Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
Although most of his latest album, At Peace, was recorded in western France, Ballaké Sissoko is one of the world’s most highly regarded players of the kora, a 21-stringed instrument that sounds somewhere between a harp and a guitar. Continue reading “Ballaké Sissoko – At Peace”
There are many words that popped into my head while listening to the third full-length release from The Albertans, but these three stick out especially: synths, melodrama, and night time. Continue reading “The Albertans – Dangerous Anything”
If you’ve listened to Tricky before you know what to expect from this. Recontextualized interpolations of an eclectic collection of artists’ material interspersed with moody/morose drum beats comprise most of the material here, harkening back to a somewhat poppier version of Maxinquaye. Continue reading “Tricky – False Idols”
This debut solo EP from Winnipeg ex-pat Brandy Zdan is a lovely little demonstration of both Zdan’s songwriting ability and her musical chops. As one half of the Juno nominated duo Twilight Hotel, the quality of Lone Hunter comes as no surprise. But the six song disc shows a different side of Zdan than her previous work, and displays her unique songwriting voice well. Continue reading “Brandy Zdan – Lone Hunter”
At the time of this writing, much has already been said of Kanye West’s sixth studio album, Yeezus. Critics marveled at its “dark and sonically experimental” presentation. Writers celebrated its “minimalist” aesthetic and nods to early-00s Southern trap and mid-80s Chicago acid house. Some even construed its songwriting as social commentary while admiring West’s narcissism as a sort of ironic self-reflexivity. Continue reading “Kanye West – Yeezus”
Barrence Whitfield & the Savages are a balls-to-the-wall, whisky and wine soaked rockin’ motherfuckin’ blues band. Typical of most Bloodshot releases, these guys are the real fuckin’ deal, and they pull no punches in delivering classic, raw American music. Whitfield’s growl has seen hard times and harder times, but he does not give two fucks when he’s telling you some honest to God truths on “Bread,” “My Baby Didn’t Come Home,” or “I’m Sad About It.” Continue reading “Barrence Whitfield & the Savages – Dig Thy Savage Soul”
Toronto’s Jane’s Party know exactly how to write a catchy indie pop/rock song, however they seem to be stuck using precisely the same formula for every song to achieve said catchiness. Continue reading “Jane’s Party – Hot Noise”
An album laden with the kind of lush atmosphere typically found on one of those Ibiza chillout records, Zulu Guru’s potential to lull you into a trance-like state of enlightenment is marred by jagged rhymes and hey-girl-style soul vocals. Continue reading “Jesse Boykins III – Zulu Guru”
Here we are provided a prime example of Simon Reynold’s thesis to Retromania: a reissue of an album by a band with only one album to their name, released only ten years earlier. Continue reading “The Postal Service – Give Up (deluxe reissue)”
Right out of the gate, Astral sounds like the early 90s The Cure that got really angry. Continue reading “Astral – Forever After”