Devils In My Details
ohGr
Synthetic Symphony

The third album by ohGr, the Skinny Puppy side-project featuring Nivek Ogre and Mark Walk, is not strictly an industrial album as one might expect. The album also features spoken-word dialog from actor Bill Moseley (who portrayed Chop Top in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 and the Deadite leader in Army of Darkness) as well as the occasional piano and even a tuba on “Feelin’ Chicken.” Opening track “Shhh” is probably the only track similar to Orge’s main band, with a fast drum beat and aggressive, distorted vocals, reminiscent of Skinny Puppy’s earlier days. Final track “Witness” is also a delight, following the quiet-loud-quiet pattern as it ascends with crunching guitar chords. Moseley’s spoken-word portions are cynical, eerie and add a haunting presence to the album. Skinny Puppy fans holding their breath for a new album should find this album satisfying in the meantime.

http://www.ohgr.org/

-Jon Brazeau

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Contrived
Hand Drawn Dracula/Dependent Music

Contrived’s principal members also dabble time with Holy Fuck and Juno winners Wintersleep, but with their third album, blank, blank, blank, the Montreal/Halifax quintet emerges with a solid release. “Not a Goodbye” opens the album perfectly with hard rock and energy. The band picked the right producer for this one by having David Newfeld (Broken Social Scene) on board. The album flows nicely, with heavy tracks interspersed with mellower songs (“Attention (Black Ops)”) and pop-friendly tunes (“The War to Settle the Score”). “Keepsake” brings it all together in the end, concluding the album with a rocking-out jam ending. Contrived proves they are beyond the “side-project” label and have emerged as a promising Canadian indie rock band with lots of potential.

contrived.ca

-Jon Brazeau

Panesian Nights
CFCF
Paper Bag Records

Montreal native Mike Silver (a.k.a. CFCF) has remixed tracks for bands like Crystal Castles, the Presets and HEALTH and now has released an EP of original material. This seven-track EP of vocal-less electronic tunes aren’t as strong as his previous material. The drum beats and synth riffs are mostly repetitive and uninspiring, feeling a bit lackluster even though all the tracks aren’t that long. “The Explorers” is a refreshing change of pace and sounds like the ending music to a Super Nintendo-era video game. It’s simple but has a charming quality to it. “Colour Dreams” shows some energy, with a lively booming beat, but being the closing track, it only makes the listener wanting more and feel a tad disappointed. While not that bad, based on the strength of CFCF’s remixes, Panesian Nights could have been a lot better.

http://www.myspace.com/cfcf

-Jon Brazeau
 

Low Fidelity
Treasa Levasseur

Now here is an album that doesn’t live up to the title “Low Fidelity,” and that’s a good thing, if you are into refined production, expert mastering and thoughtful arrangement. These 10 tracks of sassy soul showcase the bluesy vocal stylings of a strong woman who knows how to “say no to low fidelity,” a smirking comment on the elasticity of love.  With attitude and grace, Levasseur convincingly pulls it off with her “Big Fat Mouth” giving us love lessons straight from mamma, about how the “Good Ones Never Share.” While this songstress knows how to write a clever, funky blues ditty, it’s worth mentioning her stellar interpretations of “Help Me Over” (by Corin Raymond and Sean Cotton of the Undesirables) and  “Talk to Me Babe” (by Bob Snider). Also noteworthy are the horn parts arranged by Levasseur, John Elliot (bass), Michelle Josef (drums), and guitar parts split between David Gavan Baxter, Sean Cotton, Brian MacMillan and Donne Roberts. Paul Reddick makes a cameo appearance on harmonica and we hear some sweet keyboard sounds throughout from Derek Downham, Julian Fauth, Bill King and Levasseur herself. Perhaps the best treat on this album is the choir of local musicians singing on the finale, “Amen,” which has major soundtrack potential. If the music she writes reflects one half of who she is, you could be sure that Levasseur is a girl who knows what she wants and won’t settle until she gets it.

http://www.treasalevasseur.com/

- Jennifer Claveau

(weewerk) is 6!
Various Artists
(weewerk)

Celebrating their sixth anniversary, (weewerk) has released this compilation of songs from their artist roster. Although a little heavy on the Tony Dekker/Great Lake Swimmers side (which isn’t really a bad thing), the album also includes songs from FemBots, the United Steel Workers of Montreal and others. With the emphasis on rarities, demos and upcoming tunes, this compilation serves both as a nice introduction to the label’s alt-country lineup as well as something for fans that is worth tracking down. Both “Songs for the Angels (Miracle Version)” and “Hands in Dirty Ground” were only released on vinyl, so it’s nice to have these rare-ish Great Lake Swimmers songs in digital format. Here’s to six more years (and then some).

http://www.weewerk.com/

-Jon Brazeau

Royally Sparked
Various Artists
Sparks Music

Featuring Sparks’ artists Spiral Beach, the priddle concern and Son Of Dave as well as artists like The Two Koreas and Nathan Lawr And The Minotaurs, Royally Sparked is a nice compilation of Canadian bands deserving of more acclaim. With eight bands and 16 tracks (two tracks per band), the compilation gives a nice sample of each band and what to expect. The Two Koreas’ “Return to Oslo” and “Cheeky Snaps” are both feel-good, head-bobbing rocking tunes. The two tracks from the priddle concern are what you would expect from a former member of Broken Social Scene: well-produced, guitar-driven rock songs with a few guest stars added to the mix. Spiral Beach will have you bouncing too with their youthful, upbeat tunes, especially “Rocket Fuel.” The album also features more laid-back, country-flavoured songs from Yonder and the acoustic delight of Jay Sparrow. With a little bit of everything on the Canadian indie rock scene, Royally Sparked is a good heads up if you’re looking for something new.

Sparksmusic.com

-Jon Brazeau

Demonstration
The Disraelis
Optical Sounds

On this five-track EP, Toronto band the Disraelis display a raw, post-punk sound that shows a lot of promise. Cameron Ingles’ vocals hover between the bleakness of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. Colin Bowers’ guitar depresses at times but also gives that faint tweak of hope of something better due to the fuzzy warmth of the lo-fi sound. Closing track “On Earth” is the epic tune on the album, clocking in at over six minutes (everything else hovers around the four-minute mark) and feels like an alternative jam session. A solid release from top to bottom, it’s a short but delectable treat.

http://www.myspace.com/thedisraelis

-Jon Brazeau

Projectable Collections
Ruby Coast
Unsigned

One part random name, one part Toronto suburb, one part 16-minute E.P., one part Dave Monks, and another part endearing indie rock: that is the formula that made indie darlings Tokyo Police Club. Ruby Coast grabbed that formula and took it a little too far with their debut E.P. The Aurora-based band had TPC vocalist/bassist Dave Monks produce Projectable Collections and their wish to be everyone’s favourite New Marketers could not be articulated any louder if their keyboardist talk-yelled his background vocals. Oh wait, he actually does. With the exception of the awkward voice cracking in the first track, “Television,” Projectable Collections is a consistent E.P. However, it would have been more interesting to see if these puppets could stand on their own had Monks cut the strings. Until then, TPC’s waves of fame will only continue to crash upon a certain Ruby Coast.

myspace.com/rubycoast

—Melissa Kim

City of Refuge
Castanets
Asthmatic Kitty Records

City of Refuge is the one record that sums up the greatness that is the Castanets. The record dwells into different elements of psychedelic rock, freak folk and distorted noises, all of which are combined and used differently in each song, make for a very solid fifth record. “The Destroyer” is a nice little interlude into “Prettiest Chain,” the song is very well written and the guitar riffs play into the bulk and the background of the song. High Plain 1, 2 and 3 are all a variety of different instrumental distortions that either work as interludes into a song or just as their own individual track but flow beautifully with results that are hypnotic and affecting. Overall, the record will move you in way that the other releases couldn’t.

myspace.com/castanets

Max Mohenu

Get It Together
Supersuckers
Mid Fi Recordings

“If you don’t like Supersuckers, you don’t like rock-n-roll,” said Lemmy from Motorhead and he’s goddamn right. Get it Together is the band’s 10th studio release and first since 2003’s Motherfuckers Be Trippin’. Now, that lengthy layoff isn’t to imply the Supersuckers haven’t been busy, they are after all the hardest working band in rock-n-roll. They’ve released a crateful of live and rare material, are constantly collaborating with other musicians and are engaged in a never-ending tour that would make Bob Dylan proud. Considering their hectic schedule, it’s a minor miracle a proper studio album is being released at all. But Eddie Spaghetti and company knew they had to release a kickass album to coincide with the band’s 20th anniversary. Get It Together is just that record and features a bit of everything you’ve come to expect from the Supersuckers. The songs “I’m A Fucking Genius” and “What It Takes” revel in the band’s classic full-throttle rock sound, while “Breaking Honey’s Heart” pulls out the harmonica for that unique brand of Supersucker country ballad that we all know and love. These boys have been proving for two decades they’re in tune with the kindred spirit shared between punk and country that allows them to create intense rock-n-roll records and perform even more intense concerts. Check this record out and then step over your own grandmother to see these guys blow the ceiling off of any venue.

Supersuckers.com

-Joe Veroni

Does You Inspire You
Chairlift
Kanine Records

Brooklyn, N.Y. has given birth to yet another indie sensation. Chairlift’s debut album, Does You Inspire You, is an incredible success that has launched them on an international tour. The band is best known for their song “Bruises,” which is featured in Mac’s most recent iPod commercial. The pop-appeal of this track aside, Does You Inspire You covers expansive musical territory. The album move effortlessly from minimalist ballads like “Don’t Give a Damn” to funky experimental tracks like “Evident Utensil.” Overall, the album is a well done example of synth rock that holds mainstream listening potential.

 http://chairliftmusic.com/

-Allison Smith

Oh, Ramona
Hospital Ships
Graveface Records

Jordan Geiger has put in work for some the best there is (Shearwater, The Minus Story). Oh, Ramona is two and a half years of Geiger’s incredible songwriting, all wrapped up into a very beautiful debut album. On the record, Geiger really dives into a lot of love, love lost, friendship and life in general. “Baby J” has a bit of a “Mates Of State sugar rush,” but it works well with the sweet lyrics. “Sink Your Teeth Into Me” is a bit more acoustic, Geiger’s vocals are very boyish and the lyrics are very romantic and cleverly worded. The rest of the record is very dreamy, bedroom poppy and super sweet. Oh, Ramona definitely tells a good story and is an overall great listen.

http://www.myspace.com/hospitalships

-Max Mohenu

Blue Road
Blue Rodeo
Warner Canada

Blue Rodeo’s newest addition to an already impressive catalogue is a live record, a bootlegged video of the same set and a great documentary all rolled up into one tight package called Blue Road. The multi-time Juno Award winners were inspired to create this live record during the band’s launch of their last album, Small Miracles. Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor and company hit the streets of Toronto to perform acoustic sets for their fans. The stripped-down shows were such a hit that Blue Rodeo decided to record their show at Toronto’s Massey Hall. Showcased is a side of Blue Rodeo that has rarely been seen before. The boys have gone back to their roots playing all their hits to a softer tune. “Five Days in May” is extended and elegant while “Try” has all the charm and simplicity of a great country roots band. To get a true feel for the show, Blue Road also includes bootlegged footage of the Massey Hall show. Recordings were made by fans have been used for the DVD, a true testament to Blue Rodeo’s fans first mentality. However, the gem of the entire package is a 50-minute documentary showing the band at their most honest: hanging out, practicing, and jamming on Greg Keelor’s farm. Blue Road is an integral piece of Canadiana and a must-see for all fans of Blue Rodeo.

Bluerodeo.com

-Joe Veroni

Saint Dymphna
Gang Gang Dance
The Social Registry/Warp Records

Needless to say, a lot of cynics have been quick to label Gang Gang Dance as next year’s big “hipster” band. If being the current opener for Of Montreal’s tour doesn’t suffice, Saint Dymphna is definitely going to be the period at the end of the sentence for the haters. The album starts out with “Bebey,” a song that is an entity all it’s own. Sound distortion, consistent drum, and chimes eventually build into a sound collage and keeps the song solid without being boring. “Princes” combines Liz Bougatsos Bjork style vocals, clever hip hop verses and very intricate beats; all of which make the song the most diverse on the record. The remainder of the record dwells into everything from: tribal beats, freak folk, and right back to that really dingy Brooklyn indie rock, but each song maintains a certain element that’s either totally detached from the initial flow of the record or the polar opposite of what you’d expect. Rest assured, this record has all the qualities necessary to usher in a new era to Brooklyn’s already obscure music scene and bring Gang Gang Dance one step closer to taking over the world.

myspace.com/ganggangdance

-Max Mohenu

Vivian Girls
The Vivian Girls
In the Red Records

When Brooklyn’s buzz hits the streets, you better take cover cause it’s usually a pretty blowup. The self titled album by Vivian Girls is no exception. The girls refine garage rock from start to finish on this record. “Tell the World” hits hard and the girls’ vocals could not be anymore beautiful playing in the background with tambourine. “Where To Run To” has a lot more harmonies and catchy lines, which work just fine for the song. “No” has a lot of old punk rock elements to it and the girls’ vocals are very reminiscent of the a lot of females of that era of music. Garage rock is a hard genre to do right but add a little sass, awesome drumming and a hint of shoegaze here and there and you’ll know what has got people hooked on these girls.

http://www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc

-Max Mohenu

Who Killed Harry Houdini?
I’m From Barcelona
EMI

I’m From Barcelona has released their second album, Who Killed Harry Houdini? It is unclear whether this is a concept album about Houdini’s death, or a 36 minute allusion to escapism. It is also unclear whether or not this matters. This Swedish band is comprised of over 20 members who play everything from the flute to the glockenspiel. The combination of such a multitude of voices and instruments comes off as slightly campy and difficult to take seriously. There is good music here, especially the psychedelic guitars in the closing track “Rufus” but it is veiled by the band’s sing-songy style. It’s debatable whether the world needed another single called “Paper Planes” this year – or decade - but fortunately I’m From Barcelona’s track of this name is a cool jive and a good example of the entertainment value of their music. Overall, Who Killed Harry Houdini? is an album worth listening to but maybe not more than once.

http://www.imfrombarcelona.com/

-Allison Smith

When the Future Caught On Fire
Chinese Food

Chinese Food’s debut is a very interesting listen. Every song seems to channel a different facet of rock and roll, from upbeat pop rock, polished acoustic, and folk rock; these four gentleman have definitely made a good first impression. “Party at the Kennedy’s” has that upbeat pop feel which makes it very danceable. “Pirates on the Palm Trees” is one of the longer songs on the record and probably on the best for catchy lyrics. The album maintains consistency, giving a hearty mix of everything. This band is well on their way to wowing anyone and everyone and with a solid debut like this; it’s safe to say they’ve already got most of the work done.

http://www.chinesefoodmusic.com/

-Max Mohenu

Santogold
Santogold
Downtown Records

The opinions about Santogold’s impressive debut album may have been tainted by all the meaningless M.I.A comparisons but the record is solid, consistent and showcases Santi’s versatility as an artist. “Shove It” fuses early ska sounds with banging beats and an appearance by the infamous XXXChange from Spank Rock keeps the song hot right till the end. “My Superman” has a sexy R&B rhythm with awesome wordplay to match. “Starstruck” probably best displays Santi’s ability to cross genres; everything from grime, electro and hip-hop soul makes this song flawless. The record may have taken a ride on the hype machine for a little bit but with a debut like this, Santogold’s star will only continue to rise.

http://www.myspace.com/santogold

-Max Mohenu