2007’s National Anthem Of Nowhere saw Canadian indie rock veterans Apostle Of Hustle at the top of their game, expertly balancing distinctive melodies and rhythms in full, polished arrangements. Eats Darkness, with its conceptual theme of examining reality’s ugly and violent elements …
Posted in Featured Review, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 5 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats Charles Spearin (Do Make Say Think, Broken Social Scene) had long been fascinated by the musical qualities of everyday conversation. He gathered some of his Toronto neighbours and asked them their thoughts on happiness.
Posted in Miscellany, Music Reviews, Top Rated
Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats A funny thing happened during the making of Death Cab For Cutie’s 2008 full-length, Narrow Stairs: they managed to omit four of the best songs from those sessions, now gathered off the scrap heap for release on The Open Door EP
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 2.5 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats Christmas 2008 actually came in May 2007 for Arts & Crafts, with the release of Feist’s The Reminder. Capitalizing on its runaway success, the label has repackaged it with a bonus disc and reintroduced it to the marketplace.
Posted in Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats Something For All Of Us… is the second release in the BSS Presents series, following the 2007 release of Kevin Drew’s Spirit If…
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 2.5 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats A website recently ran a poll asking which Canadian artist was more likely to become “the next Neil Young†– Dallas Green or Matthew Good. (This is clearly ridiculousness – would Young ever start a song with the words “cross my heart and hope to dieâ€?)
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 3 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats Being signed to premier indie label Arts & Crafts to release their third record is an indication of the respect The Stills have earned from the Canadian music community.
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
Rating: 3 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats Only By The Night is the follow-up to 2007’s well-received Because of the Times, which especially seemed to appeal to those critics who wanted an indie band to make a real rock record. Fans will see Only By The Night as soulful and powerful; detractors will see it [...]
Posted in Music Reviews, Rock + Pop
