Unintentional Canada Special!
Not sure how this happened, but there you go. From that lovely bit at the top of America, it’s always a pleasant surprise to hear music from Canada as it always seems to be that teensy bit different to anything that anyone else is doing at the time. Maybe it’s the way that a lot of these artists and records are funded (lots of Governmental assistance, which is always a nice thing to do), maybe because it’s a little bit cold most of the time, or maybe it’s just that endearing little way that the word “about” is pronounced, but something seems to drive these hardy folk to constantly reinvent their musical outlook with every new project they take on. And hats off to the lot of you for it.
From the "When Up Turns to Down" EP
Doughboys – When Up Turns To Down
My favourite band turns out yet another pearler, with this slightly more rocky affair than other songs in their canon but filled with far more hooks than is strictly necessary, including a gloriously enormous one right at the end. This is a band who never really turned their not inconsiderable musical influence into the success they deserved, but who leave a legacy of some brilliant music behind – and this EP is as good a place to start for anyone wondering what on Earth I’m wittering on about.
From "Black Blood"
Bionic – Econo Tusk/Freedom Now Baby!
A cheeky pairing from this constantly-evolving outfit, where a marching band have a quick stab at Fleetwood Mac’s ’79 experimental platter’s title track before launching into the sort of song that can only be described in terms that include the words “blistering” and “fun”. Bionic have had a bash at a few noisy styles over the years, and it’s a crying shame that they aren’t more widely recognised for being so good at all of them that they have employed so far.
From the "The Day Everything Became Nothing" EP
Nomeansno – Brother Rat/What Slayde Says
The grand old dames of all things musically Canadian, the Brothers Wright have been plugging away with the sort of energy and anger that puts almost everyone else to shame, all done with a rhythmic tightness that I suppose would come naturally to any siblings who have played together for as long as Rob and John have.
This isn’t their usual type of thing, but segues nicely from an increasingly-dark staccato drum/vocal interplay into an angry, noisy, folky tune with the sort of swinging bassline that holds the song together perfectly with its hypnotic simplicity. One of their more accessible songs, it’s one of those unique moments that take me right back to the time when I first heard it.
From "Katorz"
Voivod – Mr Clean
When I was younger, Voivod were one of those bands who I would listen to constantly, and who continued to surprise and amaze with each new album, although they seemed to have this uncanny knack of being just slightly out of step with everyone else so that when they hit their creative and musical peak with the mellow thrash of Nothingface, everyone had already buggered off and was listening to Mudhoney instead. I sort of dropped out when Snake departed (although their cover of King Crimson’s 21st Century Schizoid Man from that period is an utter jaw-dropper) and it took a genuine tragedy to bring me back into the fold. I don’t usually get that bothered when artists or members of bands I enjoy pass on, but it was really upsetting when Voivod guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour lost his long-running battle against cancer a few years ago. This album (and subsequent – and presumably final – Infini record) was constructed after Denis’ death from riffs and ideas he recorded onto his laptop and bequeathed to his bandmates, and they made something outstanding from his parting gift, putting him at the centre of everything on Katorz as if he was still there. This song is a cautionary tale about excluding and alienating sections of society with the inevitable consequences, showing that the band are using what their fallen comrade has left them to continue their socially aware stance. Musically powerful, and with a brilliant sentiment holding it all together.
From "In Good Time"
Carnations – Brushcut
I include the Carnations not just because I love this album, and not just because Brushcut is as fine a piece of early ’80s-influenced New Wave guitar pop. I include this because this is the only Carnations album I have ever been able to get a hold of, and hold out hope that if I mention them enough times, then someone will point me in the direction of a shop where more can be bought. Until that eventuality occurs, I’m happily stuck with this one.
Related posts:
Recent Comments