Listening to All in Good Time by BNL, wondering if I took this album, and interleaved it with Stephen Page's new album if I could distinguish it from other BNL albums.
In honesty it is a good album, it isn't a great one, its just good, but I think there last album (not including Snack Time! its in a world of its own,) was my favourite since Stunt. It would have been hard to follow with out a band schism. The Toronto Star raved gleefully about it, and I'm not saying it isn't warranted, it just didn't feel like a sincere review.
So other then the obvious allusions to Steven Page in the single, the album is a good sound, and and it takes me back to the concert at the Dakota. I feel the studio polish doesn't always do them service as they sound great live, but the album stays generally in a bubble gum, blue grass sound. (I'm not a music critic, but thats how I hear it, so :P )
So if you like BNL give'r a listen, if not, your probably going to pass, but enjoy the single which seems to have grab the radio by the horns.
cheers
more drivel when I can
Araska is a rock, actually that is a lie, Araska is a fictional rock, in a fictional sea, in a fictional world, the only thing that could be said about is that, if said, world, sea and rock were to exist, then you would have a nice view of a fictional harbour.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Scarborough Bluffs at the Dakota
So for those following the twitter stream last night, you know that I was out at watching the Scarborough Bluffs (also know as the Barenaked Ladies,) but what couldn’t be conveyed was why the experience was so awesome. As I understand BNL is in the studio right now (well not now now, I imagine they are in bed now now, but like temporally proximate to now,) putting together their next album minus one. With Stephen Page off doing his own thing now the group is trying to re-establish their identity, reassure fans, and maybe even reassure themselves that they can pull this off.
So what better way then ask a friend and small indy music club owner if you can annex his bar for a night, invite only your family and closest friends, and then play all your new music to your most supporting audience, and get probably the most honest feedback. Now there is no way on earth that I should have even heard of this concert, but Trevor, who is always introducing me to new music, happens to know the owner of the club, and Trevor got himself +1 on the bottom of that guest list for last night. He also may have let it slip to Brad that the concert was last night so he could line up before the doors open to see if he could squeak in there as well (which he did.) So BNL, 110 of their family and friends, and eight of the luckiest friends and +1’s of the bar owner (which Brad, Trevor and I included) got the most intimate BNL concert that I will likely ever have.
To put this on a scale, it was like I was sitting on my living room sofa, and they were playing in my kitchen. They played two 10 songs sets, and an encore, in there they did 16 brand new tracks, and a half a dozen classics. Between the songs they mingled with the crowed as you would a family gathering, and I’m afraid I could not drink enough liquid courage to be that crass fan that shoves himself in the face of the ban and gushed about how awesome they are. Instead I will go with my more Canadian story, as I returned from the bar, hands full with a round for our table, I had to squeeze past Tyler, and with a polite excuse me I captured his attention, to which he politely with nodding deference to the hand full of beers stepped out of the way.
The “new sound” is reassuringly like the “old sound” they lacked the polished perfection of a studio album that I’m sure will prove that these guys still have it. Still the honest sound, with flubs, and in-between self deprecating banter is what makes these guys quintessentially Canadian. I’m really excited to get a hold of the album whenever it is ready, but I think my own apprehension, as a fan, has finally been relieved, these are guys who still make music I find compelling.
Well I don’t have any more to say now, but I am tired, I don’t think I got in until 2:30 AM last night, but it was worthwhile, I will post what sketchy pictures from my cell phone I can tonight, and I will see if Brad will share his pictures from his significantly less sketchy camera.
So what better way then ask a friend and small indy music club owner if you can annex his bar for a night, invite only your family and closest friends, and then play all your new music to your most supporting audience, and get probably the most honest feedback. Now there is no way on earth that I should have even heard of this concert, but Trevor, who is always introducing me to new music, happens to know the owner of the club, and Trevor got himself +1 on the bottom of that guest list for last night. He also may have let it slip to Brad that the concert was last night so he could line up before the doors open to see if he could squeak in there as well (which he did.) So BNL, 110 of their family and friends, and eight of the luckiest friends and +1’s of the bar owner (which Brad, Trevor and I included) got the most intimate BNL concert that I will likely ever have.
To put this on a scale, it was like I was sitting on my living room sofa, and they were playing in my kitchen. They played two 10 songs sets, and an encore, in there they did 16 brand new tracks, and a half a dozen classics. Between the songs they mingled with the crowed as you would a family gathering, and I’m afraid I could not drink enough liquid courage to be that crass fan that shoves himself in the face of the ban and gushed about how awesome they are. Instead I will go with my more Canadian story, as I returned from the bar, hands full with a round for our table, I had to squeeze past Tyler, and with a polite excuse me I captured his attention, to which he politely with nodding deference to the hand full of beers stepped out of the way.
The “new sound” is reassuringly like the “old sound” they lacked the polished perfection of a studio album that I’m sure will prove that these guys still have it. Still the honest sound, with flubs, and in-between self deprecating banter is what makes these guys quintessentially Canadian. I’m really excited to get a hold of the album whenever it is ready, but I think my own apprehension, as a fan, has finally been relieved, these are guys who still make music I find compelling.
Well I don’t have any more to say now, but I am tired, I don’t think I got in until 2:30 AM last night, but it was worthwhile, I will post what sketchy pictures from my cell phone I can tonight, and I will see if Brad will share his pictures from his significantly less sketchy camera.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
What Happened to Moxy Früvous?
Every once in a while I cruise the music store looking to see if Moxy Früvous is still writing music, and as far as I could tell they vanished... Until today when naively listening to Q on CBC Radio 1. Well it turns out that Jian Ghomeshi one of the singer/song writer/instrumental's of Früvous is the Host of Q, which I have been listening to and enjoying for month's. He is also released his own debut solo CD. Wiki provides the remainder of the details on where the rest of them went.
Poetry Corner / Quacks Like an Anti-Duck
So I've been trying out all sorts of new music recently, some of it comes from CBC, which has the unique habit of playing random music from artists you've never heard of before. Sometimes you get crazy things like Chinese hip-hop, Bollywood Country, or whale songs. Other times it is more mundane, traditional, world music. Sometimes it is just lesser known bands, or indy music, and sometimes it is just a the latest from an established Canadian artist, because CBC supports her own. You get like tops 1-2 songs an hour nestled between news and programs. So it really is a surprise, and once in a while I hear something that just clicks, like Regina Spektor. I think I may have mentioned her before, but I'm given her a second mention for a few reasons, one is that I like the music, two I've started hearing her on more mainstream stations (yeah I heard something for once that became popular after I liked it, :) and three because her Wikipedia article has me confused, but I will explain that in a second.
So here is a bit of her poetry, a lyric from her most popular single, and the one that caught my ear, I was reminded of it by Erin, who picked up on it herself as a great sentiment.
- Regina Spektor, On the Radio
So her Wiki, before I get to her Wiki a little more rambling, we watched Juno a few weeks ago, great movie by the by, and one of the notable features of it is a great sound track. So compelled by the sound I went out and grabbed both the sound track, and the album by the artist who really represents 50% or more of the it by herself. That being Kimya Dawson.
So where does this all come together, well I've recently come to the conclusion that the majority of the music I like actually falls into the genre basket of "Folk." So as I come to understand that music style I said to myself, wow these two new artists I am listening to they totally sound like folk, I bet that is why I like them.
So I looked them up, first one, then the other, as I had guessed they were both of a similar genre, but not folk, they were bum bum bummmmm Anti-folk... You know that old saying if you look like a duck, and quack like a duck... Well as far as I can tell (and music snobs can correct me) but anti-folk is really just folk artists who got turned down for being to boarder line folk from some of the more prominent venues, probably for actually just not being of big enough name yet. So they just said fine, if we're not folk enough for you, then now we are anti-folk, and TADA a new genre was born.
So my ear might not be able to divine the secret minutia of the sub-genre's, but I will say that be they ducks, or anti-ducks, folk or anti-folk, I still like the sound...
So here is a bit of her poetry, a lyric from her most popular single, and the one that caught my ear, I was reminded of it by Erin, who picked up on it herself as a great sentiment.
No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again
- Regina Spektor, On the Radio
So her Wiki, before I get to her Wiki a little more rambling, we watched Juno a few weeks ago, great movie by the by, and one of the notable features of it is a great sound track. So compelled by the sound I went out and grabbed both the sound track, and the album by the artist who really represents 50% or more of the it by herself. That being Kimya Dawson.
So where does this all come together, well I've recently come to the conclusion that the majority of the music I like actually falls into the genre basket of "Folk." So as I come to understand that music style I said to myself, wow these two new artists I am listening to they totally sound like folk, I bet that is why I like them.
So I looked them up, first one, then the other, as I had guessed they were both of a similar genre, but not folk, they were bum bum bummmmm Anti-folk... You know that old saying if you look like a duck, and quack like a duck... Well as far as I can tell (and music snobs can correct me) but anti-folk is really just folk artists who got turned down for being to boarder line folk from some of the more prominent venues, probably for actually just not being of big enough name yet. So they just said fine, if we're not folk enough for you, then now we are anti-folk, and TADA a new genre was born.
So my ear might not be able to divine the secret minutia of the sub-genre's, but I will say that be they ducks, or anti-ducks, folk or anti-folk, I still like the sound...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Various things
Well well well, what a whirlwind couple of days last week, life has been extra busy of late, and I haven't posted a thing at all. On the upside most of the people who read this were involved in many of the things so no one is out of date.
To start with, I guess a week and a half ago I got a second piercing, this time in my ear. It is certainly a non-standard piercing, and after the fact I found out that many regard it as one of the more painful piercings. So to say I'm suffering my own foolishness is fair, but I think it looks pretty good. I don't have a picture yet (because my camera is having smashed screen issues...) But here is the Wikipedia link on it, it is formally known as a rook piercing.
Next up on my busy schedule was the David Usher concert on Thursday night. The opener was good, I'm not as hyped for her as I was for NLX, but Pascale Picard was still really good. Her drummer was sweaty as sin in his awesome tweed jacket, and her guitarist nearly rocked himself off his chair while one handed playing from the frets while doing some freaky shit on a mini mixer board. We also couldn't help but tease the base guitarist. I know the old adage of the base player doesn't get the girls, but this one could have tried a little harder. He actually reminded me of me when I was heavier, and if I had slightly longer shaggy hair. It was the golf shirt that was his end, if he had just opened a button or two, and rocked the neck of his guitar in beat with the music he was playing he would have had a chance...
The middle band was that girl who didn't win on Rockstar, and with good reason, she came off as 100% poser. I don't think she was really a fit for the crowd, but when someone has to come out and announce your imminent arrival and demand that the audience throw up the devil horns for you, you really are struggling. Besides the 'horns' (which is how real people refer to them) are only thrown for merit, not on demand. But it was okay, because she seemed to have her hand locked in some sort of death grip horns position on the microphone, when she wasn't touching herself sexually (seriously...) I also think her parents were in the front row...
Finally David Usher came at the end. They had a broken opera singer (The macbook kept crashing and it had the samples) but they still did a fair rendition of Black Black Heart, and otherwise he was his usual awesome self. They had a good mix his stuff and some Moist, as well as some new stuff that isn't out yet, and a great cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. I realize I've said more about the non-headliners, but David Usher is a really great performer live, and he put on a great show, I guess you had to be there. :) On a side note he has returned like the prodigal son to Toronto from New York, so that's good to hear that we've repatriated a Canuck.
Friday, For some reason I can't recall anything of note on Friday, and I don't think that nothing happened, but I can't, something minor did happen, but it fits into a Sunday story, so I will save that for further in this post.
Saturday was fabulous, so it started with the Enbridge CN Tower Stair Climb. As usual for this endeavor I got up before the crack of stupid. The reason being two fold, the first is that all the registration and waiting area's get crowded, and I like to get in and out quickly. The other is that the tower itself gets grosser and grosser as the day progresses. So I just don't like being there too late, as the various slimes and smells are disgusting. So around 5:00 AM I rolled out of the house, and by 6:49, I was driven, parked, registered, waivered and at the foot of the tower.
Now in the past I've done this climb typically in about 50 minutes. The best time I've ever had was about 46, and the worst about 52. So I knew I was in better shape now then I've ever been, so I knew I could do better then 46. I was hoping for about 30-39 minute, I thought that was fair. I couldn't have been more wrong.
My new best (and probably last for a while) time for conquering the CN Tower is... 20 minutes and 41 seconds!!! (Yes that deserves 3 '!')
If anyone feels inspired, The United Way will still take donations for a couple more weeks, and you can post-sponsor my climb here.
I also made two personal firsts on this trek, it was my first time up the tower without stopping for a rest, and my first time I could actually fit in the free t-shirt at the end. I kept telling myself I'd take a break at some future milestone, but then I'd get there and say, wait a second, I feel fantastic.
I returned home pretty jazzed before Erin was out of bed (around 8ish) and I'm afraid overwhelmed her with my energy level. She caught up later in the day, but I did try to get her going from 0-60 in 30 seconds, and she was (and rightly so) still half asleep.
Once Erin got her day in hand, including a nice lunch and breakfast, and a trip to the gym. We gallivanted about shopping, we actually left the house to look for two specific things, and ended up not getting either of them, one of them was new glasses frames for me, and we didn't even get to the store :)
Erin did get some nice clothes though :) and we went shopping for leather jackets, and found them to be rather favourably priced, but Erin wasn't perfectly satisfied with the fit, and the jacket I wanted to try won't be in stock in my size until later this week. After that we had a great night at my grandparents, we even drove my parents, it was a funny trading of places. That night I pretty much wrapped up design on the website for the Voice Lab, I still need some content, but the keys are there.
After a long Saturday, Sunday was more relaxed. We slept in, ate late, and relaxed. Around 11:00 we headed out for a few more errands, the big one being Half Life 2: Orange Box. This was really the extended story of Friday, it isn't so much a good story but a story of me being stupid. On Friday I went to EB on the way home to pick this up, and they were sold out, so I went to a Walmart, and with game nearly in my grasp I balked. The "Orange Box" was hardly an entire box made of orange, but a marketing nightmare of graphics barfed on to a case. So I didn't buy it, talk about books and their covers, but I didn't. So Saturday, after rewatching the trailers, specifically for Portal I smacked myself upside the head, and went out in search of it. The Orange Box being the other thing that we didn't get while shopping Saturday, and it wasn't without trying, I turned Mississauga upside down trying to get it, and failed.
So Sunday, I returned to the same Walmart in Oakville that I had my brain failure on Friday, and I got it. In that moment of weakness I also bought the prequel to River Tam Beats up Everyone also known as Serenity in HD. God I love that show!
We also got new shoes for Erin (I tried and failed, but I know what I want now.)
We also went to Chudleigh's (the orchard not our MPP's) to pick apples, it is probably the last time we go this year, the trees are pretty much done, and the apples that remain weren't the nicest, but it was nice to walk the orchard in such beautiful weather.
We returned home where I gorged myself on Portal (WHICH WAS FREAKING AMAZING) and also mowed the lawn for the first time in three months. (not that I'm a lazy gardener but it didn't grow at all in August or September.
I also made/made up a kick ass new soup. I call it lamb soup, I had some lamb bones from the organic quarter lamb I bought last year for making lamb stock from, and I also had some stewing meat. So I said, lets do something with this...
Starting with this recipe for stock, I cooked that for a good number of hours until it was lambalicious. Then I strained it, added back the meat bits (that was fiddly as I had to pick them off the bones.) Then I added a cup of white wine, and some carrots and parsnips cut into rounds. Cooked it for about another 20 minutes, and presto! It was probably a little fatty for a diet, but it tasted great! We had it with our tomato-basil trout, spinach, and some yam. Other then the soup all light, and including the soup all delicious.
We ended the weekend with a little King Kong on the HD-DVD. All and all a great couple of days, and I'm pooped!
I will try and write more, and in smaller bits as I go.
ps Yes Mom, I will be your friend on facebook :)
pps no I didn't really proof read this...
To start with, I guess a week and a half ago I got a second piercing, this time in my ear. It is certainly a non-standard piercing, and after the fact I found out that many regard it as one of the more painful piercings. So to say I'm suffering my own foolishness is fair, but I think it looks pretty good. I don't have a picture yet (because my camera is having smashed screen issues...) But here is the Wikipedia link on it, it is formally known as a rook piercing.
Next up on my busy schedule was the David Usher concert on Thursday night. The opener was good, I'm not as hyped for her as I was for NLX, but Pascale Picard was still really good. Her drummer was sweaty as sin in his awesome tweed jacket, and her guitarist nearly rocked himself off his chair while one handed playing from the frets while doing some freaky shit on a mini mixer board. We also couldn't help but tease the base guitarist. I know the old adage of the base player doesn't get the girls, but this one could have tried a little harder. He actually reminded me of me when I was heavier, and if I had slightly longer shaggy hair. It was the golf shirt that was his end, if he had just opened a button or two, and rocked the neck of his guitar in beat with the music he was playing he would have had a chance...
The middle band was that girl who didn't win on Rockstar, and with good reason, she came off as 100% poser. I don't think she was really a fit for the crowd, but when someone has to come out and announce your imminent arrival and demand that the audience throw up the devil horns for you, you really are struggling. Besides the 'horns' (which is how real people refer to them) are only thrown for merit, not on demand. But it was okay, because she seemed to have her hand locked in some sort of death grip horns position on the microphone, when she wasn't touching herself sexually (seriously...) I also think her parents were in the front row...
Finally David Usher came at the end. They had a broken opera singer (The macbook kept crashing and it had the samples) but they still did a fair rendition of Black Black Heart, and otherwise he was his usual awesome self. They had a good mix his stuff and some Moist, as well as some new stuff that isn't out yet, and a great cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. I realize I've said more about the non-headliners, but David Usher is a really great performer live, and he put on a great show, I guess you had to be there. :) On a side note he has returned like the prodigal son to Toronto from New York, so that's good to hear that we've repatriated a Canuck.
Friday, For some reason I can't recall anything of note on Friday, and I don't think that nothing happened, but I can't, something minor did happen, but it fits into a Sunday story, so I will save that for further in this post.
Saturday was fabulous, so it started with the Enbridge CN Tower Stair Climb. As usual for this endeavor I got up before the crack of stupid. The reason being two fold, the first is that all the registration and waiting area's get crowded, and I like to get in and out quickly. The other is that the tower itself gets grosser and grosser as the day progresses. So I just don't like being there too late, as the various slimes and smells are disgusting. So around 5:00 AM I rolled out of the house, and by 6:49, I was driven, parked, registered, waivered and at the foot of the tower.
Now in the past I've done this climb typically in about 50 minutes. The best time I've ever had was about 46, and the worst about 52. So I knew I was in better shape now then I've ever been, so I knew I could do better then 46. I was hoping for about 30-39 minute, I thought that was fair. I couldn't have been more wrong.
My new best (and probably last for a while) time for conquering the CN Tower is... 20 minutes and 41 seconds!!! (Yes that deserves 3 '!')
If anyone feels inspired, The United Way will still take donations for a couple more weeks, and you can post-sponsor my climb here.
I also made two personal firsts on this trek, it was my first time up the tower without stopping for a rest, and my first time I could actually fit in the free t-shirt at the end. I kept telling myself I'd take a break at some future milestone, but then I'd get there and say, wait a second, I feel fantastic.
I returned home pretty jazzed before Erin was out of bed (around 8ish) and I'm afraid overwhelmed her with my energy level. She caught up later in the day, but I did try to get her going from 0-60 in 30 seconds, and she was (and rightly so) still half asleep.
Once Erin got her day in hand, including a nice lunch and breakfast, and a trip to the gym. We gallivanted about shopping, we actually left the house to look for two specific things, and ended up not getting either of them, one of them was new glasses frames for me, and we didn't even get to the store :)
Erin did get some nice clothes though :) and we went shopping for leather jackets, and found them to be rather favourably priced, but Erin wasn't perfectly satisfied with the fit, and the jacket I wanted to try won't be in stock in my size until later this week. After that we had a great night at my grandparents, we even drove my parents, it was a funny trading of places. That night I pretty much wrapped up design on the website for the Voice Lab, I still need some content, but the keys are there.
After a long Saturday, Sunday was more relaxed. We slept in, ate late, and relaxed. Around 11:00 we headed out for a few more errands, the big one being Half Life 2: Orange Box. This was really the extended story of Friday, it isn't so much a good story but a story of me being stupid. On Friday I went to EB on the way home to pick this up, and they were sold out, so I went to a Walmart, and with game nearly in my grasp I balked. The "Orange Box" was hardly an entire box made of orange, but a marketing nightmare of graphics barfed on to a case. So I didn't buy it, talk about books and their covers, but I didn't. So Saturday, after rewatching the trailers, specifically for Portal I smacked myself upside the head, and went out in search of it. The Orange Box being the other thing that we didn't get while shopping Saturday, and it wasn't without trying, I turned Mississauga upside down trying to get it, and failed.
So Sunday, I returned to the same Walmart in Oakville that I had my brain failure on Friday, and I got it. In that moment of weakness I also bought the prequel to River Tam Beats up Everyone also known as Serenity in HD. God I love that show!
We also got new shoes for Erin (I tried and failed, but I know what I want now.)
We also went to Chudleigh's (the orchard not our MPP's) to pick apples, it is probably the last time we go this year, the trees are pretty much done, and the apples that remain weren't the nicest, but it was nice to walk the orchard in such beautiful weather.
We returned home where I gorged myself on Portal (WHICH WAS FREAKING AMAZING) and also mowed the lawn for the first time in three months. (not that I'm a lazy gardener but it didn't grow at all in August or September.
I also made/made up a kick ass new soup. I call it lamb soup, I had some lamb bones from the organic quarter lamb I bought last year for making lamb stock from, and I also had some stewing meat. So I said, lets do something with this...
Starting with this recipe for stock, I cooked that for a good number of hours until it was lambalicious. Then I strained it, added back the meat bits (that was fiddly as I had to pick them off the bones.) Then I added a cup of white wine, and some carrots and parsnips cut into rounds. Cooked it for about another 20 minutes, and presto! It was probably a little fatty for a diet, but it tasted great! We had it with our tomato-basil trout, spinach, and some yam. Other then the soup all light, and including the soup all delicious.
We ended the weekend with a little King Kong on the HD-DVD. All and all a great couple of days, and I'm pooped!
I will try and write more, and in smaller bits as I go.
ps Yes Mom, I will be your friend on facebook :)
pps no I didn't really proof read this...
Monday, March 26, 2007
Natasha Alexandra opening for David Usher
So as many know, went to see David Usher at the Mod Club, and it was a great show! I'm featured in some video's floating around YouTube taken by some of the more zealous fans who charged the state (so to speak.) David did a great show, and the venue is fantastic. More over the opening act, NLX (Natasha Alexandra) did a great set. She plays the synthasizer/keyboard and is backed up by a drummer. She has a unique voice which gives her music a character that stands her out from the crowd of female vocalists. Jenn and I picked up her two albums (and I owe Jenn some money there :) and I'm rocking out to them.
So here is my e-pimping of her music, and hopefully the linkage gets picked up by google spider and helps boost her site.
Anyways great show, check it out, and if you know me and wish to listen to her tunes I can probably lend you the disc.
So here is my e-pimping of her music, and hopefully the linkage gets picked up by google spider and helps boost her site.
Anyways great show, check it out, and if you know me and wish to listen to her tunes I can probably lend you the disc.
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