 The Almost Southern Weather 2.7/5 Who It’s For: Christian rock enthusiasts Sounds Like: Very toned-down Underoath with all of the religious tones. Ever wonder what a post-hardcore band like Underoath would sound like if they decided to take out the screaming and heavy guitars and turned down their amps a few notches? I didn’t either but their drummer Aaron Gillespie felt the need to so we now have his side project, The Almost. While a lot of the tracks aren’t very bad, several left a lot to desire and felt like they were droning on. The highlights of the album aren’t even whole songs, but more so the breakdowns within the songs; something that Gillespie most likely learned from his experience in his main stage act. Southern Weather, while sometimes catchy, is still nothing more than what could be considered an average Christian rock album. - Dan Bilicki  Arcade Fire Neon Bible 4/5 Who it’s For: Hipsters who aren’t hip enough to hate on The Arcade Fire or who are too hip to let any backlash change what they listen to. Sounds Like: The Arcade Fire but with a more 80’s sound. The Arcade Fire have a lot in common with the rapper Nas. Although they may be musically different, both acts stormed out of the gates with perfectly realized debut albums that occupied their own unique space. Both acts have also had huge expectations placed on their sophomore discs and both stumble and succeed along the same lines. Much like Nas did with tracks like “The Message,” the Arcade Fire have produced their best songs with gems like “Keep the Cars Running.” However, much like Nas, the Arcade Fire look outward to what is contemporary and let it seep into their style to mixed success. While there isn’t a bad song on the album, many of the songs lack the same original spark that made Funeral such an astonishing album. Just like how Nas failed to claim the crown as the King of New York with It was Written, the Arcade Fire do not do enough with Neon Bible to succeed Radiohead’s role as rock’s most successful critically loved band. Damn, it would’ve been nice if they had though. - Andrew Chin  Citizen Fish/Leftover Crack Deadline 2/5 Dance Of Days by Mark Jenkins and Merk Anderson is pretty much my favorite book about punk rock. It deals with DC from 1976 to 1996. And to call it thorough would be an understatement. Deadline was a band in DC around 1982 that ripped. Sadly nothing on this split sounds at all like Deadline. I love the SUB HUM ANS and all, but when their ska-punk spin-off band is still writing songs with titles like "Back To Square One" and "Meltdown,” it makes me think they've not noticed the world around them. Though, these are definitely two of the better songs on this split. At the beginning of the Leftover Crack side, Dave Dictor shows up, which reminded me about the part in Dance of Days where MDC and Bad Brains toured through California and ended up hating each other. Then I went back to reading the book, and paid no attention to the rest of this record, because it got boring and the book is way more interesting. - Josh Fucking Last  Dear And The Headlights Small Steps, Heavy Hooves 3.3/5 Who It’s For: Students who need someone ‘exclusive’ to follow; and apparently a load of ‘punk’ websites, who are nearly killing themselves to blow this band. Sounds Like: 90% generic indie pop-rock, 10% creativity What we have here is your favourite local indie band done and gone big. Heck. The problem is that what was fun about them (meaty demos, and that you could hang out with them after the gig and they were cool guys) is sort of gone, and the things that were bad (that not every song they had was a masterpiece) all gained ten pounds on the big screen. Double heck. Small Steps would have been a phenomenal Shins-type record if it was properly packed with songs like “Oh No!,” “I’m Bored, You’re Amorous” and “It’s Gettin’ Easy.” But a lot of the time they’re a bit third-rate Snow Patrol, and given that first-rate Snow Patrol are bollocks, that’s not the kindest thing I’ll say this year. - Kid Lupin  Finger Eleven Them Vs You Vs Me 4/5 Who It’s For: Canadian Rock fans Sounds Like: Finger Eleven both old and new It’s been a long wait since Finger Eleven’s last album but clearly it’s the good things that you wait for. Them Vs You Vs Me is almost like going back in Finger Eleven history only they’ve pulled everything together. This is almost certainly the band’s most diverse album. There are the slower, more “One Thing” type songs, “I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague,” “Window Song” but there are also the faster, sing alone while driving on the highway songs “So-So Suicide” and “Falling On.” But it’s the mid-tempo songs that shine, “Easy Life” being one of the stand out tracks on the CD. Instead of trying to fit into what’s going on in the musical scope, Finger Eleven continue to follow their own path and we wouldn’t want them any other way. - Alyssa Caplin  Jaime RT/Andy Hillhouse Spark 3.5/5 Who it’s For: Instrumental music lovers Sounds Like: Natalie McMaster, Richard Thompson Instrumental albums often get tagged “jerk-off discs” or “wanker music.” But musicianship is something that can be both soulful and virtuostically impressive equally. Guitarist Andy Hillhouse and fiddler Jaime RT understand this. Their interplay is tasteful and effortless. I must say I prefer RT’s fiddle work to Hillhouse’s guitar. Not because she is the better player, but rather RT’s manages to pull everything out of her strings imaginable. Celtic tunes and classical melodies all ring out as if perfectly constructed yet still sounding fresh. The album’s only weak area is, ironically, the cover vocal track “Fisherman’s Blues.” Hillhouse’s voice doesn’t capture the emotions required to make the tune believable, with lyrics far too saccharine lyrics to be blues. While instrumental music often gets a bad rap, we can surely appreciate albums like Spark for keeping the genre legitimate. - James Burt  Kill The Lights Buffalo of Love 3/5 Montreal quintet Kill the Lights present a debut album that is mediocre at best. ‘Two Sinister Gentleman,’ the first track, is the saving grace of the disc and is deceptive in that it leads you to believe that the rest of the album is as good as that first song. However, every track that follows is a disappointing wall of sound with a British-tinged vocal delivery thrown over top. The problem is that the songs are indistinguishable from one another and follow an identical formula that is less than exciting or innovative. Hopefully after some time has passed, Kill the Lights will stop trying so hard and feel more comfortable departing from the overdone Killers-esque thing they’ve got going on with this album and offer up something new. - Arianna Perricone  Korn MTV Unplugged 2.5/5 Who It’s For: The diehard Korn fans that still haven’t had enough Sounds Like: Korn…only not plugged in Let’s be realistic, hard rock nu-metal bands generally shouldn’t go acoustic. Especially when their singer isn’t technically a great vocalist, but somehow Korn pull it off for the most part. The songs are pretty standard fare “Blind,” “Twisted Transistor,” “Falling Away From Me” but it’s the collaborations that stand out. Amy Lee helping out on “Freak On A Leash” does absolutely nothing to help Jonathan Davis’ vocal limitations, though it sort of works. The Cure’s Robert Smith makes an appearance, blending “Make Me Bad/In Between Days” which surprisingly flow rather well. And let’s just mention the Radiohead cover of “Creep” which, let’s face it, would never be expected from Korn. And it’s odd, not bad necessarily, just really fucking weird to hear Davis’ voice on that song. This is one of those CDs that you won’t want for the regular original tracks but one that you’ll listen to for the guest appearances because really, you need to hear them to believe them. - Alyssa Caplin  Money Mark Brand New By Tomorrow 3/5 Who It’s For: This will appeal to almost anyone who loves music. There is nothing offensive about it. Sounds Like: Cool easy rock Many might recognize the name Money Mark, but not know why. He’s a musician/producer known mainly for his work with The Beastie Boys instead of his own seven albums. Brand New By Tomorrow is probably not for hardcore Beastie Boys fans though. It’s a very laid back album with almost a Blue Rodeo meets Jack Johnson feel (that might be because this disc was released by Johnson’s label Brushfire Records). It’s definitely cool. He’s added flavour to his soft rock sound, but it’s not complicated in its sound. It’s a good, solid album to listen to while taking the subway or doing homework. - Stephanie Joudrey  Nathan Key Principles 3/5 Who It's For: New alt-country hayseeds Sounds Like: Leeroy Stagger, Neko Case Sure, what the Winnipeg-based band perform throughout the disc is somewhat generic. But the harmonies and pre-chorus chords of “Secrets” are seductive enough for foot-tapping. The strumming acoustic and electric guitar melancholies of “John Paul’s Deliveries” match the nostalgia of the songs’ lyrics. While “Terrible Way To See Omaha” may be the best road song in a while. No, there is not much new. But Nathan’s obvious qualities provide them with individuality unmatched by other modern bands. And that, in the long haul, may be enough for survival. - James Burt  Rjd2 The Third Hand 2.5/5 Who It’s For: I’m not quiet sure. Sounds Like: Post millennial retro indie pop When Rjd2 first emerged with his debut album, Deadringer, in 2002, he was a person to keep your eye on. Part of El-P’s progressive hip hop label, Def Jux, many critics were hailing Rjd2 as the next DJ Shadow. One listen to Rjd2’s third album, The Third Hand, shows that the next Jon Brion may have been more appropriate. Showcasing his chameleonic quality, Rjd2 has released a solid indie pop rock album that prominently features his singing and a deft mixture of sampling and real instrumentation. Although a musician should be properly applauded for taking chances and altering their sound, it doesn’t always mean that it’s a good thing. While it’s easy to admire Rjd2 for taking a new approach to songwriting, the problem with The Third Hand is that it isn’t full of memorable songs that you need with a pop album. An A for effort but a B – for actual songs. - Andrew Chin  Small Sails Similar Anniversaries π (pi)/5 Who It’s For: People who like to contemplate. Sounds Like: The Wind (not the band, but the rough horizontal movement of air) I don’t know what it is about ambient music that makes me think about math, but Small Sails definitely puts me in the mood for algebra. In all fairness, this debut album from this Portland, Oregon band definitely conveys a chilled out and blissful feel. Voices coo, keyboards emerge like orchestras, and it’s all a swirling mixture of atmospheric music that won’t do too much to distract you from your day. This emphasis on peacefulness is evident on the video for “Somnanbulist” that is included on the disc. Images of plants and city streets passing by lets you know what to expect on the album. It’s not bad to listen to but don’t listen to me, I also dismissed Broken Social Scene’s first album and look where they went. - Andrew Chin |
 Antibalas Security 4/5 Who It’s For: People with attention spans and who love to dance. Sounds Like: Emma Goldman’s favorite band. What’s not to like about Antibalas? They have horns, they’re an Afrobeat Orchestra and they’re great musicians. They’re also not complacent and experiment with their sound by working with post rock producer John McEntire from Tortoise. On top of all this is the fact that they’re political and they start their fourth album off with a bang. The menacing “Beaten Metal” is a unique hodgepodge of angular horns and Dr. Dre sounding drums. Other songs like “Hilo” may be quieter but are no less striking. This album still retains the celebratory vibe that is such a big part of Antibalas’ appeal (especially live) but the mood seems a bit more tense and cautious. The perfect soundtrack for our shadowy times. - Andrew Chin  The Cinematics A Strange Education 2/5 Who It’s For: Someone who hasn’t gotten enough of this style Sounds Like: All other current British inspired bands There is nothing wrong with The Cinematics debut disc per se; it’s just that they offer us nothing we don’t already have. I have a couple of albums that sound just like this in my CD collection already except I have had time to love those bands and know all of the words. Therefore The Cinematics are going to lose. Fans of The Killers and The Bravery will probably dig their sound, but they haven’t done anything different enough to make them stand out. It’s a good starting point, now I need to see some growth. - Stephanie Joudrey  Dustin Cole with The Specialest Try and Love Me 2/5 Who It's For: Moog Synth Aficionados, Art Students Sounds Like: Atari Teenage Riot, Holy Fuck Dustin Cole with The Specialest are not a common band. No three chord wonders, Latin rhythms, hooks, etc. Their aim is experimentation. Period. Yet, Try and Love Me’s nine songs inevitably come across as overly bombastic and forced. The out-of-place trip-hop beats of opening track “Oh! My Captain” are disorienting enough to want to skip to the next track. That, coupled with the other synth interruptions and electronic percussion outbursts, creates too much sonic messiness by the album’s end. There are qualities on every album, however Try and Love Me has it on “Off the Press,” is convincingly haunting and dark. And the spy-movie horns on “To Fall” give the album needed humour. There are strong efforts here. But sadly Try and Love Me comes off as old hat and rehashed. Interesting but unsatisfying. - James Burt  Dr. Dog We All Belong 5/5 Who It’s For: Jellyfish, Flaming lips, Bowie, T-Rex etc… Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog pull out all there seventies muster and love to form a finally crafted musical delight. Every song on this album is a must from the Roxy Music-like “Dr. Robert” to the very Bowie-esque “Keep a Friend.” The second full length release from these pranksters, who quote influences like avant-garde composer R. Stevie Moore and crazy man Andy Kaufman on their MySpace, is full of incredible pop melodies and fun harmonies. Lovers of bands like Flaming Lips and Jelly Fish will love the sometimes massive studio arrangements and the wide range of musical vibes found on this great disc. All in all a great summer album from a great band. - Zugha  Jeremy Fisher Goodbye Blue Monday 4.2/5 Who It’s For: Cottagers, road trippers, and camp fire enthusiasts Sounds Like: The next generation of Canadian folk With his self-made music video for the track “Cigarette” recently featured on YouTube, Jeremy Fisher has managed to garner some attention for his sophomore album Goodbye Blue Monday without the use of expensive advertising ploys and marketing schemes. This grass-roots approach to publicity is perfectly reflected in the style of the album, with simple, feel good tracks that aren’t contrived or highly polished. Comprised of energetic acoustic guitar, witty lyrics and catchy hooks, the album works well in that it can be listened to repeatedly without getting annoying or tired. “Scar that Never Heals” and the infectious “Cigarette” are the standout tracks of the record, with optimum sing-along potential. - Arianna Perricone  Jatun S/T 3/5 Who It's For: The post rave types Sounds Like: Lemon Jelly, Orbital Jatun test the criticisms of electronic music being labeled as cold, barren, and even inhuman. The duo composers Scott Worley and Alan Grosvenor have created a thirteen song selection on their self-titled disc that range from two minute minor sounding drones “Weakness” to extended soundscapes worthy of a drug trip or sci-fi film such as “Zombie Hotel.” Jatun’s multi-layered songs are quite impressive with their usage of found sounds, electronic percussion, and loops. But the effects run their course and the listener is ultimately left feeling dazed and unmoved at the end. The soul and energy of other forms of pop, soul, or hip-hop is sadly missing. - James Burt  Kittie Funeral For Yesterday 3.5/5 Who It’s For: Those who never knew Kittie, or missed their last 3 albums Sounds Like: Dio, Killswitch Engage, and Kittie Well, who would’ve thought they’d fool me twice? The last time Kittie had a change this drastic, they went from teenaged Nu-metallers to death metal divas. Now, it seems, they’ve taken a step backwards. Gone are the detuned sludgy riffs and screamed vocals, but they are replaced with something almost as good. Now we’re treated to galloping riffs and soaring chorus with harmonized, layered vocals (i.e. Actual singing) this stark change is going to be more than a shock to any long time fan. There isn’t any trace of a scream until almost the halfway point. That being said, this album is pretty good. Its true downfall, however, lies in its delivery. There seems to be a formula at work here. Almost all the tracks follow the typical verse chorus verse type equation which does makes some of it sound forgettable and almost plodding. Needless to say, I think we all expected more from musicians with as much fire and longevity as this group has. - Spencer Lavigne  Mendeed Dead Live By Love 2/5 Who It’s For: People who just NEED another melodic metalcore band. Sounds Like: Bullet For My Valentine, Dragonforce, and Soilwork Who knew Scotland did metalcore? It seems to be that this type of irony-fueled “classic” metal band is pollinating all over the UK these days. The ripping verses, galloping bridges, and soaring vocal choruses; they’re all here. Everything in its right place, just like you’d expect it to be the moment you press play. Now that’s not to say that everything is bad. These guys are tight musicians. But that isn’t enough to save this album. The playing is adept, but the ultra-slick (see “heavy-handed”) production makes everything seem dialed in. These guys could, and should, do so much better than this. - Spencer Lavigne  Musiq Soulchild Luvanmusiq 3.9/5 Good For: Peeps who know Nine Inch Nails is good for fucking, not lovemaking Sounds Like: A west-coast 21st century Keith Sweat / Marvin Gaye vibe You don’t get a reputation for musical excellence in the packed-out bedroom of smooth R&B without the chops to back it up. Whilst Usher might make you want to put your head in an acid bath, essentials artists like John Legend have ‘it’ for when you’ve got love on your mind. Soulchild, more appropriately, is music for when you’ve got love on your... well, that’s enough of that talk. But you get the idea - when it comes to laying that beautiful femme down and “showering her with love” as the good man says, Luvanmusiq is 2007’s booty call of the wild. Musiq remains top of the league by having a vibe that remains listenable after the loving stops. Several albums in, this is the discovered-undiscovered keeping it very very real (and by real, I mean a shitload of candles). - Kid Lupin  The Operation M.D. We Have An Emergency 4/5 Who It’s For: Music Listeners try it out and see what happens Sounds Like: Dance rock This is the side project of Sum 41 bassist Cone and H2O/Juliette & The Licks guitarist Todd Morse. The disc is a mix of indie dance rock tracks (think Hot Hot Heat only cooler) and ballads (era Sum 41’s “Pieces”). With the help of Sum 41’s Steve-o and Avril Lavigne’s drummer Matt Brann, the band stretches past what the members are known for and creates something fun and new. The pair share vocals with Morse heading up most songs and Cone taking duties on a couple. Luckily this disc sounds nothing like their ‘day job’ bands making it that much better. The disc is fairly well mixed up so that any time you think it is starting to drag they pick you back up again. The first single “Sayonara” is a good indication of the general sound that The Operation M.D. is going for. It’s just a good album, end of story! - Stephanie Joudrey  Seu Jorge Live at Montreaux 3/5 Who It's For: The new sophisticated you! Sounds Like: A lovely 1970s live folk album, except it’s all sung in Portuguese. There’s no two ways around it: live albums either come off as celebratory or as desperate. They are either released to commemorate a particularly successful period in an artist’s time or are a shameless cash grab. Of course, the intentions of a live album have no bearing on whether the disc is good or not. With Seu Jorge’s first ever appearance at the prestigious Montreaux Festival, you are treated to a lush, mellow set and also a celebration of one of the most unorthodox rises in the music world. Seu Jorge first came to attention with his appearance as the doomed Knockout Ned in the Brazilian movie, City of God. However, his music career would gain attention when he periodically appeared in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic singing solo Portuguese covers of David Bowie songs. Jorge grew up in the same favelas that City of God depicted but the music he creates sounds like a funkier version of 1970s AM folk rock. On this set, you hear Jorge and his band in fine form with an appreciative audience eating it up. Definitely a live record anyone can get behind. - Andrew Chin  Smoke or Fire This Sinking Ship 4/5 I'd never want to put out a second album. It must be really hard to put out a record that sounds enough like your band that your fans will dig it, but at the same time you don't want to repeat yourself. Smoke Or Fire nailed it with This Sinking Ship. Just as catchy and aggressive as their previous Above The City, and just as aware of all things fucked in the world, This Sinking Ship differs in that the punches are punchier and the breaths between are a little more emphasized. All this puts these guys in league with all the best of that east coast/dirty south pop-punk that seems to have flowered in the past two years (think The Loved Ones, The Draft, Strike Anywhere etc...).Rather than a second album, Smoke or Fire seem to have written a second chapter. - Josh Fucking Last  Neil Young Live At Massey Hall 1971 5/5 Who It’s For: Everyone Sounds Like: A star becoming a legend Very few of us are able to watch a legend become a legend. For most music lovers these superstars who have been loved for generations seem to have always been there and we never see their rise. Neil Young is not only one of those who have always seemed to be there but one of the few that’s risen to that status both in Canada and everywhere else. On this live DVD it’s possible to see why his music has translated through the decades and why so many have taken inspiration from him. Considering one of his most popular songs “Old Man” was new when this was filmed is reason enough to watch and listen to the story behind it, and to see for yourself why there are very few who can compare. - Alyssa Caplin Archived Reviews: March 1, 2007: The Ataris, Classic Case, The Fratellis, Nine Inch Nails, The Used and more... February 15, 2007: Bloc Party, Crush Luther, The End, Fall Out Boy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more... February 1, 2007: Daughtry, Dustin Kensrue, The Good The Bad And The Queen, The Shins and more... January 15, 2007: Brian McKnight, Tom Waits, Youth Group and more... December 20, 2006: Isis, Justin Nozuka and The Holiday Review Section December 1, 2006: Brand New, Incubus, The Pixies and more... November 15, 2006: Deftones, Lady Sovereign, Matt Mays, The Prize Fighter Inferno, Robbie Williams and more... November 1, 2006: My Chemical Romance, The Rasmus, Sparta, The Tragically Hip and more... October 15, 2006: Evanescence, The Killers, K-Os, Seemless and more..... October 1, 2006: John Mayer, Helmet, Method Man, Ryan Star and more.... February 2006 - September 2006: A-F G-M N-S T-Z © 2007, All Rights Reserved |
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