MUSIC REVIEWS
by MIRROR MUSIC
September 30, 2010
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
BEAR IN HEAVEN
Beast Rest Forth Mouth
(Hometapes/SC)
Surround sound is this Brooklyn trio’s specialty: Motorik beats are mounted on undulating ’70s synths, electrified shoegazing ambiance, warped, wafer-thin guitars and androgynous chanting (evoking the likes of Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson and Fever Ray). And despite its kaleidoscopic effect, there are simple pop structures and anthemic arcs at the core. For more synthetic beats, tweaked SFX and fun with reverb, the remix disc is a treasure trove. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Ultimate Satisfaction” (Lorraine Carpenter) With Twin Sister, the Luyas, Grounders at la Sala Rossa tonight, Thurs., Sept. 30, 9 p.m., $15
FILM SCHOOL
Fission
(Hi-Speed Soul)
It’s makeover time for this L.A. band, who’ve made a jangly, dreamy, poppy, distorted, danceable, derivative yet rock solid fourth LP. Imagine the propulsive rhythms of New Order, the vocal dynamics of Yo la Tengo and the loaded guitar riffs and synth textures of that late ’80s/early ’90s intersection of post-punk, new wave, shoegazing and Britpop. 8/10 Trial Track: “Waited” (Lorraine Carpenter) With Receivers, the Depreciation Guild at Casa del Popolo, Sun., Oct. 3, 9:30 p.m., $10
MARNIE STERN
self-titled
(Kill Rock Stars)
Ms. Stern hardly has to prove her fretboard prowess, given her amazing command over finger-tapping, enough to make ol’ Eddie blush. On her eponymous third release, she leaves the six-string pyrotechnics tucked further in the back, with even more emphasis on the songwriting department. Songs are perfectly carved and free to morph into bizarre rock anthems while amazing vocal melodies reach into the most unlikely recesses. Can’t wait to see this live! 8/10 Trial Track: “Building a Body” (Johnson Cummins) With Parlovr, Special Noise at Cabaret Just Pour Rire, Sat., Oct. 2, 8:30 p.m., $17
FATHER MURPHY
No Room for the Weak
(Aagoo)
On this four-song EP, Father Murphy delve far into the nether reaches of post-rock and come up to break the surface with pure gold. Droning guitars and buzzing ambience set the pace as a monotone vocal chants over the dark ditties. Father Murphy steer clear of basking in the light and should appeal to those of us who love their jams dark and desolate, and long for the early days when Sonic Youth was still taking the expressway to your skull. 8/10 Trial Track: “There Is a War” (Johnson Cummins) With Buke & Gass at Espace Reunion (6660 Hutchinson), Sat., Oct. 2, midnight, $10
MY LITTLE CHEAP DICTAPHONE
The Tragic Tale of a Genius
([PIAS])
Nothing little or cheap about this lavish and inventive adventure into chamber-pop opera, care of a Belgian quartet and their pals. Thing is that while in structure, this elaborate musical tale—indirectly a portrait of Brian Wilson (though the real debts here are to Yann Tiersen, the Divine Comedy and such)—indeed fits the bill as an opera of sorts, the vocals, some by the likes of Mercury Rev’s Jonathan Donahue, are in fact the weakest component, bland and uninspiring. On the other hand, the arrangements and instrumental ornamentation can’t be beat. 7/10 Trial Track: “Shine On” (Rupert Bottenberg) With the Dears, Alanna Stuart at Mission Santa Cruz (60 Rachel W.), Fri., Oct. 1, 9:15 p.m., $20
BUKE & GASS
Riposte
(Brassland)
A his-and-hers Brooklyn schizo-folk duo, as musically sharp as their rapier album title—guitar/ukulele and stomping percussion deftly dodge and counterattack like a master fencer expertly handling his epee. Singer Arone Dyer somehow ties together the often unpredictably shifting landscape of ideas with a forceful pop siren cry—an intriguing and immediately likeable contrast to the gloriously messy backdrop. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Red Hood Came Home” (Erik Leijon) With Father Murphy at Espace Reunion (6660 Hutchinson), Sat., Oct. 2, midnight, $10
GRAMERCY RIFFS
It’s Heartbreak
(independent)
Which current mainland Canadian indie band do Newfoundland’s Gramercy Riffs sound like? Well, all of them, of course. Everything west of Cornerbrook is one big indiscriminate dartboard of musical influences ready to get thrown at. The upbeat portions are forgettable and seemingly of a different album together, sandwiched between anthemic indie rock build-ups led by vocalist Mara Pellerin that denote true Canadiana potential. 6/10 Trial Track: “Ambulance” (Erik Leijon) With Golden Isles, Spoon River, the Whitsundays at l’Escogriffe, Sat., Oct. 2, 9:30 p.m.
ABSENT MINDED & Q
Gem Cutterz
(LOD Development)
Neo-Montrealer Absent Minded links up here with his Toronto homie and noted battle rapper Q to form Gem Cutterz, and the result is stone solid. The pair comes out of the gate aggressive and intelligent, and despite the opening rock-rap jam, don’t expect played-out indie hip hop tears and jeers. Insightful lyrics and downright sombre production are reminiscent of the Jedi Mind Tricks school of NYC underground, but each track lends fresh perspective to the form to introduce a new sound to the Canadian rap landscape. 8/10 Trial Track: “Doom” (Darcy MacDonald)
SHONTELLE
No Gravity
(Motown/ Universal)
Comparisons between Shontelle and Rihanna are overblown because the only thing they seem to have in common is their Barbadian roots. Rihanna may not be the best singer, but some of her songs have at least enough punch to survive the dancefloor. The generic pop/dance that populates most of Shontelle’s sophomore effort couldn’t survive the dancefloor, much less radio. 6/10 Trial Track: “T-Shirt” (Gerard Dee)
DUBMATIX
System Shakedown
(Fontana North/ Universal)
With bass for days and more legends than you can shake a stick at—U Brown, Dennis Alcapone, Gregory Isaacs and that’s just getting started—Toronto’s Dubmatix shows that Canada’s got vibes. System Shakedown continues on the high-quality path that produced the excellent (and equally star-studded) Renegade Rocker back in 2008. Contrary to what the name might imply, this ain’t chill-out-and-get-high dub, but straight roots rock reggae goodness that’ll make your head nod and waist wine. 9/10 Trial Track: “Celebrate my Love” feat. Jay Douglas (Erin MacLeod)
MINI REVIEWS
THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION
Blood Bunny/Black Rabbit (Temporary Residence) The remix of “Freeze” by none other than Lee “Scratch” Perry is reason enough to make this mandatory. 8 (JC)
CERCEUIL
Shoo Straight Shout (Optical Sound) The Lille, France trio’s troglodyte machine rock wisely leaves the heavy lifting to singer Pénélope Durteste’s throaty, commanding vocals. 7 (RB) With Py Py, Grand Trine at Casa del Popolo, Sat., Oct. 2, 10 p.m.
MICE PARADE
What It Means to Be Left-handed (FatCat/SC) Indie rockers take it all over the map, from African highlife to Spanish flamenco to Brazilian jazz to American college rock. A scenic voyage, but it’s all business. 7 (LC) With les Shelleys at Divan Orange tonight, Thurs., Sept. 30, 9 p.m., $13
PAPER LIONS
Trophies EP (Common Law/EMI) If someone has a trophy for bounciest Maritimes-based pop-rock EP of 2010, start carving the name Paper Lions on it. 7 (EL) With Library Voices, Hoof & the Heel and more at Petit Campus, Sat., Oct. 2, 9 p.m., $10, and at UQÀM’s Place Pasteur (1430 St-Denis), Sat., Oct. 2, 2 p.m., free
SMALL SINS
Pot Calls Kettle Black (Arts & Crafts) As a whole, Thomas D’Arcy’s latest never quite lives up to the catchy, icy, funky electro of the few standouts. 6 (EL) With Amanita Bloom, Panache, Solids at Il Motore, Fri. Oct. 1, 9 p.m.
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