Snob's Music

Ben Kweller: "Go Fly A Kite" (mini-review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

One of the things I love about Ben Kweller is that he always seems to be having so much fun when he records. That hasn't changed at all with his new album Go Fly A Kite.

This collection of songs is pretty typical Kweller fare. They are indie pop/rock with a hint of twang. Sure, there are moments that a more rockin' than we're used to ("Mean To Me", "Time Will Save The Day") and there's a maritime sway to "Full Circle", but it's truly the hooks and melodies that rule the day.

Kweller always has a naive childlike quality to the way he approaches relationship songs. It makes a track like "Out The Door" so much more charming than it would be if it were done earnestly.

It all makes Kweller incredibly easy to listen to. I know I'll be reaching for the comfort of this album when I'm in need of a little pick me up.

Verdict: Buy It

Playlist Of The Week: Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:13:00 +0000

With Valentine's Day coming this week I thought a playlist along that theme would be timely.

Have a listen and love the one you're with here.

The City Streets return with two new albums

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:29:00 +0000

Montreal's The City Streets have a very busy spring planned. They've got not one but two albums coming out. There's Sawdust & Rum, a record chronicling the life of singer Rick Reid's grandfather, and a more standard pop rock Winter Lightning.

Listen to the title track of Sawdust & Rum here:

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Luscious Jackson launch PledgeMusic campaign to fund new album

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:44:00 +0000

Way back in the 1990s Luscious Jackson were creating some of the most infectious danceable music on the radio. The group, often described as a female Beastie Boys (mostly because they were on their label), are getting themselves ready to return with their first album in 13 years.

The group have started a PledgeMusic campaign to fund the project. You can get all sorts of goodies, depending on your contribution level from the normal CDs and downloads all the way up to a signed bass or house concert.

Mark Lanegan Band: "Blues Funeral" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:23:00 +0000

Mark Lanegan has been keeping himself busy over the last few years. He's released albums with Isobel Campbell, The Gutter Twins, Soulsavers, Queens Of The Stone Age, and even his old group Screaming Trees. With all of that going on, his own work got shunted to the side.

Well, no longer. Lanegan has returned with Blues Funeral, the new album from Mark Lanegan Band.

This is a bit of a tweener album for Lanegan. The songs don't form a cohesive whole. In fact, it sounds as though this is a collection of misfit tracks that didn't fit on any of those other projects he has been working on. That's not to say they aren't good though.
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Last minute plans: The Indie Machine presents hue, Allosaurus, and more @ the Silver Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:29:00 +0000

The Indie Machine is at it once again. Tomorrow night at the Silver Dollar they put on yet another of their stellar series of shows focusing on local indie rock.

This time around the line-up may be the strongest yet. Here's what you'll be treated to:
10:45pm- Allosaurus
11:40pm- FIRExFIRE
12:30am- Polyester Heart
1:20am- hue

Doors open at 10:00pm and cover is $6.

Check out the video for hue's "The Bump" from their sensational album Starting Fires:
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More To Explore: Smith & Frank

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Smith & Frank
For those who like: Angus & Julia Stone

Brisbane's Smith & Frank are the duo of Toby Meadows & Taija Marie Davis. The pair only have a couple of singles out, but they have a haunting folksy sound that should appeal to true romantics.

Listen to "Sorry For Being Brief" here:
&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://smithandfrank.bandcamp.com/track/sorry-for-being-brief"&amp;gt;Sorry For Being Brief by Smith And Frank&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Maps & Atlases to release new album "Beware And Be Grateful"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:40:00 +0000

After a highly-acclaimed debut album, Chicago art rockers Maps & Atlases are poised to return with their sophomore effort. The record, Beware And Be Grateful, has been scheduled for an April 17th release.

The band have a teaser up, which features the track "Remote and Dark Years":

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Iconoclast return with "Are We Dying"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:10:00 +0000

Ottawa hard rockers Iconoclast are back with a new full length album. The record, Are We Dying, is set to come out in March.

The band have always packed a punch while deftly avoiding the cliches that plague most hard rock bands. This time around though, they've added even more depth. In addition to the towering choruses there's a new found groove ("Wondering") and even some gritty blues rock ("Single Act of Lust").

You can hear some of the new tracks on the band's Myspace.

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Paper Beat Scissors: "Rest Your Bones"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Intricate Halifax indie outfit Paper Beat Scissors are all set to release their debut full length. The self-titled album is slated to come out on March 6th.

Listen to the track "Rest Your Bones" here:

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Ambre McLean plays Tranzac next week

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Ambre McLean is a Guelph-based singer/songwriter who pulls into Toronto to play a gig next week. February 17th she plays Tranzac promoting her 2011 album Murder At The Smokehouse.

If you were ever curious to hear what Neko Case would sound like if she chose to do nothing but Nick Cave covers for the rest of her career, then McLean may provide that answer.

Check out the video for "Tricky Truth" here:

Iroquois Falls: "Hey Annie (Twice Born Once From A Gun)" (video)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Iroquois Falls is the stage name of Toronto-based experimental musician/performer Priya Thomas. She releases her new EP Twice-Born-Once-From-A-Gun on March 13th.

She's put out a video for the track "Hey Annie (Twice Born Once From A Gun)", which retells the story of Annie Oakley.

Watch the video here:

Last minute plans: Bob Marley Tribute @ Lee's Palace

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0000

There's nothing that goes as well with a cold February Toronto night than reggae. Am I right or am I right.

With that in mind, I recommend popping over to Lee's Palace tomorrow night to catch local reggae collective The House Of David Gang.

Tomorrow is the kick off of their fifth annual celebration of all things Bob Marley. After that they take the show on the road.

Doors open at 9:00pm. Cover is $15 or $10 with a canned food donation to the Parkdale Food Bank.

Islands: "A Sleep & A Forgetting" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:17:00 +0000

Over the course of several albums Nick Thorburn, aka Islands, has managed to build a strong following with fresh, creative songwriting. On February 14th the Montreal-native returns with a brand new studio album A Sleep & A Forgetting.

Islands' music often defies classification. That's certainly the case this time around as well. "Never Go Solo", for instance, is a piano-based shape-shifter that moves from lounge number to lilting near-stomper as it elapses. That stomp is later fully realized on "Hallways". The breezy melodic pop side is on full display with "Lonely Love".
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PS I Love You serve up some "Death Dreams"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Meet Me At The Muster Station was a great debut from Kingston duo PS I Love You. Now the band is set to ride that wave of success with their follow-up.

Death Dreams has been scheduled for a May 8th release. You can expect to hear the first single, "Sentimental Dishes", shortly.

Here's the track list:
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Recordbreaker return with new album "3"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:41:00 +0000

I had a pleasant surprise the other day when I heard that Toronto indie rockers Recordbreaker are returning after a long absence. They are coming with a brand new full length, 3, under their arms.

It sounds like they've used the time off wisely. They've refined their power pop sound into a well-oiled, high octane machine. The hooks are sharper and they've got a big new bag of tricks.

The album is available for free download from their website.

Recordbreaker play a CD release show at Cherry Cola's on February 16th.

Amanda Palmer covers Nirvana (video)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Amanda Palmer has always been a bit of a weirdo, so what better Nirvana song to cover for a tribute compilation that their creepiest tune "Polly".

Watch the video for the song from the SPIN tribute to Nevermind:

Cygnets to give away new album "Dark Days"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:23:00 +0000

When you think about New Wave music in the 2010's Edmonton is the first town that springs to mind right? Of course it is.

Well Edmonton band Cygnets are doing their part to make sure it stays that way. On March 6th they will release their new album Dark Days. The best part? It will be available absolutely free to download.

In the meantime, check out the track "Teenager":

Boys Who Say No: "Contingencies" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:10:00 +0000

There's being eclectic and then there is Contingencies, the forthcoming debut full length (out February 21st) from Toronto band Boys Who Say No. The band seem to have a never-ending stream of influences that they incorporate onto this record.

What they do best is the pop. The 1-2 punch of the hook-heavy "Ms Lee" and the bouncy "56K" will put a smile on even the most sour face.

The album has it's darker moments, like the opener "Atonement", and the Morrissey-esque woe-is-me "(untitled)". "You Used To Get Along" is strangely trapped in the middle, hanging out in the limbo between Joy Division and '80s synth pop.
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Josh Ritter surprises with new EP "Bringing In The Darlings"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:40:00 +0000

Well how's this for pleasant surprises: singer/songwriter Josh Ritter will be releasing a new EP on February 21st. The record, Bringing In The Darlings, is comprised of mostly solo performances.

You can stream the track "Why" here.

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Our Lady Peace come back with "Curve"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:52:00 +0000

For nearly two decades (since "The Birdman" took flight in fact) Our Lady Peace has been a staple in the Toronto alternative/hard rock airwaves. On April 3rd they will return with their eighth studio album Curve.

You can get a sense of what to expect (although I'm sure you know what to expect from OLP) with the video for "Heavyweight".

Our Lady Peace play The Phoenix in Toronto on April 3rd.

Baby Eagle & the Proud Mothers to release "Bone Soldiers"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Baby Eagle & the Proud Mothers may not be a familiar band name, but the members are all veterans of the Toronto music scene. The group is comprised of Steven Lambke, Will Kidman (The Constantines), Ian Kehoe and Spencer Burton (Attack in Black), and Nick Ferrio.

The group release their album, Bone Soldiers, on March 6th.

Have a listen to the track "Brave Women" here:

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Orienteers cover New Order's "Regret"

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

New Order were great in their day. Late-era New Order however left a little bit to be desired. The one shining exception was "Regret".

Fast forward to the present and we have Ottawa space-folk outfit Orienteers laying down their cover of that classic tune.

Check it out:

Dirty Ghosts: "Metal Moon" (album review)

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Metal Moon is the new album from San Francisco-based Dirty Ghosts. The record, out February 21st, is the project of Toronto-native Allyson Baker.

The album was produced by Baker's husband Aesop Rock (who also provides drum programming), and is a true genre-bender. Incorporating elements of dance, hip hop, disco, blues and garage rock, it is a record that keeps the listener on his toes.

More than the balance of styles, it's the feel of the record that's impressive. Baker manages to be always uber-intense but never ever out of control.
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New releases for Feb. 7th: Emma-Lee, Ben Kweller, Mark Lanegan, Sharon Van Etten

noreply@blogger.com (T.O. Snob) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:03:00 +0000

This week brings us a slew of highly-anticipated new releases. Check out these:

Rococode

Air- stream
Jim Avett
Bahamas- stream
Band Of Skulls- Review
Capybara- stream
Dr. Dog- stream
Emma-Lee- Review
Francis Harris- Review
Ben Kweller- stream
Mark Lanegan Band