Blacktop Manhattan - New Heirs to Punk Throne?

Before their breakout album Smash, the Offspring released its self titled album that barely caused a ripple in the mainstream music industry. Ditto with Green Day's inauspicious debut albums 1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk before going massive and internationally famous with Dookie.

Over the years, the torch seems to be passed from Green Day to Blink 182 to Sum 41. Could Blacktop Manhattan be the new heirs to the punk throne?

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, these guys obviously have fun and tons of time to craft their trade to perfection.

Download and listen:
Superhero MP3
Hollywise MP3
Jackie Boy MP3
Clockwork Kid MP3

It takes a bit of time before an emerging punk band finds its trademark sound. The ultimate breakout sign for an upcoming punk band seems to be part of a teenage movie soundtrack such as American Pie (the first one was great, the others well....) It will be a lot of fun to see how this band's sound matures in the near future.

Guys, just a suggestion here but send a demo to Jason Biggs and Eugene Levy. Maybe another sequel (American Divorce?) is in the works...

Blacktop Manhattan Homepage

The Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol

Stephen McBean really loves being in music bands.

With music like this played live, he must also love concert smoke. A lot of it.

As the frontman for Black Mountain, Jerk with a Bomb and The Pink Mountaintops, McBean's popularity is quickly growing beyond his native Canadian west coast roots.

The Canadian release for Axis of Evol was 2005, however it took a little longer for the US release (Spring 2006).

This Vancouver-based group's latest effort has become a regular favorite listen of mine. The lead vocals for Cold Criminals sound like a very stoned Eddie Vedder. Kind of cool and it works.

The band's sound seems to accumulate the best of what I like from other groups such as The Strokes, Queens of the Stone Age, The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Butthole Surfers.

Yeah, I know that seems to be a pretty far reaching conclusion but have a listen for yourself and you might just agree.

The early reports on Axis of Evol are all good. You can read CokeMachineGlow's review here.

Download and listen:
New Drug Queens MP3 (Axis of Evol - 2006)
Rock n' Roll Fantasy MP3 (Pink Moutaintops - 2004)
Can You Do That Dance? MP3 (Pink Mountaintops - 2004)

Kind of strange that all the MP3 and video links appear not to work on the band's website (might be my browser) but special thanks to the band's label - Jagjaguwar - for making a few MP3s available for fans.

For more, you can stream here.

Buy Axis of Evol at Emusic.

The Pink Mountaintops Homepage

A Northern Chorus - Bitter Hands Resign

Okay, so this post is admittedly miles behind any other blog that has covered A Northern Chorus but who cares?

I just got home - it's late, I'm tired but I really want to help these guys get some well deserved attention, especially down here in the US. Sorry for being a year behind on the release of the "new" album, but better late than never I guess.

You can read the band's bio here. (pdf)

These guys are just freakin' talented. Take the best of Sigur Ros, Radiohead and Elliott Smith with a touch of Pink Floyd and you pretty much end up with A Northern Chorus. The tunes are hypnotic and mesmerizing and I mean that with absolute sincerity.

Do not operate heavy machinery while you download and listen (available at the band's label - Sonic Unyon):
The Shepherd & The Chauffeur (Edit) MP3 (Bitter Hands Resign - 2005)
Fragile Day MP3 (Spirit Flags - 2003)

Watch (Quicktime)
Winterize

For more track sampling, stream here.

Bitter Hands Resign is an amazing and highly recommended album. Hit play, relax, chill and enjoy. You can purchase and download the album at Emusic.

A Northern Chorus Homepage

Mecca Normal - The Observer

I have absolutely no idea how I came upon this group but shame on me for not even being aware of Mecca Normal.

Based in Vancouver, B.C., Jean Smith and David Lester have performed under the name Mecca Normal for over 20 years.

Simply put, they were indie before there was indie as we know it today.

Unlike a lot of poseurs in the musical industry, when it comes to social commentary and activism, Mecca Normal actually walk the talk. Not being content as musicians only, Jean and David have a long and distinguished history as writers, photographers and artists.

Check out the critical acclaim:

"Arguably the greatest rock band without a rhythm section ever, the duo of acid-voiced singer Jean Smith and guitar hero David Lester must be seen to be believed." - Douglas Wolk

"Jean Smith is a major writer of our generation." - Ronnie Pontiac, senior editor at Newtopia Magazine

"An unbending advocate of thoughtful indie culture for two decades now, the Vancouver guitar-and-voice twosome doesn't just make demanding music, they also make books, paintings, photos, cartoons, among other things." - San Francisco Chronicle

The band lists a multitude of influences for their sound: Au Pairs, Stiff Little Fingers, Phil Ochs, Poison Girls, Gang of Four, X-Ray Spex, The Clash, The Jam, PiL, UT, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, Scrawl, beat happening, Chris Knox, Can, The Slits, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, Sun Ra, Pere Ubu, Young Marble Giants, feedtime, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Tall Dwarfs, The Velvet Underground, The Clean, Raincoats, The Stooges, Shoplifting, Wax Mannequin, Swearing at Motorists, Al Green, Rolling Stones, Lester Young, Meredith Monk, Jimmy Cliff, Ry Cooder, Pretenders, Neil Young, CCR, Yo La Tengo, Xiu Xiu, Robert Johnson, Van Morrison, Eno, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Joni Mitchell, Nina Hagen, friends and colleagues.

That just about covers it all, eh?

Download and listen. Your ears will be challenged by Jean's lyrics but the experience will ennrich and enlighten you for the better.

I'll Call You MP3 (The Observer - 2006)

You can stream more songs from the new album here.

You buy The Observer at Emusic.

Enough is enough already. These two deserve their due and respect!


Mecca Normal Homepage

Amy Millan - Honey From The Tombs

Short post today due to unseasonably perfect weather in Chicago!

Amy Millan has her solo album, Honey From The Tombs, scheduled to be released (in Canada) on May 30, 2006.

Better known for her vocal work with Broken Social Scene and Stars, Amy has now ventured forward as a solo recording artist.

Terrific track you can download and listen:
Skinny Boy MP3 (Honey From The Tombs - 2006)

Looking forward to the debut release.

Amy Millan Homepage

We Will Build - Great Talent

Flat out brilliant.

Thanks so much to I Guess I'm Floating for posting these guys. You can check out their comments and bio of the group along with available MP3s here.

The buzz regarding the work of Toronto based David Govier and Zach Johnston is just starting to grow and believe me - will become a major name in the indie musical community.

I've listened to the tracks several times and for me, I hear a somewhat electronica version of Broken Social Scene. However, after reading the comments posted on I Guess I'm Floating, We Will Build evokes different comparisons and descriptions from just about everybody. To me, that solidly represents orignality and creativity.

Looking forward to more future work from Dave and Zach. Will someone just sign them already?

We Will Build Homepage

Jeff Martin - New Album Out Tuesday, April 11

The new album will be released this Tuesday (4/20/06).

It can pre-ordered here.

Back in February, I featured Jeff Martin. You can read my post here. Do not miss out on this incredibly talented musical (now solo) artist.

Album Description (from Amazon.ca)
As songwriter, singer, producer, and guitarist with the Tea Party, Jeff Martin brought grandeur, majesty and mystique back to rock music at a time when his peers and contemporaries were either reveling in all things punk rock, dumbing down the music for quick commercial gratification, or generally showing a lack of concern for melody, dynamics, musicianship and the manipulation of light and shade. The Tea Party endeared itself to a rabid fan base on the strength of its manic, marathon live shows, the smoky sensuality of Martin’s voice, the musical expeditionary nature of the group’s evolving palette of musical colors, the sheer ambitious scope of its studio recordings. What we're witnessing is the full flourishing of Martin’s talents as both writer and storyteller, as a messenger of the muse. The fact is, the demise of The Tea Party has only whetted the appetite for Jeff Martin's next move. "Exile And The Kingdom" will surpass any expectations.

Jeff Martin's New Homepage

Bedouin SoundClash

I always loved Big Sugar so its great to hear a new Canadian band picking up on that Bob Marley musical feel that has always been popular on the Canadian university/college campuses.

The band is currently set to tour with the likes of State Radio (April 2006) and Ben Harper (May 2006). Check out the tour dates here.

These guys are great and immensely talented. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the band's lineup consists of Eon Sinclair (bass), Pat Pengelly (drums) and Jay Malinowski (vocals, guitar).

Download and listen to the following available tracks:

Jeb Band MP3 (Sounding A Mosaic - 2004)
New Years Day MP3 (BBC Special)
Shadow MP3 (Sounding A Mosaic - 2004)

You can stream their JustConcerts Live Session found here.

Buy their 2004 effort - Sounding A Mosaic at Emusic.

Bedouin SoundClash Homepage

Boo Hoo - Montreal's Latest Great Talent

Sounding somewhat like a combination of east coast rockers Sloan with the Tragically Hip, Boo Hoo is the latest next big thing to emerge from the currently rich and diverse Montreal music scene.

Following songs available:
Oh No MP3
LA Stride MP3
German MP3
Laces MP3
Disappear MP3
Took MP3
Eff the Ineffable MP3

Check the band out as these guys will definitely be heard from in a big way for the eyars to come.

Boo Hoo Homepage