The Junos

Yes, I know, I'm late on the "writing about the Junos" boat. That's not going to stop me. Anyways, being a proud Canadian, I enjoy watching the Junos to see what Canadians are being recognized for their hard work. I must say, I was dissappointed. Nelly Furtado was the hostess of the evening, and it changed from the Junos to the Nelly Furtado show. Performers played one song, while she played a medley of 3 or 4. Furthermore, skits were filmed at an attempt to be funny. Guess what, they weren't quite as funny as they had hoped. It was alltogether a complete mess, people could not read the screen with their lines on it, unfunny skits, and Nelly Furtado is just not cut out for being a host of an awards show. There was one highlight though, DJ Champion from Montreal played. This performance was mindblowing. 1 singer, 4 guitarists, 1 bassist, and the DJ Champion (or Maxime Morin, if you want to get technical). Seriously, check out Chill 'Em All by DJ Champion if you want some good rocking techno music. I especially suggest the song No Heaven.
-Lucas Thurston

Yes, This Is My Singing Voice...

Yep, it's me being behind the times again, but I'm not sure how many Canadians (or Americans for that matter) know who Art Brut is. Yet another NME endorsed British indie-rock band, but these guys are different. Not only do they rock with no shame, but their singer is quite unique. He more talks than sings. No, not rap, but kind of David Byrne-esque. I suggest checking out the song Good Weekend for its hilarious lyrics about the singers new girlfriend and their antics.
-Lucas Thurston

K.C. Accidental

I'm pretty sure some of you have heard of Broken Social Scene. It's a supergroup of all the big people in the Canadian indie scene. Yet, before BSS was around the founders of the group, Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin, were KC Accidental. The name is pretty self-explanitory. K(evin)C(harles) Accidental. Anyways, if you can get your hands of either of their two albums, it will be worth it. Think Feel Good Lost by BSS, and you have K.C. Accidental.
-Lucas Thurston

300 or is it God Of War?

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing 300 on the big screen. You may be wondering, "Is this movie worth the $7.50?" The answer: yes. Very yes. The first fight scene is better than some whole action movies. What made me love this movie so much was the fact that it was made differently than most movies. You know those epic comic book panels with the sun shining through the clouds over top of the heroes on a tall cliff? This movies dwells on epic shots. The best comparison I can make to anything is to God Of War. It is pretty much the God Of War movie, just without pastey ol' Kratos. It had the best slow-motion battles ever, and some of the coolest blood I've seen in a movie. If you're a person who's not afraid of a little gore, and you're not turned off by pure awesome, then go. Now, no really, leave your computer and watch it. I'm not kidding...GO!!!
-Lucas Thurston

P.S. (go!)

Movie Suggestion: Babel

I just finished watching the movie Babel. Honestly, it is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. I found myself at points just starring at the beauty of the camera shots, instead of actually paying attention to the plot. The movie was a broken timeline that immaculately came together at the end. Long pan shots of lonely deserts in Morocco, beautiful scenes of a bustling Japanese city, I could have just watched the movie for its cinematography. But why would I want to that? That would result in missing the beautiful acting that everybody did. Anyone who wants to be a film-maker should watch this. The most interesting scene was when Chieko, a deaf Japanese teenager, was at a rave. The way unfocused lenses were used and crossfading, oh man, it was amazing. Also, I have never seen a strobe light used in a movie so well. If only Matrix: Reloaded had this good of a rave scene. Oh well.
-Lucas Thurston

March Already!

I nearly forgot, happy March 1st!!! Wooo! Just wanted to say that Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros has one of the most beautiful openings ever. Also go to: http://www.last.fm/user/2HourHiatus/ to see what music I listen to all the time. Au revoir.
-Lucas Thurston

2007 In Music

So I spent last night looking for information on the future of indie bands that I enjoy. Gladly, I discovered that either bands were recording, or releasing albums this year! Sigur Ros is recording, which makes me happy. They say that it may sound different than their other works. Rilo Kiley is planning to release a new album this year. Maximo Park is also releasing a new album. Yet, what intriuges me the most is the new Interpol album. Set for June 5th, it is yet untitled but the rumoured title is "Moderation". It's been nearly three years since they released the genius Antics and I am itching for some more of their odd style of indie rock.
-Lucas Thurston

Review: Sound Of Silver by LCD Soundsystem

Sound Of Silver by LCD Soundsystem

I don't know what the sound of silver is saying to James Murphy, but whatever it has been saying must have been good. I've been a fan of LCD Soundsystem for a while now. I first heard Daft Punk Is Playing In My House about two years ago, and I fell in love. The first album was a
great mix of different genres all infused with an electronic feel.
Now, when my friend told me that LCD Soundsystem was releasing a new, I got excited. The 45:33 album/EP (whatever) really caught my interest, so I was really prepared for a good album.
The Sound Of Silver starts off with Get Innocuous. The beginning beats somewhat resemble Losing My Edge from the first album. It builds for a while, some electronic sounds come in and a piano. When James Murphy starts to sing though, that's when this song gets good. He sounds like a 70's funk singer, it's genius.
Then there's the funky Time To Get Away smooth keyboard tones, and next there's the rock-oriented North American Scum. I really like this song, it seems to be about how people view North Americans and look down on them.
Someone Great is one of my favourites. It is actually taken straight out of 45:33. The melody and everything, very little is added to it besides lyrics. The vocals do add to the original and I find that the heavy electronic bassline really sticks in your head. In a good way, of course.
All My Friends is my favourite on the album, though there's nothing much to say. The pianos that remain throughout the song add a nice flair to a very electronic album. The lyric writing in this song really gets to me though, they seem so real and sincere. Also I love the reference to Pink Floyd when he says, "we set the controls for the heart of the sun".
Yet again, the funk is back in Us v Them. Fast crunchy guitar with complex percussion, yet it seems a little too similar to Time To Get Away just with guitar. Still, the cowbells make the song fun and listenable. Watch The Tapes is the weakest song on the album. It has an intro that is remiscient to early punk sounds, but it's really not enough to make me really like this song.
The title track Sound Of Silver is just weird. It starts off with Jimmy singing this odd intro, and then drums come in. It honestly the coolest opening on the album and the most original. This song is where you get the neat electronic house sounds, which makes it the most danciest song on the album.
Finally, we come to the closing track, New York I Love You. It is a love song to a city that is a bit of a burden on our fine musician and is definitly the Never As Tired As When I'm Waking Up of the album. It's a nice quiet ending to the abum, that just puts you back down on the ground after the crazy electronic noise of Sound Of Silver.
Ultimately, The Sound Of Silver is a more cohesive album than the first and is a must-have for fans of the original or people looking for a fun electronic album. I give it a 4 out of 5.
-Lucas Thurston