A band not to miss :: Crystal Antlers

I couldn't be in Brooklyn last Friday to see Bjork, but i saw the next best thing here in Toronto. Was at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern with my friend Matthew to check out the Vivian Girls. They put on a stellar set. Who doesn't go weak in the knees for an all-girl band. The opening band though, the Crystal Antlers are one's to watch out for. With a mix of California Psychedelic and grunge with a pinch of Mexican punk, this band can only get better.

They are back in Toronto for NXNE so make sure not to miss them this time around.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Neufeld

Death :: This Band Was Punk Before Punk Was Punk

Death were a rare black power/punk trio from Detroit who released a single in 1975 and pretty much disappeared after that. The EP “...For The Whole World To See” released this year captures the height of their brief musical genius. This band is new to me, so this is a good history lesson for fans of punk and garage rock.

A great article was written in the New York times a few Sundays ago. Check out the full article here.

Now, all I want to do now is listen to Bowie and Velvet Underground all day.

Rock-n-Roll Victim
Politicians in my Eyes

Favorite Albums of 2008 :: Torche - Meanderthal

YES!! YES!! It's rare for a good metal album to come out nowadays. Being a metalhead at heart (don't hold it against me. I grew up in a small town where Shout at the Devil was a rite of passage). Saw these guys open for Boris at Lee's Palace last summer. Boris was awesome. If you haven't heard of them, well shame on you. Torche held up their end, and are not to be missed if you get a chance to see them live.

Who doesn't like a catchy riff now and then. File under stoner pop/thunder rock/doom pop.

Pirana
Sandstorm
Without a Sound

Favorite Albums of 2008 :: Foals - Antidotes (UK version)

Trendy haircuts aside, the young boys from Oxford put out a pretty catchy debut album. At their core, the Foals display a simplicity and jagged urgency that fans of Joy Division or The Cure should recognize.

Mathletics
XXXXX (Live At Liars Club, Nottingham, Feb 10th 2007)
The French Open (Live At Liars Club, Nottingham, Feb 10th 2007)

Favorite Albums of 2008 : Tobacco - Fucked Up Friends

Tom Fec of the Black Moth Super Rainbow releases his first solo album. 16 songs in just under 38 minutes. Short, but highly addictive.

Anyone that enjoys hypnotic and detached electronica will love this album. Bring it to your next house party.

Dirt (Featuring Aesop Rock)
Backwoods Altar
Grease Wizard