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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Hayden
HaydenElk Lake Serenade(Hardwood/Universal)Elk Lake Serenade is a more difficult listen than Skyscraper National Park, but that doesn’t mean there’s fewer great moments. In fact, once the confusion from the constant mood changes passes, a handful of tracks stand out as surefire classics. “Home By Saturday” features fabulous guitar and vocal interplay. A straight drum beat […]
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Various
Published December 25, 2003. Various Christmas at the Khyber (independent) With over 20 Christmas songs (original and traditional) by some of Halifax’s best artists, Christmas at the Khyber is a great bang for your buck. There are a quite a few surreal tracks that’ll win over the eclectic crowd—Mos Huntslers’ “IJ’s Home for Christmas,” Jack […]
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Mastodon
MastodonBlood Mountain(Warner)Mastodon’s fourth album isn’t the band’s best (that award goes to Leviathan), but it’s still better than most heavy albums released in the last year. Vocalists Brent Hinds and Troy Sanders channel the spirit of classic Black Sabbath this time around, while the band dishes out some of the best riffage this side of […]
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Prince
PrinceMusicology (Sony)It isn’t as catchy or as groundbreaking as his classic works (1999, Purple Rain), but Musicology showcases why Prince is one of the most revered and influential musicians from the 1980s. The artist formerly known as a weird symbol is near the top of his game on this disc, fusing funk, jazz and straight-up […]
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The Hemingways
Published December 11, 2004. The Hemingways Go Back to Sleep (Russian Spy) The Hemingways are a bit of a one-trick pony, but at least they know that one trick well. The band never veers from its mid-tempo punk rock course on Go Back to Sleep, filling the disc with growling guitars and shout-along vocals. It’s […]
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Pearl Jam
Pearl JamPearl Jam(J Revords/Sony)After many returns to form—see Yield, Riot Act—Pearl Jam finally releases an album that rivals the band’s early ’90s heyday. Ditching preachy, pretentious lyrics in favour of genuine storytelling, Vedder is peaking, while the band churns out some of their best material since Vs.Chuck Teedcategories: Best of the year (2006)
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Hospital Grade
Hospital GradeWritten Axe to Trigger(Urinine)Written Axe to Trigger might not be as catchy as Hospital Grade’s debut EP Scrap is the Metal, Metal is the Weapon, but it still rocks in a disjointed punk way. The band never lets anyone get comfortable with a style or songwriting formula, opting to mix short, concise songs (a […]
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Pearl Jam
Published December 04, 2003. Pearl Jam Lost Dogs (Epic) This double disc of b-sides, Christmas singles and rarities is a must-have for all Pearl Jam fans. Nearly all 30 tracks are polished studio recordings—and for cast-offs, they’re amazingly good. Most rock bands would kill to cut tracks half as good as “Down,” “Alone” and “Dead […]
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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 […]
