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Realism – In Depth

Some months ago, The Magnetic Fields released a new record called Realism. I briefly wrote about it, with the intention to go back and write something more in depth. We’ve now come to that point. Song: You Must Be Out Of Your Mind Sung by: Stephin Merritt & Claudia Gonson Favourite lyric: “I no longer drink enough to think you’re witty.” You think I’ll run, not walk to you Why would I want to talk to you? I want you crawling back to me Down on your knees, yeah Like an appendectomy Sans anesthesia If you think you can leave the past behind You must be out of your mind… Read More »Realism – In Depth

Mix albums!

I recently reconnected with an old friend, from back in my high school days. We never went to school together, after all, she was, and still is far off in a foreign country. So I made Beth this mix, but I didn’t know what I might have sent her all those years ago, so I decided to limit myself to nothing older than 2000. I also didn’t know what she had been listening to since then, so I decided to limit the selection to Canadian music. “The Indie Queens Are Waiting” by Dan Mangan This is my favourite Dan Mangan song, and I’ve been on a bit of a kick… Read More »Mix albums!

Music Monday

The greatest Canadian show of all time, Rita & Friends.

April 2010, in review

In December, I set goals for myself, how many films to see this year, how many shows to attend, how many records to purchase, and how many books to read. This is the standings, as of the end of February… Books I read (6/10) – 60%: Nothing this month. Films I saw (32/52) – 61%: The Sweet Hereafter | Originally released 1997    Nine | Originally released 2009 The Runaways Sleeper | Originally released 1973 Albums I bought (24/52) – 46%: “My Father’s House” b/w “The Digger” (Regional 7″ Volume 2) by $100    What The Boat Gave The River by Mark Berube & The Patriotic Few    new EP by… Read More »April 2010, in review

Greg Keelor

I’ve been to a lot of shows in my life. In my top five is a show that Greg Keelor played at Lee’s Palace around the time of the release of his second solo record called Seven Songs for Jim. The band consisted of Keelor on guitar, Bryden Baird on flugelhorn, and Travis Good on guitar and fiddle. He broke the set into two. The first was the funeral, in which they played the seven songs from the record (plus a Tom Waits cover) which were written while his father was in the hospital dying. The second set was the wake, and the band played a lot of great folk… Read More »Greg Keelor

Music Monday

Young Rival perform “Authentic” on Chatroulette The Ride Theory’s “My Girl June” “Your Island,” again, same band.

Sloan

Dear Mr. Pentland, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Scott & Mr. Murphy, I hereby submit my resignation as a Sloan fan. The last time I saw your band was in 2008. The only reason I went to see you perform then was because I was in Halifax, and how can one turn down seeing Sloan at a hometown show? Also, how can one turn down seeing Sloan with slmader? It was a mediocre show, but much better than this one. This show, you opted to promote your new B-Sides release, a noble cause, and this even prompted you to perform two of your best songs, “At The Edge Of The Scene” and… Read More »Sloan

Sonic Boom!

Apparently I’m always a critic. I found a peanut butter cookie to be disappointing, and this led to others criticizing my criticizing. However, that just means I need to be a critic. On Saturday was Record Store Day, a celebration of all things wonderful1. I met with my friend Allegra, and we realized we didn’t have time for sushi before Valery Gore’s set at Sonic Boom, so instead we went to the record store, made our way to the basement, where a soundcheck was going on. It wasn’t Ms. Gore, but instead Lullabye Arkestra. It was interesting, and I might have enjoyed them if I stayed, but I was more… Read More »Sonic Boom!

They’re inexpensive

At the El Mocambo in beautiful Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a local band played a show to celebrate the release of their debut EP called The Cheap Speakers. Opening the night was Big Crimes, who bored me immediately. I ran away to the back of the bar, where I found refuge with Allegra, Al, Alicia, Daniel, James and Nick. Much better. The second band arrived, and they called themselves Lordy Lordy. Why? I have no idea. Their first song I enjoyed. It inspired me to visit the front and ponder if they might be good. They sounded like Shotgun & Jaybird. Then the second song began, and I found myself at the… Read More »They’re inexpensive

Music Monday

I was just going through Music Monday posts which I have scheduled. Got to May 17, and discovered in there was You Say Party! We Say Die! You might have heard that yesterday1, Devon Clifford, drummer for YSP,WSD passed away at the age of 30. I guess it’s only appropriate to use this space today to let the music do the talking. Well, today for me, as I’m writing this on Sunday April 18, 2010. [↩]