Reviews

StabiloHappiness and Disaster(EMI) Chalk this one up as nothing more than a guilty pleasure. Stabilo’s major label debut Happiness and Disaster hits the same stumbling blocks as its predecessor, the 2004 EP Cupid. Happiness and Disaster is overall a better album than Cupid, but that’s not saying much—the catchier, more hook-laden tracks are enjoyable, but […]

The Flaming LipsAt War with the Mystics (Warner)It’s hard to believe when the realization hits you, but it becomes more apparent with every successive play: “Holy shit, the Flaming Lips have made a funk/soul album.” From the inspired grind of “Free Radicals” to the smooth keys of “Ambulance Driver,” At War with the Mystic is […]

Roxanne PotvinThe Way it Feels(Alert)The album is not her debut, but it feels like a coming out party for the Gatineau gal, what with the guest cameos and the busiest guitarist/producer around, Colin Linden. John Hiatt harmonizes on the snappiest of her compositions, “A Love That’s Simple.” Daniel Lanois turns up on the ballad “La […]

The RaconteursBroken Boy Soldiers(V2)This quartet would rate attention for its sweetness and fury even if it didn’t include Jack White and Brendan Benson. A stumble and a feint before the main melody is the Raconteurs’ signature. White’s intensity has a way of selling a tune that might ultimately be forgettable. A listener hip to these […]

Thom YorkeThe Eraser(XL)Fans of Radiohead’s more recent work will feel right at home with frontman Thom Yorke’s debut solo disc. Though The Eraser is surprisingly accessible, it’s still a long way from a commercial recording. Technology continues to provide Yorke’s haunting vocals with an intricate tapestry of bleeps and boops, seamlessly interwoven with organic instrumentation […]

Sonic YouthRather Ripped (Geffen)The pre-release reports were not exaggerating when they pinned the latest Sonic Youth release (the band’s 20th) as a rock record. Rather Ripped, at its core, is just that—taking song structure down to its basics. But don’t fret—there are many moments of buzzing guitar noise and guitar neck explorations, usually in the […]

Eric BachmannTo the Races(Saddle Creek)This is Eric Bachmann’s best disc ever. That may seem like a far-reaching statement given his track record—a series of stellar, lo-fi indie rock albums as Archers of Loaf followed by an equally prolific output as Crooked Fingers—but this latest is something else. It oozes soul from every nook and cranny […]

Candi StatonHis Hands(EMI)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 projects believable drama that clicks with country songs, even though the backing has that gritty Muscle Shoals, Alabama, vibe. The title song, written by Will Oldham, moves […]

Four TetRemixes(Domino)The electronica wizard Kieran Hebden (AKA Four Tet) is certainly one of the more adventurous and prolific artists out there. This two-CD retrospective highlights his talents as a producer/remixer and as a composer. The first CD showcases his favourite remixes of the past few years—from artists like Aphex Twin to Madvillan to Beth Orton–demonstrating […]

Lily AllenAlright, Still (EMI)An artist for the peer-to-peer generation, Lily Allen exploded on the UK scene earlier this year, her first single “Smile” rocketing to the top of the singles chart and becoming the hit of the summer across the pond. Set to a reggae-tinged backdrop, “Smile”—one woman’s vengeful thoughts towards her ex in the […]

Jill BarberFor All Time(Dependent/Baudelaire)At times Barber evokes a cabaret style while keeping rooted in folk, a sound that is hard to categorize. One thing is for sure—-Barber’s music is all heart, whether on her sleeve or breaking in two. Glorious melodies and soul-felt songs don’t get any better than this.Trevor MacLarencategories: Local artist,Canadian artist,Best of […]

Flaming LipsAt War With the Mystics(Warner)What makes the Flaming Lips so damn good is their adventurous nature to try new sounds. AWM is an absolute mesmerizing trip with the punk-prog-rock of the last two records with a ’70s/’80s funk vibe. It is playful yet sometimes dark, but a whole lot of fun from the last […]