HSY’s self-titled EP is a dissonant, grumbling mass of noise. The production values are on the lo-fi end of the spectrum and the howling, atonal vocals sound like they were recorded inside a tunnel. It’s a throwback sound. An uglier,Read more…
In Flames – Siren Charms
This shouldn’t be such a big deal. Anyone who is stunned by In Flames’s seemingly sudden shift to easily-digestible alt-metal hasn’t been playing very close attention. This has been a long time coming. In Flames, renowned for originating the GothenburgRead more…
Tales from the Bargain Bin: Clothes Make The Man
I recently picked up Clothes Make The Man’s self-titled record in a dollar bin on Queen West. The bin was actually on the sidewalk a couple feet from the store. It was almost as if the store was saying “please,Read more…
The Verve Pipe – Overboard
The Verve Pipe (not to be confused with that other band The Verve) formed in 1992 when Brian Vander Ark of Johnny With An Eye and Donny Brown of Water 4 the Pool decided to join forces and bring theirRead more…
U2 – Songs of Innocence
I took the opportunity to visit myself fifteen years ago. Here’s a transcript of our chat. Old Jon: Hi younger Jon! I’m you from the future! Younger Jon: Wow, that’s incredible! What’s the future like? OJ: Things are different now.Read more…
Matthew Good & Jay Baruchel – Live
As a part of the Canada’s Walk of Fame Festival, Matthew Good and Jay Baruchel performed at Massey Hall with a show titled “Not So Private Banter.” The premise was that with Matthew Good being such an interesting and outspokenRead more…
Playlist Monday: Covered
As I mentioned in my post about Butch Walker’s sweet, sweet cover of Eye of the Tiger, a playlist of genre-hopping covers would make a great listen. Here’s six unconventional takes on some great songs. The Lost Fingers – PumpRead more…
Deafheaven / No Joy / Indian Handcrafts – Live
Last Friday the Opera House hosted an absolutely stacked line-up of black metal/shoegaze hybrid Deafheaven, nugazers No Joy and stoner-metal duo Indian Handcrafts. The venue was packed with metalheads and hipsters mostly clad in black, with the younger demographic sportingRead more…
Tales from the Bargain Bin: Dance Hall Crashers – Blue Plate Special
It dawned on me the other day that I’m going to have fewer bargain bins to dig around in. Sunrise Records is pulling out of Toronto, to the surprise of no one. Sonic Boom has also been reducing the sizeRead more…
Twenty Questions or Less with Teethmarks
We sent Graham Christian and Jesse Bennett from Teethmarks some questions via e-mail and they sent us their responses. Who are you and where are you from? Jesse Bennett: Teethmarks. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Why should anyone listen to your music?Read more…