Snob's Music

Japandroids: "Celebration Rock" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:25:00 +0000

On May 29th Vancouver's Japandroids will return with Celebration Rock, their highly-anticipated sophomore full length.

The duo won't disappoint existing fans as their relentless guitar squeal and fuzz are still present, as is their boundless energy. New fans should be flocking to Japandroids' side as well. By taking more care in fleshing out song structures, these tracks are made far more accessible to folks who may have been daunted by the sometimes impenetrable fortress of sound of the past.

The album kicks off with the boisterous "The Night of Wine and Roses", a cut that comes dangerously close to being a party rocker. The same holds true for "Adrenaline Nightshift", one of the band's most toe-tapping tracks to date.
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Metric: "Speed The Collapse" (stream)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Metric are giving fans another taste of what to expect when their new album Synthetica comes out on June 12th.

Have a listen to the track "Speed The Collapse" here:

Laura Sheeran: "Forever Love" (video)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:14:00 +0000

What The World Knows is the second album from independent Irish singer Laura Sheeran. The record is a genre-defying endeavour that blends elements of Joanna Newsom, PJ Harvey, and Beth Gibbons into an hypnotic art rock concoction.

Watch the mesmerizing video for "Forever Love" here:

Danielle Duval: "Of The Valley" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:27:00 +0000

Montreal-native, Toronto-resident Danielle Duval releases her first full length record on May 29th. The album, Of The Valley, was produced by the Zeus tandem of Carlin Nicholson and Mike O'Brien.
Duval doesn't have a lot of tricks and gimmicks to unload on you. She doesn't strip it down to the bare (ie boring) folk basis either. Instead she opts for pretty straightforward rock with a pop flare.

A pop sensibility creeps into the fray. The lead single "Abulance" is catchy without being sappy. "Eagle Cathedral" is slick, effortless fun. A bold rhythm section helps power the irrepressible "Day Becomes Night".
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Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds to reissue three more albums

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:36:00 +0000

The next batch of the Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds reissues has been scheduled. The trio of albums Nocturama, Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus, and Dig, Lazarus, Dig have been set for an August 14th release.

Each release includes a remastered version of the album, b-sides, videos, short film, sleeve notes, and god only knows what other goodies.

Here's the list for the bonus material for each of the releases:
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Lioness: "They Clip the Wings of Birds"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:39:00 +0000

Toronto's Lioness have an album of dance-oriented rock out now. The band, who include the rhythm section from controller.controller, released The Golden Killer, earlier this year.

Have a listen to the atypical "They Clip the Wings of Birds" here:

Berge & Parvulescu: "AM"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Out of Montreal comes the duo of Berge & Parvulescu. The group's hard guitar-driven post-punk record AM follows a morning in the life of a female university student. Which in Montreal these days probably means she's physically assaulted by student thugs who don't want her to be in class learning.

Have a listen to the record here:
&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://bergeandparvulescu.bandcamp.com/album/am"&amp;gt;AM by Berge &amp;amp;amp; Pârvulescu&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

El-P: "Cancer For Cure" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:23:00 +0000

It's been five years since we last heard from Brooklyn rapper/producer El-P, well, in his capacity as a solo artist anyway. Now he's back with a highly-anticipated new album Cancer for Cure.

El-P pulls out all the stops on this record. It's an intense experience that hardly lets up from beginning to end.

The in-your-face "The Full Retard" reaches way way down for a deep groove. One can't help but feel almost physically threatened by "The Jig Is Up", while "Oh Hail No" is a simple smashmouth 'fuck you'.

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New releases for May 22nd: The Royal Crowns, Men Without Hats, The Cult

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:27:00 +0000

It's an eclectic array of new releases this week. We've got lots of old favorites returning. Check out:

Gaz Coomber- stream
The Cult- Review
Dearly Beloved
El-P- Review
Tom Jones
Like Pioneers- stream
Men Without Hats- Review
Ryan Monroe
Joey Ramone
The Royal Crowns- Review
Slash

Mushkat: "Is It Foolish To Say This?"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:40:00 +0000

Mushkat is the recording moniker of Halifax musician Bill Travis. His latest, the full length Hardway Learner came out on vinyl in March, but the wider digital release will be on Zunior later this summer.

Have a listen to the demo for the album track "Is It Foolish To Say This?" here:
&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://mushkat.bandcamp.com/track/is-it-foolish-to-say-this"&amp;gt;Is it Foolish to Say This? by mushkat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The Cult: "Choice of Weapon" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:11:00 +0000

Let's face it, you pretty much know what you're going to get with every new album from The Cult. They have a hard rock sound that is all their own. They've honed it over the years, but much like AC/DC there have been no real radical changes from the beginning.

That should tell you most of what you need to know about their new record Choice of Weapon, but I'll go on anyway.

Cuts like "Honey From a Knife", "The Wolf", and the blistering lead single "For the Animals" give you the familiar shiny anthemic hard rock that you expect from the band, even if the riffs are recycled.

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This week's entertainment picks: Paul Weller, Joe Pug w. The Strumbellas

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:28:00 +0000

It's a pretty slow week for concerts in town. Here's the best of what's out there:

Paul Weller, Sound Academy, May 21
The Jam headman is back promoting his new album. It should be a decent show, since Weller has a ton of material to draw on.

Joe Pug w. David Wax Museum, and The Strumbellas, Horseshoe Tavern, May 25
Folk rock troubadour Pug may be the headliner, but The Strumbellas have the best album of the year so far. David Wax Museum have the potential to steal the show as well.

...also this week:
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Garbage: "Not Your Kind Of People" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:08:00 +0000

It's seems like a lot longer than seven years since we've heard new music from Garbage. Well the silence has finally been broken as Butch Vig and company have dropped Not Your Kind Of People on us.

When the band first hit the scene they sounded fresh and new. They were electronically-based, but they had a rawness to them. They managed to fill the gap between techno pop and industrial music without being either. And then there was the sultriness of Shirley Manson on top of that. Not Your Kind Of People has little of any of that.

Instead of fresh and new it sounds old, tired and redundant. Songs like "Man On a Wire" and "Beloved Freak" are the sound of a band going through the motion because they know they need product.

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Toronto concerts announced this week: Gaslight Anthem, Tallest Man On Earth

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:26:00 +0000

Here's a look at the concerts announced this week:

Crystalyne, Sneaky Dee's, Jun 2
Shearing Pinx, Danny Green's, Jun 9
Purity Ring, Wrongbar, Jun 14
Man Forever, Double Double Land, Jun 14
Tallest Man On Earth, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Jun 15
Bravestation, The Drake Underground, Jul 7
Youth Lagoon w. Father John Misty, Opera House, Jul 12
Gaslight Anthem, Opera House, Jul 14
Saint Motel, Drake, Jul 23
Citizen Cope, The Phoenix, Jul 26
Blues Control, Parts & Labour, Jul 31

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:14:00 +0000

Holly McNarland: "Run Body Run" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:23:00 +0000

During the heyday of alternative rock women in the 1990's, Canadian Holly McNarland struck it big with a sprinkling of hits from solid records. Now a mother of two, she's returned with a new album, Run Body Run, that was five years in the making.

McNarland was never one of those touchy feelie piano-plicking singer/songwriters. Instead she picked up her guitar and rocked hard. The layoff hasn't changed that at all on songs like "Only Money" which not only rock, but feature some sharp-tongued lyrics.

The softer side is definitely not McNarland's strong suit. Unfortunately, that softer side pops up a little too often nowadays.
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Playlist Of The Week: May music

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:26:00 +0000

It's the time, about half way through each month, that I take a look at the Canadian artists who have or will release new music this month.

That reminds me, some artists really need to pay more attention to their CBC Music page and update it more frequently, especially when they have a new record coming out. Just sayin'.

Here's May's playlist.

Antony & the Johnsons return with new album, "Future Feminism" video

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:07:00 +0000

The helium-voiced Antony returns with his Johnsons for a brand new album. The record, Cut the World, will come out on August 6th.

Here's the first video for the track "Future Feminism":

The Afghan Whigs give away new track "See and Don't See"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:06:00 +0000

At noon today The Afghan Whigs released their first new track in over five years. You can download the song, "See and Don't See" at their website.

It's a cover of a song originally done by Marie "Queenie" Lyons. And damn it's good to hear Greg Dulli back where he really belongs.

Kate Miller-Heidke: "Ride This Feeling"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Delightful and sharp-tongued Aussie singer/songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke is getting ready to release her new album in North American. The record, Nightflight, comes out on June 19th.

Listen to the track "Ride This Feeling" here:

Arkells, Zeus, Great Lake Swimmers highlight 2012 Hillside Festival

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:26:00 +0000

The 2012 edition of the Hillside Festival takes place at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area July 27-29. The full weekend pass is $115 ($40 for Friday, $70 for Saturday or Sunday only) and can be purchased here.

The main stage line-up has now been announced. Have a gander:

Fri. July 27

Arkells, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Deep Dark Woods, Kathleen Edwards, Maylee Todd, Walk Off The Earth

Sat. July 28

Adam Cohen, Chad VanGaalen, Current Swell, Elliott BROOD, The Jezabels, Mickey Hart Band, POP Montreal: Canailles, Rich Aucoin, Zeus

Sun. July 29

Bahamas, The Be Good Tanyas, Cold Specks, Great Lake Swimmers, Half Moon Run, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Memoryhouse, Rival Boys, The Wooden Sky

The Schomberg Fair: "Providence" (EP review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:19:00 +0000

Toronto's The Schomberg Fair sure do roots rock differently than most. Unlike many roots bands, which tend to lean towards the boring folk side of things, The Schomberg Fair don't hold back on the stompin'.

The trio are poised to release their new EP, Providence, on June 5th. It's another small sampling of their unique brand of hillbilly gospel.

The banjo licks fly fast and furious as the group launches into the opening track "Touched By Fire". The drums pull the the forefront on "Paper Cranes", almost daring the rest of the band to keep up with the rollicking pace.

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More To Explore: Gummy Stumps

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:25:00 +0000

Gummy Stumps
For those who like: The Fall, Wire

Glaswegian band Gummy Stumps are out there on the edge. They combine ramshackle loose indie rock with visual art. The new album, New House Whites, is available for download on a donation basis from their website.

Old Crow Medicine Show to release "Carry Me Back"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Americana/bluegrass favorite Old Crow Medicine Show are all ready to return with a new studio album. Carry Me Back is the band's first album in four years and will be released on July 17th.

There are a number of tour dates on the schedule already, but unfortunately no sign of a stop in the Great White North yet.

Smashing Pumpkins get set to release "Oceania"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Smashing Pumpkins are poised to release their seventh studio album. The record, Oceania, is due to come out on June 19th.

It will be interesting to see how Billy Corgan and his hired guns do this time around. Maybe he and Axl Rose should form a mad genius super group.

Some tour dates have been scheduled, most (not surprisingly given the album's title) in Australia and New Zealand.

Here's the track list:
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