Well, it’s February: the Monday of months. The nasty hangover after the wild weekend that is Winter Break. For those that could use some sort of pick-me-up, Portage and Main’s new album Never Had The Time is just what the doctor ordered. It offers a smooth respite from the grey[Read More…]
Music
Apparat Organ Quartet: Pólýfónía
There must be something in the water in Iceland. The nation has given birth to many popular acts, such as Björk and Sigur Rós, known for treading into strange, experimental realms with their music. Apparat Organ Quartet certainly fits this mould, with their inventive electro-rock and their particular style, which[Read More…]
Petra Haden: Petra Goes to the Movies
You might have heard of the American singer and musician Petra Haden, in connection with her collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, such as The Foo Fighters and Bill Frisell. Or, if a cappella is your thing, you may be familiar with the solo album she released in 2005, containing a[Read More…]
Naked Days: Sleeping in Herndon
Naked Days, an eclectic band hailing from Leesburg, Virginia, brings us a unique arrangement of acoustic alternative sound. Reminiscent of the likes of The Silversun Pickups, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes, and Montreal’s own Thus:Owls, this indie foursome fuses a muffled, low-definition sound with sweet lyrical supplement in their[Read More…]
The Joy Formidable: Wolf’s Law
The century-old Wolf’s Law says that our bones can adapt themselves to carry increasingly heavier loads over time; the more stress we place on our bones, the more resistant they become to these external pressures. There seems to be no better testament to this theory than Welsh band The Joy[Read More…]
Various Artists: Girls Soundtrack, Vol. 1
The debut season of Girls received effusive praise, and viewers fell in love with the triple-threat director, writer, and lead actress Lena Dunham. Dunham plays Hannah Horvath, a twenty-something writer living in New York, who struggles with a steady job and a relationship with an uber-horny boyfriend. Among the complicated[Read More…]
Sebastien Tellier: My God is Blue
In his latest album My God is Blue, French musician Sebastien Tellier plays with numerous different genres, sounds, languages, and emotions. Tellier’s release won’t be enjoyed by all, but those who do will like it whole-heartedly. My God is Blue is a spiritual album. Tellier asks the listener to connect[Read More…]
(III): Crystal Castles
If Crystal Castles’ duo of Alice Glass and Ethan Kath danced near the edge of despair in their first releases, (I) and (II), in their latest effort, (III), they take the plunge. Producer Kath toys less with the bleepy 8-bit sound that characterized their debut, which had a threateningly manic[Read More…]
Hummingbird: Local Natives
Hot off their critically-acclaimed 2010 release Gorilla Manor, Local Natives return with Hummingbird, bringing with them a new sense of maturity and complexity. Although still possessing an authentic feel, Hummingbird presents a dramatic shift in sound, trading light, airy tones for heavy, intimate tracks that reflect the group’s coming-of-age. Nevertheless,[Read More…]
The New Familiar: Goldenboy
As the title suggests, The New Familiar delivers on its promise to be everything familiar in a brand new album. Goldenboy, led by vocalist and guitarist Shon Sullivan, have released four albums since first bounding into the spotlight with Blueswan Orchestra a decade ago. Blueswan Orchestra was re-released last month[Read More…]
