Sean Flinn

Dog DayNight GroupTomlabGuitarist/singer Seth Smith and drummer Corey Spidle stand apart as songwriters, but one can’t separate the bass/harmonies of Nancy Urich and the melodic lines drawn by Cristal Thili on keys from the overall gorgeous sound. A complete effort and complete joy, from the heavy downbeat that opens the album onward. Sean Flinncategories: Best […]

Danny MichelValhalla(Maple)There’s really nothing new under Danny Michel’s sun on Valhalla, but then, why mess with a good thing? The guy’s got plenty of ideas. On the first three tracks alone he goes from wee-hours acoustic ballad (“It’s Not the End of the World”) to a peppy country-and-westernized tune (“White Lightning”) to a radio-ready pop […]

Jim BrysonWhere the Bungalows Roam(Kelp)If you lament the loss of the rock-out side of Jim Bryson, you’re not alone. On his 2000 solo debut The Occasionals and on parts of his second record, 2003’s North Side Benches, the music often had the muscle to push the singer-guitarist, particularly his voice, to a frayed, ragged glory. […]

AugustanaAll the Stars and Bouelvards(Epic)Yet another band that subscribes to the Coldplay form of impassioned singalong. We must’ve reached critical mass for this kind of music by now, considering just the imports from the UK — Keane, Doves, Snow Patrol and so on. There’s very little to distinguish Augustana from the Brit lot, even though […]

The Album LeafInto the Blue Again(Sub Pop)No surprises from the fourth record by The Album Leaf, basically Californian singer and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle. The compositions here tip to the experimental, post-rock realm. Not surprisingly, LaValle has recently toured with Sigur Ros. LaValle cleans up the many tracks that go into a single song. This is […]

CommonFinding ForeverGood/GeffeKanye West executive produces. Will.i.am records a track. DJ Premier scratches on another. D’Angelo and Lilly Allen both sing. But this album is Common’s. The Chicago rapper comes in from the cold again with Finding Forever. Deserving so much more than he gets, he probably won’t rise in the public consciousness, pop culture, beyond […]

Young and SexyPanic When You Find It(Mint)The Victoria group, which pivots on the duo Paul Pittman and Lucy Brain, have delivered a passionate, urgent and sophisticated pop record in Panic When you Find It. Indeed, one experiences passion and urgency in youth. The band seems to not only understand that, but harness the energy as […]

No Luck ClubProsperity(Igloo Cartel recordings)Three Vancouverites—brothers Matt and Trevor Chan, on turntables and sampler respectively, are joined by Paul Belen on turntable—form the No Luck Club. On Prosperity, the self-described instrumental hip-hop loves the big, big beat. Even the three tracks comprising the “Introspective Suite” employ hard, percussive drum parts, cymbal crashes and a heavy […]

Jerry Granelli V-16The Sonic TempleSonglinesHave you ever just paused and thought how friggin’ cool it is that Jerry Granelli lives and works in Halifax? Every year ’round Atlantic Jazz Festival time, he brings friends and amazing players to this city. One of those occasions resulted in this two-CD set of brilliant arrangements and execution. Sean […]

The Just BarelysTop(Dead Bum)The Just Barelys instill beauty, intelligence, wit, melody and melancholia—and more—into just over 17 minutes of music. They’ll do wonders with a full length record. Top comes from Stephen Kelly and Eleanor King, two audio artists in complete harmony on every track. Playing, they have a light touch, though the production sounds […]

Forro in the DarkBonfires of São João(Nublu)This is a finely played, fun album. Bonfires of São João offers a dozen vocal and instrumental tracks mixing the always-inovative Brazilian take on pop, jazz, blues, folk and acoustic-dance. Jorge Continentino’s pifano (described on the band’s website as a “breathy flute”) and producer Mauro Rofosco’s zabumba (a “bass-y […]