Nika Cantabile – Naked Soul Opus 2 [Review]

Tags

2018, Album, Album Review, Canada, Classical, Montreal, Music Video, Naked Soul Opus 2, Nika Cantabile

Nika Cantabile is a Montreal violinist and today she dropped Naked Soul Opus 2.
It is an interpretation album of originals covers from Anime shows/movies and video games.
The one I recognized is Neon Genesis Evangelion’s opening theme song Cruel Angel Thesis.
Take away from the vocals and do it in a way you can just listen to it in a classical-rock sense.
There is a passion by Nika when she plays the songs.
This is an album for those who are fans of Anime and video games who totally remember these songs.
Also if you are fans of Lindsey Stirling too.

Best tracks:
Eternal Snow

Alchemia Story

Kimi wo nosete from Laputa The Castle in the Sky

Naked Soul Opus 2 gets:
/10

Boyhood – Bad Mantras [Review]

Tags

Album, Album Review, Bad Mantras, Boyhood, Canada, Caylie Runciman, Music, Music Video, Musician, Ottawa

This album came out on June 22, 2018.
It’s been a long time waiting for that Boyhood album.
Bad Mantas sees the light of day and it is a fine experimental lo-fi pop album.
It is the follow up from When I’m Hungry which came out 6 years ago.
The only rework is the title track and it sounds better on the new version.
Production value is higher is sounds totally insane!
One of my favorite releases of 2018!

Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa [Review]

Tags

2018, Album, Album Review, artist, Canada, Classical, Jeremy Dutcher, Music, Music Video, Musician, Review, singer, Toronto, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa

This has to be one of the most powerful records by Jeremy Dutcher I have heard so far in 2018.
While I am not familiar with the Wolastoqey language.
Music is definitely a global language.
Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa which translate to Our Maliseet Songs.
11 tracks filled with raw emotional and very beautiful music and booming operatic vocals.
Haunting at times with the clips of Wolastoq songs from 1907 wax cylinders.

With so much going on in the world.
We need to pause, think and treat others with respect and kindness.
This is what the album trying to do with healing and reconciling.

Definitely a sure-shot to be on the Polaris Music Prize shortlist and the Junos.

Best tracks:

• Mehcinut (Death Chant)
• Essuwonike (Trading Song)
• Ultestakon (Shaker Lullaby)
• Sakomawit (Chief’s Installation)
• Pomok naka Poktoinskwes (Fisher and the Water Spirit)

I’d give this album:
/10

Mezzanine Turns 20!

Tags

1998, 2018, Album, band, electronica, England, Group, London, Massive Attack, Mezzanine, Music, Music Video, Musicians, Review, UK

Happy 420!
Who knew this album is 20 years old and came out on April 20, 1998.
Talking about Massive Attack‘s third album Mezzanine
Enough has been said about the album since it was a turning point where they delve into darker territory with their trip-hop/electronica sound.
It was their most successful album to date thanks in part to the music video Teardrop.
We can debate as long as we want which is their best, Blue Lines or Protection?
As long the music is good to listen to!
Anyways I am going to give you my Top 5 songs picks from the album!

Wokewave – Reform Absolutely Everything, Tomorrow [Review]

Tags

2018, Album, Album Review, Canada, Duo, electronica, Experimental, Group, indie, Music, Music Video, Musician, Ottawa, Reform Absolutely Everything Tomorrow, Review, Wokewave

At first, I thought it was a joke when I saw this on my Facebook newsfeed.
But no it is for real since I saw they actually released tracks on Bandcamp.
Wokewave is an Ottawa duo (I think one actually moved to Vancouver) consist of Matt Beaudry and Mike Scholz.
Reform Absolutely Everything, Tomorrow is their first effort and it is seven tracks of instrumental experimental electronic music.
There are upbeat tracks in Practolerable Regime/Rojo Oscura and chill/ambient in Instructions Unclear.
It is a mix between Ottawa’s Hard Science with Justice and LCD Soundsystem.
While I find the song titles a head-scratcher or butcher saying them.
Great album to play during a house party for those wanting to dance or as background music.

Best tracks:

• Practolerale Regime
• Prenicium
• Instructions Unclear (LIVE)

I’d give Reform Absolutely Everything, Tomorrow:

Suuns – Felt [Review]

Tags

2018, Album, Album Review, alternative, band, Ben Shemie, Canada, Felt, Group, indie, Joseph Yarmush, Liam O’Neill, Max Henry, Montreal, Music, Music Video, Musicians, Review, Suuns

About two years ago, the Montreal band Suuns released Hold/Still.
While that album was the beginning of experimentation with their sound.
This holds true to Felt, which is 11 tracks of creative freedom ranging from minimal electro beats, fuzzy vocals, and longer songs!
When they dropped the initial single Watch You, Watch Me, we were going through something insane with its synth sounds!
It is like listening to their futuristic version of experimental electro-rock trip-hop.
Felt still has the dark moody overtones from the previous album.
Suuns doesn’t disappoint in 2018!

Best tracks

• Look No Further
• ALT-X
• Watch You, Watch Me
• Make It Real
• Daydream

I’d give Felt:
/10

U.S. Girls – In a Poem Unlimited [Review]

Tags

2018, 4AD, Album, Album Review, artist, Canada, Girls, In A Poem Unlimited, Meg Remy, Music, Music Video, Musician, Review, singer, Toronto, U.S, USA

The sixth album by U.S. Girls is filled with anger and rage in 70s disco/rock vibe.
Second album for 4AD and first for Royal Mountain Records.
Lately, I have been listening to Madonna’s Ray Of Light since it is 20 years old.
While similarities are both different with their musical output but similar when it comes to reinvention and self-realization.
Think of In a Poem Unlimited as U.S. Girls delving with a full band and bigger sound.
As in U.S. Girls fashion, there is the reworking of an old track which happens to be Incidental Boogie.
Previously on the EP, Free Advice Column. This reworking has more of loud electro banger.
Overall it is a provocative album that gets you dancing and thinking!
Best tracks:

• Velvet For Sale
• Rage of Plastics
• Mad as Hell
• Rosebud
• Incidental Boogie

I’d give In A Poem Unlimited:

Ray of Light turns 20

Tags

1998, 2018, Album, artist, Frozen, Madonna, Music, Music Video, Musician, pop, Ray of Light

February 22 will mark 20 years since Madonna released Ray of Light.
Enough has been said about the album since it was a turning point and a comeback for the Material Girl.
With the disappointment of Bedtime Stories, mind you I really love Take a Bow and the backlash from the 90s with Sex and Erotica.
A master of reinvention, it’s been said if Madonna is a musical genius or just good at marketing her music.
We can debate as long as we want.
As long the music is good to listen to!
Anyways I am going to give you my Top 5 songs picks from the album!

The Belle Game – Only One [Listen]

Tags

2018, Adam Nanji, Album, Alex Andrew, alternative, Andrea Lo, Arts and Crafts, band, Canada, Fear / Nothing, Group, indie, Katrina Jones, Music, Musicians, Only One, pop, The Belle Game, Vancouver

Today, Belle Game shares a new B-Side called Only One.
Not sure why it wasn’t on Fear / Nothing but I really dig this track.
Has that 80s new wave dream pop vibe to it.

Area Resident – Delano [Review]

Tags

2017, Album, Album Review, alternative, Area Resident, artist, Canada, Delano, Doug Hempstead, indie, Music, Music Video, Musician, Ottawa, Review, Rock

You may not know Area Resident but you may know the name of the performer.
Doug Hempstead is currently on CBC Ottawa as a traffic reporter.
Delano is the second album and follow-up to the self-titled album which came out last year.
Mix of alternative rock with that 90s sound, experimental-rock, and country-rock.
Think of it as a mix of Camp Radio, Expanda Fuzz, Jim Bryson and Octoberman.
Part of the album has that Ottawa-esque vibe with tracks like Riverside, Lanark Double Soaker and MacDonald Park.
Great rocking album to listen to before 2017 ends!
Also Area Resident’s album to be on vinyl via The Record Centre Records.
Best tracks

• Riverside
• Pray for Wendell
• Show No One
• Delano
• Living Like I’m Going Away

I’d give Delano:
/10