Various
Fallin’ Off the Reel (Truth and Soul)
After an impressive run of releasing seven-inch singles for quite some time, Brooklyn-based Truth and Soul finally scrapes together some of their hot sevens, plus some new tracks, and puts them on Fallin’ Off the Reel. Things start off right with Bama and the Family’s “Feeling Good,” followed closely by Timothy McNeely’s “KC Stomp.” There is no shortage of authentic funk here, complete with a smattering of Latin songs thanks to Bronx River Parkway contributions like “Mas Y Mas” and “Lima Blues.” Standout tracks include the two El Michels Affair covers of Wu Tang classics “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Glaciers of Ice,” making this comp 19 tracks of proper funk and soul for those hot summer months. 8/10 (Scott C)
Thom Yorke
The Eraser (XL/Select)
Being the head of the operation—not necessarily the boss, but literally the mouth, face and brain—there’s no better Radiohead imitator than this guy (see Muse review, below). Nigel Godrich produced Yorke’s solo debut, a claustrophobic brew of dour lyrics and prickly piano, synths, beats, bass and vocals. Of course, it sounds a little like a one-note Radiohead album, but the sharp arrangements and consuming mood make it sturdy enough to stand on its own. In some ways, The Eraser is too easily pegged as Radiohead-lite, what with the expectations and standards surrounding a band of that magnitude, but it’s a worthy addition to the set, regardless. 7.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Muse
Black Holes and Revelations (A&E/Warner)
I really wish I could get past Matthew Bellamy’s voice because, for an arena band, Muse isn’t half bad. Maybe a third bad. Their dramatic, operatic, metallic tendencies walk the fine line between emotive gravitas and rock-star retardation, like they’re in the Dears/Arcade Fire camp one minute and hurtling into Dave Navarro/Bon Jovi purgatory the next. But I keep envisioning Bellamy’s secret life, between Muse albums, where he dyes his hair orange, sticks some packing tape on his left eyelid and plays popular covers of a much better band. 5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter) At Quai Jacques-Cartier on July 31
Birds of Prey
Weight of the Wound (Relapse/Koch)
Headed up by Alabama Thunderpussy’s Erik Larson, he recruits a dream team of metalheads from Throttlerod, Burnt By the Sun and Baroness, but instead of coming across like a supergroup, it falls limp and sounds like a half-baked side project. Lyrics from “Mangled by Mongoloids,” “Buttfucked With a Shotgun Barrel” and “Coke Mule” seem even too juvenile for your average S.O.D. fan. At their best, they do manage to drum up a Wolverine Blues-era Entombed sound on “Landfill Burial,” but with so much promise, you can’t help but think this could’ve been so much better. 6.5/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Damone
Out There All Night (Island/Universal)
Another major-label-friendly rocker here, but outside of Joan Jett look-alike Noelle on the vocals, strategically placed handkerchiefs, leather jackets and mascara, this is almost completely devoid of rock. Metal-tinged guitars rule this roost until the vocals, with all of the punch of an Ashlee Simpson single, erase any chance of success. This is all clichés, all the way down the line, with way too much emphasis on style and none on substance. All 12 songs are aimed at radio, and if the airwaves pick up on this, we’re all fucked. 4/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Vetiver
To Find Me Gone (Dicristina)
San Francisco’s Vetiver, aka Andy Cabic and company–including Devendra Banhart, here and there–have produced a sophomore album that exists somewhere between heaven and Earth, integrating the whispy and gritty aspects of roots music. The songs evoke everything from weightless psychedelic folk to mindless hippie drum circles to faceless ’70s soft rock, so while some songs make a strong impression, others are too easy to blink and miss. Levity and simplicity are qualities that Cabic manages to use to his advantage, but even a good drone or a mantra need substance to make it stick. 6/10 (Lorraine Carpenter) With Orillia Opry, Basia Bulat at la Sala Rossa,Wed., July 26, 9 p.m., $12
Rise Against
The Sufferer and the Witness (Geffen /Universal)
Produced by Descendants’ Bill Stephenson and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, this record does smoke sonically, but unfortunately, Rise Against can barely get a spark going. Don’t let the major label fool you, this is far more punk rock than most of the mall-core out there, but just as they gain ground on songs like “Injection,” “The Approaching Curve” and “Behind Closed Doors,” they muck it up with punk rock no-nos like overly earnest verses, woe-unto-me lyrics and predictable, layered choruses complete with “whoa whoa whoa” back up vocals. The MuchMusic card that comes with the CD, inviting you to download their ringtones, should’ve been the first tip-off. 6/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Lotterboys
Animalia (Eskimo/Fusion III)
Wasn’t ever too impressed with Germany’s Terranova—their boutique beat-crafting was capable but vacuous. But add Paris the Black Fu of Detroit Grand Pubahs to the mix, and you’ve got something to work with. The trio’s debut, Animalia, adds up to a slick, cool, frequently hilarious hybrid of X-rated psychedelic future funk, punchy electro-rock and dry-humoured Eurotronic disco goofin’, replete with trampoline basslines, hairy riffage, warped Moog wiggles and of course the inspired and eloquent trash talk of Paris. And dig that cover of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”! 8/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Roc C
All Questions Answered (Stones Throw/Koch)
If you thought the hip hop sounds coming out of Stones Throw over the last little while have mostly become a predictable soapbox for Madlib productions, you should prick up your ears for the rugged sounds of Roc C. This Oxnard MC seems to roll with a tad more weight than any of the label’s other signed MCs, quick to showcase his battle skills on more than one track. Nice to hear him rolling over Kankick beats like “Pop Off,” and calling in favours from cats like J-Ro from tha Liks, Chino XL, Aloe Blacc and even Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. This is also a moment for Oh No, who finally gets teamed with someone who can easily play with some his less accessible production, and make it sound like a perfect fit in the end. 7.5/10 (Scott C)
Boogat
Patte de Salamandre (HLM/DEP)
Once again, one of Quebec’s favourite hip hop artists shows how he sets himself apart from a sea of carbon copies and the same old thing. Daniel Russo Garrido, aka Boogat, was born to Mexican and Paraguayan parents, and actively embraces his heritage in both his rhymes and the production of this record, rapping and singing in French and Spanish. The LP shines with rhythmic departures like the first single “Le Feu” featuring les 2 Tom, Karim Ouellet and Accrophone, and although some may consider this very poppy, it’s far from a bad thing. My tune is “Tiene Que Salir,” where Boogat is joined by Nino Malo and Sola for a personal joint that will get your head bobbing. 7.5/10 (Scott C)
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Yell Fire (Boo Boo Wax)
Packing up a guitar and heading out to war-torn Iraq, Palestine and Israel, Michael Franti puts his money (and his life) where his morals are. While Franti’s documentary I Know I’m Not Alone chronicled his experiences on film, Yell Fire documents them in song. An upbeat album, equal parts reggae and rock, Yell Fire also reports tragedy and hope equally. Franti’s lyrics reflect the dissatisfaction of the aware with the War on Terror, grieving parents of children sent to war, soldiers who want to go home, the families surviving in hostile environments and the indignant protesting on the homefront. The vocals of Carlita & Zsa Zsa, Squiddly and Pink make for lush backups, while Sly & Robbie make several appearances throughout, lending extra groove to Spearhead’s sound. 7.5/10 (Lateef Martin)
Donell Jones
Journey of a Gemini (Sony BMG)
On his fourth set, Jones doesn’t offer any surprises, continuing instead to tread the MOR urban path that’s kept him in the game, although not centre stage. It starts off promisingly enough, with the funky “Better Start Talking” displaying a more upbeat side of the usually subdued Jones. But while there are other interesting moments—“Cry” builds nicely off a sample from Hall & Oates’ “Sara Smile,” and finds Jones pleading for change in an urban environment badly in need of it—the album spends an exorbitant amount of time navigating between too many soundalike tracks. And with 15 cuts, this journey is not only long, but way too familiar. 6.5/10 (Gerard Dee)
Chet Baker Köln Concert featuring Dick Twardzik (RLR) Chet Baker
The Lost Holland Concert featuring Dick Twardzik (RLR)
The magic name here is not Baker’s but that of pianist Twardzik. His recorded legacy is sparse in comparison to his talents as both a player and a composer. Tragically, he died of a heroin overdose in Paris in 1955 at the age of 24. The Köln event took place just weeks before. The quintet is the same on both CDs, but the band seems particularly on top of its game in Köln. As well as Jimmy Heath’s “C.T.A.,” Johnny Mandel’s “Tommyhawk” and “Imagination” are heard on both. The latter CD, recorded in September of ’55, also includes material from Switzerland and Germany. Lots of memorable music is heard on the 20 tracks contained on these two CDs, like when Chet turns things over to Twardzik for an extended version of his “Yellow Tango.” Köln 10, Holland 8.5/10 (Len Dobbin)
Mini CD Reviews
Satyricon Now, Diabolical (Century Media) Simply put, Satyricon is the best black metal band happening right now. 8.5 (JC)
Lil HospitalHeavy Metal (Total Gaylord) Sounds like an asylum for hyperactive Beach Boys. Keep palming those meds! 7.5 (LC)
The Bicycles The Good the Bad and the Cuddly (Fuzzy Logic) Snappy, happy, lucky, and sometimes too cute for its own good. 7 (LC)
Jiggy N KD Listen & Learn (independent) Jiggy n’ KD are on the move, on a mission to out-rep any other NDG crew who think they know what’s good. Middle fingers up... 7 (SC)
Various Couleur Monde (Du Rêve/Select) It may have little to do with actual jazz, but judging by this spread—Rachid Taha, Amadou & Mariam, Cubanisimo, Cornershop—Couleur Jazz 91.9FM works the worldbeat well. 7 (RB)
Banco de Gaia Farewell Ferengistan (Six Degrees) Toby Marks moves further away from rave’s perpetual propulsion, wobbling between a clever, incisive internationalism and earnest mondo-tronic mush. 6 (RB)
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