Album Reviews
Review : Gaëtan Roussel-Ginger
Gaëtan Roussel, the talented leader of Louise Attaque and TaRMaC, brings us his first solo effort called Ginger. This album gives us a blend of rock, trip-hop and electro pop, reminiscent of Beck’s work. Read more…
The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
Montreal’s own The Besnard Lakes have come out with their follow up to their 2007 Polaris Music Prize nominated album, The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse. This time around The Besnard Lakes are The Roaring Night tells the story of spies and double agents as they fight against one another in a potentially false war. It is a dreamy, fuzzy yet romantic trip to a surreal world worth all of the repeated listens that it will get.
Review: Various Artists – Espace Emergence
On the site espace-emergence.com, you can download a compilation of 24 different emerging bands from Quebec for free. This album is just a joy to listen to, skillfully blending genres from pop to electro, rock to country. Despite the musical diversity, it all comes together smoothly. The album begins with a song from the ever talented Ève Cournoyer. It’s with a reggae beat that she gives us “Hanna”, a song about consumerism with typical Quebecois lyrics that only she knows how to write. Charming us with a compelling prose and a lively tempo, this one is certainly a summer song. Read more…
The Wind Up Radio Sessions – Red Brick House
The Wind Up Radio Sessions started their musical journey in Dundas, Ontario, where brothers Dan and Marc Kiely began to write songs together as The Ewok Folk Sessions. After moving to our fair city of Montreal and meeting Matthew Lazenby, an Ex-Pat from the UK, the three like-minded musicians began composing songs together under a new moniker. And thus, The Wind Up Radio Sessions were born. After releasing an introductory debut EP, the band is now set to unleash upon the world their first full length, entitled Red Brick House (out later this month).
Gigi French – Cannelle
I’ve always admired Giselle C. Webber’s work, either as a pop-rock performer with the Hot Springs or as the hip-hop singer “Giselle Numba One”. She reinvents herself once again, this time as Gigi French with her album “Cannelle”. This is a far cry from her previous work, giving us a gypsy jazz album, all interpreted in French. Read more…
Phantogram – Eyelid Movies
Saratoga Springs, NY electronic duo Phantogram, who have been making waves all over the blogosphere lately as well at venues all over North America and who have opened for the likes of Zero 7, Yeasayer and Minus The Bear have finally delivered their captivating and mesmerizing debut; Eyelid Movies (Barsuk Records). Although they are only two, guitarist Josh Carter and keyboardist Sarah Barthel have created a sound as full and satisfying as a five piece band using only a few instruments and some electronic elements. Although the album on a whole is electronic pop, the direction sometimes drifts into an incredibly pleasant mix of trip-hop, psychedelic, and even hip-hop. Read more…
Review: Blockhead – The Music Scene
Blockhead, who you may recognize from his incredible production work with Aesop Rock, has released his fourth instrumental hip-hop masterpiece on Ninja Tune Records (Kid Koala, Amon Tobin, Jaga Jazzist). The Music Scene is the perfect road trip album, with its flawless, chill-out vibe and irresistible beats and grooves. The lack of vocals gives the listener a rare freedom to explore and find their own meaning in the madness. Read more…
Review: Peasant – Shady Retreat
Doylestown is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of just over 8000, and is probably mainly known for two things – the Naked Zorro, who became famous for flashing and terrorizing Doylestown women, and folk singer-songwriter Damian Nicholas DeRose, or as most know him, Peasant. Shady Retreat is Peasant’s follow up to his bittersweet 2008 debut On The Ground. Read more…
Review: Yeasayer – Odd Blood
Brooklyn’s psychedelic, experimental rock band Yeasayer have, after a long wait since 2007’s critically acclaimed All Hours Cymbals, released their sophomore album, entitled Odd Blood. The band’s latest output no longer evokes feelings of being a wandering nomad through an arid dessert, but instead the guys have created an entirely new soundscape for us to explore. Read more…
