Burnt Black w/Moon Logic Saturday, July 27, 8pm The Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street $15, tickethalifax.com Burnt Black might not be the first band that comes to mind when people think of Halifax music in the 1990s, but it is one of the most influential artists to emerge from the region. The Yarmouth quartet is […]
Chuck Teed
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Suzanne Vega, master of song
Suzanne Vega at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival Sunday, July 28, 7pm Canso, NS $60-$165, stanfest.com I n Suzanne Vega’s 1985 single “Marlene On The Wall,” the titular character advises Vega to “not give up the goods too soon” when it comes to love. When it comes to live shows, though, all bets are off. […]
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Cavendish‘s Island oddities
“The goal was to piss on Cavendish and everything they believe,” says Mark Little. “It’s government-funded revenge.” His new sitcom Cavendish, premiering January 8 on CBC, stars Little and former Picnicface colleague Andrew Bush, also executive producers The show revolves around the adventures of Andy (Bush) and Mark (Little), brothers who return to Cavendish, Prince […]
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Thom Yorke
Thom YorkeThe Eraser(XL)Light on instrumentation and heavy on world-weary vocals, Thom Yorke paints a dreary yet inviting musical landscape on his solo debut. The Radiohead fronTrevor MacLarenan manages to keep the pity party moving using little more than his voice, and underscores the proceedings with droning electronics and manufactured beats.Chuck Teedcategories: Best of the year […]
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Knub
KnubS/T(independent)This is not an easy listen, but those who commit will hear some of the best improvisational jazz in the province. Led by St.FX grads John McLaggan (sax) and Owen Stewart-Robertson (guitar), Knub combines traditional jazz arrangements with modern improv to create some inspired works. “Teenage Burnout” features a hypnotic bassline and superb chasing melodies. […]
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Michael Jackson
Published November 27, 2003. Michael Jackson Number Ones (Epic) It’s a terrible shame that Michael Jackson the pop phenomenon is being overshadowed by Michael Jackson the confirmed weirdo/alleged pervert, because he wrote some brilliant music. Number Ones is pure, un-adulterated joy, with nearly every track sounding as vital and catchy today as they did upon […]
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Contrived
Published December 08, 2005. Contrived Dead Air Verbatim (Dependent) Contrived has always been pretty handy with the monster riff, but the band never had a recording that captured its intense energy until now. Dead Air Verbatim showcases the quartet at its most creative musically and sonically, with ferocious performances and a batch of songs as […]
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Matthew Barber
Matthew BarberThe Story of Your Life (Warner)Matthew Barber knows how to write a pleasant pop song, but it appears he’s at his best when the sound is darker or the mood’s more melancholy. The Story of Your Life, the follow-up to his debut Means & Ends, starts out fine with “A Little Love,” but the […]
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Hatebreed
Published November 20, 2003. Hatebreed The Rise of Brutality (Universal) It’s hard to hate Hatebreed. Sure, the music is an overdone hybrid of old-school metal and punk. The violently empowering lyrics are ridiculous and juvenile. But if you can get past Rise of Brutality’s not-so-original sound and childish chants, there are some decent songs to […]
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Dane Cook
Dane CookRetaliationComedy CentralDane Cook is single-handedly revitalizing stand-up comedy. The Massachusetts-born, California-based comedian is burning up the Billboard charts with the two-disc Retaliation, which debuted at number four (the highest comedy chart position since Steve Martin’s 1978 classic Wild and Crazy Guy) and has been certified gold. Cultivating his massive audience through constant touring and […]
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Dane Cook
Published December 08, 2005. Dane Cook Retaliation (Comedy Central) Set in front of a rowdy, appreciative audience, Dane Cook’s double disc is the Frampton Comes Alive of comedy albums. Cook’s young, everyman style of performance is infectious, and the laughs he generates with his sophomoric storytelling and observational humour are huge. The end result is […]
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Brent Randall and his Pinecones
Brent Randall and his PineconesQuite Precisely(Just Friends)Best known as Mark Bragg’s bass player, Brent Randall steps out in a major way. An ambitious and skillfully written effort, Quite Precisely is driven by Randall’s knack for melody and tasteful piano-playing. “Television and Treasure” conjures the spirit of Mott the Hoople while “In Horsedrawn Delight” marches and […]
