It's Not Dark Yet

This Afterparty Sucks

2006-07-30T16:44:00.000-05:00

It was this thought that led to the forming of Toronto band Afterparty. Idan Erez and Kristina B met at said afterparty and after deciding it was terrible, they figured they would form a band that played good music instead of crap. A very novel idea. It is hard to explain the sound they've come up with, it's kind of disco-y punk pop. The music has an '80's feel to it but delivers a bit more punch than your average '80's pop song. Regardless of what category the music fits into, I think it's safe to say that Idan and Kristina have succeeded in making some good and different music. You can hear four of their songs on their myspace page to get a taste of what they're all about. Afterparty has yet to release an album but they are currently working on their debut and hopefully it will be out by the end of the year. You can keep checking out their official website for updates and news on everything Afterparty. I'd also be interested in feedback on some of these bands I post about. So if you've read this and checked out the band, please leave some comments on what you thought of them. I was planning on ending this blog by saying "One things for sure, this Afterparty definitely does not suck," but that's pretty cheesy isn't it. I really gotta come up with some better ideas. Oh well.

The Pestilence is Coming

2006-07-04T17:23:00.000-05:00

Although it sounds like it could be a headline straight out of today's newspaper, The Pestilence is Coming is in fact the name of the newest album from a band out of Cincinnati, Ohio called The Minor Leagues. I only recently learned of this band (what a shame) but they have been around since 2001. They released their first album, Be Kind to Beginners, in 2002 and have brought out three more albums since then, including their new one. They play some of the catchiest pop-rock I've ever heard and enjoy using a large variety of instruments to create a unique sound. Their newest album employed more than 40 musicians to fill its musical landscape and the results are nothing short of brilliant. The song that introduced me to the band was the title track off the new album, which practically forces you to tap your foot along with it. "Infectious" would be an understatement. You can listen to that song, as well as two others from the new album and one from their first album, at their myspace page. If you can manage to pull yourself away from their music, if just for a few minutes, you can buy all four of their albums from their band website (and they're cheap!). Bad news has never sounded so good.

I Shall Overcome

2006-06-27T02:09:00.000-05:00

So you may have noticed that my posts have been few and far between these days. I apologize, it's just that I've been very busy doing absolutely nothing. I'm telling ya, doing nothing takes up a substantial amount of time, especially when you're very dedicated to it, as I am. At any rate, while I was doing nothing, I came across something very exciting!! So exciting that I had to write it down. Bruce Springsteen was on Conan O'Brien! That's it. However, he performed a few songs and made for possibly the best performance I've ever seen on a talk show. Perhaps you have heard of Bruce Springsteen's most recent release, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, where he does his own little versions of Pete Seeger songs with a rather large backing band. The songs he performed on Conan were from this album and he brought the whole band with him and I mean the WHOLE band! There's no way all the people on stage are even contributing to the song. At any rate, here is a link to one of these performances, an excellent rendition of "Pay Me My Money Down." You should also notice Conan O'Brien playing guitar, Jimmy Fallon playing spoons (he has a spoons solo!), and Thomas Haden Church looking very uncomfortable playing percussion. So go ahead and watch it, it's probably the most fun you'll have all day. Not that I'm judging you or anything.

Barkley, Shut Up and Jam

2006-06-22T02:18:00.000-05:00

Gnarls Barkley has quickly become a household name. It's rare that music comes along that is both accepted by the predominantly teen music audience and critically acclaimed by music mags everywhere. Lets face it, people are crazy for "Crazy." The song has been covered by practically everybody, from The Twilight Singers to Nelly Furtado. The buzz over "Crazy" has simmered recently, however, since the boys of Gnarls Barkley decided to put their single to rest. Before the song completely dies out though, a new artist has stepped up to the plate to attempt his own version. This relatively unknown artist has used his abnormally high-pitched squealing voice and unorthodox dance maneuvers to create arguably the best cover done to date. But you better take a look at it here and decide for yourself. I know I'll never be able to listen to the song in the same way ever again.

I Never Learn to Read Between the Lines

2006-06-16T13:47:00.000-05:00

Canada is becoming well known for its indie music scene, but before bands like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene were making it big, indie fans turned to a different country for their music, Sweden. (Not to say that their indie scene has faded at all in the past few years.) There are many great bands coming out of Sweden right now, but one in particular caught my ear. Sambassadeur formed up in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2003. After releasing a couple CD-R's and a 7" on their own, they were finally signed to Labrador records where they released their debut self-titled album. They have also released three EP's including the brand new "Coastal Affairs." It is from this new EP that I pull my recommended song, Kate. Sambassadeur finds a way to mix shoegazing pop and innocent, summery tunes in a surprisingly accessible way. As always, you can have a listen to Kate and three other great tunes off the new EP at the band's myspace page. If you like what you hear, Sambassadeur's album and EPs are available for purchase in the US here. So grab yourself a glass of ice tea, sit out on the deck, relax and let the sounds of Sambassadeur cool you down.

'Cause They Forgot About Bob

2006-06-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

A dad on Full House; a host on America's Funniest Home Videos; a gangster in a rap video? Well I never thought I'd see the day, but Bob Saget (along with Jamie Kennedy) made a rap song and a video to go along with it. Of course I think we all knew that Bob was not actually a kind, caring, family man. Oh no, deep inside he was just waiting to scream out obscenities the likes of which you've never heard. He may be a hero for some of you, others may not be able to stand the guy, but just give this video a shot and go rollin' with Bob Saget. Watch out 50! (P.S. - I have to thank my friend Marc for showing this to me.)

Setting Forest Fires

2006-06-14T14:37:00.000-05:00

You knew it wouldn't be long before I started plugging local bands, well that time has come. For me, local is Winnipeg, Manitoba and the band that I think is making the most noise right now is a little outfit called "The Attics." If you're from Winnipeg, you've probably heard of them, they are played on the radio a lot. (Yeah I'm talking about you Power 97.) They've been around for about 2 years now and released their first album, Once a World, at the end of 2005. The band describes their music as Canadian Brit-rock, others have considered it pop-rock. As for me, I'm not too concerned with genres, as long as the music sounds good. And in this case, it does. The Attics manage to take from their influences while still managing to sound unlike most anybody else, which is rare in this day and age. They are currently working on their next album which hopefully will be out soon. Two new songs from that album (acoustic live versions) can be found on their myspace page, as well as two songs from their first album. So take a listen and if you like what you hear and are in the Winnipeg area, The Attics are playing a show at The Cavern on June 23rd and again at the King's Head Pub on June 30th. Be sure to check 'em out! As well "Once a World" should be available for purchase at your nearest record store or you can also get it off of their website.

Kazakhstan Invades US

2006-06-13T14:00:00.001-05:00

Don't worry, don't worry, they're only sending one guy and apart from his Kazakh-thong, he's mostly harmless. That's right ladies and gentlemen everyone's favorite anti-semite (come on, he's just joking around) is starring in his very own movie. Borat, for those of you who don't know, is just one alias of British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, most popularly known for his portrayal of Ali G on Da Ali G Show. Well Ali G already got his own movie (I haven't actually seen it yet but I hear its mildly funny), and now it's time for the arguably funnier Borat to make his foray into the motion picture industry. Is it going to be funny? Just check out this trailer and see for yourself. I'm going to have to spend the rest of the day doing laundry because I was laughing so hard. So quickly, run to the washroom first, and then sit back and watch perhaps the funniest minute and a half of your life. Don't say I never do anything for you.

Welcome Back Dear Children

2006-06-12T13:01:00.000-05:00

So today I'm going to have to talk about music again, because I've found yet another band to get very excited over. (No surprise there.) I recently stumbled upon a brand new band by the name of Arizona. In fact when I found them I don't even think they had a record deal yet. But a band this good can't be ignored for long. The band is in fact not from Arizona but from New York and after forming they self-released an EP called "The Sun and the Room" earlier this year. They finally did get that record deal (Edit: my mistake, they don't actually have a record deal yet, thanks Ben!) and have finished an album entitled "Welcome Back Dear Children" to be released right away. The song that I heard first and that got me excited about the band was "Some Kind of Chill." However, the band recommends you listen to some of their other songs too as they like to experiment and do different things with each one. You can hear "Some Kind of Chill" as well as three other excellent tunes at their myspace page. (What would I do without myspace?) So go ahead and take a listen and if you like it, keep watching their site for an update on when their first album will be released and then proceed to go out and buy it. (Don't steal my copy though!) And for my next post I'll try to change subjects and post about something other than music. It'll be hard though.

Toward the Waves

2006-06-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

Well I realize I haven't written anything in a few days, partly because the site was down for a bit there, but I am back with a shiny new post to shock and amaze. You're probably wondering what I was doing over the past few days (I know you sit at home and worry about me), well I'll tell you, I bought a new CD and have been listening to it non-stop. Perhaps you have heard of the band The Twilight Singers. There has been some hype surrounding them recently due to the fact that Dennis Leary said they were his favorite band. (They are also featured on the soundtrack to his show, Rescue Me.) I've never met Dennis Leary and I don't know much about him, but he must have good taste in music, because The Twilight Singers' most recent release, Powder Burns, is awesome. Before I go on though, let me take a minute to give you a small history lesson because I know it was your favorite subject in school. The Twilight Singers are headed by Greg Dulli, who was the frontman for another good band, the Afghan Whigs. (Formed in the late 1980's, they released records all through the 90's before disbanding in 2001.) During his time with the Afghan Whigs, Greg Dulli started a side project and called it The Twilight Singers. Nothing really happened with them, however, until the Afghan Whigs finally called it quits. The Twilight Singers have now realeased one EP and five full length albums including their most recent, Powder Burns. End of history lesson. Now I could sit here and try to explain what their music sounds like but I find it's much easier to just listen to it and hear for yourself. Here is a link to their myspace page where they have four songs posted for your listening pleasure. Listen especially to Bonnie Brae, it's my personal fave. Well I think I've rambled on enough for one day, and besides you're probably busy listening to The Twilight Singers now, maybe even jumping in your car and driving to the nearest record store to pick up a copy of their album. (Recommended!)

The Kids Aren't Alright

2006-06-07T23:25:00.000-05:00

Before I start into this, I just realized after posting those songs on my last entry, I think that might be violating copyright laws. So with that in mind, I'm not going to do it anymore, I promise. Please don't take me away. Anyways, now that I've gotten that out in the open, I'd like to discuss a very important topic, our children. Well not my children, I don't have any, but your children and perhaps more importantly what your children watch. There are a lot of violent and explicit shows on television these days and I'm sure you've heard many a complaint or argument coming from some overly concerned parent group or Catholic church. (No offense Catholics.) Well I'm not too concerned about those, I'm more concerned with these seemingly innocent cartoon shows that are coming out nowadays. Ever seen an episode of Teletubbies? That's some weird stuff. Furthermore, I recently came across a trailer for a new kids show that, to be honest, scares the crap out of me. Go ahead, watch it, parental discretion is advised. Now the first thing that's clear to me is that the peron or persons who made this show were clearly on drugs. Secondly, I think I picked up on some vague sexual references. What is wrong with the world today I tell you, when kids are subjected to horrible, horrible shows such as this. No wonder kids are so messed up! Forget Grand Theft Auto, here comes "Yo Gabba Gabba!" The kids aren't alright, and at this rate, they never will be.

My First Post

2006-06-06T01:21:00.000-05:00

Hmmm what to write. Well I started a blog for no good reason, other then to have an outlet for my many thoughts and rants. So really the subject of the blog could be anything, but seeing as how I enjoy music quite a bit, I'm sure that topic will come up quite often. I've never really done a blog before, so bare with me, I have no idea what I'm doing. Its late and I have nothing to say right at the moment, so apart from this introduction, I am not going to post anything just yet. Give me a few days and I'll have some horribly interesting things to say that will keep you reading week after week. I promise! Actually just before I go, I am going to post a few songs that I've been listening to tonight and enjoying. I'm going to try and do this for each post, just to give people a taste of what I listen to. G'nite for now.

Evening Listening
(I've taken the mp3s down but I've made a link to each band's respective myspace page where the songs are available to listen to.)

Drive-by Truckers - Easy on Yourself
Band of Horses - The Funeral