|
 The Raveonettes
In and Out of Control (Vice) Denmark’s premiere rock ’n’ roll duo veer away from the distorted dirges of Lust Lust Lust toward noir bubblegum that blends their well honed retro charms with bolder production and ’80s pop arcs—Motown meets Siouxsie? No one writes cheerier songs about drug addiction, rape and suicide than Sune and Sharin, harmonizing like a heavenly choir providing the soundtrack to your downward spiral. 9/10 Trial Track: “Suicide” (Lorraine Carpenter) With the Black Angels at Club Soda, Wed., Oct. 21, 9 p.m., $21, all ages
 Black Feelings
self-titled (Alien 8/ Sonic Unyon)
Fans of the modern-primitive psych coming from the likes of Comets on Fire, Entrance, Bardo Pond and Spacemen 3 are going to get liquefied over the eight spacey jams from this local three-piece. Their interstellar overdrive is pushed to the limit with songs stretching through the stratosphere, oscillating into distortion and firmly boring into your frontal lobes. This trip is for real! 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Eternal Bad Trip” (Johnson Cummins) CD launch with Tonstartssbandht, Sound Stories, DJ Chloe Scum, DJ Raf at Friendship Cove tonight, Thurs., Oct. 15, 9 p.m., PWYC
 Priestess
Prior to the Fire (Indica/ Outside)
After the four-year hiatus since their debut, Hello Master, these local metal merchants make the wait well worth it with their hit becoming more lethal, their ’70s prog tendencies thrust even more to the forefront and their trademark melodic song structure only further strengthened. Even without major label muscle behind them this time around, this is just too good to not be worshipped worldwide. 8/10 Trial Track: “The Gem” (Johnson Cummins)
 The Flaming Lips
Embryonic (Warner)
A vague zodiac motif is the thread along which Oklahoma’s wizards of odd review every stage of their evolution, from lysergic punks to bubblegrungers to low-tech art freaks to messy, messianic maestros—often, as on tracks like “See the Leaves,” all at once. Like previous end-of-decade double albums (the “white album,” Paul’s Boutique etc.), Embryonic is constructed to overwhelm initially, demanding long-term digestion. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine” (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Air
Love 2 (Virgin/EMI)
The French duo has made a career out of taking quirky space noises and stretching them out interminably. This may be their most listless and uninspired record yet, as at least their use of spatial synths made for some interesting Mate-sipping ambiance. Replacing them with cheap live-sounding instrumentation really exposes the juvenile simplicity of it all. 2/10 Trial Track: “Missing the Light of Day” (Erik Leijon)
 The Dodos
Time to Die (Frenchkiss)
This San Francisco duo is now a trio, with singer/finger-picker Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber joined by Keaton Snyder on vibraphone. Otherwise, their third record, produced by Phil Ek (Built to Spill, Fleet Foxes, the Shins), keeps things simple and sticks to what works—beautifully sung, melodic pop songs propelled by strong percussion and elevated by universal lyrics that hit close to home. 8/10 Trial Track: “Two Medicines” (Lorraine Carpenter) With the Ruby Suns at la Sala Rossa, Fri., Oct. 16, 9 p.m., $16
 Shane Murphy
Street Money Miracle (Big Fat Truck/Select)
Local blues-rocking mainstay Murphy does a whole lot on his debut LP that simply works better on record than at your favourite watering hole. The rhythm section is funky, along with some rather soulful blues guitar solos and understated vocals. The lack of overt studio flash works to his advantage, sounding live and heartfelt yet crisp and elaborate. 7/10 Trial Track: “Capitola Stress” (Erik Leijon) CD Launch at Théâtre Corona, Wed., Oct. 21, 9 p.m., free
 Dead Man’s Bones
self-titled (Anti/FAB)
If the Arcade Fire, Shaggs and Mummies collided in a fleabitten funpark spookhouse, it might sound like this haunted hootenanny from hangdog Hollywood hunk Ryan Gosling and his pal Zach Shields. As rough-hewn and short on virtuosity as the affair is, it’s got a wounded charm and a childish sweetness, not only in the monster-mash theme, all graveyards and zombies and such, but in the massive kiddie choir on so many tracks. 7/10 Trial Track: “Lose Your Soul” (Rupert Bottenberg) With guests at le National, Mon., Oct. 19, 8 p.m., $18, all ages
 Boys Noize
Power (Last Gang/Turbo)
Alex Ridha’s sonic temper tantrums haven’t progressed past the rapid, hammering beats, warped electronic squealing and growling arpeggio hums for which he is known. But his second full-length is more dynamic and adventurous, as evidenced by the wacky, cavernous “Nerve,” ominous percussion track “Trooper” and noisy transistor hissing of “Rozz Box.” I’m still waiting for more of his mellow fluffy stuff like that Feist remix. 8/10 Trial Track: “Gax” (Jack Oatmon)
 Ghostface Killah
Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City (Def Jam) When Ghostface announced he was making an R&B album, fans of the Wu were perplexed, scared and worried, to say the least. One of Shaolin’s finest, crooning à la Kanye? No. Instead, he enlisted the help of real singers (Estelle, John Legend, Raheem Devaughn) and simply raps about issues concerning the other sex: relationship regrets on “Do Over,” cheating scenarios on “Guest House” and audio pornography for “Stapleton Sex.” 8/10 Trial Track: “Let’s Stop Playing” feat. John Legend (Morgan Steiker)
 Queen Latifah
Persona (Verve/ Universal)
After a couple of albums on which Latifah demonstrated her considerable vocal chops to the tune of classic songs, she delivers a more contemporary set with mixed results. As the album title suggests, she covers a wide musical spectrum, from pop/rock to funk to hip hop light, excelling where the musical production and her vocal prowess find common ground. 7/10 Trial Track: “People” (Gerard Dee)
Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble
The Moment’s Energy (ECM)
Evan Parker is like Miles Davis—both developed the hallmarks of their playing early on, constantly finding evocative new settings for their sounds. This is one of Parker’s most fertile settings. In 13 years, the band has grown from six to 14 players hailing from four continents and representing a 35-year age spread. The music is new, engaging and deep. My wish: someone bring this visionary ensemble to Montreal! 9/10 Trial Track: “The Moment’s Energy III” (Gordon Allen)
Giri Kedaton
Projet Bali X (independent)
This Montreal ensemble supersede their by-the-book performances of Indonesia’s eerie, insistent classical gamelan music with an array of interesting fusions—electronics here, Latin heat there. Some work better than others—the ominous “Jembatan Métal” is a surprising success, while the surf-prog insinuations of “Bali Hillbillies” are a mess that only come together, and beautifully, in the last lap. 8/10 Trial Track: “Kid A” (Rupert Bottenberg) CD launch at Club Lambi, Wed., Oct. 21, 7 p.m., free
MINI CD REVIEWS
Spirits self-titled (Sonic Unyon) This Kitchener band could’ve fooled me with their surround synths, wiry guitars, massive melodies and Cold War lyrics, channelling the ’80s like champs. 8 (LC) With the Psychedelic Furs, Happy Mondays at Olympia tonight, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., $38.75
Os Mutantes Haih… (Anti/FAB) A bargain-basement version of these Brazilians’ former glory. Total bummer. 6 (JC)
Rain Machine self-titled (Anti/FAB) Kyp Malone’s bleary, gelatinous solo joint lacks the fire and finesse of his main gig, TV on the Radio. 5 (RB) With Sharon Van Etten at Il Motore, Tues., Oct. 20, 9 p.m., $15
Hockey Mind Chaos (Capitol/ EMI) You can’t help but feel that some bands exist simply to make the next iPod commercial song. 4 (EL)
>> Music Listings
|
