I'm Back, No Really I Am!

Now that son#2 has finally arrived and is safe and sound with his mother at home, I am eager to resume this blog's work.

As a little token of "thanks" to the blog's visitors (after all, tomorrow is the US Thanksgiving), I thought I would share the URL for another terrific Canadian music artist blog that kindly provides free live recording MP3s: Canaddiction

Lots of new material to discuss and I am looking forward to the challenge of sharing with everyone what I have been listening to during the autumn. In particular, I am most looking forward to posting a review on Mark Henning's (keyboardist for Pure) new band, Combine the Victorious. Mark is on the verge of something huge with his new band and I am thankful for the opportunity to receive an early listen on his new work.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara

Think My Morning Jacket's Jim James soothing vocals over a terrific acoustic sounding band.

Great Lake Swimmers is simply a riveting listening experience.

Check out the reviews:

"A wonderful atmosphere - minimalist well done" - New York Times

"Ambient Zen Americana" - Mojo Magazine

"Spiritual folk of the most affecting variety" - Stylus

"Tony Dekker takes acoustics very seriously. His haunting, somber ballads emit an otherworldly quality, due in no small part to the natural environment in which they're captured … Natural reverb and folkie arrangements complement Dekker's soft voice perfectly" - Rob Bolton, Exclaim!

"Just when it seems like it can't possible get more beautiful, the next song sets the bar even higher and it becomes an overload of pure awesome. Ongiara is slow and spare, yet amazingly rich and varied... Decidedly country in flavour but not in overall tone... Dekker weaves lyrical tales that are as ethereal as his shimmering songs, open to interpretation while bearing a straightforward foundation." - Chart, March 2007

Download and listen from the new album Ongiara:
Your Rocky Spine MP3
I Am Part Of A Large Family MP3

Buy Ongiara at Emusic.

Great Lake Swimmers Homepage

We Will Build - This Is Necessary

I posted about these guys earlier this year and they continue to improve and master their craft.

Believe it or not but the band has graciously allowed their new EP This Is Necessary to be downloaded in its entirety at no charge (zip file).

Click here for This Is Necessary

Thanks for the early Christmas present!

We Will Build Homepage

Back in the Saddle

Thanks for the patience guys.

No, this project has not been abandoned and it will resume ASAP.

Plenty of new bands to talk about along with re-visiting a few that have made leaps and bounds with new sounds.

Have a great holiday season!

We Are Wolves - Non-Stop Je Te Plie en Deux

I have no clue how to classify these Montreal guys. Perhaps think Beck from the Mellow Gold days crossed with Nine Inch Nails. I'm late in the game blogging about these guys but if you've been in the dark like myself, download and enjoy:
Little Birds MP3
La Nature MP3
Vamos a la playa MP3

Buy We Are Wolves at Emusic.

We Are Wolves Homepage

Boo Hoo - Very Wrong

This guys from Montreal are great. I've already posted reviews about Boo Hoo here and here.

The band released more MP3s presumably from their 2006 release Very Wrong for our downloading pleasure:
America MP3
Pants on Fire MP3
Til You're Run Out MP3

Memo to Boo Hoo. Hey guys, please let us know the details of the US release. Are there any plans to have the album available on Emusic? Just pop a message in the comments section.

Thanks.

Boo Hoo Homepage

From Fiction - Bloodwork

“Most people at Kytes expected the Rapture to be great, and they were. However, no one had any idea that the slouchy locals calling themselves From Fiction would actually blow the well-hyped headliners back to New York with their ferocious instro-punk attack” – Now Magazine

Nice credentials from a seemingly on the rise band from Toronto.

Too bad the guys have already packed it in shortly after releasing their debut album Bloodwork, just released earlier this spring.

Kind of sad. Actually. Download and listen for yourself. What could have been....
Tumult MP3
Car Thief MP3

What I don't understand is why bands sometimes do not bother letting their fan base know they've quit. In this case, a poster on their MySpace site revealed the news which was finally confirmed in a round about way on their message board.

Your fans deserved better guys.

From Fiction Homepage