Friday, November 02, 2007
our hearts are cagey, but we're not wasting time
I do apologize for not mentioning that the Octoberman/Mohawk Lodge/Leah Abramson musical caravan returned home this week and played a celebratory show at the railway last night. I bet it was good. Leah played solo.
I, however, was at the ANZA for the Clips CD release. I won't go heavy on details, but Small Fame opened and it was pretty much what you would expect from a Dan Moxon fronted project. Less metal riffage than Bend Sinister. The Paper Cranes actually closed out the night, which was gracious of them, since the weeknight show date meant a lot of people called it a night rather early, and checked out after the Clips. Those early-to-bed people missed out on a pretty great set that was highlighted by a Jam cover.
The Clips, as you'd expect, came to party. They also filled the room with their friends, who gave them a proper album kick off.
You can check out my thoughts on their newie, Matterhorn (sort of), at Streethawk. Luisa also had a nice chat with Andrew and Edo: here.
Nardwuar's now been on the air for about 12 hours already. He'll rock the UBC SUB Ballroom tonight. It's all-ages and free.
Matt did his annual Hottest Canadian Bands Poll. It's not that I haven't been excited by a lot of Canadian acts this year, but I wouldn't exactly call them "hot." I felt a bit out of touch with the rest of the blogosphere, although 8 of my 9 picks made the list. Here's my ballot, if you were curious. Note the overuse of the word "someone" in the comments for AF:
There's a bunch of stuff going on this weekend. Get out there and at least look like you're having fun.
our hearts are cagey, but we're not wasting time
I haven't felt much like blogging in the last couple of days, though I'm sure you have found other, more superior methods of slacking off from work/school/vacation on other corners of the internet, so it's no biggie.
I do apologize for not mentioning that the Octoberman/Mohawk Lodge/Leah Abramson musical caravan returned home this week and played a celebratory show at the railway last night. I bet it was good. Leah played solo.
I, however, was at the ANZA for the Clips CD release. I won't go heavy on details, but Small Fame opened and it was pretty much what you would expect from a Dan Moxon fronted project. Less metal riffage than Bend Sinister. The Paper Cranes actually closed out the night, which was gracious of them, since the weeknight show date meant a lot of people called it a night rather early, and checked out after the Clips. Those early-to-bed people missed out on a pretty great set that was highlighted by a Jam cover.
The Clips, as you'd expect, came to party. They also filled the room with their friends, who gave them a proper album kick off.
You can check out my thoughts on their newie, Matterhorn (sort of), at Streethawk. Luisa also had a nice chat with Andrew and Edo: here.
Nardwuar's now been on the air for about 12 hours already. He'll rock the UBC SUB Ballroom tonight. It's all-ages and free.
Matt did his annual Hottest Canadian Bands Poll. It's not that I haven't been excited by a lot of Canadian acts this year, but I wouldn't exactly call them "hot." I felt a bit out of touch with the rest of the blogosphere, although 8 of my 9 picks made the list. Here's my ballot, if you were curious. Note the overuse of the word "someone" in the comments for AF:
1. Feist
People who don't like Feist are the same people who don't like kittens and world peace and things like that.
2. Arcade Fire
Neon Bible isn't as good as Funeral, and I honestly haven't listened to either very much this year, but denying that they're "hotter" than someone like Crystal Castles or someone like that is a bit delusional, no?
3. Julie Doiron
She didn't win the Polaris Prize, but at least her record wasn't boring as hell. In fact, with her Eric's Trip colleagues backing her, it was anything but. I would've ranked her higher if the Trip reunion tour had actually made it further West than Ontario.
4. Sunset Rubdown
I was actually a bit underwhelmed by their live performance, but the record is pretty amazing. Plus, everyone always loses their shit over anything Spencer Krug does (rightfully so).
5. New Pornographers
Challengers is probably their weakest effort to date, but the first full scale tour with both Neko and Dan is worth celebrating.
6. Pride Tiger
The guys in this band have always been pretty integral parts of the scene here in Vancouver, but Pride Tiger is probably their first opportunity to reach a bigger audience. And by "bigger," I mean "huge." The Lucky Ones is full of the kind of no frills rock that could score them points with absolutely anybody who appreciates a good guitar riff.
7. Neil Young
Honestly, I haven't even heard Chrome Dreams II yet, but it's Neil Young.
8. Crystal Castles
If blogs were really as influential as people seem to think, these guys would be Daft Punk or something. They're not, but they're still pretty good.
9. Basia Bulat
I mean, just look at her. Of course she's hot. Only kidding. But if we want to talk about names that were on everyones lips, Basia's is probably right up there.
There's a bunch of stuff going on this weekend. Get out there and at least look like you're having fun.
Labels: lazy show recaps, paper cranes, small fame, the clips
3 Comments:
After the September New Pornos show, I've listened to Challengers a lot.
It's now my favorite NP album *ever*, and one of the best albums I've heard this year.
By 
, at
4:03 p.m.
psst - New Porns toured with Dan and Neko back in 2005 as well.
By , at
10:34 a.m.
I thought they only did 4-5 dates
