From the comyn-spiced balconies of James Goddard:
This EP from Edmonton’s Jom Comyn (sometimes Jim Cumming) speaks to the concerns of young adults in the 21st Century – I mean actual young adults, not the browsers of Gordon Korman – unemployment, cigarettes, sloppy romances, late-nights, and (of course) almost condemned balconies. The guitars carry the tunes lethargically; apathetic tones, sketchy feedback, and non-committal fuzz over dusty, stilted drumming. Jom’s vocals shine through the nest like a retired lounge singer; an odd, weathered voice spouting the words of a quarter-life savant. “You don’t know what you are doing until years after it’s through.” On Sunday morning, in a hungover haze, it all sounds like it might be the truth.
Jom Comyn – New Raincoat
Jom Comyn – Roomie

From the vibronic brain of Aaron Levin:
The space-time fluctuations between GOBBLE GOBBLE’s last hermetic flu-gaze sacrifice has eclipsed the infinitely-many quantum mechanical predictions. The 8-bit pop peculiarity has transcended into a neo-audible movement of Masonic proportions. On top of a dazzling live show, main songwriter Cecil Frena’s ability to funnel radio-pop insanity through a gnarled nozzle of chromatic-pop has aggrandized; jarring cut-ups, blasted synth workouts, and the crunchiest pop-riddums you’ve ever heard. A♥♥♥♥♥♥
GOBBLE GOBBLE – Lawn Knives
GOBBLE GOBBLE – End of Days

From the disgusted mind of Aaron Levin:
The latest diamond-tip offering from Edmonton’s autarchic trio is a convergence of the varied streams binding their sound. Their wilding drummer grips the mic for “Bent Brain,” a searing foray into classic punk riffery (complete with anthemic, pit-grinding chorus), while the scalding mellowness of bass-face Sagar pierces through “Friends With Money.” The whole spectrum is collected in “Disgust,” which just happens to contain an over-the-top classique rock solo. Another brilliant travelogue into the adjective-rock cosmos. ?GRIP(to infinity).
Outdoor Miners – Bent Brain
Outdoor Miners – Friends With Money

From the spindly gyrations of James Goddard:
While we’re on the topic of Bart Records, can I mention the tragically short-lived Gyre, Spire & Spindle? Technically savvy and hyper-literate, they’re a fitting realization of the fables their name conjures. The recipe was simple: one folkie turned post-hardcore screamstress, several journey-men Edmonton musicians, and a penchant for pairing words. Simmer in a large, black, cauldron. Serves up one brain-melting five-song cassette. Nuggets is proof that once upon a time there was Gyre, Spire & Spindle. Grip it while it lasts.
Gyre, Spyre & Spindle – Wishy Washy
Gyre Spyre & Spindle – Splishy Splashy

From the teen steamings of Jesse Locke:
Midway through their final set at the Bart Records showcase for Sled Island 2010, Fuck the Tundra’s hyperactive frontman pushed the crowd back, tucked to his toes and hucked a massive flat ground back flip. That gymnastic feat was impressive enough, yet it was still overshadowed by a pitch-perfect performance of all six songs from their debut cassette, one of this year’s most jaw dropping releases. Throughout Grin Diesel’s succinct 16 minutes, the quartet tears into 31G-style post-hardcore with pulse quickening drum fills, spidery dueling guitars and mathematical change-ups, all peppered with their bizarre sense of humor. Most surprising is the serenely summery yet still mathy instrumental “Eliminator Boat Duel,” an ear-pleasing interlude amidst the chronicles of ridiculous.
Fuck The Tundra – Gintro
Fuck The Tundra – Eliminator Boat Duel

From the crime sprees of Aaron Levin:
Southern Alberta’s hilly wasteland continues to explode with Fist City’s anamorphosis from the pop spectrum. Their twin-shriek phenomenon bludgeons us with searing, distorted leads, rolling bass lines, and a bewildering catchiness that has become their harmonic core. Fist City’s debut single is a brilliant sortie from the disempowered rurality of Alberta, charging forward into instant hit and pop satisfaction. Limited to 99-copies and available to Wyrd Alberta patrons exclusively, the 7″ will luckily be rereleased owing to an epic pressing flaw on the b-side. Recommended grippage.
Fist City – Queen of the Slugs

From the breaking point of Aaron Levin:
Obscure lyrsergic artifact from the totally unpsychedelic pastures of 60s Edmonton, Alberta. Jack Hennig’s second foray into the world of self-released 7″ obscurity left us with two syrupy, drug-induced pop-psych laments. Maybe Tomorrow‘s classic garage-punk woes pull the untamed ears to oblivion while the faux-sitar and pop harmonies on Busy People win me over with vintage diy conviction. Jack Hennig would go on to be a country singer of national renown and now resides in Edmonton having forgotten almost everything about his hip-trip maneuvers with The Breaking Point Group.
Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group – Maybe Tomorrow
Jack Hennig and The Breaking Point Group – Busy People