Lykke Li, Crystal Castles, Art Of Fresh, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, etc

Well this has been sort of an off week for me. I don't know if I'm coming down with something or if I'm still suffering from a bit of a non alcoholic Nuit Blanche hangover, but my energy level has been virtually nil since Monday. Sadly, that means that I was in bed on Wednesday and didn't get to the Vesta Varro show, as I had initially intended. I will however attempt The Dears show tonight (had to pay for this one so the motivation level is a bit higher) and hopefully Murray et al will have my full attention.

In the meantime, I finally got around to listening to a few CD's that bloggers and other forms of music media have been singing the praises of over the course of the last year or so, and although I don't think that I have the moxie to throw up any full reviews of these ones, I would certainly like to give you my two cents.

All of my friends have been touting Lykke Li ad nauseum, and I have to admit that the incessant gushing has caused me to ignore this one longer than I should've. I also heard that she was in town several months ago supporting El Perro Del Mar and that many in attendance left after her set and didn't stick around for the headliner. Being a huge El Perro Del Mar fan, this news made me mad. However, I would now like to go on record as saying that I have been ignorant, and I hope that my friends can forgive me for sporting such unqualified attitiude. The fact is that Youth Novels is a stellar album, and the mood and feel of the album reminds me of Charlotte Gainsbourg's 5:55 release a couple of years ago. Her vocals are hushed and understated, and the album is the sultry warm blanket of a downtempo sunset, immediately making me feel comfortable and at home.

Lykke Li is playing The Mod Club on Friday October 24th.
Myspace: Lykke Li

Crystal Castles is another band that I put off listening to due to the hyperactive hype surrounding them, but in this case, upon listening to the album, I feel like I'm justified this time. I'm not one to give many bad reviews, but I just have to admit that I'm not getting it. When I was young, there was kid who lived in my neighbourhood that we used to tease for holding his tape recorder up to his Atari video game system and recording the musical accompaniment to Pac Man. He'd then throw this into his walkman and listen to it for enjoyment. That's what the Crystal Castles sound like to me. The gimmick gets old really fast and the album is just plain boring. It's too bad because ultimately, regardless of my earlier comments, I really wanted to like this band. The controversy surrounding them regarding plagiarism issues and the like has intrigued me, and I love cheering for the underdog. But first and foremost, I've got to enjoy the music and in their case, I just don't. Ultimately though, one man's opinion isn't going to change anyone's mind and the fact remains that the Castles are huge and they keep getting bigger so, y'know, good for them and all that stuff.

Crystal Castles are playing Circa on Friday October 24th.
Myspace: Crystal Castles

As I've mentioned before, asking me about hip hop is sort of like asking Pauly Shore about wise career moves. My knowledge on the subject is very limited. All I know is that when it comes to hip hop, I know what I like and I know what I don't like. And I like Art Of Fresh. The duo consists of D.O. and Slakah The Beatchild, the latter of which I've gotten to know quite well in a musical sense and have grown to be very respectful of. What I like about him is that he keeps his brand of soul / R&B/ hip-hop, etc from sinking to the lowest common denominator, keeping it clean and slick sounding without relying on overproduction and too much manufactured instrumentation. This keeps his music sounding organic and real. Admittedly not every song on Back To The Earth turns my crank, but tracks like Get Free, Out This World and We Can Do It have enough of that old skool vibe to keep me entertained.

Myspace: Art Of Fresh
Finally, while we're in a rhythm and blues frame of mind, I have been incredibly negligent in not listening to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings a year ago, when 100 Days 100 Nights was officially released. This is soul music in its purest form: raspy voiced, delta blues based huskiness, designed to take you back to a time when the soul sound was identified by funky horns, subtle drums, shout-along backup singers and an undeniable groove. Sharon plays the role of female counterpart to James Brown very successfully and although the idea of perfectly capturing that 60's New Orleans vibe is a ludicrous notion to say the least, Sharon should pride herself in coming pretty darn close and providing a reasonable alternative for those who long for a newer version of that sound, without sounding too new.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings are playing Kool Haus on Wednesday October 29th.
Myspace: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

'Sup In October

Since this monthly post tends to turn into a run on sentence of sorts, I'll try not to be too overtly blabby but get right to the point as much as I can. No promises (a leopard can't change his spots after all) but my concert going activities can be lumped into two categories: the shows that I probably will see and the shows that I probably won't see. Nothing is ever definite either way, but here goes:

I've decided that I'm going to be making The Sadies my one regular yearly go-to. The reasons for this are simple: they are are one of the best live bands that the city has to offer, and they play several times every year. This weekend they have a show on Friday October 3rd, as well as Saturday October 4th. Both shows are at their favourite venue, The Horseshoe. I'll be there on the Friday. $15.

Myspace: The Sadies

Besides The Sadies, there are a number of great shows on Saturday October 4th, none of which I will be at. The reason for this is that the 3rd annual Nuit Blanche all night downtown art festival is taking place. It's not specifically music related so I've never really talked about it on this blog before, but it's a time of the year that I eagerly anticipate and this year is no exception. For a sampling of the fun that I enjoyed last year, feel free to peruse my flickr photos. Free.

Photos: Nuit Blanche 2007 on flickr

Also on Saturday October 4th, we've got Chad VanGaalen performing with Women at The Mod Club ($13.50) and Johnny Flynn performing with Laura Marling at The Rivoli ($10.50) Johnny Flynn will also be performing an instore at Criminal Records earlier in the day at 5pm, while Women will be doing the same at Soundscapes on Sunday October 5th at 1pm. Both shows are obviously free.

Myspace: Chad VanGaalen
Myspace: Women
Myspace: Johnny Flynn
Myspace: Laura Marling

Hot on the heels of their outstanding release Visiter, is California's The Dodos, who are playing at The Horseshoe on Monday October 6th. I don't have my tickets for this one yet, but I anticipate that I will be there. $12.50

Myspace: The Dodos

I already mentioned in a couple of earlier posts that Vesta Varro are going to be all over the Toronto area from Tuesday October 7th to Saturday October 11th. My as-of-yet-not-solidified plan is to attend the Indie Music Week Lunch Party on Wednesday October 8th at the Tattoo Rock Parlour. Also on the bill is Fred and The Dunes. $10.

Myspace: Vesta Varro
Myspace: Fred
Myspace: The Dunes

The Dears are playing two nights at The Music Gallery on Thursday October 9th and Friday October 10th. I will be attending the Friday show and I'm looking forward ot checking out the new lineup as well as hearing some of the new songs. From what I've already sampled, it sounds like the band is progging it up once again, just like the old days. Nice. $20.

Myspace: The Dears

An excellent alternative choice on Friday October 10th would be to attend the Oh No Forest Fires CD release party at The Supermarket. I miss those guys. Although I can't make it too that show, I'm hoping that I'll get to see them again soon becasue it's been far too long. Their playing with Dinosaur Bones and Black Hat Brigade. $5.

Myspace: Oh No Forest Fires
Myspace: Dinosaur Bones
Myspace: Black Hat Brigade

I actually already had my ticket for Okkervil River at The Phoenix on Sunday October 12th but I actually had to pass it on to someone else since some friends of mine were all getting together for a little shindig that same night. Yes, I actually chose friends over music! I feel like I've grown. (BTW, although I haven't really talked about it, Okkervil's latest CD, The Stand In's is another brilliant slice of vinyl. Yep, yep.) $15.50

Myspace: Okkervil River

Sunset Rubdown are playing Lee's Palace on Monday October 13th. $12.

Myspace: Sunset Rubdown

This next one is very interesting. I'm thinking that a large majority of my readers are not familiar with the works of Peter Hammill. He was the lead singer of one of my favourite prog bands of the 70's called Van Der Graaf Generator. He's gone on to release over 40 bizarre albums, and his maniacal Shakepearean cackle has garnered praise by everyone from David Bowie to Johnny Rotten to Nick Cave. He is nowhere near being a household name, yet he's playing The Phoenix on Tuesday October 14th. As of right now, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend, but there's a part of me that would consider it to be a privilege. Oh, and all of my friends whom I've played his music for, um, hate him. Definitely an acquired taste although I think he's awesome. He's playing with Priya Thomas. $25.

Myspace: Peter Hammill
Myspace: Priya Thomas

Jason Collett is at Lee's Palace on Saturday October 18th. $16.50

Myspace: Jason Collett

Spiral Beach is at Lee's Palace opening for Spinto Band on Tuesday October 21st. $12.50.

Myspace: Spinto Band
Myspace: Spiral Beach

And finally, although Lykke Li is an artist that falls into the category of "someone who I really could do without hearing about for awhile", it doesn't change the fact that Youth Novels is a dang good album. It's just that it's not the only good album out there right now. However, the way all of my friends are talking, you'd think that maybe it is. I like her, I'm just saying. Anyways, she's playing The Mod Club on Friday October 24th for $15.

Myspace: Lykke Li

Photo of The Dears by Liam Maloney.