Disc of the week

Jay Reatard
Matador Singles ’08 (Matador/Select)
To the prolific and equally eclectic Jay Reatard, the seven-inch format seems like a no-brainer. As pure genius as 2006’s Blood Visions was, Reatard packs it all in even quicker here and hits all of his targets sooner by further exploring his blatant pop sensibilities. Reatard also surprises here with his ADD even more in effect, and almost completely forgoes his trademark blitzkrieg with the new-wavey and infectious “An Ugly Death” and “Always Wanting More,” and a glorious post-punk treatment on the Deerhunter cover “Fluorescent Grey.” Reatard’s songwriting skills and Marc Bolan-meets-Rezillos vocal style is just too, too good to pass up. Buy it, download it, do whatever it takes because this is as good as it gets. 9/10 Trial Track: “Screaming Hand” (Johnson Cummins) With Chocolat, Vancougar at Cabaret, Sat., Oct. 18, 9 p.m., $15

Secret Machines
self-titled (TSM/World’s Fair)
Berlin-trilogy Bowie exists in the hearts of three Dallas/New York rockers and their dense third effort. Each epic-length track is moody and spatially detached as multi-faceted vocalist Brandon Curtis conjures his post-punk idols, yet isn’t afraid to be as warm and poppy as Matthew Sweet when harmonizing on “Underneath the Concrete.” The noisy, washed out guitars and metronome power drumming on “Have I Run Out?” might have you thinking Bauhaus, but there’s always a small flourish, like an unexpected keyboard line or psychedelic rock breakdown, that reminds you that Secret Machines are unique in their interpretation of these genres. 7/10 Trial Track: “Have I Run Out?” (Erik Leijon) With TK Webb & the Visions at les Saints, Tues., Oct. 21, 9 p.m., $17.50

The Wet Secrets
Rock Fantasy (Rodeo Peanut/Warner)
The secret’s out. This Edmonton quintet, boasting brass, keys, crunchy drums and bass plus members of Shout Out Out Out Out and the Vertical Strut—but no guitar, thanks—whip up the wetness with their punch-drunk swing punk, blown-gasket boogie and budgetronic soul trash (“Hot Roller”), always with a libidinous, laff-riot lurch to the lyrics. This should be evident enough from titles like “The Chinball Wizard” (Cadence Weapon’s bonus remix brings some retard bounce on board) and “I Tea Bagged Myself” (hey, I said they’re fulla sex, not sense). Check their show, especially if you’ve got a “thing” for marching-band uniforms. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Secret March” (Rupert Bottenberg) With Organ Mood at Divan Orange, Mon., Oct. 20, 10 p.m.

Young Widows
Old Wounds (Temporary Residence)
Merging the discordance of Jesus Lizard, Unsane’s pummelling and the grinding assault of Lower East Side gutter punks Cop Shoot Cop, Young Widows have managed to distill the best out of the noisy ’90s scene. Although this is definitely a hammering affair, Young Widows manage to utilize cranium-crushing repetition as the true trick up their sleeve. Production by Converge’s Kurt Ballou, which somehow merges both live and studio tracking into the same mix, is worth the admission alone. 8/10 Trial Track: “Delay Your Pressure” (Johnson Cummins) With Metz, Sylvie, Said the Whale at Lambi, Sat., Oct. 18, 9 p.m., $10

The Gods of Now
Broken (Moonbabe)
Sure, it’s not so much what you say, but how you say it, but there are exceptions to the rule. If I didn’t know what vocalist Schrecker was saying, I might have enjoyed the vicious metal of Montreal’s Gods of Now better. Unfortunately, I’m reminded of a stream of consciousness from a teenager who just got dumped. The high-pitched voice doesn’t help either. However, “Die Ganze Scheiss-Welt” and percussion-polluted “Recorded History” show potential for the Gods to explore the unknown echelons of experimental darkness. No points for the artwork featuring a bathroom blowjob girl with a gun pointed to her head, though. 6.5/10 Trial Track: “Die Ganze Scheiss-Welt” (Lateef Martin) CD launch at la Sala Rossa, Wed., Oct. 22, 8 p.m., $10

The Organ
Thieves (Mint/604/Outside)
Whether to close or reopen wounds, here’s the aborted sophomore LP by the Organ, six swan songs by Vancouver’s 21st-century-girl answer to ’80s Manchester boys. Stark opener “Even in the Night” gives way to four hits of premium downcast pop, strung together with bobbing organ and bass riffs, and a guitar that deftly weaves. Closer “Don’t Be Angry” gnaws at the insides, its stinging lyrics and lovelorn melody care of Katie Sketch’s deep-dish voice, ever the star of the show. And if that’s the last we ever hear of her, it’s an agonizing finale indeed. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Let the Bells Ring” (Lorraine Carpenter)

Musée Mécanique
Hold This Ghost (Frog Stand)
An orchestral barrage can be alienating in the wrong hands, but this Portland quintet—and producer Tucker Martine (Sufjan Stevens, the Decemberists)—use their huge set of tools to emit an enveloping warmth, helped along by delicate melodies and the graceful voice of Micah Rawbin. As ethereal as its title suggests, the record stars the musical saw, pedal steel guitar, glockenspiel, accordions, brass, woodwinds and myriad keys, fused to feel fresh and new while evoking the antiquated aesthetic of some wondrous bygone era—a haunting harmony to die for. 8/10 Trial Track: “Two Friends Like Us” (Lorraine Carpenter)

J. Rawls
The Liquid Crystal Project 2 (Polar)
Lone Catalysts producer J. Rawls gets into the second volume of The Liquid Crystal Project, where along with some of his musically inclined friends, he explores live versions of both classic hip hop joints and original sample material. Unfortunately for J. Rawls, there are people like Yesterdays New Quintet and Marc Mac’s Visioneers who put much more love and attention into projects just like this one. Many of the productions here sound like easy-listening versions of the originals, and for what is essentially a cover record, it misses the mark more than a few times. If you’re set to cover George Duke’s “Capricorn” and include songs like “Tribute to the Beatminerz,” the shit must bang. This most certainly does not. 6/10 Trial Track: “Tribute to the Beatnuts” (Scott C)

The Bahama Soul Club
Rhythm Is What Makes Jazz Jazz (Buyu)
As a fan of Oliver Belz and his work with the exceptional Juju Orchestra, I had a hunch that the Bahama Soul Club wouldn’t disappoint. With vigorous helpings of funk, bossa nova and dancefloor jazz, this record provides all the encouragement you could possibly need to get up and dance, peppering soulful numbers with proper vocalists like Malena, Bella Wagner, Pat Appleton and Isabelle Antena. Once again, this is a record that feels much older than it actually is, successfully achieving vintage pull without forsaking a deep-rooted love of 4/4 dancefloor gems. My only complaint would be that at nine songs, it’s too short. 7.5/10 Trail Track: “Nassau Jam” (Scott C)

Robin Thicke
Something Else (Interscope/Universal)
Thicke’s third release is easily his most self-assured. The follow-up to 2006’s The Evolution of Robin Thicke pays homage to classic soul, particularly 1970s Philly soul, without sounding dated, a testament to Thicke’s more commanding vocals and the rich, vibrant instrumentation evident throughout. His penchant for polite slow jams is still in full effect, but tracks like “Loverman” and “Ms. Harmony” are among the most accomplished love songs he’s ever written. Even more impressive is “Dreamworld,” an ode to an idyllic world that sounds more convincing than contrived, a tactic that Thicke has increasingly become more adept at. Seems Thicke’s evolution is far from over. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Sidestep” (Gerard Dee)

Lubo & Kaba Horo
Contrabanda (Cross Current/Fusion III)
Montreal-based fretless bassist Lubo Alexandrov has already taken his brand of Bulgarian Gypsy jazz-funk as far as the Juno podium, but the second release from his band takes the hybrid sound further—and back home too. “Kaba horo” translates to “raw dance,” suggesting the fierce frenzy Balkan jams can achieve, something sacrificed for the sake of complex, sinuous grooves the first time around but present here at points (as is its equal opposite, the moody dirge of the heartsick, homesick and drink-sick). These highs and lows accentuate the middle ground of Contrabanda, filled by guests from abroad and a broad affability. 7/10 Trial Track: “Latcho Boogie” (Rupert Bottenberg) CD launch at Lion d’Or tonight, Thurs., Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

Carla Bley Big Band
Appearing Nightly (Watt/ECM/Universal)
Hilario Duran and his latin jazz big band
From the Heart (Atma)
Two very different big bands that should appeal to lovers of the genre. The Bley was recorded in Paris, with featured members of the band including Gary Valente, Andy Sheppard and Lew Soloff, daughter Karen on organ and a rhythm section of Carla, Steve Swallow and Billy Drummond. The five tracks, one an extended work, include the standard “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You.” Cuban pianist Duran now makes Toronto his home, and this outing has guests Paquito D’Rivera and drummer “El Negro” Hernandez, with Duran’s regular bassist Roberto Occhipinti and singer Dione Taylor. Nine tracks written by the leader, Chucho Valdez and Chano Pozo, plus the standard “Angel Eyes” by Matt Dennis—and a DVD as well. Bley 9.5, Duran 9/10 Trial Tracks: Bley “Awful Coffee,” Duran “Blem Blem Blem” (Len Dobbin)

Mini CD Reviews

DJ Green Lantern feat. Nas The N Word Tape (Invasion/Fusion III) Untitled was good, but Nas and DJ Green Lantern’s rougher and more concise mixtape is better. This is an edited version of The Nigger Tape from earlier this year. 8(EL)

The Weirdies In 3D (independent) Drags-style snotty garage punk with flourishes of trashy rock ’n’ roll à la 5-6-7-8s and dollar-store lyrics that would make even the Mummies blush. 8 (JC) CD launch with le Kid, the Gerry Alvarez Odyssey at Petit Campus, Fri., Oct. 17, 9 p.m., $10

Stan Kenton The Unrecorded Stan Kenton (Sounds of Yesteryear) Live material, 36 tracks over two CDs, recorded in the ’50s and ’60s. Mostly from dance dates, therefore mostly standards. 7.5 (LD)

Castanets City of Refuge (Asthmatic Kitty) The strange results of a fortnight in a Nevada desert motel room–a little fear and loathing, a lot of tumbleweed and night terrors. 7 (LC)

Daddy Yankee Talento de Barrio OST (El Cartel/Machete/Universal) Reggaeton’s biggest ambassador and John McCain’s most unlikely vocal supporter is less hooky and more consistently melodious than his “Gasolina” days. 6 (EL)

Oasis Dig Out Your Soul (Reprise/Warner) Better than a set of broken ribs, but bury your Beatles, already! That eau de corpse was old in 1995, guy. 5 (LC)

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