Articles posted in January 2011

Before you break my heart

January 19, 2011

Peter Bjorn and John are an awesome pop band, but kind of a crappy art rock band. That’s why I was happy to hear that the Swedish trio would be bringing back the pop on the upcoming Gimme Some.

The first single off that album is “Breaker, Breaker.” Okay, so this is no “Young Folks.” Still, it’s a lot of fun, as it’s stuffed with choppy guitar chords, fart-y fuzz bass and a hell of a lot of drum fills. Full of punk energy and garage grit, it’s all over in just 96 seconds. Did I mention the drum fills?

MP3: “Breaker, Breaker”

The sun won’t ever come

January 18, 2011

Lately, I’ve been jonesing for summer. I really shouldn’t complain, since the winter hasn’t been that cold, and today was a nice sunny day. But still, nothing quite replaces the feeling of a July day spent by the water. I’ve still got another six months before I’m actually spending a July day by the water, but here’s the next best thing: a new song from Wavves.

It’s called “Mutant” and it’s a B-side from last year’s King of the Beach, meaning that the drums sound fucking awesome. The song is a poppy punk rocker, complete with weirdo harmonies and a pitchy whistling solo. Best of all, the final minute is a Nirvana-esque guitar freakout.

MP3: “Mutant”

Posted in Tracks Tagged WavvesLeave a comment

The reincarnation of J.D. Salinger

January 17, 2011

Here’s a Monday morning (well, afternoon) pick-me-up. It comes from the Victoria, BC-based garage punk outfit Slam Dunk. I always thought this band was from Vancouver, but apparently the dudes just spend a lot of time here.

The group just released a free album called The Shivers on Bandcamp. Here’s the opening track, “Only Fun.” It’s a rollicking good time, although the gritty guitars and reverb-heavy backing vocals mean that there’s also a hint of menace. Plus, those wolf-life howls are nothing short of blood-curdling. Throw in some bubbling organ and Modest Mouse-style quirkiness, and your Monday just got way better.

Head to Exclaim! to read my recent article about the album.

MP3: “Only Fun”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Slam DunkLeave a comment

Breaking the chain

January 16, 2011

Chromeo isn’t usually my thing. Throw in La Roux and Duck Sauce, however, and I’m willing to make an exception. Duck Sauce just made a club-ready remix of Chromeo’s “Hot Mess,” which features guest vocals from La Roux vocalist Elly Jackson. It’s a winning combination, and Jackson’s Madonna-esque chorus is a hell of a hook.

I mentioned this remix in my recent Exclaim! article about Chromeo’s upcoming live album.

MP3: “Hot Mess (Duck Sauce Remix)”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Chromeo, Duck Sauce, Elly Jackson, La RouxLeave a comment

Is this acrylic or oil?

January 13, 2011

When Jay Arner of Fine Mist sent me his new song, I wasn’t sure if it was okay to share. But today it went up on Exclaim!, so I guess that means it’s okay. It’s a soaring pop rocker, laden with sparkling synths, psychedelic harmonies and triumphantly stomping beats. If you dug his previous solo work, this one is sure to hit the spot too.

Also, the song has a reference to West Vancouver. I grew up there (and got the hell out of these as fast as possible), so it’s nice to hear it immortalized in song.

MP3: “Don’t Remind Me”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Fine Mist, Jay Arner 2 Comments

You won’t think twice about it

January 12, 2011

Here’s a prediction: Louise Burns is going to get a lot of comparisons to Zooey Deschanel. Not only do the two look fairly similar, but the the Vancouver singer-songwriter writes charming retro pop songs that have a faint whiff of She & Him. But while Deschanel’s songs often feel like pastiche, “What Do You Wanna Do” sounds less blatantly anachronistic. The lovelorn lyrics and sprightly melodies sound like they could have been pulled out of a ’50s girl group song, but the gritty guitars and dissonant bridge push this one into darker terrain.

Go to Exclaim! to see the video and read my article about Burns’ upcoming debut album, Mellow Drama.

MP3: “What Do You Wanna Do”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Louise Burns 2 Comments

Toil away, working every day

January 11, 2011

2011 is shaping up to be a big year for Vivian Girls. Not only do they have an album of their own coming out, but frontwoman Cassie Ramone will be releasing a LP with the Babies and bassist Kickball Katy (Katy Goodman) will be doing the same with her project La Sera. Here’s another tune from the latter called “Devils Hearts Grow Gold.” (I know, the missing apostrophe bugs me too). In some ways it sounds a lot like Vivian Girls, with its lovely girl group harmonies and instantly-hummable melodies. It’s a lot gentler than most of that band’s output, however, with its steadily plodding rhythm, strummed acoustic guitar and tinkling main riff.

By the way, for those of you who don’t parle Français, La Sera is French for “The Sera.” (Thanks, Chris.)

MP3: “Devils Hearts Grow Gold”

Posted in Tracks Tagged La Sera, Vivian Girls 2 Comments

Stay with me and all will be golden

January 10, 2011

“Candy Candy” by Guilty About Girls is dumb in the best way possible. With its half-rapped verses, ultra-simple chorus hook and nerdy lyricism, it recalls those awesome gimmick singles from the late ’90s/early ’00s. I’m talking about “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Steal My Sunshine.” Classic shit.

If MuchMusic still played music, this video would be on it pretty much on it non-stop. As it is, it’s got a little less than 8,000 views (as of this writing). Oh to be fourteen again.

MP3: “Candy Candy”

Posted in Tracks Tagged Guilty About Girls 1 Comment

Fall into your eyes

January 8, 2011

A while back, Starfucker was considering changing its name, spending a brief time as PYRAMID and then as Pyramiddd. Thankfully, the band is back to its original moniker, with a new LP on the way this March called Reptilians.

Here’s the single “Julius,” a electro-infused rave-up that’s based around one of the catchiest synth riffs I’ve heard in ages. It’s glorious dance pop, but the chugging bassline gives it a subtle hint of grunge-y rock.

Go to Exclaim! to read my article about the new album.

MP3: “Julius”

Posted in Tracks Tagged StarfuckerLeave a comment

If you don’t care

January 6, 2011

2011 is just days old, but I’ve already found a bunch of new albums that I really like. I’ve been digging the upcoming releases by Destroyer, the Go! Team, No Gold and Brave Irene.

No Joy’s Ghost Blonde actually came out in late 2010, but it’s another one of the albums that has been battling for time on my iPod so far this year (that is, in the last six days or so).

Here’s the ragged, shoegaze-y “Heedless,” which takes cues from Ride in its sighing vocals and wall-of-fuzz guitars. The song is delivered with a sneer that reminds me of why I used to like the Dandy Warhols before they became completely insufferable (although this tune is way, way scuzzier).

I included No Joy in my Exclaim! list of the best Canadian music videos of 2010.

MP3: “Heedless”

Posted in Tracks Tagged No JoyLeave a comment