It's been a while. Culminating project season is a bummer. Again, I must stress that I am still a high school student. I'm almost done though, and that's marked by my school's so-close-I-can-taste-it prom. No that's not the theme of our prom, that's an analogy for how soon it is. Anyhow, since I'm excited and in a good mood, I'll pass on some of that feeling to you in song. In fact, these songs'll represent my predictions for the night in chronological order. The Flashing Lights - High School (mp3) [...]
when you typically speak of fun records, the downside is that they are typically not very smart and of course vice versa. but, this is not the case with canadian joel plaskett and his emergency, or just joel plaskett emergency. his ashtray rock is a really freakin fun, yet smart record. not only is it fun and smart, its a freakin concept record about two high school dudes who fall for the same chick with one eventually winning the girl's heart and the other forming a band and of course all the other drama in between. in my [...]
On Saturday night, P and I, along with herohill associates Jill and Mal checked out the Joel Plakett Emergency's double set at the Marquee (shameless plug, check out my interview with Joel from last week if you missed it). It was a solid show that went into the wee hours of this morning, and because of that I got like four hours sleep last night. So as I write this Sunday night, I'm a bit tuckered, so it's not going to be anything in-depth. Here's two other reviews from last year [...]
When I talk about Joel here on the site, I usually make some kind of vague reference to our connection to him. Often it's something witty about how far back we go with him, but here's the real deal: we both went to high school with Joel. Halifax West, class of 93 suckers. And yes, we are old, thanks for noticing. But that's it, pretty underwhelming I know. As tennous as that connection might be, it's still there, so it's a little surprising we haven't interviewed him on the [...]
Feist may have come home from the Grammys empty-handed, but the East Coast Music Awards made sure that at least a few notable Canadian names got to take home some paper-weights and door-stops last night. I don't really give much credence to award shows, but for the purposes of blog-posterity I thought I'd check in with the 2008 ECMAs to see how things went down. Unsurprisingly, Joel Plaskett was the big winner, taking home six awards including SOCAN Songwriter of the Year (for "Fashionable People" ), FACTOR Recording of the Year and [...]
FREE MUSIC - I am teaming up with Stranded in Stereo to give away copies of their new discs this week. If you haven't heard - Stranded in Stereo is a great webpage that allows you to enroll for free merchandise. The labels put the hottest new songs from their most promising new artists on a CD for you. You try them out - it's a promo! They hope that if you like it, you'll go buy the album! There's more. In each installment there is a DVD with live performances, music videos, and movie [...]
I nearly did The Top 2007 Songs From 2007 (like this insane post from last year ). I decided to focus on 27 instead (2007 minus the zeroes). These are the songs I think are the most well-written , well-performed , well-done and well-worth a listen. 27. The National ~ Ada There is a great chance, if The Duchess and I ever have a baby girl, she will be named Ada. 26. Great Lake Swimmers ~ I Became Awake I always [...]
This week we feature Canadians who have been featured on The Late Greats (and not too many other music blogs ). Hayley Sales ( original post ) Hayley Sales ~ What You Want RIYL: femfolkpop [ website ] Joel Plaskett ( original post ) Joel Plaskett Emergency ~ Fashionable People RIYL: literary party music [ website ] [...]
With any luck, the Trojan has been vanquished. Thank you to all who helped. But it was still time consuming. Here is a song for you in the meantime. Look for more posts tomorrow. Joel Plaskett Emergency ~ Snowed In/Cruisin’
[review 2007: odds and ends] Sometimes you can write entire screeds about an album. And sometimes you can barely write a sentence. For whatever reason, here's some of the albums this year that had me fresh out of new perspectives. Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock. Plaskett applies his many talents to a concept that's obviously close to his heart (though apparently fictional): two East Coast teenagers in a band, ripped apart by their competing affections for a girl. Unfortunately, meeting the needs of the narrative requires Plaskett to up the [...]
The Felice Brothers ~ Your Belly In My Arms St. Vincent ~ Your Lips Are Red Lori McKenna ~ Your Next Lover Sylvie Lewis ~ Your Voice Carries Great Lake Swimmers ~ Your Rocky Spine Joel Plaskett Emergency ~ Penny For Your Thoughts The Format ~ On Your Porch (Acoustic Version) More: 7 from ‘07s [...]
Ever make that trip back home and decide to root around the dark corners of Mother's Basement , pulling out old boxes of knick-knacks from your childhood: Cub Scout badges, old guitar picks, an arrowhead, a foreign coin that still seems as exotic as it did when an uncle gave it to you in 1972? Sometimes we root through Mother's Basement and uncover a forgotten mix tape! That's just what I did earlier this week. Check out Part 1 of what was on this tape . Orchestra Harlow, "Everybody's Got [...]
As I mentioned in my initial Halifax Pop Fest post, we have some history with the man that is Halifax's current rock hero, Joel Plaskett . Well here's the deal, we went to high school with Joel. Now we aren't exactly tight, but he did "this guy" me in a recent article : "I read a blog where someone said, ‘The best thing about [‘Ashtray Rock’] is that Joel mentions Dave Boyd! He used to buy alcohol for us!’ This guy also said that Dave Boyd ran for the Halifax Party in Clayton Park/Fairview—“ [...]
Today is my wife Petra's birthday. Like any good husband, I rack my brain each and every year trying to come up with a romantic way to celebrate this occasion. This year I had a revelation, and that revelation appeared to me in dance form. I decided I would choreograph a sultry dance routine that P and I would perform to celebrate her birthday. I mean, who doesn't love dancing? Unfortunately, I quickly realized that I do not love dancing. I also realized I needed to find two kind people willing to stand in for us and perform the dance [...]
Joel is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He plays rock with a cocky swagger. If he was from New York City, he would be immensely popular in the states. His songs focus on the three basics of rock and roll: drinking, girls and more drinking. Listen: Snowed In/Cruisin’ , Down at the Khyber , Work Out Fine RIYL: Big Sugar, Big Star, Notorious B.I.G. Further study: website myspace Wiki Hype Machine elbo [...]
It's finally summer here in Van-city. The beach is packed. The sun is shining and you can see the mountains for more than a few hours at a time. You really can't complain much, except when your morning jogging route is littered with booming grannies who completely cover the running path on the Sea Wall. Anyway, it's a summer mix with some songs (old and new) that fit into my summer activities - patio drinks, bbqs, cold beer, wine, acoustic, and soul. So here you go: Download entire zip - here [...]
Well, kind of. If you read my review of Joel Plaskett's latest album, Ashtray Rock , you know I was rather hyped to hear Fairview legend Dave Boyd receive not 1 but 2 shout outs from Joel. After the album came out I tried to find some info on what Dave was up to these days via Mr. Google, as I figured there was no way someone with the eccentric genius of Mr. Dave Boyd would be keeping cyber-quiet. But alas, Mr. G had nothing for me. No sign of Dave of Dave at all. Considering he ran for [...]
Back when I was mild-mannered music reviewer for a mid-sized metropolitan daily newspaper, I once took some flack for calling Joel Plaskett the Kim Mitchell for a new generation. I guess my love and admiration for Kim Mitchell wasn't then well-known enough for this to be recognized as a compliment. Now it can be revealed: I loves me some Kim Mitchell. Not quite to the same degree as my love for Andy Kim, but that's a horse of a different colour, anyhow. So here (at the bottom of this post) is the new single from the [...]
Look who's back. After a couple of years away and an interim solo album, Joel Plaskett has rounded up the Emergency once more and put together... a concept album? Well, let's be fair; this isn't the first time the Joel Plaskett Emergency have strayed into this territory. In Need of Medical Attention 's loose theme was about the death of Plaskett's grandfather, who was himself a doctor. Ashtray Rock is entirely different; there's a narrative, told in song and illustration thanks to Rebecca Kraatz, about two kids who start a band, meet a girl, fight [...]
When I'm doing reviews for the hill, I try and do them objectively. Well, I should clarify that. When I'm sent promo's to review, I try and approach them objectively. However, often I request said promos from bands I want to review, and if I'm reviewing a-non promo album, chances are it's a band/artist that I already like. So is it possible to be objective when you go into the review knowing you like the band or artist? Honestly, I don't know, but I like to think it is. I guess I just try and give my (rather amateurish) perspective [...]
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![Joel Plaskett Emergency - Somewhere Else [HD] (Live from Halifax 12-17-2010)](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/RrZo1RfFeXc_130.jpg)
Noteworthy (Stream): Kanye West – Black Skinhead (SNL Performance)
Kanye West Performs “Black Skinhead” & “New Slaves” On ‘SNL’ Season Finale: Watch
Watch Fred Armisen’s SNL farewell with Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Aimee Mann
Watch Kanye West on Saturday Night Live, performing “Black Skinhead” and “New Slaves”
