I stumbled upon Cold Driven about 4 years ago, quite accidentally. We were in a basement bar to see another semi-unknown, yet kick-ass artist and luckily got there early enough to see Cold Driven open. I've always loved heavy rock and these guys definitely fit the bill. At that time, they had a keyboardist as part of the band which lent a bit of a techno edge to the sound. They've continued with unique soundbites in most of their music since, which contributes to their incomparable articulation.

Although I'm introducing you to their most recent effort, I would actually recommend that you start at the beginning - "Set in Stone" was their first release, followed by "Steel Chambers". Both of those albums are fairly consistent in their overall presentation. This follow up EP has Cold Driven still demonstrating their very unique sound, but with a more commercial/radio ready approach. It took me a little longer to latch on to this release only because I was so used to their former albums.

That said, the first time I heard the album in it's entirety, I visualized a blockbuster action movie playing behind my eyelids. All of Cold Driven's albums begin with a bit of a film score-esque feeling. And for this album, especially, it's fitting. For some reason, I picture this music set to a "Transformer" type movie or impending world destruction blockbuster. Are you listening, Hollywood? Get on it!

This EP is best listened to start to finish, as are all of their albums. These guys are incredibly talented musicians and are very thoughtful about how their presentation, both pressed and on stage. They are consummate professionals, and it's obvious the moment you press "play"

Links: Cold Driven, "Heavier than Heaven" video, iTunes

-Sugarwilla

 

 

I "met" Joan in a record store during my recent trip to Montreal. I'd gone into the store to look for replacement copies of vinyl my mom used to own. As I sat on the floor leafing through the funk/soul section, I heard this remarkable and unique voice through the store speakers. Immediately more concerned with finding out who was knocking my socks off musically, I went to the cash counter to find out who was singing and took their only copy (ironically a CD) of "The Deep Field" by Joan as Police Woman.

Connecticut born and bred, I am surprised I had never heard of Joan (Wasser) as she was romantically linked to Jeff Buckley, who died of accidental drowning while they were dating. She has an impressive curriculum vitae and has been sought after for collaboration by many influential and talented artists, including Rufus Wainwright. Chris Dowd (former member of Fishbone) described her as a "soulful motherfucka" and I wholeheartedly agree. She has an interesting range and gives each song has it's own unique personality.. She can get down and dirty, she can be soft and romantic, or be completely soul.

The entire album and her previous release "To Survive" are awesome from start to finish. "Run for Love" on The Deep Field is a great listen, but my favorite (and the first song I'd heard) is "The Magic" and every time I hear it now, I am immediately transported back to that funky record store on St. Catherine's Street. Joan IS the magic you've been looking for.

"The Magic" video, iTunes

~Sugarwilla

Wow…we haven’t updated this in a while. So here is something new to listen to…and since I’m Canadian, here is another Canadian artist you are probably not already familiar with.

Ko, is new to the scene…or at least new to me, and since I’m the one that is writing this it is my opinion that matters. From Toronto Ko is getting some good airplay around here, and hearing him on the radio immediately made me seek out some more.

I gotta say, the dude has a funky sound. Acoustic Hip-Hop is the best way that I can describe his music. His songs have a solid groove that keeps the interest but to me it is the acoustic guitar in the songs that makes his work stand out. Capable was the first song of his that I heard, a slower tune, but still with that relentless beat. The song opens with a great acoustic guitar riff that immediately grabs the attention and the song just keeps building this great energy up. Moving Mountains was the next song that caught my ear. Currently it is one of my favourite songs to go running to. I usually start my running playlist with it, so you can tell from that that it has a good tempo. I picked up the album and feel good about the purchase.

On the whole the album is a solid effort and delivers a solid performance. There are a couple of songs that aren’t to my taste, but these are far outweighed by the songs that are. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next.

- Twitter -MySpace

-Chris

I'm embarrased to admit this, but I was reminded about Electrelane when I saw one of the cast members of "Jackass-3D" wearing a shirt with their logo on it. I guess one good thing came out of me sitting through that drivel. I bought this album blindly about 3 years ago and listened non-stop at first. Since recalling that I had it in my library, it's been in recent rotation.

This is the 4th studio release from the all-female band from Britain. It appealed to me as it is a hybrid listen; meaning you can have it as a main focal point or easily play it in the background while working or entertaining. Many people have said that this is the band's best work to date. If I had to describe it I would say it is very instrumentally focused with the vocals thrown in as another instrument. Some of the lyrics are awkward, but they are all appropriate and enhance the sound of the entire album.

If you are looking for something easy and interesting for the ears, I would recommend this pick.

- iTunes , Rdio, Band Site

~ Sugarwilla

 

 

 

Although I should have introduced you to this album and artist when this album was released in January, I think the title says it all....."Better late than never". And no, this is not Criss Angel, the illusionist, this is Chris Angel, the musician. This Chris Angel uses music to create and illusion or illustrate a story to us through song. This is much harder to do, in my opinion - instead of showing us what to see, he takes us on a journey and allows us to see our own story.

I'm sure this is a stand out from the typical genres we've featured already. This album, and Chris' style is very folk driven with a celtic influence. The lyrics and instrumentals are very crisp and clear and this is an album best suited for a quiet night sitting around a table with friends drinking and talking - the way it was recorded is quite intimate, as if he recorded it just for the listener. It's almost as if you are in a pub in a small fishing village on the East Coast of Canada and he is on stage. Chris' voice is easy to listen to and he controls his voice and instruments with ease and grace.

With most artists leaning towards popular music and rock, I think Chris must be commended for following his heart and creating something that most people in his demographic would not be brave enough to. Is he an old soul, or just wise and talented beyond his years? You decide....

iTunes, Chris Angel, CBC Radio 3

~Sugarwilla

 

Fans of 80's/90's thrash metal will likely enjoy this first professional effort by the band deemed "the first metal band to come out of Baghdad". I first came to know of Acrassicauda when watching the documentary "Heavy Metal in Bhagdad", which highlighted the struggles and the sheer determination of self taught musicians in an oppressed environment. Say what you will about heavy metal, it's an incredibly difficult genre to play, let along teach yourself.  The members of this band not only taught themselves by watching and imitating American bands such as Metallica, they wrote original music and sing most of it in English, which is obviously not their native tongue.

This is a heavy album, with inspiration taken from their own experiences living through war in Iraq. The band were able to relocate to the United States to record, perform and find success. I was discussing their journey and opportunities with a musician friend, who thought that they got special treatment because of their situation. I believe they got assistance because of their incredible talent. But, even if they did get some special treatment, don't you think they deserve it after all of the death, carnage and oppression they've experienced? I certainly do.

I recommend you not only listen to this EP, but watch the film too. I think you'll have a special appreciation for how difficult it was to get this album made and the incredible talent and hardship behind it.

Heavy Metal in Baghdad, iTunes, "Garden of Stones" Video

~Sugarwilla

I just want to start off by saying...I really don't want to like these guys. They're poppy and catch and fun and just kind of represent everything that bugs me in modern music. Unfortunately they're also really really good.

Ok...once again I'm talking about a band that hails from Toronto. What can I say? The music scene there is pretty solid. Sweet Thing is no exception. The guys are a five piece band but despite the double guitars there is not a band that showcases any shredding solos. Instead, the band draws their strength through some solid riffs and powerful harmonies. Their MySpace page likens them to Fleetwood Mac and to be honest...it is a fair comparison. My personal favourites are Duotang and Dance Mother. Both songs have some great hooks in them and some really solid choruses. The big problem though is that they are also earworms and get stuck in your head for waaaaay too long. Then you have some odder bits like the song Spider. A weird, quirky, tune that seems to get better each time I listen to it.

I'm really hoping that these guys can keep this energy beyond their first album. I'd like to see them grow as a band. I'd like them to become one of the powerful, progressive art bands that I like...but for now...I'll enjoy the damned catchy poppiness that they got going for them.

Links: MySpace YouTube iTunes

-Chris

So, Alexi Murdoch has kind of snuck up on me. I first heard one of his songs while watching an episode of Stargate Universe (Shut up...don't judge me). Then I watched the movie the movie 'Away We Go'. The soundtrack was pretty much exclusively Murdoch. And it was great. So I picked up his album 'Time Without Consequence'. It was really great.

It is hard to listen to this album without being drawn in by Murdoch's voice. His vocals are very soft yet they are compelling and you find yourself hanging off each of his lyrics. Add to this his amazing acoustic guitar work and you have an artist that can easily be compared to a singer/songwriter such as Nick Drake. The overall tone of the album is fairly dark and edgy but it is somehow comforting as well. This is an album that you might toss on as background noise, but it will creep to the fore. It demands your attention. My personal favourite off of this effort is the song Breathe. The song is haunting and melancholic...yet there is this feeling of hope in there. Damnit...just go and find the song and listen to it yourself.

All of Alexi's success has come through his own hard work and without a record deal of any sort. Which is why you can find him all over the web. Do yourself a favour and go listen to his music. I can promise that he will get stuck firmly in your head.

Links: iTunes MySpace Website Breath (Live Video)

- Chris

 

So, most of you by now are probably aware of City and Colour. You
know, the one man band by Dallas Green...the guy who has become a bit
of a folk music icon for today's tattooed and pierced generation (I
count myself amongst those). How many of you are aware of his other
band Alexisonfire? If not, you should really sit down and have a
listen to their latest effort. It should be warned though, this is not
the acoustic sound that you might be expecting.

I've been a fan of Alexisonfire for quite a few years but their newest
album “Old Crows/Young Cardinals” is a really solid work. Alexisonfire
is a band of fast and loud guitars, heavy bass, fast drumming,
and...well...some screaming. George, the front man, screams. A lot. He
doesn't sing. A note. This would be considered detrimental to the
music...but somehow the pure voice of Dallas Green underneath it all
makes it work. Actually, it makes it more than just work. It makes it
incredible.

The power this band delivers is indescribable. For a good gauge, call
to mind the intensity of the song 'Once', from Pearl Jam's first
album. Now crank it up. That's where Alexisonfire exists. If I had to
recommend just one song though, it would be 'The Northern'. This song
chills me each and every time.

Also, they're Canadian. Just like me. So...there's that.

Links: iTunes MySpace The Northern (Video)

 

~ Chris

Remember the 50s? Yeah, neither do I but I like to think they were awesome. When rock and roll was in it's purest form. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. Not many people doing stuff like that anymore. But the Flat Duo Jets sure did back in the 80s and 90s.

The Duo consisted of two friends trying to bring rockabilly back but not without tossing a little bluesy grunge into the mix. They didn't achieve mainstream success, of course. They did do well for what they were doing and when they were doing it though. And they recorded their fair share of records. Also, it's worth mentioning that they may have been entirely responsible for inspiring Jack White to form a two man band, The White Stripes, after watching one of their shows and bring impressed with the full sound of their exceedingly simple line up.

So if you have a special place in your soul for rockabilly, go check these guys out. The guitarist/singer has a voice that is truly fitting and plays six strings with the attack of a punk rocker. Not to mention the drums have the solid beat that all but forces you to move. I'm really enjoying going through all their stuff. It's a fresh reminder to me as a musician that music doesn't have to be complicated or difficult to play. It just has to rock.

Links: Rdio iTunes Youtube

-WesAllan

P.S. I want to say a quick thanks to SugarWilla because she is nearly single handedly keeping this blog alive. So thank you, Willa! Hopefully us guys will follow suit and post more often. ;) Also, you guys should go read this post about her favorite music of 2010!