Review-kus.

My goal is to review every album I bought (or otherwise listened to) this year. But there are just so darn many albums, and sometimes I just don't feel like writing a full reviews. So to combat this, I have decided that I shall give a few really quick reviews all at once... in haiku form. Here we go!

Red Songs EP by Hey Rosetta!
A trio of songs
More mellow than expected
Yet still very lush

Download Who Is At My Window Weeping? (The Silver Dagger) by Hey Rosetta!

Caterpillar Sarabande by Vyvienne Long (first full length solo from cellist for Damien Rice)
Classically trained
Incredibly talented
Inventive and rich

Download Tactless Questions by Vyvienne Long

All In Good Time by Barenaked Ladies (first album after Steven Page left)
Quite interesting
Just not the same without Page
Still a good album

Download Four Seconds by Barenaked Ladies

Free Mumford & Sons mini-show in Yaletown -- 05/30/10

To call that "epic" may be slightly underselling it. After the Mumford & Sons show at 560 tonight sold out in minutes, it left many people (including me) in the lurch. Luckily, there is a pretty awesome radio station called The Peak that put on a secret show earlier in the afternoon. Only revealing the time and location two hours before it started didn't stop hundreds, if not thousands to pack Hamilton St. in Yaletown for the free show. As they came out to thunderous applause, they were visibly taken aback by the turnout; maybe even a little embarrassed. Part way through lead singer Marcus Mumford admitted they never expected anything even close to this, and promised to be back soon.

Even though they played a short set, I don't think there was a person there who wasn't blown away. Starting with "The Cave", and while the whole band is pretty impressive, but the Mumford sticks out, as he not only sings & plays guitar, but mans a kick-drum as well. Now that's multi-tasking. After "Awake My Soul", they announced their next song would be the last, and launched into "Little Lion Man", but mere moments in, Mumford broke not one but TWO strings on his guitar. So after a swap, they decided to throw in an extra song, a new one called "Nothing Is Real" (I think). Then the ended, for real, with "Little Lion Man" and damn near every single person there was singing along, at least to the chorus. Their rich sound came across beautifully, and if they can pull this off for an impromptu show on a sidewalk, I can't imagine what they will sound like tonight.

Do I still wish I were going to the show tonight? Absolutely. But even with four songs, this was still pretty fantastic, and it's great that Vancouver has a station like The Peak that will put together this type of thing.

Rat A Tat Tat by Jason Collett

If you are familiar with Jason Collett, then his latest album, Rat A Tat Tat, likely won't surprise you. That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't full of excellent music. Collett has always been rooted in the 70s, and this album simultaneously pays tribute to his influences and pushes the boundaries on his own sounds; even though you can tell what, and who, inspired him, it never sounds derivative or ripped off. The Broken Social Scenester is joined on his fifth solo album by some excellent musicians, including (but not limited to) all four members of Zeus, Afie Jurvanen (aka Bahamas) and Jason Tait (of The Weakerthans).

The album has an incredibly laid back feeling, like it was conceived and recorded on a lazy summer day, and that is immediately apparent. "Rave On Sad Songs" starts stripped down and acoustic-y, but gains momentum adding instruments and backing vocals for a lush ending. From there is launches into the more upbeat and hypnotic "Lake Superior", which grooves perfectly into the brilliant bass line of "Love Is a Dirty Word", an insanely catchy song that is impossibly not to at least sway along to. "Bitch City" seems completely effortless, as it slows down again while Collett drawls "You gotta walk light when you're stepping in shit".
The sexy "High Summer" is a great example of how Collett firmly roots his music in Canada, (seamlessly) working in a mention of Penetanguishene, ON and -- singing of a summer fling -- the lines: "so we pushed off in her canoe / and she showed me what a real Canadian can do, oh my".
"Cold Blue Halo" could easily be a forgettable track, but Collett weaves layer upon layer of autoharp, wurlitzer piano, banjo, moog synth and backing vocals that draws you in. From there, "Love Is a Chain" is another high energy and playful song which could easily be the albums next single and "Long May You Love" and "The Slowest Dance" are both a little more basic tracks; the former having a galloping beat that builds to the chorus where Collett's voice soars and the latter sounding like they were just flat out having fun. I wouldn't be surprised if that one was recorded live off the floor. The moody "Winnipeg Winds" is dark and as chilling as the title implies, again drawing strength from its layers and the album comes to a close with "Vanderpool Vanderpool" which may not be the best choice to wrap things up, but is certainly not a bad song. Again, feeling laid back, it sneaks in some Spanish guitar flourishes before the song slowly, and almost lazily, jams to the end.

Throughout the whole album, Collett oozes confidence and charm, and it all just seems so effortless. Possibly because where he seems strongest is his craftsmanship. While he is not without his musical talent, or captivating voice, what drives the album -- and what sets him apart from any other "indie-folk" artists, if that is what you want to classify him as -- is the composition of the songs. Be they dense & layered or stripped down & minimalistic, they always seem to be the perfect fit.


Download Bitch City

Download High Summer

Download Love Is A Chain

Clicky to exchange monies for music

Hannah Georgas @ Venue -- 05/22/10

photographs courtesy of the awesome Leigh Eldridge.

It was a homecoming for Vancouver's Hannah Georgas, as her CD release party hit Venue last night, and she brought along some amazing talent with her. The CBC Radio 3 sponsored show started early -- at about 730, for the 10 o'clock curfew -- and Tariq Hussain and Chris Kelly were there to host, introduce the act, and give out prized (like the highly coveted Radio 3 scarf).

First up was David Vertesi, who is probably better known for his work with Hey Ocean! He hit the stage alone and played a short set of songs from his upcoming solo album, grabbing everyones attention (especially the ladies) was his baritone voice. The songs themselves were a little folky, but with an edge to them. They were all good, but it was just him on stage, and I would be really interested to hear them with a backing band. Not that they didn't stand up on their own, but I think a fuller sounds would elevate them from good to great. You could tell he was maybe a little nervous, but not so much that it distracted from the set, and by the end he seemed much more comfortable. He mentioned having an album out a little later this year, so I will definitely be on the lookout for that.



Next up, after an amazing introduction from Chris Kelly, was Colleen Brown and she was a perfect fit to open for Hannah Georgas. Kelly introduced her by saying she was so much more than just a singer/songwriter, and that is a good way of describing her sound. It was catchy folk-pop, but her amazing voice was the star. She had the crowd captivated after one song with her powerful pipes (especially the guys), and kept it for the whole set. Most of the set was her on the keys and a guitarist, but for the last few she brought out a full band, and ended the set with what she called her "ball buster" song, which was an incredibly apt description for it. I really wish I had cash to spare to pick up her album, but I guess I will

And finally was Hannah Georgas. She started off with just her and Robbie Driscoll on ukelele and the light and romantic "Something For You" before the whole band came out to kick up the energy with "Bang Bang You're Dead". The set consisted of just about all her songs from both the new album, This Is Good, and last years EP, The Beat Stuff, and each and every one was just as good as the recording, if not better. Her excellent voice and range of songs, from insanely catchy pop to moody revenge to soft and beautiful, all translated perfectly live. Highlights were the acerbic Mama's Boy, a favourite of mine, the moody and dark "Thick Skin" (which I got a middling-quality video of) and "Deep End", that saw Colleen Brown join her, and the rest of the band, for the gang vocals. She had a great stage presence, too, maintaining a high energy and the occasional bantering with the crowd, she seemed absolutely calm and at home on stage, and genuinely happy to be there, especially for the hometown show. The set "ended" with All I Need, which started out calm and low, and gradually built and built in intensity until the band was just going all out.
They came back out a moment later for the obligatory encore with Dancefloor, a song about the lack of good places to dance in Vancouver, and it's high energy definitely turned Venue into a dance hall, if only for the one song. After that was a new(ish) song called "Ode To Mom" before she took a seat at the keyboard for the final song, "Shine".

I've said it before, but there have been a handful of shows this year where every band playing has been great, and this show would absolutely be one of those.

setlist:
Something For You, Bang Bang You're Dead, Chit Chat, Lover's Breakout, Thick Skin, Here it Goes, The National, Let's talk, Mama's boy, Lovesick, The Beat Stuff, Deep End, This Is Good, All I Need.
(encore) Dancefloor, Ode To Mom, Shine.

41st & Home CD Release Party w/ Aidan Knight, We Are The City & In Medias Res @ St James Hall -- 05/21/10

I have complained enough before about the heat and stuffiness that can arise at St James Hall, so I will dispense with that and just get onto the show itself.

Due to a myriad of reasons, partially my own failing, partially the universe conspiring against me, I got there a little late. I thought I had missed half of Aidan Knight's set, since there was supposed to be a 730 sharp start time, but I later found out I came in part way through the first song, so that was a relief! For his set there were nine people on stage; a couple of The O'Darlings, who are on his album Versicolour, as well as We Are The City. I was wondering how he would sound live, since his album can be pretty lush, and I was not disappointed. The last half of The Sun was fantastic, and the set just got better from there. Knitting Something Nice was another highlight, with the intensity building throughout the song, and Jasper was a great way to end the set. He had a pretty good stage presence as well, and even through his somewhat nervous banter, you could tell he was incredibly comfortable on stage. I can't wait until I have the chance to see him live again.
setlist:
The Sun, [new song], North East South West, Altar Boys, Knitting Something Nice, Jasper.

Next up was We Are The City, and their set was way too short. It seemed just as they were getting started, they were done. Despite playing only a handful of songs, they were as energetic as ever. Even though this is the fifth time I've seen them in the last few months, they never fail to entertain and amaze. They played a few off of In A Quiet World, and the songs seem to be evolving slightly when played live. Nothing too drastic, just a few additions, which give the songs that much more of a kick. They also threw in a new one (which I am going to guess is called Morning Song) before ending, as they usually do, with Astronomers.
I'm glad they'll be playing the Biltmore in a few weeks, where hopefully they'll play a lot longer.
setlist:
There Are Very Tiny Beasts In The Ground, There Are Very Very Big Lights in the Sky, April, Morning Song[?], Astronomers.

After them was 41st & Home, whose CD release party it was. They, too, packed the stage with members, and their rich sound interested me at first, though some of their songs seemed... not generic, but just lacked a kick. They were good, but nothing really caught my attention. Until their last two songs, which really grabbed me. Most of their songs seemed to start off slow or quiet, and build to a horn-filled ending, but those seemed had a grandiosity to them that I was was present in the rest of their set. If I wasn't incredibly broke, I would have no doubt picked up their CD, but I will be sure to keep an eye out for the next time they are playing.

Unfortunately, I had to bail at 11; I figured a show at St James would be done by then, due to the curfew, but In Medias Res was only just going on. I'm not really sure why they were going on last, since it was 41st & Home's CD release party, but oh well. From what I caught, they were not too bad, and while I may not go to a show with them headlining in the future, I wouldn't be adverse to seeing them live again.