The fourth season of Mad Men ended last week, and at last we have seen Don Draper in a moment of weakness: smiling stupidly at the thought of being in love. Spoiler alert: it has been subtly foreshadowed throughout the season, but I don’t think any of us actually expected[Read More…]
Arts & Entertainment
Keep up to date on local art, new albums, and everything entertainment-related.
A blue-headed villain
About 15 minutes into Megamind, the movie’s eponymous villain succeeds in defeating Metro Man, the Superman-like hero, giving Megamind control of Metro City. But after moving into city hall and exhausting his list of destructive pranks (launching fire trucks into the sides of buildings, painting blue moustaches on portraits), Megamind[Read More…]
All in the family
The music of Angus and Julia Stone has a strange effect on some people. After listening to them, many begin to think of the Sydney-based brother-sister duo as “their” band. When their music was playing at a recent party, I mentioned to the guy manning the iPod how much I[Read More…]
Femme fatale
“Caution: there will be loud noises during this performance,” warns the door to Medea. The meaning of this sign came to light during the most explosive part of the play. A murder is revealed, and BAM! The back wall of the set falls down, revealing charred fabric and streams of[Read More…]
Avey Tare – Down There
Often overshadowed by the overwhelming success of his bandmate Panda Bear, many are probably unaware that Avey Tare—one-fourth of Animal Collective—works as a solo artist as well. Down There, his solo debut, takes the listener on an adventure through the depths of murky swamps, riding distorted synths and bass-heavy sampling[Read More…]
PS I Love You – Meet Me At The Muster Station
Let’s be thankful that PS I Love You are better at writing songs than they are at picking band names. While the moniker is ripe for ridicule, the 10 tracks that make up Meet Me At The Muster Station demand far more respect. Hailing from Kingston, Ontario, vocalist/guitarist and bass[Read More…]
Belle and Sebastian – Write About Love
Belle and Sebastian Write About Love is the Scottish group’s eighth album in 15 years, and their age is starting to show. Unfortunately, while their signature sound remains intact, the overall message of the album isn’t as obvious as previous releases. Frontman Stuart Murdoch doesn’t wear his heart on his[Read More…]
Literary launch lacks laughs
Local literati were out in full blazered regalia on October 5 for the re-launch of Montreal humourist Jonathan Goldstein’s first novel, Lenny Bruce is Dead, originally published by Coach House Books in 2001. The 41-year-old Goldstein, author of two books, contributor to Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life, and host[Read More…]
Bonjay : Broughtupsy
Broughtupsy is the fresh debut album from reggae/dancehall duo Bonjay—and fresh is exactly what it is. Fronted by singer Alanna Stuart and produced by beats/effects master Ian “Pho” Swain, Bonjay brings an invigorating mix of dancehall rhythms and crisp hooks to the floor, displaying ample evidence that these two have[Read More…]
The Postelles : The Postelles
The Postelles are an English accent and a few cheeky lyrics away from being a full-fledged Arctic Monkeys knockoff, but unfortunately their debut lacks the complexity of a Monkeys tune. Instead, it’s pretty straight pop. The instrumentation is minimalist at best (though not at it’s best when it’s minimal), with[Read More…]