Reviews

Ruth MinnikinFolk Art(Independent)Not a moment out of place, nor a note missing, on this album of less than 30 minutes. You feel caught up in a dreamy place, listening to lullabies for grown-ups or scores to whimsical short films that never existed, where you meet memorable characters like “The Admirable Admiral.”Sean Flinncategories: Local artist,Canadian artist,Best […]

Young and SexyPanic When you Find It(Mint)This is a savvy and sophisticated sounding band, based on, mainly, the musical partnership of Paul Pittrevor MacLarenan and Lucy Brain. They sing songs together about becoming adults, entering the adult world of work, fading friendships and other transitions. The closing tune “Satellite” is a gem among many, many […]

Jay-ZKingdom Come(Roc-a-fella)Back in 2003 Jay-Z announced his retirement prior to dropping his alleged swan song The Black Album. There was no heir to the Roca throne, so Hova opted to head back to the game and resume his reign with Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come is a welcome return. Blasting off with the smokin’ “Show Me […]

Birdman & Lil’WayneLike Father, Like Son(Cash Money/Universal)“Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” was the lead single to be released from Like Father, Like Son. The expectations have never been high for any previous Cash Money releases, which was also the case with this album, but it turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of 2006. […]

The Besnard LakesThe Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse (Jagjaguwar)Where the Besnard Lakes’ 2003 debut began like some lethal gas brewing in your pipes, this one opens brightly: “Baby, I’ve got some words for you.” OK, the song is “Disaster,” but a change of pace is afoot. Dark Horse puts greater emphasis on structure and […]

MogwaiZidane OST(PIAS)For even non-soccer fans, Zidane became a household name last summer after his head-butt in the dying minutes of the World Cup final virtually ended France’s hopes for victory. But the experimental film that bears his name has nothing to do with this soccer god’s career or the world’s response to his actions. Instead […]

WilcoSky Blue Sky(Nonesuch)After the alt-rock masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco’s A Ghost is Born was even darker and delved deeper into avant-garde composition. Each album featured some of Jeff Tweedy’s finest work, but both alienated many of the early Wilco fans who loved the band’s Americana style. Sky Blue Sky walks away from those experimental […]

Tori AmosAmerican Doll Posse(Epic)Tori Amos had too many songs, too many styles, too much to say for her ninth record, and only two options: either leave some of the material behind for later, or find a way to include it all. Enter Pip, Santa, Isabel and Clyde, alteregos Amos uses as a way to break […]

Lavender DiamondImagine Our Love(Matador)A few elements give LA-based Lavender Diamond a quick first step into your heart. The classically trained voice of Becky Stark has the purity and openness of a sweet virtuoso. Steve Gregoropoulos’s arranging delivers an aroma of parlour music, his authoritative piano saving the tunes from drifting into hippie-dippie land. A handy […]