always listening
Initially starting as a solo project for singer/guitarist Darius Byrne, The Smoking Bells have returned with their new EP “The Civil Service”. This time around Byrne has recruited Matt Barr and Andrew Eyles (better known as the rhythm section forRead more…
“Diploid Love” is the latest record from ex-Distillers frontwoman Brody Dalle and the first released under her own name. In 2009 she released a self-titled record with her band Spinnerette and her latest album has a similar sonic palette. ForRead more…
Years ago Adam Franklin recorded a cover of Wolf Parade’s “Shine a Light”. The original plan was for White Whale records to release a split 7″ with that as the a-side and a Handsome Furs cover of Swervedriver’s “Sandblasted” asRead more…
Jonathan Athon, bassist and vocalist from Black Tusk, died yesterday. To pay tribute to his memory, today’s playlist consists of sludge metal songs.
The Verve Pipe disappeared after their 2001 release “Underneath” tanked. It had the misfortune of being released on September 11 and the band took it as a bad omen. Despite being a bit of an unheralded pop masterpiece, it didn’tRead more…
In what can only considered an extremely literal approach to songwriting, a group of artists assembled tracks for Record Store Day compilation record “The Space Project” by utilizing recordings from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes. Using theRead more…
Today is Lorde’s 18th birthday. She was born on November 7, 1996. Here’s a list of some great albums that were released that year: Beck – Odelay Cake – Fashion Nugget Eels – Beautiful Freak Tool – Ænima All fourRead more…
It feels like I’ve been writing about a lot of cover discs this week. (I covered the Doomriders/Sweet Cobra Devo split last week and Life of Agony’s version of “Don’t You Forget About Me” just yesterday. In the case ofRead more…
Back in September I lamented the decline of CD shops in Toronto. But I took solace in the fact that Neurotica was still occupying Queen St. West. (aside: Sonic Boom occupies a prime spot on Spadina north of Queen andRead more…
From the first time I heard the Blacklicious track Attica Black 20 years ago I fell in love with their music. Gift Of Gab is clearly one of the most talented MCs out there. His versatility allows how to layRead more…