By David Kenney
Infusing bits of bluegrass, blues and folk-soul, Vancouver’s Blue Good Tanyas make the chirpiest music this side of the Appalachian mountains. On their debut album, Blue Horse, the female trio soak carefree songs in banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitar and skipping vocals. Guitarist/vocalist Frazey Ford is a lower-toned, less strict-sounding Natalie Merchant with the down-home hokiness… Continue reading Blue Horse
By Nicole Kobie
The Waterboys’ latest release, aptly titled A Rock in a Weary Land, will make even devoted Waterboy fans tired. Stepping between folk and harder rock styles, Weary Land is a strange mix of indiscernible ballads and noisy, flailing guitars. Lead singer Mike Scott’s spirituality slips through, but the subtlety feels sneaky. Why doesn’t he just… Continue reading A Rock in a Weary Land
By Nicole Kobie
Live at Ernesto’s, The Slackers live compilation recorded in the "best Mexican restaurant in Europe," is summer slacking music. In three words or less: Perfect BSD music. Reggae-styled ska tracks are the only music found on this CD, but you’ll find yourself wanting more of the same, not less. Listen to these energetic, jumpy tunes… Continue reading Live at Ernesto’s
By David Kenney
In the ’80s, cheesy synths and Kahlua-smooth vocals amplified loverman Lionel Richie to the dance stratosphere. Bad jericurls and all, Richie made ladies quiver and boys roll their eyes. So suave, so ’80s fromage friendly. On Renaissance, the former Commodores vocalist attempts some vintage "Say You, Say Me" rubdowns using Latin rythyms and electronic blips.… Continue reading Renaissance
By Вen Li
John Joplin Group’s Useful Music is anything but. In a confused attempt to disguise teenage angst with lyrics containing words more than six letters long, the album disguises any true meaning. The instrumental side is tolerable and even enjoyable in some places up to and including "Trailways." However, reading material should be provided to get… Continue reading Useful Music
By Nicole Kobie
Music (and other trends) from the ’70s and ’80s have an annoying tendency to reappear. Some music is embraced as retro, but most like heavy metal originators Diamond Head, should just stay dead. Loud and proud of it, Diamond Head abuse their guitars with repetitive chords and whiny, nonstop vocals. They wish they were Led… Continue reading Diamond Light
By Mike Carron
They’re back and they’re still pissed. Seven years after their first release, Propagandhi are still doing what they do best. Todays Empires, Tomorrows Ashes is loaded with anti-American views and strong political stances, but listeners have to ask themselves how much of this they need to hear. Propagandhi’s message in Today’s Empires, Tomorrows Ashes may… Continue reading Todays Empires, Tomorrows Ashes
By David Kenney
Free Tibet–buy the CD. Conscience motivated, fair-weather music fans finally have the proper mantra to guide them. Mantra Mix, a Tibetan Refugee benefit album, is half about the rock with prayer time accessible at the switch of a disc. Electronic acts such as Massive Attack and Moby grind the beats, and Kulashaker and Ben Harper… Continue reading Mantra Mix
You’re playing with fire when you review a CD featuring Jose Angel Hevia and his patented Electronic multitimbric bagpipe. It’s quite possible that your bias against the shrill cries of six dying cats may get in the way of an objective analysis. With that in mind, I’d hate to say I enjoyed the surprising sounds… Continue reading Hevia
By David Kenney
Eric Alexandris is something of an anomaly. He’s the type of musician concerned with film-worthy soundscapes that drip with distorted spoken word. His debut album IV Catatonia is rich in John Lennon’s White Album experimentation, butretains some the quiet pop of Badly Drawn Boy. Swelling acoustic and electric guitar flow through Alexandris’ chaotic collection, making… Continue reading I.V. Catatonia