December 31, 2014

New Year's Eve

What can you post for New Year's Eve? I mean, considering the fact that pretty much no one is going to be looking at this blog on New Year's Eve. And I've already posted the typical "New Year's Day" by U2 and "The New Year" by Death Cab for Cutie and I've already done my best songs of the year list. I've even done the throwback to The Phoenix in the 90s of "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails.

So I started thinking, what's a song that I would love to hear just after the clock strikes 12 times and the ball drops and I drink my annual glass of champagne and I try to share herpes with some friends and loved ones? One song popped to mind that I've featured numerous times on this site and played literally dozens of times and it always brings joy to my heart and sometimes a tear to my eye.

Here's to hoping for a 2015 as beautiful as Broken Social Scene's "7/4 Shoreline".

Happy New Year!

December 30, 2014

Wolf Alice

North London's Wolf Alice are an alternative rock band whose songs have been hitting my ears the right way. I thought I'd share some with you, just before we embark on a new year. Check out some great tunes, recorded live in studio. They all appear on their 2014 EP Creature Songs.

"Moaning Lisa Smile"

"Storms"

"We're Not The Same"

"Heavenly Creatures"

Pic from Facebook.

December 29, 2014

Pkew Pkew Pkew (Gunshots) at The Horseshoe

Pkew Pkew Pkew (Gunshots) at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Who better than local party band Pkew Pkew Pkew (Gunshots) to warm up the crowd for The Hold Steady's second two nights celebrating the 67th birthday of The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern? These guys play sing-along party tunes with tons of energy. I think it would be impossible to leave a Pkew X3 show in a bad mood. The whole band sings along so why shouldn't the rest of us? By the end of the set, everyone was joining in on the fun. It's great party music.

They're working on an album, so that's good news. I can't wait to hear it and I wish them tons of success.
Pkew Pkew Pkew (Gunshots) at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Check out some of Pkew's tunes:

"Glory Days" and "Let's Order A Pizza"

"Mid 20s Skateboarder"
"Bloodclot"

"Asshole Pandemic"

Pkew Pkew Pkew (Gunshots) at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures

December 28, 2014

The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe

The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
I've never seen a setlist posted before a show before. In all honesty I don't know if I've ever checked before. According to this pre-show setlist posted to setlist.fm, The Hold Steady was going to play all of their 2008 release Stay Positive followed presumably by a bunch more tunes from across their catalogue. Sounded good to me. All in all, I was pretty excited to see one of the greatest rock bands around in the intimate confines of The Horseshoe Tavern. It was the last night of the band's four-night stand to celebrate the 67th birthday of The Horseshoe. And it was going to be, pardon me, a massive night.
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
When the band took to the stage, frontman and creative force Craig Finn informed us that the theme of the night was to be "whatever the fuck we want". So much for the posted setlist. Out the window. Everyone in attendance seemed to be perfectly fine with this approach to the set and we were off and running with the awesome "Ask Her For Adderall". This was going to be a fun ride.
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Since The Hold Steady was here for four shows over four days to celebrate the birthday of a Canadian live music institution, they treated the audiences to a different Canadian cover each night. What were we going to hear on this final night? Well, the answer turned out to be all of the covers they'd previously played, plus a special new reveal. After a handful of Hold Steady classics, we go to hear their rendition of Japandroids' "Continuous Thunder". Awesome. A bunch of tunes later, we got the cover of Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down", which I always hear in my head as sung by Annie Lennox for the film American Beauty. The boys put yet another spin on the tune that was equally compelling. The encore kicked off with the new cover, which I think only us old guys were really acquainted with; Bryan Adams' 1983 Canadian classic "Cuts Like A Knife". They quickly followed that up with "Young Lions" by The Constantines. Great picks of recent and classic Canadian songs. Nice touch.
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
The show closed with "Killer Parties" and the audience being invited to invade the stage. What a way to end a four day residency celebrating the 67th birthday of an iconic Toronto venue. I know I was totally satisfied by this great show and I have a funny feeling so was everyone else who attended any of the four nights - or all of the four nights, as many of the super dedicated Hold Steady fans had done.
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Here are a bunch of highlights from the setlist. Since all the tunes are technically highlights, I guess the tunes below are the highlights' highlights.

They opened with the powerhouse "Ask Her For Adderall" from 2008's Stay Positive

"Sequestered in Memphis" from Stay Positive

"Rock Problems" from 2010's Heaven is Whenever

"Navy Sheets" from Stay Positive

One of my absolute top favourite Hold Steady songs, "Stuck Between Stations", from 2006's Boys And Girls In America

Another massive highlight in the form of "Chips Ahoy" from Boys And Girls In America

"Constructive Summer" from Stay Positive. How many "double whiskey, coke, no ice" do you think were ordered that night?

"Massive Nights". Indeed. This one originally appeared on Boys And Girls In America

Singalong "Southtown Girls" from Boys And Girls In America

"Your Little Hoodrat Friend" from 2005's Separation Sunday

"Stay Positive" from the album of the same name. The lyric "early 7 Seconds taught me some of life's most valuable lessons" always make me think of that guy back in high school gave me a tape of New Wind. Definitely a musically eye opening album.

And they closed with "Killer Parties" 2004's Almost Killed Me.

And didja notice that they didn't play anything from their most recent album Teeth Dreams?
The Hold Steady at The Horseshoe Tavern December 13, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures

December 27, 2014

The National's Christmas Magic

Here's The National with "Christmas Magic" from Bob's Burgers. Hope you're still enjoying some seasonal magic.


Pic from Facebook.

December 26, 2014

A Sunny Day in Glasgow with Shut Your Mouth, It's Christmas

In Canada, the day after Christmas is Boxing Day. From a shopping perspective, it's kind of like Black Friday. If you're still feeling in the Christmas spirit, here's A Sunny Day in Glasgow with the tune "Shut Your Mouth, It's Christmas".



Pic from Facebook.

December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas from Dum Dum Girls

Many bands release Christmas tunes. This year one of those bands is Dum Dum Girls. Here's the tune "On Christmas". Happy holidays!

December 24, 2014

Christmas Joy from Mark Kozelek

Fountain of peace and joy Mark Kozelek released a Christmas album called Mark Kozelek Sings Christmas Carols. So since it's Christmas Eve here are "2,000 Miles", "O Come All Ye Faithful" and from A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Christmas Time Is Here".




December 23, 2014

Public Animal at The Garrison

Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesPublic Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesPublic Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Public Animal became my new favourite band when I saw them open for Supersuckers at The Horseshoe. Habitat Animal was already in my collection and the songs quickly became some of my favourites, but seeing the band live cemented everything. They shined. They rocked. They sounded fantastic.
Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesPublic Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
The songs made a strong impression featuring highly on my Favourite Albums and Favourite Songs lists for 2014 and they hold the top spot in my Favourite Canadian Bands of the year. Pretty high praise, even if it is only from me. I was excited to see the band again, this time headlining at The Garrison on December 12. I even brought a few friends along to experience the band, one of whom had discovered them recently, too, and was equally impressed.
Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
This particular show was a volume assault that tested the capacity of he sound system. Hard rock music like the music created by Public Animal relies on volume. Lots of volume. And I like it. But there's a point when there might be too much volume. Or I might, as the saying goes, be too old. I think Public Animal tested those volume limits. It was still a fantastic show by one of the best bands playing these days but the volume took some of the quality out of the music. I still wholeheartedly recommend the band and will be out to see them again but next time I'll hope for a little tiny bit of restraint with the stage volume and at the soundboard. Or stronger earplugs.

If you haven't heard it, I recommend hitting play and soaking up all of Habitat Animal and new single "Stolen Eyes".


Public Animal at The Garrison December 12, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures

December 22, 2014

Never before heard Broken Social Tune Golden Facelift

Broadsheet Music: A Year in Review is a compilation album that seeks to answer the question, "What would 2014 sound like in music?" One of the notable things about this compilation is that it features a previously unreleased Broken Social Scene track from the Forgiveness Rock Record sessions called "Golden Facelift".

The track shows huge dynamic shifts and magical melodies and hooks that BSS is known for. Give it, and the rest of the compilation a listen below, and download it for free from The Globe & Mail. The compilation features lots of other cool Canadian artists like Reuben and the Dark, Brendan Canning, Zeus, Jason Collett, and Fucked Up, along with Canadian Opera Company singers on some songs.

December 21, 2014

Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's

Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesBloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
I caught Bloody Diamonds opening for Little Foot Long Foot's Woman EP release at Cherry Cola's on December 6. I came away impressed with this Halifax duo's songs and performance. Sara Elizabeth's powerful and soulful voice combines beautifully with Jake Seaward's heavy riffs and percussion. They sum up their influences fairly well in their bio, naming acts like Black Sabbath and Band of Skulls. I'm looking forward to seeing this duo again and can only imagine how powerful they would be with a full band behind them.
Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesBloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Here are some tunes that they played at the show, all from their dĆ©but album They've Got Secrets.

"Twisted"

"They've Got Secrets"

"I'm Not A Machine"

They have some more recent releases on their bandcamp and there are some clips on Youtube. Here's "Monsters"

And their latest tune, "Nightmare"

Bloody Diamonds at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures

December 20, 2014

Little Foot Long Foot: Woman EP release party at Cherry Cola's

Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesLittle Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
I discovered Little Foot Long Foot during Indie Week 2013. I thought they were a fantastic blues/rock band with tons of talent, especially their singer/guitarist Joan Smith, who has a powerful voice and rocks on the guitar. When I heard they had a new EP titled Woman coming out and they were doing a release party at Cherry Cola's, I just had to be there.
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesLittle Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesLittle Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot did not disappoint. Their tight set was high in energy and musicianship from start to finish and I don't think I was the only one left wanting more. The tunes are all riffs and emotional vocals, taking classic influences and rolling them up in a unique package. The new EP has made a quick impression on me, coming in at number 9 on my Favourite 25 Albums of 2014, while "Woman" and "Mess" made it into my Favourite 60 Songs of 2014 at numbers 8 and 41 respectively. Of course, Little Foot Long Foot featured on my Top 10 Canadian Bands of 2014, too. Needless to say, I love this band and can't wait to see them again.
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography picturesLittle Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
Little Foot Long Foot at Cherry Cola's December 6, 2014 Photo by John at One In Ten Words oneintenwords.com toronto indie alternative music blog concert photography pictures
They opened with "The Worst" from the new EP and included tunes from their 2009 dĆ©but Harsh Words, their 2011 album Oh, Hell, their 2013 single Bridge Concerns and of course, more from Woman. Of course, "Kickface", which featured on season one of Orange Is The New Black, was a highlight. At the end of the set, Colin MacDonald, the producer of Woman and singer for The Trews joined the band on stage for the EP's title track. Great set. Great night. Great band.

Now take a listen to this incredibly talented band's amazing music:

"Neko Case Hate Fucks Kurt Cobain" (that's quite a visual, isn't it?)

"Bridge Concerns"

"Kickface"

"Mess"

"Woman"

December 19, 2014

Video for St. Vincent's Birth In Reverse

Just after I put St. Vincent's brilliant eponymous album on my Favourite 25 Albums of 2014 list and the song "Birth In Reverse" at number 16 on my Favourite 60 Songs of 2014, she releases a cool video for that very song.

It's a cool clip that highlights Annie Clark's guitar prowess. If you get the chance, go see her live because her guitar playing comes across even more powerfully from the stage. As I put it in my post on her show at NXNE, "Her unique phrasing and off kilter but wonderfully brown riffs and sounds makes her a new kind of guitar hero for a new generation of guitarists."

So there.

December 18, 2014

Best of: Top 10 Canadian Bands from 2014

Another great year for music? Check

Another great year for Canadian music? Check

Here's a list of the 10 awesome Canadian artists that appear on my Favourite 60 Songs of 2014 list and my Favourite 25 Albums of 2014 list.

Public Animal "Careful" and "High Pony"




The Balconies "Boys and Girls", "The Slo" and "Do It In The Dark"





Lowell "The Bells", "Cloud 69" and "Palm Trees"



Little Foot Long Foot "Woman" and "Mess"


Mounties "Headphones" and "Pretty Respectable"




The New Pornographers "Dancehall Domine" "Brill Bruisers"


The Pack A.D. "Big Shot"

The C'Mons "Only Ghost" They're currently on hiatus, but they're one of two great discoveries at 2013's Indie Week (along with Little Foot Long Foot). I love their EP Places and am hoping for great things from them upon their return.


Death From Above 1979 "Trainwreck 1979"

Stars "From The Night"