Category Archives: Recommended Listening

Recommended Listening

NY Song #8

Billy Joel - New York State of Mind Making his first of two appearances on my NY list, Billy Joel pens a love letter to the city of his dreams. Soulfully professing his love for the Big Apple, Joel playfully travels from one end of the city to the other as (more…)Read More

Matt Mays, Coyote, Warner, Sonic

It has been 4 years since the release of Terminal Romance and Uncle Travellin’ Matt (Mays) has returned with his 4th studio release Coyote. From the bite of the opening track “Indio” it is instantly discernable that you’re listening to a Matt Mays record. The grit of his voice, the (more…)Read More

The Lucy Grays

Friday night I had the pleasure of surrounding myself with great friends, fantastic ale, good eats, and a band that I've been trying to see live for the past two months, The Lucy Grays. Not knowing what to expect, I can honestly say that I was extremelysurprised. HailingfromHalifax, Nova Scotia, the Grays (more…)Read More

Quick Hit: 5 Tracks For You to Check Out…..

1. LCD Soundsystem - "Drunk Girls" - This is a fun piece of electro-pop fluff, nothing too heavy. Worth a listen, it also makes for a great road-trip song. 2. K'Naan - "In the Beginning"-Great kickstarter for a mix, loaded with energy and hasaninterestingtaletogo along with it. Highly recommend this (more…)Read More

Ryan Adams, Ashes and Fire, Capitol, Pax Am

Reclusive, enigmatic, talented are all words that can be used to describe Ryan Adams, an artist who seems to be forgedfromthe same mold as Neil Young. Ryan Adams bears an artistic integrity not found on many albums, his my way or the highway mentalitymaynotgarner him the adulation of the masses, (more…)Read More

The Arkells, Michigan Left, Universal

Recorded at the Tragically Hip’s Bathouse studio, the Arkells’ sophomore effort Michigan Left may in fact be one of the bigger surprises of 2011. It not only bucks the sophomore jinx, but it is also the band’s major label debut. This is an album thatis immediately accessible and a far jauntier (more…)Read More

Jim Henman, Same Old Feeling, Indie

Same Old Feeling is not flashy or over produced, it is an album that will quickly put a smile on your face, as itharkensback to a time before the recording industry wrung out the heart and integrity in favor of payola. Jim Henman (founding member ofAprilWine)has recorded an album that (more…)Read More

Tinie Tempah, Disc-overy, Capitol, EMI

It’s odd to talk about an artist that the WWE is responsible for breaking, but that’s the case with Tinie Tempah. TheUK rapper’s single “Written in the Stars” was selected as the theme song for Wrestlemania XXVII, but is actually the third single from his album Disc-overy. Tinie’s fusion of Electro-Hop (more…)Read More

AWOLNATION, Megalith Symphony, Red Bull Records

The lead single “Sail” from AWOLNATION’s full length debut is about as misleading as it could be, as it is atrack brimming with angst and atmosphere that really don’t appear elsewhere on the disc. While the album opens with a pair of intro pieces that give a concept album impression, but (more…)Read More