Hey Rosetta! and Stars - Danforth (Feb 12/15)

Hey Rosetta!

Disclaimer: As if Hey Rosetta weren't already one of my favourite Canadian bands they went and put out a disc to rival all others last year and this was my first time to experience it live.

The performance was brilliant, a perfect weight of new and old, soft and hard, build and break. It can take years and years for bands to reach this height and Hey Rosetta has been at it for quite awhile now and having started strong seem to only be improving. What a spectacular show through and through. Although it seemed like it was supposed to end earlier, technically being an opener, it just kept going as if it were a double bill. That really wasn't a problem especially considering when I first saw these two on the same bill (Feb 2010, Vancouver) Torq came out so impressed that he stated "well that's the last time those guys open for us" predicting that they were going places.

Tim is the focal point of the group but let's be honest - all seven musicians are extremely skilled in their own right. From the intro that led into Second Sight's cleverly titled opening track Soft Offering (For the Oft Suffering) with its percussion and keys into the next album cut, Gold Teeth it was on. Utilizing a second reverb mic Tim also used the acoustic for this. Breaking into the back catalog with a surging rendition of Yer Spring that had a badass bass line and extended outro they then dialed it in with an acoustic What Arrows, also changing up their instruments halfway through the tune. Seeds was the next effort before they came back with a Second Sight highlight in Neon Beyond that I assumed would be the closer due to its crashing ending. I was far off though as Cathedral Bells showed off both acoustic and electric guitar solos before the absolutely stunning Harriet - my personal new favourite even before this hair-raising rendition. They weren't done as the rollercoaster of Red Heart totally brought it down but no! there's more! Kintsukuroi truly was the set closer. And boy, oh boy, what a set!

Stars
Yet again Stars reminded me why I have practically lost count of their shows that I have attended. With confidence and charisma they charmed their way through a dazzling set, they have which experience to know the sweet spot between new tracks and old faves. I may not be over the moon about their latest release, No One is Lost, but it translated better coming direct from their fingertips and mouths. Actually Trap Door, the current radio single, hadn't really caught my attention until I stood in front of Torq laying it bare and with rapt attention realized its strength. When they pulled out perhaps their marquee Elevator Love Song from breakout Set Yourself on Fire, the he-sang, she-sang still hit all the emotional cues while the weird bass line made it just different enough to be extra interesting. Some of the strongest moments came from their Bedroom album which I recently revisited on vinyl and think despite liking it on initial release that I have been undervaluing it since. Take Me to the Riot is a fantastic call to arms while Up in our Bedroom was also endearing. Torq didn't spout off too much which is almost a disappointment for no matter what he says he is thoughtful and passionate and entertaining. (I was waiting for a 'Fuck Harper' that didn't arrive.) The set was brimming and bright and while the encore was compact it was still great and what Stars fan doesn't want to relive their breakups courtesy of Your Ex Lover is Dead?

Hey Rosetta/Royal Canoe workshop - Hillside Sunday (July 27/14)

There's a possibility for greatness with every workshop. Putting two or three competent groups of musicians together to see what happens has the potential for greatness, yet often falls flat without cultivation. This set did have a great deal of thought put into it as apparently Hey Rosetta and Royal Canoe had burned up each other's inboxes as they narrowed down what they would do. Twitter had tipped it off but off the top of the set it seemed like the tweet had been a ruse since they were going back and forth, just assisting on the other's tunes like a pretty standard workshop. Then it began, as they all took their places and broke into it - Abbey Road,side B. It may not have been note for note, and wasn't mean to be, but had obviously been rehearsed. As it went on, without stopping, the swelling of good vibes grew. Somehow people were still seated partway through until finally a few in the crowd couldn't bear it anymore and jumped up - everyone else followed. It was rousing and uplifting and by the time it wound to a close there were grins on faces all around. The frontmen, Tim Baker and Matt Peters, realizing there were still a few minutes left after they had finished and walked off to thunderous applause, hopped back up. I was hoping for the beloved Hey Rosetta Graceland cover but instead it was another short, silly cover that almost would have been better skipped as Abbey Road was tough to beat.

Top Albums 2011

A helluva year for music in my opinion. Decembers past I've struggled to fill out a Top 10 but not this year! No sir. An explosion of greatness that forced my hand to expand. I suppose taking the train to work really lengthened my music-appreciation time. My intentions weren't for any set number but these twenty-five were all legitimately in my ears and in my head at some point throughout this year.

1. Kids & Explosions – Shit Computer
   Shit Computer hit me from the first time I heard the opener and since that time way back in January (technically a December 2010 release, shh) I still haven’t gotten enough of this album. There is so much going on that I’m sure undiscovered nuances remain. A true soundtrack for the attention-deficit disorder generation this genre-melding piece is unrelenting from start to finish, never sounding tired or derivative (despite deriving 100% of its content from other sources). If you thought you loved Girl Talk but it wasn’t quite spastic enough, check Kids & Explosions.
   PWYC Download (ie:$0 if ya want)
   
   
2. Braids – Native Speaker
   Unlike almost anything else out there this young group goes well beyond their years to craft an album that is fresh, creative, intriguing but also wholly enjoyable. There is a slight challenge here but it is worth every effort to get into it. The effects are used at times to the point of confusion as a listener but it is this building and shifting that demands attention and deserves it. A breathy injection of fresh air into the Canadian indie scene.
   
   
3. Library Voices – Summer of Lust
   The promise shown on Library Voices’ Hunting Ghosts and Other Collected Shorts EP was huge, and coupled with their fantastic live shows expectations were lofty for their first full-length. That was why Denim on Denim was actually a disappointment, despite the inclusion of Haunt this House. To me it had the feeling of being rushed through the production phase, as was admitted by the band. A little faith and only a year later the Summer of Lust was unleashed upon us and it was all I that had been dreamt of. Danceable beats, singable choruses, literary references, and overall catchy songs out the yahoo - it has it all. A little patience and the reward is this “pop-as-fuck” gem.
   
   
4. Dan Mangan – Oh Fortune
   Outsiders may not have predicted that this would be the next logical step for Dan Mangan’s follow-up to his long-brooding Nice, Nice, Very Nice breakthrough but now that it’s here we all agree that it was the way to go. A much fuller, orchestral sound that swirls all around his still focal gruff vocals. It hits on many levels. The top-notch songwriting remains and is filled out by the splendid band it was written with. The power of Post-War Blues very nearly matches its incredible live intensity. And just try to listen to Rows of Houses and not be moved by that voice and the strength of the music that sweeps it along. Oh Fortune required slightly more patience than its predecessor but the dividends pay off in time with this new masterpiece.
   
   
5. Imaginary Cities – Temporary Resident
   Another album that is difficult to put a finger on exactly what makes it so gosh darn enjoyable. The lead female vocals are unique and pleasant. The songs themselves are well-written, well-played. The album isn’t in-your-face but it definitely has some weight to it that it carries right through. As a whole there isn’t really a fault to be found and trust me, I’ve listened to it through enough times to know.
   
   
6. Kidstreet – Fuh Yeah
   I didn’t know Kidstreet before they made their veer towards electro dance and it probably would have stayed that way. Suffice it to say that I’m very pleased this trio of siblings made this change so they could produce the X EP that led directly to this very similar debut, Fuh Yeah. (Only complaint is that they did not include the super fun Spin Twirl). It could be argued that their position on this list is unfair as I first discovered their music as an opening act, and it was only after having already been impressed by this show that I got a hold of the recorded songs. That may be true but as fun as their dance parties are there still needs to be substance to the music -that fun needs to translate to disc. Both of these things are here of course, hence why I’ve been dancing to it both in the concert hall and in my bedroom all year.
   
   
7. Classified – Handshakes and Middle Fingers
   Class has been on a long arcing upward trajectory, not only in mainstream popularity but also in quality. Since he’s been on my radar I’ve enjoyed his work though often pulling a selection of repeatable tracks from an album whereas Handshakes strikes deftly off the top and carries this momentum through. Sure he’s had his novelties –  Canadian anthem-sampling raps, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure – but here he comes through as adamant and authentic. That Ain’t Classy is perhaps his most commercial sounding song, but the fact that it is so polished is not a knock but a compliment to his beat-making and production skills. Sampling throwbacks like the Danger Bay theme song or giving industry advice are ways for Luke to not only allow his creativity to shine but also to keep the long-player sounding fresh throughout. Kudos to Classified for this album, through and through.
   
   
8. Wildlife – Strike Hard, Young Diamond
   I’ve admitted before that I’m all for a hook – I live for the catch. Pure catchiness wrapped up here leaning more toward pop-Wolf-Parade rather than other local earworm heros, TPC. One of the first up-and-coming Toronto bands (despite having been in the game a surprisingly long time) I dug soon after I “moved to the city” myself. Enough single-worthy tunes packed on this record to have me singing along for months.
   
   
9. Rich Aucoin – We’re All Dying to Live
   How do you capture bouncing under a parachute with Rich Aucoin in the sweatiest dance party this side of Daft Punk? Why invite twenty-two million friends to each add a drip of energy to a pop/dance album for the ages! I don’t know all the intimate details of the production of the album but it is damn near the closest I could conceive of capturing the energy of a Rich Aucoin show on record. In fact it is better than I’d originally imagined. The multitude of tracks stream by in a fun fury and before you know it hundreds of people are chatting in your living room and you’re ready to start this thing over again from the top. Not just a one-man dance party any longer!
   
   
10. Airplane Boys – Where’ve You Been
    Seemingly coming out of nowhere this mixtape has some inexplicable magnetism that drew me back again and again. The sample choices, perhaps obvious but done in respectable fashion, included such megastars as The Arcade Fire and Radiohead but the flow laid atop makes 'em unique. As an introduction to this Toronto-based duo I can only hope that the promise comes to fruition.
    Free Full Download!
    
    
11. Hey Rosetta - Seeds
    It is unfair to try and stack this up against Into Your Lungs considering how much I loved that album (see Top Albums 2008). Alas 2011 seemed to be the year for ever-so-slightly lesser second contributions from bands whose previous albums I’d fallen fast for (ex from this list:RAA, Dan Mangan, Arkells, Dodos). Despite this I still really enjoyed this album and spun it a tonne trying to have it attain the Into Your Lungs levels that it could just not quite reach. Seeds is a solid tune. Yer Spring is a friggin’ fantastic song. Bandages was already stellar even before that yearn-for-the-Rock video they created. Need I mention the songwriting on Welcome? Separately or the sum of its parts, this offering still deserves its accolades.
    
    
12. Austra – Feel It Break
    Katie Stelmanis’ voice is a national treasure. In previous incarnations it never seemed to get full exposure but here its operatic quality shines and accentuates her technical abilities. Lose It would be in the running for track of the year, but it is far from the only gem found here.
    
    [Not that those below weren't worthy of a written review, but my intentions were only ten before I scrolled through my library again and bumped two totally forgotten but absolutely beloved records in.]
    
    
13. Architecture in Helsinki – Moment Bends (AUS)
14. Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing
15. Arkells – Michigan Left
16. Noah23 – Fry Cook On Venus
17. TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light (USA)
18. Elliott Brood – Days Into Years
19. Dodos – No Colour (USA)
20. Hooded Fang – Tosta Mista
21. Les Jupes – Modern Myths
22. The Streets – Computers and Blues (UK)
23. Sunparlour Players – Us Little Devils
24. Handsome Furs - Sound Kapital
25. Bruce Peninsula – Open Flames
    
    
    *All artists Canadian unless otherwise indicated*

Discovered in 2011

Chilly Gonzales - Ivory Tower
A late discovery. I wanted to hate this album and some of its terrible and provocative lyrics from the beginning. Yet in the end I couldn't stop spinning it. Even though he put out a new album in 2011, it was this 2010 disc that I kept returning to.

Bands to Watch 2012

I don't even know what they are specifically up to, but I know that I discovered these in 2011 and hope that more and more people discover them in 2012.

Birthday Girls
Hardcore outta Ottawa with a promising EP. True to their word, the self-described influences of DFA79 and Bloc Party (two of my faves of the early oughts) can be heard.

Airplane Boys
Toronto duo with a banging mixtape (a la Drake) and huge potential for a big market. I'd say they should take off, but that'd be a bad pun.
(Follow link for free album!)

Born Gold
Probably a smart name change (from Gobble Gobble), the rumour of their live show won't be lost because of it. Couple that with infectious indie electro that you can shake to and these guys have a good thing goin.
(Follow link for free album!)

Hey Ocean!
This late-'11 album is almost too good. It's pure, polished pop that goes down smooth. You make me wanna make a new dance up!

Humans
I think this EP I found on Spotify was actually from 2010 but I couldn't get enough of it. I hope there's more to come!

You can check out my Top Albums lists dating back to 2002 on my previous Vernacular blog

Hey Rosetta (Edge 102, June 27, 2011)

Being a Live @ The Edge event my expectations were tempered but the crowd of fifty or so down at Sugar Beach received a worthwhile performance. Without much ado, besides an on-air introduction Tim began strumming his guitar and the other five that round out Hey Rosetta broke in. It was a fully acoustic set that was unique from that aspect but reduced the extremes that HR work so well, from quiet to crashing. Young Glass and Welcome included cello and drums, the latter being brushed for the most part, with the rocking drum solo replaced by mambo to fit the small, acoustic feel. Tim's excellent voice stood out clearly from this backdrop. As an added bonus for those of us who trekked down after work they did a third tune off air, Bandages, with a pared down set of instruments. Although it felt more like a teaser than a show it was still well worth its while. 

Hey Rosetta reap from their Seeds at Lee's (Feb. 23)

Photo Credit: Domenico Di Mondo. Thanks!

Hey Rosetta played the first of two, back-to-back sold out nights at Lee's Palace in support of their new release Seeds. Really they are a band to be seen live so after a week with the album it was about time to see what they could do with it. As it turns out they can do a heckuva lot!

They emerged through the darkness to album interlude Downstairs playing, which serves as a welcome to the song Welcome. How fitting. (Wait 'til you read what song they played last... it's as if they plan their music around the live show. Oh right, they probably do.) Well, on Welcome the septet were spot on and there's not much more to say than that the musicianship from this band is stellar. Highly regarded amongst them are the two lovely female violinists who looked almost heavenly as they were backlit during their solo in Yer Spring. An interesting change-up they went to an oldie in Another Pilot, tenderly plucking the first half before reverting to the crashing version Plan Your Escape fans know. Following There's an Arc was another new track that we were here to see, Yer Fall, with its fat bass line midway through, upon which they layer instrumentation and build to an epic crescendo. However it was the next song that totally hit the mark, with no fancy changes or solos, Young Glass was simply outstanding (and I do mean outstanding in its simplicity.)

The latter half of the set focused less on Seeds, and instead included renditions of I've Been Asleep for a Long, Long Time (amusingly going quiet for the note of the word "quiet"), We Made a Pact, and Swing the Cellar Door. Tim was absolutely entertaining during the latter as he roamed the stage in a very emotive fashion while cupping the mic with both hands, and the band playing an extended outro.

They did however include the title/opening track, Seeds, which is one of the songs from the new album that they've been playing the longest. And it only seems to get better with age - that mandolin intro, and the full-band-except-Tim-and-bass percussion, (this time including the clapping of two pieces of wood) - all before the dramatic, lights-out pause.... and then absolutely hammering home the closing!

How could you possible top that? By going to an old favourite? A sing-along? A jamming extended finale that Hey Rosetta is known for? A Red Heart!

The band left the stage absolutely beaming at the outpouring of love from the capacity crowd. We knew they'd be back but cheered as if it was only a remote possibility anyway.

A rendition of the Red Songs EP/Seeds acoustic closer, Bandages calmed us with its beauty and optimism (and xylophone). However it was short lived as we were only riled up again as Tim introduced the female lead from opening band, Gramercy Riffs, and she joined them onstage for a first-half-true-to-form, second-half-in-true-Hey-Rosetta-fashion cover of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time. Pure fun!

That closing track I mentioned earlier, of course, was New Goodbye. Appropriate, for it was a send-off from a show that featured plenty of new material and really succeeding in bringing the slow-burning sophomore album to life. After taking it in live I feel that I can now more fully appreciate the album and relish the thought of listening to it through fresh ears, with vivid memories to accompany it. Yes, their concerts are that good!