I stumbled upon Icelandic metal act Sólstafir earlier this year at the Hard Luck Bar. I was there to see a friend who was in the opening act. I was told before the show that Sólstafir had been a blackRead more…
Mogwai – Rave Tapes
Mogwai has earned a reputation over the years for being one of the loudest bands around. Their first few records displayed a mastery over the quiet/loud dynamic as well as the use of repetition around a theme. (refer to classicRead more…
Doomriders / Sweet Cobra – Are We Not Men?
One of the great things about Record Store Day is that bands are willing to step out of their comfort zone and release some neat stuff. My favourites are the gimmick 7″s. Sometimes you’ll have the original as the a-sideRead more…
Tales from the Bargain Bin: No Doubt – Return of Saturn
In the mid-90’s, No Doubt was an omnipresent force. Their album “Tragic Kingdom” had blown up. The first two singles “Just a Girl” and “Spiderwebs” enjoyed plenty of airplay on alternative rock radio and Muchmusic. But it was “Don’t Speak”Read more…
Jesca Hoop – Undress
I don’t usually listen to folk singer-songwriters. But when I do, I listen to Jesca Hoop. In 2010 Jesca Hoop released “Hunting My Dress”. For her U.S. tour, in an opening slot for Eels, she performed as a solo acousticRead more…
Playlist Monday: Halloween Metal
With Halloween less than a week away, it’s now or never for getting into the mood for spooky, occult or downright hellish music. One of the great things about metal is that every day can be Halloween. Here’s a playlistRead more…
Big Sugar – Yardstyle
“Yardstyle” is the latest release from Big Sugar. After taking a lengthy hiatus while bandleader Gordie Johnson was in Texas with Grady focusing on the his heavy blues persona, the band reformed in 2010 and released the heavily reggaefied “RevolutionsRead more…
New Invisible Joy – Pale Blue Day
My first encounter with New Invisible Joy was at a NXNE show at C’est What back in 2000. The Pittsburgh-based four-piece was the first space-rock band I ever saw live. Their music was drenched in reverb and my friend besideRead more…
Fozzy – Do You Wanna Start a War
Fozzy has been fighting an uphill battle since their inception. They originally formed as a cover-band with each member using a pseudonym. Guitarist “The Duke” was actually Rich Ward of Stuck Mojo fame and lead singer Mongoose McQueen was professionalRead more…
Zoom – Power Talk
Before starting Weezer, Rivers Cuomo played in a hair metal band called Zoom. It’s pretty epic. Definitely a far cry from the slacker rock we’re more used to. (image snatched from Weezerpedia)