On not totally dismissing the band Fucked Up

I surprised myself by enjoying most of Fucked Up's new rock opera/concept album, David Comes to Life. I didn't love it top to bottom, and it's not something I'll be listening to all the time, but there were a few standout tracks, including this one:



The non-stop scream-singing isn't usually my cup of tea, but for whatever reason I dig it on this song. The gruff vocals contrasting with the melodic instrumentation sells it for me.
You can also grab this disc, as well as their previous effort, the Polaris Prize nominated The Chemistry of Common Life, at the at the Toronto Public Library.

Polaris 2011 Long list announced

2011 Shortlist

Arcade Fire made the best album, but they've already taken home Grammy hardware this year.  My pick would be outstanding debut from The Weeknd.

I've only heard one other album, Austra's Feel It Break, and let me tell you, I am shocked to see it on the short list.  Long list for sure, but seriously?  I've given the album a couple listens and it feels like B+ Ladytron, and possibly the weakest sounding synth I've ever heard open an album.

So there it is, two months to bone up on the other albums.  The Toronto Public Library has 9 of the 10 albums, so go on, help yourself!  Edit: 8 of 10, but you can get The Weeknd for free on their website

The library: Still awesome

I like to preach/rattle on about how awesome the Toronto Public Library system is, and here's yet another reason to love the service: A newly redesigned website.

Check out the blog section, specifically the music blog, 'Make Some Noise' with recommendations on buzzband and other popular artist CDs available in the system.

Reminder: For the time being, it's still legal to convert CDs to mp3s for your own personal use. Enjoy it while you still can!

Polaris Prize short list!

My friend Adam tipped me off about the 2009 Polaris Prize Short list. Junior Boys, Wolf Parade, and Japandroids have clearly been robbed, while the mediocre Metric gets a nod. I guess corporate sponsors have their way!

My vote from the bunch goes to Joel, by far, so far. Most of the discs are available at the Toronto Public Library, except for Elliot Brood. Blast.

At your fingertips

From blogto:

TPL's Overdrive

Neon lights a Nobel prize

Well played, CBC: Rock Band shortages sure to anger gamers.

"...disappointed and angry rock-star wannabes..."
"...bungle..."
"...total crap shoot..."
"...French-packaging requirements..."

The Bret Michaels Band is a bonus track. There were definitely a few people laughing when they signed off on this game. The inclusion of the Stone Roses almost makes it not-so-laughable. Almost.

Society continues to set record lows:
"The newest trend in nightclubs: guitaraoke" [CBC In Depth]


Real Guitar Hero chasers:

Some 200 Greatest Rock Guitar Albums
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? [audio CD, Toronto Public Library]
Neil Young - Decade [audio CD, Toronto Public Library]
Led Zeppelin - II [audio CD, Toronto Public Library]

The Harder They Come

Jimmy Cliff plays Ivanhoe Martin, the original gun-toting, drug-dealing, revenge-extracting, desperately destructive -- and self destructive -- musician/gangster (or gangster/musician). The Harder They Come is a tragic opera, a story of crime and street life in 70s' Kingston, Jamaica. The template for every wannabe -- and otherwise -- gangster/musician (or gangster/musician) since.

While the musical soundtrack is excellent, the audio restoration leaves something to be desired. The ADR is laughably sloppy in places, and the foley & other re-created sounds should have been left alone. Certainly the film didn't have a high budget, but there's so much nostalgia in all the blips, pops, crackles, and electrical hum that make up the rich aural tapestry of the source tape. Damn you, Criterion Collection. Damn you.

Things to watch for: Cliff with perpetually bloodshot eyes, and a couple other things. I'm not a spoiler.

Links:

The Harder They Come [imdb.com]
The Harder They Come (audio CD) [Toronto Public Library]
The Harder They Come (DVD) [Toronto Public Library]

Also:
Midnight Movies - From the Margin to the Mainstream [Wikipedia]