Waters: "Out In The Light" (mini-review)

Waters is an unusually vague moniker to go by, but it's what Van Pierszalowski, former frontman of Port O'Brien, has chosen for his new project.  He recently released the first album under than name, Out In The Light.

On this album Pierszalowski strays from the indie roots rock of his former band, choosing instead to take inspiration from garage rock and lo-fi.  It works really well as he injects just enough pop sensibility into songs like "For The One" and the full throttle "Back To You".

Verdict: Buy It

More To Explore: We Are Augustines

We Are Augustines
For those who like: Mumford & Sons, The National

Brooklyn's We Are Augustines mesh heart-wrenching themes with earthy arrangements.  They should hold appeal to folks who like their music both depressing and organic.  Their new album, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, is out now.

The Magician & The Gates of Love: "I Want It All"

The summer may be officially over, but that doesn't mean it's too late to hear a dose of fun-loving summer pop.  "I Want It All" is an infectious little gem of an indie pop song from Langley, BC's The Magician & The Gates of Love.

The band have a delightful sound that evokes thoughts of bands like Library Voices and The Polyphonic Spree...but with horns!

Check out the tune here and now:


There are no Ontario dates scheduled for the band at the moment, but I will let you know if that changes.

Sills & Smith: "Uncertain Vista" (mini-review)

Ottawa's Sills & Smith lean heavily on Canadian rock staples for their new album Uncertain Vista.  The album swings between songs like "A Writer's Retreat", which have an unmistakable City And Colour palour, and ones like "A Poet, A Painter", that draw on a Tragically Hip groove.

"The Crux Of The Matter" is the standout to me.  It features an intriguing guitar and vocal sidebar, that's something akin to a musical soliloquy.

The album does suffer because of its length.  Precious few records can deliver consistently over the course of 21 tracks, and unfortunately this isn't one of them.

The minor quibble aside, Uncertain Vista is a solid album.

Verdict: Borrow It

Chris Cornell: "The Keeper" (video)

While there hasn't been a flood of new material, it has still been a fairly busy year for Chris Cornell. First there was a Soundgarden reunion tour and live album release.

Now he's returned with a new video for the song "The Keeper".  The song is from the soundtrack to the new film Machine Gun Preacher.

Here's the video for "The Keeper" (thank god he's got long hair again):

Said The Whale set to release new EP "New Brighton"

BC indie rock outfit Said The Whale are appeasing fans with the release of a new EP to tide folks over until their new album comes out in March of next year.  The EP, New Brighton, will be available November 8th.

The first single, "Lines", will be released on October 18th.

Here's the track listing for the EP:

• New Brighton
• Sandy Bay Fishing Song
• Lines
• Little Bird

Said The Whale play The Phoenix in Toronto on December 8th & 9th with Tokyo Police Club and Born Ruffians.

Gabrielle Papillon: "The Currency of Poetry" (album review)

You've heard me say it before: folk music is about as enjoyable as yanking out your own fingernails with a pair of rusty needlenose pliers.  Usually.

You can thank Halifax/Montreal's Gabrielle Papillon for that new added qualifier.  Her new album The Currency of Poetry (out October 11th) is far from the typical folk snooze-fest.

What separates Papillon from the folk pap is that she doesn't view melody as the enemy.  A slight nod to pop sensibility, and a keen sense of harmony, go a long way for her.  Songs like "Paddle and Row" and "Dust To Gold" prove that you don't need a lot of instrumentation to add a memorable hook to your song.  Papillon accomplishes much with just a guitar strum and the occasional banjo part.

The lyrics and themes on the record are very Canadian.  Prairie imagery dominates "On the Banks", making it seem almost like a Neil Young acoustic number, if Young sang on key..and was a woman.

The vocals on the album are strong as well.  Papillon's lyrics come through crystal clear.  It's not a powerful voice, but it is incredibly well-matched for her musical style.  The standout vocal performance comes in the touching "One Small Frame", a track on which Papillon sounds almost Feist-like.

In the end what Papillon has taught me is that it's not folk music that I have a problem with, it's that too many musicians do it oh so poorly.

Gabrielle Papillon plays The Supermarket in Toronto on November 16th.

Best tracks: "Dust To Gold", "Outlaws and Criminals"

Track listing for The Currency of Poetry:

• Paddle and Row
• On the Banks
• Dust To Gold
• No Common Ground
• One Small Frame
• Like We Go Together
• Years In Our Bones
• Outlaws and Criminals

8.5/10

Tom Waits releases new single "Back In The Crowd"

Bad As Me, the new album from Tom Waits, comes out on October 24th, and we've already heard the title track.  Today Waits released the second single, "Back In The Crowd".

This song is a ballad which features guitar work by Los Lobos' David Hidalgo.

The new song is available at all the normal places (iTunes, etc).

Over The Top: "Community EP" (stream)

If you're anything like me, you are under the impression that the only music that comes out of Newfoundland are retooled sea shanties and songs about the hardship of the commercial fisheries.  Well, Over The Top are on a mission to change that perception.

The band have recently released a 5-song EP of hardcore punk-inspired tunes, Community.  There's just enough of a pop sensibility to the music that they won't repel casual hard rock fans.

Stream the entire record here:


Hopefully we'll get a chance to see the band in Toronto in the near future.

Bella Clava: "Holy Crow" (album review)

You would be hard-pressed to find a band on the Toronto scene that has worked, and rocked, as hard as Bella Clava.  After a killer EP, the transplanted Thunder Bay-natives are now poised to release their debut full length album Holy Crow (produced by Toronto indie original Ian Blurton).

It's hard to believe, but with Holy Crow Bella Clava have actually turned the volume up from their raucous live shows.  The rhythm section on "Ding Dong Ditch" rumbles like never before, while songs like "Food for Cannibals" and "The Less Dead" are blistering and so in-your-face they it's like the band are daring fans to love it.

The keyboard sounds on the album are far more diverse than what Bella Clava has given us to date.  Beginning with the hard-driving "Conflict & Desire", the spectrum swings from the expected bluesy notes, to full on synth sounds, to piano tinkling, to brain-twisting psychedelia.

Building on the psychedelia is "Doubt".  The song has numerous twists and turns that see to morph from a 60's inspired acid trip all the way into a near-Industrial grind conclusion.  It's a bold artistic move that makes for an outstanding ride.

As always, Caitlin Dacey's vocals equally charm and frighten the listener, a unique ability indeed.  Her best performance here is on the confident, unyielding "Last Trip".  Surprisingly though, it's a track she doesn't do lead on, "Red River Rain", that's the most infectious cut on the album.

With Holy Crow Bella Clava have managed a rare feat, they have taken a successful live sound, expanded it, revved it up, and created something even more intense for music fans to rally around.

Bella Clava play a CD release show at the Horseshoe in Toronto on October 8th.


Best tracks: "Doubt", "Red River Rain"

Track listing for Holy Crow:

• Conflict & Desire
• Ding Dong Ditch
• Foods For Cannibals
• I'm Sick
• Doubt
• Red River Rain
• Blue Star Tattoo
• The Less Dead
• Last Trip
• War Brides
• Loose Screw
• Fairweather Friends

8.5/10

New releases for September 27th: Wilco, Dan Mangan, Ohbijou

Nothing beats new music and this week has a ton of it.  This week we get these notable entries:

• Brett Anderson
• Apparet- stream
• Sebastian Bach
• The Barr Brothers- stream
• Big Black Delta
• Bjork
• Chickenfoot
• DJ Shadow
• Dum Dum Girls- stream
• Elliott Brood
• Family of the Year- stream
• Kidstreet
• Lords Of Acid
• Dan Mangan- Review
• Mastodon
• Mekons
• Sophie Milman- Review
• Geoffrey O'Connor
• Ohbijou- Review
• Tyler Ramsey- Review
• Sleeper Agent- stream
• Matthew Sweet- Review
• Twin Sister
• VHS Or Beta- stream
• VNV Nation
• Wilco- Review

Zenith Myth: "Zenith Myth" (mini-review)

L.A.-based Zenith Myth (aka Mike Edwards) releases his debut self-titled album on October 25th.  The record is a sprawling experimental effort which leans towards the prog metal end of the spectrum.  That's usually not my bag, but Edwards' arrangements are engaging enough to make a 9-minute track like the eponymous opener feel tight and contained.

It's an impressive list of helpers he's recruited for the album.  Tool's Paul D'Armour, Sam Goldberg of Broken Social Scene, Melissa Auf der Maur, and Meshell Ndegeocello all pitch in.

Verdict: Borrow It

This week's entertainment picks: Grace Potter, Ohbijou

I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but I'll give it to you anyway.  These are the shows you should catch this week in Toronto.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Opera House, Sep 29
In my opinion Grace Potter is probably the best bluesy and soulful female singer since Janis Joplin.  Lofty praise I know, but truly believe it.


Ohbijou w. Julie Doiron, Sep 30
With a stunningly beautiful new album under their belt, the ethereal Ohbijou return for a hometown gig with thetrailblazing Julie Doiron in support.

...also this week:

• Astronautalis, Sep 26
• Jim Ward, Sep 26
• NewVillager, Sep 26
• Tune-Yards, Sep 26
• Girls, Sep 27
• The Horrors, Sep 27
• Tribes, Sep 27
• Band Of Skulls, Sep 28
• Mates Of State, Sep 28
• Elbow, Sep 28
• Burton Cummings, Sep 29
• Flogging Molly, Sep 29
• Wild Beasts, Sep 29
• James Blake, Sep 30
• Bedouin Soundclash, Oct 1
• Chalk Circle, Oct 1
• Drag the River, Oct 1
• Foster The People, Oct 1
• The Drums, Oct 1
• Rebekah Higgs, Oct 2

Toronto concerts announced this week: Sting, The Sea & Cake, Ziggy Marley

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

Data Romance

• PS I Love You, Great Hall, Oct 1
• Suuns, The Garrison, Oct 2
• Battles, The Phoenix, Oct 4
• Living With Lions, Mod Club, Oct 13
• Data Romance, Wrongbar, Oct 15
• Is Tropical, Wrongbar, Oct 17
• Ziggy Marley, Sound Academy, Oct 20
• Givers, Wrongbar, Oct 26
• Death From Above 1979, Sound Academy, Oct 27
• Sting, Massey Hall, Nov 2
• Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Mod Club, Nov 4
• The Sea & Cake, Lee's Palace, Nov 5
• Plaid, Wrongbar, Nov 10
• Korpiklaani, Mod Club, Nov 24
• Lights, Sound Academy, Nov 25
• Anna Calvi, Lee's Palace, Dec 8
• Enter The Haggis, Hugh's Room, Jan 12
• Enter The Haggis, Hugh's Room, Jan 13

St Vincent: "Strange Mercy" (mini-review)

The third full length album from guitar wizard Annie Clark, aka St Vincent, sees her in a much more experimental mood.  Her last album, Actor, had a tendency to drag, and even lulled me to sleep at a couple of points.

There's none of that this time around.  The arrangements are much more lively and freewheeling, with a tempo to match.  The unconventional song structure often bears a similarity to Sonic Youth soundscapes.  On occasion however, such as on the standout "Surgeon", Clark ventures almost into Stereolab territory.

Definitely a huge step in the right direction.

Playlist Of The Week: Molly songs

With my new daughter Molly's arrival I was compelled to put together a playlist which will kick off this new feature.

Listen to Molly songs from artists including The Vaselines, The Beatles, Kenny Rogers, Kings Of Leon, Steve Earle, and more here.

Steve Earle: "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive" (book review)

Steve Earle has earned his stripes.  The hard-knock musician channels all of his exorcised demons and experiences into his new novel I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive.

The story is set in 1963 San Antonio in the days surrounding the assassination of JFK, and it follows the lives of a group of skid row characters.

At the centre is Doc.  He's a disgraced physician with a pretty fierce dope habit.  To support himself, he provides back alley abortion services out of a rooming house.  Oh, and he's haunted by the ghost of Hank Williams.

Redemption for Doc comes in the form of a young Mexican girl Graciela.  After her own procedure, she begins to assist Doc, and in doing so reveals a mysterious healing ability.

Quickly tales of Graciela's deeds spreads throughout the community.  Not only does she heal bodies, but she heals souls as well, helping Doc kick his habit, making drug dealer Manny leave his trade, and inspiring countless women to change their lives.

All of this makes local pastor Killen, a young Irishman with a temper, take notice.  That when the entire arrangement begins to go off the rails.

The tale is compelling and dark, the prose is efficient, and you can't help but root for the underdog characters.  It's everything you get in Steve Earle's music, stretched out into novel form.  A real winner.

Dan Mangan: "Oh Fortune" (album review)

I'll go out on a limb and say that Dan Mangan's new album Oh Fortune is one of the most anticipated Canadian indie releases of 2011.  The buzz around the BC-native has been constantly growing over the past couple of years, to the point of almost hysteria.

So the question is whether the album, out September 27th, lives up to the expectations.

Fans will be happy with the structure of these songs.  Many, such as the opener with the mouthful title, and "How Darwinian" which it seamlessly flows into, are meticulously appointed orchestral pop numbers.

Mangan's grand statement this time is "Post-War Blues".  It begins as a hot indie rock number before building into something with incredible gravitas.  He does something similar with "Start With Them, End With Us", which moves from singer-songwriter territory into a massive horn explosion.  The horns return for the glorious album closer "Jeopardy".

There's something missing from the album though.  No, there are no lyrics as immediately as endearing as those of "Robots", but that's too simple an explanation.  It feels almost as those Mangan is trying too hard to be perfect with these songs.  The natural charm that seemed to come so easily for him on Nice, Nice, Very Nice isn't obvious here.  Those little quirks have been swept away, leaving a solid, but far less lovable album behind.

Oh Fortune is not the masterpiece of Canadian music that many fans and critics were hoping for from Mangan.  It is, however, a solid effort, enjoyable from front to back.

Dan Mangan plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on October 28th.

Best tracks: "Post-War Blues", "Jeopardy"

Track listing for Oh Fortune:

• About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Helpful At All
• How Darwinian
• Post-War Blues
• If I Am Dead
• Daffodil
• Starts With Them, Ends With Us
• Oh Fortune
• Loeaves, Trees, Forest
• Rows of Houses
• Regarding Death and Dying
• Jeopardy

7.0/10

More To Explore: And The Giraffe

And The Giraffe
For those who like: Timber Timbre

So Gainesville, FL may not be renowned as a hotbed of indie music talent, but that's something the duo of And The Giraffe are hoping to change.  The duo have recently released their debut EP of "dream folk" songs, titled Something For Someone.

Check them out here.

Ryan Adams: "Invisible Riverside", "Lucky Now" (stream)

By now you probably know that Ryan Adams releases his new album Ashes & Fire on October 11th.  Well, he's not being shy about letting people hear it ahead of time as he's posted two tracks for public consumption already.

Check out two album tracks "Invisible Riverside" and "Lucky Now":
Invisible Riverside by ryanadams

Lucky Now by ryanadams

Wilco: "The Whole Love" (album review)

There have really be two sides (at least) to Wilco's music in recent years. They have tended to create music that is firmly grounded in roots rock or alt country traditions, or they have let loose with sprawling experimental jams.  On their new album The Whole Love (out September 27th), Wilco definitely tend towards the latter.

Wilco have often been characterized as the American Radiohead.  That comparison isn't spot on, but there is some truth to it nonetheless.  Both bands seem to get bored very quickly and have no fear letting their whims take them on musical excursions.  Unlike Radiohead however, Wilco keep and organic feel to their songs, even on something spacey like the opener "Art of Almost", rather than going the overly processed inhuman route.

The arrangements and structure crawl, creep, and generally hang loose throughout the album.  That can be smooth, like on the floating ballad "Sunloathe", or it can duck and swerve like on "Born Again".

The roots music influence never wavers though, rather, the band adds touches to enhance that sound instead of washing it away.  On "I Might" that takes the form of a psychedelic keyboard.  It's dream sequence effects that spur on the strolling "Capitol City".  "Black Moon" has a dark bayou aura, despite the inclusion of a cello.  A combination of propulsive beat, guitar squeal, and seemingly impromptu whistles make "Dawned On Me" a standout.

"Standing O" is pretty much a straightforward rocker, with a blistering guitar line, that should sate the alt country fans.


Personally, I prefer it when Wilco has a little bit more of a traditional structure to their songs.  I find that I reach for an experimental album such as The Whole Love far less frequently.  That said, there is plenty to like and discover on the record for those willing to put in the time and effort.


Best tracks: "Dawned On Me", "Capitol City"

Track listing for The Whole Love:

• 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)

7.5/10

Last minute plans: Dark Dark Dark @ The Rivoli

If you find yourself at loose ends tonight, may I humbly suggest the triple bill happening over at The Rivoli.

Minnesota's Dark Dark Dark are headlining, promoting their sophomore album Wild Go.  Check out the track "Daydreaming":


Also on tonight are A Hawk And A Hacksaw and Pillars And Tongues.

The Darcys to release self-titled album in October

Unapologetic loud Toronto rockers The Darcys have announced the release of a new album.  The self-titled The Darcys comes out on October 25th.

The record will be the first of three that the band are planning to release on Arts & Crafts.

Grab yourself a download of the album track "Shaking Down The Old Bones" here:
The Darcys - Shaking Down The Old Bones by Arts & Crafts

The Darcys play Lee's Palace in Toronto on October 13th with The Besnard Lakes and Malajube.

Matthew Sweet gives away live EP

With his new studio album Modern Art (review) due out next week, pop rock wizard Matthew Sweet is giving away a 4-song EP of live and acoustic material.  The set includes live versions of classics "Time Capsule", "Divine Intervention", "The Ugly Truth", and "She Walks The Night".

You can download it (and leave a tip for Sweet) at NoiseTrade.

The Box Tiger put on Nice Friends #004 show Thursday

Local indie power pop act The Box Tiger are playing a gig tomorrow night at The Piston in Toronto that should be worth checking out.  The show is billed as "Nice Friends #004", and is obviously the fourth in a series of shows by the band and their friends.

Joining The Box Tiger for this show are Dilly Dally, and The Morals.

On top of all that, the evening will also serve as the CD release party for In The Audience's latest EP Terminal.

Doors open at 9:00pm and cover is $7.

Bruce Peninsula: "Open Flames" (album review)

Right off the top I need to admit that I really didn't take to Bruce Peninsula's debut.  It's not that I disliked the Toronto band.  For some reason though, they just never broke through fully into my consciousness.  So I was determined to make more of an effort with their sophomore album Open Flames, which comes out on October 4th.

I'm ecstatic that I made that effort, because Open Flames is an indie rock tour de force.  The album has a freewheeling spirit that simply refuses to be tamed.

The album opens with "As Long As I Live", a dark and gritty song with an organic groove and awe-inspiring gospel style backing vocals.  Those vocals pop up throughout the record and are a key component to the grand feel of it all.  Rich layers add seemingly limitless texture to tracks like "In your Light" and "Chupacabra".

Songs like "Say Yeah" have an almost occult aura to them, like a ritualistic song a coven of witches would chant around a bonfire in a clearing in the woods.  "Warden" verges at Timber Timbre ghost folk territory at times, while the slightly Gothic/slightly World "Pull Me Under" is equally parts Peter Murphy and Peter Gabriel.

Tempo plays a significant role in the music of Bruce Peninsula.  Be it the momentum building of "Open Flame" or the sustained tension of "Adrenaline", it is largely based on the band's deft touch with the pace.

I think the ultimate compliment I can give Open Flames is that it makes me regret not giving time to Bruce Peninsula sooner.

Bruce Peninsula play Lee's Palace in Toronto on October 27th.

Best tracks: "As Long As I Live", "Say Yeah"

Track listing for Open Flames:

• As Long As I Live
• In Your Light
• Pull Me Under
• Warden
• Say Yeah
• Open Flame
• Or So I Dreamed
• Adrenaline
• Cliffs & Coves
• Chupacabra

8.5/10

Eastborough to hold CD release show @ The Drake

Eastborough is the stage name of Ottawa-native, now Toronto-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Stefani Guzman.  On Friday, September 23rd she celebrates the release of her debut full length album Your Place, with a CD release show at the Drake Underground in Toronto.

Joining the indie pop musician on the bill are Ottawa's The Murder Plans and Toronto's Snake & Crane.

Doors open at 7:00pm with a $7 cover.

Arcade Fire take home 2011 Polaris Prize

Well the 2011 version of the Polaris Music Prize was handed out at a gala in Toronto last night.  In the past, the jury has shown a preference for the underdogs, awarding the prize to the likes of Final Fantasy, Caribou, and Fucked Up.

This time around they surprised no one as the Grammy Award-winning Arcade Fire took home the prize for their album The Suburbs.

There's no denying that it was a great album.  Personally though, I think Timber Timbre's Creep On Creepin' On better fits the spirit of the prize.

Tyler Ramsey: "The Valley Wind" (album review)

I've always found that the best solo projects are not the ones that adhere to the artist's main gig nor the one's that veer completely away (I'm looking at you Julian Casalbancas).  No the most successful ones to my ears are usually the ones that take the main band's sound and take it in directions that are slightly different or more adventurous.

That's certainly what we get with The Valley Wind the forthcoming album from Band Of Horses guitarist Tyler Ramsey.  The record, Ramsey's third, comes out on September 27th.

What Ramsey does is take the indie roots rock of Band Of Horses and simplify it.  He strips out many of the harmonies and arena rock guitar elements and distills his songs down to a minimalist, yet highly refined melodic folk rock.

In fact, at times Ramsey sounds more like Neil Young than Band Of Horses (his vocals are much more akin to Young's than they are to Ben Bridwell's).  There's an undeniable Neil Young folk sound and structure to a song like "The Valley Wind", while "When It's Done" edges ever so slightly towards the Young folk/rock threshold.

Lyrically, similarities between Ramsey and Young can be found as well.  Ramsey's songs are full of imagery of the natural world, in both it's beautiful and violent forms.  Those images and the sentiment of weariness and reaching the end of one's rope make "The Nightbird" one of 2011's best written laments.

You can definitely still here elements of Band Of Horses on the album.  However, only on the more rounded "1000 Blackbirds" does he ever venture close to the band's sonic territory.

In all The Valley Wind is both an outstanding record and a blueprint for how artists should approach their solo work.

Best tracks: "The Nightbird", "When It's Done"

Track listing for The Valley Wind:

• Raven Shadow
• The Valley Wind
• 1000 Blackbirds
• The Nightbird
• Stay Gone
• The Time Is A Changing Line
• Angel Band
• When It's Done
• All Night

8.0/10