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…
Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow
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…
Playlist Monday: Our Band Could Be Your Life
“Our Band Could Be Your Life” is a book by Michael Azerrad. It features many underground punk and alternative rock bands that pre-dated a lot of the great 90’s stuff. I thought it was an interesting read and decided toRead more…
Sólstafir – Ótta
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…
The Vines – Wicked Nature
The Vines have been staying fairly productive since exploding seemingly out of nowhere with hit song, “Get Free” and being tagged with The Strokes, The Hives and The White Stripes as the saviours of rock for the early 2000s. YetRead 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…