August 11th, 2010
From the quantized oscillators of Aaron Levin:
Halifax’s hypernetic double-pop quartet continues to push the limits of catch. This time the eccentric youngians are deep-ear diving in a power-pop tornado, channeling chaotic waves into torrential harmonies and six-string rhythmania. They’re conjuring a vortex of guitar leads with every steadfast listen, so hit play and dance until their magnetic overtow engulfs you.
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Long, Long, Long – Ponytail Ambition
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Long, Long, Long – Cuba Gooding Jr.
File under: aaron levin // amazing // halifax // pop // power pop
Categoria!! New Canadiana :: cassette :: nova scotia | 3 Comments »
June 9th, 2010
From the pure-pop-for-now-people hook-factory of Paul Lawton:
Brilliant AM radio power-pop that is spot on in so many ways: the songs are simple, the production timeless, the guitar solos sparse, and the back-ups economical. Absolutely nothing is spared; everything cleaned and sacrificed at the alter of the almighty hook. I don’t want to hear power-pop that doesn’t have hooks, and this tape has enough hooks to deprive you from sleep. There is a charming innocence here, and I’m excited to hear where they take the canon they’ve learned here.
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Cold Warps – Hang Up On You
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Cold Warps – Stupid Tattoos
File under: paul lawton // pop-punk // power pop // punk
Categoria!! New Canadiana :: cassette :: nova scotia | No Comments »
February 15th, 2010
From the polyamorous disaster of Michael Deane:
Looking onto the mid-northern thunderous tundra puts me in a perfect place to relate to the Roommates’ “Back to the Sun,” the latest in a flurry of side-projects from Fucked Up guitarist Ben Cook. The breezy, straightforward pop hooks tinged with melancholy and longing speak directly to me. “Back to the Sun” is self-conscious, with sun-yearning lyrics matched by the sweetly sad vocals and tom-heavy thumping we’re used to from Young Governor. The flip of this cassingle is the slightly creepy, slightly goofy anthem that follows two dudes trying to talk their gals into a “Girlfriend Swap”. Infectious hooks and an entertaining story-line make it repeatable power pop magic. “Don’t roll your eyes at me / Let’s do things differently / We’re all just one big family / So let’s give it a try.” I’m not quite convinced by their logic, but you can’t deny these hits.
[Levin's Note: I'm very convinced. Hit me on my beeper.]
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Roommates – Back To The Sun // Girlfriend Swap
File under: ben cooke // pop // power pop // punk // scotch tapes
Categoria!! New Canadiana :: cassette :: ontario | 2 Comments »
November 12th, 2009
From the cave of earthly desires curated by Paul Lawton:
No other band is able to convey the unease, trepidation and frustration of living within the booming Alberta economy like Sharp Ends. It’s true, Calgarians live the complete opposite material circumstances of, say, the early UK Factory Records scene (heh). Yet, extremes are extremes, and the destitute Manchester of the early 80′s and inane economic ante-upping of modern Alberta are equally as efficient at marginalizing the weak and powerlessness. And so emerges Sharp Ends, the voice of our discontent, music to soothe the general malaise. Their secret weapon is guitarist Danny Christiansen. Danny’s guitar skulks for the first half of “Ghosts of Chance,†bass and drum churning away with vocalist Chris Zajko lurking in the shadow, enveloping the room, and putting the listener into a trance. Waiting for its epic entrance, the guitar bursts into white light, from sepia tone to full technicolour before fading out and taking all hope with it. On “Northern Front”, the guitar meanders and constantly leaves you wanting (especially the mini guitar suite at the end of the song). Sharp Ends are the real deal: so much complexity stuffed into music so simple. Everything you want in a band.
[Levin's Note: Living in Edmonton makes the acuteness of it's being that much more powerful. A+]
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Sharp Ends – Ghosts of Chance
File under: HoZac // power pop // punk // wave
Categoria!! 7" :: New Canadiana :: alberta | 23 Comments »
November 10th, 2009
Sharp Ends were the source of rampant rumours in our village square during 2009′s adjective-fest (read: Sled Island) and they’ve quickly become the talk of North America’s underground after a debut single on Chicago’s bozak-repellant HoZac Records. With a new single on Lethbridge’s beautifully curated Mammoth Cave Recordings, Sharp Ends briefly depart from the rolling bass, bludgeonly drums, and red-line vocals to surprise us with one of the best B-sides left of Winnipeg (I’ve always wanted to say that!). Loaded Hearts will rip you into Legoâ„¢-chunks of teenage angst within seconds of launching; it’s classic DIY jangle with way too much attitude tastefully balanced by top-notch laxidasical chanting and relentless guitar shreddery. This isn’t to say Crack Trap doesn’t also deliver, just in an entirely different way; Crack Trap tickles the inner post-punk / college-radio basement-nerd inside of every loser going Dutch and buying $100 7″s on the sly (myself (proudly) included). There are many treasures inside the Mammoth Cave.
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Sharp Ends – Loaded Hearts
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Sharp Ends – Crack Trap
File under: power pop // punk // wave
Categoria!! 7" :: New Canadiana :: alberta | 3 Comments »
