Holy amazing music: Colin Stetson on La Blogotheque
His just-posted set on gorgeous French video site La Blogotheque seems like as good an excuse as any to bring up Montreal saxophonist Colin Stetson. It’s hard to even find words to talk about Stetson’s new album, New History Warfare, Vol. II (out now on Constellation), without just getting bogged down in superlatives. The guy … Continue reading
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 4: A Song That Makes You Sad
What’s sadder than the moment you finally give up on a relationship? “No Distance Left to Run” is about the best encapsulation of that sense of resignation that I’ve heard in pop song form, mixing a gorgeously mournful descending chord progression and Damon Albarn’s reverb-drenched vocals with just enough of that trademark British stiff upper … Continue reading
30-Day Song Challenge, Day 3: A Song That Makes You Happy
Girl group pop from the ’60s is basically distilled, concentrated happiness. I just instinctively start grinning when that opening guitar starts chiming — even if I somehow always remember it being bells — and then the sugar rush hits when the percussion comes in. Then the strings swell, the horns add their exclamation points, and … Continue reading
30-Day Song Challenge, Day 2: Least Favourite Song
Least favourite doesn’t necessarily mean it has no merit whatsoever — the fact that I still remember this song exists means it must have something going for it, even if that something is a completely unearned pompousness mixed with trite sentiment and yet another rehashing of the “a baby is born every time someone dies, … Continue reading
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 1: Favourite Song
Instead of overthinking this one, I just went with the first song that popped into my head. Which turned out to be a fairly depressing tune from a Scottish supergroup masterminded by the dude from Snow Patrol — I know, I’m a little surprised, too. But everything about the song works for me, from Aidan … Continue reading
Jim Bryson interview
A musician’s musician and a songwriter’s songwriter, Jim Bryson has been quietly releasing his off-beat folk rock for over a decade now, in addition to pulling time as a hired gun for acts like The Tragically Hip, Sarah Harmer and The Weakerthans. On his latest, Bryson turned the tables on that latter band, enlisting them … Continue reading
Been listening to: Smoking Popes edition
For your listening pleasure: A slab of lovesick power pop from the underappreciated Smoking Popes, off of their most polished effort, Destination Failure. It’s got pretty much everything you need for pre-Valentines wallowing: a strong melody, well-observed lyrics, a dose of self-deprecation and even a decent punchline. Granted, singer Josh Caterer can get a little … Continue reading
Classy music: Astaire and Cooke
Two albums I’ve been listening to pretty much non-stop the past few days: The Astaire Story Vocals and occasional footwork by Fred Astaire, and accompaniment by the Jazz at the Philharmonic crew, most notably Oscar Peterson on piano. Many (if not most) of the songs come from Astaire’s films, so expect a lot of Gershwin, … Continue reading
Holiday cheer
I’m giving the Best Things a break for a couple days, but to tide you over, the (presumably) fine folks at The Line of Best Fit are offering a holiday sampler with some incredibly talented folks (including Snailhouse, Woodpigeon with Laura Leif, and Kris Ellestad, whose excellent No Man is Land is still streaming free … Continue reading
Best Stuff Day 17: Albums 5 through 1
Now 30% more authoritative than other best-of lists. 5. Andrew Downing – Silents (Black Hen) Written as a soundtrack for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Impossible Journey, Downing’s Silents is every bit as angular and expressionist as you’d expect. It’s not music for every day, but put it on next time you find yourself … Continue reading
The Consumption 