Hard Candy

I know I risk losing all credibility by reviewing the new Madonna CD, but if Pitchfork can do it, so can I. And I am a fan, especially since her 1998 career-turning album Ray of Light, which saw her abandon the mainstream producers she had previously worked with (Shep Pettibone, Babyface, etc.) in favour of cutting-edge electronic/house producers, like Mirwais and William Orbit.
     Dissapointingly, Madonna has returned to mainstream production on Hard Candy, albeit with a hip-hop slant, handing the reigns to acknowledged hitmakers Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell. And while this decision will undoubtedly sell her tons of records and return her to the top of the charts, it has made for a far less interesting record.
     I’ll give Timbaland credit for creating a sound — filled with retro synths; jumpy, minimialist beats; and beatbox touches — but it doesn’t work for me. It just sounds dated and lazy. Too bad — there are some good songs on Hard Candy (“Miles Away,” “She’s Not Me”) that would have sounded much better in the hands of more innovative mainstream producers, like Mark Ronson or Danger Mouse. All in all, a hard sell. C
Madonna: Candy Shop (mp3)
Madonna: Miles Away (mp3)

Lykke Li @ The Mod Club, May 11

2008 is becoming the year of Lykke Li. The first I heard of her was late last year, with the seductive “Little Bit,” a track I included on JeffMix2007.11.18. I knew nothing about her at the time — in fact, due to the song’s sparse production and her odd name, I guessed she was Japanese.
     And, as sometimes happens with songs coming out of nowhere on the Internet, I thought that might be the last I heard of Lykke Li. But then there was another song floating around, the haunting “Tonight” (included on JeffMix2008.02.29), and finally a full-length album, the spell-binding Youth Novels — produced by the Bjorn of Peter, Bjorn and John — which includes a handful of best-of-year-worthy tracks.
     Needless to say I was excited to see her live. And even though the set was short — she was opening for El Perro Del Mar — it didn’t take long to realize this is someone poised for a breakthrough. Funkier and sexier than I expected — especially on “Breaking It Up,” a song she encouraged the crowd to “go wild over” — Lykke Li showed she’s no one-hit wonder. More please.

JeffMix2008.04.24

My latest podcast is now online, featuring music from M83, The Subways, The Joy Formidable, Wiley, Jason Anderson, Midfield General, Jay Reatard, The Courteeners, Larry Tee ft. Princess Superstar, French Kicks, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, We Are Scientists, Moby, Throw Me the Statue, Busta Rhymes, Radiohead, and Page France. Subscribe to it here.

Nada Surf @ The Opera House, Apr. 7

Nada Surf is one of those bands that has flown under my radar for years, and I’m not exactly sure why. Indie pop mixed with clever, heartfelt lyrics (I think half their songs have the word “love” in their title) — that’s my thing! I’m not even so familiar with their cred-crushing mid-’90s hit, “Popular,” a song that has taken them years to live down.
     So thanks Joanna for taking me to their show last week and fixing things. To prepare, she told me Nada Surf sounds like The Weakerthans (another of her favourite bands, which she took me to back in November), if they came from New York. Well said. Both bands were impressively tight, gimmick-free and noticeably grey — a result of years on the road. The Hüsker Dü-ish “Stalemate” and concert closer “Blankest Years,” with its “fuck it” singalong chorus, stood out for me. And while Nada Surf may never regain mainstream glory, or even continue to chart upwards, as The Weakerthans seem to be doing, consider them definitely on my radar.

Youth Novels

It’s hard not to fall for Lykke Li and her dazzling debut CD, Youth Novels. Forget the fact she’s young, blond and Swedish, but her music combines Bjork’s otherworldly pixie charm with Peter Bjorn and John’s precise pop smarts (PB&J’s Bjorn Yttling co-produced Youth Novels). So it’s Bjork meets Bjorn, and the results are often spectacular.
     “Little Bit,” “I’m Good, I’m Gone,” and the aching “Time Flies” are beyond good — they’re three of the best songs I’ve heard this year. (The album doesn’t even include “Tonight” [as heard on JeffMix2008.02.29], a song that had even my most hardened friends asking, ‘Who’s this?’). I haven’t been so walloped by sheer talent since I first heard Kanye West’s debut, The College Dropout, which included the chart-topping trio of “All Falls Down,” “Through the Wire,” and “Jesus Walks.”
     But Lykke Li is not in Mr. West’s league yet. You’ll want to skip past a few tracks, including the highly indulgent “This Trumpet In My Head” and the Julee Cruise-ish snoozer “Hanging High.” Beyond those, however, there are some truly magical moments here. Embrace it now. A-
Lykke Li: Little Bit (mp3)
Lykke Li: Time Flies (mp3)

Triple-word scare

From an interview with Scrabulous co-founder, computer programmer and matchmaker Jayant Agarwalla published in today’s Now magazine:

“An American fan asked if we can do something that would help him propose to his girlfriend. We set up the board [in Facebook] for him nicely. When she started the game, the letters WILL YOU MARRY ME JANE were pasted on the board, and she had the tiles YESNO on her tile rack. That was it – it was just a few minutes of work, but it was really great.”

The American President Americans have been waiting for

Last week I was checking out the campaign websites of the American presidential campaigns and couldn’t believe the tagline being used by John McCain’s campaign:

The American President Americans have been waiting for.

WTF? As opposed to all the Canadians running for office? It’s brazen, it’s racist, and a sign of the nasty, fear-based campaign that I’m sure is to come from the Republicans. I was hoping McCain was above all of this...
     Here’s the accompanying campaign video, which includes the use of the pronoun “she” referring to the United States. So, add sexist to the list.

Sign of the Apocalypse

From today’s Globe and Mail:

“Strolling down the street in Manhattan, I suddenly hear a woman’s voice,” Clive Thompson writes in Wired magazine. “‘Who's there? Who’s there?’ she whispers. I look around but can’t figure out where it’s coming from. It seems to emanate from inside my skull. Was I going nuts? Nope. I had simply encountered a new advertising medium: hypersonic sound. It broadcasts audio in a focused beam, so that only a person standing directly in its path hears the message. In this case, the cable channel A&E was using the technology to promote a show about, naturally, the paranormal. I’m a geek, so my first reaction was, ‘Cool!’ But it also felt creepy.”

From an April 2007 article in the Boston Globe:

Court TV recently installed the “audio spotlight devices” in ceilings of bookstores to promote the network’s new murder-mystery show. A voice, whispering, “Hey, you, can you hear me? Do you ever think about murder?” was beamed toward customers as they browsed the mystery section in several independent bookstores in New York.

Mr. Love & Justice

Billy Bragg is my musical Mecca — an artist I keep coming back to, especially in times of trouble, and whose music has touched me profoundly. In particular, his 1988 CD Workers Playtime is my favourite record ever: an album brimming with emotion, intelligence and terrific (often heartbreaking) pop moments.
     Of course, that’s a lot to live up to, and over his past few records, Billy has disappointed. Mr. Love & Justice, his first studio record in six years, is being touted as a return to his mid-’80s form. And while it is his best album since 1996’s underrated William Bloke, that isn’t saying much.
     There are two complaints that can wound an artist’s integrity: that they’ve either sold out, or gone soft. Billy, the rabid socialist and political agitator, will likely never be accused of selling out. But he’s clearly gone soft. Blame it on his age (he just turned 50), his growing suburbanism (he now lives in coastal England) and that Woody Guthrie tribute record, Mermaid Avenue, which Wilcoed his once edgy one-man-trying-to-be-The-Clash sound. As a fan recently wrote, Billy has become “comfortable and Americanized.” Ouch.
     All is not lost, however. “I Almost Killed You” (as heard on JeffMix2008.03.28) — possibly his best single in (gasp) 15 years — is Billy at his lovelorn best. And I don’t normally go for his political songs, but “O Freedom,” his diatribe on the erosion of human rights in liberty’s name, packs a punch.
     But most of Mr. Love & Justice is Billy Lite. I don’t begrudge Billy for being content; I just don’t have to listen to him anymore. C+
Billy Bragg: O Freedom (mp3)
Billy Bragg: Farm Boy (mp3)

JeffMix2008.03.28

My latest podcast is now online, featuring music from Explosions in the Sky, Born Ruffians, Felix Da Housecat, Lykke Li, Modernaire, Luke Pickett, Supergrass, The Heavy, Kraak and Smaak, Miracle Fortress, The Raconteurs, Sam Sparro, Arnie Love and The Lovettes, Tokyo Police Club, Billy Bragg, and Hercules and Love Affair. Subscribe to it here.

Elephant Shell

It’s clear to me that the two most seminal records of the decade are Arcade Fire’s Funeral and The Strokes’ Is This It. There may be better records — Stars’ SYOF, Radiohead’s In Rainbows, to name two — but none have been more influential: Funeral for its propulsive yet cerebral tone (not to mention all the shouting and handclapping) and Is This It for its reinvention of post-punk (or is it pre-punk?) garage rock.
     Falling somewhere in the middle, both musically and geographically, are Newmarket’s own Tokyo Police Club. On the heels of two critically lauded EPs, A Lesson in Crime and the Smith EP (containing my 10th favourite song of 2007, “Box”), TPC finally release their full-length debut, Elephant Shell. And just as Los Campesinos! before them, they may have fired off their best shots with their pre-releases.
     That’s not to say Elephant Shell isn’t any good: “In a Cave” and “Juno,” with its bouncy bass riff and shrewd piano work, pick up where those terrific EPs left off. And the mid-album slowdown, “The Harrowing Adventures of...,” is a welcome change of pace for the often overexcited band. But there’s enough filler here to leave me mildly disappointed. Really, is this it? I was hoping for more. B+
Tokyo Police Club: The Harrowing Adventures of... (mp3)
Tokyo Police Club: Juno (mp3)

Hold On Now, Youngster…

Can listening to a record make you exhausted? I’m not sure, but I find I have to take breaks while going through the debut CD of recent Arts & Crafts signees, Los Campesinos! It’s no wonder the group is so fond of exclamation points because almost all of the songs on Hold On Now, Youngster... are delivered with a frenetic urgency that can be both exhilirating and, well, tiring.
     Clapping, shouting, frantic riffing. frat-friendly enthusiasm — we’ve seen elements of this before, with bands like The Go! Team, Tokyo Police Club and Arcade Fire, and I’m surprised there’s no name for the genre. The best I’ve heard is tweecore, a term plucked right from the title of one of Los Campesinos!’ previously released singles, “The International Tweexcore [sic] Underground.”
     And that is part of Hold On Now’s problem: their best songs have already been released (either on EP or as stand-alone singles). A couple of them are included here, like “Death to Los Campesinos!” and “You! Me! Dancing!” but a few are not, including the aforementioned “International Tweexcore” and “You Throw Parties, We Throw Knives,” their first single and two minutes of pop perfection. The new material is simply weaker, with the band showing signs of strain. Can they be burnt out by album number one? B
Los Campesinos!: You! Me! Dancing! (mp3)
Los Campesinos!: Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s) (mp3)

Star Wars vs Saul Bass

Thanks to Earle for sending me this. And if you don’t know who Saul Bass is, click here.

JeffMix2008.02.29

My latest podcast is now online, featuring music from Feist, Hot Chip, AmpLive, Lykke Li, Santogold, Plants and Animals, Helvetia, Los Campesinos!, The Battle Royale, The Gadsdens, Camp Lo, Oren Lavie, Mobius Band, Tapes ’n Tapes, You Say Party! We Say Die!, and Daft Punk. Subscribe to it here.

19

I’ve been watching so much American Idol lately that I can’t help but hear Simon and the other judges in my head as I listen to 19, the debut record of British breakthrough artist and Amy Winehouse-sound-alike Adele. “Too old fashioned.” “Trouble with song choice.” “Pitchy in spots.”
     Okay, that last one isn’t true in the least; Adele’s voice — part folk, part jazz and all soul — is one of the strongest and most evocative that I’ve heard in a long time. In fact, she’d easily win Idol — it’s a “singing competition,” as the judges often note, and hers has star stamped all over it.
     As a songwriter, however, Adele isn’t quite as successful. Of the 12 songs on 19, all, except for London tribute song “Hometown Glory,” are love songs (or heartbreak songs — the other side of that coin), with several veering from neo-soul towards easy listening.
     But this is somewhat excusable; she is a teenager, after all (the 19 in the record’s title refers to Adele’s age), and the album’s high moments show she’s an artist with great potential. “Chasing Pavements” and “Cold Shoulder” achieve a timeless soul quality that has thus far eluded Winehouse. And “Melt My Heart to Stone” attempts to do just that, with a stunning, brassy vocal performance. A winner, indeed. B+
Adele: Cold Shoulder (mp3)
Adele: Melt My Heart to Stone (mp3)

A reminder

From today’s The Ethicist column in the New York Times Magazine:

The fundamental goal of copyright is not to secure profits but to inspire thought. Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution empowers Congress to write laws that “promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.”

Made in the Dark

Why are all my favourite dance acts going soft? First Underworld stunned me by putting out the seriously mellow Oblivion With Bells last year. And now electro-pop stars Hot Chip underwhelm me with their latest, ballad-filled disc, Made in the Dark. What’s next? The Basement Jaxx lounge CD?
     Hot Chip’s new record, unlike Underworld’s flop, isn’t a complete write-off, but it is a misstep, as the band fails in their attempt to mix the beat-heavy tracks they’re known for with a more sensitive songwriting style. Four — yes, four — ballads stick out, with titles like, “In the Privacy of Our Love” and “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” (the latter, a fairly decent, more midtempo number). It’s hard to believe this is the same band that dabbled in hooliganism on their last record, The Warning, and its fuck-you title track (“Hot Chip will break your legs / Snap off your head / Hot Chip will put you down / Under the ground.”)
     With the exception of first single “Shake a Fist” (ah, there’s the hooliganism) and the rollicking “One Pure Thought,” even the faster numbers seem a gear too slow. All in all, more lukewarm than hot. C+
Hot Chip: We’re Looking for a Lot of Love (mp3)
Hot Chip: Shake a Fist (mp3)

Sign of the Apocalypse

From a Reuters story printed in today’s Globe and Mail:

Can’t bear to let Fido rest in peace? This Korean company will clone him
RNL Bio, a South Korean biotech company is offering dog owners the chance to clone their pet through a service that can cost up to $148,000 (U.S.) for a puppy.
     “These days, dogs are treated like family members. There are many owners who would rather clone a favourite pet than adopt a new one after it dies,” RNL Bio president Ra Jeong-chan said.

Metric @ Sound Academy, Feb. 7

I have mixed feelings after seeing Metric live last week, my third time catching the non-solo Emily Haines (pictured) at work. I can’t deny the band had great energy and we had a blast whooping it up in the packed-like-sardines crowd at what must be Toronto’s worst venue, Sound Academy (formally The Docks). But it sure helped that I drank a half dozen beers — and clearly most of the crowd had as well.
     And there’s the problem: Metric are now a beer-drinking band. Again, it’s a lot of fun to party while Emily shakes it out to their near-punk hits, but there’s surprisingly little nuance. They even close their set with a new song, tellingly titled, “Stadium Love.”
     So, I’m split. “Combat Baby” and “Dead Disco” are still such terrific songs, especially live. And a couple of songs they previewed from their upcoming fourth CD, like opener “Freddie” (a tribute to Freddie Mercury) and the aforementioned “Stadium Love” (and its “ooh-ah-ooh” chorus) really stood out. But forgive me if I expected more.
(Thanks again, Zack, for taking photos.)

Vampire Weekend

My friend Pete always derides me for listening to “uppity” music, and he would hate Vampire Weekend. They’re just too precious, too precocious and smack of privilege. Even on paper, they’re detestable: four Ivy Leaguers playing music often described as Strokes meets Graceland (or, in their own words, “Upper West Side Soweto”). That said, their full-length, self-titled CD — which compiles a handful of previously leaked tracks with a few extras — is one of the most fun records I’ve heard and certainly one of the best debuts.
     Nary a dud among the track listing, Vampire Weekend is at its best when it doesn’t try quite so hard. “Oxford Comma,” with its shuffle beat and brainier-than-you refrain (“who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?”) and “Campus,” a song about pining for a girl on, um, campus, with a Room-on-Fire riff, have the most indie-rock cred. And the sweet “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” is Vampire Weekend at its groovy, brilliant best.
     If I was 20 and in university, this would be my favourite record ever. As it is, it’s clearly going to be one of the best of the year and a difficult sophomore challenge. A
Vampire Weekend: Campus (mp3)
Vampire Weekend: I Stand Corrected (mp3)

Boycott the Grammys

I wonder how Kanye West is doing today after being upset by Herbie Hancock — yes, Herbie Hancock (pictured) — to lose the album of the year award at last night’s Grammys. The Grammys have a long list of snubs and slip-ups (thanks Polly for the link), but this one takes the cake. Especially on a night when Kanye stole the show with his back-to-back performance of “Stronger” (with his neon, sample-happy buddies Daft Punk) and an emotional reworking of “Hey Mama,” a tribute to his recently deceased mother. Unless Stars are invited to perform, I refuse to watch the Grammys again. I should have stopped watching a long time ago.

Sign of the Apocalypse

In an article in today’s Globe and Mail, Mitt Romney explains why he has “suspended” his losing campaign for the Republican presidential nomination:

“If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win,” Romney told the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference, a conclave of hardcore conservatives.
     “In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.”

Disgusting.

Jukebox

I sometimes think that I don’t find music; music finds me. And seven records into her critically acclaimed career, Cat Power (née Chan Marshall) has hardly registered, save for a couple songs (including the magnificent title track) from 2006’s The Greatest record. After repeat listens of her eighth disc, the countrified covers record Jukebox, it appears I haven’t missed that much.
     I understand her appeal: a sexy, smoky voice crossed with fashion-model good looks, it’s no wonder rock critics (mostly male, of course) rush to her defense. But what some might consider sultry and sparse, I find slow and dull. “Metal Heart” is one of the few exceptions, with Marshall unleashing a passion that’s too often kept concealed. Guess I’ll have to keep looking. C
Cat Power: Metal Heart (mp3) (zip)
Cat Power: Silver Stallion (mp3) (zip)

JeffMix2008.01.26

My latest podcast is now online, featuring music from The Most Serene Republic, Electric Six, Bill Callahan, Ebony Bones, Tegan and Sara, Bat for Lashes, Tulsa, Ida Maria, Final Fantasy, Nada Surf, Holy Ghost!, Amy Winehouse, Low, Ratatat, Coconut Records, Drive-By Truckers, The Cool Kids, and Mistabishi. Subscribe to it here.

Sign of the Apocalypse

In Rainbows is now on sale at Starbucks.

Top 20 songs of 2007

As can be heard on my latest podcast, which you can subscribe to here.

20. “Radio Nowhere” by Bruce Springsteen
While 2007 marked the moment when it was cool to like Springsteen again (see the recent Spin cover story featuring Arcade Fire’s Win Butler shmoozing with Bruce), The Boss — pushing 60! — also delivered a barnburner of a single.

19. “Untitled Shook Ones (Emancipator Mashup)” by Sigur Ros vs Mobb Deep
KEXP played this one to death, and with good reason. It’s an unreleased mashup — available on the MySpace page of NYC DJ Emancipator — of a 12-year-old rap hit and one of the tracks from Sigur Ros’s haunting 2002 ( ) album. Genius. (Also on JeffMix2007.09.17.)

18. “Pussyole (Oldskool)” by Dizzee Rascal
Few songs got a bigger reaction than this eye-popping, expletive-laden crowd-pleaser. Apparently there’s a radio edit out there, but why bother? (Also on JeffMix2007.06.21.)

17. “My Rights Versus Yours” by The New Pornographers
How ELO can you go? The New Pornographers give it their best power-pop try and put out a mini-masterpiece.

16. “Golden Skans" by Klaxons
A surprise pick as NME’s song of the year. A great, groovy, get-in-get-out pop song. (Also on JeffMix2007.02.)

15. “Electronic Battle Weapon 8” by The Chemical Brothers
What became the track “Saturate” on this year’s poorly-received We Are the Night CD began as this promo-only version, a thundering six-and-a-half minute electro blast. (Also on JeffMix2007.04.26.)

14. “Hospital Beds” by Cold War Kids
“There’s nothing to do here, just whine and complain” begins Cold War Kids’ lead singer Nathan Willett on a song with possibly the best lyrics of the year, a vivid tale of “joy and misery.” (Also on JeffMix2007.04.26.)

13. “What We Had” by Handsome Furs
One of the best sounding songs of the years, filled with acoustic guitars, harmonicas and anvil strikes. Looking forward to that Wolf Parade follow-up disc… (Also on JeffMix2007.04.26.)

12. “Plasticities” by Andrew Bird
“Precious territory,” indeed, as Bird sings on this delicate, underappreciated track from his Sufjan-like 2007 CD, Armchair Apocrypha. (Also on JeffMix2007.04.26.)

11. “So Much Love” by The Rocket Summer
“Born to Run” is such a fantastic song, perhaps the best ever, that far-less-weighty imitations, like this one, sound pretty great. Complete with a that’s-not-Clarence-Clemons sax outro. (Also on JeffMix2007.12.15.)

10. “Box” by Tokyo Police Club
Another woefully overlooked track, this one from the best thing to come out of Newmarket, The Strokes’-sounding Tokyo Police Club. Wait until they actually put out a full record. (Also on JeffMix2007.04.)

9. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” by The Wombats
Big in Britain, The Wombats have yet to make much noise this side of the Atlantic. But songs like this fun, tongue-firmly-in-cheek floor-shaker should change things. (Also on JeffMix2007.09.17.)

8. “Take Me to the Riot” by Stars
Not really known for their singles, Stars go for broke with this one, their most unabashed attempt at hitting the charts. Riot on!

7. “New Romantic” by Laura Marling
Not yet old enough to drink, UK singer/songwriter Marling showed why she’s being tipped as the Next Big Thing with this mature-beyond-her-years tear-jerker. (Also on JeffMix2007.09.17.)

6. “With Every Heartbeat” by Kleerup ft. Robyn
Although this Kate-Bush-meets-Daft-Punk single was floating around late last year (and appeared on Pitchfork’s list of top tracks of 2006), it didn’t get an official North American and UK release until early this year. Stunning. (Also on JeffMix2007.02.)

5. “On Call” by Kings of Leon
Nashville longhairs Kings of Leon inched closer to superstardom with their hit-laden 2007 CD, Because of the Times, and this slow-growing stadium rocker. (Also on JeffMix2007.02.)

4. “The Plot” by White Rabbits
It’s got One Hit Wonder written all over it, but what a collar-grabbing way to go. (Also on JeffMix2007.06.21.)

3. “I’m a Flirt (Shoreline)” by R. Kelly vs Broken Social Scene
This was the year of the mashup, so it’s fitting that this growing, er, genre lands near the top of the list. But this track is not here for ceremonial purposes — it’s simply brilliant, not to mention highly enjoyable. From The Hood Internet, a website and DJ duo that specializes in fusing indie-rock hits with the latest hip-hop jams. Already the site is getting tired, but for one glorious moment this past summer, they hit the perfect mix. (Also on JeffMix2007.04.26.)

2. “Lake Michigan” by Rogue Wave
Sure, the handclapping is straight from the Arcade Fire playbook, and the lyrics leave something to be desired (“Heaven is a switchboard that you want to fight…” Um, sure it is.). But in a year strongly influenced by Brian Wilson and his sun-kissed song-making style, Rogue Wave provided the dreamiest pop and its best sing-along. (Also on JeffMix2007.09.17.)

1. “Fake Empire” by The National
One year-end-list writer said something like: “‘Fake Empire’ might be an obvious choice, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.” And from the first listen, it was obvious that this was the best song of 2007. Staying out super late tonight, picking apples, making pies. We’re half awake, in our fake empire. Majestic. (Also on JeffMix2007.04.)

Top 10 albums of 2007

1. Graduation by Kanye West
Who knew Mr. West would become an albums artist in the singles-heavy genre of rap? Graduation, his third record, is arguably his best — more personal, more boastful and more joyous than his previous dazzling discs. This is Kanye at the top of his game. (Previously reviewed here.)
Kanye West ft. T-Pain: Good Life (mp3) (zip)

2. In Our Bedroom After the War by Stars
It’s no Set Yourself on Fire (a nominee for best album ever), but In Our Bedroom After the War is a worthy follow-up, adding an extra layer of hope to Stars’ complex and often dark emotional pastiche. (Previously reviewed here.)
Stars: Barricade (mp3) (zip)

3. In Rainbows by Radiohead
Or the album where Thom Yorke shows he has soul. Softer and sparser than ever, Radiohead again shows why they’re a few steps ahead of everyone else. (Previously reviewed here.)
Radiohead: Reckoner (mp3) (zip)

4. Once: Music from the Motion Picture by Glen Hansard (with Marketa Irglova)
A brilliant singer-songwriter toiling away in obscurity performs in a movie about a brilliant singer-songwriter toiling away in obscurity. Hansard’s a great find and his touching, penetrating songs demand repeat play.
Glen Hansard: Leave (mp3) (zip)

5. Let’s Stay Friends by Les Savy Fav
It’s clear veteran indie rockers Les Savy Fav have listened to their share of Pixies songs, but this is not a bad thing. Rock songs with equal parts bombast, melody and weirdness, and a reminder to the new kids how to do things right.
Les Savy Fav: The Year Before the Year 2000 (mp3) (zip)

6. Plague Park by Handsome Furs
Will Dan Boeckner get his due? First he contributed, as co-lead vocalist and guitarist, to Wolf Parade’s fantastic yet forgotten 2005 disc Apologies to the Queen Mary. And now he and wife Alexei Perry have out-Rental-ed the Rentals, with side project Handsome Furs. Don’t sleep on this.
Handsome Furs: Sing! Captain (mp3) (zip)

7. Reunion Tour by The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans may never be Pitchfork faves (Reunion Tour has yet to be reviewed by the online tastemakers), but they’ve grown into one of Canada’s best bands on the strength of John K. Samson’s highly listenable, lyrically astute songs. (Previously reviewed here.)
The Weakerthans: Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure (mp3) (zip)

8. Challengers by The New Pornographers
Never short of talent, The New Pornographers hit some solid musical blows on their latest CD, aided by the one-two shot of songwriters A.C. Newman and Dan Bejar. In a year when other Brian Wilson-influenced acts grabbed the critical spotlight (Animal Collective, Of Montreal), the hook-filled Challengers provided the biggest wallop. (Previously reviewed here.)
The New Pornographers: Challengers (mp3) (zip)

9. Magic by Bruce Springsteen
The Boss’s return to his poppier, Born-in-the-U.S.A. sound masked a darker, deeper lyrical tone, giving his fans the best of both sides of Springsteen. (Previously reviewed here.)
Bruce Springsteen: I’ll Work For Your Love (mp3) (zip)

10. Writer’s Block by Peter, Bjorn and John
Released in Europe last year, Writer’s Block made it to North American shores (or iTunes, at least) in early 2007 and gave listeners a very good idea of the musical quality currently coming out of their native Sweden. Imagine the pop sensibilities of Crowded House mixed with the genre-busting playfulness of Beck and you get an idea of PB&J’s musical treats. Includes my No. 1 song of 2006, the ubiquitous “Young Folks.”
Peter, Bjorn and John: Objects of My Affection (mp3) (zip)

Honourable mentions:
Asleep at Heaven’s Gate by Rogue Wave
The End of History by Fionn Regan
A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation by The Wombats
Because of the Times by Kings of Leon
Finding Forever by Common

Sign of the apocalypse

As reported in today’s Globe and Mail, Forbes.com recently published their first-ever list of the most influential celebrity children. A pair of one-year-olds topped the chart, with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (Brangelina’s biological daughter) besting Tom and Kate’s girl, Suri Cruise (pictured). Told of the news, Suri apparently started bawling and crying out for Mommy.

JeffMix2007.12.15

My Christmas podcast is now online, featuring music from Sufjan Stevens, Land of Talk, Lukestar, Seymore Saves the World, Bloc Party, T-Pain ft. Teddy Verseti, Burial, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Athlete, The Rocket Summer, DJ Benzi ft. Lil Wayne and Cool Kids, Fortune, Adele, The Go! Team, The Futureheads, Mystery Jets, VHS or Beta, and Nina Simone. Subscribe to it here. And happy holidays!

Jamario Moon is my hero

The Toronto Raptors have had a knack for finding fan favourites. Last year it was Jorge Garbajosa. The year before that it was the Red Rocket, Matt Bonner (now with the world champion San Antonio Spurs). This year, it’s 27-year-old rookie phenom Jamario Moon.
     It’s quite the story. The high-flying Moon, undrafted and unwanted, toiled for years in minor leagues with acronyms you’ve probably never heard of (CBA, USBL, ABA, NBA D-League, WBL), and even spent time with both a team in Mexico and the Harlem Globetrotters. For whatever reason, he barely got a sniff from the NBA, despite his above-the-rim skills, smooth shot, and defensive hops. Until this past off-season when Bryan Colangelo, the Raptors’ genius general manager, deprived of any draft picks, signs Moon to a two-year, rookie minimum deal. Out of nowhere — well, actually, from 1,600-strong Goodwater, Ala. — Super Jamario has burst onto the scene, logging big-time minutes for my club and tracking high on various rookie-of-the-year rankings (see NBA.com and SI.com).
     Needless to say, Moon, who just a few months ago was still struggling to get by in the Continental Basketball Association, has looked like the happiest man on the court each game that I’ve seen. No wonder, as reported in a feature on Moon in last weekend’s Albany Times Union:

Moon signed a two-year contract with the Raptors for the NBA minimum, which for rookies is $427,163. Salary caps in the CBA are $120,000 per team. There are 10 players on a CBA roster. You do the math.

Stars @ The Rehearsal Hall, Dec. 2

A third Stars show in one week, and this one was a treat: an invite-only taping of Bravo! Canada’s Live at The Rehearsal Hall series. (Thanks Christina!) There couldn’t have been more than 60 people in the audience and it looked like many of them were friends and family (including several greyhairs, who must have been moms and dads).
     We got there late, so we didn’t snag seats. At first I was disappointed that they made us stand behind Pat McGee’s drumkit, but it gave us a surprisingly good perspective. At least a new one, behind the band rather than in front. So we could see them talking amongst themselves (and snarkily at each other on a couple of occasions).
     We heard beforehand that Torq was sick, and he didn’t look good at all, but he soldiered through. Frankly, they sounded great, just as a band coming off tour should. And Amy, as you can see from the photo above, was smoking. (Her “Bitches in Tokyo” was the show’s strongest number.) But they did screw up, or at least McGee did, losing the beat completely on the crashing outro of “One More Night.” So, because it’s actually live to tape, they performed it again, along with another rendition of “My Favourite Book.” Catch it all, including a smiling yours truly behind the drumkit, on Feb. 5 on Bravo! Canada.
     And now my Stars obssession can cool down. Whew.

Stars @ The Phoenix, Nov. 27

Amy Millan was quoted in last week’s Now magazine saying that Stars are “pretty much sticking” to the same set each night for their current tour. And last night’s set was almost identical to Monday’s show, with two differences: one that I’ll mention below, and Monday they included “Look Up” from Heart, a song I haven’t heard them do live, and a song that a friend told me was once described in a review as “the sound right before you start crying.”

The Beginning After the End
The instrumental synth track that begins Stars’ latest CD, In Our Bedroom After the War, is also first up here. Fresh flowers are everywhere, and will soon be thrown into the crowd all night long. Torq’s in the same grey suit both nights and Amy’s doing her biker grandmother look.

Take Me to the Riot
Possibly my favourite song from the new record, the rock-out number’s a great way to kick off the show.

Set Yourself on Fire
The title song from their third album, this always gets the crowd in the right mood. Torq does his robot dance before bringing it down for the “20 years asleep before we sleep” outro. Stunning.

Elevator Love Letter
For the old-timers, Amy says on night one. Only one of two songs from their second album, Heart, and there are none from their first CD.

The Ghost of Genova Heights
Their most love-it-or-hate-it song. I am in the latter camp, although Torq hams it up by wearing a suit made of white lights.

Bitches in Tokyo
The biggest problem with the Phoenix shows is that they’re all-ages gigs, which isn’t in itself a bad thing. However, the Phoenix barricades the drinkers into the rear of the club. So if you want to be close, which we did the first night, you have to stand amid a sea of screaming 15-year-old girls. I’m impressed, though, that the teenyboppers seem to know all the lyrics to the new album. I, on the other hand, can hardly remember the titles, including this one. Thanks again to Zack for remembering what we were listening to, and taking the photos (click on the thumbnail for a larger version).

One More Night
A gem from SYOF, dedicated to Torq’s high-school teacher and Dick Cheney becoming involved in “rough anal sex.” Realizing what he said in front of an all-ages crowd, Torq reminds us that Stars “are an evil band and [we’re] evil to be there.”

Personal
I would prefer to hear Barricade, the other hate-it-or-love-it track from In Our Bedroom (I love it). But this one is equally dark and really shows off the vocal chemistry of Torq and Amy.

Heart
The other song from Heart, of course. One of my all-time favourites and Torq delivers it better than ever. He has really come along as a singer since his whispery, slightly off-key days.

Midnight Coward
The new songs fare well live, helped out by the fuller band and especially Pat McGee’s give-’er drumming. Who knew this was a new-wave dance song?

Window Bird
Amy’s moment. This song doesn’t do a lot for me, but it’s great to just give in to her voice. She’s as sweet and sour as they come.

Soft Revolution
My favourite track on SYOF. So nice to hear. And there’s still a shout-out to Metric at the end.

Sleep Tonight
The only real misstep of the night. A technofied version of the touching mid-album SYOF track. Should have played “Look Up” instead.

Reunion
The one that started my love affair with Stars, a song about getting old, drinking hard, and needing a second chance. I would have enjoyed it more the first night except that when Torq sang, “17 and half alive,” the kids in the crowd shrieked with recognition. Can I still do this now that I’m more than twice their age?

Your Ex-Lover Is Dead
It’s so Stars that they’ve made “live through this and you won’t look back” a sing-along moment. Brilliant.

Ageless Beauty
The fifth SYOF song in a row and a crowd favourite. I heart Amy.

In Our Bedroom After the War
Let’s get serious for a moment. Here’s where Stars separate themselves from the pack. A triumphant set closer with Torq throwing himself into its final chorus. If anyone has video of this, YouTube please.

The Night Starts Here
Well, the encore starts here at least. Again, a lot of love from the crowd for their latest CD. Good to see.

My Favourite Book
Or when Amy Millan out-Feists Feist. And a bass change for Evan, preferring a large, cherry-red model (which sounded like shit the first night).

What I’m Trying to Say
They enjoy playing this one and I’m sure it’s going to be in the set list for a long time. The last rock-out number before the cool down.

Calendar Girl
And the crowd lets out an “I can’t believe they’re playing this!” gasp. Can melt stones with this one.

The Aspidistra Flies
On night one, they finished with a beautiful rendition of “What the Snowman Learned About Love” from Heart. Last night, it was this delicate track, hidden on the early Comeback EP. Torq, however, has problems remembering when to come in and claims he may have had a stroke. Once they get it right, they leave us in style. And wanting more. See you Sunday.

Stars: The Aspidistra Flies (mp3) (zip)

Stars @ The Phoenix, Nov. 26

This time of year is filled with so many dislikable pre-holiday traditions — like radio stations playing Paul McCartney’s “Last Christmas” over and over again, just to name one — that I’m thrilled to add “Seeing Stars in concert” to my own list of enjoyable rituals. This marks the third time in four years that I’ve had the pleasure of catching Torq, Amy, Evan and Chris perform their swoony favourites in the early winter. What a way to warm up.
     At this point, I know what to expect — Torq’s starry-eyed emoting, Amy’s shockingly sweet vocals, Evan’s bass kicks — and it was much of the same on this night. But I don’t see Stars to