Two words come to mind when listening to the deluxe edition of Speak, the latest from New York singer-songwriter Marla Mase: variety and confidence. Throughout this record these two traits complement each other, and Mase has them in spades. They work together to produce one of the most eclectic and exciting albums this reviewer has yet heard in 2013. read more
- A Primitive Evolution: The Prize by Eric Garneau
- Virgins Family Band: Honeylion by Eric Garneau
- Marla Mase: Speak (Deluxe Edition) by Eric Garneau
- Grown Up Avenger Stuff: Alive by Eric Garneau
- Tom Dyer: I Ain’t Blue Anymore by Eric Garneau
- Joan Torres’s All is Fused: Before by Eric Garneau
- Mutt’s Company: Jump Ship by Eric Garneau
- Chords of Truth: Reflections of Reality by Eric Garneau
- Arc & Stones: Arc & Stones EP by Eric Garneau
Grant Lyle: So There by Eric Garneau
Toronto singer-guitarist Grant Lyle is probably tired of people comparing him to Eric Clapton, but truly that’s the easiest way to give listeners an idea of what to expect on So There, Lyle’s latest full release. Of course, that comparison only does Lyle partial justice. Disregarding Slowhand for a second, Lyle’s a highly skilled singer read more
Grant Lyle: So There
Toronto singer-guitarist Grant Lyle is probably tired of people comparing him to Eric Clapton, but truly that’s the easiest way to give listeners an idea of what to expect on So There, Lyle’s latest full release. Of course, that comparison only does Lyle partial justice. Disregarding Slowhand for a second, Lyle’s a highly skilled singer and guitar player who covers a wide span of territory here. Really, So There is kind of like a classic rock cocktail with blues and jazz accents. It’s a joy to listen to and a fantastic release. — more
A Primitive Evolution: The Prize
At first, a strong late-’90s alternative vibe emanates from The Prize, the second full-length effort from Toronto trio A Primitive Evolution. Indeed, singer Brett Carruthers could easily join a Soundgarden cover band to pay some bills if the need ever arises. — more
Virgins Family Band: Honeylion
Imagine a world where the Fleet Foxes spent their formative years training in jazz instead of soaking up classic records of the ’60s. What resulted would probably sound pretty close to Honeylion, an 8-song EP from Chapel Hill, NC sextet Virgins Family Band. — more
Tom Dyer: I Ain’t Blue Anymore
Comparing Seattle singer-songwriter Tom Dyer to Tom Waits might seem like an easy trap to fall into, but it’s an apt relation nonetheless. On his eighth album I Ain’t Blue Anymore, Dyer embraces the spirit the legendary singer across 13 tracks, but don’t let bad experiences with Waits wannabes sour you here. Importantly, Dyer manages not to rely on moody doom-and-gloom like so many others who follow in those footsteps. A key element here, maybe the best part of the record, is the whimsy with which Dyer approaches this recording. Despite potentially dour subjects, Dyer (what a name, by the way) is having fun here. Listeners will too. — more
Joan Torres’s All is Fused: Before
If you don’t come from a jazz background (or at least a background of enjoying jazz) you might not find much to grab onto with Before, the debut album from San Juan, Puerto Rico quintet Joan Torres’s All is Fused (yep, that’s the whole name of the group. Is that name a pun on the jazz fusion genre? The world may never know). Then again, you might be surprised by how truly enjoyable some of this is regardless of your music pedigree. — more
Mutt’s Company: Jump Ship
On their six-song debut EP Jump Ship, Copenhagen quartet Mutt’s Company proudly brandishes a love of all things rock & roll. From Beatlesesque bombast to Americana to nitty-gritty blues, the songs on this record feel like a homage to the last 50 years of popular music. That’s not to say that anything on here feels stale; all of these influences are aptly mixed up and represented by this four-piece. — more
My Best of 2012 Playlist
After being inspired by some friends, for the past few years I’ve been really into documenting my musical exploration with year-end mixes. I realize this is not a particularly novel thing to do, but hey, who has original ideas any more? — more
Chords of Truth: Reflections of Reality
Here are three things you ought to know about folk act Chords of Truth’s Reflections of Reality remixed double-LP:
1. The 26 tracks on here represent various electronic collaborators’ interpretations of an original 7. If you do the math, that means you’re going to hear each track on Chords of Truth’s initial release between 3-4 times. — more
- All 22 James Bond Themes RANKED and RATED by Eric Garneau
- Why Do People Go to Comic-Con? by Eric Garneau
- Delayed Gratification and Genre Mixing in Scott Snyder’s Swamp Thing by Eric Garneau
- Your 2012 Eisner Award Nominees (with Color Commentary!) by Eric Garneau
- Serial, Super Serial: Quantum of Solace by Grisly Gunnar
- Serial, Super Serial: Casino Royale by Grisly Gunnar
- Serial, Super Serial: Die Another Day by Grisly Gunnar
- Serial, Super Serial: The World is Not Enough by Grisly Gunnar
- Serial, Super Serial: Tomorrow Never Dies by Grisly Gunnar
My Best of 2012 Playlist by Eric Garneau
After being inspired by some friends, for the past few years I’ve been really into documenting my musical exploration with year-end mixes. I realize this is not a particularly novel thing to do, but hey, who has original ideas any more?