Author: Michael

Posted in Listed

Top 30 Tracks of 2013

Posted on by Michael

30. Rogue Wave – College

29. Chvrches – We Sink

28. M.I.A – Y.A.L.A

27. Just Blaze x Baauer – Higher

26. Laura Mvula – That’s Alright

25. Camera Obscura – Every Weekday

24. Charlie XCX – Grins

23. Saturday Looks Good to Me – Invisible Friend

22. Daft Punk – Doin’ It Right

21. Yo La Tengo – Before We Run

20. Franz Ferdinand – Right Action

19. Holy Ghost! – Hold On, We’re Coming Home

18. Lorde – Ribs

17. The National – Demons

16. Kanye West – Black Skinhead

15. Disclosure – When a Fire Starts to Burn

14. Young Galaxy – Pretty Boy

13. Anna Calvi – Suddenly

12. Disclosure ft London Grammar- Help Me Lose My Mind

11. Joy Formidable – Silent Treatment (William Orbit Mix)

10. Andreas Hennenberg – Mountain

09. Daft Punk – Get Lucky

08. Federal Lights – I See Love

07. Austra – Forgive Me

06. Veronica Falls – Teenage

05. Kanye West – New Slaves

04. Purity Ring – Grammy

03. Bleached – Dead In Your Head

02. The National – Graceless

01. The National – Pink Rabbits

Posted in Album Reviews

Neko Case – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love (2013)

Posted on by Michael

61clZlmwxCL._AA160_When looking at her discography, it is surprising to see that Neko Case has not released an album since 2009’s Middle Cyclone. Case is an artist who often pops up in various spots – whether it’s singing with Jakob Dylan, covering “She’s Not There” with Nick Cave or providing backup vocals for Camera Obscura, she’s never too far removed from the musical landscape. The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love sees Case return to the solo spotlight.

The soulful “Night Still Comes” and rollicking “Man” provide two early highlights that provide a mighty one-two punch. Sung a cappella, the parental failings in “Nearly Midnight, Honlulu” are truly heartbreaking as is the long distance lament in “Calling Cards”. While remaining emotionally raw throughout, a few of the tracks don’t hit with the same impact as what’s come before making for a good but at times inconsistent listen.

7/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Chvrches – The Bones of What You Believe (2013)

Posted on by Michael

51qW7ZtdJEL._AA160_Through much of 2012, Glasgow synth pop trio Chvrches was making waves with a couple of singles that caught the ear of the blogsphere and saw them named as a band to watch by the BBC. When long-time friends Iain Cooke (Aerogramme) and Martin Doherty started recording in 2011 they asked Lauren Mayberry to sing on a few tracks which lead to the formation of Chvrches. After the release of “Lies” and the equally brilliant “Mother We Share”, the music press were more than ready to embrace third single “Recover” which received high praise upon release in early 2013.

Those three tracks form the backbone of debut, The Bones of What You Believe while fourth single “Gun” could easily be mistaken for an upbeat Young Galaxy. “We Sink” is instantly memorable when Mayberry sweetly declares “I’ll be in a thorn in your side ‘til you die”. Elsewhere tracks such as “Under the Tide” and “Science/Visions” show a darker side to Chvrches sound. A slew of great singles without any filler to be found, The Bones of What You Believe is one of the better debuts of the year.

8/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Julia Holter – Loud City Song (2013)

Posted on by Michael

41SEn-OFS-L._AA160_In the past two years, Los Angeles artist Julia Holter has released three albums. The first two, Tragedy and Ekstasis contained nods to ancient Greek plays and Virginia Woolf. Her newly released third, and first for Domino Records, was influenced by the novella and movie Gigi. Lowbrow this is not.

Loud City Song is the first of her albums to be recorded in a studio with other musicians and features a definite jazz flavour on many of the tracks. The first notes heard on single “In the Green Wild” are of a double bass one would normally hear pouring out of a jazz café. A breathless cover of 60s R&B staple “Hello Stranger” shows what a beautiful singer Holter is and does not sound too dissimilar from a slow motion version of Lisa Stansfield. Towards the end of the album, there is a Feist like bounce on “This Is a True Heart”.

2012’s Ekstasis’ dream pop was perfect for falling asleep to but Loud City Song comes alive while walking through the city on a bright and sunny afternoon. The appropriately named “Horns Surround Me” is enhanced by the rustling of fall leaves under feet, the sound of cars rushing by, and birds singing. On Loud City Song, Holter has truly captured the sound of the urban environment and is a vibrant follow-up to her first two excellent albums.

8.5/10

Review also found at UMFM.com

Posted in Album Reviews

Moon King – Obsession I & II (2013)

Posted on by Michael

moonkingsBack in August, the great new Winnipeg venue Union Sound Hall played host to Montreal’s Majical Cloudz. While Devon Welsh’s performance was suitably intense, the highlight of the night belonged to Toronto newcomers Moon King. The duo, comprised of writer/producer Daniel Benjamin and vocal/guitarist Maddy Wilde, stormed through tracks from their two EPs entitled Obsession I and II which they released for the tour as one CD.

The band does a spot on job at combining elements of shoegaze with scuzzy rock energy. “The Fear of Love” recalls MBV at their most dreamy while the floaty vocals of “Dreamtrap” would do Grimes proud before the thrash of “Icarus” blows the fog away. Though Obs I was released a year ago and Obs II is already several months old, these two EPs are absolutely essential listening.

7.5/10

Review also found at UMFM.com