Cracker - Merry Christmas Emily
Buffalo Killers - Xmas Time
Jimmy Witherspoon -How I Hate To See Christmas Come Around
Floyd Dixon - Empty Stocking Blues
eve of destruction (or maybe christmas)
I'm drinking on the job and wanted ot post a few more songs before the day... also a picture of one of the best houses in downtown Toronto. Just down the street from the Gem.
Cracker - Merry Christmas Emily
Buffalo Killers - Xmas Time
Jimmy Witherspoon -How I Hate To See Christmas Come Around
Floyd Dixon - Empty Stocking Blues
Cracker - Merry Christmas Emily
Buffalo Killers - Xmas Time
Jimmy Witherspoon -How I Hate To See Christmas Come Around
Floyd Dixon - Empty Stocking Blues
holly jolly christmas
Well, a few tunes in the spirit of the season...
Big Star - Jesus Christ
Murder City Devils - 364 Days
Rocket From The Crypt - Cancel Christmas
Supersuckers - Christmastime
Junkyard Dogs - Brand New Bike
Bruce Cockburn - Joy To The World
I'll have some of my favorites from the year coming up soon.
Big Star - Jesus Christ
Murder City Devils - 364 Days
Rocket From The Crypt - Cancel Christmas
Supersuckers - Christmastime
Junkyard Dogs - Brand New Bike
Bruce Cockburn - Joy To The World
I'll have some of my favorites from the year coming up soon.
scotch
well, I have to say that I am by no means a scotch connoisseur but I certainly enjoy them from time to time. the right ones anyway... I usually just ask the right people
I little while ago I was lucky enough to attend a couple of scotch tastings hosted by Glenfiddich & Macallan repectively. Likely the two most popular widely available brands and both certainly have their strong points... Glenfiddich is affordable, quite easy to drink and is perfect to pour in the flask for some sipping to spice up/make bearable an event or a family gathering. Macallan is a much nicer scotch and the price reflects it, putting it out of my usual bargain bin/airmile point buying range for sure. The 12 year old isn't too bad at $90 but the much tastier 18 year old is deathly at $290 (especially when it sells for $100 less in Nova Scotia) and makes it a bit hard to swallow... if I could afford it I'd keep it stocked regularly.
My only issue was with Macallan pushing their ice maker to put ice in the scotch. It would create a ball that would melt slower than a cube but would still dilute the scotch and the cold would trap in the flavour, maybe a good idea for some cheap booze, but not if you've got the good stuff. Glenfiddich was also pushing a mixed drink using their single malt, I guess it's in trying to bring new people to scotch who find it a bit harsh. I say just give everyone a rusty nail (made with a blend, not a single malt) and take them from there. Regardless, it's always good to encourage people to drink the good stuff. Go check out a tasting of some sort if you can (go HERE and maybe you'll get lucky) or just talk to a bartender with a good stock... it's definitely nice to have a bottle at home when you need it though. What do you think?
the line up...
the aforementioned ball of ice maker... and some Balls Of Ice (courtesy of 3 Inches Of Blood)
I little while ago I was lucky enough to attend a couple of scotch tastings hosted by Glenfiddich & Macallan repectively. Likely the two most popular widely available brands and both certainly have their strong points... Glenfiddich is affordable, quite easy to drink and is perfect to pour in the flask for some sipping to spice up/make bearable an event or a family gathering. Macallan is a much nicer scotch and the price reflects it, putting it out of my usual bargain bin/airmile point buying range for sure. The 12 year old isn't too bad at $90 but the much tastier 18 year old is deathly at $290 (especially when it sells for $100 less in Nova Scotia) and makes it a bit hard to swallow... if I could afford it I'd keep it stocked regularly.
My only issue was with Macallan pushing their ice maker to put ice in the scotch. It would create a ball that would melt slower than a cube but would still dilute the scotch and the cold would trap in the flavour, maybe a good idea for some cheap booze, but not if you've got the good stuff. Glenfiddich was also pushing a mixed drink using their single malt, I guess it's in trying to bring new people to scotch who find it a bit harsh. I say just give everyone a rusty nail (made with a blend, not a single malt) and take them from there. Regardless, it's always good to encourage people to drink the good stuff. Go check out a tasting of some sort if you can (go HERE and maybe you'll get lucky) or just talk to a bartender with a good stock... it's definitely nice to have a bottle at home when you need it though. What do you think?
the line up...
the aforementioned ball of ice maker... and some Balls Of Ice (courtesy of 3 Inches Of Blood)
a new moon rising...
Just got a bit older.... so here's a couple tunes.
Heartless Bastards - Done Got Old
Furnaceface - I'm Getting Fat
Also, New Moon opens tonight and while getting panned critically here's what a co-worker said about it.
"OMG!!!! Loved it..
Although they could have lengthened more shots with the werewolves and the Volturri.
The script was way better, as well as the overall color of the film.. More reddish brown this time compared to the blue/gray of Twilight.
The music is great too!!
Edward was just dreamy!!
I think 2 hrs 10 mins was just not enough.. Although there were some scenes they could have shortened.. like Bella pining over Edward when he left her.
Its gonna be a sure hit for the teen agers and twi-moms!! :)"
Heartless Bastards - Done Got Old
Furnaceface - I'm Getting Fat
Also, New Moon opens tonight and while getting panned critically here's what a co-worker said about it.
"OMG!!!! Loved it..
Although they could have lengthened more shots with the werewolves and the Volturri.
The script was way better, as well as the overall color of the film.. More reddish brown this time compared to the blue/gray of Twilight.
The music is great too!!
Edward was just dreamy!!
I think 2 hrs 10 mins was just not enough.. Although there were some scenes they could have shortened.. like Bella pining over Edward when he left her.
Its gonna be a sure hit for the teen agers and twi-moms!! :)"
So yeah.... this one is critic proof.
But not satire proof:Devil's Night
One of my favorite holidays since it involves alcohol and stupidity (for me at least), here are some tunes in tune with the theme.
Elvis Perkins - Stay Zombie Stay
Migala - WWW (Searching for the Wicked Witch of the West)
American Music Club - I Know That's Not Really You
Wax Fang - Halloween (Misfits cover)
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
Heartless_Bastards - Witchy Poo
Afghan Whigs - Big Top Halloween
Grandpaboy - Vampires And Failures
Holly Golightly - Devil Do
Turbonegro - I Walked With A Zombie
Venom - Live Like an Angel (Die Like a Devil)
this made me smile...
Elvis Perkins - Stay Zombie Stay
Migala - WWW (Searching for the Wicked Witch of the West)
American Music Club - I Know That's Not Really You
Wax Fang - Halloween (Misfits cover)
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
Heartless_Bastards - Witchy Poo
Afghan Whigs - Big Top Halloween
Grandpaboy - Vampires And Failures
Holly Golightly - Devil Do
Turbonegro - I Walked With A Zombie
Venom - Live Like an Angel (Die Like a Devil)
this made me smile...
Here's a new Dog Day track from a limited edition 12" they've got coming out....
Dog Day - Synastry
And here's a couple of bands I saw in Montreal on the weekend, I was very excited for Woven Hand, they were the reason for the trip after all. It lived up to expectations and somewhat made up for never being able to see 16 Horsepower. I caught Treasure Hunt as well, knowing some of the guys in teh band it was worth checking out, two drums & two bass make a heavy band. I hope they play more and do some touring/recording... this video doesn't do the show justice, but it's all I could find.
Dog Day - Synastry
And here's a couple of bands I saw in Montreal on the weekend, I was very excited for Woven Hand, they were the reason for the trip after all. It lived up to expectations and somewhat made up for never being able to see 16 Horsepower. I caught Treasure Hunt as well, knowing some of the guys in teh band it was worth checking out, two drums & two bass make a heavy band. I hope they play more and do some touring/recording... this video doesn't do the show justice, but it's all I could find.
2 months...
Funny how time slips away... Oh well, I've been keeping busy.
Got to see Beyonce, Obits, Rural Alberta Advantage, The Breeders, Elvis Costello, Irma Thomas (still sounded amazing) and more... went to Niagara and drank lots of wine, generally enojyed myself and neglected this poor little page once again. Way to build the excitment and momentum I know...
Anyway, I've got some other stuff I've been meaning to post, will get some of it up soon. Also the film festival is starting up again so hope to see and report lots about that but for now here's some lovely little tunes to get you on your way.
Soulsavers - Some Misunderstanding
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Gold Splatter
Got to see Beyonce, Obits, Rural Alberta Advantage, The Breeders, Elvis Costello, Irma Thomas (still sounded amazing) and more... went to Niagara and drank lots of wine, generally enojyed myself and neglected this poor little page once again. Way to build the excitment and momentum I know...
Anyway, I've got some other stuff I've been meaning to post, will get some of it up soon. Also the film festival is starting up again so hope to see and report lots about that but for now here's some lovely little tunes to get you on your way.
Soulsavers - Some Misunderstanding
Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Gold Splatter
getting up to date (with visual aids)
So, since the last post I saw Dead Weather as the Horseshoe, went to Halifax where I found out about Spiderman's secret life and enjoyed the company of a cute climbing goat (as well as some family) and when I returned to Toronto I hosted a delicious Carlsberg* party which involved quite a large consumption of Carlsberg topped off with some scotch.
I also found out that Lou Ferrigno & Bruce Campbell will be coming to Fan Expo next month, and this fall Hauschka, The Butthole Surfers & Jesus Lizard are playing here (though not together). It's been a good time.
I also found out that Lou Ferrigno & Bruce Campbell will be coming to Fan Expo next month, and this fall Hauschka, The Butthole Surfers & Jesus Lizard are playing here (though not together). It's been a good time.
For the hell of it here's Malcolm Middleton & The Hold Steady together from a radio show. I love Malcolm Middleton but everytime the guy from the Hold Steady opens his mouth it makes me cringe... awful, just awful. Here it is anyway
* I have a fondness for Carlsberg partly based on when they used to sponsor all those great late night movies on Showcase...
FREE STUFF!
I know that in the days of the internet you can (and many do) find pretty much any album, movie or tv show they want for free. It's a bit nicer though when that artist actually wants you to have it for free rather than getting it by causing them a lost sale. (Insert moral dilemma here...) And while I do go the bad route myself I also love sites like the Free Music Archive where you can fill your mp3 player free of charge of some great stuff. Emusic is still cheaper than iTunes and without all the Apple-assimilating propaganda and hell you can even get my old album there.
As for some free music, there's some lovely piano tunes to download from the artist.
OCDC - Piano Suites For Ella & Piano Suites for Kristin
Not music at all but I figure if anyone want's a Carlsberg poker set you can get one for free HERE (provided you're in Ontario or Quebec).
And while not quite free Fanfarlo are offering their latest (and sigur ros approved) album Reservoir for free via their website. As seen below:
As for some free music, there's some lovely piano tunes to download from the artist.
OCDC - Piano Suites For Ella & Piano Suites for Kristin
Not music at all but I figure if anyone want's a Carlsberg poker set you can get one for free HERE (provided you're in Ontario or Quebec).
And while not quite free Fanfarlo are offering their latest (and sigur ros approved) album Reservoir for free via their website. As seen below:
Dark Night Of The Soul
This is a great album, figured I'd provide another "means" to get the music...
“Danger Mouse’s new project Dark Night Of The Soul consists of an album length piece of music by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and a host of guest vocalists, along with a collection of original David Lynch photography inspired by and based on the music.
The photographs, which provide a visual narrative for the music, are compiled in a limited edition, hand numbered 100+ page book which will now come with a blank, recordable CD-R. All copies will be clearly labeled: ‘For Legal Reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.’
Due to an ongoing dispute with EMI, Danger Mouse is unable to release the recorded music for Dark Night Of The Soul without fear of being sued by EMI.
Danger Mouse remains hugely proud of Dark Night Of The Soul and hopes that people lucky enough to hear the music, by whatever means, are as excited by it as he is.”
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse – Dark Night Of The Soul (NEW LINK)
“Danger Mouse’s new project Dark Night Of The Soul consists of an album length piece of music by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and a host of guest vocalists, along with a collection of original David Lynch photography inspired by and based on the music.
The photographs, which provide a visual narrative for the music, are compiled in a limited edition, hand numbered 100+ page book which will now come with a blank, recordable CD-R. All copies will be clearly labeled: ‘For Legal Reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.’
Due to an ongoing dispute with EMI, Danger Mouse is unable to release the recorded music for Dark Night Of The Soul without fear of being sued by EMI.
Danger Mouse remains hugely proud of Dark Night Of The Soul and hopes that people lucky enough to hear the music, by whatever means, are as excited by it as he is.”
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse – Dark Night Of The Soul (NEW LINK)
Much Worse Lieutenant
This just sounded like a mistake from the start...
Werner Herzog taking on Abel Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant with Nicolas Cage in the lead.
The first footage is out now and this is just looking insane. It looks like a great comedy but a slap in the face to the original. Either way, I'll have to see it.
Behold the wackness that is, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Werner Herzog taking on Abel Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant with Nicolas Cage in the lead.
The first footage is out now and this is just looking insane. It looks like a great comedy but a slap in the face to the original. Either way, I'll have to see it.
Behold the wackness that is, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
some new stuff
Saw The National last night, they were okay but the shows haven't been as good as the first time I saw them at the Horseshoe after Alligator came out... more chatty hipsters and less energy from teh band it seems. The show was awesome however for getting to see Colin Stetson, nto the best venue for his music but I've never seen anything quite like what he did with a saxophone or two... it was up there with seeing Nels Cline for just all out crazy musicianship. Check it out.
Colin Stetson - Nobu Take
And some other stuff...
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse – Dark Night Of The Soul - Jaykub (click HERE to buy the best CD-R ever)
Dinosaur Jr – I Want You To Know
An ex member of the Stills and some other folk making very Pavement sounding music:
Feathership - For Once
Tortoise – Monument Six One Thousand
and in that vein...
The Hylozoists - Bras d’Or Lakes
Colin Stetson - Nobu Take
And some other stuff...
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse – Dark Night Of The Soul - Jaykub (click HERE to buy the best CD-R ever)
Dinosaur Jr – I Want You To Know
An ex member of the Stills and some other folk making very Pavement sounding music:
Feathership - For Once
Tortoise – Monument Six One Thousand
and in that vein...
The Hylozoists - Bras d’Or Lakes
back to mine for some late night tales...
Was talking with a friend about good late night music, to play while you have the last drink at home or whatever you do before you figure out what you’re doing next...
These songs seem to work for me, maybe you’ll like them too...
It's Right HERE
1 Bat For Lashes - Glass
2 Contrived - Celebrate
3 Magnetic Morning - The Wrong Turning
4 My Jerusalem - Under Your Skin
5 Knight Bros. - Temptations 'Bout to Get Me
6 Intramural - Nights Are Long (with Josh Dawson of Slender Means)
7 Spain - Every Time I Try
8 Migala - La cancion de Gurb
9 Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Everytime I'm With You
10 Mogwai - 1% of Monster
11 Rodriguez - I Wonder
These songs seem to work for me, maybe you’ll like them too...
It's Right HERE
1 Bat For Lashes - Glass
2 Contrived - Celebrate
3 Magnetic Morning - The Wrong Turning
4 My Jerusalem - Under Your Skin
5 Knight Bros. - Temptations 'Bout to Get Me
6 Intramural - Nights Are Long (with Josh Dawson of Slender Means)
7 Spain - Every Time I Try
8 Migala - La cancion de Gurb
9 Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Everytime I'm With You
10 Mogwai - 1% of Monster
11 Rodriguez - I Wonder
the ashes of an arab strap
Usual excuses for not posting... oh well, had to go fetch some stuff from the east coast.
The new Malcolm Middleton album, Waxing Gibbous, is coming out on June 1, here’s a tune now though.
Malcolm Middleton - Carry Me
And the other half of Arab Strap continuing to write his own brand unforgettable and romantic lyrics.
Aidan Moffat + The Best Ofs – Living With You Now
And for some reason after listening to that I though of this: Phoebe Snow - Two Fisted Love
The new Malcolm Middleton album, Waxing Gibbous, is coming out on June 1, here’s a tune now though.
Malcolm Middleton - Carry Me
And the other half of Arab Strap continuing to write his own brand unforgettable and romantic lyrics.
Aidan Moffat + The Best Ofs – Living With You Now
And for some reason after listening to that I though of this: Phoebe Snow - Two Fisted Love
The Story Of Anvil
Anvil have been around forever... They were once among the top metal bands in the early eighties and then just kind of slipped into obscurity only to be remembered for Metal On Metal.
Anvil: The Story Of Anvil screened last year at Hot Docs in Toronto and Sundance, I saw it at Canadian Music Week last month and now it's had premieres in New York and LA.
There's not much I can say that hasn't been in some of the other reviews out there... When you see it you really do feel for a band that has worked so hard and just haven't been able to break through and get back into the world scene again. Well, looking at the pictures from the L.A. premiere it looks like they'll definitely be getting lots of attention... hopefully it'll get them back into the metal world and give them a little more recognition for their contribution to that scene.
Either way, it's a great movie... unintentionally hilarious and surprisingly touching. Go see it.
Anvil: The Story Of Anvil screened last year at Hot Docs in Toronto and Sundance, I saw it at Canadian Music Week last month and now it's had premieres in New York and LA.
There's not much I can say that hasn't been in some of the other reviews out there... When you see it you really do feel for a band that has worked so hard and just haven't been able to break through and get back into the world scene again. Well, looking at the pictures from the L.A. premiere it looks like they'll definitely be getting lots of attention... hopefully it'll get them back into the metal world and give them a little more recognition for their contribution to that scene.
Either way, it's a great movie... unintentionally hilarious and surprisingly touching. Go see it.
great interviews...
You may have heard about the Billy Bob Thornton interview from yesterday, I just watched it and it is gold.
Reminds me of this... though Sigur Ros are at being pleasant, just not very good at elaborating.
Reminds me of this... though Sigur Ros are at being pleasant, just not very good at elaborating.
Dogs
So, I saw Dr. Dog again on the weekend... I saw them back in October and it was a great show at a small venue with a good crowd. This time around a less inspired performance (they've been playing straight since, so it happens) at a bigger venue with a bunch of hipsters who were just there cause it was a Saturday night and they've heard of the band playing. You know the type, the ones who are more interested in telling their friends how great the song is rather than listening to it... At least they play loud enough to drown out most of them. I'll just have to go to more shows by obscure bands or by old ones that the cool folk have moved on from or were never into (that was a good thing about Primal Scream a couple weeks ago).
Anyway, my favorite dog band, Dog Day, has a new album called Concentration coming out later this month. It was produced by John Agnello (Buffalo Tom, Dinosaur Jr, Screaming Trees, Raging Slab, Son Volt, etc...) so I'm excited to hear the results considering Night Group blew me away a couple years ago.
a visit from my lady, trip to Montreal, two Tindersticks shows, Canadian Music Week, some Rock Of Love and that brings us up to date for the most part.
This is some good new music:
Contrived - Attention (black ops)
Elvis Perkins In Dearland - I Heard Your Voice In Dresden
Benjy Ferree - Fear
Bat For Lashes - Siren Song
This is tomorrow night... Iron Giant
featuring this guy on bass....
This is some good new music:
Contrived - Attention (black ops)
Elvis Perkins In Dearland - I Heard Your Voice In Dresden
Benjy Ferree - Fear
Bat For Lashes - Siren Song
This is tomorrow night... Iron Giant
featuring this guy on bass....
Lover's Day...
or at least that's what we're told. It's great to be in love and have someone you care for without a doubt. I still think designating one say to express that is a bit lame. Regardless it can be a good topic for songs so here's a few of those with varying takes on the theme.
Bill Janovitz - My Funny Valentine
Martina Topley-Bird - Valentine
Steve Earle - Valentine's Day
Ron Hawkins - St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Bill Janovitz - My Funny Valentine
Martina Topley-Bird - Valentine
Steve Earle - Valentine's Day
Ron Hawkins - St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Exciting things...
So, Tindersticks are touring in North America and are going to make me very happy in March since I'll be seeing them in Montreal and Toronto. They're a band that I slowly grew to love and now can't find wrong in anything they do... I kind of figured that I'd never get to see them live and was thinking about flying to London to see them when they were playing all of II at ATP. That didn't pan out and I'm already setting my expectations ridiculously high for the shows. The Montreal show could be extra fun since there's a good chance Lhasa De Sela will make an appearance, I know she did when Stuart Staples was touring solo. Anyway, here's some good stuff from them... there's been a fair bit peppered throughout this blog in the past too if you go digging.
Tiny Tears (BBC Session)
A Sweet, Sweet Man
No More Affairs (Instrumental)
Heartless Bastards have a new album called The Mountain coming out next Tuesday (feb 3rd). I'm looking forward to this though I'm not too happy that they're not coming to Toronto on the first run of touring for their album... Here's the title track that leaves me wanting to hear the rest of the album right now. The Mountain
And here's some other goodies that put a smile on my face...
Mickey & Sylvia - Dearest
The Night Marchers - Who's Lady R U
Mark Eitzel - No Easy Way Down
And this is insane... thanks for turning me onto this sweet girl Dave.
Tiny Tears (BBC Session)
A Sweet, Sweet Man
No More Affairs (Instrumental)
Heartless Bastards have a new album called The Mountain coming out next Tuesday (feb 3rd). I'm looking forward to this though I'm not too happy that they're not coming to Toronto on the first run of touring for their album... Here's the title track that leaves me wanting to hear the rest of the album right now. The Mountain
And here's some other goodies that put a smile on my face...
Mickey & Sylvia - Dearest
The Night Marchers - Who's Lady R U
Mark Eitzel - No Easy Way Down
And this is insane... thanks for turning me onto this sweet girl Dave.
blahg
I don't come around much anymore. I guess I'll just have to make sure when I do that it's a sweeter deal to get people to drop by.
Anyway, I'm curious to hear more of this...
Anyway, I'm curious to hear more of this...
another year
Well, it's 2009 so it's time to put up a bunch of my favorite stuff from the last year...
Woven Hand - Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw
The Saturday Knights - Patches
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Frank, AB
The Gutter Twins - The Stations
The Breeders - Night Of Joy
The Black Keys - Remember When (Side A)
South San Gabrel - Kept On The Sly
Sigur Ros Við Spilum Endalaust
She & Him - Sweet Darlin'
Portishead - Magic Doors
Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking
Magnetic Morning - Out In The Streets
Land Of Talk - Got A Call
Kyle Fischer - Thousand Points Of View
Hayden - Where And When
Hauschka Ginsterweg
Frank Black - When They Come To Murder Me
Fantasy Bar - Much Drinking, Little Thinking
Dr. Dog - 100_Years
DeUS - The Vanishing Of Maria Schneider
Calexico - Man_Made_Lake
Breathe Owl Breathe - Sabertooth Tiger
American Music Club - Decibels And Little Pills
Adem - To Cure A Weakling Chile (Boy Girl Song)
Woven Hand - Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw
The Saturday Knights - Patches
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Frank, AB
The Gutter Twins - The Stations
The Breeders - Night Of Joy
The Black Keys - Remember When (Side A)
South San Gabrel - Kept On The Sly
Sigur Ros Við Spilum Endalaust
She & Him - Sweet Darlin'
Portishead - Magic Doors
Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking
Magnetic Morning - Out In The Streets
Land Of Talk - Got A Call
Kyle Fischer - Thousand Points Of View
Hayden - Where And When
Hauschka Ginsterweg
Frank Black - When They Come To Murder Me
Fantasy Bar - Much Drinking, Little Thinking
Dr. Dog - 100_Years
DeUS - The Vanishing Of Maria Schneider
Calexico - Man_Made_Lake
Breathe Owl Breathe - Sabertooth Tiger
American Music Club - Decibels And Little Pills
Adem - To Cure A Weakling Chile (Boy Girl Song)
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