whom I actually saw tour together about a decade ago), have teamed up for a duet of the Zombies' classic "She's Not There".  The song appears on the soundtrack to the HBO show True Blood.

Have a listen to the stream of the track here.

The song gets released digitally on June 26th.

Handsome Furs: "Sound Kapital" (album review)

I've always found Handsome Furs to be the most consistent project of Dan Bloeckner's.  The duo formed with his wife Alexei Perry have routinely delivered, and try to do so again with the new album Sound Kapital, out June 28th.

The album begins with the very promising "When I Get Back".  The song features some experimentation that has a lot of potential, with a country vibe floating beneath a wave of electronics.  Unfortunately, that does not appear again on the album.

"Damage" careens further towards the electronic end of the spectrum.  It's a taut track that always seems to be on the verge of spinning out of control.

Sound Kapital lacks a song as immediately compelling as either "I'm Confused" or "Radio Kaliningrad".  "Memories of the Future" is an obvious attempt at that, but it's too forced and inorganic an effort to honestly fulfill that role.

There's a fascination with the '80s that creeps its way, either subconsciously or by design, into several of these songs.  For example, "Bury Me Standing" has the sterile sound of '80s techno pop, as does "Repatriated" (with its Neil Diamond-esque vocals).  Even more egregious is "What About Us", a track that has the hollow, tinny arrangement of early industrial music (think a flat Front 242).

The initial hope that one gets with Sound Kapital is that Handsome Furs would be pushing the envelope in interesting new directions.  The reality that sets in very quickly though, is that the band are playing it safe, a fact that leads to an actual regression in their music.

Handsome Furs play the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on August 1st.

Best tracks: "When I Get Back", "Damage"

Track listing for Sound Kapital:

• When I Get Back
• Damage
• Bury Me Standing
• Memories of the Future
• Serve the People
• Repatriated
• Cheap Music
• No Feelings

5.0/10

Handsome Furs' website

3 More To Explore: Annie Moscow, Crooks, The Amends

Here are three more artist for your consideration as we come to the end of a beautiful June:

Annie Moscow
For those who like: Laura Nyro, Donald Fagen

Firmly grounded in the adult alternative pop category is Phoenix's Annie Moscow.  She's had success penning songs for others (like Sarah Vaughn and Sister Sledge) and now steps into the spotlight herself with her new album, Phoenix.

Annie Moscow's website

Crooks
For those who like: Drive-By Truckers

Uncompromising, unapologetic gritty country music.  How can you go wrong with this Austin, TX quartet?  They recently released a new EP Lonesome, Rowdy & Restless.

Crooks' website

The Amends
For those who like: Fountains of Wayne, Weezer

This Boulder, CO band is preparing to release their full length album in July.  They've got great hooks and an irresistible power pop sound.

The Amends' website

Banded Stilts to release debut EP, tour (MP3)

Amherst, NS five-piece Banded Stilts are releasing their debut EP and coming this way.  The orchestral folk group drop their self-titled record on July 5th.

The band have drawn comparisons to the likes of Great Lake Swimmers and Dan Mangan.  Download "Forest, Oh Forest, Protect Me" and judge yourself.

They are playing a pair of Toronto shows the week of the EP release: July 7th at Slack's Lounge and July 8th at Tranzac.

Banded Stilts' website

Last minute plans: Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party @ The Dakota

Thursday nights can definitely be bummers.  You're oh so close to the weekend, but still need to get through one more day of work without a throbbing hangover.

I say this week you throw all caution to the wind and check out Toronto's Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party tonight at the Dakota Tavern (show at 11:00pm).

The band, with their debut album Red Door, 2nd Floor, have forged a reputation as a raucous live act.  I can't attest to that personally, but if the East Coast roots rock (with a dash of Tom Waits) of the record is any indication, I can't see how this could miss.

Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party's website

Revelstoke: "Espirit d'Escalier" (EP review)

Revelstoke is the alias of Toronto folk musician Andrew Seale.  On July 5th he'll be releasing his debut EP, Espirit d'Escalier.

To say much of Espirit d'Escalier sounds like bedroom recordings and includes all of the cliches associated with that.  A poor production hiss, acoustic guitars that wobble in the mix, vocals that are unintelligible.  That all adds up to songs like "Roots That Curl Like Lips", "Song for Ania", and "We Stood Staring at Lights" that will cure insomnia.

The mind-numbing dullness of the music makes it difficult to focus in on the lyrics (the muffled delivery doesn't help either).  The spotlight does get shone on them with "In My Own Defense".  The stronger presence of the banjo on that track forces Revelstoke to up the volume on his vocals, which is a good thing.

There are some moments that will make you sit up and take notice however.  The 'da da da da' refrain of "A Certain Artist's Judgement" will whisk you away before you even realize what's happening.  Between the polka arrangement and the male/female trading of verses, "It Will Be Difficult Now" is refreshing.

If Revelstoke can drop the crutch of folk music cliches, there is definitely something here to work with.  Unfortunately, it's not showcased very well on Espirit d'Escalier.

Best tracks: "A Certain Artist's Judgement", "It Will Be Difficult Now"

Track listing for Espirit d'Escalier:

• For Those of You In Revelstoke
• We Stood Staring At Lights
• A Certain Artist's Judgement
• In My Own Defense
• It Will Be Difficult Now
• Roots That Curl Like Lips
• Song for Ania

4.0/10

Revelstoke's website

Blitzen Trapper post teaser for new album "American Goldwing"

Northwestern folk-rock outfit Blitzen Trapper have revealed details about their new studio album.  The record, American Goldwing, has been set for a September 13th release.

They've even got a teaser video for it:


Here's the track list for the album:

• Might Find It Cheap
• Fletcher
• Love the Way You Walk Away
• Your Crying Eyes
• My Home Town
• Girl in a Coat
• American Goldwing
• Astronaut
• Taking It Easy Too Long
• Street Fighting Sun
• Stranger in a Strange Land

Blitzen Trapper's website

Ohbijou to return with "Metal Meets"

Toronto's Ohbijou are poised to return with their third studio album.  Metal Meets is slated for a September 27th release on Last Gang.

Here's the track list for the album:

• Niagara
• Balikbayan
• Metal Meets
• Iron and Ore
• Sligo
• Anser
• Obsidian
• Scalpel Blade
• Turquoise Lake
• The Dreaming

Tour dates are expected to be announced shortly.

Ohbijou's website

"Rave On Buddy Holly" (album review)

The first thing that struck me about Rave On Buddy Holly, the new tribute to Buddy Holly coming out on June 28th, was that it reminded me how many great songs he wrote.  Every couple of tracks I was saying to myself, 'shit, how did I forget about that one'.

Almost as impressive as the songs themselves is the roster of artists called upon to perform the covers.  Some of today's biggest indie rock stars are alongside up-and-comers and Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers for this collection.

The album proves that a well-crafted song will stand up in nearly any genre it's performed in.  If the tempo were just a tad slower, "Everyday" by Fiona Apple and Jon Brion would make a perfect lullaby.  Country-tinged tracks from Karen Elson and Nick Lowe are rock solid. Jenny O's version of "I'm Gonna Love You Too" is delightfully cutesy.  The indie darling duo of She & Him are a perfect match for any Buddy Holly song, in this case it was "Oh Boy!".

Of course not everything works.  Cee Lo Green's stab at "(You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care" is fine, but he plays it a little bit too safe.  Conversely, Lou Reed's take on "Peggy Sue" gets respect for trying something different, but fails by being an awkward collision of worlds.  A handful of artists seem to phone it in, including My Morning Jacket and Justin Townes Earle, both of whom simply play their songs as dull versions of their own material.  The Strokes' Julian Casablancas is the lucky one who gets to take on "Rave On", but he does it in the completely unlistenable style of his atrocious solo album.

The surprising takes on some of these songs more than makes up for the disappointments.  Paul McCartney's bluesy rock take on "It's So Easy" is shocking, in a good way.  An upright bass plucks through the smoky jazz of Florence + the Machine's rendition of "Not Fade Away".  Patti Smith's vocals have never sounded richer than they do here on "Words Of Love".  I was concerned about Modest Mouse tackling "That'll Be The Day", but their deconstructed version is intriguing and begs for deeper exploration.  Most surprising though, is a horn-centric version of "Well All Right" by, of all people, Kid Rock.

This tribute album should hold a lot of appeal to a wide range of people.  Music historians and Buddy Holly fans will appreciate the revisiting of these classics.  Younger fans of the bands who participate should appreciate the performances, and the introduction to a crucial artist in the history of rock n' roll.

Best tracks: "Crying, Waiting, Hoping", "I'm Gonna Love You Too"

Track listing for Rave On Buddy Holly:

• Dearest- The Black Keys
• Everyday- Fiona Apple & Jon Brion
• It's So Easy- Paul McCartney
• Not Fade Away- Florence + the Machine
• (You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care- Cee Lo Green
• Crying, Waiting, Hoping- Karen Elson
• Rave On- Julian Casblancas
• I'm Gonna Love You Too- Jenny O
• Maybe Baby- Justin Townes Earle
• Oh Boy!- She & Him
• Changing All These Changes- Nick Lowe
• Words of Love- Patti Smith
• True Love Ways- My Morning Jacket
• That'll Be the Day- Modest Mouse
• Well All Right- Kid Rock
• Heartbeat- Detroit Cobras
• Peggy Sue- Lou Reed
• Peggy Sue Got Married- John Doe
• Raining In My Heart- Graham Nash

8.0/10

Listen to the album here:
Buddy Holly - Rave On by concordmusicgroup

Rave On Buddy Holly website