Jim Nunn It’s Time to Retire You Cranky Fuck
Published November 25, 2008. Jim Nunn It’s Time to Retire You Cranky Fuck Okay Jim you stodgy old koot, I think it’s time you fuck off to bed or the backwoods out of the public eye. Your cantankerous manner of idiot attack journalism-sum-public flogging isn’t wanted anymore, and sure as hell not needed by anyone.…
Not # 1 in my books!
Published November 26, 2008. Not # 1 in my books! I’m a day student who has to take a bus from my house and then transfer at Scotia square to catch the #1 bus just to get to class and though not all of the drivers are guilty of this, there are a sadistic few…
Off with their heads
Published November 24, 2008. Off with their heads I’m shocked that Nova Scotians are not more outraged about the hundreds of motorists being stranded on the Cobequid Pass. I cannot believe that Nova Scotians are so laid back, that they would let the Minister of Transportation use this as “a learning experience” at the expense…
spaghetti or bust.
Published November 26, 2008. spaghetti or bust. to the owner of a certain deli take out: Lady maybe if you take the permanent scowl off your face and stop being such a b_—-people might buy something in your store/ restaurant. By the way your staff all hate you and your prices are too high. anonymous
Fuck Snow and the people who love it.
Published November 23, 2008. Fuck Snow and the people who love it. Every year at this time I start to hear it from these fucking retarded assholes who just LOVE snow. Snow is fucking slippery, cold, wet, and DANGEROUS but to hear some people talk about it it’s gold rained down from heaven. People who…
Sidewalk Hogs
Published November 24, 2008. Sidewalk Hogs To all you people waiting for the bus, hanging around outside stores, or otherwise just sitting around enjoying the weather: Please do not stand right in the middle of the sidewalk. There are very few things less frustrating than being in a rush and having some asshole standing obliviously…
Kate Watson’s Laramie Project review
DalTheatre’s The Laramie Project is an interesting blend of theatre and investigative journalism. It was written collaboratively by a New York theatre group after its members conducted a series of interviews with people of Laramie, Wyoming, a town now infamous for the brutal murder of gay university student Matthew Shepard. The 16 actors play multiple…
Ah boo
Remember that Wax Mannequin show (Nov 29 at Gus’ Pub) I was so stoked about? It’s cancelled. Trike from Vancouver are still playing though.
If the Forum is a-Dokken, don’t bother knockin’
This spring at the Halifax Forum get ready to get right out of ‘er and basically have the best tailgate party of your lifetime. For on May 8, you get Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, White Lion, L.A. Guns and Enuff Z’nuff and on May 9 you get Dokken, RATT’s Stephen Pearcy, Slaughter, Faster Pussycat, Bullet…
Big tickets. Novelty-sized tickets, even.
I’ll bet all those lucky bastards who got to their phones in time to get tickets for the Neil Young (with opener Wilco!) concert this Saturday are getting stoked. They ought to be anyway. You can always hope for scalpers, gang. And maybe the Neil Young post-party at the Seahorse with Gloryhound and the Skyhawks…
PicnicBitch
PicnicBitch Popular comedy person who will remain nameless: You’ve gotta cut down on the weed. Yeah, yeah, blah, blah “choices” bullshit, yeah, yeah “helps me focus/in bed/relax/write” bullshit. Whatever. LISTEN: I’m okay with the people blowing sunshine up your ass for getting on the way to success, but buying into your own hype too soon…
Stop with the Bus Bitches……..
Published November 20, 2008. Stop with the Bus Bitches…….. 1) “someone was eating on the bus” …Food Bus Nazi 2) “I had to stand out in the rain”… Purchase an Umbrella 3) “you either come too early or late”.Didn’t you know? Metro Transit Controls Traffic 4) “strollers, blah blah blah” Umm, perhap try moving to…
Monia Mazigh reading
Most Canadians are aware of Maher Arar, and remember his wife Monia Mazigh, as a constant presence on the news as she tirelessly campaigned to free Arar from a Syrian prison. Mazigh’s just written about the experience in the book, Hope & Despair – My Struggle To Free My Husband, Maher Arar, which she’ll be…
Winter Tires
Published November 23, 2008. Winter Tires I’ve read through some other bitches complaining that NS drivers need winter tires. I would like to point out, that in some cases winter tires are great. I MOST cases, it is the stupidity of the driver, not their tire condition. Nova Scotia has some pretty nasty snow storms,…
Breaking news: LA Weight Loss closing– Updated
Update I believe The Coast is the first to report that nine LA Weight Losses are closing in Atlantic Canada. I just received the following email from David Shneer, responding to my written questions (in italics): Which centres are you planning on closing, and when? We are closing 9 Centres located in Atlantic Canada on…
Myles Deck and the Fuzz put it on vinyl
Music Week nominee Myles Deck & The Fuzz have pressed a 7″ called Police Cops, and those little suckers are gonna be selling like hotcakes November 29 in Hell’s Kitchen with The Motorleague (Moncton) and Wrote Off (Sydney). Police Cops sounds like some sort of universally funny inside joke to me. Deck explains, “The name…
Snow Snow Everywhere!!!
Published November 24, 2008. Snow Snow Everywhere!!! I’ve just been wondering why at 9:30pm on Monday night after the snowstorm on Friday night…. STILL ROAD’S ARE NOT PLOWED!!!!!!! My street and a few more that I’ve driven on in the city have not even been touched by a plow. I am outraged. Last year when…
Bubbles would be ashamed…
Published November 23, 2008. Bubbles would be ashamed… Why do you even bother to get a cat while you’re in university if you have to put it down two years later when you go back to home to mommy and daddy? There are other options you know (the easiest being not to get a cat…
Snowed Out-of-Business
Published November 22, 2008. Snowed Out-of-Business To all the businesses who decided against opening on Saturday after the roads had been plowed, way to go. You lost my business and money. Tell your employees to buy some fucking winter tires! Alex
Snowbank Troubles
Published November 24, 2008. Snowbank Troubles So I, like many others in Halifax, commute everywhere by bus. I’m in my 20’s, wearing waterproof boots, and don’t mind the odd ‘climb over the snow bank’ routine when HRM fails to remove snow from around the many bus stops in Halifax. But, this morning while waiting for…
Holiday Handmade Market
It’s that time of year again. Halifax Crafters takes over the North Street Church (5657 North) for their annual Holiday Handmade Market. Check out some of the finest crafty gifts this city has to offer Saturday, December 6, 11am-5pm and Sunday, December 7, 12pm-5pm.
An Open Letter to the Comically Horrid
Published November 24, 2008. An Open Letter to the Comically Horrid Thank you ever so much for your recent prize worthy journalism. In perhaps what is the greatest economic bust in recorded history, you have chosen to showcase those poor unfortunate souls who have two houses (but with debt!) and a tenured husband (so they…
Snow Plow Manifesto
Published November 23, 2008. Snow Plow Manifesto People of HRM hereby declare that… 1. All plow operators must pass and IQ test before being allowed on HRM streets. 2. All people leaving their vehicles parked on the street after a snow storm will be publicly flogged daily on the Grand Parade. 3. All drivers of…
Dear Family Doctor
Published November 21, 2008. Dear Family Doctor Why are you still taking new patients when your current patients can’t even get appointments? I’ve been trying to get an appointment for the past two weeks and nothing’s available. What’s the point of having a family doctor anyway when I’m constantly having to visit the walk in…
Stop the Stop
Published November 23, 2008. Stop the Stop Anyone working in the Burnside area will know exactly what I am talking about when I mention the rediculously long wait at the intersection leaving highfeild and entering Burside.Every morning I sit at the red light and count 30 or more cars coming from the other direction….then the…
Buy art and change the world
FRED (2606 Agricola) is the place to be if you love art and that king-of-the-world feeling you get from contributing to a good cause. On Thursday, November 27, there’s Leave Out Violence’s annual art auction, where you can bid on work by Cliff Eyland, Sherry Lynn Jollymore, Kevin Lewis and many others. Tickets are a…
Wax Bananaquin
Holy shit! Anyone who knows me knows that “Animals Jump” is my jam. It’s the perfect mix of heavy riffage, ridiculous premises and itty bitty animals dancing in a serious way. To see it performed in person is, ‘ow you say, NANNERS. You’ll get your chance this November 29 when Wax Mannequin brings down the…
Back To The Future: Part Infinity
Hey little dudes, I am back from two and a half months of rocking debauchery and I am happy to say that I am writing Scene and Heard again. Linking shit online is a guilty pleasure and nothing feeds it with quite the same intensity as daily blogging. So holla at your girl if you…
Too early, or late? Whichever one.
Published November 24, 2008. Too early, or late? Whichever one. Hey, buddy in the bobcat that keeps coming back every few hours to idle at the entrance to Stadacona: No matter how small your itty bitty machine is, it still makes enough noise to wake me up from across the street. You’ve been coming around…
Yes, There is a Problem.
Published November 22, 2008. Yes, There is a Problem. To the middle-aged yuppie bitch who thinks that the world revolves around her: I was wearing earphones as I walked up South Park St. on Friday. I thought I was walking in a straight line, and when I walked into your path I couldn’t hear you…
Fuck security!
Published November 23, 2008. Fuck security! To the honky tonk bitch that said I was giving her attitude for asking what time the show started, and the young blonde ass security hole outside that called me a bitch and let everybody in before me; Karma is a bitch and you two are fucked! Get off…
Rents are too high
The analysis is correct, but the solution is all wrong: Currently, tax assessments are capped at the rate of inflation for all residential properties, except for large multi-unit dwellings. “Every other type is covered under this assessment cap . . . homes and co-op housing and mobile homes and condominiums,” Liberal MLA Diana Whalen, who…
Economic meltdown: Boring!
Of course we regular people need all the information we can get as the economy tanks, so it’s a worthy undertaking when the only provincial newspaper puts its resources, and five reporters, to the task of covering the precarious financial situation But, er, does it have to be so boring? Does anyone come away from…
what’s the difference?
Published November 21, 2008. what’s the difference? I understand there’s a law against talking on a cell phone while driving, because you’re suppose to have both hands on the wheel, and have as few distractions as possible. HOWEVER, can someone PLEASE explain to me the difference between holding the phone up to your ear vs.…
Palermo the Terrible
Published November 21, 2008. Palermo the Terrible Almost every review I’ve ever read is negative, even for the movies he likes. Do us all a favour and stop printing his crap it wastes valuable ink. Go to rottentomatoes.com to read reviews of some respectable critics. Time for a change
Metro Transit Etiquette
Published November 21, 2008. Metro Transit Etiquette To all you Metro passengers who feel that your bag/napsack/oversized purses need a seat for themselves, I am here to tell you put them on your fuckin lap when there are people attempting to find a seat. When you get in a seat here`s a suggestion, don`t sit…
BITCH
Published November 20, 2008. BITCH thank you for draining me of everything good. The person i used to be, the outgoing, funny, fun , witty guy. Thanks for sucking the good right out of me and making me think that life really isnt worth living. I tried to make shit work, but you sitting home…
Cheap Sunglasses
Published November 21, 2008. Cheap Sunglasses To all you ladies who believe they look so hot with those incredibly oversized, hideous, laughable glasses, here to tell ya, u look fuckin ridiculous. Corey Hart ain`t no friend of mine
Unplowed Sidewalks
Published November 22, 2008. Unplowed Sidewalks What hell is this city thinking?! Over 12 hours after the majority of the snow fell and most of the sidewalks haven’t been plowed. I went out to pick up some food and nearly got killed for my trouble as I walked along Willett street. I’ve never understood why…
Adding to the Metro Transit Etiquette
Published November 21, 2008. Adding to the Metro Transit Etiquette I agree with everything ever posted about Metro Trasnit. I would just like to add my bitch as well. If there is no room to sit, why do all the people standing crowd towards the front of the bus? Why does the bus driver HAVE…
Economic Gangbang
Published November 22, 2008. Economic Gangbang Here’s what has been really going on with the economy over the past several months: A critical mass of individuals has assembled a trading block that appears on the surface to be unrelated. In fact it is a highly integrated and coordinated effort. Collectively they sold short the entire…
Time for some sober reflection
Published November 21, 2008. Time for some sober reflection To loud drunk guy, floppy drunk girl, and puking drunk guy on the #1 last week: WHY? Why were you that drunk at 5:30 in the afternoon, why did you feel the need to keep chanting my school (and presumably yours)’s name really loudly, and why…
no respect for life
Published November 21, 2008. no respect for life as most of us know there was a woman killed on barrington street on monday outside a time hortons, but what the hell is wrong with tim’s?? they may have closed the blinds to distract customers from the fact that someone just lost their life, but you…
Metro Bus Drivers
Published November 21, 2008. Metro Bus Drivers Is there a rule that says Bus Drivers always have the right of way? It seems to me that they think as soon as their blinker comes on traffic besides them disappears…. Gonna get clipped by a bus
No one wants to be a Guardian Angel
Besides the fact that not many people want to play vigilante, the problem with the Guardian Angels is that it doesn’t address root causes of crime. You can spend two hours a week marching around, wannabe cop fashion, or you can spend two hours volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, or coaching a ball team…
Ow
Published November 21, 2008. Ow Why the hell do paper cuts hurt so much bleeding, just a little.
Shrimp!
The winter trap-caught shrimp fishery just started in Guysborough County. The nine fishermen from Canso who catch these wee crustaceans took a break last night to eat shrimp, drink beer and hobnob with Very Important Haligonians at the Garrison brewery – Ecology Action Centre Shrimp & Brew showcase last night. Alen Newell’s one of these…
Until next time
Stolen Mink Steph Johns is back from her mammoth tour, so my fill-in stint is over like clover. Thanks for reading. I wish I could’ve gone out on a better news week but that’s, as they say, the biz.
to the child puncher on the bus
Published November 20, 2008. to the child puncher on the bus To the sick fucker who said that to his 6-8 year old grandkids on the #7 Robie at about 7:50PM (Thursday, Nov 20), and got off at Robie/North… I hope you get what is coming to you. I know who the kids parents are,…
Intentional self-humiliation?
Published November 20, 2008. Intentional self-humiliation? To the guy who repeatedly stared at me in the library and encouraged his friend to do the same: When I acknowledged you’re looking at me like I’m an animal, shoot you an unsatisfactory look and then look away, it usually means you stop staring and get over it.…
Prismatic this weekend
It’s tough enough to make a living as a professional artist—especially in a city like Halifax where there’s no municipal or provincial arts council support—but for artists from culturally diverse backgrounds, there are more challenges to be faced. Often artists are relegated to multicultural events or special occasions, rather than accepted as mainstream theatre, dance,…
Media Vultures
I am sick of the way papers and tv cover tragedies these days. It was capped by a picture run on the cover of a local paper this past Tuesday (Nov.18) about the horrible accident that occured downtown. Instead of printing a simple cops on scene or even a shot of the truck involved, they…
Grocery Shopping for dummies:
For the past year I have worked as a cashier at my “super” job at a certain grocery store in Halifax. I’m sure everyone has their horror stories of cashiers bruising their bananas, or god forbid squishing their bread and I’d be willing to bet that you marched your asses up to customer service and…
Eating on the bus?
Did you not see the sign on the bus that says NO FOOD? The rest of us aren’t allowed on with food or drink, I would like to know A) How you managed to get it past the bus driver B) Why you think you’re more special than the rest of us and can eat…
Theatre listing correction
The contact number to buy tickets for the theatre production Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, running November 26-30 at the North Street Church was printed incorrectly in this week’s paper. The correct number is (902) 868-1168.
Halifax “Live” Music
Why does the coast advertise dj’s and karaoke under the heading of “Live” music. Live music is delivered by a person or person’s performing music. Karaoke and dj’s do provide a sort of entertainment, but it’s not “Live MUSIC.”
it’s ALWAYS the driver’s fault
the driver is the one driving the godamn death machine. i’m so sick of the blame-the-pedestrian mentality that seems to flourish on these boards. if you’re in a ton of metal, YOU have the responsibility. i am so sick of these stupid fucks who cannot be arsed to come to a complete stop at a…
Where’s the fire?
Why is everyone now complaining about the polygraph for the HRM employees? They’ve been using it for years and no one has complained. And then the media “scoops” it now. Well, why didn’t they find out before? I am not impressed by your supposed investigative skills. Yes, the questions are embarassing, but clearly not embarassing…
what the…
Ok Ok.. Parade of lights was wet, but fun none the less.. What was with a certain radio stations float? Two 14 year old looking little girls dressed in a school girl uniform dancing around on a stage by themselves?? Looked like a float for a strip club… there was a dead silence ..all around…
Graffiti
Can someone explain to me why public/private property gets covered with graffiti? Riding to work, I see signs, fences, retaining walls, homes and businesses with spray-painted sheeite on them. A few people were cleaning or repainting over the damage every week only to have the same moron paint the shit on again. To me, that…
Trying to get sleep, Don’t wanna hear human mating!
About 2 weeks ago one morning I woke up in my bed and I planned to keep sleeping. As I was drifting back to sleep, I started hearing loud moans, both from a man and woman, along with bed-squeaking noises coming from next-door…geez I wonder what THEY were doing? I tried to ignore it but…
Bus bitch
To the douchebags that are responsible for having me wait for the bus in the freezing rain today, I say this: If your forecasting of bus routes and daily usage is equal to that of a weatherman/woman…may I recomend to you a new line of work. Playing “pin the tail on the donkey” unfortunately for…
spitting hats
to the young men in halifax who all seem to dress with backwards hats, and mini thug clothing. please stop spitting every ten seconds. you spit on the bus, you lean out of your car to spit at red lights, you spit in class, you spit on the floor at the pub, the grocery store,…
Not Cool Enough to Shop Here
I am a middle aged woman. I am not fashionable. I am slightly overweight. I wear sensible shoes. I do not wear makeup. I am what you might call frumpy. I also have more disposable income than you will have for at least 20 years, if you stay in school and make smart choices. I…
Hey Sexist Superficial Assholes!
This is to the 2 regulars at the restaurant I work at: Hey! You have been coming in every day for lunch lately. I served you like 20 times. Four other girls have served you about that many times. I always wondered why you were so fucking cheap. I bent over backwards for you every…
TIP ME ASSHOLES
To the jerky family who didn’t leave me a tip on their $200 bill last night: FUCK YOU! You think being miserable is in my job description? You’re the kind of people who make serving the shittiest job in existence. Next time I’m going to spill beer all over your food and write over that…
Love, Me Scarves
This Saturday, November 22, pop on by Love, Me Boutique (1539 Birmingham) for a felted scarf workshop for a fee of $22, which includes use of professional tools, all materials (the scarf base and embellishment fibres) and walk away with beautiful gift for someone special, or to keep your own neck warm. The workshop is…
Ristorante A Mano
Experience pizza like you’ve never tasted it before at Ristorante A Mano (1477 Lower Water). The menu is written in Italian with an English translation. The Pollo (roasted tomato, chicken and goat cheese) pizza is divine. Or just go for dessert, the peanut butter gelato is something to write home about. Seriously. Ristorante A Mano…
Recession coming home?
International bedding-bath-dining one-stop shop Linens ‘n Things filed for bankruptcy in the spring. The hope was to restructure its debts, close its worse performing stores and find a buyer for the rest, but with the global financial meltdown, no one’s willing to front the dough, even if a buyer could be found. The retailor is…
Mattoni mineral water
Various locations in Halifax offer a taste of the Czech Republic in bottle form. Mattoni mineral water comes from the natural springs of Karlovy Vary. Dalhousie commerce grad Dan Jockel fell in love with the brand of water when he was a kid spending summers in Czech. His father, Pavel Jockel, owner of Jockel Import…
Tunstile holiday show and sale
This weekend Turnstile Pottery Cooperative (2733 Agricola) raises a glass of cider with holiday cheer for the annual holiday show and sale. Be sure to pop on by to Turnstile November 22 and 23 anytime between 10am and 5pm for some great gift ideas. “We have our show and sale twice a year, once before…
Night farmers
The Halifax Farmers’ Market is truly the heart of this city. With the Christmas season quickly approaching (just over a month until Santa’s big night), instead of begrudgingly shopping in the usual consumer haunts, head on down to the courtyard in the Historic Keith’s Brewery (1496 Lower Water) for gift ideas created by local artisans,…
That Dress Does Wonders For Your Figure
Published November 19, 2008. That Dress Does Wonders For Your Figure What’s with all the backhanded compliments from everyone? Whatever happened to just being nice to your friends? Thinks You Look Great Today
“Fashionistas”
Do you have stance on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict? No? NO? THEN LOSE THE FUCKING KEFFIYEH. If I see one more trendy hooligan walking around in a colourful keffiyeh scarf from American Eagle or Urban.. wherever the hell it is that you get that shit, I’m going to .. I’m going to come bitch…
Planners play with future
To the editor, The new thinking by Halifax planners is to increase the height limit for building in downtown Halifax and curtail public participation in decisions. I am involved with Nova Scotia Heritage Trust and believe these buildings, as the oldest in English Canada, mark Halifax as unique. There are many options for high-rises not…
Terfry revives CBC 2
Who would have ever thought that CBC Radio 2 would become the saviour of Halifax’s nauseating radio scene? Radio 2 has finally moved out of the 17th century, replacing hours of sleep-inducing classical music with the new afternoon show, The Drive, hosted by Mount Uniacke’s Rich Terfry (AKA Buck 65). Featuring independent artists, upcoming Canadian…
Don’t call us fleas, please
To the editor, What’s the difference between a farmer and a flea? I was young when I first heard of flea markets. I wondered, “Who would want to buy a flea?” Or if it was where tiny items were sold. Of course, I eventually learned that flea markets sell used goods and have participated in…
Council deals with library and Canada Games
The first meeting of the newly elected Halifax council progressed with some hilarity Tuesday, as Mayor Peter Kelly unsuccessfully attempted to navigate through City Hall’s perpetually broken computer system. Shiny new and no doubt expensive computers graced councillors’ desks, but the software failed to record some votes, dropped speakers from the list and failed to…
Prop 8 hate
Dan Savage says the numbers are on the good guy’s side and they’re working against the uberbigots.
High schooled
“I’ve read a lot of things, talked to some people at the Atlantic Film Festival who were saying, ‘What is it? Is it a comedy? Is it a drama?'” says Steven Yaffee, star of Halifax filmmaker Michael Melski’s Growing Op. “I don’t think it can be put into one category. I just think what it…
Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace is fancy James Bond title-speak for “a little peace of mind.” This Bond is scuffed up. And Angry. This is what propels Agent 007’s drive for vengeance. Seeking answers about why he was deceived by Vesper, his now-dead love interest from Casino Royale, Bond turns to violence to quench his pain. It’s…
Downtown’s missing buildings
City Council’s rejection of the Waterside Centre is getting a lot of attention. But the real story of Halifax development involves lots of plans that have been approved–where re all those skyscrapers? And can we build a decent city without them?
A side of cheese
Pierre Androuet’s Encyclopedia of Cheese is a useful reference guide to designing a proper cheese course at home. His recommendations include: Order of the speciesEating in order of increasing flavour. Arrange cheeses from weakest to strongest. How muchSelect an odd number – usually 3 or 5 cheeses. General crowd pleasers are a buttery brie, an…
Beige ambition
Sometimes when culinary customs travel west across the Atlantic, they arrive upside down and backwards. Take cheese. It’s usually served before the meal, filling us up with globs of tasty fat before a meal haseven begun. I learned this the hard way. Picture it: a handful of puffy Canadian students crowded around a table in…
Things the Grandchildren Should Know
Things the Grandchildren Should Know Mark Oliver Everett(Thomas Dunne Books)You do a lot of flipping back to reread passages in this memoir from the founder and front man of the American music group, Eels. Not because it’s written unclearly or the ideas are difficult, but because of sheer disbelief that so much misfortune can befall…
Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Hilarious House of FrightensteinDirected by: Directed by Riff Markowitz(First Run Features)Childhood nostalgia can be a tricky and illusory beast. Many films and TV shows I adored as a kid have held up beautifully while others have fallen flat. So I was a little worried when I sat down with The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, a…
Matthew Good
Live At Massey Hall
Slam dunk
Fresh off the win, Halifax’s spoken word team is now the two-time champ of the National SLAM Competition.
Stompin’ Tom Connors
Stompin’ Tom ConnorsBallad of Stompin’ Tom(EMI) This Canadian cultural figure adds to his legacy with vigour. The plywood stomping board has been retired and his energy is more Thursday night Legion than mining town booze-up. Still, he spins a yarn and turns a phrase with the best. “Rose of Silver Falls” drops a gypsy caravan…
St. John’s, 2.0
Yet another old Halifax church is to be torn down, but the congregation vows to return to serve modern needs.
Travis
TravisOde to J. Smith(Red Telephone Box/Fontana North)Having emerged in the late ’90s, along with forgettable bands from Cast to Oasis (if only we could forget), Travis releases its sixth proper album. Singer-guitarist Fran Healy is the principal songwriter once again, though bassist Douglas Payne co-writes on several, including a standout/rock-out number, “Something Anything.” Healy’s one…
Pants: on fire
Lie detector tests reveal more about the organization giving the test than the person being tested.
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the JohnsonsAnother World(Secretly Canadian)The eco-apocalyptic title track, “Another World,” off this five-song EP—a prelude to a full 2009 release—is so viscerally sad and full of loss that it’s guaranteed to make tears well and neck hair stand on end. Mixing fragility and strength like Nina Simone, Nico or Chet Baker, artist/singer Antony Hegarty…
Spoon country
Alt-folker Rae Spoon sings of travelling through Canada’s most isolated corners.
Brian Borcherdt
Brian BorcherdtCoyotes(Hand Drawn Dracula)If you think about Holy Fuck and Brian Borcherdt’s solo work, they really aren’t that far apart. Sure, on the surface there’s a sonic discrepancy: propulsive rhythms and chest-exploding synth/bass/drum attack vs. whispered vocals and softly strummed guitar chords. But look beyond volume settings and BPMs, and underneath it all there’s a…
Olympic Symphonium w/Heavy Meadows and Don Brownrigg
This week’s sure thing….
Present tension
With 250 years of democracy under our kilts, does history hold the provincial Tories back?
