Arietta - Migration

Toronto band Arietta reminds me of many of the indie rock bands that I listened to back when I first started listening to indie rock. Their music boasts a cry of immediacy, a punkish alt-rock punch that moves and shakes with a high-strung longing that, when left in more juvenile hands, is accompanied by a snotty nosed false arrogance. But you'll notice that their name is not followed by a dash 182 or any other trivial number. No, taking a cue from more noble acts such as Minus The Bear, Moneen and even the local boys in Oh No Forest Fires, Arietta incorporates an aire of sophistication to their music that allows for a meeting of generational minds. In other words, it's angsty music for the more sophisticated listener.

The songs on their new release Migrations, are impeccably crafted and although they do display a measure of mathiness, they are not in any way grandiloquent. (OK, I used a thesaurus, but that is a cool word 'eh? It means pretentious.) When someone punches you in the face, the contact of knuckle to face always feels the same way, whether it was carefully thought out or a move out of instinct. That's the best way that I can describe Arietta's sound. If all you want is to rock out, then this album will definitely do it for you. But if you need something a little bit meatier, this album provides that also. For example, the song Northearned shifts from frantic to subtle with an endearing complexity that is eccentric for sure, but still very easy to follow. Another example of this is a song entitled It's An Uphill Battle And It's All Downhill From Here which starts very nice and melodic before easing into a more agressive segue with a stop-start instrumental break that precedes a poppy chorus that leads to a slightly rootsier moment that includes slide guitar. And this is all within a four minute song which means that there's no time to get bored or confused by it all. Although the songs themselves are very good, some of them great, I have to admit that my favourite moments are the brief instrumental snippets that flow inbetween the songs. These are the spaces that, for me, add a sonically pleasing uniformity to the entire album. They also act as a great way to occupy the mind before the next song inevitably attacks you.

Arietta are playing a CD release show at The Horseshoe on Thursday May 7th with special guests Cancel Winter and The Junction. The evening is also being hosted by the bizarre and magical Serb Superb.

Photo taken by Emma-Lee
Myspace: Arietta
Download: Into The Deep mp3

Other Stuff:
Magnet Magazine's Over/Under feature delves into the most overrated and underrated songs by The Clash. While I would agree that Rock The Casbah is definitely overrated, they failed to mention White Riot in the underrated category. Best. Punk. Song. Ever. [Myspace: The Clash]

Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart have new video out for the song Young Adult Friction. It is being streamed over at Chart. [Myspace: Pains Of Being Pure At Heart]

The Maccabees have just released their latest album called Wall Of arms. Tailor made for fans of Hot Hot Heat and The Futureheads, the whole thing is streaming in its entirety over at Drowned In Sound. [Myspace: The Maccabees]

[Via Chromewaves] Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes are going to be playing Massey Hall on August 28th. His most recent foray into country is entitled Secret, Profane and Sugarcane and it's is to be relased on June 2nd. [Myspace: Elvis Costello]

That's it for today since I'm literally running off to The Horseshoe right now to see The Balconies. Laterz.

Anthony Rochester - Music For In The Spaceship

Upon first listening to Anthony Rochester's Music For In The Spaceship album, it's very easy to understand how one might think that he comes from Sweden, where he would share the lyrical whimsy of Jens Lekman. Perhaps you could be forgiven for thinking that he hails from Norway, where he would be influenced by the vocal subtlety of Erlend Øye. And the true music aficionado would be justified in assuming that he must comes from Glasgow, since his gift of melody was obviously taught at the school of Belle and Sebastian. However, the truth of the matter is that Hobart, Australia is where Rochester lays his hat, and although all of the aforementioned references are a good starting point and all, Music For In The Spaceship is an excellent album that truly stands on its own in terms of originality and heartfelt ebullience.

Anthony self records and plays most of the instruments himself, and his vocals showcase a vulnerability that adds to his immediate charm. With song titles like Did You Lose Weight?, If Only She'd Mind Read He Won't Have To Tell Her By Himself, and Interplanetary Relationships Can Be Problematic At The Best Of Times, it becomes apparent that Rochester is very witty and refuses to take himself too seriously. The songs are all very soothing, easy to absorb and instantly likable. She Visits Her Friends On The Moon has a 60's Casio French Pop feel to it (although it's sung in English) and Gigi is laugh out loud funny with it's cheesy lounge style keyboard work, and funky blaxploitation bass line. The album closes with It's A Secret But I Want To Sing About The Girl That I Love which is a beautiful song that seems to fit nicely into the Beautiful South songbook, only without all of the veiled sinisterism. In fact, there isn't anything veiled when it comes to the music of Anthony Rochester. What you see (or hear) is what you get and Music For in The Spaceship is pure pop music for pure pop people.

'Music For In The Spaceship' is available for download on iTunes or you can send $13 paypal to seriestworecords@gmail.com for a limited edition CD-R. Only 300 have been pressed.

Myspace: Anthony Rochester
Video: I Love You Baby on youtube
Download: Mathematics mp3


Download: Lipscombe Larder mp3


Other stuff: More local concert goodness this month that you may or may not be aware of.

Leh-Lo, the man behind Sunday open mic nights at The Supermarket, is doing a special show at Revival bar on Monday December 15th. His last album Zig Zag is pretty good but it seriously does not do justice to what the man is capable of. Also on the bill is The Action Mob and they're both opening for Japanese hard rock legends The Flower Travellin' Band. Erm, Strangest. Bill. Ever.The tickets are $17 and apparently the show is being filmed so be on your best behaviour kids! [Myspaces: Leh-Lo, Action Mob, Flower Travellin Band]

Also, The Golden Hands Before God Conducts Incredible Magic Band and the Spirits make another triumphant return to Toronto when they play Rancho Relaxo on Saturday December 20th with The Speaking Tongues and Terror Lake. Seriously, if you haven't seen The Golden Hands... yet, what is your problem? Yes, they are THAT good!! $7. [Myspaces: The Golden Hands..., The Speaking Tongues, Terror Lake]

Finally, there are two interesting tribute shows taking place in December. The first one is also at Rancho Relaxo on Sunday December 14th and it's called Rock The Clashbah: A Tribute To The Clash. A whole whack of local bands including Provincial Parks, The Wilderness and Leonids are going to be playing covers of various Clash and Joe Strummer songs. Promises to be epic! Cost is $7.

The second tribute show is taking place at The Velvet Underground on Wednesday December 17th, and the cities most impressive psych rock bands will be paying tribute to the music of The Jesus and Mary Chain. On the bill is The Disraelis and The Hoa Hoa's. Others are likely to be added as well. Cost is $5.