Doug Taylor

Robert Randolph & the Family BandColorblind(Warner)The phenomenon of cranked and spanked steel guitar spills over from gospel to this powerhouse New Jersey outfit, who look to leap from local hero status with Colorblind. A black group with such dense guitar presence not playing pure blues is rare. The Randophs are more rock than the Isley […]

Two Hours TrafficTwo Hours Traffic(maple)The Charlottetown foursome wastes little time establishing its signature: twin guitars, imaginatively tuned, at a healthy volume (without beating the listener into a vegetative state), garnishing songs that run three minutes or less. If snappy top-40 ever comes back, Two Hours Traffic is fluent in that language. The sure hand of […]

Zap MamaAncestry in Progress(Luaka Bop)Called a vocal group, Zap Mama is Congo-born Belgian Marie Daulne and whoever else is around. Hip-hop and motherhood factor in—Daulne recently moved to Philly and had a baby. Erykah Badu and various rappers accent the polyphonic uplift Zap Mama represents. “Zap Bébés” weaves baby sounds in a loop of cries. […]

Bob DylanModern Times(Columbia)In his dotage, Dylan has cleaned up his diction. You can make out the words, which still have some snap, like “I’m not nursing any superfluous fears,” from “Ain’t Talkin’.” Modern Times continues Dylan’s recent run of quality albums, just a bit less astounding than 2001’s Love and Theft. An overactive imagination can […]

Elizabeth Shepherd TrioStart to Move(Do Right Music)Behold an artist for whom jazz need neither broaden its domain nor sit in a museum. Toronto-based Shepherd was raised by Salvation Army ministers: There are no band hymns here, but she gives a shout-out at the end. Her debut album presents a composer, pianist and singer fully realized. […]

Mr. Something SomethingMr. Something Something(World)Mr. Something Something aims to light up every floor with shaking hips and feet of fire, once the brains have been jabbed with a minute or two of exotic stew. Such fluid Afrobeat enters the body stealthily, well before one can note that these are five white guys from Ontario. The […]

The Winnerysand…The Winnerys(Rainbow Quartz)Moments on the Winnerys’ first full-length rekindle the excitement of early Beatles like noth- ing since the Knickerbockers or the Rutles. The quartet from Barcelona serves up 16 songs that burst with the taut energy, Mersey chords and limited subject matter (girls, love) of 1964’s Fab Four. The vocals, however, come up […]

Anthony HamiltonAin’t Nobody Worryin’(Arista)The Carolina-born, New York-based Hamilton carves out unique territory, by shunning hip-hop devices, not trying to sound like Stevie Wonder and keeping his shirt on. Gospel is in his blood and colours his themes and harmonies. “The Truth” and “Preacher’s Daughter” put the passion back in compassion, as Hamilton shows how earthy […]

Final FantasyHe Poos Clouds(BlocksBlocksBlocks)Violinist, Arcade Fire arranger and Dungeons and Dragons fan Owen Pallett creates a concept album full of puns, poetry and pirouettes. It’s a cerebral pop treat on a scale with Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoise. He Poos Clouds arrived with the smack of novelty and endures as insurgent classical punChuck Teeduated by inseChuck Teed […]

Hayseed DixieWeapons of Grass Destruction(Cooking Vinyl)songs can be a treat, especially if chosen well and performed as if born for banjo and mandolin. Hayseed Dixie makes some curious selections (“Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Holidays in the Sun”) and some terrific ones. “Devil Woman,” a forgotten Cliff Richard hit from 1976, has new life breathed into it. […]

VailhalenPop ViolenceSaved by RadioThe seven members of Vailhalen had free reign over a high school band room and instruments for its first full-length. The results are rawly monochromatic. Being neither a dog’s breakfast nor a symphony, Pop Violence has an early-’80s ramshackle jumpiness not unlike XTC or War-vintage U2. Two keyboards enrich the flow and […]