Herohill

Old School Mondays:: Michael Jackson Sample Edition

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Perhaps you were done reading MJ-related posts? Not so fast friend. Not to worry though, I've already done my little tribute post, so this right here is more like 40% tribute, and 60% not being able to pass up a solid angle for OSM. So yes, today we've got for you a top five of old school hip hop that sample Michael Jackson.

Now Michael Jackson didn't seem like the most hip hop guy going, but after hearing him mentioned by countless MC's through the years, I think hip hop dudes were drawn to him a lot more than one would suspect. I think if you listen to his music, older stuff especially, one would certainly surmise that buried somewhere deep under the layers of whatever MJ had done to himself over the years, was a large reservoir of soul, and rappers have usually responded to soulful types, even the non-traditional ones like Prince or MJ. And yes, they also sample from them, but like most huge artists, the samples stopped quite a while ago when the songwriter realized they could charge an MC their first-born to let them use even the most inane thing, like the Orson Wells laugh from Thriller (didn't stop NWA or PE though).

But that's ok, there's still some awesome songs that were able to use some MJ material, so let's go through the ones I picked. Our lead-off track, the bon-kares Just Keep Rockin' by Brits the Double Trouble and the Rebel MC serves a dual purpose - not only does it sample my fave jam (Don't Stop Till You Get Enough), but hill alumnus Mr. E has been requesting an OSM appearance by these dudes for ages. So there you go, done and done. Chubb Rock. Vocal sample from Off The Wall. Need I say more about the Chubbster's Enjoy Ya Self? If you know my history, then I think not. Mental Stamina was always one of my favorite Jeru songs, and up until now I never knew the beat sampled Billie Jean. Well then, that makes it perfect for this list doesn't it? Speaking of favorites, De La's Breakadawn from the cult-ishly beloved Buhloone Mindstate also fits squarely in that category, and it also happens to sample I Can't Help It from Off The Wall. And to wrap things up, perhaps the penultimate MJ sample, the sublime sampling of Human Nature by Large Pro for Nas' It Ain't Hard To Tell. That's good stuff, so enjoy.

MP3:: Double Trouble And The Rebel M.C. - Just Keep Rockin'

MP3:: Chubb Rock - Enjoy Ya Self

MP3:: Jeru The Damaja - Mental Stamina

MP3:: De la Soul - Breakadawn

MP3:: Nas - It Aint Hard To Tell

Video:: Nas - It Aint Hard To Tell

**BONUS TIME**
The cutoff for OSM inclusion is '95, otherwise I'd certainly have included the jam below, Big Pun's You Ain't A Killer, not only because I love the song, but also because it samples MJ's With A Child's Heart, which seems like as unlikely pairing as one could get, in just about every way.

MP3:: Big Pun - You Ain't a Killer

herohill / music nova scotia artist of the month:: Prospector's Union

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:30:00 +0000

When it comes to promoting East Coast acts, there aren’t many people working harder than Matt Charlton (well, except us of course). I remember when herohill first started getting emails from his PR firm – efficient, easy to download snippets without any of the glowing hyberbole that plagues not only music PR people, but bloggers as well – and I assumed Matt was just a guy that loved music and wanted to find a way to make a living from it.

Now, a year or so later his roster has grown and he's helping acts get outside the Maritimes and get heard by a bigger audience, but it's his song writing that really grabs my attention. I had no idea he even played until last year's Halifax Pop Explosion when he opened for The Retribution Gospel Choir. That night, he stood on stage – well, on the slightly raised floor of St. Matthew’s Church - with some of Nova Scotia’s most talented artists (Daniel Ledwell, Christina Martin, John Mullane, Andrew Sisk to name a few) and let his voice and melodies boom out the open front door and onto the street. Since that night, I’ve been harassing him about getting off his ass and releasing the debut Prospectors Union record.

Well, that day is getting very, very close.

Matt finally finished recording Syracuse and is ready to release it to the world. Although Charlton may listen to a collection of stripped down, no nonsense artists (Townes, Mark Kozalek) this “home” recording is remarkably lush and defined. With support from the likes of Martin, Ledwell, Mullane, Sisk, Jason MacIsaac, Kinley Dowling, and David Casey, Syracuse plays more like a studio odyssey than a local, independent release.

more importantly, even with all the expert production and contributors, Charlton puts himself front and centre. With only a few picked notes, echoing subtle drums and Christina Martin's harmonies, Flaming Death is dark, but engaging. Over time, Ledwell’s steel work and MacIssac’s atmospheric keys are added and echo in the emptiness of the song, taking some of the weight off the harrowing tale, but it's Charlton's voice that grabs your ear. Even with the talent that surrounds him and the layers that move in and out of the song, he never fades to the background.

The same can be said about the confident strums of Storm Seas. Charlton shows he’s a natural story teller. The song could have easily stood on his strong foundation, but slowly the band adds group harmonies that hover in the distance. It might not seem like much, but the vocal support makes this more than a coffee/shop open mic song and even though it's only a hiccup longer than 1:30, Storm Seas says as much about the recording as any of the tracks. It's well thought out, shows how comfortable the musicians are around each other, and that Charlton isn’t a fan of wasted notes.

Dowling’s ear grabbing strings, Martin’s backing vocals are thickened up by nice drums and keys, but again, it’s Charlton taking the lead on the EP’s catchiest track, Montreal. Matt may prefers the tale of the brokenhearted wanderer, but unlike so many young songwriters, he doesn’t let his melancholy dictate the tempo of an affair. Montreal shifts and moves, and the spike in pace lets you relax as the band downshifts into slower tracks.

One thing I really like about this EP was how much restraint the all-star backing band displays. On the closer, The Valley Neighbours, the song is beefed up with slide, harmonies, keys, keep time drums and a choral outro all make an appearance, but none of the layers ever crowd the mix or distract from the melody. The song would work just as well – and does in a live setting – with an acoustic and a second mic. It’s obvious that Charlton can’t pack most of these people in a van every time he wants to play a show, so it's crucial that the structure of the songs lets him grab a guitar and play alone OR treat the audience to a hybrid of the supergroup he assembled for the EP.

The EP release show is July 18th/09 @ The Seahorse. I’d wager it will be packed with friends of Matt’s coming out to say congrats and there will be more than a few guest appearances. I’d highly suggest you make it out too.

MP3:: Prospector's Union - Salt City Blues

MP3:: Prospector's Union - Flaming Death

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/theprospectorsunion

But as a special treat for herohill, Charlton grabbed a few friends and recorded a live EP and is letting us give it away to you readers. The four songs show a rougher side of the band’s persona; one more concerned with smiles, wine and a night of music than intricate production. They still toss around strings, horns and terrific harmonies, but they feel more spontaneous and alive.

Without question, Old Wonders is a different beast; from the poppy feel of Edmunston, to the roots rocking, earthy vibe of More Tales Involving a Man of Questionable Morals or the back porch feel of Raven’s Claw, the songs stand up without any of the glossy efforts of a classic studio recording. Ledwell lets less be more and Charlton shows he’s got a lot of bullets left in his gun – plus, Jason’s keys and Dan’s trumpet just make you melt – and Prospectors Union is a name we will all hear a lot more off in the near future.

Recording info:

John Mullane: Guitar, backing vox

Christina Martin: Guitar, backing vox

Daniel Ledwell: Lap slide, trumpet...and he produced the whole thing

Jason Michael MacIsaac: Piano

Kinley Dowling: Violin

Matt Charlton: Guitar, vocals

Download Old Wonders
1.) Prospector's Union - Edmunston
2.) Prospector's Union Raven's Claw
3.) Prospector's Union - More Tales Involving a Man of Questionable Morals
4.) Prospector' Union - Old Wonders

News:: Julie Doiron does Daytrotter

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:21:00 +0000

It's fixing to be the summer of Julie Doiron here on the East Coast. She's playing Sappyfest, but with the announcement that Mt. Eerie is playing a show at Sappy and here in Halifax, it's inevitable that she and Fred will jump on stage with Phil and blow people's minds.

Note: Seriously. Go buy Lost Wisdom right now.

To get everyone excited, I thought I'd link a track from her recent Daytrotter session (although, instead of just downloading the song, you should go over to the site and click an ad). This song is from her terrific Will You Still Love Me EP, and when it comes to her music, the answer to that question, is and will always be, a resounding yes!

MP3:: Julie Doiron - Will You Still Love Me in December (Daytrotter)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron
VISIT:: Daytrotter

Contest:: Kestrels Tix + Vinyl

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:33:00 +0000

It's Friday and Shane is taking another day off so the concert listings post might not be coming. Instead, I'm putting up a terrific contest for locals.

Kestrels - not much else I can say about them really.They were the herohill/Music Nova Scotia band of the month. We invited them to play our herohill showcase last year (sure, Chad rejected us like we asked him to prom, but still... we asked and still recommended you go see them play because we don't hold grudges) and we've gushed about almost every song they've released.

Next week - July 9th to be precise - marks their CD release @ The Paragon and we are giving two lucky winners some sweet schwag. You get a vinyl copy of Primary Colours and guest list (+1) for the show. Throw in the fact that Doug Mason is opening, and that my friends is a fairly solid gift basket. All you have to do is drop us an email (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) or leave a comment with your contact info.

Take a listen to their latest single - Our Velocity - and enjoy.

MP3:: Kestrels - Our Velocity

MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/kestrelskestrels
BUY:: http://kestrels.ca

Reviews:: The Gertrudes - Hard Water

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:42:00 +0000

When I reviewed the Apple Crisp magazine/CD comp, I kind of fell in love with Kingston folkers, The Gertrudes. In attempting to come up with a concise description, I used the words, "simply captivating" and after countless listens to their debut EP and comp tracks, I still feel the same way about the band. I also mentioned that their 2008 release was high on my fictional, "How did I miss this band?" list and in our constant attempt to right our wrongs here on herohill, I vowed not to miss the boat on the eleven member (maybe twelve now) band again.

Their new EP - Hard Water - is about to ship courtesy of Apple Crisp and with some big stops planned (Sappyfest and Wolf Island Music Festival), the effort should bring the band some much deserved attention. To be honest, when I did a bit of research, I was almost put off by their enormous size. I couldn't help but ask, why on earth do you need 10 people to play intimate folk tracks? But Hard Water not only proves the recipe works for the band, but how crucial each member really is.

The Gertrudes play folk music - honestly, the purity of the title track makes it feel like a classic track they've reworked - but with the amount of musical range and freedom the lineup provides, they are able to supplant the most intimate and gentlest sounds with layer needed to perfectly finish each thought. They rely more on sounds, texture and mood than classic narratives and storytelling. On most tracks, the vocals - although well placed and executed - act as just another instrument.

The opening number, The River, is a perfect representation of the band. The core of the song is some simple picking, Greg's vocals and brushed drums, but over the 4+ minutes, horns, harmonies and a spirited crescendo all help add drama and depth. The song seems to breath along with you, but unlike so many collectives The Gertrudes never let the urge to soar take over the song. They don't let folk foundations give way to another anthem. Which isn't to say they can't handle the transition, which they prove on the next song, Seymour. Annie and Greg sing over top of booming horns and the quiet, loud, quiet, loud transitions really lets the band stretch their legs.

The most exciting thing about the EP is how The Gertrudes contrast the old time feel of banjos, ukes and accordions with electronics, horns and theremin (sweet) to create modern, spooky tracks that are as thick and ominous, but also as breathtaking as a dense fog over the harbour. The seven minute epic, The Advancement of the Human Age, feels like it's been given a sepia toned layer, but the band pushes the limits by experimenting with nice harmonies, effects and horns. The album closer, A New Sound, the theremin weaves around the guitar and banjo and lets the band focus on delivering a nicely executed slow build.

Hard River is an exciting EP, and hopefully after playing some big stages this summer the Kingston band will start to get a bit more buzz. One thing is for certain, none of The Gertrudes records will end up on my How Did I Miss This list ever again.

The Gertrudes - Hard Water - TV DESSERTS ep. 5 from Lenny Epstein on Vimeo.

MP3:: The Gertrudes - The River

MP3:: The Gertrudes - Hard Water (Live @ the Queen St. Church)

MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/theothergertrudes
WEB:: http://zine.applecrisp.ca/

Quick Hitters:: Seasick Steve

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Honestly... I can't pretend that I discovered this artist. Normally we try to avoid bands that pop up on tons of blogs, especially when I've never heard of them before. In this case... I got a random email from a PR guy, asking me about a festival and if I was going. After hearing about their artist, I talked to Dr. Google, Professor Hype and realized that Seasick Steve is kind of a legend and by not knowing his songs, I was missing out.

Anything I could say about this guy has already been said. How many other people road the rails, were a carnie, produced some of Modest Mouse's records and have lived in 56 houses? Whether he's playing gritty blues on his own custom junkstruments (a 2 X 4 with one string, held on by nails??), being the subject of a BBC documentary or just basically tearing the roof of Jools Holland set... Steve is the man. Lots of people already knew it, now I do and after you take a listen, you will too.

The North American release of his debut record - Dog House Music - has been a long time coming. Every song hits hard and amazing and Seasick Steve is the type of artist you WISH you stumbled upon first so you could claim his as your own. Either way, go buy his record and then his back catalog and then tell your friends.

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/seasicksteve
BUY:: http://www.seasicksteve.com/

Reviews:: Spring Breakup

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Summer is probably not the ideal time for listening to a collection of songs detailing a relationship slowly breaking apart into unsalvageable pieces, but sometimes timing can't be helped. Yukon songwriter Kim Barlow and The Burning Hell front man Mathias Kom have joined forces to write a break-up record that tugs on your heartstrings but still manages to make you laugh even when the two lovers cry.

Their new band - Spring Breakup – uses nothing more than simple ukulele and banjo riffs and traded couplets, but anyone familiar with either artist knows that is all these songs need. Spring Flings starts the record and tells a story we’ve all been through before. Kim and Mathias offer up their thoughts on a new relationship with a foundation of attraction not substance (the fabulous hair of an underwear model) and one that flies too close to the sun, quickly burns its wings and plummets to a watery grave.

As you'd expect, the disc flies by – 10 songs and a slight 32 minutes – but the duo’s humor and charisma make it more entertaining than you’d think it could be. The heartache and anger of Came up Roses sets the tone perfectly for the record. It should be sad to hear a couple talking about their love falling apart, but the imagery makes it impossible to not smile along (perfect example? Mathias admits Cupid must have been drunk when he fired his arrow). Young Love is a collection of overused clichés, but somehow Kim and Mathias manage to play turn those common phrases into a touching 3-minute affair. On the closer - Hummiah - Mathias uses a simple drum machine beat and some lovely placed guitar and harmonies on the chorus to create an engaging spoken word of the icy cold of an unrequited Artic love.

They make you laugh and they make you cry; actually, on most songs they accomplish both, but Spring Breakup isn't just clever phrasing or cute images. With a few picked notes they trigger the nostalgia of that new love that consumed our every thought so many moons ago (just listen to the two-minute ditty, Cosmic Sea). Kim and Mathias also know when to change the emotion and give the listener moments of tenderness and beauty. The classic banjo that drives Peepers & Howlers lets Barlow and Kom show off how well their unique voices work together. Leaky Pail is stunning and out of nowhere, they drift into the beautiful, instrumental sounds of Deep Dark Waltz, a sophisticated track that you wouldn’t expect it to be found on this quickly record LP.

Like love itself, Spring Breakup seems so simple on the surface, but once it gets a hold of you, it can control your emotions and dominate your days. Speaking of which, the duo will be in town after Sappyfest and playing a day show @ The Company House on August 15th.

MP3:: Spring Breakup - Came Up Roses

MP3:: Spring Breakup - Leaky Pail

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/springbreakup

Happy Canada Day:: Courtesy of the Band

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:55:00 +0000

It's Canada Day. Basically, for all of you not in the know, July 1st is our Nation's birthday (which would explain that old Chixdiggit record to any punker that still had questions). It's a day of bbq and beer here for most and for us it's no different thanks to herohill founder Shane and his wife.

It also means radio stations all over the country will be filling the playlists with Neil Young, The Hip and, of course, THE BAND. I won't go on and on, but The Weight is one of my Top 5 favorites of all-time, and if you don't smile when you hear it we probably couldn't be friends. So, some classic video and a couple of covers thanks to Aretha Franklin and The Staple Singers. Happy Canada Day, eh!

The Band - The Weight

Gillian Welch & Old Crow Medicine Show

Travis - The Weight

MP3:: Aretha Franklin/Duane Allman - The Weight

MP3:: The Staple Singers - The Weight

Old School Mondays:: Main Source

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

With tomorrow being Canada Day, I wanted to come with some kind of Canuckian angle for this ~~OSM~~ OST, but that can be like trying to come up with a "Top Dunks by a Canadian" list - there isn't a ton of material to work with. But while pondering this, I re-read last week's All-Canadian edition of BOX!, and the inclusion of NY-based, but TO-bred DJ/Producer Marco Polo brought a certain pair of Canadian DJ's to mind. Of course you know who I'm talking about: Sir Scratch and K-Cut from the legendary Main Source.

Well maybe you didn't know that, but these Toronto natives were indeed the DJ's for the group fronted by Large Professor, and I don't mind telling you that Breaking Atoms is one of my favorite hip hop albums ever, and if you don't agree it's a classic, I will fight you. Well, at the very least, we can't be blog friends anymore. But it shouldn't come to that, as Main Source's debut really is a tremendous album, which, to me anyway, still sounds just as great today. It's full of great songs from top to bottom, but once I realized I had never posted posse-cut extraordinaire Live At The BBQ, that was a must. I love that whole song, but not only is it Nas' debut, but he absolutely kills it. The mysterious Joe Fatal also does excellent work.

I have to say, Extra P is fantastic throughout the whole album, he was never the most complex MC, but his phrasing and cadence is top notch. So, along with Live At The BBQ, we have a remix of Just Hangin' Out which was the A Side on the 12" that BBQ came out on. Just Hangin' Out was always a favorite of mine, and I'd never heard this remix, but I enjoy it.

But let's get back to the Canadians, because after all, Main Source did have a bit of an ugly breakup (Extra P on ATCQ's Keep It Rollin': "from the projects, the PJ's, fuck them two DJ's". tsk, tsk). Obviously Large Professor went solo, and despite not quite reaching the levels one might have predicted, he's more well known than Sir Scratch and K-Cut. But Scratch and Cut made a attempt to keep the Main Source magic going, recruiting another Queens MC, Mikey D, to make another album, Fuck What You Heard, that unfortunately never got, uhhhh, heard. However, thanks to the magic of the interwebage, now we can hear it, and so here's the big jam from that album, What You Need. Scratch and Cut show their production chops, and even thought Mikey D is solid, but no Large Pro, the jazzy, early 90's goodness of this one shows they weren't lost without him.

It turns out K-Cut went on to do a bit of production and remixing for others, and upon perusing the list of his work, a certain fairly popular jam that, features a gargantuan basketball player that's been in the news recently, caught my eye. So I'll leave you with that, I'm sure you'll pick out which one it is below. Enjoy your Canada Day.

MP3:: Main Source - Live At The BBQ

MP3:: Main Source - Just Hangin' Out (Your Hood Remix)

MP3:: Main Source - What You Need

MP3:: Fu-Schinkens - What's Up Doc (Can We Rock)(K-Cut's Fat Trac Remix) With Shaquille O'Neal

Video:: Main Source - Just Hangin' Out

VIDEO:: Main Source - What You need

Reviews:: Catherine MacLellan Water in the Ground

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:25:00 +0000

Despite a few releases and multiple PR companies running with her sophomore album, Catherine MacLellan still remains one of the most understated and underappreciated talents on the East Coast scene. I know I’m not exactly a crucial cog when it comes to driving musical popularity, but the simple intimacy that MacLellan presents with her as pure as fresh snow voice makes it shocking that her songs aren’t a staple on at least one of the CBC iterations that work so hard to showcase Canadian talent.

Hopefully, Water in the Ground is the tipping point for her career. In the past, she relied on little more than her god given voice and the chords that resonated from her acoustic. Now, she pushes forward with jazzy, upbeat and catchy arrangements and a subtle energy that fits more in line with patios than those solitary evenings when the chill of the house is like an anchor. The news songs still showcase Catherine’s voice, but also some of the best folk talent we have to offer in the Great White North. Whether it’s a helping hand from James Phillips, some of Nathan Wiley theremin or a plucked bass-line from Kyle Cunjak (his work on Hotel Stairs is terrific), MacLellan is happy to play with bigger sounds.

Without question, Water in the Ground is a more spirited effort and finds MacLellan writing some remarkably catchy country/folk hooks (Take a Break or the sing-along ready Set This Heart On Fire), but even when she ventures into darker subject matter, like the beautiful Sorrows Drown or Something Gold, the sadness is balanced by harmonies, a quick picked mandolin or a gentle bass line. It's almost as if the songs all seem to have been given an extra breath of life and instead of another mopey collection of tear in your beer country anthems or folk sing-alongs, the record is a fun optimistic look at the simple world MacLellan loves.

Before long time fans get nervous, don’t think that these extra hands crowd the space or muddle the songs. I could write another paragraph or two but the definitive proof is the powerful album closer, Flowers on Your Grave. The song burns slowly and Catherine’s voice stands front and center. Without any support, the song could have been one of the gems of her previous efforts but harmonies, piano, and keep time drums thicken up the song and make the narrative that much more engaging. The subtle textures provide the support to let Catherine’s voice wander and the songs have the freedom to run.

So, if you are looking for a terrific voice from the East Coast, I'd ask you to give Catherine a chance. There isn't a bad song in the collection, which is remarkable considering the risks and change in sound Water in the Ground represents. Halifax readers, Catherine is playing a show @ The Carleton on Aug 12th and to help convince you to head out to say hello, here's the single from the record - Take a Break.

MP3:: Catherine MacLellan - Take a Break
MYSPACE:: http://myspace.com/catherinemaclellan
BUY:: http://www.catherinemaclellan.com/

Stingray of the Day:: The Stanfields - The Dirtiest Drunk (In the History of Liquor)

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:44:00 +0000

the keys are in the truck...

...and the truck's in the harbour

MP3:: The Stanfields - The Dirtiest Drunk(In the History of Liquor)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thestanfields

Reviews:: Bahamas Pink Strat

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:30:00 +0000

When you watch a film, it's not often you focus on the subtle character that hovers off the main plot line. I'm not talking about a slapstick cameo or the drunken asshole that is presented to ease tension and provide cheap laughs. No, I'm talking about perfectly uttered dialog or concise, pure emotion that allows the stars to run with the scene. Afie Jurvanen – aka Bahamas – spent years providing backing support for some of the biggest names in Canadian rock (Feist, Jason Collett, Howie Beck, Hayden and my new favorites, Zeus) without demanding any of his own shine and was more than happy to bolster their sound.

But with the upcoming release of his debut solo LP, that’s should change. Pink Strat plays to the lonely life of a traveling musician and a world where sometimes your only friend is the guitar that lets you hammer through your pain and passion without judgment or opinion. The plaintive strums that start Lonely Loves showcase Afie’s broken heart, but it's the delicate touch of his fingers up and down the neck of his guitar that show us all who his one true love really is.

Guitar skill aside, Jurvanen presents his thoughts in such an honest way that you can't help but pay attention. Obviously, Afie’s had his heart broken a few times and the songs show exposes his fragility and as confident as Jurvanen is musically, Pink Strat shows he’s equally unconfident in true love. It’s not a new story – he’s a mess and probably no good for you or anyone else - but instead of over thought phrases turned over and over again until they become too perfect, Afie delivers simple couplets that hit harder than you’d expect. Much like East Coast hero Al Tuck, Jurvanen’s straightforward lines (his delivery on the delightfully uptempo Already Yours for example) make his confessional something personal and treasured, instead of another guitar player whining about the one that got away.

Without question, Afie’s songwriting falls in line with the peers he’s played with – especially Collett on Hockey Teeth and What’s Worse - but I think this just shows why so many talented people want him in their band. Almost every track could find a home on someone else's record, but the intricate, well placed guitar flourishes and the rough edge of Afie’s voice make his songs distinct. Years of playing understated notes that momentarily grab the spotlight before returning to the background helps him keep an even keel, and he knows how important making a point quickly and powerfully is for a musician.

Pink Strat ends as surprisingly and strongly as it begins. Throwing the listener a change-up, Afie pours his heart into a fantastic take of Wreckless Eric’s two-chord classic, Whole Wide World. Jurvanen beefs up the snotty song by giving it a more tropical feel, but it’s the message he ends the album with that he wants you to remember; he’d travel to the end of the earth to meet his true love. The simple two-minute closer shows that even after 11 songs worth of heartache and pain and no matter how broken he might be, Afie wants things to work out and that little bit of hope is exactly what makes this artist so much like all of us. It’s also shows that Afie Jurvanen deserves to stand along side of the great artists he’s spent year supporting.

MP3:: Bahamas - Lonely Loves

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/bahamasbreeze
BUY:: http://www.nevadorecords.com

Sunday Morning Coffee:: Extra Happy Ghosts!!!

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:08:00 +0000

It's Sunday and I'm about to head out for a long run. Pretty standard fair around these parts, but when I was making my play list for the 10K jaunt I was completely baffled by one of the songs in the ole "to review" folder. Truth be told, I only clicked on it because it had MASH-UP in the title and I was shocked because me and mash-ups stay away from each other like Chris Brown and Rhianna.

Luckily, Extra Happy Ghosts!!! - aka Matthew Swan of Hot Little Rocket - is not your standard lo-fi artist. While other tracks on the How The Beach Boys Sound To Those With No FeelingsEP rely on the classic echoes, drone and fuzz you expect from artists recording on inexpensive gear in apartments studios, Mash-Up: Neither Being Nor Nothingness shows what he can do when he finds a catchy melody and runs with it.

Really, the song is one of those creations where the output is so much more than the sum of the parts. The sounds grab you instantly, but when the organ and supremely catchy do-do-do's he adds on the chorus kick in, I challenge you to try to turn off the track without hitting repeat.

MP3:: Extra Happy Ghost - Mash-Up Neither Being Nor Nothingness
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/extrahappyghost

Friday Showstravaganza:: Mix Master Mike, Ruth Minnikin & Little Foot Long Foot

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:56:00 +0000

I'm not sure if it's due more to the fact that it's summer, and lots of local acts are away on tour, or just my laziness, but the number of shows in our listings that couple weeks has been kind of small. Never fear though, this promises to be one of the biggest music-related summers Halifax has ever seen, what with all the big Festivals (Virginfest's Halifax debut, the no-nonsense-ably named ROCKFEST) and huge one-off shows (Paul McCartney's only Canadian tour date this summer? Right here in Halifax, and kudos to friend of the hill Joel Plaskett for snagging an opening spot) that are going down.

But how about this weekend? Well there's one rather big name in town tonight, well I guess that depends, if you are even 1/25th the Beasties fan that the Ack is, the mention of Mix Master Mike's name would get you a little hyped. MMM is playing the Paragon Theatre tonight with local turntable wizard DJ Cosmo, and if turntablism and/or shaking your tight jeans is your thing, this is your show. Tomorrow sees a show from the always solid Ruth Minnikin at the Company House, along with Sherry Ryan and Sheree Plett. I'm not familiar with the other two ladies beyond their myspaceseses, but I have to think the CoHo is a perfect venue for this show.

Sunday you can see fuzzy, bluesy Toronto duo Little Foot Long Foot return to Halifax again to play reflections. They shall likely rock the house, but if the weekend leaves you too tired to venture out, they'll be at the Seahorse next weekend I believe.

MP3:: Mix Master Mike - All Pro

MP3:: Little Foot Long Foot - June Bug

VIDEO:: Beastie Boys - Three MC's and One DJ

Quick hitters:: Luxury Pond

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Honestly, this week can’t end fast enough. Even the pleasure of seeing Christina Martin and Matt Charlton play to only a few close friends last night doesn’t cushion the impact of the work week I’ve suffered through. Throw in another overcast, grey day here in Halifax and it’s not surprising I’ve continued to leave the new LP from Luxury Pond on repeat lately.

Luxury Pond is the vision of Dan Goldman with percussive and vocal support from Daniela Gesundheit. The duo is heading out East and playing small spaces in an effort to showcase the subtle percussion and tenderness of melancholic tracks like I Don't Believe You and the xylophone/acoustic infused The Bones, but their self-titled LP is much larger in sound and scope.

Dan paired his delicate melodies with the Owen Pallett arranged, St.Kitts String Quartet and the result is full of life. Instead of adding an overpolished sheen to the mix, the strings actually breathe life and spontaneity into the tracks, soften the impact of the sadnessand allow Dan and Daniela to focus on vocal interplay and mood.

I could easily jump into discussion about the intelligence of the recordings or the lushness the band creates, but the thing that really impresses me is that even with the comfort of perfectly arranged strings, the duo doesn’t use the quartet as a crutch. Dan and Daniela treat the strings like just another element and I think that will show when the band plays smaller shows. Whether its the picked riff and dual vocals on Your Truest Nature, but never overpower the track and Dear Shark lets the strings enrich the vocals and to provide depth.

Luxury Pond is an ambitious project, but not one that drifts too far to the artistic side of the equation. Make no mistake, these songs are pop songs... meticulously constructed pop songs, but pop songs none the less. Luxury Pond is bringing their unique sound to Halifax for some house shows, but will also be playing July 4th at the Company House.

MP3:: Luxury Pond - The Bones

MP3:: Luxury Pond - I Don't Believe You

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/luxurypond
BUY:: http://www.luxurypond.com/

News:: R.I.P. MJ

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Sad. That's my simple, yet all-encompassing, reaction to the death of Michael Jackson. Sad, of course, that he has passed so early and so suddenly, but also because of the way the latter part of his life played out. No matter what you think about Mike, he was pretty much as iconic as icons get during the last thirty years. I mean, my mother bought Thriller on vinyl back in the day - and considering she has perhaps purchased less than five albums during my lifetime, that is saying something.

Anyway, the song above was/is my jam. In Junior High we'd hang out in hill alumnus Mario "Mr. E" Eleftheros' basement watching videos. When we played Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, I would put on his sisters sandals and get my dance on. I have no idea why I did this, but it's a fond memory, and one of many memories I'll always associate with Michael Jackson.

MP3:: Shivaree - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

BOX:: All-Canadian Edition Vol. 4

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Well next week is Canada Day, and what better way to warm up for a celebration of our country's 142nd year than with a random rundown of Canadian hip hop songs? I can think of no better way, so I give you the 4th All-Canadian edition of BOX!

MP3:: Tona - Fast Pace f. Saukrates & T.R.A.C.K.S.
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/tonamusic

We opened the last All-Canadian version of BOX! with a track from Toronto MC Tona, and so why mess with success? Or better yet, why mess with a previous post you've just cut & pasted because you are lazy? Anyhoo, this smoothed out jam isn't exactly my steez, and I could do without the R&B croonage on the hook, but it does have one big thing going for it: the presence of the under-appreciated Saukrates. That alone gets it a BOX! feature. I believe Tona's new album Direct Deposit is currently available, so if you like this, get that.

MP3:: Tru-Paz - Everyday Goes By
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/trupaz

You can do a big ole ditto with the first couple sentences above for T.O. crew Tru-Paz, as they were also featured second last time out. But I don't mind, as it saves keystrokes, plus this reggae-influenced trio brings the positive vibes, and this piano-laced track is no exception. Get their Urbnet released Young Nation EP if this is your bag.

MP3:: Miles Jones - Never Too Late Remix f. Classified
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/mojorecordings

I first heard Miles Jones' name as one of the openers for KRS-One's Halifax show, but I had no idea who he was, and a late arrival to that show meant that remained the case until checking out this here song. Miles is a triple-threat (DJ/Producer/MC) who calls Toronto home, but this song finds him wearing only his MC hat, as the very excellent Black Milk handled production duties for this one. It's a very solid song at that, the beat has Milk's trademark kick, and the Jones is a decent MC. And any remix that features the best MC in Enfield is always going to curry favour with us in Halifax, so I give this a classic THD Thumbs Up.

MP3:: Midas Gold f Roach Uno (Wonder remix)

MP3:: Louwop - Journey f. Roach Uno & Theology 3
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/roachuno

I know of Roach Uno through his association with Louwop, who likely qualifies as a hill fave, and if Lou recommends someone, I'll have a listen. Like Lou, Roach is a proponent of that no-nonsense, true school hip hop that you have to look way to hard for these days. I have no idea where the first song above is from, but I dig the beatbox inspired beat, and Roach blesses it with a solid, understated flow. Good stuff. I've posted the second song before, as Louwop sent it a while ago, but I'm re-posting it because Roach has a verse and I like the video they did for it and have been meaning to post that, so check it below.

MP3:: D.O. - Bully
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ddoto

I know D.O. (aka Defy the Odds) as part of Toronto's preeminent rap-house outfit Art of Fresh, but he's also an MC with solo aspirations, and this song comes from his new album, Stay Driven. It's got a knocking beat produced by Toronto expat Marco Polo and is a brief storytelling jam about the rather extreme consequences high school bullying can have. I have limited knowledge on what D.O. is about, but he seems to be a rather upstanding young man who's working hard and making an effort to focus on positive things with his songs. So if you like this, I'd suggest you him out further.

Bonus Time:

MP3:: Marco Polo & Torae - Hold Up f. Masta Ace & Sean Price
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/doublebarrel08

As mentioned, Marco Polo is Canadian, so this counts. And it's pretty awesome, deal with it.

Video:: Louwop feat. Theo3 & Roach Uno - Journey

FREE:: Arts & Crafts 6 - Summer Sampler

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Here's the deal. As far as Canadian labels goes, Arts & Crafts is kind of like the coolest kid in every High School movie... You know the one everyone loves, but has the heart of gold and somehow gets along with the nerds, jocks, A/V dudes, stoners and, well, you get my drift. Honestly though, the label has worked hard at keeping the talent level high, but they've signed some terrific acts to help diversify the sounds.

Anyway - to help kickoff the summer, they are giving away a free sampler full of tracks from bands like Timber Timbre (aka - my number one Polaris pick), Most Serene Republic, Broken Social Scene, Still Life Still, Bell Orchestre, Years, Amy Milan, and .....

ZEUS.

That's right. I've already professed my love to Zeus, but here's another amazing song from the TO band. Honestly, I would have paid for this sampler, but Arts & Crafts is giving it away for free. A nice end of school treat for you kiddies if you ask me.

MP3:: Zeus - Fever of the Time
WEB:: http://www.arts-crafts.ca
DOWNLOAD:: http://www.arts-crafts.ca/samplervol6/

Quick Hitters:: Clinton Charlton Parade

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:25:00 +0000

It seems like we’ve reached the dog days of summer releases. The review pile is running low and honestly, if it wasn’t I don’t know if I would have thrown in Clinton Charlton’s full length the other day. It’s not that I didn’t think the NB man is talented – his work with Carousels was strong enough to gain a spot on the NB mixtape – I just assumed it would be in line with the roots tinged, bar rock I had heard from the band and not really what I’m looking for these days.

Instead, Charlton retreats to the back of the bar and has penned a collection of introspective tracks. I know that roots music is the new synth rock, which was the new black, but Parade never really pushes the issue. Charlton doesn’t hit you over the head with a fake drawl or nods to Townes or Young. Instead he just plays relaxed songs with the help of a solid band and lets the chips fall where they may.

Probably Charlton’s best skill is understanding how people will hear his music. He jump starts the record with an uptempo effort- Bee In October - and picks up the tempo again when the disc starts to lag. That lets you settle into the tender tracks like All the Damage Done. More importantly the brevity of the LP doesn’t let you get bored. Parade is a quick hitting nine songs, four of which don’t even break the 2:30 mark, that make their point and leave. He doesn’t waste time with extended solos, pointless narratives or stories that go nowhere, and as a result, Parade is highly repeatable.

Clinton’s got the unique ability to leave the listener wanting more. When he gets it right, like he does on the beautiful, steel/organ filled duet with Jessica Rhaye (Til We've Both Said Goodbye), the stripped down Because Of A Girl or perfectly Angels Of Cantebury Street, you wish he could have added another minute to the effort. But even when songs lose some of the integrity the genre deserves (like the radio friendly Braver than Most, Charlton doesn’t let the song overstay its welcome and derail the listen.

All in all, a nice solo venture for the seasoned musician. There are some nice highs and of course, a few lows but Parade gets me excited for his next batch of songs when he's more comfortable with his band and the sounds that works best for them.

MP3:: Clinton Charlton - Til We've Both Said Goodbye

MP3:: Clinton Charlton - All The Damage Done

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/clintoncharlton

Quick Hitters:: Erin Costelo - Fire & Fuss

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:01:00 +0000

I have no reason to lie to you fine folks, so I will freely admit that when we were sent Erin Costelo's new album, Fire & Fuss a couple weeks ago, I really had no plans to post on it. Why you ask? Well, I'd heard a song or two from this Halifax singer-songwriter's last album, and that brief exposure had been enough to convince me that her brand of jazzy, torch songery wasn't for me.

But, since you are in fact reading a post on her new album, you might wonder what changed my mind. Well, it is quite simple: I have read, and heard, too many good things about Erin Costelo not to give her album a chance. Plus, on multiple occasions, I had mentioned Erin as being one of our city's many top-notch female singer-songwriters, yet we had never really covered any of her material. That's a wrong in need of righting if I've ever seen one, and so here we are. The verdict? Well I also don't mind admitting I was wrong: I'm a Costelo convert.

Specifically, I was converted by one song: Weak Like Us. Not that I didn't find the 70's AM radio storyteller sounds on album opener The Prologue to be lovely, but once the saloon piano-bop of Weak Like Us kicked in, I was hooked. Really, if you don't feel like moving during the piano breakdown in that song, you may have some form of paralysis. But piano skill isn't Costelo's only lure, as she possesses a unique voice with a tone both deep and lush, while also full of world-weary character. She can use it a playful manner, that results in catchy songs like the rollicking The Fall or the ragtimey The Day Before War, but her songwriting can also be biting and incisive, like the bayou-blessed whimsy of Rules To Live By or the plaintive Use Your Imagination.

A number of talented Halifax musicians helped Erin create a very diverse and full-sounding album, so I'd certainly suggest that you give Fire & Fuss a spin and see if you too will end up in the ranks of the converted, but I don't doubt that her voice & piano skills make her live show rather enjoyable. So check the myspace below for shows, I believe she has Toronto and Quebec shows coming this summer, and if you're hitting the Atlantic Jazz fest here next month, you can catch Erin playing with Toronto's Valery Gore.

MP3:: Erin Costelo - Weak Like Us
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/erincostelomusic

Reviews:: Turn Up The Jets: A Tribute To Jon Bartlett

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:23:00 +0000

Have you ever heard a musician talk about how their label is like, "a family" and how they "all get along?" Of course you have. It’s like an athlete saying they were just letting the game come to them or that they just want to go out there and give 100%.

In reality, the days of small indie labels simply putting out music for the love are gone. No one really buys records anymore, so the cold reality of the music industry is crippling small labels and forcing labels to change their business model.

But if you look to our nation’s capitol, you’ll find label that’s been around long enough to know they aren’t going to change how they operate (kind of like your drunk grandmother with her borderline offensive comments) and really, thank god.

Kelp Records is/was the home for a slew of talented artists – Jim Bryson, The Acorn, Camp Radio, Andrew Vincent are just a few – but it’s the consistency of the label’s releases that is the highlight of their 15 year history. If you like one of the artists on Kelp, chances are you can take a blind leap of faith, pick any of the label’s other releases and enjoy the results. That speaks to the ear and the mindset of Kelp founder, Jon Bartlett.

Obviously, John loves music and over the last 15 years he’s never lost focus on that simple idea. They barely advertise and national treasures like Jim Bryson sort of happily hover in obscurity, never forced to do interviews or rush through follow-up LPs. Jon respects their wishes and that’s why most of the artists don’t want to leave the comfort they have at the label. How else can you explain the fact that Miche Jette can team with members of Califone and the interweb leaves so few clues of its existence that you'd need CSI to help you find details? No, Kelp is old-school. They put out music for the love, not the dollars.

So how would the artists say thanks? Well, in dark corners, fogged in alleyways and with some back office dealings, the Kelp roster decided to record covers of Jon’s tracks and surprised him with a stellar 15-song tribute record, Turn Up The Jets: A Tribute To Jon Bartlett. I’ll be honest, the only record I have from Jon is the lo-fi, fuzzy folk gem he recorded under the Rhume moniker, Snack of Choice but after rummaging through this collection, I think I’ll be scanning the vaults.

John Higney and Acorn front man Rolf Klausener were the brain trust that came up with the idea, but the comp has songs from Jim Bryson, Camp Radio, Andy Swan, Flection, The Acorn, Chris Page, Andrew Vincent and a ton of other bands – some apparently that were created just for these recordings. I could start trying to compare and contrast the versions you get here – Flection transforms Greasy Tongues from a crunching lo-fi rocker, with heavy guitar strums and drums to an Okkervil River inspired gem. The Recoilers leave the familiar bass line of Snack of Choice at home and opt for an distorted, heavier take on the track. The awesomely named Silkken-Laumann opts for a more tribal, electric take instead of the simple electric guitar that dotted the vast emptiness of Soleil Moonfrye – but every track has something to offer.

Whether it’s the big names - The Acorn knock Surprising Upenders out of the park, Andrew Vincent’s unique delivery fits perfectly into the melody of Red River Valley and Camp Radio take an inspired run at the tribute title track (NOTE: Camp Radio – please record a follow up record soon) – but so are the relatively unknowns on this record. I could listen to Andy Swan sing Home Tonight for hours I think and I'm kicking myself for not hearing of Flecton Big Sky before this.

So here's the deal. Download the record. It's free and it's terrific. But more importantly, find your favorite band on the comp and take a chance. Download any of the fucking records and give a few bucks to KELP to make sure they keep putting out great music. As music fans, we've all become lazy and loosing an indie institution like Kelp would be a tough pill to swallow.

MP3:: The Acorn - Surprise Upenders

MP3:: Camp Radio - Turn Up the Jets

MP3:: Flecton Big Sky - Greasy Tongues

MP3:: Jim Bryson - Jump Shooting for Ducks

WEB:: http://kelprecords.com
DOWNLOAD:: Turn Up The Jets (zip)

Old School Mondays:: Intelligent Hoodlum

noreply@blogger.com (naedoo) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:57:00 +0000

An extended family weekend spent on Canada's smallest and potato-est province not only meant no OSM yesterday, but also a complete lack of ideas late last night when I tried to throw something together. But going back for a read of last week's edition reminded me that legendary hill alumnus Mr. E had left a rather decent suggestion in comment form. That's enough for me, so the Intelligent Hoodlum it is then.

Perhaps you might know him as Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum, or his latest (I think) moniker, Tragedy Khadafi. Whatever of his many previous handles you want to use, there's no doubt that this Queensbridge bred MC made a splash when his Marley Marl & Large Pro-producer debut dropped. Although I think Tragedy was but a teenager in 1990, he displayed a wisdom beyond his years with songs like Black and Proud and Arrest the President. But he was also a talented MC, and thanks to the very catchy production he was provided (the Soul II Soul jacking for a song of the same name would've been heartily approved of by grade 9 Naedoo), smallish white kids like myself were very much into his brand of hoodlumery.

The idealism-sucking force of getting older, the waning in popularity of "c-word" rap (conscious rap you dirty perverts), and the sexiness of street life likely formed a trifecta that proved too strong a pull to keep Tragedy rapping under the guise of the Intelligent Hoodlum for very long. That said, I was surprised when he re-entered my consciousness with his Khadafi alias as a frequent Capone & Noreaga collaborator (at the start of the CNN era anyway, I believe there was a falling out at some point). But, at least we have his debut to look back on, and it is a pretty perfect representation of that time in hip hop history. Enjoy.

MP3:: Intelligent Hoodlum - Back To Reality

MP3:: Intelligent Hoodlum - Black And Proud

MP3:: Intelligent Hoodlum - Arrest The President

Video:: Intelligent Hoodlum - Black And Proud

Quick hitters: Sleepless Nights A Place Who Loves

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:11:00 +0000

The rotating cast of characters that have played a part in shaping the sound of the Sleepless Nights is almost like a Halifax version of BSS. The core structure is there - currently it's Andrew Wallace, Jeffrey Pineau, Josh Poireau, Philip Clark and Trevor Murphy - but most of those people play in other bands and other talented friends have spent time on the road and in the studio with the band.

For familiar North Enders, this band has been a constantly evolving mass – growing from a slowed down trio to a six-piece juggernaut (even bigger live) – and over the last 5 years their sounds has shifted as much as the people that show up to play and that’s why the collection of free tracks they are giving away – literally a scan of Andrew’s hard drive for demos, live tracks and the occasional cover (with no volume control or mastering) – is so interesting. Sure, it may be odds and sods from a band most people haven’t heard off, but when it comes to a band as dynamic as Sleepless Nights, to me it’s more like a much needed time capsule.

There are some gems in this collection for sure. How often do you get to see a song encoded with the title, "matt's a dick aka coup d'etat demo feb 19th 2008" or see the band's creative lifecycle for a song (two demo versions of Way to Ruin Everything)? But more importantly, in today’s disposable media world, how often would you take the time to revisit local records from 5 years ago (Green Lights) or take the time to be nostalgic about a band you dig these days?

These are all great reasons to right-click > Save As but I could have saved us both time and just typed, Sleepless Nights are a terrific band that more people should listen to. Either way, there should be no way you don’t head over and grab these tracks. Oh, and in case that's not enough free music for you Scrooge, how about you check out their wonky cover of Daft Punk’s Oh Yeah.

MP3:: Sleepless Nights - Coup d'etat

MP3:: Sleepless Nights - Jeff's Guide (Jan. 2)

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thesleeplessnights
BUY:: http://sleeplessnightsofhalifax.blogspot.com/

Reviews:: The Got To Get Got Sahalee

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:59:00 +0000

As regular readers can probably attest to, we focus on the folk, hip-hop, alt-country and noise scenes here in Halifax. It's not that we don't like pop music, it's just rare that we stumble across terrific pop artists. Tear in your beer anthems and pedal effects seem to take precedence over smiles and melody, but the sprawling pop sounds of The Got To Get Got are fixing to change things.

Led by North of America's Mark Mullane , the coast-to-coast collective trimmed down to it's fighting weight for their debut full length and the East Coast edition spent four week in the studio recreating the energy they have brought to the stage over the last three years. Even though the band hunkered down here on the East Coast, but the opening track - Burn, Yaletown, Burn - is an attack on the yuppie district of Vancouver that is littered with hip restaurants and Starbucks and tiny dogs are as much a fashion accessory as over sized glasses or designer sweatpants and it really primes the listener for the upcoming energy.

Sahalee is a golf-inspired record and really the timing of this release couldn’t have been better. We’ve all been watching the rain-soaked '09 US Open and when the band kicks off Bethpage Black with the smack of a driver, your heart starts racing but they soften the track with lovely strings as a delicate approach shot. Even the playful twist on Rhianna’s Umbrella they add to the the end of the track seems fitting as the rain keeps falling.

But Sahalee is much more than one strong song. Even on a casual listen you find standout tracks - the stabbing strings that dance around the rawkus Crosses are fantastic and tracks like surging War of Letters and the sweeping pop of Rattle On grab you immediately. When you really dive in, you see that TGTGG offer up good range and take risks, most of which pay off and will make this record a grower.

Unfortunately, there are times that things do get a bit disjointed and you have to navigate through some peaks and valleys (which I find ironic since Memories Attack-er Ron Bates plays on the record). The tempo change from the poppy bliss of GDitA to the sad sack, stripped down Peyton and Perry kind of derails the listen. Even with the ear pleasing layers and nice build they execute as the song progresses (the horns and electric sounds great together), you kind of get sidetracked and sadly it makes Rare Rain seem like a bit of an afterthought.

I know that trying to contain the sounds of a sprawling collective isn’t easy, and the majority of the tracks are crisp and compact but the last two tracks on the record - Hell Waits, Maybe and Hey seem to head in a few too many directions and take away from the tight pocket of sound they spend the rest of the record creating. Normally, when they loosen their grip and the songs start to shake, the band's expert touch helps keeps the structure in tact (Getting Dirty in the Afterlife, is a perfect example as they pull it back perfectly and the disarray transforms back to punchy verses and vocals).

But those minor complaints are really more nitpicking than anything else. I had high expectations for the record and The Got To Get Got easily Fosbury flopped over the bar. They also managed to supplement the local talent with some of the best musicians we have in the Canadian scene (members of Ohbijou, Plants & Animals, Sebastien Granger & The Mountains and the lovely Angela Desveaux) without disrupting the sound the band creates. If fact, without liner notes I doubt even the most devout fan could highlight the exact moments when the "ringers" help out.

The band will be opening for Jose Gonzales here on Thursday, June 25th at St. Matthew’s Church. It’s apparently going to be an acoustic set, so it should be something special.

MP3:: The Got To Get Got - Rattle Off

MP3:: The Got To Get Got - Getting Dirty in the Afterlife

MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/gottogetgot
BUY:: http://tgtgg.com

Sunday Morning Coffee:: The John Punch Band

noreply@blogger.com (ack) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:27:00 +0000

When this Ottawa three-piece kicks off their debut EP with the country rock, road trip ready Tipping Boats, you can’t help but be won over. The tight pocket of sound is bigger than you’d expect and Cory’s vocals really channel a passion from the band’s name sake. You foot starts stomping and your head starts nodding along before you even get through the first listen.

Obviously, when you explode out of the starting blocks with such thunder, it's hard to keep that intensity. The rest of the EP isn’t quite as passionate as the opening track as they follow up with more standard acoustic folk, heavy on lyrics and picked/strummed melodies – but that’s not a slight. Well placed harmonies (Our Lovers) and pleasing sounds float around the room, and you really feel like Cory puts every ounce of who he is into the songs.

The debut EP - Fences Have Been Planted, Thorns Have Been Built - is just getting pressed now, and it's the type of record that will undoubtedly lead to better things. If they can continue to create the energy of Tippin' Boats and the dynamite closing track, Stars and Stripes this Ottawa band will be one you see on stages at folk festivals soon enough.

MP3:: The John Punch Band - Tippin' Boats
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thejohnpunchband