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Song of the Day: The Vaccines – Norgaard

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Ricky in Song of the Day | 3 Comments

The Vaccines

Toronto – Around February or so, The Vaccines were all the rage. I saw them three times in a span of a month between their free show at the Horseshoe and SXSW. Then I kind of forgot about them. Only recently did I remember, oh hey, that Vaccines band that I enjoyed…they actually have an album out now. I was able to get What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? last week and I can’t stop listening to it. It’s short, but efficient. Most if not all the songs on the album are catchy and while they wear their garage rock influences on their sleeves, all the tracks sound surprisingly fresh. Probably my favorite half an hour album since the Pigeon Detectives debut a few years ago.

Norgaard is one of the standout tracks off the album. It’s a track about the model Amanda Norgaard and while the lyrics “she’s only 17 and probably not ready” comes off as a bit…creepy, you can’t deny this track’s energy and enthusiasm. It also happens to be the band’s next single, how coincidental.

Some tour dates
9/8 Seattle, WA Crocodile Café
9/9 Vancouver, BC Venue
9/10 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
9/13 Los Angeles, CA Music Box
9/14 San Diego, CA The Casbah
9/18 Austin, TX ACL
9/21 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
9/22 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
9/24 Philadelphia, PA Popped Festival
9/25 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
9/27 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
9/28 Montreal, QC Corona
9/30 New York, NY Webster Hall
10/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg

Here’s the video

Mainstream Song of the Day: Beyonce – Love on Top

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Ricky in Song of the Day | 2 Comments

Toronto – Not exactly an indie track but you gotta give props where props are due. This track off Beyonce‘s fourth album is just a lovely soul pop tune that takes you back to the days when Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey ruled the world.

With horns blazing, “Love on Top” could be a ’70s Motown track or a late 80’s diva pop hit. I can’t put my finger on it. Either way, it’s refreshing to hear a pop track without computer effects. Probably my favorite Beyonce track since “Crazy in Love.” I like “Single Ladies” as well, but it gets annoying because once I get that song in my head, it never leaves. The worst example of this was in Spain, when I played it on top of Montserrat out loud for everyone to hear. Yup. Actually aside from those three songs and “Naughty Girl,” I can’t name another Beyonce song. However, you should still check this track out.

Song of the Day: Allo Darlin – Kiss Your Lips

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Ricky in Song of the Day | 1 Comment

Toronto – Most people from Hong Kong are usually fashionably late. This is now my excuse for not discovering twee/indie pop outfit Allo Darlin until around now. I’m just fashionably late.

Allo Darlin is a London based band featuring the singing talents of Australia’s Elizabeth Morris. Call it a Commonwealth connection. They released a self-titled album last year that was well received by everyone. With a lovely blend of ’60s inspired folk pop sound and a summery disposition, Allo Darlin seems primed for some listening in these next couple months. Check out this track called “Kiss Your Lips” which features an excerpt from a well known band.

B-Side / Song of the Day: Wild Beasts – Catherine Wheel

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Ricky in Song of the Day | Leave a comment

Toronto – I haven’t quite warmed up to Wild Beast’s new album Smother as much as I would have expected to after Two Dancers. I’m not sure if it’s because the album does not stick as easily or maybe I just don’t have enough time these days to fully embrace it. Either way, I listened to this b-side the other day, primarily because it was called “Catherine Wheel.”

Any self respecting music fan would know that Catherine Wheel was the 90s UK shoegazey kind of band that was responsible for songs like “Black Metallic” and “Crank.” Sadly, I don’t think this track is about Catherine Wheel, but it’s still a solid song and it’s a b-side for the single Bed Of Nails. I didn’t know b-sides still existed. Check it out.

Here are some tour dates:
Tue. July 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live w/ Marques Toliver
Wed. July 13 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge w/ Marques Toliver
Thu. July 14 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge w/ Marques Toliver
Sat. July 16 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Fri. Sep. 16 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
Tue. Sep. 20 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Wed. Sep. 21 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Thu. Sep. 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Tue. Sep. 27 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Wed. Sep. 28 – Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Mile-End
Thu. Sep. 29 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
Fri. Sep. 30 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag
Sat. Oct. 1 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Mon. Oct. 3 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
Tue. Oct. 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
Fri. Oct. 7 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune
Sat. Oct. 8 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Sun. Oct. 9 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
Tue. Oct. 11 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
Thu. Oct. 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
Sat. Oct. 15 – Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital Festival

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