CD Reviews

Ghislain Poirier
Breakupdown
(Chocolate Industries)

Montreal mix-master Ghislain Poirier got busy in 2005. He toured with Brit rap giant (in the figurative sense – she’s only 5’1″!) Lady Sovereign, and started a monthly DJ night at Zoobizarre, called Bounce le Gros.
His fusion of electronic and deconstructed hip-hop has been called ‘avant-garde’, but this is arguable. In terms of club mixes, there is no glaring difference to someone who doesn’t frequent the scene. Poirier can be applauded for somehow making a francophone rapper sound ‘street’ (Seba, on the last track of the record), and his samples of strings and woodwinds mixed with pulsing, dark synths create ambient sound fit for cruising back-alleys, looking suspicious. But will he succeed in making the average listener want to ‘Bounce le Gros’? There will definitely be some head-bobbing to a couple of tracks (particularly number 7, which has a sort of alien, ragga dancehall feel), but on the whole? Not really. If your thing is repetitive, bass-driven electronics, pick the record up. But otherwise, don’t break (up?) down and buy this one. 3/5
-Amy Blaxland

Meesh
Touch
(Universal)

With Touch, the Montreal four-piece Meesh release their first full-length album, full of aggressive but still accessible pop punk/rock tracks. While the songs may appeal to a wide audience, the lyrics themselves aren’t particularly innovative. They recount the same old adolescent angst and drama that you’d expect from a typical teenage band – the problem with this is that the members of Meesh are far from being young adults. As such, the songs tend to blur all together and it can be difficult to distinguish between tracks. Vocalist Michelle Morrison sings mostly with a high-pitched tone, so as whole the album lacks variety and range. While the record is a decent initial effort, it doesn’t offer anything fresh to the genre. The group definitely has potential, but in a time where bands are struggling to differentiate themselves from everyone else, Meesh need catchier melodies and especially stronger writing for their all-too-familiar lyrics. 2.5/5
-Stephanie Ng Wan

Tom Vek
We Have Sound
(Vagrant Records)

Tom Vek’s album title definitely delivers what it promises, but sometimes you feel that there might actually be too much of it on certain tracks. While the British singer-songwriter’s debut We Have Sound is filled with indie rock tunes a touch of electronic beats, it seems that Vek might be trying too hard to distinguish himself by mixing too many different sounds and instruments together, muffling the vocals at times. The lyrics are simple, which can be appealing, but once in awhile this is frustrating because Vek’s metaphors can be a bit mundane. For example, in the track “On the Road”, he compares himself to several different driving-related elements, whose constant repetition the effect is lost on the listener. The album does grow on you, but some of the sonic experiments might take away from the content rather than add strength and variety to the record. 3/5
-Stephanie Ng Wan

Mary J Blige
The Breakthrough
(Universal)

The downfall of Mary J Blige is yet to come. The title track on The Breakthrough is a powerful one that should have been a good indicator to the rest of the album. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is not as solid. There needs to be more of the usual, expected intensity. It is a change from her usual powerful work; this album seems to hold a little more happiness and optimism than what this artist is known for. Is that necessarily a good thing even if it sacrifices some of the sounds the artist is known for? The recipe for the album looks good, with the right songwriters including input from Mary J herself and talented guest artists including Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas. But despite the lineup, the album doesn’t have the impact and intensity we are used to from Mary J. Blige. 2/5
-Lindsay Dubb

Lamb Of God
Killadelphia
(Epic)

Lamb of God’s Killadelphia, is a clear perk of signing with a major label. Relatively new to their label, Epic, they have their released this two and a half hour long DVD, the new addition to their fast rising career. Band DVD’s are a curious thing. As for having what a
Lamb of God fan would look for, it succeeds. Starting with live footage then moving to music videos and the typical band antics that occur on tours, this DVD would satisfy any fan. The music selection includes their best songs. As far as band DVD’s go, this one holds it’s own as a solid choice for metal fans. 2.5/5
– Lindsay Dubb

Some Girls
Heaven’s Pregnant Teens
(Epitaph)

Whenever supergroups hit the music scene, it’s usually either a recipe for success or a disappointing failure. And while I wouldn’t call Some Girls’ first release on Epitaph records, Heaven’s Pregnant Teens a complete sloppy joe, it isn’t the most together burger in the bun.
Featuring members from The Locust, Give up the Ghost, The Plot to Blow up the Eiffel Tower, and Unbroken, this album contains 25 minutes of pure fury, and an aura that leaves you feeling like you just got trampled over by a sea of angry mastodons.
The whole album is incredibly monotonous, from the bee buzz like guitar sounds to the horrific head ache inducing shrieking, to the lyrics which which speak mostly of death and drugs.
Not to mention the fact that you can’t actually make out anything Eisold is saying.
All and all I would save the money on this one. And a note to the band: Just because side dishes are generally a healthy idea, side bands are not. So until you all turn into respectable vegetables, stay out of that salad bowl. Thanks for the effort though, it took heaving guts.
2/5
-Desiree Gordon