Chipped Hip

Jay Arner – “T.S.A.T.S.”

April 14, 2014

Local boob Jay Arner has a flexi disc coming out for Record Store Day on April 19. It’s for the song “T.S.A.T.S.” — that’s a polite way of saying “Throwing Shit at the Sun.” It’s a psychedelic pop track that switches between woozy comedowns and cloudburst crescendos.

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The War on Drugs – “Red Eyes”

April 9, 2014

The War on Drugs‘ new album sounds almost exactly like Kurt Vile, which isn’t a coincidence, since Vile used to be in the band. “Red Eyes” is a psychedelic, synth-draped interpretation of classic heartland rock.

It comes from the excellent new album Lost in the Dream. It’s not my favourite album from 2014 so far, but it’s close.

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Mac DeMarco – “Brother”

April 5, 2014

So far in 2014, Mac DeMarco is the leading contender for the year’s best album. Salad Days is a brilliant collection of warped jangle pop weirdness. I wrote about it for The Tyee.

Hear the excellent “Brother” below. The arpeggio riffs when the vocals enter are magic.

Now that Mac is famous-ish, will someone finally give his old band Makeout Videotape‘s album Ying Yang a proper pressing?

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Jack White – “High Ball Stepper”

April 1, 2014

I don’t get starstruck easily, but if I ever met Jack White, I’m pretty sure I’d flip my shit. Today, I wrote a news story for Exclaim! about his upcoming album Lazaretto. Not only am I excited for the music, I’m equally eager to see all the art and promotional materials that will go along with it.

A video for the instrumental cut “High Ball Stepper” is below. I’m intrigued…

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Kings of Leon – “Supersoaker”

March 31, 2014

Back in December, I was having a conversation with a friend about how much I enjoy arena shows. I resolved to start attending more arena gigs, as last night was my fifth since then. I reviewed Kings of Leon for the Georgia Straight, but the band’s showmanship was a little lacking.

Below is “Supersoaker,” which has a pleasantly Strokes-y guitar part.

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Islands – “Wave Forms”

March 29, 2014

I interviewed Nicholas Thorburn of Islands for this week’s Georgia Straight. He’s one of my favourite singers, and his voice sounds especially great on “Wave Forms,” which is the standout cut from 2013′s Ski Mask.

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Against Me! – “Black Me Out”

March 26, 2014

I interviewed Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! for this week’s issue of the Georgia Straight.

The band is playing in Vancouver as I type this, but unfortunately I’m not able to make it to the show. As a consolation, I’m watching the video for “Black Me Out” from the recent album Transgender Dysphoria Blues.

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Perfect Pussy – “Interference Fits”

March 24, 2014

The good news is that I’m planning on seeing St. Vincent tomorrow night. The bad news is that this means I won’t be able to see Perfect Pussy at the Cobalt.

I wrote reviewed the record Say Yes to Love for Exclaim! and wrote about the band for The Tyee. The album standout “Interference Fits” is below.

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Tokyo Police Club – “Hot Tonight”

March 17, 2014

I interviewed Tokyo Police Club keyboardist Graham Wright about the band’s new album for Exclaim! a few months back, and Forcefield doesn’t disappoint. As promised, the choruses are absolutely massive.

It’s a far poppier record than we’re used to hearing from Tokyo Police Club, which is mostly a good thing. Case in point: the extremely catchy “Hot Tonight.”

The album is out on March 25.

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Astral Swans – “You Carry a Sickness”

March 13, 2014

I interviewed Dan Mangan about his new label, Madic Records, for the Georgia Straight. His first release through the label will be a 7″ single from Astral Swans. “You Carry a Sickness” is a minimal indie rock track that sounds a bit like the music he used to make under the name Extra Happy Ghost!!!, and that’s definitely a good thing.

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