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 […]
Chuck Teed
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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 […]
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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 […]
