Author: Selina Gard

Categories
Student Life

Let’s talk about sex

Fifty shades of fucked up—Mr. Grey will abuse you now

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and many of you might be tempted to go see Fifty Shades of Grey with your friends or significant others. But there is something you should know before you decide to go: the movie is based on a book which glorifies abuse and attempts to turn it into something romantic and desirable.

That isn’t to say you shouldn’t go see the film, but you should be aware that although it is marketed as a love story, there are too many instances of abuse for that to be true.

Many women who live with abuse face the kind of behaviour that is glamourized in the series on a daily basis.

Christian Grey is manipulative, controlling and jealous, all of which is seen as sweet and romantic because he “loves” Anastasia Steele.

Before the two characters are even together, Grey begins to demonstrate controlling tendencies. He warns her that, “If you were mine, you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week after the stunt you pulled yesterday,” because she went out for drinks with her friends and got a little drunk.

This isn’t the only time something like that happens; in fact, there are almost too many instances of abuse to count. Almost every interaction between Grey and Steele veers towards the inappropriate.

Many people may be tempted to excuse this behaviour by saying that it is merely BDSM and that’s how things are.

However, those who are into BDSM know that the motto “safe, sane and consensual” is of the utmost importance, something which protagonist Grey steers as far away from as possible throughout the book series. When Steele uses her safe word, she is ignored.

On one occasion, Steele says that she does not want to have sex with Grey, saying no and “kicking him off,” after which he forces himself on her and threatens to gag her if she makes another noise. The author portrays this as enjoyable for Steele but nobody can argue that this is sane or consensual.

So if you want to go see the movie, that’s fine. Just be aware that this is not a love story but an abusive relationship masquerading as romantic.

Categories
Student Life

Let’s talk about sex

Rimming—the last great sexual frontier

While the Golden Globes came to a disappointing end last week, the season premiere of Girls featured a graphic sexual encounter that sent shockwaves throughout the internet. In a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, Marnie Michaels (portrayed by Allison Williams) received a rim job from her current love interest. For those of you who aren’t aware of what that entails, it’s oral for the backdoor.

Even within my own friend group, we couldn’t resist talking about how uncharacteristically adventurous it had been for Marnie. But what was it about that particular scene that was so shocking? The explicit nature of the moment was not the issue, since Girls has featured more than its share of sexually explicit content. It could be argued that it’s due to a lack of scenes featuring assplay on television, except even that seems to have changed over the past year. In fact, Buzzfeed posted a list titled “The 6 Iconic Rim Jobs of 2014,” featuring shows like Looking, True Detective and How To Get Away With Murder (although only one of those scenes is male on female). What’s more, rim jobs were a hot topic over 10 years ago, being a major plot point in one episode of Sex and the City.

The shock value of the Girls scene might derive from the fact that although rim jobs are a rather common precursor to penetrative anal sex for many gay men, the heterosexual world only seems to be catching up now. Rim jobs are the flavour of the month (so to speak) in pop culture, the next taboo to be surmounted in order to gain the badge of “sexually adventurous,” or at least to be able to label your show avant-garde. Marnie’s scene was meant to be shocking; the lack of lead up or explanation, the abrupt end of the scene and her loud moans all attest to this. But why should engaging in this act be considered so out of the ordinary for a man and a woman? The most logical explanation is that in heterosexual relationships, unlike in homosexual ones, most of the action usually occurs elsewhere, leaving the backdoor forgotten.

Since rimming is popping up all over the place lately, some of you may be tempted to try it—or maybe just keep at it, who knows. Some of you may find having your “salad tossed” to be earth shatteringly pleasurable, while others might find the thought of it invasive and maybe even gross. The bottom line is, whether you enjoy head, anal or possibly neither, sexual pleasure is subjective. As long as it takes place between two consenting adults, there should be no judgment.

Categories
Student Life

Let’s talk about sex

Sometimes it’s not about getting there, it’s about enjoying the ride

The elusive female orgasm has always been a topic of fascination. Articles about “how to have the best one,” and “what’s wrong with you or your partner if you can’t achieve it” have found their way into almost every magazine targeted at women.

But the thing about female orgasms is that they are not the be all, end all of sex. And there is nothing wrong with you if it takes you more time to get there, or if you cannot get there at all.

Many men feel that intercourse is not over until they have climaxed, and while it would be ideal for both parties to have an orgasm, sometimes it’s just not in the cards. They are definitely appreciated but are not necessary for a sexual experience to be pleasurable.

Many women can enjoy sex without orgasms. Some women are incapable of reaching orgasm at all; in fact, anorgasmia occurs in around 10 per cent of women, according to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

Others simply need different stimulation — there isn’t something wrong with your partner, and you’re not “frigid,” if you cannot achieve orgasm simply through intercourse. Only one third of women climax through penetrative intercourse alone, according to SOGC. The remaining women either need extra stimulation during intercourse or can only achieve it through manual or oral stimulation.

The bottom line is, there is no right or wrong way to climax. If it takes you an hour, so be it; if it takes you five minutes, that’s okay too.

The other myth that often gets thrown around is that if a woman cannot climax it is her partner’s fault. This is hurtful to both parties, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop trying if your partner is having trouble getting there quickly. It could just be that the wrong stimulation is being used and for not enough time. Since achieving orgasm can prove to be a bit trickier for some women, sometimes the key is simply to relax. We’ve all heard that the female orgasm is a mental phenomenon as much as a physical one, so overthinking it can actually make it harder to climax. Fantasizing can also help by focusing the mind on something else and by aiding with arousal. There are various ways to get there, but if you still can’t, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.

Categories
Student Life

Let’s talk about sex

It’s time we gave bisexuality some recognition.

As our sex column has been rather heteronormative as of late, why not discuss the tendency both in the media and in everyday life to treat bisexuality as less than?

Coming out as bisexual can elicit two negative reactions: if you are female, it is often seen as attention seeking or as being “just a phase,” and if you are male it is met with hushed whispers of “he’s probably just gay.” Even worse, the words “you’re just confused” are some of the most favoured to throw around. Being bisexual is seen as a halfway point, a crutch and not quite as serious as being either straight or gay.

It seems to affect bisexual men and women equally.

With the move towards more LGBT+ centric TV shows, the B still remains invisible for the most part. Orange is the New Black, one of the most popular shows around, also skirts around using the word bisexual. Piper Chapman, the main character, has had sexual and intimate relations with both a man, her fiance Larry, and a woman, her ex and sometimes current lover Alex. To an outside observer it seems like the perfect opportunity to feature a bisexual lead on a hit show. Yet Piper is seen as an “ex-lesbian,” when referring to her long term relationship with Alex. Piper can identify as whatever she chooses, but when the lesbian and trans communities are so openly and warmly represented on the show it feels like a missed opportunity.

By not uttering the word “bisexual” it makes an entire community feel all the more invisible and contributes to the bi-erasure that trickles down into everyday life. The lack of representation of bisexuals in the media contributes to misinformation being spread.

Recently, actress Anna Paquin was questioned by Larry King on whether or not she could consider herself bisexual now that she was married to a man. Invasive questions are often asked of those who identify as bisexual in an attempt to pigeonhole them.

However, this is not limited to the media, it happens in daily interactions as well. Probing questions about how many men and women said person has been with are asked in order to gage “how bisexual they really are,” as if these were not extremely offensive and invasive questions that would never be asked of someone who identifies as heterosexual.

The bottom line is that bisexual people exist and should be treated with the respect that would be given to anyone else.

Categories
Student Life

Let’s talk about sex

Ladies, love yourselves — literally

Raunchy sex stories are met with wide eyes and coy grins from most friend groups, be they male or female. Foolproof techniques or new backbreaking positions are happily discussed, each party eager to share their latest escapades.

One subject on which the female population remains relatively mum is masturbation. Usually met with choruses of “ew I don’t do that,” “that’s gross” and grimaced faces — it is one of the few sexual acts young women often feel uncomfortable discussing, even with their closest friends.

Young men rarely, if ever, experience such reservations when talking about taking their pleasure into their own hands, if you’ll excuse the pun. The differences between the two genders have been enumerated in many Cosmo articles, but no concrete answer has been given as to why this discrepancy exists. It should be underlined that it is not simply because more men do it than women, simply that fewer women are willing to talk about it.

The To Do List, a 2013 coming of age film comedy, addresses this issue in a quick exchange between the protagonist and her two best friends. When asking if the other two ever masturbate they both quickly respond with “what no, that’s gross.” When pressed further, one reveals that she only ever does it if she cannot sleep, which earns her a sideways glance from the others. The film effectively captures the social stigma around female pleasure. If delivered by another partner it is applauded, but if it’s solo, it should not be spoken about.

This stresses the notion that women are not allowed to be, or rather should not be, in control of their own pleasure. That someone should hand it to them, but never seek it out privately. Women’s bodies do not belong to them and exploring them is for other people. That being in control of your own body and pleasure is shameful and discussing it openly should be left to the boys.

The rise in scenes of solo play in pop culture has increased over the past year, and hopefully it will trickle down into conversations too. Considering  how much sex and nudity is thrust upon us on a regular basis, we have to realize that female masturbation is simply another mundane sex act. Everybody does it.

Categories
Music

Bringing the symphony to the small stage

Keith Race

The first night of POP Montreal kicked off with a spectacular evening at Il Motore on Wednesday, Sept. 25. With both the opening band Radiation City, and main act Typhoon hailing from Portland, Ore., there was an undeniably homey feel to the night.

Photo by Keith Race

Il Motore has but a few sparsely spaced chairs, which were occupied by avid fans as early as 8 o’clock. The night started off slowly with a steady stream of people constantly finding their way inside. However, by the time Radiation City had played a few songs, the venue was packed. Cameron Spies, Elisabeth Ellison, Randy Bemrose, Matt Rafferty and Patti King brought the audience to their feet, drawing them in with Ellison’s dreamy, female vocals. The band enraptured the audience and kept their undivided attention for the full hour they were on stage. They blurred the lines between alternative and folk, with their soothing yet emotion packed songs. After several songs, they sought validation from the crowd, asking if “it’s OK” that they play a few more songs. The audience members replied with a positive uproar and the band dove into the first single off their latest album Animals in the Median.

Radiation City is the type of band you want to take your time with, savouring every note. In fact, their catchy but soft setlist set the tone for an intimate and welcoming evening.

They ended their set on a high note, that was full of emotion and sincerity proving that they could easily have entertained the audience for another hour.

Technical difficulties plagued Typhoon’s entrance onto the scene, which caused a 10-minute delay. They emerged onto the stage as an impressive orchestral collective of 11 members and  more than made up for the technical blips with their opening song. Three trumpets blaring, a multitude of guitars and bass as well as two drummers made for a roaring introduction to the band. With a name like Typhoon, the band was exactly what you would expect. In fact, the size of the stage at Il Motore made it difficult to accommodate all 11 members. The two drummers found themselves off the stage facing each other, which only added to the intimate vibe of the evening. Lead singer Kyle Morton cracked jokes between songs creating a dialogue between the audience and the performers. Notably pondering why Canadians had collectively voted to nickname the dollar coin the looney. Laughter from the audience was met with a “I’m just kidding, don’t answer that” and a roaring segue into the next song. Scratchy yet soothing vocals weaved their way through each song with undeniable rhythm and style.

With some minor technical problems along the way—notably some painful amp feedback—Morton dove into the aptly named “Morton’s Fork,” a violin-infused track accompanied by one member playing theirs like a ukelele. The singer belted out the lyrics with a soft and at times broken voice that allowed audience members to immerse themselves in the symphonic nature of the set.

Categories
Music

Music in the News – Oct. 1, 2013

Ray Charles commemorative stamps

The U.S. Postal Service decided to honour Ray Charles with a commemorative stamp, released Sept. 23, on what would have been the singer’s 83rd birthday. This is not the first time they have featured a musician on their stamps. In fact, Charles is the third musician to be included in their Music Icons series. The first two were Lydia Mendoza and Johnny Cash. The image that was chosen to represent Ray Charles on the stamp was the photograph used for the album The Best of Ray Charles.

 

Mumford & Sons go on indefinite hiatus

Some unfortunate news has come in for Mumford & Sons fans; the band has decided that they will be taking a break. Although they did not specify how much time they would be taking off, they told Rolling Stone that it would be a “considerable amount of time.” For the past few years, the band has been caught up in a whirlwind of writing and recording new music, touring, press and award shows, without any real downtime. Their concert in Kansas on Sept. 20 marked their final show.

 

Pussy Riot member goes on hunger strike

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot started a hunger strike on Sept. 23 in response to the inhumane treatment she and her fellow prisoners are receiving in prison. Her bandmate Maria Alyokhina also went on a hunger strike earlier this year when she was banned from attending her parole hearing. After being hospitalized, Alyokhina’s demands were met by officials. Tolokonnikova is demanding a change in labour conditions. She said that prisoners are forced to work in unsanitary conditions sewing police uniforms for up to 17 hours a day.

Local rockers receive Polaris Prize

It was Montreal band Godspeed You! Black Emperor who took home the 2013 Polaris Music Prize on Sept. 23 in Toronto for their album Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend. Although they did not attend the ceremony, they accepted the cash prize of $30,000, which they said will be used for music education funding in Quebec prisons. The award celebrates diversity and creativity in Canadian artists and is determined by a jury of 200 music connoisseurs. The band was up against fellow canadians Metric, Tegan and Sara, METZ, Whitehorse, Young Galaxy, Purity Rings, Zaki Ibrahim, A Tribe Called Red and Colin Stetson.

 

Categories
Music

Quickspins – The Dodos, Franz Ferdinand, NIN, Bastille

The Dodos- Carrier (Dine Alone Records; 2013)

Carrier is The Dodo’s fifth studio album, and the band’s first since 2011. The California-based duo have traded their warm acoustic melodies for heavier melancholic electric guitar infused riffs. Although The Dodos have steered away from their signature sound, the change is not unprecedented; the band experimented with their sound on their 2009 release Time to Die. The first single “Confidence” starts off as a tame track but quickly evolves into a heavy hitter.

On Carrier, the duo created a tracklist of eerily beautiful songs prompted by the untimely death of their former touring guitarist, Christopher Reimer. Reimer transformed the duo into a trio for a brief period in 2011.The first track “Transformer” sets up the rest of the album with its honest lyrics and sorrowful sound. A powerful melancholy can be heard in “Relief” and all throughout Carrier. The album was released on Aug.27.

Trial Track: “Confidence”

Rating: 7/10

-Jessica Romera

Franz Ferdinand – Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (Domino Records; 2013)

Four years later and Franz Ferdinand is back in action. It seems that after their last album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, received mixed reviews, the lads from Glasgow needed to take some time to reflect on the future of the band. Luckily for us, they decided to recharge and return to the scene with 10 brand-spanking new tracks.

Although their infectious first single “Right Action” sounds like it was plucked from their debut self-titled album, the Scottish alt-rockers prove their musical hiatus has allowed them time to evolve as musicians and lyricists. “Fresh Strawberries” showcases the band’s existential fears and struggles, juxtaposed by a light, sweet, sound with subtle disco vibes. The entire album has the signature guitar-fueled sound fans have come to love but with a fresh and funky feel that does not disappoint. The album dropped Aug.27.

Trial Track:”Evil Eye”

Rating: 9/10

-Jessica Romera

 

Bastille – Bad Blood (Virgin; 2013)

Relying heavily on upbeat tempos and a sprinkling of falsetto kicks, Bastille creates an album that’s both incredibly original and versatile. Instant hit “Pompeii” amassed tens of millions of views since its release in February, and it’s no wonder this U.K. collective has catapulted right into the music industry spotlight. Bastille manages to avoid limiting itself to songs riddled with repetitive tempos and instead unifies the tracks with a consistent aura of pure optimism. Bad Blood, set to release Sept. 3, comes across first and foremost as a feel-good album, displayed clearly in the track “Flaws,” a sunshiny tune bursting at the seams with smile-inducing catchiness and raw motivation.

While the album isn’t likely to fit your every mood or pull at your heartstrings, one thing’s for sure, Bad Blood guarantees some pretty good vibes.

Trial Track: “Flaws”

Rating: 8.5/10

-Victoria Kendrick

Nine Inch Nails- Hesitation Marks (Columbia Records; 2013)

Hesitation Marks is Nine Inch Nails’ first release since the band went on a hiatus in 2008. The band has always catered to its own specific niche market and this album is no different. The first single, “Came Back Haunted,” has the potential to be quite interesting, but with the chorus providing the only intriguing aspect, the song ends up being simply lackluster.

The album contains the usual angst-filled, industrial rock sound that has become synonymous with the band. However, this time around, the band has opted for a slightly more experimental direction with songs like “Copy of A”. One of the album’s most understated numbers, it is a song that grows on you and is definitely worth more than a couple of listens. The album comes out on Sept. 3.

Trial Track: “Everything”

Rating: 7/10

-Selina Gard

 

Categories
Music

Upcoming albums – Fall 2013

Fall 2013 has quite a few surprises in store for audiophiles this year. Amid the over-hyped releases by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, you’ll find quite a few under-publicized gems worth checking out.
1. AM – Arctic Monkeys
The Sheffield city quartet has come out with a new sound that old fans will either love or hate. Their first single off AM, “Do I Wanna Know?” about an unrequited love is impossible to resist. Lead singer Alex Turner’s vocals paired with Matt Helders’ drums – nicknamed the Rhythm Panther – make for an unforgettable fall hit that will leave you breathless. The follow-up single titled “Why Do You Only Call Me When You’re High?” is less about romance and more about lust but manages to deliver with an unexpectedly funky and hypnotic chorus. The rest of the album comes out on Sept. 9.
2. AHJ – Albert Hammond Jr.
Albert Hammond Jr, best known as the guitarist for the Strokes, is releasing his third solo album on his bandmate Julian Casablancas’ label Cult Records on Oct. 8. It is often said that quality trumps quantity and this is certainly the case with AHJ. With only five tracks on the album, Hammond Jr. gives it his all with songs such as “Carnal Cruise” and “Rude Customer.” Although a single has yet to be released, the fact that the album was produced by Gus Oberg, who has previously worked with The Strokes, should provide a clue as to what the songs will sound like.
3. MGMT – MGMT
The New York electronic duo is about to release their self-titled third album MGMT. “Your Life is a Lie” is the only song that has been released so far, and it is exactly the psychedelic other-worldly jam you would expect from them. With a loud cowbell clashing throughout, their single hints at the direction of the rest of the album. Andrew VanWyngarden and Benjamin Goldwasser have not strayed too far from their roots with MGMT and fans of their previous albums will not be disappointed on Sept. 17.
4.The Bones of What You Believe – CHVRCHES
Pronounced “Churches,” this Glasgow band is releasing their first album The Bones of What You Believe on Sept. 23. In “Gun,” lead singer Lauren Mayberry’s sugary sweet voice is laid over synthetic-heavy beats, making this song an original and an exciting listen. “Lies” packs a heavier punch but both songs are equally worth listening to. CHVRCHES is set to explode on the alternative music stage so grab your copies as soon as you can.
5. Days are Gone – Haim
Haim is relatively new to the game, with their first album Days are Gone coming out Sept. 27. Made up of three sisters from L.A, they have drawn inevitable comparisons to Fleetwood Mac, due to their folksy sound and flowing hair. If Stevie Nicks is not necessarily your cup of tea, do not be deterred because these girls are one-of-a-kind. The buzz surrounding their debut album should be more than enough to pique your interest. Their songs range from pop hits to more mellow tunes but they always provide a more than danceable beat.

Categories
Music

Born Ruffians’ sound spans across the spectrum

Born Ruffians play La Sala Rossa Thursday, Apr. 11 at 8 p.m. Photo by Pascal Amoyel

Locked away in an isolated farmhouse in Stratford, Ont., Born Ruffians were able to create some of their most memorable music yet.

Born Ruffians play La Sala Rossa Thursday, Apr. 11 at 8 p.m. Photo by Pascal Amoyel

With hauntingly beautiful melodies and deeply relatable lyrics, their latest album Birthmarks provides the perfect balance between emotion and danceability.

The fact that they were so far away from civilization worked to their advantage. “This worked out so much better, we could be as loud as we wanted to be whenever we wanted to be,” said bassist Mitch Derosier.

Their first album was conceived in a similar fashion. With all band members living under the same roof, inspiration was easy to come by. As Derosier put it, “We wrote our record there and it was so easy and kind of immediate to be able to do that while living together. At any time [frontman Luke Lalonde] could come find us to go jam and work on something.”

They decided to follow the same route and forgo the “every Tuesday at 4 p.m. come to this place and hopefully you’ll feel creative” formula for their latest album, and it can be felt in every guitar strum.

Lalonde is described as the driving force behind the band, according to Derosier. He writes the lyrics, whereas the music tends to come about organically with contributions from each of the band members. Their first single off Birthmarks, “Needle,” captures the disillusionment that often accompanies not knowing where you want to be in your mid-twenties.

However, this doesn’t seem to reflect the way things are going for Born Ruffians so far. With three albums under their belt, an ongoing tour in Canada and the U.S. and an extensive fan base around the globe, it would seem that the band is on the way to having the world at their feet.

“We started this band when we were 16 so it’s kind of all we’ve ever really known,” said Derosier. He and singer Lalonde, who is also his cousin, have had music in their bones from the get-go. The band’s first name, Mornington Drive, was actually the name of a band that Lalonde’s father was in — it took moving to Toronto and making it on their own for the band to become Born Ruffians.

As Derosier puts it, “It just kind of fit for some weird reason.” The move to Toronto seemed to have marked a milestone in the band’s development. For one, it introduced them to drummer Steve Hamelin, who provides the band with their signature beat.

With inspirations ranging from Led Zeppelin to Puff Daddy, band members Lalonde, Hamelin, Andy Lloyd and Derosier have created their own unique sound. This is palpable in their songs, which bounce back and forth from catchy to heartfelt. “Needle” is a song that is guaranteed to get you out of your chair and stay stuck in your head for days, while “With Her Shadow” offers soft vocals, mournful guitars and pounding drums.

The band has previously worked with Tokyo Police Club, an experience that they greatly enjoyed. It gave them a taste for collaborating with other artists and a love to jam with their current tour mates, The Elwins.

With a gig lined up at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City and plans to perform in various festivals this summer, the band may be a household name pretty soon.

 

Born Ruffians play La Sala Rossa Thursday, Apr. 11 at 8 p.m. 

 

 

Categories
Music

Quickspins – Crystal Castles, Christina Aguilera, The Soupcans

Crystal Castles – ( III ) – (2012; Polydor)

 Two years after their sophomore album (II), Alice Glass and Ethan Kath, the Toronto electronic duo known as Crystal Castles, have returned with a 12-track album of pure, haunting melancholy.

Crystal Castle’s signature upbeat yet simultaneously somber synths and melodies caress the ear like the sounds of a beautiful car crash and bring listeners into an ethereal realm of chaos. Titles and lyrics of tracks like “Affection,” “Kerosene” and “Child I Will Hurt You” ring true and deep in the tradition of poets like Sylvia Plath. Singer Glass’ haunting, echoey vocals and Kath’s choppy, moving synths make (III) the perfect background album for any occasion— whether it’s weekend study sessions, a late night drive or a rave tucked into a secluded part of town.

Trial track: “Child I Will Hurt You”

Rating: 8.5/10

– Andria Caputo

 

 

 

Christina Aguilera – Lotus (2012; RCA)

Christina Aguilera’s latest album Lotus provides one or two catchy hits but fails to deliver any real substance. This 57-minute long “deluxe album” has 17 tracks, each showcasing Aguilera experimenting with a new sound. Packed with power ballads, club hits and summer anthems, this album is a constant search for a new, specific style.

“Your Body” screams classic Aguilera, with infectious beats and provocative lyrics like “So don’t even tell me your name/All I need to know is whose place”. It is sure to please lifelong fans as well as new ones. But unlike last year’s single “Moves Like Jagger” with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, this year’s collaborations with fellow The Voice judges Cee-Lo Green and Blake Shelton do not provide the same wow factor. The album’s first single and title track seems equally unimpressive and drenched in auto-tune. Aguilera’s attempt at being “of the moment” fails in a repetitive first track and Lotus as a whole.

Trial track: “Let There Be Love”

Rating: 5/10

– Selina Gard

 

The Soupcans – Good Feelings (2012; Telephone Explosion Records)

Recorded in a bike shop, Good Feelings sports a live feel, with very little done in the way of music production. The lyrics are guttural, the drums pounding and the heavily distorted guitars cutting, making for a visceral experience.

While the Toronto born post-punk rockers provide an aggressive and thoroughly authentic punk album, it’s unfortunately at the expense of interesting musicianship — because every song, every second is just a collection of bleeding guitars and vocal shrieks. In the end, it sounds like someone found a way to make music from the dial-up and fax machine warbles we used to hear in the 90s.

Even though the album clocks in at twenty-two minutes long, it’s too long for most listeners, draining even the most patient. That being said, fans of genuine punk may enjoy the screeches of the eleven track Soupcans debut.

Trial track: “Outlander”

Rating: 3 / 10

– A.J. Cordeiro

Exit mobile version