Caley MacLennan

[image-4]Published May 08, 2008.Tokyo Police ClubElephant Shell(Saddle Creek Records)For their first full-length album, Elephant Shell, Tokyo Police Club have polished their sound; the jostling of instruments sounds and effects found on their popular EPs is considerably subdued here. As always, Greg Alsop’s beats stay on course enough to be danceable. The careful insertion of snare […]

[image-4]Published May 15, 2008.Los Campesinos!Hold On Now, Youngster…(Arts and Crafts)The ambitious arrangements and playful back and forth of main vocalists Gareth and Aleksandra Campesino! conjure up comparisons to The New Pornographers. Though Aleksandra’s vocals may lack the sophistication of Neko Case, chemistry between Campesino! singers makes their weaknesses seem like endearing idiosyncrasies. Los Campesinos! blaze […]

[image-4]Published May 01, 2008.The ExtremitiesThe New TonicCBC Remix SeriesWanting their inaugural release to be a collaborative project, The Extremities approached four east-coast jazz legends to cut Tonic. They applied their trademark synthetic sounds and dusted-off beats, creating a soulful, layered hybrid album that flows smoothly between pleasing jazz and bumping hip-hop. The four tracks featuring […]

[image-4]Published April 10, 2008.Crystal CastlesCrystal CastlesLast Gang RecordsThe constant melodious repetition of simple jingles that plod through most of Crystal Castles’ debut creates a charming ambient sound reminiscent of Air’s Moon Safari. The chilled electro-pop sprawls rise and fall, simmer and burst, often finding great dance grooves like “Air War” and “Courtship Date.” Though highly […]

The WhigsMission Control(ATO Records)If a sequel to the 1992 movie Singles is ever released, Mission Control’s opening song, “Like a Vibration” will surely be found on the soundtrack. The Whigs’ sound is a throwback to the down-tempo grit of the grunge days. What makes this album fresh, though, are the idiosyncratic guitar sounds and hooks […]

The TrewsNo Time For Later(Universal)Arguably the hardest-working band in Canada, The Trews continue their upward climb to stardom with their latest release. No Time For Later has edgy moments (“Gun Control” criticizes the American thirst for war) and a heavier feel, but the overall sound remains planted in the realm of accessible rock. There’s no […]

Rivers CuomoAlone: Home Recordings of Rivers CuomoGeffenWeezer frontman Rivers Cuomo’s new release is the type of CD that needs to be listened to while reading the liner notes and drinking red wine. Alone. Not a crisp studio album, Alone is a scratch at the surface of the immense amount of material Cuomo has written and […]

Lupe FiascoThe CoolAtlanticThe layered orchestration of rock and R&B hooks, melodic vocals and infectious beats found on The Cool are earning Fiasco much critical acclaim. Tracks like “Streets On Fire” and “Fighters” are great examples of Fiasco’s ability to spit intelligent lyrics while maintaining a beautifully melancholy sound. More important is the fact that The […]

SiaSome People Have Real Problems(Monkey Puzzle Records)Australian Sia has been successful in the last few years. She backed up Jamiroquai and Massive Attack and her own songs hit UK charts and American television. With her latest release, she hopes to establish herself as an international star. Some People Have Real Problems seems, at first hearing, […]

[image-4]Published January 31, 2008.Beanie SigelThe Solution(Roc-A-Fella)Faint of heart beware: Lyrically, The Solution is a coarse album. Sigel’s latest release makes every attempt to reinforce his gangster image: No doubt getting out of jail and defending murder charges help his cred and influence his raw rapping styles. The constant boasting can, at times, make The Solution […]