Articles posted in September 2010

No need for a glass, the bottle is fine

September 17, 2010

This picture came at the cost of the photographer's eyesight

I’ve had a nice little run of Vancouver artists over the past week or so. In keeping with that trend, here’s Nadia von Hahn with her song “Love Maker.” I’ve always gotten a kick out of doo-wop throwbacks, and this one fits the bill, with its romantic lyrics, sugary melody and, of course, those magic changes (although you’re going to need to transpose this one into Bb to play along at home).

It comes from her album Wait and See What Happens, which is due out October 5.

MP3: “Love Maker”

The first cut ain’t always the deepest

September 16, 2010

Wondering where Ladyhawk's stoner rock tag comes from?

As well as lending his vocals to one of my favourite songs of the year so far, Ladyhawk frontman Duffy Driediger released an album with his solo project, Duffy and the Doubters. The album is called Scriptural Supplies, and it’s noisy like you’d expect from the frontman of Ladyhawk. It’s also got an unexpected dose of pop sunniness to go along with its lo-fi production and gritty guitars.

Here’s the album’s sixth track, “Spider Baby Jesus,” which is 76 seconds of blistering guitars, ebullient harmonies and pummeling drums. This is some stellar ADD rock.

Go to Exclaim! to read my recent interview with the man himself.

MP3: “Spider Baby Jesus”

Dark as a suit that he wears

September 15, 2010

Dave Veresi has been a staple the Vancouver scene for years, playing bass with Hey Ocean! and Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party as well as backing the likes of Shad and Hannah Georgas. Now, he’s releasing a solo album which, based on the lead single, is a folksy singer-songwriter project. The tune is called “All Night, All Night, All Night,” and it shows of Verstesi’s impressive baritone. If you dug his “My Friends” from Hey Ocean!’s It’s Easier to Be Somebody Else, you’ll like this too. If you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, get educated.

The album is called Cardiography and it’s due out on October 26 via File Under: Music. With the likes of Dan Mangan, Kathryn Calder, and now Dave Vertesi, the label is putting together an impressive roster of intimate, downtempo singer-songwriters.

MP3: “All Night, All Night, All Night”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Dave Vertesi, Hey Ocean!Leave a comment

Dancing on the propane tank

September 14, 2010

It’s been over twenty years since Superchunk released “Slack Motherfucker,” but the band still knows how to write a rocking indie anthem. Case-in-point: “Digging for Something,” the catchy lead single from the band’s new album, Majesty Shredding. This one is full of ambiguously inspirational messages about dancing on top of propane tanks and digging for, well, something.

Go to Exclaim! to read my brief piece about the song’s video. I’ve also covered the album stream and the band’s recent reissues.

MP3: “Digging for Something”

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We don’t have to be like they are

September 12, 2010

Japandroids have always had a penchant for fuzz, but they’ve never ventured quite so far into full-fledged noise as they do on “Heavenward Grand Prix.” During the moments in which the guitars are unaccompanied, they are a wash of white noise, recalling My Bloody Valentine with their shoegaze ambience. The right channel is more or less pure static, and sounds a bit like a snowy TV. The vocals and drums keep the guitars tamed, and eventually the song ends up as a defiant, rallying anthem.

It’s coming out on seven-inch on November 16 via Polyvinyl.

Thanks to Stereogum for the MP3.

MP3: “Heavenward Grand Prix”

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It was a lie, I’ve never been there

September 11, 2010

Vancouver twee pop outfit the Salteens are back after a lengthy absence. Having not released an album since 2003, they put out an EP back in the spring, followed by another EP last week. They’ll be issuing a full-length next month.

Go to Exclaim! to read my interview with frontman Scott Walker (no, not that one or that one or that one). Dude was a good interview—it only lasted about fifteen minutes, but that gave me more good quotes than I was able to use.

If you like latter-day Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura and vintage AM pop, dig “If Love Is Gone Where Do We Go From Here.” On a side note, I always find a little curious when a song title is a question but doesn’t include a question mark.

MP3: “If Love Is Gone Where Do We Go From Here”

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Trying hard to grin and bear it

September 10, 2010

If digital downloads were like cassette tapes, then my copy of Diamond Rings‘ “All Yr Songs” would be totally worn out and garbled. I’ve listened to hell out of it over the last few months. It’s got a simple arrangement with awesomely home-baked electronics, an acoustic guitar, and some sweetly romantic lyrics (”In the summer weather / We’ll put sunscreen on together / I would not want your skin to burn”). This is DIY pop at its finest.

I recently spoke with Diamond Rings mastermind John O’Regan for Exclaim!, and discussed his upcoming debut LP. It’s got “All Yr Songs” on it, so you know it’s going to be good.

This song was first released in a split with PS I Love You. Helluva single.

MP3: “All Yr Songs”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Diamond Rings 1 Comment

There’s too much riding on that

September 9, 2010

You know the drill: Sufjan Stevens releases a song, everybody goes crazy. This one’s worth the hype. It’s called “Too Much,” and it’s an electro-infused update on this previous live song (which was already pretty electro to begin with). The chorus is catchy enough to be a pop radio hit, but Sufjan messes it up (in a good way) with his squiggly electro freakouts. This is easily Sufjan’s most successful attempt to break out of his baroque folk box.

It comes from his upcoming LP, The Age of Adz. Go to Exclaim! to read the article I wrote when it was first announced.

MP3: “Too Much”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Sufjan Stevens 1 Comment

We can French kiss some French girls

September 8, 2010

Thanks to Bryan from Herohill for the heads up on this one: it’s a cover of Japandroids‘ “Wet Hair” by Vancouver chillwaver Teen Daze. It reinvents the hard rocking original as a synth-dazzled dancefloor jam, with pillowy vocal harmonies and one of the most irresistible disco beats you’ll hear all year. This is one of those cases where the cover version tops the original, which is a bit like a movie being better than the book: rare indeed.

I’ve been having a Teen Daze-heavy week; just two days ago, I posted his remix of a song by the Magician & the Gates of Love.

MP3: “Wet Hair”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Japandroids, Teen DazeLeave a comment

So drunk in August sun

September 7, 2010

Guess who’s going to Pavement tonight?

If you didn’t guess me then you’re really bad at guessing. I’m going alone, which could be kind of lame at a reserved seating venue, but who cares—it’s Pavement!

You probably don’t need to be reminded about how awesome Pavement is, but just in case you do, here’s “Gold Soundz.” This is the re-mastered version that appeared on the compilation Quarantine the Past earlier this year. This song has gotten some good press lately. I would have picked something from Slanted & Enchanted, but it’s all good.

MP3: “Gold Soundz”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Pavement 1 Comment