Contests

Contest 1:

We have 2 sets of tickets:

2 Pairs for the Ottawa show, May 13 @ Live Lounge
2 Pairs for the Toronto show, May 15 @ The Rivoli

Please email contest@spillmagazine.com with the subject 'People In Planes'
 

Contest 2:

Win 1 of 5 Wristbands to NXNE 2008.  Contest deadline May 31 2008 email contest@spillmagazine with the subject NXNE

Send us your name, address, email and phone number for both contests

Features

Brothers from Another Planet
Brothers Ryan (keys and vocals) and Hays Holladay (guitar, vocals) make up half of the Brooklyn-based band that is rounded out by a drummer simply known as Kotchy and bassist Kevin Smith. While you may not need to travel at light speed to get to Brooklyn just yet, The Epochs have wrought a CD that would be appropriate for cranking when the science of time travel catches up to their aesthetic.
(Read More)

Live Reviews

Tapes 'n Tapes/White Denim - The Opera House
Monday, April 14, 2008
While the Opera House was nearly packed for Tapes 'n Tapes, those who arrived early for opening act White Denim were presented with a real treat. The trio from Austin, Texas took the stage just after 9 p.m. and rolled through their half hour set in a frenzy.
(Read More)

Comics

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CD Reviews

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
The problem with writing one of the most popular songs in the past five years is everything you do afterwards will pale in comparison. Gnarls Barkley will never write another “Crazy” or at least it`s not on their new album The Odd Couple.
(Read More)

M83 - Saturdays = Youth
M83 return with their fifth studio album, one which is more conventional than their previous releases. Balancing ambient electronics with pop, the album weaves them together, creating a sound reminiscent of the 1980s synth pop era.
(Read More)

Ready Fire Aim - This Changes Nothing
Dark synth pop is still alive, thanks to the debut album from Ready Fire Aim. Pieced together by singer Sage Rader and DJ/producer Stakka (Shaun Morris), the duo created an album loaded with twisted, hypnotizing synths, hard beats and Rader’s soft vocals.
(Read More)

Sean Ashby - Brass and Gold
Sean Ashby has worked mostly as a session musician and most notably as Sarah McLachlan’s guitarist but he finally emerges as a solo performer with this debut release.
(Read More)

The Priddle Concern - The Priddle Concern
Former Treble Charger guitarist Bill Priddle returns to his indie rock roots with his new band, The Priddle Concern. Having also clocked in time with Broken Social Scene, Priddle’s album is filled with guitar-driven indie rock songs.

Star Anna - Crooked Path
Malamute Records' rising talent Star Anna is the definition of great alt country, with a style comparable to Lucinda Williams and Neko Case in production and songwriting.
(Read More)

Gorgeous Frankenstein - Gorgeous Frankenstein
With the dark forces upon us comes Gorgeous Frankenstein.  Rising from the ashes of the Misfits, ex guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein and wife Stephanie Bellars team up to create Gorgeous Frankenstein.  
(Read More)

Dearly Beloved - repo repo repo
Right off the bat you can't help but to love this band.  The superior songwriting skills of bassist singer Rob Higgins and band really shine all over this album.
(Read More)

The Radar Bros. - Self-titled
The Radar Bros. are back and out with their newest album off of Merge Records titled Auditorium.  This is the Los Angeles’ band’s fifth album. There’s something comforting and soothing about this album, as well as poetic.
(Read More)

Robert Pollard - Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions
Robert Pollard’s Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions go hand in hand.  These Merge Record discs are nothing less than enjoyable.  They are very refreshing albums to hear, kind of like a “no strings attached” albums.
(Read More)

Steve Dawson - Waiting For The Lights To Come Up
Dynamically rich and tasteful would be a great way to begin explaining how this new CD from Steve Dawson sounds.  Having paid his dues as a producer for years in various Canadian recording studios, Steve has been actively releasing solo projects for well over 10 years.
(Read More)

Features

God Made Me Funky
 “We did have to get over the hump of people being like, ‘Are you guys a Christian polka band?’ Nooo, funk…” says PHATT al, lead rapper of the Toronto band God Made Me Funky, chuckling. The name—as original as the music this eclectic troupe puts out—actually comes from a Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters song title, and thank God for it!
(Read More)

Andy Swan Hits the Ground Running
Ten years ago Andy Swan was bursting at the seams with creativity, writing lyrics and songs, that he finally decided to lay down on his 4-track with no concrete intention in mind other than self satisfaction.  After getting some recordings together Andy decided to compile some of his best tunes and start sending demos around. 
(Read More)
 

Comics

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DVD Reviews

Oasis - Lord Don’t Slow Me Down
With almost three years since their last album, it only seemed natural to expect another release from the Gallagher brothers. Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, a 2-DVD disc set features a documentary filmed during Oasis’ Don’t Believe the Truth tour as well as a live performance at Manchester Stadium in 2005.
(Read More)

CD Reviews

mr. Gnome - Deliver This Creature
With a back-and-forth, soft and aggressive sound, mr. Gnome face an ambitious task by putting it all together on their first full-length album.
(Read More)

The Jealous Girlfriends - The Jealous Girlfriends
Originally released in 2006, the Jealous Girlfriends’ debut album has been re-released this year on the label Good Fences. The new version features an overhaul in the track order as well as a new song, the opener “Secret Identity,” which feels like a haunting, guitar-swirling dream.
(Read More)

Pomegranates - Everything Is Alive
With their 2007 debut EP Two Eyes leaving fans wanting more, Pomegranates deliver an additional round of experimental pop goodness with their first full-length album.
(Read More)

Andy Swan - Andy Swan's Ottawa
Pull the brakes! Lets slow this wagon down and have a good listen to Andy Swan's Ottawa.  Toronto's own, Andy Swan, is a man with a very impressive catalogue of songs to his name, he is currently promoting his 3rd solo release.
(Read More)

Blood On The Wall - Liferz
It’s a millennium band with a very “rad” 80’s and early 90’s sound; a mix of The Pixies, Sonic Youth, some Violent Femmes thrown in, and topped off with their own sound delivered to the table in this album, which is oddly refreshing.
(Read More)

Slingshot Dakota - Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost
Slingshot Dakota is out with their 2008, self released album titled Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost.  What an altogether sweet and colorful album.
(Read More)

The Lions Rampant
I was under the impression that the garage rock phenomenon, which occurred in the earlier parts of the decade, were firmly in our past, but the Kentucky band, The Lions Rampant, and would have us believe otherwise.
(Read More)

Holy Fuck - LP
Holy Fuck’s long-awaited full length album is finally here and while it won’t have you screaming “Holy fuck!” it’s not half bad. The band’s sound is very reminiscent of 90's dance-rock hitmakers The Chemical Brothers.
(Read More)

These United States - A Picture of The Three of Us At the Garden of Eden
A Picture of The Three of Us At the Garden of Eden is the infinitely long titled album of These United States, the band disguise for the songs of singer/songwriter Jesse Elliott.
(Read More)

 

Features

A Minimal Overdose of Matthew Barber
One of the first things one notices about Matthew Barber is his eyes; not the startling blue of them, but the clear intensity present within them. When he speaks to you, he meets your gaze confidently, devoid of any pretension, and it’s easy to understand how this man can pour forth such honesty into his music.
(Read More)

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CD Reviews

Jukebox The Ghost - Jukebox The Ghost
DC group Jukebox The Ghost have been gaining momentum and a steady following lately, largely due to their playfully rocking live shows.
(Read More)

Aloha - Light Works
Light Works starts off on a terrific note.  Opening track “Body Buzz” delivers a laid back but upbeat rhythm with a multitude of instruments contributing.
(Read More)

The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
Stephen Merrit’s The Magnetic Fields have always done a fine job of avoiding simple categorization.  It is very difficult to pigeonhole this group, as they bounce from sixties garage rock to surf, to pure pop and gentle crooning.
(Read More)

Bullet for my Valentine - Scream Air Fire
Metal has never been more competitive, and bands who have made their mark in today's market are incredibly tight and talented units.
(Read More)

Sin Dealer - Dying to Live
Sin Dealer should be embarrassed to call themselves metal. The not so talented lyricist of the band forces us to listen to lines like "Look into my eyes/addiction doesn't lie" and "Well I'm rocker/and I'm a roller baby."
(Read More)

Laura Barrett - Earth Sciences
As a member of Henri Fabergé and the Adorables and the Hidden Cameras, Barrett is used to being a member of an ensemble cast but she really makes a name for herself on this solo release.
(Read More)

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into
While not really living up to their name, the U.K. band’s debut release is loaded with inoffensive dance punk tunes with a rock twist.
(Read More)

Hinterland - Pan Pan Medico
The third album from Vancouver’s Hinterland is anything but predictable. Opening with dark guitar riffs and heavy bass, the first few tracks feel like walking through a dark forest with only Michaela Galloway’s soaring vocals leading the way.
(Read More)

Sally Shapiro - Remix Romance Vol. 1
A remix of Shapiro’s Disco Romance, this album serves as a nice complement to her 2007 debut. Shapiro’s breathy, dream pop vocals are woven together with disco-thumping beats and New Wave-inspired synths.
(Read More)

Woodhands - Heart Attack
After lighting up the Toronto scene with their high energy electronic shows, Woodhands manage to capture that excitement on their debut release.
(Read More)

DeVotchKa - A Mad & Faithful Telling
A Mad & Faithful Telling is a sometimes bustling, sometimes lulling, altogether original listening experience from DeVotchKa, the American indie band with a growing reputation for all manner of strange instruments and influences.
(Read More)

The Tom Fun Orchestra - You Will Land With A Thud
The Tom Fun Orchestra is a nine-piece Nova Scotian band that mixes bluegrass, Celtic and traditional East Coast influences on their debut album You Will Land With A Thud.
(Read More)

White Hinterland - Phylactery Factory
Casey Dienel’s far too young to sound so good. Or is it the profundity of her lyrics and the depth of her musicality combined that make her precocious talent seem so incredible?
(Read More)

Man Man - Rabbit Habits
Self-proclaimed “torchbearers of the unusual” Man Man release their much anticipated third full length album in five years on April 8^th. Rabbit Habits provides the Man Man-requisite number of curious instruments in bizarre orchestration with circus-like songs that whirl you around and around until you aren’t quite sure what’s happened, or if it’s good.
(Read More)

Widespread Panic - Free Somehow
This is the tenth studio album from America’s favourite touring rock band Widespread Panic. It was recorded with big-deal producer Terry Manning, the man of Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz and ZZ Top-recording fame.
(Read More)

Bauhaus - Go Away White
Rising from the ashes of punk at the end of the 1970s and refusing to follow the standard New Wave fare of early post-punk, Bauhaus rose to fame by offering a darker, more eclectic sound which took punk into a nocturnal direction.
(Read More)

Les Savy Fav - After the Balls Drop
Recorded live at New York's Bowery Ballroom during the early hours of New Year's Day, Les Savy Fav roll through a late night, high energy affair on After the Balls Drop.
(Read More)

Live Reviews

Canadian Music Week 2008

Bands reviewed:
Plants and Animals
The Acorn
Grady
United Steel Workers of Montreal
Dearly Beloved
Steve Hill

(Read More)
 

Features

Diving Deep With Morcheeba
Morcheeba, a quietly popular British band consisting of brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey surfaced in England during the early 90’s, playing a unique style of soulful trip-hop dance music. Their refreshing sound first came to light in 1996 with the album Who Can You Trust? Worldwide success and a following ensued and the brothers managed to produce consistently great music for the next ten years.
(Read More)

Born Ruffians
A low moan is sounded out against a loose and atmospheric guitar, while distant whistling announces a march. There is a rolling drum beat, and then a cry: “HEY! If I started my own country, for the flag what colours would I use? Such a myriad to choose from, I’d pick red yellow and blue”.
(Read More)

Alan Cross
Alan Cross, long time program director of 102.1 The Edge in Toronto and host of the ever popular Ongoing History of New Music has decided to make a foray into the world of audio books.
(Read More)

The Hollows
One wall of the stylish Annex flat is painted a deep red, and electric guitars hang like shiny ornaments poised for play. The atmosphere is relaxed; soothing vocals waft out of the speakers.
(Read More)
 

Comic

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CD Reviews

Morcheeba - Dive Deep
A quiet yet awakening new release from British band Morcheeba, Dive Deep is just what we needed after a lull since the Antidote in 2005.
(Read More)

News

WINNERS

The 8^th Annual Independent Music Awards ("The Indies")
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel-Canadian Room
March 8, 2008
www.cmw.net

(Read More)

Comic

We've got a new addition to the magazine in the form of a comic.
Here is the first of a weekly update!

CD Reviews

Black Mountain - In The Future
Black Mountain is the latest gem to emerge from the indie-treasure-chest that is Jagjaguwar Records. This Vancouver band's members have been making music together since 2004, and the cohesive effort is obvious.
(Read More)

Kara Keith - EP
Kara Keith, formerly the frontwoman of Falconhawk, is a singer/songwriter/ keyboardist from Calgary who is clearly aiming to fit in with the indie-pop crowd on her new EP, and perhaps a little too much so. (Read More)

LoveLikeFire - An Ocean In The Air
San Franciscan foursome LoveLikeFire have just released their second EP An Ocean in The Air, producing poppy-post punk sounds. Led by singer/ guitarist/ keyboardist Ann Yu’s sweet-though-strangely-powerful voice, the band comes out with an enjoyable indie rock record.
(Read More)

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
This album will make you want to cry, and yet you won’t be able to stop listening to it. It’s heart-breakingly sad, it’s also terribly beautiful and, even, at times, so very hopeful. (Read More)

Yesan Damen - Chronos/Kairos
On the surface, Yesan Damen sounds like straight-poppy mid-90s alt-radio rock. Which is not bad at all, and quite comforting in a nostalgic kind of way. (Read More)

UNDADOGG - Jinxed
UNDADOGG is Toronto’s answer to the ‘90s wave of trip hop soul that brought us perennial depressed-teenager-but-it-never-gets-old faves Portishead and Massive Attack. (Read More)

Muscles - Guns Babes Lemonade
“Peace love ecstasy/ peace love ecstasy/ peace love ecstasy/ unity respect!” Guns Babes Lemonade explodes open from the first track forward, and this ridiculously fun Aussie dance crew’s got you on board right away.
(Read More)

Forty Birds - Shotgun Therapy
Forty Birds’ album, Shotgun Therapy, tells an epic journey in the way that only a cheesy metal band can tell with distorted and wah wah influenced metal ripping through a new wave wall of sound.
(Read More)

Mlle Caro & Frank Garcia - Pain Disappears
Mlle Caro and Frank Garcia have made something to sooth the masses with Pain Disappears. Using a wash of synthesizer, they create a world of loops with an indefinable quality of freshness within a standard house beat cycle. (Read More)

The Whigs - Mission Control
The Whigs have lent a lot of depth to what are basically three chord progressions for most of the songs on Mission Control. They are just so freakin’ catchy. (Read More)

Live Reviews

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