Reviews

They Shoot Horses Don’t They?Pick Up Sticks(Kill Rock Stars)Rarely is a band—one that can be broken down into its individual influences so easily—so damn interesting-sounding and so much fun. But Vancouver’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? are the exception. Part Liars. Part Modest Mouse. Equal blasts of Morphine and John Zorn (in the confident way […]

Smashing PumpkinsZeitgeist(Martha’s Music/Reprise)After the debacle of Machina, a lot of Smashing Pumpkins fans were left with a sour taste in their mouths—it was considered to be the final Pumpkins album; that is, until Zeitgeist was announced. For this album, Corgan rounded up Jimmy Chamberlain and headed back into the studio and while it may not […]

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 […]

Deborah HarryNecessary10H StreetAt 62, Harry can still coo, yowl and soar like she did 30 years ago with Blondie. Necessary Evil could be improved by cutting about five of the 17 songs. A surprise power ballad, “If I Had You”, makes the best use of her emotional range and the sound smorgasbord of Super Buddha, […]

Thurston MooreTrees Outside the AcademyEcstatic Peace!Call it what you want—quiet is the new loud, maturing as a songwriter, alleviating tinnitus—but sometimes it’s more daring for a musician to turn down the volume from the cloaking effects of inaudible feedback. In the case of Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, who for almost 30 years has been synonymous […]

Great PlainsHome of the New TotemOut of TouchSean MacGillivray made his name as a Sean-of-all-trades—he played drums in Burdocks, backs up Jenn Grant on bass, has guested in too many bands to list and is a go-to sound guy. How lovely to see his own terrific songs and voice—especially the soaring “Unnatural”—finally get a showcase. […]

Laura Peek and the Winning HeartsFrom the PhotographsJust FriendsKittens dancing with perfect choreography. Dance hall promenades. Tea parties serving cake with thick pink icing. Old people with juicy secrets. That’s what I think of when I listen to Laura Peek’s first full-length release. First-time producer Mike O’Neill shows his sensitive side, allowing all of Peek’s […]

WintersleepWelcome to the Night SkyLabworkThrow away the misleading stompalong of “Weighty Ghost” and you have nine of the most epic, evocative songs ever produced in this town. Tim D’Eon comes roaring to the front, layering intricate, beautiful guitar lines deep into “Drunk on Aluminum” and “Miasmal Smoke & The Yellow Bellied Freaks,” while Paul Murphy […]

Rogue Wave10: 1 EP (Sub pop) Rogue Wave’s 2003 gem Out of the Shadow (an album that criminally slipped under the radar) was a delightful mixture of indie-guitar bliss and crafted melodies from the hands of control freak/multi-talented (potential) genius Zach Rogue. With expectations set on high for the band’s follow-up (set for late September), […]

The Bad PlusSuspicious Activity? (Sony)The Bad Plus is one of the finest bands of the new school of free jazz. Adding a rock and pop fusion while covering Black Sabbath, Blondie, Nirvana and Aphex Twin has made them one of the most loved and eclectic jazz trios. With disc number three The Bad Plus switch […]

New Buffalo The Last Beautiful Day Arts & Crafts It appears that Arts & Crafts, Toronto’s indie label par excellence and home to the family most often referred to as Broken Social Scene has moved way outside their inner circle. New Buffalo is the Melbourne, Australia-based singer-songwriter Sally Seltmann. She began creating this album in […]

Sexsmith & KerrDesti-nation Unknown WarnerRon Sexsmith has joined vocal forces with long-time collaborator/drummer/ex -Rheostatic Don Kerr and created a recording that spends a great deal of its time revelling in an opportunity to explore Beatlesque duets and harmonies. This combination of elements hints at great potential and does not disappoint. Sexsmith has used this collaboration […]