Album Reviews
Review: Aim Low – Foulards
It’s never easy to create a soundscape that the average listener may find intriguing or captivating. Time and time again bands attempting to create a sonic landscape fail, creating nothing short of a twelve to twenty minute headache that never seems to end. This however, is not the case with Montreal’s Aim Low, who’s EP Foulards flawlessly creates an engaging soundscape. Read more…
Review: Los Campesinos! – Hello Sadness
Winter and summer, tea and coffee, a hug and a kick in the pants. Some of the juxtapositions to try to explain Los Campesinos’ transition from 2007′s Hold On Now Youngsters, to this year’s release Hello Sadness. Since the first outing there have been enough line-up changes to rival The Fall and due to these they’ve gone from sickly twee-pop to… Depressing twee-pop? Hello Sadness, written in the wake of Gareth’s recent breakup with Slow Club‘s Rebecca Taylor; and to be honest, who wouldn’t be depressed with that! The whole album is setup by this, as well as some death and morality to go with it. A cocktail Ben Gibbard would be happy to drink, I’m sure. Read more…
Review: Owen – Ghost Town
It appears that Mike Kinsella can do no wrong. From his work in previous projects Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls and most notably, American Football, he returns with Ghost Town; his sixth studio album, under the moniker Owen. The album will be released this coming Tuesday, November 8, alongside The Jezabels’ new record, Prisoner. Note: We try to believe music-loving folks still enjoy buying albums. Read more…
Review: The Jezabels – Prisoner
After having released three critically acclaimed EPs in the past few years, Australian indie sensations The Jezabels have done it again! This time, backing themselves up with a full-length album entitled Prisoner. One of our writers got to spend some time listening to the new release that will be available in Canada this coming Tuesday, November 8th (thanks to Dine Alone Records), and wrote up a little review on it. Read more to see what you can expect from the album. Read more…
CD Giveaway: Little Dragon Ritual Union
We are pleased to announce that Little Dragon have released a new album called Ritual Union through Peacefrog Records and one of our readers will have the chance to win a free copy! For instructions on how to apply, check out the rest of the post.
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Review: Valleys – Stoner EP
Local art rockers Valleys’ new three-track EP, Stoner – named not as a reference to the band’s affinity for trees, but after the novel by John Williams – brings their haunting sound to new heights, offering a solid interlude after their last release, Sometimes Water Kills People.
Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
The Orchard is Ra Ra Riot’s sophomore album, released August 24th, 2010 on Arts & Crafts/Barsuk. Listening to it for the first time is like finally reading the sequel to a book series you started years ago. The first chapters are slow, and you feel doubtful about whether you are going to enjoy it as much as you did when you first started the series. But you slowly realize that as they roll by you are becoming more and more immersed into that magical universe you once fell in love with; this story that comes to too quick of an end. Read more…
Murder Ford Monument – Self Titled
Who was it that said music is most meaningful when it arouses some of your deepest emotions? I think that might have been me, but either way, Montreal collective Murder Ford Monument‘s debut, self-titled LP is one of those albums that is best enjoyed when you invest yourself in it, rather than having it as casual background music.
The Youjsh – I Can’t Believe Steve Day Is OK With This EP
The first moments of “Don’t You Think She’s A Bit Young For You Steve Day?” could sum up the whole vibe that Montreal’s The Youjsh were seemingly trying to create with their debut EP, I Can’t Believe Steve Day Is OK With This. The loungy, better-than-your-best-attempt-at-an-awesome-Bar-Mitzvah-party sound that bandleader and composer Malcolm Sailor has churned up and arranged for this record is a sign that The Youjsh should become a mainstay around the underground Montreal music scene in the next little while.
