Johnny Cash
The Man Comes Around (American/Universal)
Various
Kindred Spirits: a Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash (Lucky Dog/Sony)
Cash returns with the fourth installment in his series with producer Rick Rubin. Cash’s health has sidelined him for a while so every word is uttered in a breath that will raise goosebumps. Cash seems to be saving his best songs for his autumn years (“The Man Comes Around,” “Tear Stained Letter”) but takes on Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” and even Sting’s “I Hung My Head” settle comfortably into Cash’s new residence. Incredible stuff. On Kindred Spirits, Dwight Yoakam, Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and more all have a stab at Cash’s chestnuts. Everybody does respectable takes on the classics. Sheryl Crow teamed up with Emmylou Harris is stunning but it’s Dylan’s personal message to the “man in black” himself that really lets you know that this project came from the heart. The Man 9/10, Kindred Spirits 8.5/10 (Johnson Cummins)
The Nomads
Showdown 2: the ’90s (White Jazz/Fusion III)
Before the Hives, the Hellacopters, Soundtrack of Our Lives or even Union Carbide Productions it was The Nomads who were doing their part to put the Scandinavian rock scene on the map. This two-CD set covers their finer points in the ’90s and after one listen it’s obvious the influence they had on all the aforementioned bands. Awesome pearls here from largely out of print records but impossible to find covers of the Saints, the Wipers, Dead Kennedys, the Dictators, the Damned and even Hamilton’s own Teenage Head make this essential. If you are just getting into the Swedish invasion, it’s time for the real deal. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins)
The Carnations
self-titled EP (Ductape)
On this latest release by Ontario’s Carnations, the quartet displays some effective, hook-heavy power pop with a mind for melody. With the ubiquitous Ian Blurton at the helm, barely restrained heaviosity is craftily balanced with classic pop-isms, as on the EP’s highlight, the organ-driven “Small Crimes.” Buzzcocks and Supergrass comparisons appear to be the norm when discussing these guys, but the angular influence of new wave-era acts like the Cars and Elvis Costello seems more evident. However, the whine gets to you after a while, as do occasionally grating turns-of-phrase, but it’s flower power overall. 7/10 (Lorraine Carpenter) With Starling at the Jupiter Room, Sat., Dec. 21, 9:30pm, $8
American Devices
Nacktkultur (independent)
The Devices are the only original Montreal punk act extant, though the punk tag’s not entirely appropriate - I prefer the “queasy listening” category, given their nervous, unpredictable energy and awkward, even creepy tone. Inspired by a set they did at Galerie Fokus, which required an acoustic approach, the latest Devices item is unplugged, and without drums or vocals to boot. In stripped-down mode (hence the title, German for “nudism”), the trio of guitarists Rick Trembles and Rob Labelle and bassist Andre Asselin present old tunes or variations thereof, plus a couple of newbies, done in one take for that quirky, organic vibe. Morbid jitters abound in this campfire session for moody ghouls. 8/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) With the Other Thing at Casa del Popolo, Fri., Dec. 20, 9pm, $5
Cathedral
The VIIth Coming (Spitfire/EMI)
The real purveyors of doom are back. As always featuring ex-Napalm Death singer Lee Dorrian, Cathedral are still delving into all things Sabbath. Of course, doom has progressed greatly since Dorrian and co. started stomping the boards with bands like Warhorse and Khanate, but Cathedral pick up the pace with an almost COC/Entombed delivery. Dorrian ain’t no Ozzy and the harmony vocals don’t hide that fact, but great songwriting and great detuned guitar work are sure to get Beelzebub banging his head. If you like your metal with a groove, look no further. 8/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Jim Guthrie
Morning Noon Night (Three Gut)
Your band finally wraps that album, you do your promo duties, you tour, now you’re home, and it’s Playstation time. This is all true of Royal City member and Three Gut founder Jim Guthrie, but he’s hardly playing. After a happy accident of sorts, half the songs on this sophomore album were built around samples from Playstation’s MTV Music Generator, making for some smart pop ditties filled out with electro-hums, blips, beats and a warm, acoustic edge. Instrumental experiments with strings, bells, glitches and bloops also mesh with late-night folk, and fusion never felt so smooth. 8.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Shades of Culture
“Unbreakable”/“D.I.Y” 12” (independent)
Just in time for their 10th anniversary, D-Shade, Revolution and DJ Storm team up with producer Grandtheft for their latest one-two punch. Suffice it to say, Grandtheft provides a backdrop that fits like a Tupperware lid on “Unbreakable,” grandstanding the tried and true rhyme-styles of Rev and D-Shade on a detailed, jazzy beat. Storm isn’t left out either, providing all kinds of cuts throughout both of the tracks. “D.I.Y” sounds like it could use a nice kick in the ass though, with our boys rapping like they just finished 10 years of back to back shows. Well, if you don’t do it yourself, who’s gonna do it for you? 7.5/10 (Scott C)
DJ Me DJ You
Can You See the Music? (Eenie Meenie)
The me and you are Ross Harris and Craig Borrell, two-thirds of Sukia back in the last century. Now with the label that brought us that crazy veggie cookbook CD, they continue to ply their zany, kaleidoscopic klubmusik (silly + sexy + sinister is the equation). The trip takes us from Frisco’s acid freakout daze to block parties in the Bronx, from fragile Teutonic elektro-pop to Mumbai sitar-rock jams to Tokyo kitsch-groove. That’s all in any one given track, by the way. Sadly, there’s nothing to really hang your hat on here (guys: less hits from the bong and more hit songs), but it’ a fun ride while you’re on it. And yes, you can see the music - there’s a bonus DVD of lo-fi digi-delic imagery to sweeten the deal. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Various
Chainstore Massacre (On-U Sound)
For the last 17 years, Adrian Sherwood’s On-U sound imprint has been dedicated to the advancement of the Jamaican sound. Initially responsible for some excellent releases by Creation Rebel, Prince Far I, Bim Sherman and the Mothmen, On U sound has also brought the forward-thinking sounds of the New Age Steppers, African Head Charge and Dub Syndicate to the masses. With their latest collection Chainstore Massacre, On-U once again rings the alarm and pulls out some heavy dubs for your spliff-sparking pleasure. Featuring tracks by Asian Dub Foundation, Dub Syndicate, and Adrian Sherwood himself, Chainstore Massacre is a laidback journey into the vast expanse of tape echo and heavily grooved sub-bass. Highlights include the July-molasses blues-dub stickiness of Little Axe’s “One Drop Blues” and sweet-swing-semi-silliness of Junior Delgado’s “Fully Legalize.” 8.5/10 (Raf Katigbak)
Various
On the Right Track (Do Right!)
Toronto tastemaker John Kong sets the record straight with a compilation on his own label Do Right! Music. As a member of the famed Movement Collective, his ear for prime tracks has allowed him to foster a label that specializes in dancefloor jazz, Latin and Brazilian, and broken–beat flavours based right out of T.O. Great contributions, from Ben Mitchell and Russ Dewbury’s “Jazz Is Your Life” to Swell Session’s “Music in Her Eyes,” set this comp apart immediately, while exclusives from Hand Polished and Moonstar and Kong show that we’ve got some aces of our own. Also features tracks from Groupo-X, the Vogado Projects and A Bossa Electrica, rounding out some great sounds from a Canadian label to watch. 8.5/10 (Scott C)
Leroy Hanghofer
White Trash (Gomma)
From the same folks who brought you the excellent New York no-wave comp AntiNY comes a full-length album from Munich’s Leroy Hanghofer. Much in the same vein as most of the artists on AntiNY, Hanghofer consolidates various disparate influences (R&B, rock, electro, funk and punk) into an almost conclusive whole. Sounding something akin to Prince on mesc at a late ’70s NYC discotheque, the production is raw and simplistic with the “innocent dilettante female vocalists” achieving a laid-back, future-primitive type sound that falls just slightly short of the mark. Like a punkier, more adventurous version of les Rythmes Digitales, the prerequisite nods to ’80s dance culture are there (albeit in a slightly more obscure way) and there are a few diamonds in the rough. 7.5/10 (Raf Katigbak)
Heather Headley
This Is Who I Am (BMG)
Broadway star Heather Headley debuts with a set that effectively showcases her considerable pipes and vocal dexterity. She captures moods with love songs that conversely expound on the virtues of the opposite sex (“He Is”), but offers caveats against their considerable charms (“Fulltime”). She’s also full of advice - on “Sista Girl” she paints a picture of heartache for women who think with their hearts, not their heads, while “Four Words From Heartache” is all about taking time with relationships. Seems the drama isn’t always on stage. 8/10 (Gerard Dee)
Frank Strozier
Long Night (Milestone/Universal)
This is a reissue of a pair of sessions Memphis-born Strozier did for the Jazzland label in the early ’60s. The “Long Night” half featured the alto and flute of the leader with George Coleman, Pat Patrick, Chris Anderson, Bill Lee (Spike’s dad) and Walter Perkins, while “March of the Siamese Children” used Lee, Harold Mabern and Alfie Dreares. “The Crystal Ball,” a flute duet with Patrick, is a high point of the former and David Rose’s “Our Waltz” is transformed on the latter. Strozier remains a forgotten musician - I’ve even seen him included in a list of white alto players (he’s black!). A welcome return of two long sought after sessions. Listen and be convinced! 10/10 (Len Dobbin)
Dave Robbins At the Mark (DR) » McGill grad drummer Robbins joined by Brad Turner, Mike Allen, Miles Black, Andre Lachance and Dennis Esson - another excellent debut! 9 (LD)
Boo Williams Ultrasessions 1 (Ultrasound) » Honey-sweet, bare-boned, percussive deep house mix from this Chicago legend on Toronto’s Ultrasound. Dead sexy. 8 (RK)
Psychopunch VST The Pleasure Kill (White Jazz/Fusion III) » Psychopunch take the leashes off of the Les Pauls this time around and still know how to draw blood. 8 (JC)
The Quantic Soul Orchestra "Super 8" 7” (Tru-Thoughts) » Quantic rounds up the family band (literally) and laces us with a two-sided roller. 8 (SC)
Les Vipères Sans foie ni loi (First Records) » Pure lo-fi rock ’n’ roll glory from Quebec City. Keep your eyes on these guys. 8 (JC)
Diamond Dogs Too Much Is Always Better Than Not Enough (Feedback Boogie/Fusion III) » Classic rock wretches from Swedes try to cash in on Scandi-wave. This ain’t rock ’n’ roll, this is lamo-cide. 4 (LC)
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