John O'Regan ( D'Ubervilles ) has a new one man group: Diamond Rings . I don't know about you, but when I see neon, eighties fashion, guyliner and neo-romantic haircuts, I automatically assume 80's new wave. But this is nothing like 80's new wave. The actual music surprised me a little bit. It wasn't as Europop or glam as I assumed it would be. Sure there are computer beats and synthesizer, but he's got a clear baritone and I can imagine these songs as pure guitar power pop. The electronic elements add to the mystique of the [...]
Can't get enough of Paper Lions ' Trophies EP. It's catchy and poppy and rocky and perfect! I felt so proud of them when I saw it for sale at a major record store about a week ago. Immediately I started reminiscing about going to one of their shows last year and getting a free hand out of a previous EP with a hand-stamped brown paper bag casing. Here's their video for the first single "Lost the War". [...]
Nobody in Melbourne's the Greasers wears Buddy Holly glasses, but if it wasn't for this press shot, I would have assumed that they would. They definitely pull most of their influences from the days of Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison and girl groups like the Ronettes. They have the bouncy guitar, glottal stop vocals , and you could also hear the "whoo-oo-oohs" and "sha-la-las" coming up. But they're sound production is much more indie and there are hints of Pavement-esque slacker attitude that carries throughout their album Night to Night , which is available for [...]
You know how you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover? It's bad form. But... I totally judge books by their covers. And I judge bands by their band names. I'm sorry, but it's a first impression kind of response. If a band has a silly name, I'll be less likely click on a link that leads to their myspace page. I think that a band should have a name that somehow conveys what they are trying to achieve with the sound. The name Kisses just sounds like it's going to be a a girl group [...]
If you were to ask Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast which is the best coast, the answer is obvious: it's the west. Hailing from Los Angeles, Best Coast's new album, Crazy for You is an ode to sunny LA and it's boys. While lyrically, the songs sounds like a page out of a 16 year old girl's diary, the fuzzy l0-fi surf-rock with girl group vocals makes it work. A little retro with some modern cynicism, it's a hazy summer sound that can just transport everyone in the Western world to a time in [...]
Along the lines of "Song for the Dumped" by Ben Folds Five, but only more explicit, the Cee-Lo half of Gnarls Barkley is releasing a CD in October titled "The Lady Killer". His latest single is making the internet rounds at an incredible rate. Be warned, it's super catchy. Oh, and there are swear words (gasp).
Montreal duo Chromeo 's third studio album, Business Casual is set for release September 14, 2010. Featuring first two singles "Night by Night" and "Don't Turn the Lights On." According to P-Thugg, it's got more sexytime tracks on it than Fancy Footwork . Chromeo - Don't Turn the Lights On (mp3) ( buy )
I have been obsessed with surf pop lately. Oakley, CA's Dashing Suns has got that vibe that makes you wanna get out your swimsuit, bottle of SPF and go eat junk food by the nearest sandy shore. It's garage rock that's poppy, jangly and slightly fuzzy with reverb. Their LP, Really Like You , will be released on August 24, 2010. Dashing Suns - Future Thunder (mp3) (iTunes)
It's the August long weekend here in Toronto. Widely known as Civic Holiday, it is beloved for breaking up the dog days of summer. But it's also known as Simcoe Day in Toronto, Mountie Day in North York, Colonel By Day in Ottawa, George Hamilton Day in Hamilton, British Columbia Day in British Columbia, Heritage Day in Alberta, as well as various other names in other provinces and municipalities ( Wikipedia told me so ). Oh Civic Holiday, why didn't we just stick to one unifying name? In celebration [...]
The Drums have the worst haircuts. Their music videos look like they've been using film equipment from old British sitcoms. Their sound references 1960's girl groups, surf pop, synthesizer bands from the 80's and a whole lot of reverb. How can these guys be from the States? Normally, any of the above would get a kid beat up by the other kids. But I guess it works if you're in a band. Their sound is a delicious sprinkling of everything unabashedly fun and geeky. So behind the times, it's actually cool. [...]
It was 31 degrees celsius in Toronto today and you could see the heat rise from the pavement making the air look a bit wavy. I was driving and listening to Australian brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone . Most folk music reminds me of the winter. It's probably because of the melanchony, introspective quietness that's found in alot of acoustic guitar songs. And yeah, it's true that Angus and Julia Stone fall into this category with their hushed tones and lush guitar work. But it was strange how the intense temperature gave the perfect [...]
New Cut Copy ! They've got the first song off of their next LP available for download from their official site for the low low price of an email address. It reminds me a little bit more of stuff from Bright Like Neon Lights rather than In Ghost Colours . It's more ambient, fuzz and straight-forward math-rock than the shimmery post-New Order dreamscapes of In Ghost Colours . It's still got the heart that's so hard to find in electro-pop, but this time, it's ruled with more black and white logic. [...]
What's this? A British band that likes Pavement ? I think you had me at "hello." Cymbals has released two tracks, one is energetic, falsetto-inducing angular post-punk and the other is a stylized cover of Pavement's "Kennel District." I'm not such a fan of their cover, but their original track, "Summer Job" is quite addictive. They have no other information posted anywhere on the web or their official myspace, but I hope there's more music to come from these Londoners. Cymbals - Summer Job (mp3) ( bandcamp )
The first time I ever saw Cuff the Duke perform, I hated them. They were opening for another band a few years back and it was the first time I had ever even heard of them. I thought they sounded like a weird mix of experimental Radiohead and country-folk. It was WEIRD . Somehow I keep running into their songs on TV, on the internet through Podcasts and whatnot. They do have a country-ish twang to their sound, but no KID A weirdness, thank goodness. It's actually pretty good stuff. And now I'm [...]
Staring contest! It's OK Go's Dan vs Animal from The Muppets. Loser gets to be roadie for the winner for a year!
You Say Party! You Say Die! has taken some time off after the passing of drummer, Devon Clifford and just released an official press statement regarding the future of the group. The press release states that after Devon's parents' blessing, they will forge ahead as a band. Krista Loewen has opted out to pursue school, while good friends Robert Andow and Bobby Siadat will complete the five piece lineup. The band will no longer be called "You Say Party! We Say Die!," but simply you "You Say Party." [...]
All that is known about Jenny and Johnny is that this is a duo comprised of Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) and Johnathan Rice. They're releasing music at the end of the summer and are going on tour, but boycotting Arizona because of their recent politics. They want you to know that they're having fun and they think you should too. Jenny and Johnny - Scissor Runner (mp3) (download from official site)
Wolf Parade : Angular guitar, vocal yelps, frantic post-punk awesomeness. Expo 86 is out June 29, 2010. Wolf Parade - Little Golden Age (mp3) (buy) Wolf Parade - Shine a Light (mp3) (buy)
Fullerton, California's the Steelwells sure captured my attention with their indie/dance/rock/pop hybrid. And that's kinda hard to do nowadays. With the proliferation of music on the internet, there's just too much to get through and my attention span has seriously disingrated into what's probably normal for a fifth grader. Once you hear the Steelwells, you can tell it's indie rock of the late 2000's. It's quintessentially indie and they do it SO well! Steelwells - Boxes (mp3) (buy)
Every so often, I get an album that I can't stop listening to. These are the ones that get played on repeat in the car stereo. You know, the ones that only have one CD drive and are not adaptable to mp3 technology. Out sheer addiction to the songs (and laziness), the Tails ' self titled album is one I can't stop listening to. A little info about the Tails: they're two cousins from South Beach, California who engaged in many years of musical rivalry over who can write a better song. Somewhere along the line, they [...]
Impressionable Youth
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
Miike Snow - “Paddling Out” Jacques Lu Cont Remix (MP3 Stream)
Iron & Wine and Patty Griffin
New single from Gemini Club
