Frank Turner at the Phoenix

It has been quite some time since my last post. Since the summer I've been busy with school and working...it has been pretty hectic. Hopefully I can come back to this and keep doing it. Motivation is key, so here I am HOLLA!

Frank Turner played to a sold out crowd at the Phoenix in Toronto on Friday and my word, did he ever play. I was fortunate enough to speak with Frank back in September, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to speak to him at the show. Either way, I highly recommend seeing him live at some point. At least before he gets too big.

During his set he announced that it was the biggest show he's played in North America so as a collective entity we knew we had to have an extra good time.

The lights lowered as a spot light hit a stool placed in front of all the amps and instruments on stage. A lone guitarist steps out on stage and takes his place on the stool. Brings his guitar to playing level and begins to speak. Into It And Over It played a surprisingly energetic set for a guy with a guitar. Every song was accompanied by a story. Sometime seemed to drag on but made sense when he started to play. It takes a lot of balls to get up in front of an audience by yourself and belt out songs the way he did. Kudos!

Next on the bill was Andrew Jackson Jihad. Before buying my ticket for the show I had never heard of them. I listened to a couple tracks of theirs on YouTube just to check them out and familiarize myself before the show, but nothing could have prepared me for them. Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty make up the power duo that is Andrew Jackson Jihad. Their lyrics are cynical, sarcastic and brilliant. Backed by punk inspired folk guitar and a rolling bass line Andrew Jackson Jihad rocked the hell out of the Phoenix. The recognition was noticeable from hearing the audience. After each song the response from the crowd kept getting louder. As if they weren't sure about them at first. This was their first show in Canada and from the response certainly not the last. I ran into Sean after the show and expressed my enthusiasm for their performance in complete fan boy style. He seemed to be taken back a little bit. I would have loved to keep talking to him but I was being yelled at by security to leave because the show was over.

Alas, the moment the crowd was waiting for. The lights were low, the crowd in front of the stage had grown considerably and I was in line for a drink. I heard the beginning of Eulogy and got really excited. It was my time to order and I was far too busy shouting the lyrics to the enjoyment of the bartender, I'm sure. This was my first time seeing Frank so I needed to make sure I got nice and close to ensure a good time. The crowd was rough but friendly. I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time. Even while eating elbows.

He played songs from each of of his four albums. All still relevant. Frank is a showman to the core cracking jokes and providing context for his songs and just knowing the right ones to play at the right time. His encore was explosive and had a long interlude where Frank was speaking to the crowd explaining the lyrics until eventually jumping into the crowd to sing the last chorus of Photosynthesis.

It was the first show I've been to in a while but one of the most fun to date. If you haven't seen Frank Turner live I highly recommend it. He said something about returning in April. I don't know where and I don't know the exact date but I will be there will bells on.

DIG IT!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

The highly anticipated I'm With You hits record stores yesterday, as well as your favourite torrent sites.

For those who read my review of the single The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie the Chili's new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has replaced John Frusciante. After hearing the single I was a little hard on Klinghoffer. I hold the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a pedestal and maybe a little to close to my heart. Klinghoffer has done a good job. Not to say I don't miss the things that Frusciante gave the band but Klinghoffer doesn't take anything away from the well seasoned Red Hot Chili Peppers. He brings a different perspective to the band with the different guitar effects and stellar piano.

Initial thoughts:
- Sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Head bob and upper body shuffle
- Like drinking neocitran through your ears (mmm)

I'm With You couldn't be a more appropriate name. The sound of this album doesn't make you want to bounce up and kick down your front door, but close your eyes and feel a pair of musical arms come around and hold you softly. Not too tight.

There's some interesting elements to this album. I know I keep talking about him, but Klinghoffer's vocals add a completely alien sound. Meet Me At The Corner and Did I Let You Know has a part just for him. He has more of an indy sound to his voice that doesn't quite fit.

BUT

Just happens to have a really nice falsetto that may not quite par with Fruciante it comes pretty damn close. I'm sold on Kilnghoffer if you haven't noticed.

Back to the interesting elements...piano! And Flea's stellar trumpet playing on Did I Let You Know. The piano slapping at the beginning of Happiness Loves Company is reminiscent of my boy Elton. I don't think I could ever get sick of rock and roll piano. The breakdown in Police Station has a calm resonating piano bit that adds a little backrub to the soft hug. Piano is a new prominent Chili Peppers thing. I love it. Even You Brutus? is another with some solid keys.

I love my acoustic guitar so naturally my favourite song off this album is Brendan's Death Song. It's a beautiful tribute to Brendan Mullen. A nightclub owner that helped get the Chili Peppers and many other bands in the LA punk scene a start. I hope when I die someone writes a song like this about me. "Like I said you know I'm almost dead, you know I'm almost gone.." is going to be ringing in my head for the rest of the day.

To be honest, I was not expecting much from this album. The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie wasn't the best single to debut an album like this. This album has better songs that better represent the overall sound of the album and are just plain better. Factory Of Faith if I can suggest one.

I did miss the soul stabbing guitar solos of Frusciante and when they come to town I'm going to miss not having him up there.

As far as the band is concerned they should have none. Anthony Kiedis will never lose it. Flea will always kill it for as long as he's breathing. Chad Smith is one of the greatest/most underrated drummers in music. Klinghoffer fits among these heavy hitters and has proven it on I'm With You.


DIG IT!

Blink 182 - Molson Amphitheatre - Aug. 17

The tickets were purchased, the crowds flocked, the fans cheered and the penis jokes ensued. Blink 182 has returned to Toronto.

As unprofessional of a blogger as I could be, I missed the train from Burlington and was delayed one hour. My entourage and I rolled in about halfway through the My Chemical Romance set. "Two Canadian tall-boys, please."

The last concert I went to at the Amphitheatre was The Black Keys. Which to say the least was a little lack luster. It spoiled the venue for me. I don't know what it was about it but it made me less than excited to come back.

The vibe was different August 17. It seemed happier. Less forced. Natural. I appreciated the beverage dispensary on the lawn. I was home.

I was not in anyway looking forward to seeing My Chemical Romance on stage. I've always been aware of them and actually liked one song they had out I'm Not Okay, but that's as far as I got with them. With that being said, I was impressed with the energy and stage presence. They were captivating and I found myself dancing. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

As for Manchester Orchestra, sorry maybe next time.

Now on to Blink 182. My word. I've never experienced a mosh pit on the lawn before. There were two rowdy girls standing in front of the seven of us boys asking for trouble. But only found a group of guys more than happy to have a time. Blink opened with their new single Up All Night which is a pretty good song. I like the back and forth vocals reminiscent of older songs like Pathetic. The song is a little mellow but gets the job done.

"This is a new song but it sounds like an old song," Mark Hoppus said introducing another one of their new songs entitled Hearts All Gone. Fun, fun song. It didn't get the awkward 'don't know what to think' reaction from the crowd. People knew exactly what to make of it as it was embraced by the fans in attendance.

They left no fan forgotten. From the teens in attendance to the twenty and thirty-somethings they played the classics and the newer material. Very rare in a band. The song Carousel or Travis Barker's mind blowing drum solo were the highlights of the performance. I was not expecting Carousel when they hit the stage. So many memories of that song. I haven't heard a band to date that speaks directly to me as much as Blink 182 does. They just know.

They even started an O Canada. Singing only the first two lines. The crowd took it and ran with it. Epic!

Barker's drum solo was awesome! Lacking any other word to describe it. A friend and I made it a goal to get to the very front. We made it as far as the front of the 100 section before being turned away. A crane hoisted Barker over the crowd tilting him every which way. not quite as impressive as the upside-down solo the last time I saw them at the Amphitheatre but still pretty cool.

Good night, good friends, new memories, relived old ones and had me really wondering "What's My Age Again."

Best video I could find of the encore. The sound is a little weird but you get the point. Props to wazzupcowz on youtube.com. Enjoy!

Jay Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

The day is upon us.

The highly anticipated Watch The Throne from both Jay Z and Kanye West hits record stores today to be greeted with a cautious appreciation by this fan.

There is nothing special about this album. It's good. As I'm used to with Kanye West's newer efforts there are definitely highs and lows to this album. Repetitive themes. Watch The Throne's moral to its story is money, expensive watches, women, lavish lifestyles and being proud to be black in America.

In a nutshell.

Riddled with fantastically produced beats with credit to notable hip-hop producers Mike Dean, The RZA, The Neptunes, Q-Tip, Kanye West (obviously) among others. This album's light shines from the sheer production value and clear talent for the art of producing.

Initial thoughts:
- Is there a bad beat on this album?
- Nope
- Will Farrel sample, cool (Niggas in Paris)
- Head bob

The chemistry between the Hova and Yeezy is second to none. Songs like Gotta Have It, Otis and Why I Love You display this better than any other tracks on the album. They can seamlessly finish each others sentences and throw rhymes back and forth. I appreciate the camaraderie and willingness to give each other center stage.

The best song on the album is Why I Love You hands down. No argument can sway it. It's the best song. Period. Mr. Hudson (Forever Young) returns to grace another Jay Z album in a big way. If you haven't heard it yet scroll down and let it be the soundtrack to finish my review. This song will be everywhere in a few months I guarantee it. And if not BIG mistake.

With all the nice things being said it's time for a little negative. I mean little because this is good work.  Like I said earlier there isn't anything ground breaking or life changing about this album. Even though Kanye West might think differently. Heavy hitting rap partnerships have been popping up forever (Method Man/Redman and more recently Nas/Damian Marley).  It seems like Kanye's rapping has improved dramatically since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy which causes this fan to believe that ghost writing played a major role in making this album work. Even though Kanye does have the swagger ghost writing is cheating. If you're not good enough to write the rhymes don't spit them. I don't think every word he speaks was written for him but I think Jay Z should take the credit for some of the wittier flows.

Also not appreciated is Beyonce's effort on Lift Off. Mainly because I'm fairly anti Beyonce. The song in general just doesn't fit. All it offers is some ego stroking for Kanye and a weak slow flow by Jay. It seems like this song kind of just came together because they wanted Beyonce on the album somehow when it wasn't necessary at all. It's mostly an instrumental and offers nothing to the album other than a break between good songs. Or to make the up coming songs sounds better in comparison. Either way the song is a complete waste of effort (or lack of). A fly in your soup.

Overall a good album. Not great, but good.

DIG IT

Choice: Niggas In Paris, Otis, Gotta Have it, Murder to Excellence, Why I Love You


Bogus: Lift Off, Who Gon Stop me, Made in America

RHCP new single

After losing their guitarist John Frusciante in late 2009 the Red Hot Chili Peppers have moved on.

Josh Klinghoffer, whose name is just as obscure, is his replacement. The former guitarist for several acts (The Bicycle Theif, Gnarles Barkley, Butthole Surfers, Beck and many more) officially joined the band shortly after Frusciante quit to pursue a solo career, specifically his 10th highly anticipated album The Empyrean. Klinghoffer has been a big part of Fruciantes solo efforts in the past and also toured with the Chili Peppers for the Stadium Arcadium tour.

Now that you have a little history on the guy time for a my review. The first single from the new album I'm With You is called, deep breath, The Adventures of Raindance Maggie. 

Okay, so it sounds like the Chili Peppers just different. It's missing something that I can't quite put my finger on. Hmm, oh I know what's missing - John Frusciante! I've been a fan of the Red hot Chili Peppers for a long time and I've gotten used to a few things: the soul of Frusciante's playing, his falsetto and just overall musical swagger. 

The song doesn't completely suck. It just doesn't have anything highly appealing about it. The drums, vocals, bass line and guitar all sound nice together but I don't get the goosebumps and funky head bump I'm used to having when I hear a new Chili Peppers track.

Not to scrutinize Klinghoffer's creativity but when the song starts out it sounds like the guitar could go a hundred different places other than some fancy layering and resonating. Like come on. Who knows what it's like to step into one of the most successful rock bands of our era but playing it safe isn't what the Chili Peppers have ever been about. It sounds like someone made that decision during the recording of The Adventures of Raindance Maggie. What I miss most from Frusciante is the soul heavy solos. I didn't appreciate the grungy delayed scratchings of a solo in this song. Although many of his fills were spot on as a whole this song doesn't validate Klinghoffer. Doesn't count him out either. 

I'm waiting to hear the rest of the album set for release Aug. 30 before I say anything else about it. I just hope this is just a faze for Frusciante. His improvisational style and keen musical spirit is what defined the Chili Peppers for a long time. I hope the rest of the album lives up to what we're used to. 

Oh, and John, do the solo thing than get your head out of your ass and get back to the Chilis. Do the right thing.

Hurts me to say it but the song is STALE.

Bobcaygeon to the TDot

June 25, 2011: Tragically Hip plays Bobcaygeon with Sam Roberts and The Trews.

July 1, 2011: Tragically Hip plays Downsview Park, Toronto with Weezer.

Two days...one hell of a week.


"It was in Bobcaygeon"

The gates open at 3:00pm to myself and a crowd eager to indulge in spoils only blooming onions and beer tents can satisfy.

The venue offered the same selection of eats you might see at your local fairgrounds: half cooked hotdogs, grease pitas, "fruit" smoothies and a grab bag of other lustreless goodies. For the classier fans in attendance the beer gardens offered the finest boxed wine. The surprisingly fair price for all these amenities was the only treat.

As for the music, the concert took a complete 180. The sound was done exceptionally well. Miss Emily hit the stage, but who cares.

The Trews came out around the same time the sun poked out from behind the clouds and played a tight set with all the songs you hear on the radio. I'm not the biggest fan of The Trews but they were entertaining to watch as beach balls bounced across the growing sea of people crowding the stage. I was even lucky enough to catch a drumstick at the end of their set.

Sam Roberts exploded onto the stage breathing new life into the crowd. The far corners of the field were starting to fill in as Sam took the show to another level. With his jean jacket waving in the breeze he imposed his presence onto the growing number of fans. Sam Roberts killed it, period.

The sun began to set as 25,000 fans shouted, "Hip, hip, hip, hip." Out they came. Grace, Too was probably THE choice for a first song. The slow build up and heavy hitting chorus incorporated the stunning light show. The 47-year-old Gord Downie hasn't slowed down at all. He bounced around the stage dressed in a white shirt, black vest, thick rimmed bifocals and a unique straw hat all the while toting around a white bandana to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The Hip played pretty much every popular song they've had over the years as well as some new material. They're not quite up to par with the timeless hits they've pumped out on the regular and the crowd for the most part was silent. It didn't seem like anyone knew how to react to the new material. Head bobbing was pretty much the goto.

The enthusiasm of the performers was the highlight of the show while the atmosphere was the  highlight of the day. There's nothing like being in the middle of nowhere with 25,000 people all gathered for the love of music.

"That night in Toronto"


I decided to buy a ticket last minute off of a fellow who was more than happy to rip a fellow Canadian off  the day before our great nation's annual celebration. Thanks to ya!


First off, the commute was a test of patience. Go train, to the subway, to the coach busses. Sounds simple but for someone who despises public transit it was enough to make a man lock lips the ground upon arrival.


The Hip came with the same...pretty much everything on Canada day but the atmosphere was definitely different. A younger, rowdier crowd was in attendance which led to a couple people needing the skills of the on site paramedics. As far as I could see dehydration was the culprit.

Speaking of liquids, the beer tents were working off of the dreaded beer ticket system. And at $8 a pop there was no leaving a ticket unused. Although it was crowded it was an efficient day for the beer tent visitors.

They offered the same food but I passed on the blooming onion this time around to try the hotdogs again. To my surprise: fully cooked. It was a good day.

I made it in time to see Broken Social Scene play a few songs but didn't get to experience the up-close and personal view. I was separated from my group the minute I made it into Downsview Park. Much of the time I could have spent watching the show was spent trying to find a friend.

I eventually rounded up a couple of us and made it down just before Weezer hit the stage. Hit the stage is somewhat of an understatement. Weezer KO'd that stage and left it broken bloody and bruised. Much of the Blue Album was looked over with some much appreciated exceptions (My Name is Jonas, Buddy Holly). They stuck to a lot of their newer stuff that would be more relevant to the younger crowd. Which was kind of a cop out but they made up for it with an exuberant cover of the Radiohead song Paranoid Android. Some people weren't familiar but you could tell who was very easily.

The Hip hit the stage at roughly 9:00pm. Just as the sun set from behind the stage. The lights lit up and Grace, Too rang from the speakers, here we go again.

The setlist was the same from Bobcaygeon but some songs were moved around. The same light show was in effect. Everything was pretty much the same even down to Gord Downie's attire and that white bandana.

The performance was brilliant. I found it hard to take my eyes off of Rob Baker's pieces of art that are called guitars and the enthusiasm these guys still have after years of playing the same material. Showmen to the core.

Canada Day at Downsview Park capped off with a fireworks display as fans sang Oh Canada in unison. What a day.

Both shows had highs and lows but what was the same was the overall joy and passion everyone had to be there in that moment. Whether it was the epic scenery of Bobcaygeon, or one of the best ways to spend Canada Day, people came together and enjoyed one of the greatest bands to come out of Canada.

Here's the best quality I could find. Props to g00se1987 (youtube) for capturing this performance.

Wish you could have been there, if not this is as good as it gets. (We were much closer)

DIG IT

Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys

Codes and Keys is the latest from the Washington natives Death Cab for Cutie.

One thing I like about Death Cab for Cutie is their ability to tinker with their sound in subtle ways but remain consistent. Ben Gibbard's unmistakeable vocals makes it difficult for Death Cab to lose their character and fairy tale inspiring charm.

"It can never bring you down," Gibbard utters in Stay Young, Go Dancing. Taken out of context but holds true when talking about Codes and Keys.

Initial toughts:
- me likey
- I need a lounge chair and cushion

What they've done different is use more computer generated sounds and drums for some tracks. Lots of atmospheric backgrounds and much more production than their previous albums. It makes for a fuller sound but lacks some of the organic indie sounds that made Death Cab what they are today. But hey, everyone needs to evolve. The only thing bothering me about it is a slight resemblance to what The Postal Service has done.

The single You Are a Tourist features an epic guitar riff that does put "a burning in your heart." It is rightfully THE single off this album. Seems like it was written to be just that. I don't know if that's a good thing.

The title track Codes and Keys comes up as number two on the listing and introduces the album how it should be after the more intro sounding Home is a Fire.


It's apparent that thought was put into the shaping of this album. The mainly instrumental Unobstructed Views lands on track six of the 11 song release, making for a well crafted interlude. This is an album not just some songs that were put together. An album flows and captivates with the proper breaks and pump ups. It's a journey into the sound, and this album does a great job of that.

As just songs the album is a little melancholy. At times monotonous but not painful. Also, nothing over the top. Just simple easy listening solid music.

Stay Young, Go Dancing is the perfect song to close off on. Upbeat, elaborate and smooth. It sums up the album and leaves you hanging at the end. I don't like conclusions because it leaves the listener satisfied. In music you should never be satisfied. You should always want more.

Dig it (not just dig but recommend)

Choice: Codes and Keys, You Are a Tourist, Monday Morning, St. Peters Cathedral, Stay Young, Go Dancing


Bogus: Home Is a Fire (only because it's not really a song as much as it is an intro)

Pixies LIVE

The Pixies played a show at the Hamilton Convention Center on Wednesday evening and yours truly was in attendance.

I've taken a day to gather my thoughts on the night. Not really. I just haven't gotten around to posting anything about it until now. Overall I'd say it was a good show. The performance was great, but there were certain factors that kind of spoiled it.

Walking into the Convention Center was different than any concert I have ever been. Major lack of security. I didn't even get frisked. Kind of pleasant, but took away from the whole concert experience. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Hamilton's finest in attendance to chaperone the evening.

Beverages were a must. But alas I fell victim to the beer ticket system. I bought three but only had two reasonably priced beers. Than quickly turned to the stage to notice a major obstruction. Sitting about 20 feet in front of center stage was a massive cement support beam blocking the middle of the stage. This might be the last time I goto a concert at the Convention Center. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Even as the Pixies were leaving the stage I saw Francis Black turn to Kim Deal and point at it as if to say, "what the hell?"

There were a couple issues with the house lights also. They came out for a second encore and the house lights stayed on the whole time. Major lack of attention to detail. A light show is nothing when the house lights are on. The whole place had a "high school dance" feel to it. It was odd.

Time for the positive. The Pixies absolutely killed their set. They featured a lot of b-sides as well as their more popular songs. Debaser, Hey, Here Comes Your Man and Where is my Mind stuck out from the array of guitar wailings and Francis shrieking. The light show was tantalizing and really emphasized the music and stage presence. They stood in silhouette for at least five songs before we got to see their faces. Kim Deal was really the only member of the band that did any talking throughout the show. Just to let us know what song might be up next. Great band but zero chemistry as far as on stage personality. The music they make tends to speak for itself though.

Overall a good experience. The only problems I had were with the venue. The band showed up and did their job well. Next time I see the Pixies I'll definitely try to make the trip to Toronto. I'm sure it was a much better experience.

DIG IT

For some reason this video doesn't have the embed option so I can only give you the link. This the actual event. Notice house lights on, and support beam...ugh. Here's the link.

Postalicious

It has been some time since my last post. Here's a taste of some music stuff I've been checking into lately.

I'm very much into a UK artist I discovered a few months ago called Plan B. I finally got his album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks. It is really something I must say. It's a good mix of grimy english rap and really well articulated R&B. Lots of strings and piano. I'm a fan.

In other news the Pixies show April 20 should be interesting. I watched a part of the documentary loudQUIETloud. If you've seen it or know anything about the band they have some incredibly awkward moments. Imagine going and hanging out with absolute strangers. That's how this band operates aside from being on stage. Come to think of it put me in a room with absolute strangers and there would be more dialogue than being backstage at a Pixies concert. Crazy. Otherwise a really awesome documentary with some equally as awesome performances.

Another dash of music fun I've recently become aware of is the existence of www.blackcabsessions.com. It features popular bands from the UK and USA (no Canada BUT a really good idea) piling in the back of a black english style cab and play one of their songs acoustically. The site features the likes of Weezer, Mumford and Sons, Roots Manuva, Holly Miranda and King Charles. A lot of the bands on there I have never heard of but offers an interesting way of looking at popular and upcoming artists. Check it out. Because after all....
I dig it, so you might.


Surrounded myself with music all day today, but alas I need to goto work and join the ranks of the weekend warriors.

http://www.blackcabsessions.com/

(about the Pixies doc)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449121/

Enjoy...

Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Might as well be called The King of Let Downs.

Radiohead is one of my favourite bands but this album doesn't quite satisfy my craving for new Radiohead. I was really excited for this too so to give a good analogy for my disappointment it was like meeting a girl at a bar, going home with her and than getting undressed just to hug.

I have musical blue balls.

Every song starts off with at the very least 45 seconds of a breakbeat sounding intro. Until eventually Yorke starts to wail. And I mean wail in a good way. Minus the song Feral that only features cut off blips of half words and moaning. Seriously, on an eight song album there's no time for fucking around like that. I understand being artistic and expressing something without words but I missed the point on that one.

Initial thoughts:
-eight songs?
-what's going on here?
-okay finally a good song

I'm not saying this album is an abomination to music. They get super creative using loads of instruments the make for a real alien sound. I like when bands put odd instruments in but when it becomes a battle for dominance and a clash of sounds bouncing off each other it starts to hurt my head.

I feel kind of robbed out of something. I only genuinely liked three songs but they're buried in the intertwining chaos of sound that is The King of Limbs. I can only hope the title is a metaphor for Radiohead being a band of many entities or "limbs" if you will. This better be a precursor to something greater by the brits. I don't appreciate the teasing though.

I want some heavy electricity. I want some real Thom Yorke wailing; even boarder line screaming would be nice. I want to stand up and punch the air when I listen to Radiohead. I don't want to feel like I need the help of hallucinogenics to get the whole experience.

It's hard to tell if they went for the misunderstood genius approach or just held back. The album does flow well and has continuity but when something doesn't work it doesn't matter how much it flows.
Just didn't do it for me.

Radiohead, I'm waiting for something better.

Stale (but see for yourself).

Choice: Little by Little (really good), Lotus Flower, Codex

Bogus: Feral, Bloom, Morning Mr. Magpie (the fact that there's only eight songs...can't get over that)

The Dears - Degeneration Street

I've been meaning to write this review for a few days now. Degeneration Street came out Feb. 15 so this review is kind of dated but I 'm thinking unless you're a fan of The Dears you weren't aware of this album anyway (I wasn't). If you're a fan of music it's worth a listen.


Degeneration Street is the ninth effort from The Dears. I haven't been a big follower but I've been aware of the Montreal group. Music is music but listening to them I feel a slight tinge of pretentiousness in their songs, interviews and even when I watch their videos. As if I'm supposed to feel unworthy of what's being done, or that I just don't get it. Which is probably why I haven't been a big fan of them. But as far as music is concerned no one's above, or below, my radar. I just haven't heard of it yet.

On my first listen I couldn't wait to rip this album to shreds. But upon further listening I've warmed up to it. The Dears have an interesting sound that incorporates melodic guitar pluckings (made that word up) with some poppy sounding drums, a piano that at most times gets drowned out, but it's there, and Murray Lightburn's wide range of vocals.

Initial thoughts:

- Yeah, okay

- Kinda cool

- (a little later) I like it

The album has a couple, umm, holes I'll call them. But there are a few stand-outs. Blood is probably the best song on the album. Galactic Tides is a slow one but has some raw emotion that forced me to feel it. 5 Chords is just a good song period. Tiny Man is packed with that emotion that makes it hard to ignore when it comes on. Even the first song, Omega Dog, is real funky even though it has that industrial sound that I detest.

Although there are some good tracks the album falls off at the end. With that being said the title track is a let down. Just a slow drawn out chorus meant, in my humble opinion, to be some kind of statement at the end of the album. Didn't do it for me.

I do keep putting it on even if it's just for the songs I like.

Dig it (I guess).

Choice: Blood, Galactic Tides, 5 Chords, Tiny Man, Yesteryear

Bogus: Lamentation, Easy Suffering, Unsung, 1854, Degeneration Street

The Streets - Computers and Blues

"You're listening to The Streets lock down your aerial," which is exactly what you'll need to do given the latest from Mike Skinner.

This is The Streets I've been waiting for. Original Pirate Material was a big deal the first time I heard it. A Grand Don't Come for Free was okay. A couple choice tracks but didn't par the first effort. When The Harest Way to Make an Easy Living dropped I pretty much lost faith in anything new from this guy. I could lie and say it sucked but I never bothered listening to the entire album so I don't have a solid opinion on it. Nor can I even name a single song off it. I did hear a couple songs but nothing I was really fond of.

So here am I sampling the new stuff and hot damn. Without Thinking came on and I couldn't help but throw my arms in the air and bounce uncontrollably in front of my computer. Glad I wasn't sitting by a window or else I could have freaked out my neighbours. I'm somewhat emotional about my music, deal with it.

Immediate thoughts are as follows:
-Dig the pirate radio sounds.
-Dance baby!

Not to say every song is a hit but the good ones are real good. The bad ones aren't even that bad. Unlike A Grand Don't Come for Free I don't get that annoyed with the style that makes this guy unique. The beats are solid. Everything tight. The care was taken which is what I've come to expect from Skinner.

 If you were a fan at the Original Pirate Material stage of The Streets pick it up. If you're new to The Streets just as good. Pop it in kick back with a fat sack or invite some friends over for a pre party, crack a fresh barley pop and jam out before a night out.

Dig it.

Choice Tracks: Going Through Hell, Without Thinking, Soldiers, We Can Never Be Friends, ABC


Bogus: Blip On A Screen, Trying to Kill M.E., Lock The Locks


Best hook on the album hands down