Freelove Fenner- Do Not Affect A Breezy Manner– (Fixture Records;2013)
For their first full-length studio album, Montreal’s Freelove Fenner serves up over a dozen carefully crafted tracks on Do Not Affect ABreezy Manner. The local musicians’ debut album displays a cool and relaxed vibe that sinks deep into the guitar lick and drum beat. Lead singer Caitlin Loney’s vocals are reminiscent of Metric’s Emily Haines, with its dreamy and introspective quality. On tracks like “All Things Break Through,” the reverb on the vocals are especially prominent, giving them an ethereal, dream-like texture. Short musical interludes like “Pilgrims Astray” are laced into the album between short, yet sharp tracks. On songs like “Shepherdess” and “Glad Beneficiary,” slick guitar riffs and deep basslines are embedded with meshed in synth sounds. The title song, definitely one of the album’s highlights, is a romantically relaxed two and a half minute instrumental interlude with several sets of ‘Ooohs’ serving as background vocals. Do Not Affect A Breezy Manner, which dropped earlier in November, is a dynamite debut effort by the Montreal trio.
Trial Track: “Dr.D”
Rating: 7/10
-Jessica Romera
The Flaming Lips- Peace Sword EP (Warner Bros.; 2013)
The Flaming Lips’ newest EP draws its name from a track that made its way onto the soundtrack for the 80’s sci-fi remake of Ender’s Game. As a result, the band threw together a few more tracks and birthed a 6-song, 36-minute EP. The EP kicks off with “Peace Sword,” beginning with symphonic, almost heavenly tones and branches out into what sounds like a kaleidoscope of laser beats.
“Is the Back At The End Good” is the softest song on the album. Simplistic piano keys start it off, eventually giving way to a more instrumentally heavy beat, elevating the song to psychedelic highs. “Think Like A Machine, Not A Boy” comes next as the heaviest song on the album; the hallucinogen inducing bass-heavy beats drown out guitar strings. “Wolf Children” is a bit more alternative rock sounding, but the awkward piano keys and involving tones keep the song from properly evolving. It’s a decent EP with a couple of good tracks, but there is definitely room for improvement leading up to the release of their next album.
Madonna is proving that age is but a trivial number. The 55-year-old superstar has been crowned the highest paid musician of the year. According to Forbes, it was recently announced that Madonna earned $125 million in 2013. The singer-songwriter’s financial success shows just how timeless her classics are, while at the same time indicating her constant evolution as an artist. Lady Gaga earned the second place spot in Forbes’ list, acquiring $45 million below the Queen of Pop. Despite these staggering numbers, neither Gaga nor Madonna are a match for Michael Jackson, who earned $160 last year from beyond the grave.
It has been close to seven years since hip-hop greats Andre 3000 and Big Boi of OutKast decided to put the group to rest and seek out individual solo careers. After the better part of a decade, rumours are heavily indicating the very real possibility of an OutKast reunion. Billboard magazine reports that sources close to the duo claim that they will perform alongside each other at the next Coachella music festival in California in April 2014.
Looks like the producer/singer has been unusually busy, dishing out something never done before. As reported by Rolling Stone, Pharrell Williams released a 24-hour music video for his Despicable Me 2 song “Happy.” This is the very first of its kind. As if that was not enough, Steve Carell, Magic Johnson and Tyler, The Creator join in on the innovative video with surprise cameos. The video is available in full at 24hoursofhappy.com.
Rolling Stone reports that the guitarist of one the greatest rock bands apparently has a soft spot for hip hop. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin released a mashup featuring Zeppelin’s famous “Ramble On” with a dash of “Hypnotize,” one of Notorious B.I.G.’s iconic tracks. The end result is “Ramblize,” an insane combination of vintage rock and old-school hip hop. The two blend together well, creating a great tribute to Notorious B.I.G. that also serves as a reminder that Page has a diverse range of musical appreciation.
Matangi is the fourth studio album by English-Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. and is an inconsistent mess that’s actually pretty satisfying. “Karmageddon” starts the album off with a bass-heavy sound that kind of lugs its way through the title track, an incoherent dribble of beats upon which is laid a pretty fierce South-Asian influence. “Warriors” is where the album drops the experimental shenanigans and really kicks into first gear with a sleek set of sounds and a trance-inducing chorus.
“Come Walk With Me” is the closest thing to a mainstream pop song the album has to offer — and it works. A heavy contrast is conveyed in “Bad Girl,” a straight-shot anthem for badass women.
It definitely takes a few listens to get into the Sri-Lankan influenced bits, but the bass-heavy tracks and quasi-pop single save the album. This is definitely a purchase only longtime M.I.A. fans should consider making.
Trial Track: “Y.A.L.A”
Rating: 6.5/10
-Alex Melki
Jhené Aiko – Sail Out (Def Jam; 2013)
Jhené Aiko has soul. And if you have yet to hear her voice, it’s time to get on it. Dropping her seven-song EP Sail Out, ., the beautiful Los Angeles native proves she has mad talent. Writing each one of the tracks herself, she approaches every line with a ‘no-holds-barred attitude.’ From getting too faded and losing all control, to her brother’s recent death, to making love in the afternoon, and calling out guys of the past; you feel every word of her powerful, sultry verses.
Not only are the lyrics gripping and undeniably genuine, her sensual tone is dreamy. With each song, Jhené gives us a glimpse into her highs and lows through vivid, emotional accounts of her reality. While the first four songs feature Vince Staples, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, Jhené grabs her listener’s attention in its entirety for the last three tracks. “There’s no place quite like here, there’s no better time than now,” and right now, it’s Jhené’s time.
Trial Track: “The Worst”
Rating: 9.5/10
-Sabrina Curiale
Lady Gaga – ARTPOP (Streamline, Interscope Records; 2013)
Lady Gaga has once again given us an electro-pop drenched album but this time with a hint of space rock and rap: the perfect recipe. Although most of the tracks on this record are strictly for the dance floor, Gaga manages to incorporate some fast-paced rock beats into her songs “Manicure” and “Fashion!” and reserves two other songs of hers, “Jewels N’ Drugs” and “Do What U Want,” for the rap and R&B listeners out there. Gaga flaunts her strong operatic voice in “Dope,” a heartfelt ballad about love and drug addiction.
This leaves us with 10 pop-electronica filled songs like “G.U.Y.” and of course her famous hit singles “Applause” and “Aura” that exposes her as a true pop artist. ARTPOP is the vehicle that lets her enter different genres, or worlds, of music; if you have never listened to Gaga before, you can start now.
Trial track: “Dope”
Rating: 8/10
-Krystina Scenna
Tennis – Small Sound EP (Communion Records; 2013)
This five-track EP hails a sea of change for the Denver-based husband-and-wife duo, Tennis. Not only did the group change producers, enlisting the aid of Richard Swift (The Shins, Foxygen), they have also left Mississippi record label Fat Possum for London-based Communion Records.
The shift seems to have added a layer of depth and maturity to the indie-pop duo. Vocalist Alaina Moore stated that the new material is “a bit darker overall, maybe a little weird,” a stark contrast to the band’s sugary-sweet debut, Cape Dory, and a natural progression from their sophomore release, Young & Old.
If Small Sound EP is a sample of what’s to come for Tennis, we can expect a decidedly higher production value, with a soulful Motown-inspired sound, building on the duo’s established pop formula.
When it comes to karaoke, you will find three kinds of people: those who openly admit to loving it, those who just haven’t tried it yet, and those who lie about not loving it.
The reality is that karaoke is one of the greatest interactive party elements for one simple reason: it brings people together.
Wandering down Ste-Catherine St., between the Concordia and McGill campuses, many people were unable to answer what their favourite karaoke song was. This is largely due to the fact that like the age old question of “what is the meaning of life,” there is no simple answer. All we know is that we take our karaoke very seriously.
The students that did voice their favourites, definitely displayed a few commonalities.
“My two go-to songs are Enrique [Iglesias]’s “Hero” and Britney [Spears] ’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” said 23-year-old student Haaris Khan. “Hero” is the ultimate drunken serenade song to whip out for your girlfriend or the girl you’re macking on. Britney just allows every shy girl to break out her inner slut.”
“Because I Got High” by Afroman. That’s the only one,” said Concordia science student George Simeo.
David Crete could not decide on one song in particular. This may have been because the question launched him into a bout of nostalgia. “Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, pretty much any song from the ‘90s will do. It’s like all the 20-somethings in the room are kids again.”
Then the classics started rolling in.
Many students named Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” as their absolute song of choice. Among them, 21-year-old Jeff Araujo.
“Even after 30 years, it’s still one of the top 20 downloaded singles on iTunes. And it’s crazy fun to sing!”
After asking several students about their top karaoke tunes, it became evident that one track in particular might be the karaoke champ: Queen’s classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
More than half the people who were asked what their definitive track to belch out (while sober or completely wasted), agreed that “Bohemian Rhapsody” was their number one.
Student Bryden Lundell-Streeter recounted what many karaoke-goers have surely experienced, or must experience at least once in their amateur vocalist careers.
“When “Bohemian Rhapsody” comes on, it starts slow and that’s the perfect way to get everyone in the bar’s attention. Once they hear those first few lines, everyone is on board. The greatest moment I’ve ever had was with a few work friends at Andrew’s Pub. Everyone in the bar started off as strangers, but by the end of the song everyone had become best friends. There’s nothing greater than singing into a microphone with 40 other people singing along, no matter what your state of sobriety,” said Lundell-Streeter.
Whether it’s a ‘70s rock classic or a ‘90s pop single, students know why they love to sing it and what songs get the bar crowds going.
White Ash Falls – Over The Night (Light Organ Records; 2013)
Having performed under several different monikers throughout his musical career, Vancouver folk sensation Andy Bishop released his latest album Over The Night, under the name White Ash Falls, on Nov. 5. His sophomore effort features 10 tunes, each filled with country twangs and soulful vocals.
Opener “Want It Bad” sets up the album as a soothing, yet upbeat, guitar-infused record, while “That List Is Too Long” sounds as if it were plucked from a ‘70s folk-rock festival lineup, with its subtle bluesy hints, reminiscent of roots-rock veterans, The Allman Brothers. On Over The Night, Bishop showcases his ability to seamlessly blend genres and proudly displays his versatility as a musician dabbling in country, blues, rock and folk. Regardless of what moniker he performs under, Bishop proves that a name does not make the man and lets his music speak for itself.
Trial Track: “That List Is Too Long”
Rating: 7.5/10
– Jessica Romera
Melvins – Tres Cabrones (Ipecac;2013)
It can be difficult to continue making music as time goes by when a band bases a large portion of its music on its youthful angst and vigour. The Melvins came into prominence in the early ‘90s, in that post-Nirvana wave of grungy, punk-infused metal. The songs put forward in their newest album, Tres Cabrones, are similar to the songs that they were making 20 years ago, except that they are not as good as the classics.
The band does not play as fast as they once did, making the album sound like an LP spinning a tad too slowly, and the vocals sound rather worn. This is the group’s 22nd album and their second of 2013.
While it could possibly have benefited from some more time in production, perhaps old dogs simply cannot learn new tricks. This album is pure stagnation for the Melvins and those wishing to hear better tracks should pick up 1993’s Houdini.
The album opens with a warning: “Nobody knows what is happening. There is a lot of danger out there. OK?” As the Sheffield post-rock quartet begin their sixth album, this singular vocalized snippet conveys the journey on which the listener will embark. Channeling a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world, with moments of hopelessness, beauty and danger, Wild Light is 65daysofstatic’s most cinematic album. Bearing the influence of their recent work on the alternate soundtrack to the 1972 science-fiction film Silent Running, this is their most conceptual and coherent body of work to date.
Wild Light is a perfect balance of humanity and technology. Delicate piano melodies, percussion and the consistent use of guitar throughout, stand in contrasting harmony with the richly-layered synthesized bleakness that envelops the soundscape. Despite the album’s desolate themes, Wild Light showcases 65daysofstatic at their climax.
Eminem’s latest album manages to bring something new to the artist’s repertoire while simultaneously displaying shades of his golden days.The album starts off moderately with “Bad Guy,” followed by a short skit of Em running away from the police. Pretty bizarre, but the album then launches itself into oblivion over the next few tracks. “Rhyme or Reason” masterfully incorporates a sample of The Zombies’ “Time of the Season,” circa 1986.
“Rap God” is an all-you-can-eat Marshall Mathers buffet, a sampling of everything Eminem is still capable of, jumping all over the place in the process. “Love Game” is a goofy song featuring Kendrick Lamar — though not serious in tone it is definitely among the best on the album. This is by no means classic Slim Shady but it’s the next stage in Eminem’s evolution. A much needed mutation that corrected almost a decade of mistakes. And for that, it earns its place in your collection.
Montreal’s ComicCon has grown tremendously over the past few years. From a once dinky collection of booths, it has become a massive convention with more than a few things to keep attendees entertained for hours.
The three-day geek culture convention brings together one of Montreal’s massive communities. There are over two- dozen booths filled with comic book artists who are ready to draw up an original piece on the spot, or for a lesser price, you can purchase a high quality print instead. These guys and gals are fantastic at what they do, and watching them work is a real treat.
Photo by Alex Melki.
You can buy anything from your favourite TV show/video game/movie, from comic books, to t-shirts, to figurines. Here’s a tip: withdraw some cash and spend only that. The temptation to dish out cash for some unique collectibles is a strong one.
Sony was on the scene as well, with live demos of their upcoming PS4 next-gen gaming console, and if the wait to play wasn’t 45 minutes, I might’ve even tried it out!
One pet peeve I’ve always had with ComicCon however is that while celebrity attendance is always a crowd pleaser, you can’t even walk up, talk to, or photograph celebrity guests unless you’re paying for an autograph/picture. Which will run you about $40 or more. Sure it would be awesome to meet Lou Feriggno (The Incredible Hulk), Christopher Lloyd (Back to The future) , and George Takei (Star Trek), but not at the cost of being broke. Yet one actor, Jason Mewes of Jay and Silent Bob fame, was present and was not shy of the camera.
Doctor Who fans were able to take a picture next to the famed TARDIS, Star Wars fans witnessed Darth Vader and entourage making the rounds on the convention floor, and Ghostbuster enthusiasts could have their photo taken with the Ectomobile. All in all, there is something for everyone.
But the best part of ComicCon is, and always has been the cosplay. Cosplay, is simply an abbreviation for “Costume play” and involves dressing up as a fictional or non-fictional character. Basically it’s Halloween! And some of the work these cosplayers put into their costumes is extraordinary.
So here is a taste of what Montreal’s ComicCon has to offer!
My role models are Ron Burgundy and Ron Swanson, so when Movember rolled around this year, I decided to commit to the cause. I tried growing out a ‘stache last November, but four days in, I caved and shaved it. Not this year! It has been more than a week and I’m sporting the bare minimum of what could be considered a moustache. The thought of shaving it off does cross my mind after every glance in the mirror. I had never grown one out fully but surely it would be epic, wouldn’t it?
I had no idea how tedious, annoying and painful shaving everyday would be. My face feels as though it was brushed with sandpaper and it is taking my entire being to not “accidentally” shave it off. Shaving on a daily basis requires an earlier-than-usual wake-up call and a ton of aftershave, but the end result is the manliest of bonding experiences. When I bump into a fellow Movemberer, a “nice ‘stache” is all that needs to be said.
I made peace with the fact that I would encounter many disgusted looks from the ladies this month, but women have been insanely supportive of Movember. It may not be the most attractive and acceptable look year round, but most women are on board with upper lip facial hair for a month.
Movember is also kind of a manliness competition. One of my friends had a full moustache after a week — I was nowhere close to that. Does that make me insecure about my manhood? Damn sure it does. Do I feel like Tom Selleck when I see a guy with less facial hair than me? Absolutely.
According to the Movember website, this year’s movement has generated more than $32 million in donations, with Canada leading the pack with $11.3 million. The fact that I haven’t raised any funds for the work I’ve put in so far doesn’t bother me. When the vast majority of my guy friends are growing out their moustaches, funding each other would mean financial bankruptcy. So I’m counting on a few generous donations from my family.
While raising awareness and money for prostate cancer is the whole point of Movember, it has become more than just that. The best part of Movember is the overwhelming support that we give one another through a simple moustache. So, men, do the manly thing and grow a moustache for cancer. See you out there moustache brothers!
