Articles posted in December 2010

The hardest thing about this love

December 14, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, I got to speak with the Rural Alberta Advantage’s Nils Edenloff about his band’s new album, Departing, which is due out March 1 via Paper Bag/Saddle Creek. Go to Exclaim! to read the article.

Here’s the first sample from Departing, “Stamp,” a surging rocker that’s perhaps the most energetic track the album has to offer. Despite the speedy tempo and hollered vocals, there’s no catharsis here; drummer Paul Banwatt plays as if he’s doing a constant drumroll, while Edenloff complains, “The hardest thing about this love is that you’re never coming back.” Cheer up, Nils, it’s not so bad!

MP3: “Stamp”

I wasn’t thirsty for revenge

December 13, 2010

I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to post this tune, but apparently I am, so here goes: “Floating Vibes” is the first track off of Surfer Blood’s excellent debut, Astro Coast, which came out earlier this year. The song harkens back to the ’90s at its riff rocking best, as frontman J.P. Pitts sings along with the catchy guitar leads, sounding sleepy despite despite the bouncy arrangement. A violin enters at the end, leaving a faint baroque aftertaste.

Apparently the band has a new EP on the way. Head to Exclaim! to get the scoop. I’ve written about the band a couple times in the past.

MP3: “Floating Vibes”

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The finite set of thirteen convex figures

December 12, 2010

Out of anyone I’ve ever interviewed, Nick Zammuto of the Books is easily the smartest. You can get a sense of his genius in the article I wrote for the Georgia Straight a couple of weeks ago.

Recently, I’ve been enjoying the band’s latest sample-filled new LP, The Way Out. Here’s the haunting and hymnal “Beautiful People.” It’s not your typical pop song, as it contains backmasking, choral vocals and mathematical formulas aplenty.

MP3: “Beautiful People”

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Took me apart, put me back together

December 10, 2010

This blog has an about page now. Neat!

Here’s a song from the Babies, the new project from lead Vivian Girl Cassie Ramone. Despite the terrible band name, this is a promising-sounding project, so be sure to keep an eye out for the debut album, due out in February. The track is called “Run Me Over.” You know how it is with these Vivian Girls offshoots: fuzzy guitars, lots of reverb, poppy melodies. This one tones down the usual girl group influences, replacing them with a more aggressive, punkish attack. Check it below.

MP3: “Run Me Over”

Posted in Tracks Tagged The Babies, Vivian Girls 1 Comment

All the girls in Los Angeles

December 8, 2010

When I interviewed Puro Instinct’s Skylar Kaplan a few months ago, she said that the band had recorded a track with Ariel Pink called “Stilyagi.” Soon after, when I saw the band in concert, I heard the song in live form.

Now, it’s finally coming out as a single via Mexican Summer. Download the song below, and head to Exclaim! to read my article about the band’s upcoming LP, Headbangers in Ecstasy. If you like jangly dream pop bands like Lush and Cocteau Twins, you’ll enjoy this.

MP3: “Stilyagi”

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Throw away your letters and numbers

December 7, 2010

Young Galaxy’s previous work was good, despite the group’s unfortunate penchant for overblown arena rock. Thankfully, the band’s cinematic aspirations appear to have been toned down on its latest record, Shapeshifting, which was made with Studio’s Dan Lissvik. Go to Exclaim! to read my article about the album.

Click on the link below to hear “Cover Your Tracks,” which scales back the group’s guitar rock theatrics in favour of chilly synths, dead-eyed vocals and gently funky beats. This thing is ice cold.

MP3: “Cover Your Tracks”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Young Galaxy 1 Comment

I went to camp for the horses

December 6, 2010

Here’s a tune from Halifax-based songwriter Tanya Davis. It’s called “Please Bless” and it’s pure Canadiana, with a folk pop arrangement and sweetly sensitive vocals that evoke the likes of Kathleen Edwards and Sarah Harmer. But there’s also a touch of twee her wide-eyed innocence, as well as gospel in her lyrics.

“Please Bless” comes from the recent LP Clocks and Hearts Keep Going.

MP3: “Please Bless”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Tanya Davis 1 Comment

Walk through the cars on Parc Avenue

December 5, 2010

Out of all the bands I’ve seen at this year’s CiTR SHiNDiG, my favourite has been the Hot Moonbeams. The Langley, BC-based outfit brings together influences from so many bands I love: Pavement, the Replacements, Guided by Voices. You can hear some of those influences crop up on the free digital single “Mount Royal,” although this tune scales back some of the band’s indie pop stylings in favour of a subtle R&B influence.

Also, how young are these dudes? I wish I was doing something that cool when I was that old (however old that is, exactly).

MP3: “Mount Royal”

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It’s me and me and you

December 2, 2010

The last time I posted a Teen Daze song, I noted that the tune broke from the usual chillwave formula by including guitars alongside the usual swirling synths, dance-y beats and reverb-hazed vocals

The latest song, “Let’s Fall Asleep Together,” explodes the formula entirely, scaling back the electronics in favour of a warm wash of jangling guitars. It’s clearly inspired by the lo-fi beach pop sound that’s so popular right now, but these fluttering melodies and gorgeous harmonies are timeless.

Go to Exclaim! to read more.

MP3: “Let’s Fall Asleep Together”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Teen Daze 2 Comments