Blog: Snob's Music

UK quartet The Boxer Rebellion have built a career on putting out rock music that melds melody and atmospheric arrangements.  Their latest effort, Promises  (out May 14th), doesn't stray far from that formula. The album kicks off with its strongest number, "Diamonds".  The track is as peppy and self-assured as spacey guitar rock gets, demonstrating that element of their music. In terms of the melody, its best on display with the hook-laden "Always". Continue reading »

Many folks have June 18th circled on their calendar. That's the day Toronto's Austra deliver their new album Olympia . The group have just released a video for the album track "Home". Watch it here:

Meshing shoegazer with electronica and dream pop, Vancouver's Au4 will drop the physical version of their new album ...And Down Goes The Sky on May 7th. Stream the entire album here (or download it here ):

• Au4 - ...And Down Goes The Sky

Toronto's Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party have put together a tune that should serve as the theme song to the Leafs' return to the playoffs. They even managed to work the word 'Nazem' in there. Listen to "Go Leafs Go!!" here: GO LEAFS GO!! 2013 (dedicated to Stompin’ Tom) by Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party They're dedicating the song to the late great Stompin' Tom Connors. Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party play the Cameron House in Toronto on May [...]

Hear that beautiful sound wafting in on the westerly winds?  That's likely the sounds of Late Riser , the forthcoming sophomore album from Vancouver folk outfit The Abramson Singers (out May 14th). Vocals harmonies abound on the record, centered around the group's mastermind and namesake Leah Abramson.  On "Liftoff Canon" it's a multi-voice affair, with each one singing a different part.  The lead single "Jack of Diamonds" sees Abramson's lovely vocals set to and easy, breezy arrangement. Continue reading »

Moments ago Toronto's Bravestation premiered "All We Have Is Us", the first track from their forthcoming IV (out May 15th). album You can listen to the track: Bravestation play a CD release show at the Drake in Toronto on May 15th.

• Bravestation - All We Have Is Us

An artist's success can't always be measured in record sales.  Sometimes it's the esteem of other musicians that's a mark of success.  That's definitely the case with East Coast singer/songwriter Al Tuck .  Laurels have been heaped upon him by his fellow musicians as he prepares to release his seventh album, Stranger At the Wake , on May 14th. The album is really built on two pillars.  The first is the acapella "There Is a God".  Broken into four parts and spread across the record, the song is a moving scratchy-throated hymnal. [...]

It's an eclectic set of new music coming out this week.  Have a gander (then, possibly, a listen): Akron/Family Alessi's Ark The Good Graces Guided By Voices- Review Iggy & the Stooges The Melvins Rob Moir- Review Mudhoney Os Mutantes Sharks Continue reading »

The tenth anniversary celebrations for Arts & Crafts records are well in swing.  Today the label added another element by announcing a new compilation album of original material from A&C acts.  These are collaborative efforts between the musicians. The album, X , comes out on May 28th. Artists participating are: Amy Millan  Apostle Of Hustle  Broken Social Scene  Chilly Gonzales  Dan Mangan  Continue [...]

After two full length albums and a Christmas record, it's become pretty clear to everyone that She & Him are not a novelty act or a vanity project for Zooey Deschanel.  No, her pairing with M. Ward is a legitimate musical combination.  The duo release their third installment, cleverly titled Volume 3 , on May 7th. This time around, the pair give us a bigger, fuller sound.  It's much more rounded out.  There is still a delicate, cutesy quality to the songs, but their are far less precious than they have tended to be [...]

Robert Pollard was never one to hold back, but this may be ridiculous.  This week his reformed Guided By Voices release English Little League , their fourth full length studio album since getting back together 18 months or so ago. Of all of the records they've dropped since reuniting, this latest is definitely the weakest.  While none of the songs are terrible, there is a marked lack of standout material as well.  Usually you can count on a handful of gems remaining after you sift through the chafe of one of their records, but [...]

It's an interesting week for concerts with two from The Lumineers highlighting a schedule that also includes and James Blake .  Strangely, Billy Bragg comes in two days AFTER May Day. Purity Ring ...this week: Ben Rector, Apr 29 Sara Bareilles, Apr 29 EmptyMansion, Apr 30 Iamx, Apr 30 Continue reading »

It was a pretty quiet seven days in terms of concert announcements. Here's what we got though: Al Tuck , Dakota Tavern, May 11 The Mixedtapes , Rancho Relaxo, May 16 Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs , The Hoxton, May 25 Tokyo Police Club, Sugar Beach, Jun 2 Hands , Drake Underground, Jun 6 Portugal. The Man , The Phoenix, Jun 11 [...]

It looks like this is the first weekend of the season that I'll be spending up in cottage country. It'll be mostly clean up, trying to get the water running, and other opening procedures, but it sets the stage for a summer of fun ahead. Have a listen to songs with some sort of cottage country tie-in here .

If you find yourself adrift with nothing to do on a Friday night, the Horseshoe may be the place for you. That's where you'll find local hard rock outfit A Primitive Evolution opening up for Die Mannequin . The band are touring in support of their latest album The Prize , which was released in the fall. Since then they've been drawing comparisons to bands like Queens Of The Stone Age . Watch the video for the track "I Feel It All" here:

Ketch Harbour Wolves release their new album Queen City: Volume One next week. The record was inspired by the history of Toronto and the band's personal experiences with the city. You don't have to wait that long to hear it, since they are streaming the entire thing now. Have a listen here: Queen City : Volume One by Ketch Harbour Wolves Ketch Harbour Wolves play a CD release shoe at the Horseshoe tomorrow night.

In a world where indie folk musicians are a dime a dozen (plus inflation), Toronto's Rob Moir stands apart.  His sophomore album, Places To Die  (out April 30th), stands out from the crowded scene because it's never boring.  It's not always on point, but it never induces yawns. It's difficult for a song to live up to a title as clever as "Places To Die (Before Seeing the World)", but with its lyrics, this one certainly does.  Melody and rawness work side-by-side on the delightfully ramshackle "Lost And Found Like You". [...]

For those who like : Bright Eyes LadyFace is a Toronto-based indie rock outfit, who are getting ready to release their debut record. It's slated for next month with a kick-off gig at the Silver Dollar. Listen to a teaser of their forthcoming album here: Teaser by LadyFace

Toronto's Meredith Shaw will be releasing a trio of EPs this year on which she collaborates with renowned Canadian musicians. The first installment, Trouble , features Joel Plaskett and comes out on May 28th. Watch the making of video here: Meredith Shaw plays the Dakota Tavern in Toronto on May 30th.

On May 7th, singer/songwriter Joshua Radin will self-release his new studio album.   Wax Wings  is the fifth full length from the Cleveland-native. Wax Wings  is general a light and uplifting record which mainly relies on relationships for its thematic fodder.  Songs like "Your Rainy Days" are not light and fluffy, but they do provide hope.  And what do people in relationships need more than hope really? Continue reading »