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Danko Jones has been Canada's best-kept secret, as anyone who has seen this genius work it live will attest. The secret is now out and this 10-minute, five-song teaser is nothing short of god
Local popsters Atomic Folk are back again, but this time with crisp production to their credit. The lead-off track "Organa" shows good imagination in the arrangement department, while "Never Ends" hearkens us back to the days of the Asexuals. Atomic Folk have an indisputably Montreal sound, with a tip of the hat to later-day Hüsker Dü. You can't go wrong with that. 7/10 (Johnson Cummins) Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke Duality (4AD/PolyGram) On her second album sans Dead Can Dance partner Brendan Perry, neo-medievalist and non-word vocalist Lisa Gerrard makes ambient ethnomusic much like the duo's. Gone are the orchestral and operatic touches of her solo debut for heavier rhythms rooted in the Middle East. Gerrard's voice, as always, can slip seamlessly between Corsican polyphony and latter-day Gregorian chant. Spiritual and Gothic, this is beautiful music not to die for, but to die to. 7.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw) Gaunt Bricks and Blackouts (Warner)
After a few albums and singles on such prestigious indie labels as Amphetamine Reptile and Thrill Jockey, Gaunt pull all their punches on their major label debut, but make just as great an impact. With such hummable toetappers as "97th Tear" and "Duh," Gaunt show that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Teaming up Tim Mac (Halo of Flies) and Brian Paulson (Slint, Son Volt, Wilco) in the production room keeps the edge--instead of dulling it with predictable pop. 7.5/10 (Johnson Cummins) Gaunt perform with Nashville Pussy at Cabaret, Friday, May 1.
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Danko Jones Self-titled EP (Sonic Unyon)
head. Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott fronting the Stooges? Al Green fronting KISS? On stage, Danko Jones prowls, scowls and works the ladies like nobody's business. On disc he and his band serve it up down and dirty, thanks to amazing production care of garage god Jerry Teel (Honeymoon Killers, Chrome Cranks). This band manages to sum up in 10 minutes what most can't do with their entire discography, because Danko has the good sense to know we just don't have the time. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Atomic Folk Winterland (Reactor)