The Arkells

I took a chance and went to The Arkells' show. Going into it I had just listened to their songs maybe once each, they were cool, I liked them. BUT, after the concert finished, I was a converted hardcore fan. Great energy was never lacking. A really cool local band from Hamilton, it's great to discover some people that actually love their music and love to perform. An awesome light rock band, their songs are filled with killer guitars. The only down fall is that each song is a little similar, there's not tons that seperate them but that may just be because of my new ears!
Download, Ballad of Hugo Chavez, John Lennon, Tragic Flaw

Misery - Maroon 5

I don't think any words could describe my excitement about this single release. A long awaited event, Misery has lived up to my high standards for Maroon 5. An upbeat, soulful and happy song. I cannot wait for the video!
ENJOY!

Lissie - When I'm Alone

A wonderfully passionate and mellow song with a visually alluring video. Illinois native this girl may start to take the world by storm. Lissie's voice is about as natural is it can get and it is beautiful to hear.
Check out her cover of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance and Kid Cudi's Pursuit to Happiness

Said The Whale

An old find that was recently revisited, Said The Whale is a beautifully complete Canadian band. What strikes me about their music is their connection to their country. With songs like B.C. Orienteering, Out on the Shield and Emerald Lake AB, Canada is written all over their music. Songs about discovering nature and the land this band is extremely plesant and easy to listen to. From upbeat Camillo (the magician) to mellow and slow Curse of the Currents a connection is felt and emotion is put into every song. A great addition to any Canadian Playlist, this band makes me proud to say that Canada makes great music.
They're playing a free show this friday at Yonge Dundas square with K-OS and Sloan, I can't wait!

Tokyo Police Club - Champ

Being from Toronto I had my fingers crossed for this new release from Tokyo Police Club. This album has a grounded sound and is a perfect example of indie rock-pop. Great guitars and drums hold this album together as well as the original and often cute lyrics. A downfall of their other album is avoided this time, each song has its' own sound and can stand on its' own. Dave Monks, the lead singer has kept his recognisable voice which is a relief. This is a great, easy, effortless listen for indie rock fans, definetly check it out! A great album to rock out and relax to.
Four Lambs out of Five!
Download : Favourite food, Wait Up, Bambi, Gone, Big Difference

LIGHTS - Second Go

Cute music video from LIGHTS. A great song and a fun, colourful video!

Future Breeds - Hot Hot Heat

For me this was a very anticipated release for the summer from Hot Hot Heat. Being a huge fan of their previous work (Talk To Me Dance With Me, Bandages, Middle of No Where) three years seemed like way too long. Their sound on this new release, Future Breeds felt like a more mature brother of their previous cd's. Simliar, but yet different. Energy isn't lacking in any song, especially in one of my favourites, Imploisonatic. Drums, guitar and keyboard come together to create an upbeat pop/rock. Steve Bays' voice is still the same, the loveable and instantly recognizable sing-talk. It might take many listens to be able to hum these ones and know them well, but every listen will be enjoyable. Lacking the "stuck in your head" element you may not be singing these songs all day, but you will be thinking about them, and wishing you were listening to them. A groovy, rock, electronic soundtrack, this is a summer must.
Download : Imploisonatic, JFK's LSD, What is Rational?, Times A Thousand

Alejandro

What I thought was social commentary on war actually turned out to be about gay men! Everything Lady Gaga does has a meaning behind it, a reason why she did it the way she did so I never doubted that there was an issue she was adressing. "Homoerotic military theme" is how she described her new video for Alejandro. The men in the video who seemed to be part of the military but that were wearing heels was a comment on the unacceptance of gay men in the army community. "Don't ask, don't tell" wasn't acceptable for Lady Gaga.
Also, the nun theme had a meaning too. She explains herself as "A quite religious woman that is very confused about religion", due to the hate towards other religions, races and sexual preferences.
Good Job Gaga!

Vampire Weekend - Holiday

Absolutely Perfect for Vampire Weekend's new video. Colourful, cute and original just like they are. I would of liked to be able to drool over their looks, but hey, the Victorian outfits are hilarious.

Lady Gaga - Alejandro

Fresh Lady Gaga video! Quite interesting, a darker side of her. And I'm sure that she's making some sort of comment about religion and war, but I can't quite pin point it. Love the gun bra, super comfy!
Enjoy!

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Song)

The Fifa world cup song this year has been done by Shakira, who did a great job I think. Cute, happy and light hearted. Perfect for this event to bring up spirits in a country with so much hate and hurt.

Lazarus - Travie McCoy

Former member of Gym Class Heroes, Travie McCoy decided to go off on his own. His sound is like a mismatch of pop, rock and rap, very similar to Kevin Rudolf. Most tracks have a hard hitting guitar track in the background with rapped/sung verses. Hearing We'll Be Alright I was so excited for this album, thinking it would be a pump up, happy summer album. I was slightly disappointed when I found out that not many songs are like that gem, with the majority of the songs being a little flat lined. Pleasant, but not outstanding by any means. Many songs were good, but didn't have anything that would grab a listener and that's its' downfall. Not many catchy beats or choruses. T-Pain actually ruined a song for me, The Manual could have been good if T-Pain got lost in traffic and couldn't make it for the recording. Worth a listen for background music or chill summer tunes.
Download, We'll Be Alright, Billionaire, After Midnight, Critical, Need You.

Challenging Nature - Adam Kesher

With Chromeo supporting this French band's new release I had to give them a check out. Simliar to Caribou, Adam Kesher has an electronic sound. Somehow though, they manage to stand alone. This album has more of rock sound, think Phoenix. Very powerful, the songs on this album manage to hit hard even though they are rather light. A great voice headlines, with interesting and complex guitars complimenting each sound. First listen, I didn't think that this band was that special. After a few, I can't stop listening to them. A perfect indie/rock/pop/electronic album this is a great effort by the boys in Adam Kesher. I also included some songs not on this album but crucial to download. Adam Kesher may become one of my new favourites!
Download, Hour of the Wolf, Ladies Loathing and Laughter, Local Girl.
Four Lambs out of Five.

Swim - Caribou

"Create dance music that sounds like it's made out of water"
This is from Caribou's lead Dan Snaith on what he wanted to accomplish with his new album, Swim. Opening with Odessa, this album gives off a great first impression. Electronic beats take over with Snaith's hypnotising voice adding to the allure of the songs. With instruments like the flute being used you never get bored, there's always something to keep your attention and something new to focus on.
Very mellow, this sonic collection is a great playlist for lazy days and psychedelic moments. Very simliar to Junior Boys.
A downfall would be it's catchy-ness. It doesn't have the instant lure that some other albums do, but over all this is a really neat album with an original sound.
Download Odessa.

Three and a Half Lambs out of Five

Family Jewels - Marina & The Diamonds

This may be an unjust album review because I have a soft spot for Marina & The Diamonds, but I'll try to be as fair as I can be.
As her first full length album I think she did a great job. Every song is easy to listen to, love and get stuck in your head. With great beats and great uses of her original voice she did an outstanding job. Another thing that stuck out in my mind when I listened to this album were the lyrics. She had lots to say and said it all well with intriguing words and catchy phrases. Everyone could find something to relate to on this album. Always being compared to Kate Bush, Marina doesn't just channel her but she creates a sound and niche for herself. This album is a breath of fresh air amongst more main stream artists. I can see where people might find her slightly overbearing and annoying, singing about being friendless and sucessful. Those aspects may not be realistic, but Marina has created an incredible album.
Download Hollywood.
Four and a Half Lambs out of Five

John Mayer - Half Of My Heart Official Music Video

So exciting that John Mayer is putting out new (and great) music. Check out the video for his new single Half Of My Heart! I love it, so easy to rock out to.

May 2010

With May over, here's a list of the songs and artists that have won in my book this month. With the weather changing you can see a change in the songs, they're fresher, more cheerful and livelier. Enjoy!

Ellie Goulding, a new find of mine is still at the top of my playlist. Coming from the UK she's their electro pop female wonder. She's like a mix of Lights and Little Boots. An amazing electronic sound that still has an acoustic feel that can't help but make you smile. Try, Starry Eyed, Under the Sheets, Your Biggest Mistake, Everytime You Go, Guns and Horses.

Cudderisback - Kid Cudi a great remix of Vampire Weekend.

Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner

Two Door Cinema Club, an electro pop/indie rock band from Ireland is a great group to listen to all summer long. Think a hard rocking Kings of Leon. Try Undercover Martyn.

California Gurls - Katy Perry for the pop lovers, hey! It's catchy!

Sam Adams, Boston hip hop up and comer has come out with some great songs this year. Think Shwayze as a rapper with great mixed beats and even more attitude. Especially the remix of Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is good. Try, I Hate College, Coast 2 Coast.

We'll Be Alright - Travis McCoy

Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me

One of my favourite songs of the summer so far! Check out the video!

Contra - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend started as an indie rock band from New York City, but they're really starting to be accepted by the whole world. My favourite album of the year so far, Contra, was a huge hit in my book. I couldn't make a music blog without starting with them.
Contra is an original breath of fresh air that seperates itself from mainstream music but is extremely listenable and alluring. The word that comes to mind when I reflect on this album is texture. It is filled with different instruments, from the keyboard to the cello to bells to the drums. This variety adds a distinct sound to the album and never leaves you bored. Calm and peaceful but lively melodies are the mainstay of Contra. There's rock out songs like Cousins, easy listening feel good ones like White Sky and Giving Up the Gun but also mellow tunes like the title song, I Think UR A Contra.
I have, and will continue to listen to this album over and over again.
Download, White Sky, Giving Up the Gun, Run, Cousins, hey, just download all of them!
Also check out their new video for Giving Up the Gun.

4 and a half lambs out of 5!

Bionic - Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera's new album, Bionic took a few listens to to really get to know. It doesn't pull you in right away, it actually bored me a little bit for the first listen. Bionic is a fitting title for it though, with it being more robotic and electronic than any of her other music. Her bubbly pop is gone, Bionic is more grunge, more down and dirty than anything she's done before. After a couple listens it grew on me, but still underwhelmed. I found the album very repetitive with boring lyrics and beats. Her tries at ballads in Lift Me Up, I Am and You Lost Me were nice efforts, but lacked the emotional depth of her other ballads. Her more up tempo songs like Woohoo and I Hate Boys were weak. The sucesses were in my opinion My Girls featuring Peaches, Glam and Bionic which had a more groovy feel.
Overall, this effort was emotionless, robotic, repetitive and colourless.
Skip it.
Two Lambs out of Five!