Language-Arts and The Pinecones @ The Garrison

Over the days leading up to this No Shame event at The Garrison featuring, amongst others, Vancouver's Language-Arts, I've been happily immersing myself in their sophomore album, Where Were You In The Wild?. In this internet age, originality is a concept becoming more and more (understandably) difficult to come by, and the challenge is whether or not an artist can present some new ideas while still remaining melodious and enjoyable. The constant rotation of this album proved to me that they are well trained when it comes to doing so in the studio, and I'll admit that I was fairly confident that they would be able to translate such to the live stage as well.

I arrived a couple of songs into the evening's second act, The Pinecones. Originally known as Brent Randall and his Pinecones, this time around the band is promoting the release of an album called SAGE!, which is the first truly collaborative effort by all four members of the band. This means that besides Randall's own compositions, Brian O’Reilly, Joel Goguen and Paul Linklater all had a share in the songwriting process, creating a collection of songs that still boast a similar tribute to a 60's British Invasion styled sound, but with an earthier, and perhaps less polished feel. The lack of studio sheen works in the material's favour however, creating an album that is probably their most satisfying so far. I came in as they had just started a song called Tea Tonight, which is one of the Randall penned compositions. Just as I was admiring the jaunty, Kinks-iness of that particular number, the band confirmed my suspicions of inspiration by segueing into a brilliant cover of The Village Green Preservation Society, which, of course, is one of The Kinks' most respected numbers. A broken guitar string meant that the band had to deviate slightly from the original setlist while an audience member (and fellow musician) worked on replacing it. This led to some more piano based material, as well as an opportunity for some of the others to take over lead vocals. Afterward, the evening progressed with one catchy hit after another, including the fuzzed out delicacy Jenny Fur, where they sounded more than a little bit like Howe and West's Tomorrow, who were a psychedelic two-hit wonder in the mid 60's. The full band composition ...Ardmore...Jenny was another highlight, with O’Reilly's Eight Miles High-ish guitar work being particularly stunning. A couple more covers were included in their set, such as Del Shannon's I Go To Pieces and set closer Dead End Street, which was another Kinks classic that they shredded brilliantly.

Photos: My pictures of The Pinecones @ The Garrison are up on flickr.
Myspace: The Pinecones

As I suspected, Language-Arts proved themselves to be just as stunning live as they are on record, with their four members creating an orchestral sound that is remarkably full. On album, the band is composed of only two members, Kristin Cudmore who sings and plays classical guitar, piano and banjo on the album, while Gregor Phillips handles all drums and percussion. The live version hires on a couple of other people to handle the keys and upright bass/cello, and I was immediately impressed with the professionalism of the entire outfit. The band set up and tuned quickly, enabling them to begin their set quicker than usual. They opened with one of my favourite songs on the album called Cavity, its jazzy bass-line designed to hypnotically suck you in and although many patrons were rather chatty on this particular evening, I found it hard not to remain fixated on what was taking place on stage. Cudmore's vocals are high and pixie-ish in a way that is slightly reminiscent of Joanna Newsom or Suzanne Vega, but perhaps more accessible. The music itself is one of constant wonder in the sense that there are certain songs where you think that you've got the groove figured out and then they throw in a tempo change, or similar progressive tangent that takes your head journey in a totally different direction. Lighthouse is one example of this, where an almost Spanish guitar break seemingly comes out of nowhere, taking the song to a whole new level. White Socks in Birkenstocks is another example of this style of accomplished musical composition, where the classical tag proves itself appropriate both in its instrumental sense of musical adventure, and in the vocal style that Cudmore almost raps her wordy lyrics in a way that distracts from how cumbersome they would be if left in other hands. By the time they ended their set with the incredibly wordy Tuck It In, I was left in awe, not only of Cudmore's ability to remember all of those lyrics, but also in the way that the band has managed to carve a niche that is all their own, and present it on a live stage in a way that never alienates, but endears. I'll certainly be seeing them again.

Photos: My pictures of Language-Arts @ The Garrison are up on flickr.
Myspace: Language-Arts
Download: Where Were You In The Wild? mp3

Language-Arts will be playing a CMW Showcase on March 11th at Sneaky Dee's.

Other stuff:
I came home late last night to the sad news that Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous has died. My introduction to his music came a little later than some. I was first introduced to him in the early days of my blogging when I saw him live at The Mod Club, thanks to the fact that I had won tickets to his show from fellow blogger Frank Yang, whom I did not know at the time. Needless to say, that performance impacted me greatly, and although I was mildly aware of his history with substance abuse, as well as his general disdain for performing live, I can't say that any of those things were apparent that night. He seemed to be in high spirits, and I even remember him smiling frequently for the cameras and coming across as a genuinely affable fellow. Since then, all of his albums have been on regular rotation for me, most notably his 2006 release Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain, which contained a song that always made me smile called Don't Take My Sunshine Away. The song sounds even more poignant as I listen to it this morning. His musical contributions will certainly be missed. [Myspace: Sparklehorse]

No Shame's 100th @ The Horseshoe

featuring Green Go, Ruby Coast, Pick A Piper and The Skeletones Four

It was with grand enthusiasm that I was looking forward to this particular landmark on the local indie music scene. Whether she knows it or not, Lauren Schreiber has been personally responsible for a healthy percentage of my local musical knowledge, having introduced me to some excellent bands by means of her No Shame Concert Series. And this special commemorative show was destined to be pretty special with its inclusion of a couple of established greats along with a couple of new up-and-comers.

The Skeletones Four were the first band of the evening and the only one that I knew virtually nothing about. There were also the most difficult band on the roster to pigeonhole into a specific genre. Lead vocalist and apparent mastermind Andrew Collins has created a band that specializes in odd time signatures and intricately crafted instrumental breakdowns that came across to me as the oddly neglected lovechild of Rick Wakeman and Joni Mitchell. Believe it or not, I mean that as a compliment of the highest degree. There is certainly a touch of mathematical pomp in the proceedings, but Godspeed You! Black Emperor these guys are not. To create a style of music that is challenging, yet endearing is no small task but The Skeletones Four pulled it off nicely. Unlike the rest of the bands that evening, they are the type of band that requires concentration and undivided attention as opposed to being a band that you can just shake and dance too. I certainly intend on doing just that once I get around to picking up their works in some sort of physical form.

With due respect to all of the other bands on the bill, Pick a Piper did not only steal the show, they crammed it into their carry-on luggage and boarded a flight to Mexico with it. To describe their set as breathtaking would be a bit of an understatement since their tribal assault of intense percussion actually left me feeling exhausted once they were done. I had seen them before at Rancho Relaxo and was suitably impressed, but with the shoe's far superior sound system backing them up, they were able to showcase a sound that pounded right through you. What I really like about their style is the way that it creeps up on you. They like to start out pleasantly with some subtle melodies and minor hooks before bursting into a heavy drum crescendo that continued to build significantly throughout the course of their set. By the time they played their last song, a couple members had brought their percussion of choice onto the dance floor as they encouraged the crowd to break out whatever percussive toy they could find and participate in this all encompassing blast of sonic exhilaration.

Up next was Ruby Coast. I don't know why I continue to forget this, but the fact that they have some of the craziest fans around always catches me off guard. As usual, they put on a show that was lots of fun and enthusiastic, thanks to the crowds overwhelming encouragement. In reviewing and listening to their music in the past, I have always had high hopes for this band. Although they shared a certain air of familiarity with some of the basic pop stylings of many of their contemporaries, I always figured that these kids were just weird enough to stretch beyond that and create a sound that is more unique and slightly more interesting. Upon seeing them this time however, I guess I have to resign myself to the fact that I currently like them as much as I likely ever will. This isn't a bad thing, since some of their songs are amongst the catchiest tunes I know. But as far as them becoming a band that I'm likely to go out of my way to see, I don't think that's going to happen. That having been said, I don't think that anyone can deny the fact that they put on an excellent show, and as long as their fanbase continues to remain as excitable as they currently are, I'm pretty sure that the band has nothing to worry about.

Which brings us to Green Go. If your goal is to create a frenzied party-like atmosphere, then there really is no better band to end with than Guelph's Green Go. They've got all of the right ingredients for a Friday night: spazzy electro-pop beats, excitable vocals, and stellar stage presence. The fact that they look like they're having so much fun up there just adds to their charm, and the crowd was buying into it hardcore! I find it amazing (not to mention slightly educational) that a band is able to create such a great electro-friendly atmosphere while still displaying a vibe that is equally in debt to all of the great rock shows that I've attended through the years. Vocalist and synth player Ferenc Stenton even jumped onto the floor with his electric guitar and proceeded to work the crowd with all of the moves of rock star 101. The chemistry between all of the band members was equally as electric and the show was filled with such great intensity that I can't wait to see the band again. Being one of the hardest working local bands of the moment, I'm sure that they'll be plenty of opportunities.

Photos: My shots from No Shame's 100th @ The Horseshoe are on flickr
Myspace: The Skeletones Four
Myspace: Pick A Piper
Myspace: Ruby Coast
Myspace: Green Go

I'm literally running out the door right now to go to the cottage for the weekend, so have a good one and I'll post a review of last night's Joe Pernice show at The Dakota Tavern upon my return.

CONTEST: Win tix to No Shame's 100th Show and a copy of Green Go's CD "Borders"

Although there are many great music series, festivals and events in the city of Toronto, very few compare with the excellent No Shame Music Series that has been taking place for a few years now. This a music series that prides itself in not simply giving in to popular opinion, or the fickle musical tastes of the average Toronto-based indie music snob. On the contrary, this is a series that believes in taking risks, thriving on eclecticism, pushing boundaries and uniting different musical palates to converge on the same dance floor. It is a series that has successfully introduced local music fans to bands that they may have never heard otherwise a total of 99 times in a row now. And it is with great pride that No Shame presents its 100th show at The Horseshoe on Friday September 18th for only $10. As usual, the lineup is stellar!

The bands on the bill are as follows:

Green Go are a band from Guelph that specializes in hyperactive sweat fueled electro-pop that is guaranteed to make even the stuffiest slug dance his face off. [Download: Put Your Specs On Boy mp3]

Ruby Coast is a fun band with a knack for combining an addictive blend of shout-heavy power pop with some wickedly catchy new wave leanings. [Download: Ruby Coast's Brittle Bones mp3]

Pick A Piper are a percussive assault of tribal beats that is steeped in vocal precision and soaring melodies.

And The Skeletones Four are a newer band that specializes in a unique blend of soul and prog which combines to create a psych rock experience that is not easy to forget.

CONTEST: Thanks to the kind folks at The Musebox, I've got a prize pack to giveaway that includes the following:

1) two tickets to the show on September 18th
2) a copy of Green Go's CD Borders, which I reviewed over here.

To enter, just send an email to quadb2001 [at] gmail [dot] com with the words "I Wanna Be Shameless" in the subject line, and your full name in the body.

Contest is now closed. Congrats to Karen M. and thanks to all who entered.