Sound Salvation Army

Lily Frost is taking her game to the next level, if I can use a totally inappropriate metaphor.

Forst is a singer who always has and always will follow her own muse regardless of what the popular zeitgeist might suggest. Her 2007 record Cine-Magique was a sprightly, seductive set of songs that some might call Feist-y if they were a little less complex and interesting. I always wondered why she never got more acclaim or attention, considering the myriad strengths of that album.

Her latest record is Viridian Torch, released this summer. It offers a slate of songs that are a tribute to nature, but it seems to also be accompanied by a bit of a change of pace (especially considering her previous record was a slate of swingin’ Billie Holliday covers). Frost still plays to her strengths, namely dramatic musical and vocal arrangements with performances leaning towards antiquated styles; she’s long made hay by adopting elements of 20’s and 50’s-era songwriters and performers and those flourishes suit her magisterial voice.

But the turn is a dark and desolate atmosphere that permeates most of the songs, a tone that is somewhat at odds with most people’s perception of nature. Aside from the playful “Bug Tax” (the closest thing to an uptempo number here that is literally about bugs) the songs take on a lonesome edge that isn’t really lonesome; there’s an element of menace, of danger, of a dark horizon that harbours mysterious, unknown shapes, lights and sounds. “La Tempête” is a piece of spoken-word poetry that borders on threatening; “Forest Fire” outlines a decimating and detailed dream of destruction that just might be so real that it becomes real; “Thompson Pine” meditates ways in which Frost could be struck down by another; and I can’t understand a word of seven minute closer “Verlaine” but it is an astounding roller-coaster ride that caps 40 moody minutes with an ominous build-up and a mournful stringed closing.

It’s not quite tin pan alley, it’s not quite vaudevillian, it’s not quite chamber pop, it’s not quite the soundtrack to a horror movie, but it falls somewhere in between. The artistic vision on display with Viridian Torch is nothing short of astounding and the fact that Frost and her collaborators pull it off with such affecting results is an incredible accomplishment.

 

 Lily Frost - Forest Fire [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Lily Frost - Wychwood [4:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Physical, digital, etc: It’s all linked through her site.

Pat entries Canadian content, chamber pop, drama, indie, Lily Frost, mp3, orchestral, Veridian Torch

So last month, I saw the Murder Plans at the Horseshoe. I will always remember it as one of the last days I felt good before this god-forsaken cold set in and ruined my life.

First I got a regular wicked cold and flu, then bronchitis, now… who knows? Another nasty illness. This time with phlegm! It’s been three weeks and change since I’ve felt good. But today is a little less awful and I’m hopeful that by this evening, I’ll be feeling fine enough to bookend my illness with Murder Plans shows as they’re playing at Bread + Circus tonight for Toronto Indie Week. They go on at 10:45, plenty of time to get out to Kensington.

They’ve drawn comparisons to Wilco and The Constantines, but I also hear some Waits and Cohen influences. The songs are well-crafted, moody and deliberate. The songwriting is pretty stellar, too. They’re channeling Jarvis Cocker on Hurt Somebody, and the imagery on Hour Hands is nothing short of brilliant. They’ve captured a certain mood that I’ve been in for months now. Sort of malaise meets optimism. Like, I hope things get better, but I doubt they will. Sorry, Conan. Too late for me not to be cynical. I’m a jaded lady and sometimes, I just need a soundtrack for that.

Normally, when I go to a show for a band I’ve never heard of before, I pick up the album, give it a listen or two and forget about it. But Good Omens, the debut full-length from this Ottawa foursome, has been playing steadily on my iPod since their Horseshoe CD release show. High compliment in a world where very little music I hear holds my interest for very long.

Buy their album at their store or maple music or iTunes and definitely check them out live if you can.

 

 The Murder Plans - Hour Hands: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 The Murder Plans - Hurt Somebody: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Canadian content, concerts, live music, mp3, the murder plans

If you haven’t been paying attention to the Internets lately, then I’m sorry that you haven’t been able to hear Cee-Lo Green’s caustic, catchy kiss-off song, plainly titled “Fuck You.”

According to Wikipedia, “Fuck You!” was a viral hit. It registered over two million plays on youtube in less than a week. There’s no barometer for stuff like this, but I think we can safely consider that “a hit.”

To make a song that is easily the jam of the summer that cannot, by its very nature, be played on commercial radio or television because the chorus is made up of what society deems one of the most taboo four letter words you can say takes a huge set of balls. Thankfully, Cee-Lo appears to have dem nutz to spare.

I always love it when people I’ve put in certain categories defy expectations. Watching Cee-Lo step into the role of weirdness required by Gnarls Barkley was interesting, and watching him subvert pop music with a straight-up paen to swearing is pretty sweet, too.

Everybody takes it to be a joke, but I think “Fuck You” is the real deal. There are elements of Motown, funk, soul, R&B, hell, even some gospel! All that’s missing is maybe a few handclaps. Imagine if Al Green had been a little less preacher, a little more oh no you didn’t! It’s the male’s answer to Blu Cantrell’s “Hit Em Up Style” except way, way better. It is sweet revenge for anybody who was ever thrown over for somebody richer, prettier, younger, smarter, whateverer.

There’s nothing more cathartic than swearing when the situation absolutely calls for it. For what it’s worth, this reporter swears like a sailor on shore leave and operates on the friendly advice of one Mark Twain: When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear.

There’s a new video for the song featuring girls in matching dresses crooning his catchy chorus, an animated segment, three different “younger versions” of Cee-Lo, a retro diner and choreographed dancing.

Let’s see you tackle this one, Glee!

 

 Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Cee-Lo, Fuck You, mp3, video

Ola, amigos! I’m feeling festive cuz it’s so nice out here! I can finally run outside again, the arena isn’t freezing cold during derby practice and my cats are done shedding. Another sign of impending summer: Hillside tickets went on sale this past weekend.

Weekend passes sold out in record time, as usual. It’s been my experience that you can find some on craigslist or kijiji or some extremely last-minute options (like, day of, people putting signs up) at the Stone Health Store on Commercial St. You can also still gain entry via volunteerism.

Site favourites performing at Guelph’s big/little music festival include Basia Bulat, Calexico, Corb Lund, Shad, Stars, Sarah Harmer and local teens The Canned Goods — I’m super excited to see them score a spot because I know it was a big goal for this group. Don’t miss them!

As always, it’s a good, solid lineup worth the hassle of festival-going. If there’s one festival that might change your mind about festivals, this would be it. I’ve seen a lot of these acts before and they will inevitably put on a great show. Gord Downie is performing with his backing band and I know for a fact that Hillside organizer Sam Baijal is super excited about scoring Los Lobos. I’d love to see those performers play with Sarah Harmer and Calexico, respectively.

There are a host of other performers that you can check out on the official Hillside site. Hope to see you there!

 

 Calexico - Roka: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sarah Harmer - Escarpment Blues: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 The Canned Goods - Julia: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Calexico, Canadian content, concerts, Guelph, Hillside Festival, live music, mp3, Sarah Harmer, The Canned Goods

And that’s just fine with me.

They have never put out an album I have disliked. But it’s unlikely they’ll ever produce an album that so perfectly captured the mood of the times like 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. It was a high water mark in their career of being awesome, and this year’s Transference is much the same, if more of a grower.

There were songs on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga that I immediately took to and loved and they’re now some of my favourite songs of all time. I’m really trying not to sound like a super fan, but I think I’m failing. Anyway, I like this new album. I’ve listened to it non-stop since I got it. But I’m having a hard time writing about it. I’m not sure why.

As a whole, Transference sounds a lot like their last album. And every Spoon album, really. There are moments of brilliance. Sheer genius. Jangly, discordant notes that somehow, in Spoon’s hands, sound right together. Jarring sounds — including Britt Daniel’s craggy, lonely voice — come together to make beautiful music. There are a lot of songs on Transference that remind me of other Spoon songs. And that’s not a bad thing, because they’re good. But they’re kinda interchangeable. So I picked one, “Trouble Comes Running” to play for you here.

Last time out, the listening experience felt extremely intimate and personal, but Transference feels slightly removed and chilly. It’s surprising, but beautiful in its own way. Like going to bed on a steamy, hot summer evening and waking up to frozen streets and trees covered in prickly hoarfrost.

And another thing I’ve noticed that seems different here is the percussion. It seems a little samey, a little drone-y. And it carries over on almost every song. There are things that break it up, but it can be a little much.

“Got Nuffin” is one of those songs where the drums just overwhelm you, but the scratchy, fuzzy guitar cuts through that drumming cleanly. Britt Daniel does his gravel-voiced falsetto to perfection and, in fact, on a few songs, like the slow, simple, quiet rightness of “Goodnight Laura” I think he sounds remarkably clear and smooth. Like he’s been taking vocal lessons or something. I can’t decide which version of his voice I like better, but I like that he made an effort to try something slightly different.

Really, this is a fantastic album and another fine addition to Spoon’s ever-expanding catalogue of fantastic albums. It’s going to be tough to beat Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and ultimately, I’m not sure they’ve done that with Transference. But I can’t wait to see them tonight in Toronto at Sound Academy.

Buy their stuff, including vinyl, on their online store or iTunes.

 

 Spoon - Trouble Comes Running : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Spoon - Goodnight Laura: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Spoon - Got Nuffin: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Britt Daniel, concerts, live music, mp3, Spoon

In the mood for a little death country? Me too.

So I’m gonna maybe possibly perhaps go see Elliott Brood tonight at The Vinyl.

It’s cold and dreary and I feel the pressure of make-believe deadlines and no money beating down on me. I’d like to remedy that with a little heat, a little booze, a little power, a little rock and roll. I want to feel that kick drum through the fuckin’ floor and with Elliott Brood taking the stage, I know I will. It’s been two years since they released their Polaris-nominated and me-declared brilliant album, Mountain Meadows, so maybe they’ll be playing some new stuff. Who knows?

I just think it would be a shame for you to miss a chance to see this band live. Because I think they’re one of the best little touring acts in the country right now and they play with an intensity I’ve rarely seen duplicated.

Come see them live! Doors at the Vinyl open at 7:30 p.m. (early show).

Can’t see ‘em in Guelph?

Mar. 26 - Montreal House (MOHO) in Peterborough, ON
Mar. 27 - Avening Community Centre in Creemore, ON
April 15 - Call the Office in London, ON
July 16-18 - Dawson City Music Festival in Dawson City, Yukon

 

 Elliott Brood - President (35): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Elliott Brood - Fingers and Tongues: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Elliott Brood - Miss You Now: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Get their shizz at their official store, zunior or iTunes. Get it! Now!

Tanis entries Canadian content, death country, Elliott Brood, Guelph, live music, local music, mp3, The Vinyl

Like Pat said, sometimes, we get distracted by life. That doesn’t mean we stop listening to music. It just means we have less time to write about it.

I’ve been incredibly busy not cleaning my apartment and not doing my laundry so that I might watch reruns of CSI. But then I realized I have two mix CD projects to work on, so here I am at 1 a.m., considering which songs to include on a disc of my favourite songs of all time.

Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer - Morphine

The only song I really like from The Night, “Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer” reminds me of summer in the downtown of a city. It’s every house party you weren’t cool enough to be invited to and then some.

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

I love the seething anger and intensity of this song. I like to listen to this on the bus and imagine that I’m a total badass. I totally am. Underneath my H&M cardigan. Jack White understands my frustration.

Don’t Worry Baby - The Beach Boys

I liked the sweet simplicity of the Beach Boys before they got all heavy, but even then, Brian Wilson’s neuroses were showing. He worried about nothing and everything and it all came out in this harmonious beauty.

The Underdog - Spoon

The top-played song on my iTunes by a long shot. I just love the wordplay here: Cut out the middle man, get free from the middle, man. This is just about perfect, as far as songs go. It supplies all my favourite pop song staples including handclaps, trumpets, tambourines, a swelling middle section that builds and breaks open like a wave and a guy singing la-la-las in a raspy voice.

Life Is Still Sweet - White Hassle

I owe my knowledge of White Hassle to Emmet, of Bulldozer With A Wrecking Ball Attached. He reviewed this album when we both worked for the daily newspaper in Regina and highlighted this song. I sought out White Hassle and fell in love. They are no more, but you can read his review on the band’s website here, that’s how good it is.

 

 Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer - Morphine: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 The Underdog - Spoon: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Life Is Still Sweet - White Hassle: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries mp3, my favourite songs

I don’t like big crowds.

I’m not agoraphobic or claustrophobic or any kind of phobic, really. Wait. What’s clowns? I’m that kind of phobic. I just don’t like standing real close in huge groups of people. So a few months ago, I might have said something like “You couldn’t PAY ME to be in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics!”

But, uh… it turns out, you CAN pay me to be in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics. And here I am. The local broadsheet is paying me to edit things and design things and tell people that while bobsleigh is correct, bobsleighers is not. It’s bobsledders. Because. It just is. Don’t argue.

I miss newsrooms. I miss the immediacy and the rush and the late nights where I’m up for a reason. I miss the wire photos (FYI, if you think the video of the luge death was bad…consider yourself lucky that’s all you saw. The photos that DIDN’T run were pretty gruesome). I don’t miss the jawline acne and the unpleasant gutrot that comes from drinking four to six cups of coffee a day. I especially missed all of this happening around some big event where people with black hearts and quick wits push themselves to their limits and put together a newspaper. It feels nice to have this back because I’m pretty sure that soon it’s going to be gone altogether. The newspaper as you know it won’t exist. The job I’m doing now will be obsolete and I’ll have to stop giving it away for free online. But until then: Wheeeee!

Where was I? The Olympics. Yes. Stephen Harper invited himself to address the B.C. legislature Thursday. In his speech, he wanted us to know that it’s OK to be patriotic. That we can be just as loud and proud as our American counterparts. Sure. We COULD do that. But why would we? Stephen Harper can’t even be bothered to govern this country, so I’d really appreciate it if he stopped telling me how to be proud of it.

Fuck that guy.

this guy (gal?) knows what I'm talking about

Of course, I DID see a lot of people literally draped in flags on the SkyTrain when I was going in to work this afternoon. They’re allowed to do that. And I’m allowed to be kind of weirded out by it. Seriously guys. Save your head painting antics for when it matters. Like when football is on and the supermarket is out of watermelons. Or something.

To me, being Canadian means I don’t have to drape myself in a flag and paint my face and sing the anthem in my outdoor voice to prove that I love my country. Canada’s awesome. The end.

So thanks for stopping by to light the cauldron, Wayne. Don’t hurt yourself scurrying back to the states and your losing hockey team.

You guys to the south can keep Gretzky. We’ll throw in Bryan Adams, too. I don’t even know what to say about his shitty performance. So I won’t talk about it. Accentuate the positive. Let’s celebrate something nice. Something meaningful. I am super-pumped that Shane Koyczan got such a huge stage for his poetry.

He and his band, the Short Story Long, performed at Hillside Festival in Guelph last year and they lit the place up. In fact, I wrote about them right here! The song they performed then was this awesome version of their spoem (Song/poem — you can’t make this shit up, people! That’s what they calls these things!) Skin:

During the otherwise predictably lame opening ceremonies, he performed his piece We Are More. You could buy it from iTunes, but, um, you could also watch it on youtube:

You can find out more about Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long at their website. You may also buy their stuff on iTunes. And buy k.d. lang albums on her website.

 

 k.d. lang - Hallelujah: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 shane koyczan and the short story long - Skin: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Canadian content, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, mp3, Olympics, opening ceremonies, poetry, Shane Koyczan, spoken word, Vancouver

I saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie on the first day of this new decade of ours. I liked it a lot. It had many things I love including: Hot guys, sassy women in hats, explosions, smart people, period clothing, Robert Downey Jr., VERY thinly-veiled homoeroticism, gritty turn of the century London and fightin’. And it made me not hate Jude Law quite as much as I did before I saw it. (That guy was in a lot of movies and I saw them all and it got old faster than his hairline.)

Sometimes, all I need is a bunch of things I like arranged in a pleasing manner. Bonus points if it is slightly off kilter.

That’s how I feel about Montreal’s Clues and their self-titled album from 2009 on Constellation Records. It did not blow me away with awesomeness, but it was pretty great because lots of stuff I like makes its way into their music and then, they play it very well.

To describe their sound, I could use a lot of hyphenated words containing other words like post and wave and art. I could name a few very famous bands who are also from the Montreal area who they might sound a little like. But that’s just so tedious and annoying, don’t you think?

Just know that there are some neat surprises here and the songs go places you don’t expect them to (what does that even mean?) and uh, I’m running out of ways to say that I like this music and you should go see this band live, if you live in Ottawa or Guelph or Hamilton or Toronto.

GET A CLUE. THEY ARE GREAT. (See what I did there?) 



Mmmm. The more I listen to this, the more I feel my hatred for Jude Law seep away!

See Clues in concert:

Wednesday, January 13 — Cafe Dekuf — Ottawa (THIS IS TOMORROW, YOU GUYS!)
Thursday, January 14 — The Ebar — Guelph
Friday, January 15 — Club Absinthe — Hamilton
Saturday, January 16 — Silver Dollar — Toronto

 

 Clues - Perfect Fit : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can buy their album from Zunior and iTunes.

Tanis entries Clues, Guelph, indie, live music, Montreal, mp3

Joe Strummer died seven years ago today and when I think about that, it still makes me sad.

Nobody’s perfect. Nothing’s forever. You can change your mind. Damn the man. Steal shit. Know your rights. All things I learned, in a roundabout way, by listening to The Clash and Strummer over the years.

Have yourselves a merry little whatever you celebrate, but take a moment and pour one out for Joe. Here are some awesome songs.

 

 London Calling - The Clash: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Johnny Appleseed - Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Silver and Gold - Joe Strummer: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tanis entries Joe Strummer, legends, mp3, punk rock, rock