Doug Taylor

Back up to an album a year, Costello seems to be tapping every unconscious notion. Each tune on National Ransom claims a time and place or ethos. For example, the jaunty strum “Slow Drag with Josephine” is set “Under the Napoleonic Code, 1921.” Huh? The most in-demand producer this year, T Bone Burnett somehow ties […]

It’s been 15 years since Maxinquaye shook up the world and made “Bristol scene” and “trip-hop” oft-repeated phrases. Every few years Adrian Thawes, better known as Tricky, re-emerges in the hope of having the same impact. All swirly menace and admonition, “Ghetto Stars” echoes his peak period. Like everything on Mixed Race, it could be […]

Glasgow’s The Vaselines might have been forgotten had Kurt Cobain not been their biggest fan. Nirvana covered three of their songs: “Jesus Don’t Want Me for a Sunbeam,” “Son of a Gun” and “Molly’s Lips.” Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee have reunited for an album for the first time in 20 years. A listen makes […]

Following up the sumptuous “Blood’s Too Rich,” Doucet opts for a shorter, punchier route to rock. Sloan’s Andrew Scott is all over this one: co-writing four songs, producing and drumming. The city of Hamilton is muse, especially for the comics liner by David Collier. Doucet wears influences on his sleeve. Thankfully, they are many and […]

The yelps of Johnny Cougar have never felt so distant. Mellencamp joins producer T-Bone Burnett in the Southern rooms where Robert Johnson and Elvis Presley made their mark, as if to join spirits. The songs’ simplicity and directness may also remind you of Hank Williams. Mortality, destiny, failure and regret are balanced by pleasure at […]

The Mideastern beauty who is Leonard Cohen’s companion steps forward. Cohen helps out with production and illustration. Her singing style is somewhat talky, dramatic in the manner of early Springsteen. The songs are all her own, save “Romeo and Juliet” by Mark Knopfler. Mixed clearly above her band, Neema is not above adapting nursery rhymes. […]

True to the title, there is a Latin lilt to Eaglesmith’s latest, with soothing, swaying backup vocals from the Ginn sisters. They take the edge off a desolation and dissipation that can make Tom Waits sound like a boy band. Nobody does sad, mad and wounded like Fred. The words justify it, particularly “Shallow”: “I […]

Toronto’s Golden Dogs have overcome a fondness for cacophony and delivered as crisp and punchy a pop album as you’ll hear anytime soon. Coat of Arms is the band’s first full-length in four years. From the judicious use of reverb to individual song graphics, the mission to focus is palpable. Guitarist Dave Azzolini and keyboardist […]

Arguably the handsomest, nicest rapper, Common could breathe fire back in the day. Only one example of those origins is included here: “The Bitch in Yoo,” a 1996 upbraiding of Ice Cube, when Common was Common Sense. The last five albums are represented, plus a duet with Erykah Badu, “Love of My Life.” A recent […]

A local rock contrarian for 20 years, Brett Ryan (see listings pg 25) is back and belting after a house fire. The disc is attractively packaged and has ace session work, especially the saxophones of Chris Mitchell and Kenny McKay. The songs all seem to aspire to be the best record Van Morrison never made, […]

Not to be confused with an Atlanta band of some note 30 years ago, these Brains throb in Montreal. Being of the psychobilly strain, undead division, it would seem they’ve named themselves after their favourite food. Fortunately, the skills are all there, so even if the ghoulish schtick plays a little thin, The Brains are […]

One of the most popular bands in Australia is ready for its close-up in North America, on Dave Matthews’ ATO label. Across 15 songs, Butler gives a clinic on how many different things you can do with a guitar, lap steel or mandolin. The bassist and drummer are new to Butler, but manage to keep […]