Recommended Listenings, Latest Releases By Rich Aucoin, Alvvays, & PS I Love You, and more…

Hey, welcome to another edition of Recommended Listenings. This time around, I’ve gotta bunch of Canadian albums to recommend, that have been getting quite the rotation on my music player. Most of the albums have been on the shelf for at least a month now, so nothing is really fresh in terms of release date, but in terms of sounds, they’ll probably get a lot of plays from here on out.

Rich Aucoin, Ephemeral, Independent – Release Date: Sep 9, 2014

It’s no secret, Rich Aucoin‘s shows have been the talk of the city in the past recent years. Who else excites the crowds, with his energetic performances, groovy music, props, confetti, and giant parachutes like he does. But one has to wonder though, with all this unreleased material, is this good timing to release a new album? And does it capture the spirit of his live shows?

The answer is YES. This album is a celebration of sorts that connects to the listener on both a spiritual, and emotional level. Right from the build-up of the track, “Meaning In Life”, and the track that wants to bring us all together, “Want To Believe”. The energy of the music is alive, and the lyrics are integral part of the songs, as to the natural concepts of living our life, and being connected to the things that we dearly hold on to.

The songs on this album are very lively, especially on the track “Are You Experiencing?”, it’s electronic music, that feels like one big party. The track, “Yelling In Sleep” that gives you the sense that your heads is listening inside a pinball machine. And “They Say Obey”, where the sound also dips into sub-genres like dub-step. It’s one big eargasm after another.

Must hear tracks: Want To Believe, Are You Experiencing?, Yelling In Sleep

Alvvays, Alvvays, Royal Mountain Records – Release Date: Jul 22, 2014

I had seen Alvvays open up for Wintersleep at the Marquee last year, and I wasn’t too crazy for them at first. But since than, they’ve been teasing us with sound clips & videos, so I thought I’d check this one out. The first song, “Adult Diversion” brings the album into full swing, with it’s aura of sunshine, cornfields, & rainbows. The kind of power pop that’ll remind you of bands like Best Coast & Ariel’s Pink Graffiti. The one track that really sticks out on the album, “Archie, Marry Me”, that’ll remind you of being at a wedding reception party, with it’s large hall sound with full of reverb, it’s a really fitting title for the song (and see the video above).

I find that the vocals seem quite amateur on the album, but from it’s quirks, it just feels right. Lyrically, most of what you’ll hear is pretty memorable, especially from songs like, “The Agency Group” which take similar cues from earlier artists like Morrissey.The band also has this way of going back & forth with each song with either this dreamy ballad, or this high-tempo pace throughout the album. One of my favorite upbeat songs, “Atop A Cake” is just so god damn catchy, I haven’t heard anything this good since, Camera Obscura‘s “If Looks Could Kill”.

Sure, I’ve pulled quite a bit of comparisons, maybe this is a hint at expanding your musical horizon, but there’s no denying that this album stands out among the rest of them this year. I won’t be surprised if this hits the top of a number of year end lists, including mine.

Must hear tracks: Adult Diversion, Archie Marry Me, Atop A Cake

PS, I Love You, For Those Who Stay, Paper Bag Records – Release Date: Jul 22, 2014

This album beings me back to the late 80’s of Seattle punk-rock. Here you have a couple of geeks pushing out some really thrashy rock music that sounds unclear & over-distorted, totally blurring out the lyrics, with such a drowned out sound. And I bet these guys having as much fun as their playing their music, as I am listening.

I love this album for it’s originality, songs like “For Those Who Stay”, just ooze with great guitar fuzzyness, and just picks up into some amazing rhythm guitar. Who does this? seriously … nobody. Another track that I’m digging is “Hoarders”, it’s the infinite looping, for the road, thrashing rock ballad. If you’re about to escape the police in your car, this might be your ultimate get away music.

Must hear tracks: Advice, For Those Who Stay, Hoarders

Arkells, High Noon, Arkells Music Inc. – Release Date: Aug 5, 2014

Wow, this is a brilliant pop-rock album. The Arkells remain that upbeat Canadian-rock band, similar to that of bands like The Trews, but have adopted the modern colorful sounds of Foster The People. You’ll also hear a bit of an 80’s-ish pop sound from tracks like “Dirty Blonde” or “Come To Light” which both kind of reminds me of David Bowie‘s “Modern Love”. The songs on the album are cheery, and much of the hard-rock roots are really lost on them. I really enjoy this new direction, on which any other day I would have much disagreed on.

My instant favorite track on the album is “11:11”, which is a bit of “guy meets girl” at a bar song, it’s a bit too “blah” for me lyrically, but the song is just too catchy, and vocals are so well done. Another pop-song, “Hey Kids!” has a pretty upbeat chorus, I won’t be surprised be to this one become a radio hit. Also the “Ooh ooh ooh ooh” part on “Never Thought This Would Happen”, very Pulp, “Disco 2000” like.

Must hear tracks: 11:11, Come To Light, Never Thought That This Would Happen

Monomyth, Saturnalia Regalia!, Mint Records – Release Date: Jul 22nd, 2014

Halifax’s latest psychedelic-space-rock outfit has created something good here. An album that I can easily sit on my couch one evening, clear my head of everything by going through track upon track of beautiful melodies with not a care in the world. It’s quite the experience, you should try it sometime. Also good for late evening board games with your friends, keeping things pretty low key for the most part.

Monomyth‘s album is light hearted, and the guitars sound so dreamy, yet not enough to put you to sleep. This is a thought-provoking album, and will sometimes have you in a day dream with such tracks like “Candleholder”. Others like “(Theme From) Monomyth”, and “Something Else” may seem like demo quality, but are instantly likeable, and our to be future classics in this growing genre within Halifax’s local scene.

Anyhoo… I’m quite happy to recommend any of these albums, as they seem to be the best I’ve heard so far this year. Some upcoming albums I’m looking forward to listen to, that haven’t been released quite yet are by a few more Canadian artists such as Stars (Oct 14th), Hey Rosetta! (Oct 21st). And there are some albums that have squeezed by my radar which include “Brill Bruisers” by The New Pornographers (Aug 25th), “Conversationalist” by In-Flight Safety (Sep 9th), that I would like to check out, if I ever get around to it. And hopefully I recommend them for the sake of being good albums. Fingers-crossed.

Saying all that, it’s been pretty wild ride of new music this year.

About the author

Justin

Me, I'm an avid music goer, documenting/photographing Halifax's music scene. I like loud shows, and long walks on the beach.