Sean Flinn

Nathan WileyThe City Destroyed Me(Sonic records)The third album from the mop-haired music man from PEI could very well have been subtitled The Trials of a Young Man Who Lost His Way. Temptation, indulgence, elation, euphoria, clarity, crash, despair, escape (though with permanent scars) and redemption: it’s all here. Visually, the cover art shows a drooping […]

DJ Cheb I SabbahLa Kahena(Six Degrees)La Kahena is San Francisco-based, Algerian-born DJ Cheb I Sabbah’s latest musical journey, which took place through sessions in San Francisco, New York, New Delhi and Marrakesh. While his best known records, like Sri Durga, reflect immersion in traditional Indian music, this new album delves into North African music–Moroccan, Yemeni […]

Their MajestiesLands Where Tales are Tall(Just Friends)This album brims with a boisterous sense of fun, a bratty sense of humour, a clever and fresh point of view, and adept musicianship. Country-rockers bookend Lands Where Tales are Tall, but the arrangements switch lanes often throughout. Horns (courtesy of David Myles) bring a soul-pop flavour to some […]

Better Friends than LoversGreat LovesGlobal SymphonicVancouverite quintet Better Friends than Lovers play with Toronto’s Germans and The Got to Get Got on Saturday night at the Halifax Pop Explosion, which should be an energetic live show. On record, however, Great Loves sounds too much like other pop bands from the west coast—mainly Immaculate Machine. The […]

Josh RouseSubtítulo(Bedroom Classics/Nettwerk)Josh Rouse loves to toil under themes, big banners to wave. His first record, 1998’s Dressed up Like Nebraska, conjured the American Midwest mindset. In 2003 he delivered 1972, a full ode to the time and sweet, sensitive style of songwriting. Following his divorce record, Nashville, is the new Subtítulo. The overarching idea […]

The ShinsWincing the Night Away(Sub Pop)The Shins have nestled snugly in pop music’s consciousness. Actor Zach Braff pulled a Gus Van Sant (a la the filmmaker’s use of Elliott Smith on the Good Will Hunting score lo those many years ago) by using a few tracks by the band on his Garden State soundtrack, effectively […]

Down with the ButterflyRise(From Here to There)This is an accomplished album for a young, emerging band that plays with confidence and sonic verve—some fine production by Andrew Watt and gorgeous packaging complete the presentation. Too often, though, you think to yourself: oh, that sounds like Dinosaur Jr. (“Two Stories”), this one’s a Talking Heads-styled tune […]

VariousThe Secret Sessions—Rheostatics Tribute(Zunior)Many tribute albums lack coherence. Too many bands want to put their own spin on the songs, until they’re unrecognizable. Not this one. The Secret Sessions—Rheostatics Tribute presents 13 songs that remain true to the core of the original tunes while providing new angles. It’s a delicate balance that shows care and […]

Blue RodeoAre You Ready?(Warner)Even from the cover art for this 12th album from Blue Rodeo, the emphasis is on the roots in roots-rock. Amplifiers have been turned down from 11 in Days in Between from 2000. Palace of Gold, the previous release, was such an exciting record to listen to because of the experimentation with […]

Amelia CurranWar Brides(Gunner)“Scattered and Small,” “You Won’t Find Me” and “All the Ladies” are just about the best trio of songs you’re going to hear. This album has a thematic sway between life on one’s own or with another, even if it’s hoping and waiting for distances to be crossed. The mood follows from carefree […]

Basia BulatOh, My DarlingHardwood RecordsThis is a musical tour with stops at the sounds of diverse forebears and peers, from Joan Baez (vocal vibrato) to Amelia Curran and Jill Barber (moods and motifs of both) and Royal Wood (arrangements). Hailing from London, Ontario, Basia Bulat has talents and skills without question, but stands a bit […]