|
 Ledisi
Turn Me Loose (Verve Forecast/Universal) Hard to believe that Oakland-based soul singer Ledisi could match her magnificent 2007 set Lost & Found, but she’s done exactly that with this delicious funk/soul/rock mash-up. A-list producers like Raphael Saadiq and the legendary Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis help Ledisi let loose her inner funk goddess, which results in a rougher, almost live feel throughout this outstanding set. 9/10 Trial Track: “Goin’ Thru Changes” (Gerard Dee)
 Karen O and the Kids
Where the Wild Things Are OST (DGC/Interscope) You may have heard Arcade Fire in the ad, but the Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer, assisted vocally by a chorus of children, is responsible for all the music in Spike Jonze’s latest film, apart from a one-minute contribution by Carter Burwell and a Daniel Johnston cover (“Worried Shoes”) performed by O. She deftly matches the movie’s gleeful energy, gruff noise, fanciful magic and broad spectrum of emotions. 8/10 Trial Track: “Rumpus” (Lorraine Carpenter)
 Silver Starling
self-titled (Last Gang)
Montrealers Marcus Paquin, Liam O’Neill, Marika Shaw, Peter X and Gab Lambert craft indie rock that’s downbeat but glows in the dark, with effervescent guitars and keys, tender lead vocals and occasional group harmonies. Despite comparisons to Arcade Fire (one of many bands Paquin has recorded in his studio day job), Silver Starling’s hushed, unhurried aesthetic and roots manoeuvres set them comfortably apart from the local pack. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “Ghosts” (Lorraine Carpenter) With Ohbijou at Club Lambi, Thurs., Nov. 5, 10 p.m., $10
Creed
Full Circle (Wind-up/Warner)
Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. [Matthew 7:16-20] 0/10 Trial Track: n/a (Erik Leijon)
Gogol Bordello
Live From Axis Mundi (SideOneDummy)
Tommy T
The Prester John Sessions (Easy Star)
Big news for fans of gypsy dub-punks Gogol Bordello. First, an apocryphal package of 11 audio tracks—BBC sessions, demos and such—and, more substantially, a DVD of an Irving Plaza gig, supplemented by videos and more. Frontman Eugene Hutz is a human whirlwind, ably documented here. The other news is GB bassist Tommy T’s solo effort revisiting his Ethiopian roots. Largely smooth jazz and lazy reggae, however, it’s disappointingly short on the raw and eerie Abbyssinian funk one might hope for. Ethiopian chanteuse Gigi guests on two numbers, Hutz does so on the bonus remix of “Lifers.” Axis Mundi 8, Prester John 6/10 Trial Tracks: Axis Mundi, “Immigrant Punk” (instrumental), Prester John, “The Response” feat. Gigi (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Black Heart Procession
Six (Temporary Residence)
These ex-members of Three Mile Pilot plant their feet on terra firma on this sixth release. Plunging even deeper into darkness, destitution and despair, all sung to the tune of a plodding funeral dirge, BHP always leave room for a sliver of light to shine through. The Bad Seeds, Leonard Cohen and Michael Gira’s most recent joints are all echoed here, but before things get too goofy and gothy, they manage to pull back the reins just in time. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “Drugs” (Johnson Cummins) With Bellini, Receivers at la Sala Rossa, Wed., Nov. 4, 8:30 p.m., $15
Shearing Pinx
Weaponry Pt. 1 (Divorce)
Fans of Lee and Thurston’s twin guitar attack, early East Village no wave and the haymaker bludgeoning of locals AIDS Wolf are going to want to jump all over this. On this first installment of their two-stage assault, Weaponry (the second volume is on the way), these noise nerds bare their fangs and draw blood every step of the way. Only 600 copies pressed on wax, so better be nimble on this one. 8/10 Trial Track: “Battery Born” (Johnson Cummins) With Ultrathin, Montreal Nintendo Orkestar, Ahna at Casa Del Popolo, Mon., Nov. 2, 9 p.m., $10
 Murder Ford Monument
self-titled (Independent)
When it comes to panoramic music that gets its kicks from gradual mood shifting and subtle interplay, a good measure of quality is how well the peaks trade with the valleys. This Montreal five-piece meanders and explores the vast terrains of country-inflected rock on their debut, yet prove capable of rising to the occasion during a few sublime instrumental high points. 6.5/10 Trial Track: “Black Moon Lake” (Erik Leijon) With Valleys at Casa del Popolo, Thurs., Oct. 29, 9 p.m., $7
 OK Cobra
Delirium Tremens (Urbnet)
This second effort after a three-year hiatus by the duo of rapper Fritz tha Cat and producer Recordface is a dark and emotional journey into, among other things, the effects of alcohol withdrawal—hence the title. The album plays like the audio version of a personal diary, with the sampling of Edie Brickell’s “Circle” for the song “I Quit (I Give Up)” a very symbolic highlight. 7/10 Trial Track: “I Quit (I Give Up) (Morgan Steiker)
 Kae Sun
Lion on a Leash (Urbnet)
Born in Accra, Ghana and transplanted to Hamilton, Ontario as a teen, Kae Sun and his music are a meeting point between North America’s urban boom-bap and Africa’s traditional folkloric musical tradition. The result on this debut album is a melting pot of reggae, acoustic folk and a touch of hip hop attitude, best exemplified on the title song and single, which channels Bob Marley better than anything I’ve heard in a while. 8/10 Trial Track: “Lion on a Leash” (Morgan Steiker)
Apathy
Wanna Snuggle? (Demigodz Enterprises)
Although Ap carries the brunt of this long-running, 21-track album, the show-stealing moments appear when others are spitting on his records. Phonte’s 16 bars on “True Love” is by far one of the hottest verses of the year and the not-often-featured J-Live completely murders his short minute on “This Is the Formula.” The rest of the album shows a darker MC that is sometimes hard to follow. 5.5/10 Trial Track: “True Love” (Morgan Steiker)
Vybz Kartel
Pon di Gaza (Adidjaheim/Notnice)
This record sold eight copies in its first week. No promo? Not quite. Kartel’s still clever (“squeeze you, hug you and many more verbs”), but the 22-song Pon di Gaza slogs. Big tune “Virginity” is cleaned up but makes no sense as “Versitility.” “Ramping Shop” no longer swipes from NeYo, but it’s now unlistenable. “Like a Movie” is the only stand-out. Looks like di teacha needs to go back to school. 5/10 Trial Track: “Like a Movie” (Erin MacLeod)
 Pierre Labbé 4tet
Manivelle (Ambiances Magnétiques)
Following the success of his 50-piece orchestra at this summer’s Off Jazz Fest, Labbé gives us Manivelle, his best record to date. His quartet brings subtlety and muscle where they are due, flying high on nine great compositions ranging from snaky rhythmic workouts to airy ballads. It’s a treat to hear such a fully realized work from one of the city’s underappreciated creative forces. 8/10 Trial Track: “Corpus” (Gordon Allen) CD Launch at Cheval Blanc, Wed. Nov. 4, 5 p.m., free
MINI CD REVIEWS
The Moby Dicks self-titled 7” (Mammoth Cave Recording Co.) Young, loud and snotty punk rock that should get fans of the Oblivians and early Dirtbombs all jazzed. They’ve got a 30-second blaster called “Fuck Off Baby,” what more do ya want? 8 (JC)
Nine Mile Country Porno Electric Fireplace (Xiola) A blend of reggae, radio rock and clean country twang that’s alternately annoying and surprisingly sweet. 6 (RB)
Alec Ounsworth Mo Beauty (Anti-/FAB) The Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! frontman is the most grating singer in singerdom. 4 (EL)
Flight of the Conchords I Told You I Was Freaky (Sub Pop/Warner) Sadly, no one enjoys this HBO comedy simply for the music. 4 (EL) |
