CD/DVD review:I Killed the Prom Queen:: May 2009
Now-defunct Australian metalcore band I Killed The Prom Queen may not be a household name, but to their fans -- particularly the Aussie ones -- they were well loved. This final release, comprised of a full-length documentary and a live CD, is a fitting tribute with appeal that should stretch beyond their core fan base.
Now-defunct Australian metalcore band I Killed The Prom Queen may not be a household name, but to their fans -- particularly the Aussie ones -- they were well loved. This final release, comprised of a full-length documentary and a live CD, is a fitting tribute with appeal that should stretch beyond their core fan base.
CD review:Silverstein:: May 2009
In an over-crowded genre such as post-hardcore, it’s often hard to tell the players without a program. It’s impossible to condemn the style for sounding too same-ish, since, you could argue, don’t all bands in all genres by their very nature sound somewhat alike? But groups who make an effort to re-package those familiar chords, even in subtle ways, usually win a great deal of admiration.
In an over-crowded genre such as post-hardcore, it’s often hard to tell the players without a program. It’s impossible to condemn the style for sounding too same-ish, since, you could argue, don’t all bands in all genres by their very nature sound somewhat alike? But groups who make an effort to re-package those familiar chords, even in subtle ways, usually win a great deal of admiration.
CD review:Metric:: May 2009
There is a new discotheque vibe pulsing from Canada and its name is Fantasies. Unlike anything they’ve made in their previous three albums, Metric has made a full album that is worthy of filling large venues and providing back-beats for eccentric remixes. It’s themed exactly what it’s named; full of swirling fantasies and curious daydreams. Front woman Emily Haines has clearly taken the creative lead on this record, all the while acting as the album’s vulnerable protagonist in each song
There is a new discotheque vibe pulsing from Canada and its name is Fantasies. Unlike anything they’ve made in their previous three albums, Metric has made a full album that is worthy of filling large venues and providing back-beats for eccentric remixes. It’s themed exactly what it’s named; full of swirling fantasies and curious daydreams. Front woman Emily Haines has clearly taken the creative lead on this record, all the while acting as the album’s vulnerable protagonist in each song
film review: Feisty Feminist Porn:: May 2009
Eating popcorn at the movies is a must, even when you’re watching feminist porn. It’s Saturday night and I’m sitting in the Royal Theatre and Feisty Feminist Porn on the Big Screen is underway, the second sexy night following Good for Her’s Feminist Porn Awards. Tonight the audience will get a more satisfying taste of films from the winner’s of Saturday’s awards ceremony, followed by a panel discussion with the directors, hosted by Coco Le Crème.
Eating popcorn at the movies is a must, even when you’re watching feminist porn. It’s Saturday night and I’m sitting in the Royal Theatre and Feisty Feminist Porn on the Big Screen is underway, the second sexy night following Good for Her’s Feminist Porn Awards. Tonight the audience will get a more satisfying taste of films from the winner’s of Saturday’s awards ceremony, followed by a panel discussion with the directors, hosted by Coco Le Crème.
CD review: One Night Band:: March 2009
Montreal ska group One Night Band’s sophomore release, Hit & Run, shows development in the group’s dynamic. After losing their horn section, it appears ONB is compensating the honks and blows with an organ. Surprisingly, this works out pretty well.
Montreal ska group One Night Band’s sophomore release, Hit & Run, shows development in the group’s dynamic. After losing their horn section, it appears ONB is compensating the honks and blows with an organ. Surprisingly, this works out pretty well.
Concer review: Jill Barber: March 2009
Can you put that disco ball on one more time?” Jill Barber asks sweetly, batting her eyelashes somewhere over the heads of her adoring audience on February 21st at Toronto's Mod Club. The lighting technician obliges in an instant, dots of light briefly illuminating the doe-eyed faces of all those in attendance.
Can you put that disco ball on one more time?” Jill Barber asks sweetly, batting her eyelashes somewhere over the heads of her adoring audience on February 21st at Toronto's Mod Club. The lighting technician obliges in an instant, dots of light briefly illuminating the doe-eyed faces of all those in attendance.
CD review: Coconut Records:: March 2009
When listening to Jason Schwartzman’s latest record as Coconut Records, Davy, it’s hard to realize that he’s not just your best friend that emailed you a fun record he whipped up. It’s charming and modest, and yet trying to be its best (he’s really the little engine that could) at the same time.
When listening to Jason Schwartzman’s latest record as Coconut Records, Davy, it’s hard to realize that he’s not just your best friend that emailed you a fun record he whipped up. It’s charming and modest, and yet trying to be its best (he’s really the little engine that could) at the same time.
Concert review: Mother Mother:: January 2009
Lee’s Palace is packed to the tits. The air is charged on a Friday night, as hip kid’s crowd the floor, beers in hand as red lights reflect off their scarves and sneakers. The rooster himself, Ryan Guldemond has landed on the stage decked with his signature cock-a-doodle flare and is belting out, “O My heart it’s a fish out of water.”
Lee’s Palace is packed to the tits. The air is charged on a Friday night, as hip kid’s crowd the floor, beers in hand as red lights reflect off their scarves and sneakers. The rooster himself, Ryan Guldemond has landed on the stage decked with his signature cock-a-doodle flare and is belting out, “O My heart it’s a fish out of water.”
Music review: Hey Monday:: January 2009
By this point, most people who pay attention to popular music have at least heard of The Ting Tings. Getting Shut Up And Let Me Go in an iPod commercial helped, but they’ve also appeared on the soundtracks for shows like 90210 and Gossip Girl and promoted themselves with appearances on late night talk shows. They’re yet another guy/girl indie-rock duo, but they have an infectious flair that justifies their existence.
By this point, most people who pay attention to popular music have at least heard of The Ting Tings. Getting Shut Up And Let Me Go in an iPod commercial helped, but they’ve also appeared on the soundtracks for shows like 90210 and Gossip Girl and promoted themselves with appearances on late night talk shows. They’re yet another guy/girl indie-rock duo, but they have an infectious flair that justifies their existence.
Music review: Hey Monday:: January 2009
Hey Monday's debut offering delivers just the sort of cheery powerpop one would expect, but with a few subtle perfections that set them apart from other, similar bands. Most notably, Cassadee Pope's voice is a real treat. She's consistently in key and, in general, her tone is incredibly pleasing to the ears.
Hey Monday's debut offering delivers just the sort of cheery powerpop one would expect, but with a few subtle perfections that set them apart from other, similar bands. Most notably, Cassadee Pope's voice is a real treat. She's consistently in key and, in general, her tone is incredibly pleasing to the ears.
Sexykiller movie review:: September/October 2008
Sexykiller is a lurid foray into gore, fashion and one woman’s agenda for reckless murder. Oftentimes over the top, director Miguel Marta has created a campy, irreverent world where death is delivered with style, in a senseless, yet calculated, manner.
Sexykiller is a lurid foray into gore, fashion and one woman’s agenda for reckless murder. Oftentimes over the top, director Miguel Marta has created a campy, irreverent world where death is delivered with style, in a senseless, yet calculated, manner.
Concert Saul Williams :: July 2008
New York raised poet, MC and actor Saul Williams slammed his way into Toronto on April 14 at the Mod Club, mesmerizing a sold-out crowd with his unique flow and unapologetic beats and rhythms. extraordinaire Sophie Kinsella.
New York raised poet, MC and actor Saul Williams slammed his way into Toronto on April 14 at the Mod Club, mesmerizing a sold-out crowd with his unique flow and unapologetic beats and rhythms. extraordinaire Sophie Kinsella.
Book Review: Remember Me? :: May 2008
With lazy hot days approaching, light summer reading is to be expected. And one book hot off the press is Remember Me? by chick-lit authour extraordinaire Sophie Kinsella.
With lazy hot days approaching, light summer reading is to be expected. And one book hot off the press is Remember Me? by chick-lit authour extraordinaire Sophie Kinsella.
Music Review: Nine Inch Nails :: May 2008
Trent Reznor is definitely on a roll. Now free of his ties to a major record label, he can produce as much music as often as he wants, and that seems to be exactly what he's doing.
Trent Reznor is definitely on a roll. Now free of his ties to a major record label, he can produce as much music as often as he wants, and that seems to be exactly what he's doing.
Music Review: Dark Lotus :: May 2008
It’s been four years since Dark Lotus dropped Black Rain, but now they’re back in full force with this wicked collection of new tunes under the concept of The Opaque Brotherhood: a shadowy, elite secret society who worships the power of the lotus.
It’s been four years since Dark Lotus dropped Black Rain, but now they’re back in full force with this wicked collection of new tunes under the concept of The Opaque Brotherhood: a shadowy, elite secret society who worships the power of the lotus.