Doug Taylor

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 […]

Tommy StinsonVillage Gorilla Head(Sanctuary)Fourteen-year-old lad finds himself a founding member in hugely influential band (the Replacements). Years later, he’s bassist in a late version of a troubled franchise (Guns N’ Roses). Stinson’s first solo effort leaps free of any scent of post-punk, metal or genre-splicing, with rock songs worthy of the Stones or the Clash. […]

Candi StatonHis Hands(EMI)Appreciation for Candi spiked recently with the reissue of her ’70s country soul sides. A bout with alcohol and spousal abuse drove her to gospel and ministry. On her first secular recording in 20 years, the 63-year-old Staton’s voice conveys pain and devotion as clearly as ever. By avoiding extremes of tone, she […]

James MorrisonUndiscovered(Polydor)The young Brit comes by his rasp honestly. A childhood bout of whooping cough left him with special powers to convey longing. A first encounter might leave you saying, “Wow, Terence Trent D’arby must have been listening to a lot of ’70s Stevie Wonder, and learning.” Morrison gives urgency to what are mostly love […]

Lennie GallantWhen We Get There(Maple)The wait for a new English studio album by Lennie Gallant ends sweetly for all concerned. His rugged Acadian ramble has polished some edges in an effort to reach ears beyond Atlantic Canada. Boats and fiddles are absent, though violins turn up at a key moment. This time, domestic abuse meets […]

The Golden VirginsSongs of Praise (XL)Northern England’s The Golden Virgins offer up as fresh a debut set as you’ll hear this year. Influences are as diverse as Joe Jackson, Shane McGowan and medieval madrigals, yet it rocks. Singer Lucas Penney leaves you concerned about his mental and physical well-being. Keyboardist David Younger commands a broad […]

Jenny WhiteleyDear(Black Hen Music)The danger in doing a boffo cover version of an obscure number (“Heart of Gold”) by an esteemed songwriter (Ray Davies) is if it outshines your own material. It happens with Jenny Whiteley’s take on the old Kinks tune, but only enough to add nuance to a solid set of songs. She’s […]

Joseph Arthur & the Lonely AstronautsLet’s Just Be(Indica)The good news about Joseph Arthur’s latest is he’s eased up on the sensitive, vulnerable schtick and rocks out like never before. The bad news is it required either drugs or psychosis to do it, because parts of Let’s Just Be exhibit self-indulgence on a scale not heard […]

Edgar BreauCanadian Primitive (Songhammer)The unearthing of 1970s Hamilton band Simply Saucer was one of the revelations of 2003. The album’s warm reception encouraged frontman Edgar Breau to offer up a dozen new songs. One grabber is “I Miss You My Nico,” featuring the line “You deconstructionists can all go straight to Hell” and a sweet […]

Tom RussellIndians Cowboys Horses Dogs (Hightone)With a dozen songs evenly balanced between originals and well-chosen covers, Russell evokes vivid Wild West images: Barfights, hangings and ornery bulls make for rich stories. Rough-hewn characters are thick, whether in Linda Thompson’s gorgeous “No Telling,” Bob Dylan’s “Seven Curses” or Russell’s own salute to the late environmental warrior […]