Toronto - I am a sucker for the words “Indie Pop” and “UK”. Despite countless disappointments, I always will myself to give bands with those tags a chance. This leads me to the UK trio Scouting For Girls. Apparently popular across the pond, the London based band released a self titled album earlier this year courtesy of Epic.

Hows the cd? it sounds like the Kooks. If you have read my Kooks review, you know I am not a big fan of it. I mean, this album, the Kooks, Cajun Dance Party, etc, they aren’t horrible albums. I can easily put on one of them in the background and won’t get offended or anything, but really, they bring nothing in the table. Bands like these are a dime a dozen. Scouting For Girls is full of somewhat catchy light hearted guitar rock/pop including singles like ‘Heartbeat’, ‘She’s so Lovely’ and ‘Elvis ain’t Dead’.

This is the type of music you will probably hear on a show like The Hills, during a montage or something. It’s easily digestible, there’s no texture and you’ll probably shit it out in an hour.

 

 Scouting For Girls - Heartbeat: Play Now

Toronto - FINALLY………. Black Kids have returned…. TO THE PANIC MANUAL! If you read our blog on a regular basis, like your doctor prescribed, then you will know that we have had a liking for the Black Kids for awhile now. After months of hype (and some would argue, overhype) The Jacksonville based group have finally released their LP - called Partie Traumatic courtesy of Almost Gold records in the UK. Us peeps in the Americas will have to wait until July 22 to get our fix. Lucky for me, I was able to get a hold of the release.

First impressions? It’s alright. Second Impression? It’s pretty good. I think I got too excited about the album, based on the strength of their previous EP - Wizard of Ahhhs and their singles. When I listened to this album the first time, I was like - well there’s nothing new. Then I realized - yo man, u listened to this stuff at the concert - So, obviously there wasn’t much new there. I had already heard it at the show already.

Clearing my head, I gave the album a second listen and yep - what I like about them is still there - the fun/funky 80s drama opening credits sound, the gang vocals on the choruses, the playful lyrics - it’s all there. Reggie Youngblood really channels Robert Smith on some songs. He looks like a cross between Robert Smith and the Keegan Michael Key from Mad TV. Check It.

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New songs that will be sure to be favorites include I’ve Underestimated My Charm (again) and my concert favorite “I Wanna Be Your Limousine” which probably samples New Kids On The Block’s Games song with the Oh we Oh..Ohhhh Ohh part.

In short, the album “Partie Traumatic” will satisfy the masses who are salivating for new Black Kids material for months now. People who think this is a inner city school program charity cd will also be pleasantly surprised. I am sure we’ll be hearing some of these tunes on indie dance floors all across the globe soon enough.

4.08 / 5

Listen to the entire album on my space: http://www.myspace.com/blackkidsrock

 

 Black Kids - I Wanna Be Your Limousine: Play Now

It’s taken six years, three EPs, two twelve inch split singles and a handful of appearances on compilations for Detroit based Pas/Cal to finally release their very first LP, ‘I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura’.

I first came across Pas/Cal in 2003 at ‘A New Architecture’ one of the better indie nites in Toronto at the time. I got to know one of the DJ’s and he lent me a copy of their first EP ‘The Handbag Memoirs’, consisting of upbeat pop gems like ‘The Bronze Beached Boys (Come On Let’s Go)’ and ‘I Wanna Take You Out In Your Holiday Sweater’. I remember asking him what their name was and all I heard was ‘Pastel!!’ over the loud music and beer-clogged ears. I stumbled away confused thinking he was talking about ‘The Pastels’ as they are more of a melancholic synth band. I was tempted to send a drunken email to Stephen Pastel saying ‘You’ve changed man, it used to be about the music’ but luckily the DJ was kind enough to clarify the name and handed over a copy of the EP.

Subsequent EP’s,’Oh Honey, We’re Ridiculous’ and ‘Dear Sir’ followed in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Both of them were Viktically acclaimed but they always left me wanting more, like that half eaten packet of Whoppers I just stole from my coworkers drawer.

When Pas/Cal announced they were releasing a full LP earlier this year, the news was almost bittersweet as I’ve been waiting for this news for a long time, but at the same time weary of the fact that they may not have it in them to create a full album of stand out tracks.

Although I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura constitutes Casimer Pascal and Co.’s trademark high pitched vocals and up-tempo ’60s pastiche, after a few listens you’ll feel this LP isn’t something you can just throw on in the background while you’re doing something, you’ll need to sit back and pay attention to the story it has to tell. From the opening track IWROMMLL rocks and bounces along at an unpredictable pace but beneath the surface it compels the listener to pay attention every chord struck and word sung during it’s whimsical journey.

There is a track on IWROMMLL called ‘Ballad Of The Ignored’. Perhaps a cheeky attempt at an apology for making fans wait so long for a full length album, but it’s really not necessary guys, I for one am glad you took your time.

4.5/5

I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura is available July 22 on Le Grand Magistery Records

1. The Truth Behind All The Vogues She Sold
2. You Were Too Old For Me
3. We Made Our Way, We Amtrakked
4. Summer Is Almost Here
5. Glorious Ballad Of The Ignored
6. O Honey, We’re Ridiculous
7. Dearest Bernard Levine
8. Little Red Radio
9. Cherry Needs A Name
10. Cherry Tree
11. O My Cherry
12. Citizen’s Army Uniform

 

 Pas/Cal - You Were Too Old For Me: Play Now

 

 Pas/Cal - The Bronze Beached Boys (Come On Let's Go): Play Now

What can be said about ‘The Explorers Club’ album ‘Freedom Wind’? Upon listening to the first 20 seconds of the opening track you’ll have an idea of what your in for - an album heavily influenced by the Beach Boys and Byrds perfect for having a gas on the beach, chasing far out chicks and kicking sand into a Squares face.

This album could be a blessing and a curse for TEC. A blessing because Freedom Wind is full of perfect harmonies and simple pop-melodies performed by 6 talented dudes, so they’ve proven they can produce some lovely music. The curse because not everyone is a fan of 60’s beach pop (me included). Great music aside, if you’re not into bands like the Beach Boys, you’re not going to like this album. Secondly, this is a concept album, it’s great for the Summer but I don’t think I’ll be listening to it come Autumn.

A valiant effort on The Explorers Clubs’ part, but I may not give them another listen unless they decide to release an album with a better mix of original material.

3/5

 

 The Explorers Club - Do You Love Me?: Play Now

(Toronto) A couple of weeks ago, Brendan Canning issued a statement that a copy of his new CD, Something For All Of Us…, had been leaked (release date July 22nd). As I read this news flash, I was listening to what I believe was said leaked version. Uh oh.

The thing is that CD leaks happen all the time. But for Brendan, this time it is different because the leaked songs are unmastered, meaning they aren’t finished yet. As an artist, this is a big deal. As some of you may know, I make short films. If for some reason, an early cut of my latest flick got released or screened before it was finished, I would be pissed, mortified and heads would roll. When I went back and listened to my newly acquired Brendan Canning songs again, it all felt and sounded different knowing that the songs might not be as good as they could be. The last thing I want to do is piss off Brendan and his Broken Social Scene thugs. That night I went to bed and had a dream where Brendan showed up at my door with Kevin Drew and the two of them gave me beard-belly burns until I coughed up my entire MP3 collection.

» Read the rest of the entry..

 

 Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning - Hit The Wall (2008): Play Now

If the Universe is in fact in Reverse The Infadels need to get Superman to spin it a little further back to the day they decided to record this album. What the heck were they thinking?

Their debut ‘We are not the Infadels’ was an amazing album, from the coked-up floor-stomper ‘Jagger ‘67′ to the trip-fantastic ‘Stories From The Bar’. These guys seemed to be heir apparent to Primal Scream (well their XTRMNTR phase anyways).

Before I started listening to Universe in Reverse this morning I thought ‘You guys better not fuck this up’…and guess what, they did. If you decide to get this album expecting something like XTRMNTR, you’re instead going to get Riot City Blues

What a disappointment.

1/5

 

 The Infadels - Free Things For Poor People: Play Now