TV On The Radio - Dear Science,

I've been spending a lot of time lately talking about, and listening to, bands that are more significantly under the radar. This reality had caused me to be completely unaware of the fact that the now major labellers TV On The Radio were releasing a new CD entitled Dear Science,. Of course, as soon as the news hit my ears, I rushed out to pick it up.

The reason for my enthusiasm is the fact that TV On The Radio still remain as one of the most consistent bands in the world of indie rock or mainstream rock or whatever category the kids are putting TVOTR in these days. A new TVOTR album is just about always a shoe-in for my personal year end top 10, and what can I say, Dear Science, will likely be there as well in December.

Many comments have been made that this is their attempt at becoming mainstream. I would have to disagree. Sort of. First of all, I never thought that their sound was not mainstream. I realize that the radio never played them, but as far as melody, catchiness and appealing vocals go, they've always had that. Secondly, indicating that they're now having an attempt at the mainstream would indicate that this album is significantly different than their other work. I'm not hearing it. They've always tried to incorporate several different styles and genres in their work, and they're still doing so here. You've got a touch of their trademark new wave doo wop in Halfway Home, gorgeous balladry in Love Dog and Family Tree, some Prince-like funkiness in Crying and Red Dress as well as a horn section that falls somewhere between Fishbone and Sly and the Family Stone. Tunde Adebimpe's vocals have never been better. Whether he's delivering a bassy croon, a funky falsetto or a tongue-in-cheek (yet still socially conscious) rap, Tunde displays some superb vocal control and variety. The highlight for me is Golden Age, which reminds me of Bowie at his most epic, and sounds quite euphoric over all. Clearly, TV On The Radio have still got it, and it appears that, although they're slightly cleaning it up and reigning it in, they won't be losing it anytime soon.

Photo by Ludis Mergins
Myspace: TV On The Radio
Video: Golden Age (live) on youtube

Other stuff: I (Heart) Music has just compiled its annual list of The Hottest Bands In Canada and this year I got the privilege of contributing to this list. Upon reading the final results, I've learned a few things. First of all, I talk too much. My comments are several words more than everyone else's. That's a bit embarrassing. Gonna have to tone that down a bit next time. Also, Chad Vangaalen's place at number one was a bit of a brain fart for me, in the sense that I forgot all about him. He wouldn't have been my number one but still. Sheesh. Finally, I think next year I'm going to put a little bit more personal opinion into my list, because I totally would have included Entire Cities and Golden Hands Before God... since they are definitely hot in my mind. I just didn't realize that there was enough other people out there who felt the same way. Really glad to see them both on the final list. On Monday, Matthew will be posting all of the other bands that received votes but didn't make the final cut. Should be interesting.

Jon Doe and Kathleen Edwards are about to embark on their co-headlining Hurtin' and Flirtin' tour that takes them all over the USA in November, but as a warm up, their doing a little intimate show at the teeny tiny Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Ave) on Monday November 3rd. I believe the tickets are $20, and they're only available at the door, which opens at 8. Should probably get there early. I'm still undecided myself, although it would be an outstanding show.
Myspace: John Doe
Myspace: Kathleen Edwards

This just in! Toronto's Cancel Winter are going to be interviewed TODAY at 3:30pm on a UK Radio station. Go to www.playradiouk.com and click Listen Now. They're playing at the El Mocambo on December 19th.
Myspace: Cancel Winter

Tracy Shedd has a new video for the song Whatever It Takes from the CD Cigarettes and Smoke Machines.
Myspace: Tracy Shedd

Hello Operator has a new video for the song 55 Regrets from the CD The Breaks.
Myspace: Hello Operator

The Bicycles are doing a free instore performance at Soundscapes on Tuesday November 4th at 7pm.
Myspace: The Bicycles

Finally, did you know that Feist played a surprise show at The Rivoli last Tueday night? Yah, me neither. Apparently it was a songwriter's circle type thing with Wayne Petti, Hayden and others contributing. Woulda been cool to be there, had I have known!?!?! Will she be doing that again? Rumours, rumours....
Myspace: Feist
Myspace: Wayne Petti
Myspace: Hayden

NXNE 2007: Day 2

Day 2 of the NXNE festival was the day of legends for me. I saw several of my all time favorites that night. I started early by heading on over to The Phoenix during that wicked rainstorm to make sure that I get in to see Dinosaur Jr. No problem. The opening acts for that show were both fantastic.Awesome Color is a semi-psychedelic garage band from Michigan. They warmed up the crowd admirably with their Stooges-style rock. Upon looking into them some more, what's most impressive is that their album was partly produced by none other than Thurston Moore. His influence is definitely there, although the band seems to draw more influences from the early Detroit rock scene.

Download: Free Man mp3 / Visit the band on myspace. / My Awesome Color pics on flickr.

Up next was Toronto's own Uncut. They also rocked pretty heavily with a real onslaught of loud guitars and insanely thrashing cymbals! All of the members (except the drummer) took a turn at lead vocals and I thought that they had a bit of a shoegazy vibe to their sound, albeit a heavy one. Besides Dinosaur Jr, they've also had the privilege of opening for the likes of Bob Mould himself.

Download: Breaking Glass mp3 / Visit the band on myspace / My Uncut pics on flickr.

The original lineup of Dinosaur Jr. was of course, very very loud. They cranked out all of the hits as well as several songs from their excellent new release "Beyond." The chemistry was still there in full force and the guys even seemed to be surprisingly enjoying themselves. For the encore, local stage hog Kevin Drew stepped up to the mike to perform "The Wagon" which succeeded in bringing the already hyperactive crowd to a rambunctious (but interestingly controlled) frenzy. It was fun. They were loud. I was deaf.

Download: Almost Ready mp3 / Visit the band on myspace / My Dinosaur Jr pics on flickr.

Although deaf, I picked up my wife and we headed on down to Lee's Palace to see yet another legend, John Doe. Upon looking at the schedule I was a little confused because some references said that John Doe was on first, and others said that The Sadies were first. Upon arriving I realized that the two of them had joined forces to put on an awesome performance that surprisingly even outshone the Dinosaur Jr show that I just attended. John Doe is the founder of the seminal punk rock band X, but he's been releasing his unique style of country-folk-punk rock music over the last few decades. He opened the night with a 45 minute set that was just him on the guitar cranking out the tunes. He sounded great. After that The Sadies hit the stage, and one of my closest friends had told me about how great they were in concert but I had yet to see them. Yep they're great. Their set was chock full of whiskey stained swagger and punk rock 'tude, and I expecially enjoyed their forays into surf guitar instrumentation. After about half an hour they called John Doe back to the stage and they played a few more alt-country tunes with special appearances from Kathleen Edwards and Dallas and Travis' papa Bruce Good of the legendary Good Brothers. I was completely exhausted at the end of the night, but boy, did I ever feel like I got my money's worth.

Downloads:
John Doe - The Golden State mp3 (fixed link)
The Sadies - Loved On Look mp3

Visit John Doe on myspace.
Visit The Sadies on myspace.

Unlike my pictures from the rest of the night, the pics for this show actually turned out really good. See them on flickr.