Hello, is it me you're looking for?

'Cause I wonder where you are..or in my case, where you've been.

Sorry folks, it's been a while since I've posted. It's been a chaotic few weeks in my life, but I am slowly getting back on track.

So first off Happy Black Friday to my American friends. You know what you should be thankful for? Not voting in Mitt. Yep, that would have been terrible. So now that the world has collectively exhaled, we can let you folks start getting stuff done.

I don't really have reviews for today. I will get back into that next week. I would however, like to mention one thing:

This year Stevie Wonder's Talking Book is 40 years old.

Originally released after Stevie was on tour with the Rolling Stones this amazing record hit the shelves on October 28. It's sort of alarming to associate albums I know with milestones like this, but facts are facts. This was also the first record of his, to reach the top of the R&B charts, and it stayed there for 3 weeks. I know that's not a long time, but the influence of this record cannot be denied.
Original pressings contain Braille lettering of Wonder's name and the album title, along with this message: 
Here is my music. It is all I have to tell you how I feel. Know that your love keeps my love strong. - Stevie

Here is a video I found on You Tube: I cannot help myself, I think the 3:18 mark is my favourite:

I  know there is no way for you to know this, but this blog has taken a while to write, I have just freed myself from a soul/funk You Tube trap. I will admit however, that I did not struggle, and went there willingly - do not blame the funk.

I watched some Soul Train footage and instantly I am transported to Memphis, and memories of my trip last March. One of the many highlights was my trip to Stax Records.

There is a spot in the museum area, where there is a big dance floor with Soul Train on a loop. Way too awesome. I have always loved R&B and Stax just happens to be the label of the great group, and one of my favourites, The Bar Kays. In fact when a Soul compilation came out while I was still at HMV, in Saskatoon, I made my staff listen to this song, probably a bit too much: 

But really after seeing that, can you really deny how awesome it is.... no I'm right.

Anyways I digress. Honestly, I could post video after video, but even I would get tired of that plus I only really wanted to talk about Stevie Wonder, and his greatness.

It's my goal for 2013 to see Stevie Wonder with my best friend Darin - that's all we ask. Please Stevie, go back out on tour, we'll even come to you.



You've got to pick up every stitch

It must be the season of the witch......

And so it is. I love Halloween, I think it's even better than Christmas, and people give me stuff at Christmas. Now for a scary holiday to be my favourite is odd, because if you know me, you know I am a fraidy cat. Seriously wimpy when it comes to scary. I couldn't even get through the opening of American Horror Story. But that being said I have come to love a few classic horror movies (tame by today's standard) but you cannot deny the classics like Dracula, Frankenstein and gems like that but my two favourites are the cheesy classics; Halloween and Sleep Away Camp. Halloween, I love this movie, I still have my VHS copy, and I even have a Michael Myers doll that when you press his belly it plays the theme song - it rocks. I even like the franchise (or at least try to like the franchise). Sleep Away Camp, probably the most ridiculous thing but man, it was shocking to see when I first watched it. Plus it's camp in more ways than location.

There is something about the mystery of Halloween that I love, also people are generally happy. You're not dressing as a smurf because your angry and you hate going out. Your dressing up because it's fun, people will usually give you candy, and it's fun to see what crazy carving people can come up with on a pumpkin.
These two particularly ROCK:

I try each year and am getting better, but those are WAY out of my league

An definately no blog would be complete without some song mention, so here is Season of the Witch by Donovan. 

Happy Halloween!

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.

and so it does and has.

I do not have an actual review planned for today, instead I just want to wish Yep Roc Records a Happy 15th Birthday. Perhaps one of my favourite labels for music, Yep Roc was Founded in 1997 by Glenn Dicker and Tor Hansen, and this label is home to several well recognised and highly revered artists; including Nick Lowe, Fountains of Wayne, John Doe, Pall Weller, Southern Culture on the Skids, and Tift Merritt, to name just a few. Seriously this is the tip of the iceberg. This label is amazing.

Having worked in music retail for a good chunk of my life I appreciate a label that still believes in what they are doing and why they began this journey and why they continue doing what they do.

I highly recommend you go to their website buy their pint glass, and listen to you 14 digital download tracks from their awesome roster of artists.

And so the conversation turned

Until the sun went down.
Fascination is probably the best Human League song.  It's a great 80's track and who honestly doesn't love a little 80's music in their lives.

My friend Vin has been posting random 80's gems off and on for a while, and it's always fun to see what he's unearthed. Probably my favorite from the past while was Dancing in Heaven by Q-feel. I only knew the song from the terrible, but secretly awesome movie Girls Just Want to Have Fun. And damn it, if that song doesn't stick in your head.

That being said, maybe it's because of the changing seasons, but I am so tired lately. I just simply cannot get enough sleep. It doesn't matter what I do. This is how I feel (Perry Como - SCTV)

Well enough about my being tired (boohoo, right?). On with my music musings for the week.

The Arrogance of Youth by Riley Etheridge Jr. I read in the "sounds like" section that the sound was Country/Rock. Well yes on the Country music sound. There is even a track or two on here, where he sounds exactly like Lyle Lovett. While I think the music is well written, played, and produced, it boils down to this not being a record that pulled me in. It's not terrible, it's just not for me. If you are a fan of new Country music give it a try, you might really enjoy it. http://www.rockridgemusic.com/rileyetheridge/

St. Peter & 57th by Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Sort of a catch 22. The music is unquestionably wonderful, but the whole time I was listening, I was wishing I was seeing them in person. I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform, and once you see it, you're hooked. The musicianship is stellar. Honestly, listening to them is like drifting onto the streets of New Orleans and absorbing their rich and wonderful culture. BUY IT!!! http://www.preservationhall.com/band/

Agua Del Sol by Hijos de Agueybana. Fun Latin rhythms. I found myself tapping and humming along in no time. It's super fun and very catchy. I am not going to go into detail - I will just simply say. AWESOME.

http://www.myspace.com/hijosdeagueybana

Half Made Man by Ben Sollee. At first pass I was a bit surprised at the variety of sounds, the variety worked and was not at all messy which is a hard feat. So right off the bat I was impressed. I then found out his primary instrument is a cello. I didn't honestly notice, and took a second listen to see if I could hear it. You can to a degree, but bottom line, he's a talented musician with a great sense of sound and how instruments work with each other. It's an easy listen and I recommend giving it a try. http://bensollee.com/

Alright, gotta run. It's pot luck day for my work, and the crowds are restless for my famous slow cooked mac & cheese.

If Looks Could Kill....

...They probably will in games without frontiers war without tears. So said Peter Gabriel.

I have long been a fan of Peter Gabriel and I am quite sad that I don't live anywhere near one of his concert stops. I also wish I was rich so that I travel to see him play. Oh well, such is life.

This week was actually last week, but things got very chaotic at work with the launching of the Arden Season with Joel Plaskett, so my time got sidetracked. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on a few CD's I listened to last week.

The Sound of the Life of the Mind by Ben Folds Five. AWESOME, but then again I am completely bias. I love this man, his writing is clever, and the music is always top notch. He's creative and wonderful. It's always nice when an artist you appreciate maintains his level of artistry, staying true to himself, yet evolving. It rare to find. Go buy this CD immediately. http://www.benfolds.com/

All the Way Home by Ocean Carolina. Solid laid back feel, reminiscent of a Josh Ritter or John Wort Hannam. While I liked this album, I found it faded to the background a little to easily for me. It's pleasant enough and it's sure to please many, it's just not one that will likely stay with me for long. http://www.oceancarolina.com/

When the Ledge is Home by Bi-Polar Bear. With a title like that and the group name I knew I was in store for a pop explosion of fun.......what? wait. Oh, right this CD was depressing. The writing and music was decent, but it didn't surprise or offer anything you would expect. There is potential for this band, as they are talented, and in spots the beats remind me of Jurassic 5, but let's just hope they continue to grow and step beyond their sad shadow or they will become the self fulfilling prophesy and end it all. http://rollwiththebear.com/ (PS: google searching bi-polar bear is super interesting)

Mirage by Band of Horses. They're happier on this record then I ever heard them before. It took me by surprise. And, I will admit it was a bit hard to hear, but I liked it. Super catchy rhythms and for the most part the lyrics were good, but not their best effort. Especially the track Dumpster World - super odd lyrics. Decent outing for a group who I suspect collective would like to be Neil Young when they grow up. http://www.bandofhorses.com/us/home

Carny Life by Pebaluna. Loved it! Great melodies and an amazing voice and instantly an atmosphere was created that drew me in. Some Jazzy guitar riffs lead into some Bossa Nova moods which drifted towards a quirk of ukulele - but it all works. Find it, Buy it. http://www.pebaluna.com/

Look into the Sky by James Iha. It's sort of reminiscent of a 60's/70's pop record. I really appreciate this record, it's cosmically breezy and easy to listen to. There is also a great list of guest artists on this record who all contribute, but don't overtake the sound James is creating. The only misstep for me was the track Appetite. It had an Iggy Passengers-esque sound that just creeped along and felt totally out of place. http://www.jamesiha.org

That's about it for last week. I plan on getting back on track with my regular Friday postings.

And as always, go buy music at your in a local record shop, they know what they're doing and will likely suggest something to you, that will blow your mind.

Video Killed the Radio Star

Did it ever, I had last week off, a stay-cation if you will, and I listened to no music. Zip, ziltch, nadda.

First off let me say that I tend to be busier when I take time off. I cram so much into my days, that I inevitably don't get done those little chores that I always promise myself that I'll give attention to it when I take time off - yeah right. It's also tough when you know you will have to include a nap into your daily routine for the week. This gal has priorities.

So you can imagine how low on the list my music blog was. I apologise to the 5 or 6 people that actually read this thing.

I have a really great excuse for not investing time into music. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries Season 2 showed up in the mail about a week prior, and well...........I needed to watch every episode. Plus there was a cavalcade of great guest stars; Linda Dano, Kasey Kasem, Kim Cattrall, Rick Springfield and Lorne Green - to name just a few.

I love late 70's and 80's detective shows. They had to rely on hunches and intuition to solve mysteries, plus can you imagine how tough it must have been to solve crime without a cell phone? I mean people can't even grocery shop now without phoning home to see it it was 2% or 1% milk they needed to pick up.

This is a slippery slope for yours truly. I think I will have to search out some more detective shows online. Maybe Barnaby Jones is online?

Anyways, I digress. I could talk about awesome TV all day.

I also saw a fantastic movie - Moonrise Kingdom. Wes Anderson is a genius. I highly recommend this movie.

Alright, enough for now - I better get back to work. Music reviews will be coming for the end of the week.

They say the world has had enough of silly love songs

..............well thank you Sir Paul McCartney, but I look around me and I see it isn't so.

So what's new in music this week. Well sadly not much good. I have been trying to listen, but when it's a new Matchbox 20 or a Smash Mouth, I just cannot do it. Sorry.

I didn't mind 3 CD's, but 1 of them is borderline.

Havoc and Bright Lights by Alanis Morissette. I really enjoyed this. It's a solid record from start to finish. Fine rock selections but mostly mellow, but happy. I think her anger is almost gone, you can truly hear the happiness in these tracks. Personally I think that happiness started to appear when she connected with Ryan Reynolds, but that's just me. He's enough to make any girl smile. http://www.alanis.com/

On a Ride by Wax Poetic. Another decent release. The tracks flowed well, and the use of guest vocalists for the most part was a good choice. Some weaknesses but for the most part the flow was there and I found myself digging the jazzy chill-out vibe. Sort of a Zero 7 feel at some points. This record definitely created an at"mood"sphere - yep, I made that word up. Norah Jones and Natalie Walker both guest on this record - nice work ladies. http://waxpoetic.net/

Highest Wish by Bill Ortiz. I am by no means a jazz purest, but I do like the genre. Now this CD is littered with guest vocalists, and I use the term littered because I don't think it works on the tracks. The best parts of this album is not the guest work but the actual playing. Bill is an amazing trumpet player, adding all these guests cloud his playing. the BEST parts of this CD is when we get to hear Bill do what he does best. http://billortiz.com/music/

             Why is it whenever I hear Jazz I think of Kids in the Hall. "With a rap tap tapping on the window, and a voice saying Hey let us in Beano's clarinet is getting wet" baaahahaha classic Kids.

On a side note, I heard the song Poison by Bel Biv Devoe yesterday on the radio. I am impressed that I remembered most of the words and that it still holds up as an amazing song. It totally made me want to dig out my cassette single and play it over and over.

Viva la New Jack Swing!

--odd combination of words, but I do feel that in my heart

Also I am helping out at the Blue Revue next week. So it's only a matter of time before I confirm who all the "naughty kids" are in Edmonton.

I am blaming Bruce Springsteen

Well last week I professed my love for Gotye, and the show was last night, but guess what............I missed it. I cannot believe it, I was so looking forward to this show.

I blame Bruce Springsteen, yes you're reading this right. I normally tune in to Sonic to listen to Garner in the morning, but yesterday when I got in my car the satellite radio was on and it was Bruce Springsteen's Cover Me. Cover Me is an excellent song. Pure 80's gold, so obviously I wasn't going to turn that off. I think though, had I switched to FM, I am sure the concert would have come up in chatter, and sparked my memory.

Oh well, it's done with and now it's just funny.

On with the reviews:

Fragrant World by Yeasayer. I never gave them a chance before, but this CD really intrigued me early on with it's dashes of R&B and mixed with a bit of synth-pop, it actually made for a decent combination that for the most part, worked. I especially liked the songs Henrietta and Longevity. If you like a mix between Daft Punk and Air, this is worth seeking out.   http://www.yeasayer.net/

Four by Bloc Party. What a great rock record. Lots of guitar and it's a "back to basics" type of release that for me, re-energised a group that I was starting to lose interest in. Tapping into a fuzzed out sound at some points in the record, they push themselves, thankfully back to their roots, with energy to spare. Buy it and play it loud. http://blocparty.com/

Cast the Same Old Shadow by Dylan LeBlanc. Oh woe is me, this album is filled with heartache. I think for the most part it's a natural sound for him but by the end I wanted a hug, I was so blue. Something about this CD stayed with me, it's simple easy lyrics combined with relaxed melodies and it was lovely in it's spareness yet as it progressed I felt like it was manufactured, like following a blueprint. I ended up becoming distracted. I am unsure of my recommendation. There is beauty here for sure, but just not a full album worth.
http://www.dylanleblanc.com/

Earning Keep by Christopher Smith. Very mellow sound but it suits his lyrics and music. I found the CD atmospheric and lovely. This Vancouver based singer-songwriter offers a simple sound that compliments his writing. On a funny/odd note, he looks like his music. It's worth a google. http://boompa.ca/bands/christopher-smith/

All I Did Was Tell Them the Truth And They Thought it was Hell by King of Spain. This duo has produced an incredibly full sound with beautiful harmonies. In parts their voices blend like The Byrds and the momentum, for the most part, moves along at a decent pace. If I had one complaint, I found their songs go a little long. It's not that noticeable at first, but each song I felt could be edited a bit on time. That aside it was a great listen, for the dreary day I was having. http://kingofspain.org/

I also wanted to mention a soundtrack that came past me this week. Lawless, Compiled by Nick Cave and drawing from Mark Lanegan, Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris is worth listening to.

That's all I have for reviews this week. Ask your local record shop about these artists and others, they are jewels of the music scene in any city, and it would be a shame if they disappeared. Shop local!

Puzzle with a Piece Missing

I love Gotye, and this little love affair started pre- Making Mirrors, we're approaching 10 years and I am excited that he has reached a level of fame that allows him to tour Canada and more specifically Edmonton at the end of this month. The problem now is that I might have to miss it, which breaks my heart. I am not sure what to do. I have a lot of thinking to do before the 29th.

While I contemplate, I listen

Underwater by Joshua Radin. Instantly smitten is what I would say about this record. You may not know his name, but I would be shocked if you've never heard his music before. He has his music everywhere, yet I am not saturated by it. That's always a good sign. He has had music in over 60 TV episodes/movies - impressive considering this is album number 4. Vocally bittersweet with writing that pierces the soul. This seemingly overtly private album is publicly welcomed by many. Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed.  http://us.joshuaradin.com/

Instinct by Niki + the Dove. Well isn't this the little gem. They remind me a great deal of Empire of the Sun (which is a guilty pleasure). This Swedish band, signed to Sub-Pop, has left an impression with me. Pop music with a dash of darkness. While it won't change the world or be a long lasting, impression leaving album, it is fun. It falls apart a bit in the end, like they ran out of ideas. Or maybe their final idea was Stevie Nicks on crack, but there are fun moments and a few tracks will show up on a future play list. http://www.nikiandthedove.com/

Between the Ditches by Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. The first time I heard them play was live at the Calgary Folk Festival, and they were dynamic. I think because of that impression I was expecting a bit more. I liked this album, but they are one of those bands where their magic isn't captured on recording. With a Delta-blues infused sound this albums shifts smoothly from track to track. My only complaint is his annunciation. I just plainly do not always understand what the hell is being said. Oh well. http://www.bigdamnband.com/

Listening by Ben Taylor. I think this can be described as silky smooth. Taking a page out of the Mraz.Meyer songbook, Ben Taylor delivers a nice album of sweet song. Nothing surprising. I don't want to be a jerk about it, but wow, it feels like little effort was put forth. Perhaps I am expecting more from Carly Simon and James Taylor's son, who in the past has impressed me, but I don't think so. Well written, nicely crafted songs that fade to the background. http://www.bentaylormusic.com/

I am listening to a whole heap more of music and will likely have another post by the end of the week. In the meantime, go listen to music and take in a fringe show while you're out and about. Support the Arts!

Four Strong Winds

There is so much I love about the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. When I describe it to people I always mention the music of course, but I know it's more than that.

One of the main reasons this festival is strong and successful is the people and the fact that they are working for a common goal rather than themselves. I volunteer for many things, and trust me when I say you can certainly tell when the philosophy is not there. I am a volunteer on a rather large crew of about 45, but there is also the staff of the festival itself (seasonal and permanent) that I get to work closely with. These are the people we work for and work hard for. For this pocket of time every year my family grows to almost 100 strong, and regardless of how time passes we are all there for each other and for the same reason. I know I am not alone in my sentiment.

Each year I look forward to seeing old friends and visiting. The festival has a strong social pull for me. It's often the only time I get to see certain people so when the gates open and patrons, guests and artists start arriving there is a certain electricity in the air that is difficult to describe.

This year was another stellar line-up of artists that dazzled the sold-out audiences. Whether you are enjoying the more intimate sessions or the party atmosphere of the main stage everyone I encountered had a story to tell or a favourite musical experience to share. I love when people get excited about music.

Each night had stand-out moments and as much as I could and would love to chat about each, I like to keep my posts short. Let me just say that EVERY mainstage performance was incredible. Sure there are peaks and valleys, and some were better than others, but it's so subjective. I was excited for the opportunity to hear Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Corb Lund, Emmylou Harris, James Vincent McMorrow, Jim Cuddy and a Guthrie Family Reunion (to name a few) was pretty damn awesome.


Lots going on



I saw many concerts on smaller stages also and was blown away. It's always nice to see an artist do well and rediscover artists that you've liked for sometime but are now seeing them in a new light. I also dig the combinations Terry Wickham dreams up for the sessions. Sometimes you look and think, "hmm what's the common thread?" then you see and and think "D'uh it's the music that's the thread", and if the performer approaches it with an open mind, magic is created.



Four Strong Winds, closes each year. Some think it's corny, but I love it. This year, Corb Lund closed the festival in song with help from the amazing Geoff Berner, T. Nile and Kim Beggs.

And of course no festival is quite complete without Don's farewell speech:

What to Keep and What to Give

Last weekend, July 27-29, was the inaugural weekend for the Interstellar Rodeo. Now normally I would be in Calgary volunteering at their festival, but there were circumstances that led me to bow out for this year (first time in 16 years). Initially I was sad, but then I caught wind of this new festival. As chance would have it a friend asked me if I wanted to help with media, and so I jumped at the chance. By the end of the weekend, Calgary was a memory. In fact, I will likely continue supporting the Interstellar Rodeo, and give up on Calgary altogether. If I am honest CFMF had been letting me down for years anyhow, so I don't really think I will miss it. Plus why drive to Calgary when this gem is in my own backyard.

Back to Interstellar, and boy what a festival. There were a few first year hiccups that I won't bother to go into, because they are a non-issue, also if they were not ironed out right away they will be fixed for next year, plus the audiences didn't see it so why shine a light on it.  What is most important is that the festival was a success. It was not a sell out, but it felt full.

Audiences and bands alike were smitten with each other, and isn't that what's important.

From the moment the gates opened until the last encore of Blue Rodeo everyone who attended had a great time. There was enough variety to keep even the fickle of audiences intrigued, and if you somehow didn't enjoy yourself - maybe you just need to stay home, because nothing will please you.

It's pretty obvious I love music and this festival had great variety and a few bands I had never seen perform and even a few I had not really even heard music for, so win, win for me. I am always dazzled by Hawksley Workman , Alejandro and Gillian. 



Hawksley & Mr. Lonely



Richard Buckner blew me away as did the Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Sojourners.

Cadence Weapon

A pleasant surprise was Cadence Weapon, who I must admit I have never seen perform more than one song. His style of rapping is intriguing and clever and I am now a fan and finally Randy Newman, every song was one we all knew. It's incredible when you take a moment and think of his career, mind boggling.

I enjoyed everything I saw and it was great to see old favourites and make new discoveries.

What sets this little festival apart from others is the intimacy. It is in an outdoor, yet covered, amphitheatre, the sound is amazing, the food vendors were all local food trucks who have amazing offerings and one final touch that initially I thought was bizarre was each artist was paired with a wine. That particular wine was only sampled/sold during the artists set. They had a house white and red available at all times but the feature was only a limited offering. Once I saw the concept and read the descriptions in the program, I thought this was a very smart idea. Below I have a picture of the program that shows the band and the wine, just so you know what I am rambling about.

  

The Blue Rodeo bio and the wine that was paried with them

Clever little details like this helped set it apart. I was very proud to be apart of this festival and want to especially thanks Six Shooter Records, their staff and their fearless leader Shauna de Cartier, Johnny Mac for having the vision and foresight for this festival, the Wine Guy, Gurvinder Bhata for pairing many delicious wines with delicious artists and Aimee Hill for stopping me at another concert, Ben Folds, to ask me to help her out with media. I am so pleased to have spent a wonderful weekend with so many like minded music enthusiasts.

They say it happens all the time

It's been a strange week, every day of this week has felt like the wrong day. Does that make sense? So it's Thursday night but promise me, it feels like Tuesday. I think I also felt off because normally I would be in Calgary at this moment pouring beers at the Folk Festival, but I'm not, I'm home. Very odd, since it's been part of my summer for 16 years.
So rather than focus on that, I tried to immerse myself in music. And pleasantly, there were a few that really impressed me. So without further a do.....

Milo Greene by Milo Greene. Wonderful, soaring harmonies and beautiful music are in abundance. In a word their music is transportive. Really I don't feel like I need to say more, It's great. http://www.milogreene.com/

Gossamer by Passion Pit. On first pass I sort of just dismissed this release. But then I found myself needing some distraction so decided to give it another play. I'm torn because it has some great sing-a-long moments but then there is a terrible piece that sounds like it was torn right from an eighties movie montage. So if you are a bit sad because it's been a month since MGMT rocked the airwaves or your favourite movie moment is when the nerds fix up their frat house in Revenge of the Nerds, well look no further because Passion Pit saves the day. http://gossamer.passionpitmusic.com/

Songs of Patience by Alberta Cross. I really dig the opening track. It reminded me a bit of Gomez with a dash of gospel mixed in. But after that, it really wasn't impressing me. However if you like 90's alt-rock you'll like this. Read into that what you will. http://www.albertacross.net/

American Music by The Illegitimate Sons. If you can get past the oddly creepy cover, and you should, you'll find a gem. American Music perfectly sums it up. I don't like to make such lofty comparisons in vain, but if you like Ryan Adams, The Band or alt-country murder ballads, then you'll like this. I seriously dig this, check them out please. Excellent song-writing, great melody and solid production might just land this one in my top 10 for the year. http://theillegitimatesons.com/

The Brian Holland Sessions by MoZella. Sort of a bridge between Adele and Amy, this Detroit songstress delivers a great retro soul album. If you appreciate the retro Motown sound you will naturally gravitate towards this release. Brian Holland, of Holland, Dozier & Holland (yes the masterminds behind much of the Motown heyday hits), has taken MoZella under his wing and crafts an amazing and fun album. I have really nothing else to say other than go listen and you'll see what I mean. http://mozellamusic.com.s123765.gridserver.com/

So truly some great music was discovered this week. I hope that you take time to seek some of these out online, and then promptly visit your favourite record store and go buy some music.

I sing this songe because I love the man

Well damn, it feels like months since I last posted about music but really it's only been weeks.
And what an odd few weeks it's been. You know the feeling you have when things aren't exactly how you want them to be.... nothing is bad, but it's just not quite right? Well I have been in that holding pattern for about a month now, waiting for the haze to lift. Any day now, I hope.

So my musical adventure begins:

Fight! Fight! Fight! by The History of Panic. Super catchy debut release from Gerald Roesser, better know as The History of Panic. It's pretty easy to hear the influence, I picture this guy growing up pretending to be a DJ in his bedroom and immersing himself in the eletcro/techno revolution of the 90's. This release blurs the edges of genre and after listening and reading up on him, I am impressed with the time and dedication put into this release; truly a labour of love. It's worth listening to he has taken the mellow approach of embarrassing his influence and has produced a record that is subtle and evokes a mood that is comforting and sublime. http://thehistoryofpanic.com/

Baby to Beast by The Appleseed Collective. This group is a string band with a strong swing Dixie influence, they actually remind me of the Squirrel Nut Zippers at times. I usually find pleasure in tradition, yet listening to this release left me wanting more. I felt like there wasn't enough here to keep my attention. They have a plaintive sound that can border on the depressing at times and they get dangerously close to over using it. This is a solid first effort by this group, but I can tell you, that I didn't have to research them to know it was their first release it was evident. There certainly is talent in this group I just hope it's nurtured and that they evolve beyond the "hey how quaint".  http://www.theappleseedcollective.com/fr_home.cfm

One Lovely Day by Citizen Cope. I claim ignorance on this group (actually just one dude). I always saw these releases and thought it would be a terrible rap/rock hybrid that would make my tummy ache so clearly I stayed away. Well I gave it a try and was surprised. It's sort of an urban/folk sound. The music is light and breezy and I can picture myself sitting in a field watching him at a festival and dazzle the masses. There is a chill to this album. The groove is maintained throughout and I found myself relaxing as it progressed. Plus, and this should be the clincher, he does a mellow cover of Glen Campbell's Southern Nights. Well played sir. http://citizencope.com/

Broken Brights by Angus Stone. So I am still a bit undecided on this album. It has the sun-soaked sound of California 60's and for the most part it's quite good, but the flow is odd, and I still am not over the track Blue Door. I mean seriously pan pipes???? After those hiccups the rest sounds fine, I did enjoy the music and I especially liked the track It Was Blue. I could listen to that one over and over no problem. So I guess I am saying, if you dig the retro sound, I am sure you'll enjoy this CD. http://angusstone.com/

Shout out out to three local bands:
1. Murdoch & Sparrow's Dominion Day. Well of course I dig it, it was recorded in the Arden Theatre (where I work) plus they have to be two of the nicest fellows. Tracks stand out on their own, but as a whole unveil a story that draws in the listener. Please check them out, you won't be disappointed. Seriously, would I lie to you? http://www.murdochandsparrow.com/about/

2. Shout Out Out Out's Spanish Moss and Total Loss. I don't really know these guys personally, but have helped sell their merch from time to time and obviously seen them perform. This new CD is a departure from the high tempo party sound, but honestly I am okay with that. I have total faith in the creativity of this band. I think it's awesome that they are ever evolving. I always like what I hear and the fact that critics have said this is their least "fun" album, well screw that. Sure the tempo is different, but they would have been equally criticised for staying the same. I would love more of a party sound too, because they do it well, but what they have released sounds great. Go buy it.  http://shoutoutoutoutout.com/

3. Hot Panda's Go Outside. I used to work with Chris at Megatunes, and while we only crossed paths for a few months, I did like him and was impressed when he formed this group with his girlfriend. Their sound is not my favourite go to, when I am picking music, but I can see the merit. Quite honestly, I am thrilled for their success, and this album is solid from start to finish. Check them out. http://www.hotpanda.ca/

On a local note, go buy your music in a real record store. There are great local stores in Edmonton that we should all support. Permanent Records, Blackbyrd Records and Listen Records come to mind instantly.

Another one bites the dust

My life is not so tragic, that I need to title this blog Another One Bites the Dust by Queen but it was one hell of a week and never have I ever thought I would say "I am so glad to be back at work".

I was really looking forward to my week off, and even decided to volunteer for a few days at the Street Performers Festival, to help a friend out. But Sunday came, and so did a flood in my bathroom. With record setting heat, no air conditioning in my home, flooding and relentless issues trying to fix my bathroom it was only Saturday when I finally started to feel like my time was indeed my time. It's actually a good thing I had the week off, because these issues were all consuming.
But time flies and it's Monday, I am back to work and I have realised that the one thing I missed out on the most last week is that I didn't listen to any new music. (picture me hanging my head in shame).

Okay enough of the sad sack story, and on to what matters.....MUSIC!

Stay tuned for a music post coming soon.

Show a little faith there's magic in the night

This title was provided by a talented young man named Bruce Springsteen.

Well this week was odd, I either liked or dislike the selections. Normally I try to find some redeeming quality in an album, after all this is someones masterpiece, but this week it was difficult. I have also been having an annoying week at work, so that may have influenced some of initial thoughts.

Ownerless by Everest. Consisting of members of Folk Implossion and Sebadoh, I figured there was no way I wouldn't enjoy this release. Now, that's a bit of pressure. I really dug this album. I would love to see them at one of our outdoor music festivals someday. Anyone who has a soft spot for Alt-Country/Folk/Stoner Rock will like this release. I am actually quite surprised they aren't more well known. They get consistently better with each release. Do yourself a favour - go buy this disc. http://everestband.com/

Still Wanna Fight by Mic Harrison + the High Score. The description said they sounded like a cross between Tom Petty and Wilco, interesting. But after listening to the CD I don't think that was too accurate especially lyrically. I was not blown away by any means. I think the next time someone says they sound like Tom Petty or Wilco it should be Tom Petty or Wilco. http://www.micharrison.com/MicHarrison/Home.html

(I can't get no) Stevie Jackson by Stevie Jackson. I don't like no Stevie Jackson, is more to the point.I was actually relieved when some songs ended. It was stylistically all over the map and it was distracting, but not in a good way. http://www.steviejackson.net/

National Health by Maximo Park. Start to finish I really liked this album, I really dug the simple intro track of just voice and piano it was a great way to start an album from there that would be all tempo and fun. They are not a group that surprise me from release to release, they are quite consistent and I like that about them. I do sometimes think "Oh, cheer up" with some of the heavier subject matter, but regardless it's the guitar driven hooks that always keep me coming back. http://maximopark.com/

Freak Out! by Teenage Bottlerocket. Great punk record from Wyoming based band. They have been around a while, but this is the first I am hearing of theirs. Great catchy hooks but lyrically a bit odd. Mosh pit etiquette addressed in a song and then another one about a Sensei. Seriously? http://teenagebottlerocket.com/

Where the Mountain Meets the Valley by Joshua Hyslop. Wow what a gem, I really like this new Canadian artist out of Abbotsford. I especially like the duet What Have I Done with Anna Scouten. His vocals are quiet but there are glimpses of a full sing out in the odd song, so he clearly has the chops and can rise to the challenge and sing beyond the key of mellow. I think he's an artist to watch, and hopefully we'll see him in these parts soon. http://www.joshuahyslop.com/

Gold Motel by Gold Motel. Sometimes a record sounds like a season, and this one to me sounds like summer. Maybe it's the breezy tempo, maybe it's the boy/girl harmonies, or perhaps the vintage reverb pop whatever the the case it's summer. Well paced record from start to finish. Check them out. http://goldmotel.com/

Space Between the Words by Dan le Sac. The opening track Long Night of Life immediately grabbed my attention. The album shifts from influence to influence, I was not surprised to hear that his main gig is as a producer. At first listen it seems to be a rather erratic flow, but I came to appreciate it. I would suggest anyone who digs UNKLE, Portishead, Arab Strap or Trip Hop in general should check this out.  http://www.danlesac.co.uk/

That's all/enough for this week.

PS: Go buy music in a store.

Our words are strong and our hearts are kind

I like the idea of having a title that is a lyric. I started this yesterday, now let's see how long I can last with this trend.

Like I mentioned yesterday, I have just gotten back from a mini vacation and am settling back into my work life. One of the perks of my job is that every other week we have an RDO (an extra day off) most people choose Fridays, I have decided on Mondays. With most people being gone on Friday, it has rapidly become one of my favorite days simply because I can play my music louder. As much as I dig my co-workers, it's also nice to have a relitively empty office to work in. I gravitate towards alone time anyways; so this suits me just fine.

On to this week in music reviews.

They Might Be Giants - No! In typical TMBG form, not every song is great, but there is enough to keep my interest. Now generally I don't listen to kids albums, but I figured I would make an exception when I know it's a group that doesn't pander to kids and treat little people like idiots.
Simply this is fun, upbeat music with clever lyrics. 24 tracks it's quite an outing, but the last 6 tracks are live and provides a glimpse into how kids react to the music and how this duo has evolved and can create music for kids and the kids at heart. Personal favorite is Lazyhead and Sleepybones (probably because it describes me perfectly). http://www.theymightbegiants.com/

Offspring - Days Go By. Sort of a mash up of genres that are likely band member favorites. Classic punk style with guitar riff driven songs with a dash of Reggae thrown in for good measure. Whether you dig the new influence or not, is irrelevant because at the heart is their "sound" there is no mistaking this is an Offspring album. There is not much surprising here, but after 20 years, that is sort of refreshing, especially when the talent is there. It sounds great, and I am sure will become a staple for many this summer. http://www.offspring.com/

Everclear - Invisible Stars. Like the Offspring, it's like time has stopped for Everclear. But, again I don't mind that they have not evolved past their sound, but that is a good thing. It suits them. The writing and music is strong and I appreciate that nothing sounds dated. Welcome back, it's been too long! http://www.everclearonline.com/home.html

Air Traffic Controller - Nordo. Wow, I totally dig this. It chugs along at a great pace and it's a lot of fun. Vocally they remind me of the Decemberists, which is a plus in my books, and each song has something to offer. I will be coming back to this over over and over. http://www.airtrafficcontrollermusic.com/

Beachwood Sparks - The Tarnished Gold. Very mellow, alt country-ish album. This group is new to me, but I think I will have to dig into their previous releases. I really liked this CD. It sort of reminded me of Elliot Smith vocals with a Blue Rodeo/Buffalo Springfield rhythm. This L.A. based band have embraced the whole "Laurel Canyon" sound without giving up who they are or sounding like a wanna-be group. This is another CD I will re-visit happily over the summer and beyond. It's great to focus on or to have as a background. It is appealing on so many levels. http://www.myspace.com/beachwoodsparks

I am still listening to music, trying to catch up, but this is where my post is ending. I have to get back to work.

Happy Canada Day long weekend!

Vacation; All I ever wanted. Vacation; Had to get away

I don't think you can ever go wrong by quoting the Go-Go's.
So the reason you haven't heard from me in over a week was because I went to New Hampshire for a wedding. It was great to get away from Edmonton for a week. Other than the stifleing humidity, the trip was great. I flew into Maine on Wednesday so that I could catch my friends Niahm Parsons and Graham Dunne perform in Portland, ME. If you have never heard her sing or Graham play the guitar you are doing yourself a diservice. They are brilliant. As soon as I was told they were playing, it took less than a second to decide to book my flight a day early just to see them. http://www.niamhparsons.com/

The wedding was amazing, I met a bunch a awesome new people and will have memories to cherish for a very long time. If you ever get a chance to visit the Eastern states, I highly reccommend it. They are so close, and there is so much to see and do. My only tip would be to not go in the hight of summer unless you love the humidity.

Well, I am back in the swing of things and will post on new music very soon. In the meantime check out this picture of their wedding cake, created by Ace of Cakes:

It feels like SUMMER

Well it has been raining off and on now for a while, and by a while I mean days and days and days. So to finally have a break in this weather and then to hear some great new music just totally make my weekend. And did I mention it's a long weekend for me. yay!!

Wildlife Pop by Stepdad. Okay so their description describes their sound as sounding like Depeche Mode. In my mind that is a pretty lofty association. DM is pretty amazing in my books. But while they do not sound exactly like DM the influence is there. They are fun and all in all the CD is a very solid effort. Actually I would suggest checking them out.It's the right amount of retro and a whole heap of unexpected exuberance. http://www.stepdad.us/

Traps by Jaill. So this is Jaill's second release on SubPop! and I usually trust what they have on their label as a decent artist. So it was no surprise that I was taken by their latest CD Traps. Their sound is sort of minimalist, but with some sweet hooks and a jangly sound that reminds me a bit of Violent Femmes and Sloan. Here is a link to theor myspace; enjoy: http://www.myspace.com/jaill

Hello Hum by Wintersleep. I am a fan of Wintersleep and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit weary of what they would release next. This new CD is a natural progression in sound and writing and reveals a evolving maturity that compliments their early sound and retains the spark of fun that drew me to them in the first place. Nicely done fellas, the new CD is fantastic. I especially love the track Permanent Sigh. http://wintersleep.com/

On a side note, I am excited about the Polaris Music Prize. They just revealed their long list. Check it out here: http://www.polarismusicprize.ca/  I highly suggest clicking the link and listening to what you can.

Music saves the day

What a crazy few days. I feel like I just started this blog and then immediately abandoned it. But, I have decided to move past the chaos of this week and take a moment to post about a few new CD's that are out.

Hot Chip - In Our Heads. I don't mind Hot Chip and I was actually looking forward to listening to the new music. Now it's not terrible by any stretch, but I just wasn't aware that Erasure put out a new album. Some of this music actually became predictable, and not in a fun sing-a-long kind of way. http://hotchip.co.uk/

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - The Lion The Beast and The Beat. This is okay. It reminds my of Joan Osbourne and Sheryl Crow but with a vocal that is a bit more country. I could see this artist at festivals and really doing well, but there is something about it that makes me think it might disappear as quickly as it has appeared. I will say I totally dig how the opening track builds. Great opening track. http://www.gracepotter.com/

Bouncing Souls - Comet. This is simply FUN. It's a lot less punk than their previous efforts, but I can see this blasting from cars all summer especially track 6 We Love Fun http://onesheet.com/bouncingsouls/

Motion City Soundtrack - Go. Each CD, they get better in my opinion. This is a solid effort and they are once again capturing my attention through good writing and super catchy hooks. I have gone back to it a few times over the past few days to listen. http://motioncitysoundtrack.com/

That's all for now, I am at work and have to get back at it. Just wanted to take a few minutes to catch you all up on what I've been listening to and what I think of it.

What started it all

So on my Facebook I will from time to time mention new CD's that I am listening to. I listen to at least 5 - 8 new albums a week, or try to anyways, and I feel the need to comment on the odd one. Recently friends have suggested that I start a blog. So TAH DAH, here it is.
Just starting the week I have only listend to 1 album so far so I thought, perhaps I will comment on three gems I heard last week:

Longshore Slim: Sort of an odd combination of Mumford & Sons, Bob Dylan and yet there are 3 songs on the CD that are pretty raucous. I really like this release and see a cult following in someones future http://www.langhorneslim.com/

Anna Ternheim: Just released a CD called The Night Visitor. I really like her. Her voice is very reminiscent of Edie Brickell meets Tori Amos meets PJ Harvey. I really like it and she's Swedish. 

http://www.annaternheim.com/

River City Extension: Sort of Avett Brothers meets Skydiggers meets Stars. Great new CD called Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger. http://rivercityextension.com/

Oh and the new Alejandro Escovedo is great.

I am thinking I may not blog consistantly but I will for sure blog every Friday.

And so it begins

I have contemplated for a while, starting a music blog. But then I would get trapped with the thought "who cares what I think?"
Well that all changes today. I figure that's is why people choose to follow some bloggers and not others.
I hope that you will choose to read what I write. My opinions come for a deep love of all music. I have spent my life surrounded by it. My only retail jobs were selling music and now that I no longer work retail, I market and publicise music, dance and theatre shows for a living. Cultural Arts has become my life, and I am so thankful for that.
I will blog on music, theatre and dance to varying degrees and pop culture will surely reveal itself when I ramble on about TV and movies and occasionally there might be the odd restaurant review.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @vickytweetsnow

PS I am super new to this and am figuring things out as I go along (I don't want to say how long it took me to do a basic profile)