Album Review: Fire Flower Revue – Tous murir!

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Fire Flower Revue
Tous murir!
By Jessica Lewis

From their home in Peterborough, ON to a recording destination in Paris, the ever-expanding universe of Fire Flower Revue has effectively captured an exciting essence on their newest album. There’s a lot of experimentation in their 13 songs, ranging from bongos to accordion to opera samples to Bollywood. The tinkered with electro-pop bits and bites are present, tying everything together, lest it feel confusing. “The Structure,” “Doo Wap Hearts,” “You Are Only Good at Leaving” ― faster dance songs just waiting to be remixed ― and the romantic “Hedge Rows” are strong, while “Larger Dogs” is slower and pleasing to the ear, but not as pleasing in meaning. And yet, Jarret Prescott, Meg Kendrick and company find their playful side in 54-second breather “Whirley” and the toy piano-based “Gloc.” The album features a wide range of guest vocalists and, at times, feels tired, but is an imaginative, trippy, valid achievement. (Independent)

Album Review: Port O’Brien – Threadbare

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Port O’Brien
Threadbare
By Jessica Lewis

Here’s another one to add to your chill-out play-list. Californians Cambria Goodwin and Van Pierszalowski emerged as a simple bedroom recording project, and that fact is evident in Threadbare. Mid-tempo, ghostlike vocals adorn an album that represents a time of loss and getting back on one’s feet. It’s one of those records that brings you back down to earth. Songs such as “My Will is Good,” “Oslo Campfire” and “In the Meantime” glow with personal growth, but sadness sets in later. The acoustic guitar is their weapon of choice, but percussion via shakers and bells is also key to the experience. Goodwin’s voice is chilling, and her hums fly through the album, while Pierszalowski effortlessly provides support. Since inception, they’ve added a few more instrumental members. Violins on “Tree Bones” and the humble sound effects on “Threadbare” provide comfort. (TBD)

Album Review: King of Rocksprings – The Milkman vs. the Postman Problem

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

King of Rocksprings
The Milkman vs. the Postman Problem
By Jessica Lewis

When Scott Sosebee moved to NYC, he most likely didn’t know that in six years, the move would affect him enough to write an EP subtitled “a comedy in five parts.” The notion of his band has been around for about ten years now, but Sosebee had been busy with countless bands in Georgia, as well as tragic injuries after falling from a trapeze rig. Now, he’s better than ever and has focused on his boy problems for this EP. Sosebee turns problems into play in songs such as “The Perfect Guy,” which jauntily details fictional romps around the city, and the collar tug of “How to be a Stalker.” Sosebee brings a light baritone, one he’s still finding ways to push to its limits. Trumpets, trombones, “sha la las” and a common beat from a list of backup musicians definitely help the EP. Together, they’ve all found a way to laugh at the past and make enjoyable music out of it. (Independent)

Album Review: Parkas – You Should Have Killed Us Before You Had the Chance

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Parkas
You Should Have Killed Us When You Had the Chance
By Jessica Lewis

The title is ironic, as this gritty Toronto, ON band have released this album eight years posthumously. There’s a healthy dose of blues rock, with warped guitars, banjos and an in-barn soundscape, as front-man Michael Brown powers through with thick vocals. Each moment feels like it holds some sort of secret that the band will get together over beers and laugh about when they’re older. Even with such precision in instrumentation (“Bad Comedian”) and an infectious jump sequence in “Isolation Play,” it’s hard not to notice that things start to get a little repetitive by the end. They still leave on a high note though, like an old warhorse pushing on. (Saved by Radio)

Album Review: The Seedy Seeds – Count the Days

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

The Seedy Seeds
Count the Days
By Jessica Lewis

This sophomore release from this Cincinnati, OH-based band is incredibly optimistic and often catchy. The band are made up of two males and one female, with a flare for computer-generated snares and the banjo. When Margaret Darling leads a song, they tend to use beats that sound like they are waiting for a helicopter to lift off, whereas when Mike Ingram leads, things slow down. This album is a proud effort and songs such as opener “Winter 04″ and the calmer “Losing Light” showcase their collective talents, and many interesting instruments, but they would be better served bulking up their folk background and toning down the obvious electronic percussion. Keeping the pace fun and light is effective, but the banjo and drum machine need to work harmoniously. They do so to the brim in “The Push.” But what comes after “The Push” is ultimately a shove. (Eurodorable)

My top 2 albums of 2009 rank & reviews on Exclaim! year-end list

So if you haven’t noticed yet, the new (and 200th) issue of Exclaim! is now out on newsstands across Canada (or will at least be coming to your little remote farm town soon). It’s also the year-end edition, in which each genre tallies up the ranks from its critics. The critics send in their top 10, and the ranking turns into a top 20.

As I generally write for the Pop Rocks section, that is where I submitted my list. I was lucky enough to be able to write about my top 2 albums of 2009. They ranked at #3 and #5. It was a pleasure to write about two albums that really made an impact on the insane year I’ve had, nonetheless get the chance to obsessively listen to them again for a week.

So, want to know which albums I’m talking about? Read after the jump to find out! Oh, and stay tuned to find out what my #3-10 are… coming soon.

Album Review: Gossip – Music for Men

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Gossip
Music for Men
By Jessica Lewis

Gossip’s fourth studio album is the kind of record that makes you kick yourself if you haven’t listened to the other three. With flashy, trash-talking disco, funky guitar riffs, fast drum beats and Beth Ditto’s range ― from tiny, almost hidden hums to loud, powerful, soulful howls ― it’s anything but boring or bland. The power is on high, pulsing through veins, as Ditto puts everything into phrases like “It takes two; it’s up to me and you to prove it,” on exciting single “Heavy Cross.” If there’s a lesson to take away from this album it’s that you don’t want to make Ditto mad. Armed with a strong, genre-mixing backbone, provided by Brace Paine and Hannah Blilie, Ditto spits comments destined to inspire guilt in past partners, as on “Love Long Distance.” The lyrics aren’t particularly complicated but the fact that Ditto puts it so simply is more of an excuse to quickly learn how to sing along when you need that perfect break-up song. (Columbia)

Album Review: Bell Horses – This Loves Last Time

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Bell Horses
This Loves Last Time
By Jessica Lewis

Though iTunes may categorize this band as “easy listening,” don’t lump them into the same category as Sade or Kenny G just yet. This debut album from duo Xian Hawkins and Jenny Owen Youngs is a beautiful stroll through a balanced mix of female and male vocals, as well as modern instrumentation. But as any stroll does, the album has quick turns, where it takes on a rock overtone to keep things interesting. The duo enlisted the help from Alberta Cross’s Alexander Ericson, the Antlers‘ Michael Lerner and string instrumentalist Eve Boltax. In just eight songs, it’s soothingly poetic yet captures the ears. Often, it’s hard to decipher Young’s lyrics, and they could have done a little less with the computerized sounds, but those problems are washed over in comparison to the warm dual vocals in “Small Hours,” guitar in “Billowing” and the mixtape-worthy ten minutes of “The Comb” and “Photograph.” Everlasting and graceful, this album will soften any hard edges one’s iTunes might have. (Trysquare)

Album Review: Shonen Knife – Super Group

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Shonen Knife
Super Group
By Jessica Lewis

We might as well have the ’90s brought back to us right before the end of the decade, and who better than the ladies in Japan’s 28-year-old, yet newly reformed, Shonen Knife? They’ve got the formula down, from the individual instrumentation (great for Rock Band) to the lyrics, as in “Deer Biscuits,” where new vocalist Naoko sings that they smell like soy bean flour, or “BBQ Party,” which encourages a healthy dose of junk food. You can see the kids bopping around in their Hawaiian T-shirts and razor caps covering up iced tips. However, there’s an undertone of grunge, with Naoko grating her voice in “Pyramid Party,” and her electric guitar. But there’s also the friendly driving force of Ritsuko’s bass and Etsuko’s drumming right from the get-go in first song “Super Group.” Finally, it’s worth mentioning that they have a fun, beach-flavoured cover of a Paul McCartney and the Wings song, “Jet.” (Good Charamel)

Album Review: Hockey – Mind Chaos

The following was originally published on Exclaim.ca.

Hockey
Mind Chaos
By Jessica Lewis

All right, it has to be said: front-man Benjamin Grubin’s voice sounds as if Justin Timberlake was born some five years later, with one heck of a taste for indie pop. Is that a problem? No, but it makes for some interesting mental images while listening to this band. With that aside, Hockey’s debut album is extremely catchy, coordinated, dance-favoured rock, especially “Work, “Song Away” and “Preacher.” However, this album gives way to the feeling that it might take a bit longer to make a lasting impression, especially with random folk-themed song (where Grubin loses Timberlake and tries to nail down personal hero Bob Dylan) “Four Holy Photos” in the middle. (Capitol)