New Built to Spill

Back in late 2009, long before my ambitions of being a concert photographer, I saw Built to Spill live at Lee's Palace. However, I did write about it.

Now Built to Spill have a new album called Untethered Moon coming out April 21. They'll be releasing the album on vinyl for Record Store Day on April 18. Of course, the album release will be followed by a tour. These guys are incredible live so be sure to check them out when they hit your town or a festival near you.

Check out the two tunes from the new album that have been released so far:

"Living Zoo"

"Never Be The Same"


Pic from Facebook.

Radiohead - the Bends is 20

Radiohead's second album The Bends came out 20 years ago. It's widely regarded as one of the best albums ever and it's certainly one of my all time favourites. Many people have summarized the significance and wide-ranging influence of this album better than I ever could so I'll just put up some of my favourites from this alternative music classic. I focused on live versions for most of these tunes.

The full album:

"Planet Telex"

"The Bends" from Jools Holland

"High and Dry" from Jools Holland

"Fake Plastic Trees"

"Bones"

"Just"

"My Iron Lung"

"Black Star"

"Street Spirit (Fade Out)"

Pic from Wikipedia.

New tune from The National - Sunshine On My Back

To coincide with the release of the Mistaken For Strangers documentary, The National have released a tune from the Trouble Will Find Me sessions, It features harmony vocals from Sharon Van Etten and has that cool, laid-back National vibe.

Classic Canadian Alternative: Doughboys

John Kaster's been in a lot of bands including The Asexuals, Doughboys, All Systems Go!, and he's released a solo album. It's all been pretty consistently awesome. Doughboys formed in Montreal in 1987 and became one of my favourite bands, delivering a power pop / punk / metal hybrid that just hit me the right way at the right time.

I somehow have it stuck in my head that guitarist Jonathan Cummins and Brendan Canning are brothers but I can't find any evidence of this on line. Let me know if you can confirm or deny this piece of info.

The Doughboy's 1993 album Crush is absolutely incredible. A classic from start to finish. And these guys were incredible to see live. I caught them at Lee's Palace, UofT, and in Vancouver.

"Shine"

"Melt"

"Disposable"

"Fix Me"

"Tearin' Away"

"Everything"

"Fall"

"End of the Hall"

"Summer Song"

"Shake it, Annie" from Bionic, Jonathan Cummins' band with Ian Blurton

Raketkanon with Florent

Raketkanon are a sludge/hardcore band from Ghent. I was recently turned on to the song and video for "Florent" from their latest release, RKTKN #2, recorded by Steve Albini.

Check it out:

Pic from Facebook.