The Polyphonic Spree
The Beginning Stages of… (Good/Scratch)
This 27-member musical mass, a “choral symphonic pop band,” is the brainchild of Tim DeLaughter, once of bubblegrunge non-event Tripping Daisy. With grandiose orch-pop instrumentation (brass, theremin, even a church harp) and a 10-piece choir, the Spree has the biggest “big sound” around, dwarfing the Flaming Lips, Belle & Sebastian and godspeed!. And while the J-man’s never mentioned by name, the flowing white robes and almost morbid good cheer recalls post-hippie, born-again folk Christianity to a tee. In fact, I caught the Spree in NYC and I swear I “got” religion. Kept it too, for like, seven or eight minutes afterwards. The live show’s an astounding thing, and this album, particularly tunes like the immense, vaguely Pixies-esque “Soldier Girl,” comes closer than most to capturing that. Hallelujah! 9.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)

The Chains
On Top of Things (Get Hip)
Local R&B rave-up band really blow the doors open with this debut. Kicking things off with a Pretty Things-style stomper, the Chains don’t let up throughout. Knowing full well it would be too easy to simply sleepwalk through a Nuggets box set, the Chains step up to the plate and write some tunes jam packed with clever modulations, gear-jamming arrangements and vocal lines that would make Elvis Costello green with envy. Everley Bros. vocals punctuate the R&B groove but it’s Alex Boivin’s croon that really puts this on the map and transcends just merely being a retro act. Get on board and dig the now sound of the Chains. 9.5/10 (Johnson Cummins) CD launch at O Patro Vys, Fri., Jan. 31, 9pm

The D4
6Twenty (Hollywood/Universal)
Some real down and dirty rock ’n’ roll from Motor City - via New Zealand. Kiwis and Aussies have always been clever thieves when it comes to pillaging the Detroit sound of the early ’70s, and the D4 lay it on thick. The record blasts off with a little ditty called “Rocknroll Motherfucker” and quickly follows up with other deliciously stupid anthems like “Party,” “Come On!” and “Get Loose.” Just a bulldozing of mind-numbing riffs that are dripping in Stooges and MC5 stupidity/genius. Could the majors be finally getting things right? Stay tuned. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins) With the Forty-Fives at Jupiter Room, Sat., Feb. 1, 9pm, $12

Lou Reed
The Raven (Warner)
Alas, this sucks. At once obtuse and annoyingly obscure in his expansive yet empty tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, Reed’s latest is more an exercise in po’ judgement. Enlisting various dried-up hipsters (Bowie, Laurie Anderson) and second-tier Hollywood types (Willem Dafoe, Fisher Stevens), Reed leaps from corny gravitas to clumsy “humour” to thoroughly inappropriate cheez-rawk with the grace of a donkey. Steve Buscemi’s crooner routine on “Broadway Song” is worth salvaging for curiosity’s sake, but otherwise, I gotta quote the raven: “Nevermore!” (Oh, and re: the jacket pix - Lou, put some pants on, and put that silly sword away.) 2/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)

Calla
Televise (ARRCO/Ryko)
With all their art angles and pop curves, this Brooklyn-based, Texas-born trio offers a rare slice of genuinely smart, emotive and inventive indie rock. Understated, slow-boiling epic moods are crafted with top-notch production, lending a nearly palpable tension to the album, Calla’s third. It seems inappropriate to single out individual songs as they flow so easily into each other, carried along by simple, chiming or chugging riffs, fleeting, hushed vocals and other subtleties. Majestic and moving, yet somehow minimal, the overwhelming mood here is dark, even sombre at times, but never wallowing in the whiny sad-sack-isms of common bands. 9/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)

Zwan
Mary Star of the Sea (Martha’s Music/Warner)
It’s the happy side of Smashing Pumpkins, or at least one half. Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin create the front and back with Matt Sweeney, David Pajo and A Perfect Circle bassist Paz Lenchantin set in the middle. Chamberlin keeps things wild and kinetic with his trademarked merciless drumming, and Corgan and crew round things out with melodic and bloody happy music. With three guitars, omnipresent vocals and its psychedelic pop-art cover, the entire package feels like suburban summertime teen rock to me. 7.5/10 (Lateef Martin)

Whispering Bob
self-titled (Brobdingnagian/Outside)
Recorded by a revolving collective in a small house in Oxforshire, with passing trains providing industrial atmosphere, this debut exemplifies the U.K.’s disappointing penchant for listless folk-pop. That said, there are some neat little twists in production, programming and instrumentation (flute, vocoder, violin, autoharp etc), as well as, perhaps, some ’70s mood culled from a vintage mixing desk, adding character to an otherwise average album. Very simply put, it’s as if Damon Albarn is fronting a group that blends the banality of Starsailor and the creativity of the Beta Band. 6.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)

Bless
“My Time”/“Talkin’ to Me” (Plantinumberg/Illkid)
Easily one of the hardest working yout’ in Montreal hip hop right now, Bless has finally backed up all the “wait and see” with the first single from the bubbling Plantinumberg camp. “My Time” is on some straight braggo, with Bless running it down over an electric guitar riff with a little less gusto than his master-class freestyle persona, but without any difficulty at all. Elder statesman Guru joins Bless for “Talkin’ to Me,” which is more of a tight, conversational joint than a fiery collaboration, but not a bad way to come out of the gate. I’m waiting for the Bless/Primo follow-up though. Also included is club contribution “All I Wanna Know,” where young Bless takes it to the ladies. All I wanna know is why this ace MC is wasting his time with a throwaway re-hash of every track about a shorty ever written. You got the skills, B, so why dumb it down? 8/10 (Scott C)

Gold Chains
“The Game” (PIAS)
San Francisco MC/producer Gold Chains returns, raspy voice and all, with a twisted slice of tech-hop entitled “The Game.” While Gold Chains is in fine form with his raw, ragga-style vocalisms, the original mix - co-produced in a two-steppy Timbaland style by resident San Fran wunderkind Kit Clayton - sadly never quite reaches bomb-track status (and the Luomo remix is almost totally forgettable). However, with its blend of baroque strings and dancehall IDM breakbeats, Kit Clayton’s Club Mix should be a real treat for you DSP buffs looking for something upbeat and fun to listen to. Worth checking out for the Kit Clayton mix alone. 7/10 (Raf Katigbak)

Poison Pen/Malicious
“Fall Back”/“Take Off” (Rainmakerz Lounge)
Local radio personality and hip hop aficionado DJ Suganeedlz unveils her first single under the guise of producer Rayna Shine, and enlists the talents of a hometown boy and a New York state of mind. “Fall Back” features Stronghold MC Poison Pen ripping into cats playing the role with no raw to back it up. His grimy delivery is only highlighted by the faultless beat provided by Rayna. Again on “Take Off,” it’s clear that a solid beat brings out the very best in an MC, as Malicious makes the home team look again. This Offsides affiliate also calls out the weak MCs and shows them how it’s done. A very impressive debut from Rainmakerz, and hopefully a sign of things to come. 9.5/10 (Scott C)

The Cansecos
self-titled (Upper Class)
Direct from the T-dot, Bill Halliday and Gareth Jones have drawn a wealth of nicely negotiated beats and atmospherics from a few decrepit PCs and a four-track. Jones is the founder of Upper Class Records, and the Cansecos share some qualities with the label’s impressive flagship act, the Russian Futurists. However, this album ranges greatly in style and quality, recalling tight classic pop one minute, dull chillout schlock the next. The central flaw is poorly sung and poorly produced vocals, which sully the songs in varying degrees. It’s a sketchy debut outing, but don’t rule out a promising future. 6.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)

Tiga
DJ Kicks (K7/Fusion III)
Stepping away from his own successful Turbo imprint briefly, Montreal’s crown prince of electro, DJ Tiga, lends his international superstar DJ skills to the well respected German label K7. This is the latest in the DJ Kicks mix series (previously featuring downtempo luminaries such as Nightmares on Wax, Kruder & Dorfmeister and Smith & Mighty). The mix itself is equal parts frigid new wave, punky synth pop and dancefloor electro that is currently burning up clubs and catwalks throughout the fashionable world. With nods to the old school (Stevie V and Soft Cell) and several of Tiga’s own creations, the only thing missing is a loud sound system and several rails of pure Colombian. It’s party time! 8.5/10 (Raf Katigbak) CD launch at Mile End Club, Thurs., Feb. 6, 10pm, $7

The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir
Goin’ up Yonder (Justin Time/Fusion III)
If there’s one musical outfit that represents black history in Montreal, it’s the Jubilation Gospel Choir. For 20 years, director Trevor Payne has led this powerhouse vocal group through some of the most satisfying performances that Montreal has ever seen. Their latest features some of their signature songs, including “Highway to Heaven,” “Glory Train” and the title track, recorded live at St. James United Church. It also features Payne’s latest project, Revelation III - the heavenly vocals of Samantha Hinds, Janique Montreuil and Serena Voltaire. Sounds like history in the making. 9/10 (Gerard Dee)

Sullivan Steprans White
Influence (Perry Lake)
This is a quintet outing co-led by trumpeter Joe Sullivan, reedman Janis Steprans and (here) pianist Andre White. All three are important to the Montreal jazz scene as both players and teachers, as are the group’s other members, bassist Daniel Lessard and drummer Dave Laing. This March, 2000, recording has strong and warm playing from all on nine compositions by the leaders. Try the dedications, Steprans’ “Joe’s Idea,” White’s “Ferdinand Lamothe” for Jelly Roll Morton and Sullivan’s “Pete Power” for his son. First rate! 9/10 (Len Dobbin) The Joe Sullivan Big Band are at Pollock Hall, 555 Sherbrooke W., Wed., Feb. 5, 8pm

David Murray Latin Big Band Now Is Another Time (Justin Time/Fusion III) » Powerful stuff featuring Hamiet Bluiett and a gang of superb Cuban musicians. 9 (LD)

DJ Naes On the Mix (TNT) » Keep ’em coming! Naes mixes my shit with Jugganottz, Roots Manuva, Spacek, Madlib and Mike Ladd. Ill tape… 8.5 (SC)

Bob Log III Log Bomb (Fat Possum/FAB) » Log’s latest transmission from Dementia 13 is his best yet. Buy it and find out what a “boob scotch” is. 8 (JC)

Baron Samedi Esq. s/t (Libertine Rex/Scratch) » Fat bari sax and greasy keys hold court on these lo-fi basement soul-groove instrumentals from T.O. Cheap, dirty and wicked good. 7.5 (RB)

Riot 99 Last Train to Nowhere (Longshot/Scratch) » T.O.’s kings of street punk raise the battle cry. 7 (JC)

Erasure Other People’s Songs (Mute/Fusion III) » All that was good about this wide range of source material, from Cockney Rebel to the King, Peter Gabriel to the Buggles - Erasured. 2 (LC)

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