Sunday, January 29, 2006

I L O V E YOU B U T I'VE C H O S E N THE D A R K N E S S



I Love You But I've Chosen The Darkness. I know what you're thinking. Terrible band name. But these Austin, Texas boys are set to make huge waves in 2006 with the release of their debut album Fear Is On Our Side, which is being released by Secretly Canadian, home of Antony and the Johnsons and Jens Lekman. According to the press release for Fear Is On Our Side, ILYBICTD are reminiscent of latter-era Talk Talk, but in my opinion, they sound more like Joy Division meets Bauhaus. A better description would be a sadder, darker, more cinematic Interpol. Their debut was produced Paul Barker (Ministry), who helped the band focus their sound, which use to be much poppier (their first Ep was produced by none other than Britt Daniel, who is a fan and huge supporter). Tracks like The Ghost and According To Plan are huge, multi-layered sonic masterpieces of lost love and misery with haunting echoing vocals and trembling basslines. Fear Is On Our Side is an album that you can crawl inside and live in.

The band are embarking on a US tour. Here are the dates:

02/02/06 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa w/ Spoon
03/22/06 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
03/23/06 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
03/24/06 Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
03/25/06 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
03/26/06 Newport, KY - Southgate House
03/28/06 Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
03/29/06 Cambridge, MA - TT The Bear's Place
03/30/06 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
03/31/06 Brooklyn, NY - Northsix
04/01/06 Richmond, VA - Nanci Raygun
04/02/06 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
04/03/06 Atlanta, GA - The Earl

Check the band's My Space here to listen to a couple tracks.

I Love You But I've Chosen The Darkness - According To Plan.mp3

Saturday, January 28, 2006

A L M O S T CRIMES

I can't believe its been an entire week since the BSS show at the Kool Haus. I've been meaning to post my review all week, but have been incredibly busy. Pretty much every Toronto area blogger seemed to be in attendance. Check the following links for their reviews:

For The Records
SuckingALemon has incredible pics
Just Keep Bloggin'

The show was incredible, they created a walls of beautiful sloppy noise. The entire band was present including Feist, Amy and Evan (from Stars) and Jason Collett. The set list was as follows:

Gods
7/4 (Shoreline)
Fire-Eyed Boy
KC Accidental
Major Label Debut (slow version)
Stars and Sons
Handjobs for the Holidays
Fuzz
Almost Crimes
Major Label Debut (fast version)
Hotel
Bandwitch
Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl (renamed Anthems For A Fifteen Year-Old Girl)
Superconnected (slow version)
Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)
Backyards

Encore
Lover's Spit
Cause = Time
Where's Love
Break

I think I would have enjoyed the show more had it been at a more intimate venue. Kool Haus is pretty large, and I think when you see a band like BBS, it really helps to be in a small setting as its easily for the band to connect with the audience. Regardless, the show will definintely go down in my books as one of the best of the year.

Monday, January 23, 2006

IF I AM L O S T FOR A DAY, T R Y AND F I N D ME

According to the Arts & Crafts tour page, Stars will be back in Toronto for a show at The Docks on Wedensday March 1, 2006. Anyone know if their headlining or supporting? Anyone have any other news???

UPDATE: It's for the Indie awards. Check the link.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

P O R T I O N S OF F O X E S


Rumor has it that Ms. Jenny Lewis, former childstar and lead singer of Rilo Kiley will be playing a Toronto show at a very unique venue on March, 16, 2006. It will be a solo show in support of her new album Rabbit Fur Coat. Keep your ears to the ground for more info kids, this one will sell like hotcakes!

***UPDATE***Looks like the show has been confirmed for the Opera House on the date mentioned above.

Jenny Lewis' myspace.

Friday, January 13, 2006

SLAP Y O U N G WAVES O N WOODEN B O N E S

Via Brooklyn Vegan, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! have confirmed a North American tour for March/April 2006 and pre-sale tickets are currently on sale now!!! The boys are set to make their second appearance in Toronto on Saturday April 8, 2006 at Lee's Palace. Get tickets NOW. When they played the Shoe last September, tickets were going for upwards of $60 outside the venue.
THE C N TOWER B E L O N G S TO T H E DEAD

Check the Star's review of Over The Top Fest's launch party here.

In related Over The Top news, Of Montreal will be headlining their next installment on March 8, 2006 at the Mod Club Theatre. Support is TBO. Same goes for ticket information.

Check out the Radio at Chromewaves for Final Fantasy's cover of Bloc Party's "This Modern Love". Wanna see the video? Check this link (GOD BLESS GOOGLE VIDEO).

Thursday, January 12, 2006

C O N C E R T ANNOUCEMENT R O U N D U P:

Most of these shows have been posted on other Toronto-area blogs. But here is a condensed listing of essential shows:

Febuary 2, 2006 - WE ARE WOLVES @ Drake Underground

Febuary 3 & 4, 2006 - THE SADIES w/ Matt Verta-Ray, Jon Langford, Jon Spencer, Gary Louris, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, more to be confirmed @ Lee's Palace

Febuary 4, 2006 - THE CLOUD ROOM w/ The Coast, The Rinse @ El Mocambo

UPDATE:Febuary 18, 2006 - THE DIABLEROS CD Release Party (on their new label) - The Horseshoe (taken from Stille post)

March 4, 2006 - ISOBEL CAMPBELL w/ T Dekker, Jim Noir @ Revival

March 4, 2006.MSTRKRFT w/ Tricky Woo, From Fiction, No Dynamics, Lovely Feathers @ Lee's Palace

March 29, 2006 - THE GOSSIP w/ No Dynamics, Fox The Boombox @ Xpace

Friday, January 06, 2006

D O SOMETHING P R E T T Y WHILE Y O U CAN...



The Fork, For The Records and More Cowbell have confirmed dates for the Belle And Sebastian/New Pornographers North American tour. Toronto is the first stop, on Febuary 25, 2005, which is a saturday (good!)...but the show is being held at The Docks (bad!). Here are the rest of the confirmed dates:

Feb 25th Toronto - The Docks
Feb 26th Montreal - Metropolis
Feb 27th Boston - Avalon
Feb 28th Boston - Avalon
March 2nd NYC - Nokia Theatre
March 3rd NYC - Nokia Theatre
March 4th Philadelphia - Electric Factory
March 5th Washington - 9.30 Club
March 6th Washington - 9.30 Club
March 8th Nashville - Ryman Auditorium
March 9th Louisville - Brown Theatre
March 10th Chicago - Riviera
March 11th Milwaukee - Riverside Theatre
March 12th Minneapolis - Orpheum Theatre
March 14th Dallas - Granada Theatre
March 15th Austin - Stubbs (Matador SXSW Show)
March 18th LA - Wiltern
March 19th LA - Wiltern
March 21st SF - Concourse @ The SF Design Center
March 23rd Portland - Roseland Ballroom
March 24th Vancouver - Commodore
March 25th Seattle - Paramount

UPDATE:From the Belle And Sebastian's website: TORONTO, The Docks
Tickets cost $35.50 Canadian Dollars ( plus booking fee) and go onsale at 10am on Thursday January 12th At Ticketmaster(show as of yet is not posted on Ticketmaster's website). There is no age restriction for this show




For The Records has news concerning our favourite electro crew Ladytron. The band has confirmed a Toronto date at the Opera House on April 20th. Their latest disc The Witching Hour is a little bit of a departure from their 80s-influenced synth-pop sound, but it's still wicked amazing. It's in the same vein as MBV/Death In Vegas, droney-guitar based tunes with a danceable beat. Highly Recommended!

Currently Reading: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Currently Hearing: Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures

Monday, January 02, 2006

TOP 2 5 ALBUMS OF 2 0 0 5 (PART THREE)


14. The National - Alligator
Alligator isn't a terribly strong album on first listen, it’s a definite grower. The release was given a ton of blog press and I was intrigued to find out what everyone was raving about. What I found was a dark indie rock album that drew me in over repeat Go Train listens. Questionable lyrics aside (they get the official Interpol "what they fuck" lyric award for the year for the following:” I have a secret meeting in the basement of my brain"???), Alligator has all the elements of an indie/garagey album to please the most jaded listener. I think I fell for this album because it lamp posts events of the past summer. It got played on many car rides to shows (Final Fantasy in Peterborough with Mark, Shan, T and Z and CYHSY! with the same crew), drives that seemed not long due to good conversation and tunes. This album will always make me remember the summer of 2005.


13. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
I don't have a lot to say about Gimme Fiction or Spoon for that matter. Gimme Fiction is just a great album with solid writing and great pop sensibilities. I Turn My Camera On will probably show up in a commercial for one of the prominent camera companies in the near future. Britt Daniel writes interesting sounds with interesting narratives. Spoon should be huge.


12. CocoRosie - Noah's Ark
I can't write anything about this album without first explaining how I came to love this band. I first saw CocoRosie open for Bright Eyes at the Phoenix last January. They were fucking terrible. Their set was messy and all over the place, you couldn't tell when one song finished and the next song started. About eight months later, I saw them again, opening for Antony and the Johnsons at St. Paul's Trinity Church on Bloor Street. From the moment they graced the stage, the entire room was at a standstill. Their set was a spectacle like nothing I had ever seen; I sat on the edge of my seat and smiled the entire time. The sisters had blossomed as a live band; they commanded the attention of everyone in attendance with their beautiful, broken songs of love and loss. They used a variety of instruments including acoustic guitar, harp and tons of children’s toys to create soundscapes of lush, haunting orchestrations. Noah's Ark is in the same vein as their live show. Each song is unique and draws you in with its unorthodox instrumentation. Standout track in my opinion is Beautiful Boys, which features Antony singing the chorus. I would recommend this album to anyone who's into the anti-folk scene (Devandra Banhart, Antony, Kimya Dawson, Joanna Newson etc.).


11. Patrick Wolf - Wind In The Wires
Patrick Wolf is just a kid. A kid who is talented well beyond his years, probably more talented than many of the musicians currently in the charts. Wind In The Wires is what Bright Eyes electronic album should have sounded like. He mixes acoustic and electronic music in the perfect way, yet the album's sound is complex, like listening the classical. It’s a record full of incredible songs that get easily stuck in your head. From the title track, with its sweeping building pulse to Tristan, a danceable number favoured by the New York kids, every song on this album is epic.


10. The Decemberists - Picaresque
The Decemberists third album reminds me of reading literature from the past. The songs are all narrative-based, with a slew of interesting characters. Colin Meloy is not only a songwriter, but a writer of fiction. The Decemberists remind me a lot of Belle And Sebastian, but with much more mature songwriting. This album translates very well live; Meloy and company are excellent live musicians. Check out Chromewaves for some great pictures from the show I attended at the Phoenix in Toronto. Meloy and Co. have finally gained the large audience that they deserve. They recently signed to Capitol, which surprised many of my fellow music bloggers. In my opinion, I think it will either make or break the band. I don't know if the mainstream corporate world will embrace them (I cannot see a station like Toronto's 102.1 playing them) but maybe with word of mouth (and a guest slot on The O.C.) they could become the next Death Cab.


09. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
Descended Like Vultures sat on my iPod for months without being listened to. I blame it on the fact that they were sooo many amazing releases this year. When I finally got around to sampling it, I immediately fell in love with it (and of course this was right after they headlined a show at the Horseshoe). The album is varied; the band doesn't stick to the typical indie rock sound. Each song has tons of amazing different elements but there is still a strong underlying pop element to the album. Zach Rogue shines as a vocalist and as the primary songwriter. I think this album will continue to grow on me with future listens, and I have just secured tickets to their March 11 show at Lee's with Nada Surf. This is probably the one band I am most looking forward to seeing in 2006.


08. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
The release Silent Alarm marks the end of the nu-wave 80's revival. Even though there are still tons of bands releasing albums within this genre (for example, the Kasier Chiefs, The Bravery, Maximo Park) the scene is officially over. The shit that's coming out this year is so derivative, and these newer bands are re-hashing the sound of 2001-2002 a la the Strokes. Bloc Party stand out because these kids can really play their instruments, their rhythm section is incredible, and Kele is a great front man that isn't afraid to look like he's having a good time. I caught them for their debut show in Toronto at the Opera House and they were just as impressive live as they are on disc. Even though this album has been out for almost a full year, I can't get bored of it.


07. Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary
What can be said about this album that hasn't already been said? Produced by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Friend's of the Arcade Fire. Features a new member who use to be in Hot Hot Heat. Wolf Parade' Apologies To The Queen Mary is one of the best Canadian releases of the year. Each track could be a single. From the opening track You Are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son to the closing track This Heart's On Fire, Wolf Parade prove that they deserve every bit of press and hype that they have received.


06. Final Fantasy - Has A Good Home!
Owen Pallet is Final Fantasy. It's a simplistic album of violin, some drums and an incredibly strong voice. Pallett sings about elements of everyday life that are close to everyone's hearts. Love, lost-love, loneliness, traveling are central themes to this gorgeous album. Owen garnered a ton of local press this year; he graced the cover of Now Magazine, showed up on tons of music year end lists, played a crap load of shows in and around Toronto, and toured the world over with the Arcade Fire. And 2006 will see the release of his second album He Poos Clouds (a Dungeons and Dragons concept record) and most likely a Canadian solo tour.


05. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
Plans was a make or break record for Death Cab For Cutie. It was their major label debut, and first release since they became Seth Cohen's and every girl who adores Mr. Cohen’s favourite band. And Plans delivers. It's not an obvious album; it's all about the subtlety of the songs that makes this album so amazing. Lead single Soul Meets Body is a poppy dance song that relies on acoustic guitar and Ben's as good as ever lyrics. In the bands words, Plans is a "heavy" album that goes on listeners with multiple listens. Standout tracks include I Will Follow You Into The Dark (one of Ben's best songs EVER!) and the Chris Walla penned Brothers On A Hotel Bed. Plans proves that DCFC deserve the attention they are receiving.


04. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - S/T
The indie DIY award of the year goes to these guys. CYHSY! literally came out of nowhere this year, received an incredible review from Pitchfork for their independently released album, and shot to the top of every bloggers list of favourite bands. The album features the greatest nasally vocals since David Byrne fronted the Talking Heads, and also the tons of hip-shaking tunes that make me what to jump up and dance my ass off whenever I listen to it (be it on the Go Train or in my apartment). CYHSY! made their Canadian debut back in September at the Horseshoe, which was packed to the gills with hipsters who were willing to pay upwards of $50 a ticket outside the venue. The band did not disappoint, the crowd ate up every second of their performance. The band has recently signed to Wichita Recordings in the UK and has solidified a deal with ADA in North America to distribute their album across the continent.


03. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Here's another guy that tons of people like to talk shit about. Bright Eyes aka Connor Obest's I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, shows once again what an incredibly brilliant songwriter he is. Every track on this album is great; Connor weaves touching narratives in his lyrics that deal with everything that is important in our lives. Standout tracks include Land Locked Blues, The First Day Of My Life and Poison Oak. The one thing that surprised me about this album is the fact that he left "When The President Talks To God" off the album. Follow the link to download the track for free from iTunes or his live performance on the Tonight Show.


02. Broken Social Scene - S/T
The follow up to BSS's career-making You Forgot It In People has received mixed reviews from fans and critics. Myself, I absolutely fell in love with it from first listen. BSS has created a huge wall of sound and noise, each song has tons of layers but at the centre of it all is incredible songwriting. The album sounds more varied than their last; the girls in the band (Amy/Feist) have been given more album time (check the incredible Peaches-sounding Swimmers and the gorgeous Hotel). Self-Titled is a definite grower, I think that with time, people will realize the wonderful mess that BSS created, and learn to love it as much as I do.


01.Antony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now I'm not going to bash Pitchfork like tons of people do, because they turn me onto tons of great music. This album was reviewed by them at the beginning of the year, and they added it to their best new music section. The first time I listened to it, I pretty much hated it. But after a couple listens, I fell in love with it. Antony's vocals are strong yet fragile. His lyrics make me smile and want to cry at the same time. I don't think that any album has affected me emotionally like this has since I first heard Elliott Smith back in high school (and The Smiths/Morrissey for that matter). There are many guest appearances on the album by notable musicians such as Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright and Devandra Banhart. In the last year, Antony's career has gone from indie cabaret star/performance artist to global indie darling. I Am A Bird Now won Britain’s Mercury Music Prize and solidified the fact that Antony is one of our generations most interesting and talented songwriters. God Bless Antony and the Johnsons.

Related Posts:
Top 25 Of 2005 (Part One)
Top 25 Of 2005 (Part Two)
T O P 25 ALBUMS OF 2 0 0 5 (PART TWO)


19. The Most Serene Republic - Underwater Cinematographer
Underwater Cinematographer sounds like the bastard little brother of Radiohead circa Kid A via Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People, meaning exciting indie rock from the left field. The songs are sometimes spastic and sloppy, but with multiple listens, the genius of the songwriting prevails. From the first single Content Was Always My Favourite Colour to the beautiful Proposition 61, with its yell-back chorus "She took a sad song and made it sadder", everything about TMSR's debut screams love me. And I do.


18. Kayne West - The Last Registration
The Last Registration has been praised by critics, loved by white backpack hip hop kids, and hated on by the underground rap scene who were loudly proclaiming West as a sell-out. Registration can be easily compared to Jay-Z's The Black Album in a sense that it's a rap album for the pop world and also for those who don't regularly listen to hip hop. Featuring collaborations with Maroon 5 heartthrob Adam Levine and movie star-turned musician Jamie Foxx (who's releasing his debut in the new year), TLR is full of pop gems that gets better with every listen. His lyrics (...or rhymes) are smart, funny and actually tend to say something other than the boasting of bling that's typically heard. Not only is West an amazing writer/producer, but the guy has the guts to speak out against the ills of the political world. He bashed Bush stating "Bush don't care about black people" at the New Orleans relief telethon and also showed support for gays/lesbians by blasting the hip hop world for their negative stereotypes of said lifestyles. But enough about his politicals, its all about his hump shaking beats and intelligent rhymes that makes Registration one of the best albums of 2005.


17. The Ladies And Gentlemen Small Sins
Small Sins is the product of Thomas D'Arcy, formerly of Toronto's own The Carnations. Small Sins is bedroom synth pop for The O.C. generation. Think The Postal Service, but Canadian, younger and much poppier. Every track on Small Sins is chalk full of wicked pop hooks. For example, lead single Stay which features a great rejection chorus "You can stay if you want to, but you can't stay in my bed". This album has fallen under the radar of pretty much everyone I know, but when I play it for them, all they seem to be able to do is smile and bop along. Maybe it's not getting press because Boompa's not marketing correctly or could it be that D'Arcy chose to tour with Matt Good (which can only lead to bad things). Whatever it is, I think 2006 could be the year that the rest of Canada picks up on this addictive band. Ps. check out their live show, it's fantastic and features matching all white outfits (a la Islands).


16. Aquaduct - I Sold Gold
Oaklahoma's Aquaduct is actually one gentlemen by the name of David Terry. I was first introduced to Terry 's music via Scott's blog way back in January when he published a link to a Catbirdseat mix for cold January nights. The first tune of the mix was Aquaduct's The Suggestion Box, the opening track on I Sold Gold. Within a couple listens, I was totally obsessed with this album. There are tons of reasons to love this band (or one-man band), Death Cab endorsed (he's on Barsuk), cites listening to Axl Rose as a child and a wicked cool album cover that resembles a 70s rock t-shirt. ISG has all the elements of a perfect indie rock record. If your a fan of the Barsuk scene, this is a definite buy.


15. Architecture In Helenski - In Case We Die
AIH's second full-length release In Case We Die is a beautiful, lush record that pulls together all the individual strengths of the band's eight members. The tunes are perfect pop mixed with indie rock and laced with electronics. Recommended for anyone who loves the grand indie pop such as Belle And Sebastian, The Magnetic Fields and Stars.

Also See:
Top 25 Albums Of 2005 (Part One)