Staying Her Needle

Alina Orlova: Laukinis Šuo Dingo (2008)

2010-11-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Any of you who commonly listen to 'foreign' music have probably heard of Alina Orlova. She is a young Lithuanian songwriter, specializing in the jazzier side of folk music. I should imagine that most readers of this blog are familiar with the style of music, but the style isn't necessarily what matters-- it's the talent. And Alina Orlova has talent.
She is among the many artists of the modern day who found their fame through demos released on the internet. Alina Orlova is no Justin Bieber, however. All of her songs-- on Laukinis Šuo Dingo and otherwise-- are magnificent compositions. Orlova possesses a unique voice, with the ability to be equal parts spectral and saccharine, and the fact that I can't understand a bloody word of the lyrics means that the entire mood of the song centres around her voice and her piano.

Laukinis Šuo Dingo is Orlova's debut, and is a few years old. You can, however, expect this year's Mutabor to be making the rounds of Top Ten lists, come December.

Laura Peek and the Winning Hearts: From the Photographs (2007)

2010-07-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed some absence on my part. This wasn't due to laziness or forgetfulness, but rather to a sort-of disinterest toward every album that came my way. My past few months have been spent listening to the same Gaze albums on repeat and obsessively researching the Russian Revolution.

This changed when, a few years too late, I happened to hear the single off of Laura Peek's debut: Stand Right There. While I typically approach new albums with a music elitist's disapproval, the song had my instantly in love, and instantly making a purchase-- and one of my better purchases in ages.

The best terms I could use to describe this album are charming; quaint; sweet; but not in the same manner that one looks at twee. There is a peculiar sort-of old style class here, brought out by Peek's literary lyrical style (the one that makes me swoon). Her piano playing is lively, her voice sweet and girlish, and her subjects a tad on the darker side, creating a fun and dancey contrast.

Oh, and The Verdict is about Nabokov's novel Lolita, which charms me immensely.

Gaze: Mitsumeru (1998)

2010-05-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

Springtime in Vancouver isn't necessarily a bright, cheery segue into summer. The flowers may be blooming, but the sky is hazy, murky grey, the temperature lingers around ten degrees, and it rains more often than it doesn't.
It takes a Vancouver band to capture that feeling.

Gaze are my band for spring. They play a messy and cloudy twee, tinged with a hint of punk, with lazy, rambling lyrics and melodies. Gaze were a three-piece all-girl Vancouver act who put out two full-length albums in the late 1990s. They are comparable to fellow British Columbian act Cub, but with a smoother, more detached sound. Twee princess Rose Melberg supplied the drums, so that is kind-of a selling point.

The Diskettes: Weeknights at Island View Beach (2005)

2010-03-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

The internet doesn't want to provide me with much information on this group, but here's what I know: The Diskettes are a darling Canadian twee band with dual male and female vocals. They also happen to be the some of the most fun you'll find in your media player.

Weeknights at Island View Beach is a definite pick-me-up album: it's cheery and charming and simple. They are comparable to other twee groups, yes, but there's a peculiar and different sense of inelegance that makes the whole thing just that much sweeter, more endearing.

As the word 'twee' implies, this album is adorable. Don't miss out on this gem.

The Beards: Funtown (2002)

2010-01-24T05:19:00.000-08:00

Being a British Columbian, it is in my very nature to follow Lisa Marr around like a lost puppy (due, of course, to her role in the wildly popular Vancouver pop act Cub, active in the 1990s). Funtown is a particularly special album, however, because it also features Muffs frontwoman Kim Shattuck.

The two women's track combine beautifully on Funtown, making it almost impossible to distinguish the fact that they were penned by different writers. And the songs? Delightful and danceable pop/punk (and an actual combination of pop and punk, not the mess of teenaged angst that seems to have that title tacked onto it). It is something like a cranberry tart, with its perfect combination of sweetness and bite and can be easily adored by fans or either or both genres.

Good Luck: Into Lake Griffy (2009)

2010-01-23T03:27:00.000-08:00

I could simply type "sounds like Nana Grizol", and Sheesha would be onto this like it was wearing a Chekov costume. But unfortunately for myself, more people than just Sheesha read this blog. So I will go into a little more detail. Good Luck is an all-star band (just like Nana Grizol) featuring members of bands like Matty Pop Chart (not like Nana Grizol). They are part of the Plan It X and No Idea records collectives, like other bands such as Defiance, Ohio. It is a very worthwhile record, and you should download it right now, and purchase the vinyl because it is apparently made out of different pieces of broken vinyls melted together apparently, but I don't know for sure because mine is still in the mail. Alex out.

Ballboy: A Guide for the Daylight Hours (2004)

2010-01-23T03:14:00.000-08:00

I cannot help but find myself surprised that this band has attracted so little attention. Ballboy have been active since the late nineties, were a favourite of John Peel, and are absolutely delightful.
The highlight of this band is, by far, the lyrics, which are truly some of the greatest, wittiest words I've heard in a long time. I have caught myself chuckling aloud, in public, and oh, right, this is the band responsible for song titles like 'I Don't Have Time to Stand Here With You Fighting About the Size of My Dick' or 'I Lost You, But I Found Country Music', and if that doesn't have you sold, well, you're probably a lot higher brow than me.

And well, even if you do have classier tastes, don't go and ignore this band. The music is decent, with a bit of an emphasis on drums, and the melodies are simply lovely.

Recordings of the Middle East (2008)

2010-01-11T03:49:00.000-08:00

...No, not THAT Middle East. The Middle East as in one of Australia's best bands at the moment. I thought I would start with one of my favorite Australian bands, The Middle East. Hailing from the northern reaches of Australia (unfortunately on the complete opposite side of the country than myself), they play post-rock-ish-ambient-kinda-music with a bit of fingerplucked-folky-kinda-stuff (NB; Sheesha! Music journalism is as hard as you said it would be!). They recently won the 2009 Triple J 'unearthed' award too. Good on them.

New guy on the block.

2010-01-11T02:18:00.000-08:00

Hello there, blogreaders! My name is Alex, and I am the new guy, and I am quickly realizing that I am no good at writing about myself, but I'll give it a shot.

I come from Australia, like mostly folk music, and play a guitar (which I am not as good at as I could be, because I am not Canadian and I do not have much of a beard). I think that much more can be said about me by looking right here on my last fm page than whatever babble I can come up on here. I hope you enjoy my posts!

Kindercore Christmas Two (1999)

2009-12-25T06:38:00.001-08:00

When Tay posted Christmas in Stereo yesterday, she left out a nifty little fact about the album: it is the first appearance of any band credited as Major Organ and the Adding Machine. On Christmas in Stereo, however, the band is an entirely different beast, consisting of Jeff Mangum and Julian Koster, with vocals by Jill Carnes.
Go trivia.

Today's post goes quite nicely with yesterday's, I must say, seeing as it is the follow up. Christmas Two feautres more of the same idea: delightful indie pop covers of traditional holiday jams, along with a few original tracks. I think I may even prefer it.
Christmas Two features tracks by Dressy Bessy, The Essex Green, Bugs Eat Books, Vermont, and a big ol' horde of other bands that matter. This one is worth picking up even for you Grinches.

Christmas In Stereo Compilation (1997)

2009-12-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

From the record label that gave the world Vermont, the acoustic side project of The Promise Ring, Kindercore released Christmas in Stereo in 1997, each of the bands had two weeks to write a song for Christmas In Stereo this compilation features some of Staying's favourites: Of Montreal,Major Organ and the Adding Machine, and The Olivia Tremor Control.
This will definitely bring you some Christmas cheer, and help while you either veg out from your Christmas meal or clean up when everyone has gone. It goes well with mulled wine too. Unfortunately it's been discontinued but I've managed to find two sellers on Amazon for anyone who wants to snap it up.-Tay

Tada Tátà: Tada Tátà EP (2009)

2009-12-16T00:24:00.000-08:00

Despite the Tada Tátà EP only being seven short songs long, it is packed with enough charm to sell a listener within the first seven seconds.

As the album art implies, it sounds rather a lot like cats and teapots (or, if you would prefer, like two adorable Swedish women). It is chiming and charming and short enough that I find myself playing it over and over. This is music for humming and headbobbing.
And, really, I oughn't even need to say more. If this album is for you, you'll know just by looking at it-- I sure did.

2009-12-14T05:50:00.000-08:00

If Tay is an ensign, then I suppose I am the captain of the ISS Staying Her Needle (yes, we are in the Mirror Universe).

With the new staff joining, I figure an introduction of my own is in order. I started this blog back in July, because I had far too much time on my hands (most of which I spent collecting media anyways) and I've a desperate need to expose people to the music I love.

I have a clear preference for female fronted bands, particularly indie pop bands. My taste does, of course, vary, but I feel like one can never go wrong with something girly and twee.

Outside of music, I am a small Western Canadian girl, with really poor taste in pants.

This blog has a new Ensign.

2009-12-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed a new writer on this humble blog ( Shoes and Socks Off ). I'm Tay and Sheesha asked me if I would contribute with reccomendations of my own. I'm excited because whilst I do write my own ramblings on girl with fireworks this is an opportunity to share some of the music that brings me happiness with everyone here.

You can count on me to share music from a range of genres- hardcore, hip hop, anti folk anything as long as it's something I feel passionate about it. I hope you enjoy my stay here.

Live Long and Prosper

Shoes and Socks Off- From the Muddy Banks of the Melitzer (2008)

2009-12-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I had the opportunity to discover someone I had heard about but had been admittedly to lazy to check out. Live music is my favourite way of being exposed to musicians I haven't heard before.

Shoes and Socks Off is the musical project of singer/songwriter Toby Hayes I wouldn't say he's a great singer in traditional terms but its timbre suits the stories he weaves with his songs. From the muddy banks of the Melitzer was released in 2008 on Big Scary Monsters and is fast becoming a favourite of mine. Fresh off tour with Kevin Devine on the BSM Christmas tour where I'm sure he garnered new interest.

You'll definitely like Muddy Banks... if you're a fan of artistes like Frank Turner or Mumford and Sons, or the punk stylings of The Gaslight Anthem, since he manages to combine both the sound of an urban storyteller and the raw emotion at home at any punk club across the UK. From the muddy banks of the Melitzer is followed by Hand-reared Suburban Piglet this features all the songs of Muddy Banks... but instead of just Toby the songs also feature additional musicians. For now though, I hope you enjoy this record as much as I have.

Elk City: New Believers (2007)

2009-11-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

When I initially bought this album, I did not like it. I listened to it once, stashed it away, and considered it a waste of money. Some months later, I put it in my CD player on a whim and was instantly lovestruck.

Renée LoBue's vocals are charming and powerful, ideal for rock music and easy to listen to. They do, truthfully, stand out as a highlight of the album and they stand out even more next to the masses of indie pop bands fronted by weak, timid vocals. Even the tracks with sounds showing typical indie popo potential are thrown far away from that definition.

The melodies are catchy-- not quite rock and not quite pop, and oh, is that a little bit of folk thrown in?-- and the album is easy to listen to in most situations. However, it just might take a little while to grow on you.

Bruce Peninsula: A Mountain is a Mouth

2009-11-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

The album cover both perfectly defines this album, and manages to do the exact opposite. When I glance at it, a smile is instantly upon my face, and it delivers the right emotion. Just not enough of it.

A Mountain is a Mouth is a big record. It is epic and loud, and surprisingly organized, and one cannot help but close their eyes and try to pick the voices apart. One smiles and sways along and just waits for those special, single moments they find themselves attached to. It is an inspiring record. It makes you feel good.

The songs all flow perfectly into each other like extensions upon extensions in one fourty minute track. Even when one has learnt the album it still manages to surprise when suddenly, oh, no, that's a different track. The tracks do not all sound the same, no. They are simply all of the same idea.

It's the powerful sort-of thing that sounds like what disaster movies should be, but would never make the soundtrack for one.

Christine Fellows: Nevertheless (2007)

2009-10-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

This is a recent addition to my collection, and so I am unable to say as much about it as I would like, but I felt the need to share this, because it is something that has managed to attach itself to me.

Although she's more attention for her marriage to Weakerthan's frontman John K. Samson-- who is also feautured on Nevertheless-- Fellows has a decent repertoire of her own; she composes for film and dance-- and Nevertheless is, in fact, her fourth studio album.

And so, what is Nevertheless? It is something quaint and maybe a tad quirky, packed with the sorts of sounds that inspire. The Spinster's Almanac, and Let Us Have Done With the Umbrella of Our Contagion have a chipperness that evokes images of birds-- finches and sparrows-- while tracks like The Parlour Rollers have a smooth melancholia to them-- but none of these tracks seem out of place; they do not grate up against each other or contrast too sharply. Rather, the album flows quite well, functioning the way it should: as a single art piece in itself, rather than a mismatched collection of songs.

The Besties

2009-10-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been in denial up until now, but the Besties have broken up. To commemorate, here are 2006's Singer and 2009's Home Free. This is some of the most charming and fun pop out there, slightly keyboard-heavy with near perfect vocal meshing from Marisa Bergquist and Kelly Waldrop. It is quick to grow on its listeners, and these albums are destined to eventually be looked back upon as classic gems.

The Leslies: Totally Brilliant (1996)

2009-09-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

Oh, pop music. No matter what it is that other genres have to offer, I always come back to you. There isn't quite anything else that breaks my heart and makes my brain bubble quite the way a pleasant melody can. A great pop record can seemingly solve all my problems, and even do more than set me at ease, because a great pop record makes you feel happy. In fact, I do believe the world would be doing a lot better if we were all listening to The Leslies' 1996 release Totally Brilliant.

There is something remarkably sweet and endearing about this record. Whether is it the charming simplicity of the tracks or the error-riddled English (The Leslies are Swedish-- and normally I can be somewhat snobby about my language of choice, but it is somehow just so cute here) it is hard to say. Whatever it is that makes the record for you, it still will. Because this album is awesome.

Amy Millan: Masters of the Burial (2009, leak)

2009-09-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

Been a while? Why yes, it has. But today I come to you with a leak which seems to have been mostly overlooked, thanks to it leaking alongside Brand New and the Mountain Goats. I have, however, given Amy Millan much more devoted listening than either of those two albums (which is, I will admit, almost upsetting, as I am a long-time Brand New fan).

Masters of the Burial (which is officially released on September 8th) is a good deal less twangy than 2006's Honey From the Tombs. It has a much more familiar singer-songwriter sort-of sound but do not let this straying allow you to feel that it is bad.

The songs are delightful and peaceful; relaxing but not necessarily boring-- although I will continue to suggest you multitask while listening; I have enjoyed the record mostly while reading and sipping tea, but that is only because I am a pretentious brat.

Like any album, your opinion is still yours and it ultimately up to you. All I can do is suggest you give it a proper spin. And don't just listen while thinking about Stars or Broken Social Scene.
That's very rude.

Pants Yell! - Songs for Siblings (2004)

2009-08-21T06:42:00.001-07:00

This album was, curiously enough, my first twee disc. I have some attachment to Pants Yell! because of that (although I am not terribly fond of 2007's Alison Statton).

Songs for Siblings is pretty simple, as twee goes (which can be an extremely positive point). You know what to expect-- but that makes it no less enjoyable. It's a pleasant listen with decent melodies, and I've a fondness for Andrew Churchman's vocals. Whether you fall in love with the album ort not is entirely up to you, but I can only imagine what sort of cold heart it would take to dislike it.

Orange Glass: Interstellar Interstellar (1996)

2009-08-18T05:03:00.001-07:00

I take a break now from the most confounding television streaming I've ever experienced to bring you one of those nearly-lost Canadian gems.

When a band's Last.fm page says something equivalent of "No one listens to us, even through we sound a bit like Eric's Trip, and we're even from the same area!" one cannot help but sympathize-- and want to rewrite their page, frankly, because that is not informative at all.

But then, I suppose the Eric's Trip comparison is necessary, since they're both in the same genre, and even both from Moncton, New Brunswick. Orange Glass lack a Julie Doiron player (which is a shame, since female vocals will win nine times out of ten for me) but their sound still brings their peers to mind, and obviously whoever wrote their Last.fm page wanted to try to cash in on it.
And if we're playing compare and contrast, then it is worth saying that Orange Glass's sound is less lazy, more poppy-- which some might look at as a negative point. Interstellar Interstellar is well put together, with obvious thought as to how each track fits into those surrounding it.

Chad VanGaalen: Soft Airplane (2008)

2009-08-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

According to Last.fm, 'Chad lives a quiet life with his girlfriend and their dog in Calgary, and recently got his driver’s license.'

And I'm feeling lazy, so Wikipedia can write today entry.

Soft Airplane is the third album by Chad VanGaalen, released in 2008 on Flemish Eye and Sub Pop. It was VanGaalen's first album to consist entirely of songs newly recorded for the album; his prior releases compiled tracks from a library of home recordings he had made over a number of years.

The album's first single, "Willow Tree", reached #1 on CBC Radio 3's R3-30 charts the week of November 6, 2008.

Go Sailor: Go Sailor (1996)

2009-08-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

For a band with such impressive connexions (vocalist/guitarist Rose Melberg is responsible for Tiger Trap and The Softies; drummer Amy Linton has brought us Henry's Dress and The Aislers Set; and bassist Paul Curran is also from Crimpshine) Go Sailor's one album-- which is actually a compilation of older tracks-- gets relatively little attention. And that is the reason it belongs here, along with the fact that the disc is incredible (I prefer it to all of its satellite bands). Expect delightful, pure female-fronted twee pop.

If some of these tracks seem familiar, that would be because they appeared on the soundtrack to the 1999 movie But I'm a Cheerleader-- which actually had an incredible soundtrack which I may have to upload swometime. It is, however, far from a quality film.

Elephant Stone: The Seven Seas (2009)

2009-08-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

Dear bands,
Please, try not to name your group after something much more popular and Googlable than you will likely ever be.
Thanks.

And no, no, let me retract that. Given time and the right attention, I could see this band becoming huge-- and for good reason. The Seven Seas is another one of those amazing releases that gives this blog a reason to exist. They sound a bit like The Beatles-- but with more sitar, and a generally more modern sound. As neo-psychedelia goes, this is one of those gems that manages to really excite.

The album features some pretty important names in Canadian indie (Elephant Stone is, in fact, fronted by Rishi Dhir, of the High Dials) and, of course, that obviously matters to you guys. They're also from Montreal-- which is apparently the only city you're allowed to be based out of, if you want any credibility.

Guppyboy: Jeffersonville (1997)

2009-08-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I said I would upload Guppyboy, so I have. I've no need to tell you what to expect.

The Sixth Great Lake: Up the Country (2001)

2009-08-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

It seems a little bit strange to place one post between Finishing School and this album, but I didn't actually forsee today's upload when I posted Destination Girl (although, I may put up Guppyboy's Jeffersonville tomorrow, just to be consistent).

In case the above paragraph didn't tip you off, this is another album featuring Sasha Bell. Her contribution is, obviously, quite a bit smaller, but it is present and enjoyable nonetheless-- alongside fellow Essex Green members Chris Ziter and Jeff Baron.

It has a country-ish vibe to it (and I want to use this word loosely, because the definition of country has always escaped me, and it seems like no matter what I say, someone is offended).

I've had zero sleep, no coffee, and something like six cups of tea. I have no clue what I'm typing. Listen to the album; form an opinion. If you like it, buy it. If you don't, delete it from your harddrive.

The Ammonites: Head Full of Strange (1991)

2009-08-09T04:59:00.000-07:00

I wish I actually owned this. This is just something I stumbled across online and need to share, because it is amazing.

I don't know anything about it, because it is quite hard to find information on the band. There is, however, apparently a much more popular ska band who share a name.
And the best video ever on YouTube.

Listen to this. You won't regret it.

Finishing School: Destination Girl (2003)

2009-08-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

I am something of a Sasha Bell fan. And so, to be entirely honest, I would most likely adore this album even if it were awful.

Fortunately, however, this album is brill. It is thoroughly enjoyable and any fan of her other work is sure to enjoy it-- but that itself is a tad disappointing, because, yes, any of these songs could be Essex Green tracks. But then, as far as pop music goes, The Essex Green are only a step away from perfection. Sounding the same isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Blake Babies: Sunburn (1990)

2009-08-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Some '90s alt-rock for you, as requested.

This album sounds a little bit like it would have been used for an Old Navy commercial at the time of its release. That could be seen as a negative or positive point, depending on your view. Old Navy once took Fame and made it about shorts, so I approve.

Blake Babies is Juliana Hatfield before she went solo, along with John Strohm and Freda Boner. So, obviously, you can expect something along the lines of Juliana Hatfield. Compared to Juliana's solo work, however, this album is less gritty. It is rather smooth and sweet, sound-wise. Lyrically that is not so much the case.

Sunburn can be listened to at any time, really. It's a good album to put on, because it doesn't require external mood enchancers.

Lilys: Eccsame the Photon Band (1995)

2009-08-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well, my dear friend Nigel requested that I upload some '90s shoegaze today, and I opted for Lilys because I'm a lot less underground than I like to pretend. I also just really enjoy this album.

I know I know quite a bit about this album in the back of my head, but I've not had my coffee, and you folks dont require music trivia anyways. This is a great album, and it is even better if you're less than sober. Try putting it on when parties are beginning to die down. Overall, it is more of a background album. It isn't the type for an active listening, because it makes a much stronger impact when it is simply a presence.

The Poppy Family: Which Way You Goin' Billy? (1969)

2009-07-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

The Poppy Family were the most popular Canadian act of their time, but also turned out to be one of the most easily forgotten. This truly is a shame, however, because Which Way You Goin' Billy? is teeming with incredible, well-crafted pop songs (including the disc's namesake #1 single, and the 1970 single That's Where I Went Wrong).

Sound-wise, you're looking at delightful, catchy hippie's sunshine pop. Husband and wife Terry and Susan Jacks trade off on vocals, and they had an Indian drummer, Satwan Singh, who brought something distinctly unique to their sound, which, to this day, no one else has captured.
If you like pop music, of any kind, this album is worth a listen.

The group were not long-lived. They disbanded in 1973, and Terry Jacks went on to have a much larger career as a solo artist. Susan also made an attempt at a solo career, but it received a good deal less attention than that of her ex-husband. However, she is once again recording and playing, and one can only hope she receives the best in the future.

Nesey Gallons: Eyes & Eyes & Eyes Ago (2009)

2009-07-23T22:48:00.000-07:00

I've had this album for some times, but have, truthfully, been scared to share. As far as I am aware, it has not spread out around the internet yet, and I did not want to be the first one to give it away. However, this album needs to be heard-- and I am aware that a number of individuals were hesitant to make a purchase without hearing it in advance.

Eyes is the best album I have bought in a very long time. I do find it to be either love or hate, and I am completely on the loving side of the fence. The first adjective that comes to mind when I move to describe it is 'darling'; the disc is incredibly sweet (made moreso by the homemade packaging-- held together by scotch tape) and a tad unsettling. There is a curious heartbreaking quality to it and one feels like maybe they ought to be crying-- even though it is far from depressing. It is something best listened to without distractions, preferably in a dark room, maybe while you're half-asleep.

While you're buying this one, also make sure you pick up the equally poignant Two Bicyles and Somewhere We Both Walk... Except apparently hurrahforkaramazov.com is down and the album is being properly released on September 8th.

Sebadoh: Bakesale (1994)

2009-07-20T00:30:00.001-07:00

I'm not exactly sure what propelled me to upload this particular album (I favour 1991's Sebadoh III), but here is 1994's Sebadoh album Bakesale. According it Wikipedia, this disc made it to number fourty on the charts. I'm impressed.

If, for some reason, you're not familiar with Sebadoh, they're a musical project of Dinosaur Jr bassist Lou Barlow (who just happens be the spit and image of James Potter; I had to mention this)-- who needed a songwriting outlet because J Mascis is an asshole. Barlow was even kicked out of Dinosaur Jr for his musical venturing.

Sebadoh were one of the pioneers of lo-fi-- although Bakesale is something of a cleaner album, as Sebadoh goes. I wouldn't consider this particular disc a lo-fi album, but you may as well know what you're missing out on.

Drummer Eric Gaffney has a present musical project-- Fields of Gaffney-- with the sketchiest website ever.
No, really.

Madder Rose: Bring It Down (1993)

2009-07-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

Today we have the 1993 debut LP from female-fronted alt-rock outfit Madder Rose. Bring It Down consists of thirteen catchy rock-pop songs, in the same vein as Juliana Hatfield. Also like Hatfield, Madder Rose moved into a louder, more shoegazey direction later into their career. This record, however, showcases the slightly tart pop that helped establish them.

While this sound was far from unusual at the time, it gives a present listener a sweet, nostalgic feeling and is almost worth more as an album now than it was at the time of its release. Bring It Down is a sweet, melodic album with a sharp point that hasn't been heard in music for more than a decade.

All Smiles: Oh for the Getting and Not Letting Go (2009)

2009-07-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

We have a new release for you today, and one well-deserving of attention. I cannot help but feel slightly hurt when Jason Lytle receives attention for his solo album, and this gem remains uncited. All Smiles is the recording moniker of once-Grandaddy-guitarist Jim Fairchild, along with a backup band perfect for namedropping (including members of Modest Mouse, Sleater Kinney, and Great Northern).

This particular disc was released on June 30th, 2009, but has been easily available on the internet for months. It has a lovely balance between being soft and calming and being a rock album. It is, at its core however, still a pop album, and quite a fine one at that. It is not without flaws, no, and some of you might find it generic and unmemorable (I, personally, don't tend to slip into this sound often, so it felt new and refreshing enough to keep me more than content), but it is still definitely worth a listen, and maybe a few more-- just to make sure you got your opinion right the first time.

Orkestar Kobra: Price sa juzne strane (2004)

2009-07-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

This was another fluke find on my part; I'm not entirely certain how I ended up with this disc. It was, however, my first gypsy brass album... And doesn't seem to have many listeners.

I cannot easily locate information about this band on the internet in English. It's a fantastic gypsy brass album, and is well worth your time, even if it isn't your usual genre of choice. You never know when you'll be in the mood for it.

Last.fm says they're Serbian.

Underappreciated Canadian Singer-Songwriters!

2009-07-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

Rebekah Higgs: Rebekah Higgs (2006)
Lovely, sweet folk-pop sort of album. It stands the risk of being generic, but I don't care because it is a delightful listen and her accent makes me swoon

Matthew Barber: Ghost Notes (2008)
A fantastic artist who lives in the shadow of his popular sister Jill Barber (whom I've never actually heard, curiously; I ought to get on that). I consider the album alt-country and folk, but the internet seems more inclined to classify it as indie pop. Judge for yourself.

My posts are getting lazier and lazier...

Beulah: The Coast is Never Clear (2001)

2009-07-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

I am still quite ill, and so do not expect much of a detailled or articulate post.

In a decision to juxtapose yesterday's album, today you get what very well might be the best pop album of all time (and I say this even while I favour 1999's When Your Heartstrings Break). It keeps up the excessive instrumentation of the previous album but is sligthtly more downbeat-- mostly lyrically. That, of course, does not mean it is a downbeat album at all. The Coast is Never Clear is a sweet albeit slightly heartbreaking disc whose tracks have a tendency to show up on every fanmix I've ever looked at.

It was also unfortunate enough to be released on September 11th, 2001.

Silver Apples: Silver Apples (1968)

2009-07-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have something of a desperate need for the perfect mood music. And right now I have a horrendous fever which has left me miserable and in the throes of delirium.
Finding an album to fit that was surprisingly difficult, as I needed something that simultaneously complimented my feelings of misery while not making my face cave in.

And I had already Posted Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't.

This is Silver Apple's first LP, from 1968. All you Black Moth Super Rainbow brats have this record to thank.

Enjoy.

Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't: Individualized Shirts (2001)

2009-07-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Anyone familiar with the Olivia Tremor Control or the magnificent Elephant 6 collective should know Pipes You See, Pipes You Dont, musical project of OTC keyboardist Peter Erchick.

Individualized Shirt's is Erchick's first LP under the moniker. It was originally released in 2001, but Orange Twin gave it a second spin in '03. The album has a sound that can be tied well enough to Olivia's recordings, but is best looked at as completely seperate. I favour the disc over 2002's Special Fanfare for Anything primarily because mood. I have always been the type of person who needs the ideal mood music, and Individualized Shirts has the perfect atmosphere for early morning reading-- and blog surfing. The perfect balance of sweet and unsettling to compliment your severe sleep deprivation and to keep you awake for hours to come!

Juliana Hatfield: Please Do Not Disturb (1997)

2009-07-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

While killing time in one of my favourite local used CD shops, I came across Juliana Hatfield's Only Everything in the dollar bin, and was stoked. That very same dollar bin is where I discovered Juliana some time ago.

Since Only Everything turned out to be too large a file for Mediafire to handle, I figured I would tide you over with my favourite Juliana Hatfield disc: 1997's Please Do Not Disturb EP (which was followed up by Bed-- my favourite LP-- in 1998). This was her first release after being dropped from Atlantic records after the God's Foot fiasco, and it might have been the pressure or maybe the lack of pressure, but the record turned out to be, in my opinion, her best to date.

It's a little further on the rockish side than the previous release, Only Everything, but 'The Edge of Nowhere' is a slow and moderately haunting track that forms a perfect farewell to the disc.

This album is presently out of print.

The Rural Alberta Advantage: Hometowns (2008)

2009-07-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

The Rural Alberta Advantage are a recent discovery on my part, which is a shame since they've been around since 2005 and are Canadian-- Hometowns is also one of the best folk albums I have ever heard.

This is a good time to post the album, however, since they've just been signed to the infamous Saddle Creek records and Hometowns will be seeing a rerelease this month. And if Saddle Creek isn't enough to catch your attention, just take a moment to note that this album is full of songs about Alberta.
Yeah, that's what I thought.