What better way to celebrate Independence Day than to highlight a band from another country? Ok, I know it doesn’t make much sense. But Toronto’s Whale Tooth makes bright, summer-friendly pop, and it matches the weather and general mood. So let’s celebrate our freedom to take in great music from all over the world and listen to some tunes.

So just who is Whale Tooth? They sum it up pretty well themselves:

Everyone can write a catchy song, but it’s a band like Whale Tooth that pack as much punch lyrically as they do musically, to really stand out in the often overcrowded Toronto scene. Traces of soul and jazz can be found sprinkled atop their summer-friendly pop rock, and this has proven to be the defining factor in winning over listeners at every venue they play.

Or perhaps it’s front woman Elise LeGrow’s commanding vocals that has the power to convert even the unlikeliest of followers, or perhaps it is their cunning ability to craft delicious hooks that will be left playing in your head for days and days…

LeGrow and her bandmates began making waves in Toronto and surrounding cities almost immediately after forming in 2007. LeGrow, already with an impressive resume as a jazz vocalist under her belt, joined forces with guitarists and co-vocalists Norm Maschke and Alex Denike and began writing some of the most honest and potent tunes this city has heard. Accompanied by the vibrant rhythm section, bassist Michael McCreary and drummer Sep Noroozi, the band hit the ground running. They soon found themselves playing a slew of shows, including appearances at CMW and NXNE.

February ‘09 saw the band independently release their debut self titled EP to a sold out room of fans at Sneaky Dees. The EP has received high praise from ardent reviewers, with the only criticism being that it’s too short. The lead single “Hibernation Song” has been giving campus radio a run for their money.

Before releasing a full length, Whale Tooth will be touring all over Canada this fall, taking steps out of their adoring hometown toward new audiences on the east and west coasts – they won’t be disappointed; the energy of Whale Tooth’s live show is something to behold.

“Hibernation Song”

“Marlboro Beach Bonanza”

The kind of ska-influenced pop that’s a perfect soundtrack to summer beach fun.

Video
“Coastline”

Links
Listen to the EP
MySpace

The Informant! hits theaters October 9th.

It’s a long story, but there was a night in high school that involved a girl, fish sticks, a car wash, and finding out that dishwashing soap + flour = glue. It was one of the most memorable nights of my young life. And Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia”, on a nearly endless loop, provided a soundtrack to the evening.

So I’m understandably a bit skeptical when I see someone try to cover the song. Especially a band I’ve never heard of. But California’s Local Natives manage to pull of an excellent performance, in a back yard even. Check it out:

The Invention of Lying comes to theaters September 25th.

Tell me if this sounds familiar: three like-minded musicians form a band, and as part of their schtick they all take the same last name. Then they work that last name into the band’s name. They proceed to do things their own way, with attitude. Eventually their music gets noticed and they take New York by storm. You’ve heard this before right? It’s The Ramones, right?

Nope. Instead of long-haired ugly dudes from New York, this is a trio of Southern chicks. Where The Ramones’ music was straightforward and easy to define, their music shifts from song to song, jumping genres and defying expectations. They do share The Ramones’ spirit though: they’re doing things their way, and they don’t care what you think about it. They’re Those Darlins, and you’d best take notice, because if they have their way they’re taking over the music world.

Those Darlins is made up of Kelley, Jessi, and Nikki Darlin. In a true collective effort, they all write songs and they all sing. Kelley plays bass. Jessi plays guitar. And Nikki plays baritone ukulele. Didn’t see that coming, did you? They’re music ranges from messy punk to sweet country, and can best be described as honky punk.

The three Darlins came from different backgrounds, but hooked up in Murfreesboro, TN, after Kelley and Jessi met at Southern Girls Rock ‘n Roll Camp. They live together in a house filled with music and whiskey bottles. They shoot old LPs with BB guns in their back yard. In short, these chicks are cool.

Those Darlins’ self-titled debut album came out this past week, and in short, it rocks. Seriously, go buy this. I’m not kidding. Here’s a sample of what you’ll get when you do pick it up:

“Wild One”

The first single from Those Darlins has been stuck in my head for two days now. And I’m not complaining. A medium-tempo rockabilly shuffle that tells the tale of a woman who turns from sweetheart to wild child after a couple of drinks. In other words, my kind of woman.

“222″

Hey ladies, if all you can do is sing, drink, and dance, that’s fine with me. Fun fact: 222 is also the name of the studio where the band recorded the album!

Videos
“Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin” (Jerry Irby cover)

“The Whole Damn Thing”

Links
Buy Those Darlins
Official Site
MySpace

Mays rose to stardom after he began pitching Oxy Clean. His distinctive style won fans and critics, and made him ripe for parody. Despite the fact that some people saw him as over-the-top, his approach undeniably worked, as the products he pitched sold enormous quantities.

Whether you loved or hated him, you have to admit the world is a quieter, yet less interesting, place without him.

If you’re a regular reader it won’t come as a surprise that I’m a big Bishop Allen fan. So any chance I get I’m going to post about them. Well here’s a chance. The band released a homemade-looking video for their infectious song “Shanghaid”, featuring them sitting around an apartment, and bunnies. Hey, it’s hard to go wrong with bunnies, right? Check it out, and don’t blame me when the song gets stuck in your head:

via You Ain’t No Picasso (which is named after a Bishop Allen song…)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Jimmy Fallon put this to the test on his show, taking on Tiger on the 11th hole of Bethpage Black (the course Tiger just played for the US Open). Would he be able to show Tiger up at his own game? Or would Tiger prove that he’s a golf master, no matter the medium? Watch and find out: