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 Augury
Fragmentary Evidence (Nuclear Blast/Sonic Unyon)
These local dealers of death metal are sure to stand out from the pack with some serious prog and fusion jazz amid their bombastic blast, with guest vocalists from Unexpect, Agony and others. It’s on the heavy twists and turns of “Orphans of Living,” featuring ex-Necrotic Mutation singer Sébastien Croteau, that things really get blazing. If you like your Cannibal Corpse sprinkled liberally with Mahavishnu Orchestra, step right up. 8/10 Trial Track: “Orphans of Living” (Johnson Cummins) CD launch with Vengeful, Obtenebris, Clearwater Deathblow, Salvation Archons, Insurrection at Club Soda, Sat., Aug. 15, 7 p.m., $20
 Modest Mouse
No One’s First, and You’re Next EP (Epic/Sony BMG)
A collection of unreleased Modest Mouse b-sides and rarities from their last two records, these eight cuts are typical of the group’s diverse catalogue. The band is inherently quirky and spastic, so the irregular pacing and grisly experiments feel natural. Isaac Brock ably rap-sings on “Guilty Cocker Spaniels,” and even the loopy dixie of “Perpetual Motion Machine” makes perfect sense. 7/10 Trial Track: “King Rat” (Erik
Leijon) With the Dutchess and the Duke at Metropolis, Wed., Aug. 19, 8 p.m., $31, all ages
 The Framework
Before Tonight (Last Gang)
A thin gruel of pop garnished with a post-punk layer of film. The oppressive and melodramatic synths hum unconvincing melodies, and the frontman’s attempted baritone is an unnatural mash-up of Ian Curtis and Raine Maida. The bubblegum angst of “We Are the Trend” show the band isn’t in on their own joke—I’ve heard Simple Plan songs with more personal torment. 3/10 Trial Track: “Starlight” (Erik Leijon) With Politique, Rikers at Club Lambi, Sat., Aug. 15, 9 p.m.
 Ryan Dahle
Irrational Anthems (Sandbag/Fontana North)
Assisted by his brother Kurt (the New Pornographers) and singer/multi-instrumentalist Megan Bradfield (the Salteens, A.C. Newman), this former Age of Electric/Limblifter frontman has crafted a solo record of pop songs you can bob, sway and rock to. His comforting melodies, vocals and guitars are accompanied by pretty strings, woodwinds and horns, the latter jutting out of the ordinary into eccentric territory on “Sixes and Sevens.” 7/10 Trial Track: “Hya” (Lorraine Carpenter)
Death Boat
Trilogy of the Mystic Stone (Boner Death)
With a merry band of 10 people swabbing the decks, the Death Boat mix is dense, and Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Mötley Crüe put the wind in their sails in equal parts. These scurvy-ridden, peg-legged local swashbucklers finally hit the open seas on this convoluted concept record that just narrowly misses getting washed up on the rocks. After repeated listens, I still have no clue what the common thread is, but if you can get past the singer’s high-pitched squeal, you may find some treasure here. 7/10 Trial Track: “Lesbian Tsunami” (Johnson Cummins) CD launch with the Aversions at Cabaret Juste pour rire, Thurs., Aug. 20, 8:30 p.m., $12
 Lightning Dust
Infinite Light (Jagjaguwar)
Between Amber Webber’s wounded vibrato, sad melodies, low-pulse lyrics and piano and string arrangements that would make Asian people weep, this Black Mountain side project (also featuring Joshua Wells) supports the theory that B.C. is the depressipaction capital of Canada. The band’s sophomore album isn’t without energy and hope, however, as heard on lovely, lively tunes such as “I Knew,” “Wondering What Everyone Knows” and “The Times.” 8/10 Trial Track: “Never Seen” (Lorraine Carpenter)
 Claude
VonStroke Fabric 46 (Fabric)
Where chopped and looped software mixes generally tend toward the canned and bland, San Fran’s VonStroke lights a fire under the laptop, concocting a locomotive, fresh and dynamic mix, churning through his own “The Greasy Beat” featuring Bootsy Collins and Joakim’s spazzy Detroit Grand Pubahs remix for the funky first third, then getting deep and techy before easing past some poppier, jazzier lounge house, ending with the obligatory ambient prologue. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “The Greasy Beat” (Jack Oatmon)
 Fabolous
Loso’s Way (Def Jam/Universal)
The Brooklyn Bomber provides more of the same on this newest opus by following the footsteps of his neighbourhood predecessors with a mix of dark street tales like “I Miss My Love” and “Pachanga,” and cheesy R&B hooks on “Making Love” and “Last Time.” A pretty un-conceptual concept album where punchlines and production are the highlights. 7/10 Trial Track: “Lullaby” (Morgan Steiker)
 Melinda Watts
People Get Ready (Razor & Tie)
The 2008 winner of the American Idol-styled competition Gospel Dream debuts with the type of grooves that have propelled artists like Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin to the top of the contemporary gospel scene. Watts isn’t the most distinctive singer, but her powerful vocals benefit from the topnotch production here, courtesy of gospel heavyweights like Smokie Norful. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “Come Boldly” (Gerard Dee)
 John Zorn
O’o (Tzadik/E1)
No gnarly Naked City business here. Attack-jazz honcho Zorn mellows to the max as he reassembles his Dreamers team—Marc Ribot, Trevor Dunn etc.—for a cotton-headed lounge-rock take on surf, exotica, soundtracks and similar fruit-punch fare. Often soporific but occasionally sublime, O’o at the very least boasts beautiful, bird-themed packaging. 6/10 Trial Track: “Little Bittern” (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Triorganico
Convivencia (Now Again)
The sound of Triorganico lives up to its name—organic and acoustic, Convivencia is the stuff that’s just perfect for steamy summer nights. The simple combination of guitar, percussion and woodwind/sax creates a pleasant bit of stripped-down bossa jazz, each tune feeling like it floated in from a couple of decades ago. Now all that’s necessary are those darned hot summer nights. 9/10 Trial Track: “25 de Octobro Nostalgia” (Erin MacLeod)
MINI CD REVIEWS
Pictureplane Dark Rift (Lovepump United) A bubbly, refreshing American take on elitist, underground U.K. garage, jungle and dubstep. 9 (EL)
The New Christs Gloria (Impedance/MVD) Rob Younger (ex-Radio Birdman) proves yet again why he is still the king of underground rock ’n’ roll. 8 (JC)
The Junction Another Link in the Chain (The Junction/Fontana North) Quick-paced, Brit-influenced Toronto companion to latter-day Stills. 7 (EL)
Various Motown 50 (Motown/Universal) The pre-eminent soul label celebrates a half century with three discs of early classics—Supremes, Jacksons, Marvin, Smokey etc. 8 (RB)
Octoberman Fortresses (White Whale) Indie rock and folk pop unite on a smart, sad and politically savvy Canadian record. 7 (LC)
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