Reviews

Down with the ButterflyRise(From Here to There)This is an accomplished album for a young, emerging band that plays with confidence and sonic verve—some fine production by Andrew Watt and gorgeous packaging complete the presentation. Too often, though, you think to yourself: oh, that sounds like Dinosaur Jr. (“Two Stories”), this one’s a Talking Heads-styled tune […]

Natacha AtlasMishmaoul(Mantra)Though a variety of flavours has come to be expected from Atlas, she steps up as one of the most prominent singers in Arabic. Mishmaoul is not as food-court multi-cultural as her old band, Trans Global Underground. “Ghanwah Bossanova” finds accord between Middle Eastern phrasing and Brazilian tempo that has been heretofore inconceivable. Princess […]

Chantal KreviazukGhost Stories(Sony BMG)Seeing that the latest Chantal Kreviazuk record was produced by her hubby Raine Maida, one might conclude that this would be all kinds of suck—Kreviazuk has unleashed some of the most overwrought pop drivel in recent memory. But thanks to the unexpectedly light touch of Mr. Maida, Kreviazuk’s vocals are allowed to […]

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 […]

SparklehorseDreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain(Capitol)Mark Linkous has never been the picture of mental health. After releasing Sparklehorse’s debut album, Vivadixiesubmarinetrans-missionplot, he overdosed on Valium and anti-depressants and fell unconscious with his legs pinned under himself. The incident nearly crippled him and began a lengthy recovery process. His next two albums, […]

Cat PowerThe Greatest(Matador)Chan Marshall dropped her tortured waif aesthetic for a ride on the southern soul train this year, and in the process surprised damn near everyone with a new-found confidence that even saw her (of all things) dancing along to “Living Proof” on Letterman. Aptly titled, this album is her finest moment yet eclipsing […]

James HunterPeople Gonna Talk(Rounder)Singer-guitarist Hunter emerges from the shadow of employer Van Morrison, suave as Sam Cooke and weathered as John Hiatt—a combination previously encountered only in cats. The setup is so free of clutter that a dose of B3 organ and twin sax capability give proceedings a natty blue bounce.Doug Taylorcategories: Best of the […]

Sam RobertsChemical City(Universal)I wonder what Sam is trying to tell us with the title of his latest effort. The follow-up to his wildly succesSean Flinnul We Were Born in a Flame is a more psychedelic effort while remaining every bit as potent. The trippy, aTrevor MacLarenospheric vibe further expands his rustic rocker sound.Trevor Savorycategories: Canadian […]

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 […]