Tag: new releases

Categories
Student Life

Listen up, people! Three new(ish) podcasts to listen to

Like many folks nowadays, I’m a huge fan of podcasts.

Although many of my favourite shows have been around for years, like My Dad Wrote a Porno, S-Town, and Planet Money (to name a few), there’s a constant stream of new releases hitting the market, and a number of them have become staples in my playlist. Here are three new(ish) podcasts that I’ve been enjoying in 2020.

For the consumer of current-events: Why it Matters

Hosted by Gabrielle Sierra, Why it Matters aims to tell us precisely why we should give a damn about today’s biggest events, issues and stories. Topics include the threat of nuclear war, the accumulation of space-junk, the pros and cons of artificial intelligence and more. Backed by extensive research and in-depth interviews with researchers and analysts, the podcast serves as a quick and effective way to catch up on some of modern life’s biggest topics, calling into question how tomorrow might be changed by the events of today.  

Trigger warning: sexual assault 

For the true crime enthusiast: Chasing Cosby 

Just as the title suggests, Chasing Cosby chronicles the myriad of sexual assault allegations made against Bill Cosby and the events leading up to his consequent arrest. The show is reported and hosted by Nicki Weisensee Egan, the first American journalist to dig into the issue after initial allegations were made in the early 2000s. 

In many ways, the nature of the subject matter in Chasing Cosby makes it difficult to listen to—Cosby was accused of assault by up to 60 women, some of them as young as 15 when the alleged abuse occurred. That being said, the podcast is definitely worth a shot if you can stomach it. Its narrative is ultimately driven by the voices of survivors, their stories exposing the dangerous intersections of the power and predatory behaviour that have come to shape our world today. 

For the culture-curious: The Dream, Season 2

In the first season of The Dream, host Jane Marie dove into the world of multi-level-marketing and pyramid schemes. Now, in season two, she explores the ins and outs of the “wellness” industry, from Bible-approved essential oils to Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous vagina eggs. At its core, the podcast ultimately serves to dissect our culture’s growing obsession with alternative medicine and the risks associated with its wide-spread commercialization. So if you’re a self-identified skeptic, or maybe you’re just looking to learn something new, this one’s for you.

While this list doesn’t even begin to cover the abundance of new podcasts out there, it’s a start. So next time you’re sitting on a bus, doing your dishes, or walking the dog, try giving these shows a listen. Happy listening!

Categories
Music

Quickspins + Retroview

The Shins – Port of Morrow (Columbia/Aural Apothecary; 2012)

Frontman James Mercer, now an astonishing 41 years of age, has finally returned from a four-year-long hiatus during which he collaborated with Brian Burton in their tag-team project Broken Bells. Then, with much anticipation, Mercer released Port of Morrow’s first single, “Simple Song” and its B-side “September,” on Record Store Day. Fans knew immediately that the wait was worth it. The video for “September” featured the song’s lyrics scrolling whimsically across inanimate objects, remaining true to Mercer’s indie mastery. Fusing bossa nova rhythms, unidentifiable white noise, quivering guitar and a simple complexity, with quite possibly the most poetically romantic lyrics that have ever crossed Mercer’s lips, the B-side outshone its A-side. Featuring both new and old cast members, the entire album has got to be one of the best of 2012 with its multi-instrumentality, layers of acoustic and electric guitars, spot-lighted strings, low-fi snippets, and of course, Mercer’s emotionally-infused vocals.

Rating: 9.5/10

Trial track: “Port of Morrow”

– Allie Mason

The Ting Tings – Sounds from Nowheresville (Columbia; 2012)

UK duo The Ting Tings planned on releasing their second album in 2010, but scrapped most of their songs because they sounded like “everything else on the radio.” Two years later, they’ve released Sounds from Nowheresville, and despite comprising of only 10 songs—a total track time of less than 35 minutes—the album should satisfy fans who enjoyed their previous effort We Started Nothing (2008). The band says they took influence from Berlin’s electro-scene, which is obvious on songs like “Hands” and “One By One,” the former only appearing on the album’s deluxe edition. Vocalist Katie White shows her softer side on the song “Day to Day,” which brings a welcomed change from her usual in-your-face punchy singing style. Unfortunately, the album’s final three songs are its weakest, and leave us feeling very underwhelmed—too bad for an otherwise great album.

Rating: 8.5/10

Trial track: “Give It Back”

– Natasha Taggart

The Decemberists – We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) (Capitol; 2012)

Indie-folk stars The Decemberists have released their live album We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11–08.11), available as a double-album or triple-vinyl set. Lead singer and songwriter Colin Meloy and his merry bandmates take listeners through hits such as “This is Why We Fight,” “The Bagman’s Gambit,” “Oceanside,” and “The Mariner’s Revenge Song,” recorded during their 2011 North American tour. What seems to lack the most on the album is something different. Usually, live albums, like concerts themselves, are supposed to add an extra dimension of awe-inspiring musicianship. Instead, the Portland, Ore. band seem to simply play their songs, and while they are not played poorly, they leave listeners wanting more. Nevertheless, the collection of fiddle, guitar, vocals and other instruments is sure to entertain.

Rating: 7.8/10

Trial track: “Down by the Water”

– Andre-Joseph Cordeiro

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers – Moanin’ (Blue Note; 1958)

Listen up, cool cats! Recorded in 1958, Moanin’ is an impeccable hard-bop classic by the legendary Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. This essential piece of musical history is easily one of Blakey’s most accessible and widely adored records, partly due to its fresh and melodic sound, and its all-star lineup. The sensational Lee Morgan delivers some stunning trumpet solos. Benny Golson not only plays a mean tenor saxophone, but is also responsible for composing the majority of the songs on this album. Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt keep the rhythm in check on the piano and bass, but who can ignore Art Blakey and his insane mastery of the drums (in my opinion, one of the greatest drummers of all time)? Moanin’ is the perfect introduction to anyone who has an interest in jazz music. This sophisticated, modern jazz record with a bluesy influence is essential to any music lover’s collection.

Trial track: “Moanin'”

– Paul Traunero

Categories
Music

Quickspins + Retroview

Band of Skulls – Sweet Sour (Electric Blues Records; 2012)

Sweet Sour is the second studio album from British trio Band of Skulls. Their sophomore effort brings back the gritty guitar riffs and smooth vocal harmonies that put Baby Darling Doll Face Honey on the alt-rock map, but fails to fully live up to the debut’s promise. The first half of Sweet Sour groups together all the heavy songs, which results in a feeling of “where did the album go?” as the second half closes with one meandering, slow number after another. As a whole, the album lacks expected creativity and plays on the safe side of the music industry, seemingly vying for a single on MTV and a radio hit.  But its shortcomings don’t mean that it isn’t an enjoyable album. Stomp rock track “The Devil Takes Care of His Own” easily steals the spotlight as the best showcase of Russell Marsden’s catchy, dirty guitar riffing. It just never finds the breakthrough originality it needs.

Rating: 7.0/10

Trial track: “Wanderluster”

– Lindsay Rempel

Young Liars – Homesick Future (Self-released; 2012)

Electro-indie group Young Liars will have you bobbing your head and swaying your hips along to their rhythmic tracks from their latest EP Homesick Future. The Vancouver-based band released their first EP in early 2011 and have plans to make their full-length album debut sometime in 2012, but have released both EPs to tide listeners over until then.
All seven songs on Homesick Future have lengthy instrumentals that encompass you in the music. In contrast to the verses, the choruses have simple, repetitive lyrics, allowing the listener to pick them up in no time.
Unfortunately, at times the music seems to overpower the vocals, creating a cacophony of sound that breaks the melodic flow. The songs on Homesick Future are catchy but easily forgotten, with the exception of the song “Colours” where the electronica background music, guitar riffs and fresh vocals mesh together perfectly.
Overall, Homesick Future is good without being great.

Rating: 6.8/10

Trial track: “Colours”

– Natasha Taggart

Tennis – Young & Old (Fat Possum; 2012)

A little over a year after disembarking from Cape Dory, husband-and-wife duo Tennis are landlocked and ready to release their sophomore album, Young & Old.
Teaming up with The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney to oversee the production, the album reveals an obvious divergence from Tennis’ previous songwriting with a more polished sound. A welcomed addition, Carney seems to lend a much needed structure to the songs. He is likely also responsible for a tinge of sass in lead vocalist Alaina Moore’s crooning vocals, especially demonstrated in R&B-inspired “My Better Self” and “Petition.” Despite the occasional quirk, the 10 tracks follow the same brisk-paced urgency, rendering the album monotonous.
My main concern with Tennis is that they don’t seem to be able to find their voice. Remaining true to their kitschy sea-shanty act would become tiresome, but too big a change in any direction would cause fans to question their sincerity.

Rating: 6.0/10

Trail track: “My Better Self”

– Paul Traunero

The Grateful Dead – American Beauty (Warner Bros. Records; 1970)

There aren’t too many people who can say they’ve mastered composing, poetry, songwriting, piano, banjo, guitar, pedal steel guitar, painting and drawing, all while missing a key digit from their right hand, but The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia did, and American Beauty exemplifies his prowess. The classic jam band’s fifth studio album further cemented the Dead as one of America’s great, iconic jam bands with timeless hits like “Ripple,” “Box of Rain,” “Truckin’” and “Sugar Magnolia.” Building upon the country and folk styles of their previous albums, American Beauty epitomizes easy listening and pure audio delight. The album takes you on a voyage through 1960s America. All of the usual suspects are there: freedom, love, music, travel, luck, and of course, drugs. Anyone who hasn’t heard this album multiple times from beginning to end is doing a disservice to themselves, and possibly even the world.
So, go make yourself a headband out of daisies, put on your tie-dye, and let this album move you in ways you never knew possible.

Trial track: “Till the Morning Comes”

– Allie Mason

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