By Shawn Hoult
Lately, there seems to be a rash of planned encores. Last Saturday during their sold out show at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom, Finger Eleven were guilty of a planned encore as they annoyingly saved their two singles until after their first set had already ended. This seems very insecure; they basically forced the crowd to… Continue reading Forgettable concert
By Shawn Hoult
Attention punk purists who hate it when one of their beloved bands gets "soft" and starts playing smarter more melodic songs: you now have one more reason to whine. The newest album by Gob is not only smarter and more melodic than their previous two offerings but it is also simply their best album to… Continue reading The World According to Gob
By Shawn Hoult
For almost two decades, the name Chuck D has been associated with intelligent political commentary and innovative music. Those days are now over. By combining with former Public Enemy bandmate Professor Griff and Kyle Ice Jason to create Confrontation Camp, Chuck D sold his soul to the devil we know as rap-metal. Although it is… Continue reading Hopefully Objects… — Confrontation Camp
By Shawn Hoult
Although nobody is entirely certain, most scientists believe that grunge died sometime in November during the cold winter of 1996. However, it looks like the scientists were wrong as Therapy? dishes out grunge in a way nobody has since Starbucks took over Seattle. On their newest album, the cleverly titled Suicide Pact-You First, Therapy? manages… Continue reading Suicide Pact — You First — Therapy?
By Shawn Hoult
There is a sub-genre exploding in Hollywood these days and it is the sci-fi horror. Ever since Ridley Scott wowed audiences with his terrifying masterpiece Alien, directors everywhere have attempted to copy his terror-in-space format. A few of these films (Event Horizon) have been successful, however, the vast majority have failed. Pitch Black, the new… Continue reading Vin Diesel: Sigourney Weaver he ain’t
By Shawn Hoult
It’s funny how certain bands and albums are remembered after any given decade, whereas many equally good bands get forgotten and left behind. When we think of the ’60s we think of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but somewhere along the way, the Zombies got left behind. The fact that this critically acclaimed band… Continue reading Absolutely the Best — The Zombies
By Shawn Hoult
The Five Senses is an extraordinary movie about ordinary lives. Canadian director Jeremy Podeswa weaves a story that is both unsettling and heartwarming, as he tells the tale of a number of intertwining lives in a Canadian city. At first glance this film bears a striking resemblance to Robert Altman’s Shortcuts, but it soon becomes… Continue reading Sight, touch, smell, taste and sound
By Shawn Hoult
They are referred to as the hardest working band in hip-hop today and with the release of their first live album, it’s easy to see why. On Come Alive, The Roots show a kind of energy usually reserved for stars of the rock and roll genre. The album opens with the intro to a concert… Continue reading Come Alive
By Shawn Hoult
Guster, a Boston based trio, is currently touring in support of their latest album Lost and Gone Forever. In the relatively short time since their formation they have had the chance to tour with such heavy hitters as Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea, Semisonic and perform at the horde festival with Blues Traveler and The… Continue reading College bands can be successful
By James
I suppose you don’t get fan mail from Australia, so maybe this is a first. I just received a copy of your March 2 issue with Chris Murphy of Sloan on the cover. My friend sent it to me ’cause I’m ridiculously addicted to Sloan.I should mention at this point that your writer, Dave Kenney,… Continue reading Down under fan raves about Sloan, Gauntlet