Off the Dial

How’s this for a Christmas tune offering? Swedish punks the Hives announced earlier this week that they’ll be releasing a new Christmas track in the U.K. on December 1st and in the U.S. on December 2nd. It is, however, the musician they paired up with for said single that’s most interesting.

“So…the five royal princes of Hives Nation have teamed up with the Queen of Queens from Queens, Cyndi Lauper, to record the best holiday song this side of White Christmas,” read the release from the band. However, you won’t need to wait until next week to get the track titled, “A Christmas Duel“.

Starting today (November 28th) until the end of this weekend (November 30th), the Hives are offering it up for free from their web-site, the Hives Broadcasting Service.

“While some would expect one of those warm-your-toes-by-the-fire-while-snuggling-up-to-your-loved-one-between-sips-of-hot-cocoa-and-smooches-under-the-mistletoe type of songs, the Hives and Cyndi Lauper offer more of a unique take for this holiday season. Let’s just say that the pair get a little scrappy. It also features piano. Yay.”

Should make for an interesting listen!

Popularity: 6% [?]

~ Universal Music

Fourteen years is a LONG time to wait. Through the ridiculous hype surrounding “Chinese Democracy“, the even more ridiculous (apparent) mental state of front-man Axl Rose plus the countless delays and it’s unclear how many Guns N’ Roses fans stuck around to hear the end result (that is if they didn’t get their hands on the leaked tracks). Now that it has been officially released, let the dissecting and flaming begin.

It should come as no surprise that this album falls short of GNR’s glory days. However, while some skeptics expected a complete flop, “Chinese Democracy” isn’t a total loss. Shockingly, Roses’ vocals don’t sound like a tired pathetic old man. His signature high-pitched scowl is ever present although he does stay within his aged vocal range at times sparing us some awful moments. There’s also a hint of vocal effects throughout but not enough to become laugh-worthy.

In fact, there’s plenty of electronic drums and guitar effects which add an interesting and unique (to GNR mind you) sound. There’s also an abundance of piano accompanyment which sadly comes off with far too much unnatural effort.

The lead and title track launches with classic yet fresh GNR flair and follow-up cut “Shackler’s Revenge” is easily the albums most appealing offering but was it worth the wait? Unfortunately, no. This is by no means a horrible album as many songs are quite good. Mind you, its doubtful anyone was holding out any hope for a monster. If nothing else, “Chinese Democracy” is a curiosity that can easily be fed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

~ with Heat Ray, November 21st, 2008 (with notes from Andy Stewart)

Last Friday, Off the Dial contributing writer Andy Stewart an myself ventured out from our responsibility-laced lives and embarked on an evening of indie-music frivolity. Of course, we’re referring to the Fast Romantic‘s gig at the Marquee Room with guests Heat Ray.

Having recently finished the recording of their debut album, the Fast Romantics decided to celebrate with this gig which also served as an opportunity to court some record label scouts. Heat Ray put on a relaxed yet screaming (can the two go hand-in-hand?) set which primed the crowd nicely. Not bad for a group made up of a lawyer, a fourth-grade teacher and guitarist from Hot Little Rocket.

Of course, all eyes were on the Fast Romantics and they did not disappoint. They had excellent stage presence with vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Matthew Angus joyously hopping around the small stage alternating through his various musical duties while lead guitarist Matty Kliewer made the best of his tiny piece of real-estate. It was a tight, very polished set and they seemed to have control of all things at all times. Plus, they ripped up an Elvis Costello cover (“Pump It Up“) like nobody’s business and delighted fans with a one-song encore, paying homage to Iggy and the Stooges with a very nice rendition of “the Passenger“.

Look for their debut album to arrive by the latest, February. Click below for more photos from the show;

Popularity: 18% [?]

Less than a year after Innes Wilson & His Opposition (which includes Adam Sturgeon and Blake Stevenson) played their first official show in their hometown of Guelph, ON, this trio have already been booked on a couple of festivals (including last month’s Halifax Pop Explosion) and recorded their debut EP in their living room.

They start their self-produced, self titled EP on the right foot with “Guest Like the Ghost” which sounds a hint like Wintersleep. It’s capped off with the beautifully crafted “Blessed” and both tracks book-end this collection very nicely.

With vocals and musical style at times similar to Blue Rodeo, Innes Wilson & His Opposition introduce themselves in great fashion. With an excellent combination of acoustic guitars, harmonica and fantastic vocal harmonies, you really can’t go wrong.

Popularity: 7% [?]

~ MapleMusic Recordings/Dangerbird Records

For Montreal’s the Dears, things don’t seem to go as smoothly as their music does. Mind you, if you dig deeper into Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak‘s song-writing, you’ll pick up on the dark themes that make up their hauntingly beautiful tunes. Such is the case on their fourth full length release.

The funny thing about “Missiles” is that it’s very difficult to pick any one track as a standout. Where one cut instantly impresses, like “Demons” which starts off intriguing enough and basically cruises along, others take some time to click in. Such is the case with the title track and “Berlin Heart“. There are songs that do indeed deserve extra credit like “Dream Job” and “Meltdown in a Major“. Also, do yourself a favour and explore the full eleven-plus minutes of “Savior“; you won’t be disappointed.

This may not be their finest work yet (that honour goes to “No Cities Left“), but don’t be fooled. “Missiles” is an excellent album fom the Dears that simply deserves enough attention for one to realize its value.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Our scarce yet excellent contributing writer Andy Stewart sent this my way and I just had to share it with you.

Notice that there are only three strings on that guituar. Seasick Steve calls it the ‘Three String Trance Wonder’ and that box his stomping on? That’s the ‘MDM’ (Mississippi Drum Machine).

The most amazing thing is that Seasick Steve was largely unknown just two years ago but now he’s huge in Europe, partly due to the fact that he was invited to and performed at various festivals in the summer of 2007. In fact, he played so many shows that according to reports he played more festivals than any other act that year.

He has three blues albums out, the latest called “I Started Out With Nothin and i Still Got Most of it Left” was released in late September.

Popularity: 4% [?]

It’s hard to imagine that I started this thing nearly five years ago. When the kMNR newletter reached it’s 100th issue, we had a big lauch party at Broken City which also launched the official kMNR.ca domain after a couple of years of some silly, obscure ISP address.

As you may know, earlier this year when kMNR celebrated it’s 200th issue, it also marked the end of the newletter format and a move towards more up-to-date news and a new podcast and things are going along quite nicely. Sadly, there seemed no point in keeping the www.kmnr.ca domain any longer so next month it will cease to exist but the old newsletters will not go quietly into the night…

We’ve moved every single one of those old issues of kMNR to it’s new home found on the right in our ‘Site Seeing’ section. Make sure to take a stroll down memory lane and check it out when you have a chance.

Popularity: 5% [?]

~ Smallman Records

Hailing from Regina, SK may lead you to think that a band like Sylvie would sound more folk than indie, more twang than rock. So its refreshing to see this prairie group return with their second album complete with fast paced cuts and flowing tunes.

The sophomore effort features bassist Riva Farrell and drummer Jeff Romanyk‘s driving, ‘perfect for the road’ rhythms on lead track “Please Make It Home” and “Instruments of War“. You’ll find Chris Notenboom‘s trademark guitar style on songs like “Breakout for Summer” and Joel Passmore‘s moving vocals on “Satellite“. If though, there’s but one song that encompasses this album’s worth, its the appropriately titled “Listen Up“.

“Trees and Shade Are Our Only Fences” serves as an excellent extension to Sylvie‘s already impressive musical career. Brimming with hard work and honest effort, its one not to miss.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Alaskan trio Portugal. The Man return with their third full length release “Censored Colors” and truly live up to the ‘experimental rock’ label they’ve been tagged with.

Having their own label now, Approaching AIRballoons, under a unique partnership with Equal Vision Records has afforded them full creative control. This fact, which includes the lack of label deadlines, really shines through on this album with its relaxed and soothing soundscapes. You really get a sense that the band were in a comfortable space when crafting songs like “Created“.

Although the word ‘delicate’ comes to mind when describing this album, there are moments of upbeat excitement as in lead track “Lay Me Back Down“. Meanwhile, “New Orleans” sounds like it was born right out of the French Quarter with its muted trumpets and its sluggish groove as if the Louisiana summer heat prevented it from moving any faster.

Many tracks belong together as is the case with “Hard Times/Our Times” so its difficult not to listen to “Censored Colors” in its entirety. It may not be their best work yet, but its certainly an accomplished piece from Portugal. The Man.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Once upon a thyme not so long ago, artists began to rebel against yet another record label. Trent Reznor instructed his Aussie fans to steal his music while the good gents from Austin, Texas gave Interscope the proverbial finger and launched their own indie label imprint, Richter Scale Records on Justice Records.

That’s part of the journey that led Trail of Dead fans to the release of the “Festival Thyme – EP” late last month. Containing only four songs, it’s a precursor to their forthcoming untitled full length set to arrive in February.

They give an apparent taste of what’s to come on said album without giving half of it up. Lead track “Bells of Creation” is dubbed the “Machete Mix” while we hear an edited version of “Inland Sea“. Also included with these gentle, honest and fantastic songs are the title track and a six minute instrumental.

Unbinding them from the shackles of their past association has allowed Trail of Dead to further explore their musical landscape. Employing their often used grand and epic sound, they make more use of simple yet effective piano arrangements and even delve more into the world of synthesizers.

If this is a sign of things to come, fans should be thoroughly excited for what the new year holds.

Popularity: 9% [?]