"Deflecting Your Accolades"

Reviews of Beth In Battle Mode, Chance and Dead Leaf Echo

So many CD's, so little time. And judging by the fact that we still have new releases coming up this year by Midlake, Divine Comedy, Editors, Richard Hawley, Kings of Convenience, Sonic Youth, etc, etc, etc, it's becoming painfully obvious that covering all of that ground is not going to be an easy task. (It's not a good sign when I find myself actually being relieved that I don't like Peter Bjorn and John's latest CD since it means that this is one less release to worry about. Pretty sad 'eh?) Anyways, here's a sampling of a few releases that have been out for a little while that I do quite enjoy.

Beth In Battle Mode - Hot Science

This local band continues on the course they charted with their intoxicating debut by upping the ante and proving that their ability to write the catchiest songs around was no mere fluke. From the opening guitar and heavily cowbelled opener of I Want You (Outta Here), BIBM gets the party started with a sound that is still steeped in all the wonderment that 80's new age has to offer, but this time turning the rock up just a little bit. While their sense of fun is still in tact, there is a definite newfound maturity displayed in songs like You Found A Cause, and the more downtempo Secret/ Weakness which shows that the band is certainly capable of mixing up the vibe from time to time. Still, they shine the brightest when performing keyboard heavy pop songs that contain the hookiest chorus's imaginable. The title track is awesome, boasting a solid key line, a mildly atmospheric bridge, solid backing vocals and Edward Maher's authoritative high pitched near falsetto. Another standout is A Little-Known Fact which is probably the song that comes closest to harnessing the explosive energy that the band is capable of administering on the live stage. Hot Science is a great album that should provide a suitable soundtrack to a party filled Saturday night.

Myspace: Beth In Battle Mode
Stream: Hot Science (entire album) is being streamed at CBC Radio 3
Photo by James Pattyn
Download: A Little-Known Fact mp3

Chance - Famous Words and Alibis

The music of LA musician Chance has always been that of a subtle beast. At first listen it comes across as standard alt-rock complete with feedback and roaring guitars. But as the songs burrowed a steady hole into my head, I consistently found myself revisiting them time and time again, as his affable eccentricity becomes more and more apparent with every listen. I've described his music in the past as unclassifiable and the same holds true with his first real full length. What makes him a real enigma of sorts is the fact that although the songs are very difficult to pigeonhole into a genre, they're by no means weird. The songs may stand in a definite league of their own, but they are still very accessible and catchy. The opening track Happening hypnotically sucks you in, as the lyric "no one even knows what's happening" becomes all the more swirling and anthemic as the song reaches its sweet crescendo before blasting into Ambulance Chaser, one of the album's many rockers. Chance can rock with the best of them, but I personally find the more atmospheric cuts to be the standouts. There is a vulnerability in the vocals accompanying Ripped, Torn, Broken, which is a truly progressive sonic adventure. You is a power ballad wherein Chance unashamedly enlists a complete vocal choir to accompany him, lifting the song to heights that it may not have reached otherwise. And speaking of crescendoed heights, Life And Life Only ends the album in a stadium worthy manner, boasting a guitar sound that brings me back to the grunge meets pop stylings of the mid 90's. Overall, Famous Words and Alibis is admittedly a grower, but once it does, its subtle charms are impossible to ignore.

Chance releases his music 100% independently and you can purchase 'Famous Words and Alibis' on his website.

Myspace: Chance
Video: Life And Life Only on youtube
Above photo is on his myspace page
Download: Happening mp3


Dead Leaf Echo - Truth

After being incredibly impressed with last year's Pale Fire EP, Dead Leaf Echo have done it again with another lush production of atmospheric shoegaze on this brilliant six song EP. This time around they've enlisted the production know-how of John Fryer, who has worked with Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode and Lush. Much like their previous release, the band chooses to approach their style with a careful reverberation, as opposed to the large wall of noise that is presented by other notable shoegazers. This allows them to have a more melodic sound that encapulates a feeling of melancholy. The highlight track is Act Of Truth, which opens with a swirling backing vocal that continues throughout the course of the song. The echoey guitars chime in at a pleasant tone giving the song a real soundtrack feel, evoking images similar to the ones that Psychedelic Furs have done in the past, and M83 has accomplished more recently. The EP also ends on a very powerful note with Trial, where the vocals and instrumentation work closely together to create a soundscape of warmth and beauty, coupled with a frenetic leaning towards the inauspicious.

Myspace: Dead Leaf Echo
Photo is on myspace
Download: Act Of Truth mp3

Klas - To Sleep And Love

Klas is a delightful little 5 piece band from Malmö, Sweden that specializes in some very enjoyable lo-fi twee acoustic indie pop. The comparisons to Jens Lekman are somewhat justifiable, especially because lyrics like "all the crap I learned when I was seven is the same crap that I still hold on to" boast that same stylish 'jilted boyfriend' charm that sounds like it's meant to be depressing but actually still manages to put a little bit of a smile to my face. However the more organic approach of this CD begs more of a Lloyd Cole comparison to me than Jens. There's also some deliberate shout-outs to Lou Reed (he lifts a line from the VU's 'Waiting For The Man' on the song Fine Time) as well as R.E.M. (lifting a line from 'Nightswimming' for the song, um, Nightswimming) showing that the band likes to wear their influences on their sleeves, but in a way that is paying homage moreso than simply imitating. Some other highlights are songs like Duck Couples, where vocalist Klas Sjögberg compares his current relationship to the unbreakably eternal relationship that ducks apparently have with each other. Goofy yes, but charming as well. Canaries is a country song about the lengths people will go through to flee a bad relationship. And finally, An Eyeball Of Love is a great way to end the CD, another ode to love (are you starting to sense a pattern here?) and how it's still possible to enjoy a relationship even during the hard times. Although To Sleep And Love is no giant step forward in the world of lo-fi indie rock, it's still an enjoyable album that is worth seeking out and throwing onto the old CD player on a cold winter night. With your loved one.

The debut album "To Sleep And Love" is now available for only 10 dollars/60 spänn/6 euros and you can purchase it by e-mailing the band at: klastheband@gmail.com or get it from Series Two Records or Evil Twin.

Myspace: Klas
Download: Fine Time mp3

Download: Baby Blue mp3


Other stuff: Sorry for the lack of postings this week, it's been another one of those 'so insanely tired that I can't focus on other stuff, let along blogging' sort of weeks. I did go to the Calexico / Cuff The Duke show so I'll have that review up soon, as well as another exciting contest coming up and tons of CD's to tell you about. But in the meantime...

Loving the new Brendan Canning video for Churches Under The Stairs. It serves to only whet my appetite more for the upcoming BSS show at The Sound Academy on November 27th and 28th. I'll be at the show on the 28th. [Myspace: Brendan Canning]

There's still a few days left to enter your choices for this years CBC Radio 3 2008 Bucky Awards. Where else do you get the opportiunity to choose between Alice Glass and King Khan for Canada's sexiest artist? Voting ends November 28th. [Myspace: CBC Radio 3]

My favourite LA musician Chance has just released his latest CD entitled Famous Words and Alibis. You can purchase the new album here, and you can watch the video for Happening (featuring the Rock 'N Roll Granny) on youtube. [Myspace: Chance and the Choir]

The Broken West play around with their songs over on Daytrotter. [Myspace: The Broken West]

In 2001, Neil Finn (Crowded House) released an excellent live album called 7 World Collide, featuring guest appearances by Eddie Vedder, Lisa Germano, Johnny Marr, Phil Selway and Ed O'brien from Radiohead, Sebastian Steinberg and Tim and Liam Finn. According to the Wilco news page, it looks like he's doing it again with the same cast reappearing as well as KT Tunstall and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone. Any shows in connection with this '09 release are taking place in New Zealand. In the meantime, I'm getting ever more excited about my date with Wilco and Neil Young at the ACC on December 5th. Of course, they're playing the 4th as well. [Myspace: Neil Finn; Myspace: Wilco]

Quick Notes featuring The Fratellis, Santa Dog, Ragni & Chance

The Fratellis’ “Costello Music” was one of the UK’s most praised releases last year. It will finally make it’s way to North American shores on March 13^th. I’ll definitely be telling you more about it when I get the CD, but in the meantime be sure to check out the insanely infectious tune, “Flathead" You can either watch the video or stream the song.

The Fratellis on myspace.

Canadian Music Week has already begun in the city and there are a lot of great performances taking place. The one that I would highly recommend the most is Santa Dog from the UK. I’ve talked about them and their classic pre-Oasis brit-pop sound before, but I have this sinking feeling that after the release of their full length in the near future, you won’t be able to see them for $8 at a tiny club anymore. So don’t miss this one, OK? Download the song "Rosa" to see what I mean.

Santa Dog on myspace.

The mesmerizing and atmospheric Ragni are going to playing The Savannah Room in Toronto on April 3rd. I’m not sure about the price just yet, but they’re another band we don’t see around these parts all that much so I’m anxiously awaiting that show. It’s bound to be a little bit on the mind-blowing side. Here’s an edited version of “The North Sea Epoch.”

Ragni on myspace.

One of my favourite artists, Chance, has recently released his latest single, entitled “Life And Life Only" He only releases a few singles a year, and he is very particular about what he chooses to release to the public. So each new single really is an event of sorts. This new one is probably his most personal one to date. Test drive the song by watching the video, and then purchase the song for only 99 cents over here.

Chance on myspace.