Want to try to find me tonight? Good luck.
10pm - John K Samson @ Great Hall
10:30pm - Jordan Cook @ Horseshoe
11:30 - Pack AD @ Horseshoe
12am - Hey Sugar @ Bovine
12:50am - Monster Truck @ Horseshoe
2am - Indian Handcrafts @Lee's Palace
...and now you know
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
CMW - Schedule 1
Want to try to find me tonight? Good luck:
7pm-9pm - Rehearsal w/ The Noble Rogues
9:30pm - Bella Clava @ Horseshoe
10:00pm - Hey Sugar @ Velvet
11:00pm - Harbinger @ Ballroom
7pm-9pm - Rehearsal w/ The Noble Rogues
9:30pm - Bella Clava @ Horseshoe
10:00pm - Hey Sugar @ Velvet
11:00pm - Harbinger @ Ballroom
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Ola... kinda rocks?
It's rare that I am sent music to review. While it's not really my schtick, the few times people go out of their way to send me something, I feel it only polite to give a listen and provide some feedback. There's an interesting conundrum an amateur reviewer has between feeling as though they should provide some positive press for a band who contacts them and truly speaking one's mind. As I sit down to listen to this album and begin to write... only time will tell where this post goes.
Olaroks, a Toronto four piece, reached out for a review of their 2011 album Somebody's Girl. Beyond this, I can't tell you much about the band except what I gleaned from their liner notes and a pretty sparse web presence. At a very high level, there's nothing wrong with this album, but at the same time, I can't claim that there is anything overwhelmingly right about it either.
There are elements of this album that are really good. Technically, its a tight and very proficient album. All players have their chops together and Ola, their female front woman, has a solid voice that delivers a fairly consistent story and message across the album. Their style has a catchy element with solid, pop sensibility. The songs are well arranged, decently balanced and even make use of a few extras and gimmicks like flutes.
But... so what?
I'll preface this by flat out stating that they simply might not be my style, however, the issue that I have with this album is that it doesn't push the envelope in any spheres. The songs are all too safe and listening to each track, I seldom get the feeling like anyone in the band is taking a huge risk or doing something that takes them outside of their comfort zone. After 34 minutes of music, only a handful of noteworthy moments stay in my mind.
We catch a glimpse of where this band could be if someone really put themselves out there in my favorite track, the unfortunately titled "bum song." However, the draw to this track is in the raw intensity of guest MC Louis Stroud. If the most impressive part of your album is a guest artist, there is a bit of a problem. While I wasn't a fan of it, at least the closing track "I like your bitches" tried to be something a bit unique, and not just through lyrical quasi-shock, but in the structure of a more original, unpredictable song.
Olaroks is the kind of band that one could easily enjoy as background to a chilled pub scene; and that's fine if it is your goal. However, in my mind, a band should always strive to create music that insists on your attention. Olarocks has the foundation of a solid band with talented musicians, however, if they want to take their tunes to the next level, they have to be able write a song that makes me give a damn.
-Where were you when we threw ourselves to the ground and let go of everything?
Olaroks, a Toronto four piece, reached out for a review of their 2011 album Somebody's Girl. Beyond this, I can't tell you much about the band except what I gleaned from their liner notes and a pretty sparse web presence. At a very high level, there's nothing wrong with this album, but at the same time, I can't claim that there is anything overwhelmingly right about it either.
There are elements of this album that are really good. Technically, its a tight and very proficient album. All players have their chops together and Ola, their female front woman, has a solid voice that delivers a fairly consistent story and message across the album. Their style has a catchy element with solid, pop sensibility. The songs are well arranged, decently balanced and even make use of a few extras and gimmicks like flutes.
But... so what?
I'll preface this by flat out stating that they simply might not be my style, however, the issue that I have with this album is that it doesn't push the envelope in any spheres. The songs are all too safe and listening to each track, I seldom get the feeling like anyone in the band is taking a huge risk or doing something that takes them outside of their comfort zone. After 34 minutes of music, only a handful of noteworthy moments stay in my mind.
We catch a glimpse of where this band could be if someone really put themselves out there in my favorite track, the unfortunately titled "bum song." However, the draw to this track is in the raw intensity of guest MC Louis Stroud. If the most impressive part of your album is a guest artist, there is a bit of a problem. While I wasn't a fan of it, at least the closing track "I like your bitches" tried to be something a bit unique, and not just through lyrical quasi-shock, but in the structure of a more original, unpredictable song.
Olaroks is the kind of band that one could easily enjoy as background to a chilled pub scene; and that's fine if it is your goal. However, in my mind, a band should always strive to create music that insists on your attention. Olarocks has the foundation of a solid band with talented musicians, however, if they want to take their tunes to the next level, they have to be able write a song that makes me give a damn.
-Where were you when we threw ourselves to the ground and let go of everything?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
It's in Your Genes
What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't give a nod for the much-anticipated release of Talk Sick's second full length, , Genetics? It's now been just over a week since I got to catch their album release at Katacombes in Montreal (which is such an awesome venue). Through that week, my media player tells me I've spun the new album at least 5 full times, with some songs reaching into the 10-15 plays range. In short... I've started to get a good feel for it.
And this I can say after letting this album wash over me: this is a solid piece of work. The boys find a way of combining a driving punk feel with ridiculous technical proficiency and vocals that attack you from all directions. The album simultaneously sounds like no band you've ever heard before while still invoking the memories of countless punk bands from my youth (The Casualties, Sick of it All, New Bomb Turks & Trigger Happy to name a few). With 14 tracks weighing in at a sprinting 25 minutes, this is an album you can enjoy in the time it makes to make dinner, and likely still have time to set the table. The only warning I'll give is that you may start smashing the fine china as you mosh along to songs like, my personal favorite, Religion.
Still, flatware and porcelain aside, take a listen to Talk Sick's new album. It's fun for the part of the family that likes fast punk and vocals that grate along your spine. As for the rest of the family, someone tell them that they're boring and lame. You can listen to a track below or check out the whole album here.
-We fit so well it hurt to pull apart
Still, flatware and porcelain aside, take a listen to Talk Sick's new album. It's fun for the part of the family that likes fast punk and vocals that grate along your spine. As for the rest of the family, someone tell them that they're boring and lame. You can listen to a track below or check out the whole album here.
-We fit so well it hurt to pull apart
Monday, March 5, 2012
Fuel Up
I'm starting a new job today, which likely means I should be doing something more productive with my last few minutes of unemployment other than blogging, but I just really like doing this.
Fittingly as I re-enter the corporate world that I find one of the most abrasive, loud and intense bands I've heard in a while. I don't have too long to set it up, but check out Retox from California. Blurring together a ton of different genres and a lot of noise, this four piece has come from the ashes of a number of bands to create a sound which flies in the face of many typical bands.
Right... shut up, Shane.
I never saw you walk in the door and I never heard you leave.
Fittingly as I re-enter the corporate world that I find one of the most abrasive, loud and intense bands I've heard in a while. I don't have too long to set it up, but check out Retox from California. Blurring together a ton of different genres and a lot of noise, this four piece has come from the ashes of a number of bands to create a sound which flies in the face of many typical bands.
Right... shut up, Shane.
I never saw you walk in the door and I never heard you leave.
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