I realize that phrases like "next big thing" are thrown around with a lot of frivolity these days, but I really think that Toronto's Clouds (That Look Like Things) are one of those bands that truly warrant such an expression. Tuesday night was my second time seeing them this year and it's amazing how in a few short months, a band that was already pretty impressive to start with had grown to be ...
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Clouds (That Look Like Things) & HotKid @ The Horseshoe
Clouds (That Look Like Things) & HotKid @ The Horseshoe
I realize that phrases like "next big thing" are thrown around with a lot of frivolity these days, but I really think that Toronto's Clouds (That Look Like Things) are one of those bands that truly warrant such an expression. Tuesday night was my second time seeing them this year and it's amazing how in a few short months, a band that was already pretty impressive to start with had grown to be ...
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Born Ruffians, Henri Faberge and the Adorables and Hooded Fang @ The Opera House
Toronto's own Born Ruffians played to a full house at The Opera House on Saturday night. Whoulda thunk it? The fact that it was an all ages show probably added to the volume quite a bit, especially when you consider that if you took out all of the attendees under 19 years of age, you'd probably be left with about five people. OK, I'm exaggerating but it sorta felt that way to me. Still, the you...
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Born Ruffians, Henri Faberge and the Adorables and Hooded Fang @ The Opera House
Toronto's own Born Ruffians played to a full house at The Opera House on Saturday night. Whoulda thunk it? The fact that it was an all ages show probably added to the volume quite a bit, especially when you consider that if you took out all of the attendees under 19 years of age, you'd probably be left with about five people. OK, I'm exaggerating but it sorta felt that way to me. Still, the you...
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My Top 10 Hottest Canadian Bands 2008
As I mentioned in my last post, last Friday I (Heart) Music had posted the annual Hottest Bands In Canada list. I gave a few comments about my choices and omissions, etc. but after noticing that Mike at For The Records put up his personal choices, well, copycat that I am, I figured that I'd do the same.Each of us who contributed to the list were basically given only two rules: the bands had to ...
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My Top 10 Hottest Canadian Bands 2008
As I mentioned in my last post, last Friday I (Heart) Music had posted the annual Hottest Bands In Canada list. I gave a few comments about my choices and omissions, etc. but after noticing that Mike at For The Records put up his personal choices, well, copycat that I am, I figured that I'd do the same.Each of us who contributed to the list were basically given only two rules: the bands had to ...
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TV On The Radio - Dear Science,
I've been spending a lot of time lately talking about, and listening to, bands that are more significantly under the radar. This reality had caused me to be completely unaware of the fact that the now major labellers TV On The Radio were releasing a new CD entitled Dear Science,. Of course, as soon as the news hit my ears, I rushed out to pick it up.The reason for my enthusiasm is the fact that...
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TV On The Radio - Dear Science,
I've been spending a lot of time lately talking about, and listening to, bands that are more significantly under the radar. This reality had caused me to be completely unaware of the fact that the now major labellers TV On The Radio were releasing a new CD entitled Dear Science,. Of course, as soon as the news hit my ears, I rushed out to pick it up.The reason for my enthusiasm is the fact that...
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At Odds With Even
Last week I received a 3 song demo from a local Toronto band who call themselves At Odds With Even. Upon first listen, I have the impression that this is a trio of music lovers who are up on their musical history. I hear traces of The Minutemen, The Melvins and The Cramps who are all bands that only the most astute music fan could successfully draw inspiration from. On the other hand, it's quit...
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At Odds With Even
Last week I received a 3 song demo from a local Toronto band who call themselves At Odds With Even. Upon first listen, I have the impression that this is a trio of music lovers who are up on their musical history. I hear traces of The Minutemen, The Melvins and The Cramps who are all bands that only the most astute music fan could successfully draw inspiration from. On the other hand, it's quit...
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"I Could Play The Wild Mutation As A Rock 'N Roll Star"
When Bowie sang that line on his 1972 album The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, he was echoing the fantasy of many a teenage boy or girl. The children wanted to grow up to be garbagemen or astronauts or superheros, but at a certain age that changed and most teens would have given anything to make that wild mutation as a rock 'n roll star. However, only a precious few ...
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'Sup In November
Well, although I've been listening to current releases by everyone from Deerhoof (very good) to Of Montreal (not so good) as well as several local acts (mostly good), I'm afraid I just haven't had it in me to whip up any new reviews right now. No particular reason other than a mild lack of inspiration I guess. So I figured in the meantime, I'd do my monthly "Sup In..." post a few days earlier b...
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Krista Muir, Luther Wright and the Wrongs w/The Schomberg Fair @ Rancho Relaxo
The one thing about going to a show on a cold and rainy Monday night is that one cannot expect the turnout to be very earth shattering. However, The Schomberg Fair proved that this does not mean that one's performance necessarily has to follow suit. They had the privilege of opening for a couple of big(ger) names on Monday night, and they were determined to play their hearts out and show this m...
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Krista Muir, Luther Wright and the Wrongs w/The Schomberg Fair @ Rancho Relaxo
The one thing about going to a show on a cold and rainy Monday night is that one cannot expect the turnout to be very earth shattering. However, The Schomberg Fair proved that this does not mean that one's performance necessarily has to follow suit. They had the privilege of opening for a couple of big(ger) names on Monday night, and they were determined to play their hearts out and show this m...
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Proud Simon - Night Of Criminals
A couple of years ago I had become quite smitten with Shoestring Universe, the alt country debut release by NYC's Proud Simon. I've found that their sophomore album Night Of Criminals had taken me a little bit more time to form an attachment to, but now that I have, I feel that it is a significant step up for the band.The album is presented as a concept album of sorts, although the storytelling...
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Proud Simon - Night Of Criminals
A couple of years ago I had become quite smitten with Shoestring Universe, the alt country debut release by NYC's Proud Simon. I've found that their sophomore album Night Of Criminals had taken me a little bit more time to form an attachment to, but now that I have, I feel that it is a significant step up for the band.The album is presented as a concept album of sorts, although the storytelling...
More >
CONTEST: The Craft Economy Sampler CD Giveaway
It doesn't get much more fun than Toronto's own The Craft Economy. They manage to take insanity to a whole new level with their brand of 80's tinged new wave post punk party music.Their new EP is currently in the process of being pressed, printed and released to the public but in the meantime, they have two new songs available for your listening pleasure. Menergy is going to be the first single...
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CONTEST: The Craft Economy Sampler CD Giveaway
It doesn't get much more fun than Toronto's own The Craft Economy. They manage to take insanity to a whole new level with their brand of 80's tinged new wave post punk party music.Their new EP is currently in the process of being pressed, printed and released to the public but in the meantime, they have two new songs available for your listening pleasure. Menergy is going to be the first single...
More >
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
There are some bands that I love for no other reason than the simple fact that they make me happy. Blitzen Trapper is one of those bands. Last years' Wild Mountain Nation was a spastic mix of good old fashioned Southern rock and good old fashioned Southern raunch, and their show earlier this year was likewise, a hyperactive display of controlled chaos that ranks amongst the best shows I've seen...
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Blitzen Trapper - Furr
There are some bands that I love for no other reason than the simple fact that they make me happy. Blitzen Trapper is one of those bands. Last years' Wild Mountain Nation was a spastic mix of good old fashioned Southern rock and good old fashioned Southern raunch, and their show earlier this year was likewise, a hyperactive display of controlled chaos that ranks amongst the best shows I've seen...
More >
