Toronto Tim Says: TT's Best of 2015

Time to revive 'Hissyfit'.
I've been lingering too long on the Facebook pages and have ignored this blog.
I'll need it as an extra point of contact once 'Happy Blue' is released in 2016 (Feb 5).
And what better way to rekindle a damp squib than by getting someone else to rub the sticks together for you whilst you prepare for the annual auditions of 'This Year's New Jesus/Prat'?

We all like a list don't we?
And here, in time honored tradition, is Tim Patrick (Toronto Tim), with his pick of the year's releases:

TORONTO TIM'S - BEST OF 2015

Yes it's that time of year again to share... Top 10 lists! Looking forward to the contributions of many other folk playing along, to inform/educate about all the great music that I and others surely have missed in 2015... 

In my humble opinion, 2015 has yielded another bumper crop of new music. A few old favorites, but mostly artists new to me... Last year, I felt somewhat uncomfortable observing that my top album (War On Drugs - 'Lost In The Dream') was one which actually concurred with most of the credible journos. Something which has NEVER occurred in the past. My contrary streak had me very tempted to reach for something under the radar, however I just could not help but agree with the critics that WOD deserved the crown for 2014. This year I promise to revert to my ornery, obscurist predilections. Here we go...

SONGS OF THE YEAR:

LONE BELLOW - "Then Came The Morning"

DEAN OWENS - "Closer To Home"

JONES - "My Muffled Prayer"

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR:

FUTURE OF FORESTRY - 'Pages'- You want obscure? Well here's one I'm absolutely certain won't be on anybody's list! And it's a beauty... I know very little about the band. Appears that like Civil Wars, Over The Rhine, Innocence Mission etc. they've managed to have crawled out from the wretched "Christian music" ghetto into the secular independent music world. Unlike previous rockier offerings by FOF, 'Pages' is gentle, acoustic folk music very reminiscent of the Civil Wars, Eastmountainsouth & Hem. Immaculate instrumentation & orchestration paired with absolutely heavenly intertwining boy/girl vocal harmonies. Main man Eric Owyoung creates a delicate, organic sound throughout - tinkling piano lines here, warm acoustic guitar tones there - subtle strings, percussion and pedal steel drifting in and out of the mix. It's a poignant break-up record, written in the distant wake of the songwriter's divorce. As the album title suggests... a "page by page" reflection on the journey towards healing a broken heart. Sad yet hopeful, very mellow late-night fare that will leave you swooning if it's your cup of tea - a sparkling diamond in the rough... 

'Pages' was issued as a surprise release to fans on their FOF website, without any advanced notice, zero promotion/marketing or follow-up tour. You'll have a helluva time finding this one. Not on Spotify or Bandcamp, but entire album listenable on Youtube in US (UK?). CD only available on Amazon.com in the US (notamazon.uk) or through band website. Also on iTunes if you're a down-loader.    

Youtube Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OcS1X2aJw&list=PL7MZ19SSgvvAWeAK7LxGZeKIVbwYMB0YH

Try: "How To Fly" "Cross The Oceans" "Fireflies" "Learn To Love" "You're Mine" "Someone"

BRIDESHEAD - 'Never Grow Up' - My top "pop" album of the year. Brideshead are a band that have been around since the late 90's, however I've only recently discovered their music. Twee Swedish/German guitar jangle-pop that sounds like a cross between Belle & Sebastian and Orange Juice. Catchy as hell. Earlier albums 'In And Out Of Love' and 'Some People Have All The Fun' are even better than 'Never Grow up'... I'm pretty sure old mates David A and TelAviv Phil would like this band! 

Try: "At 45 RPM" "Me And The Stars And The Sea" "Love And Happiness" "The Mermaid"

JONES - 'Happy Blue' - Not sure this one qualifies, since official release is next year. Oh well, what's the harm? Jones proves there's still fire in the belly of the old boy, as he continues his prolific streak of perfect pop music for thinking adults. I'd venture to say it's his most accessible and immediate album as a solo artist. A more traditional format, featuring a straight-up set of melodic tunes with a solitary spoken-word piece on the outro. After the lean 'To The Bone', it's a treat to hear the addition of some quality meat on this one. A lot of "new sounds" combined with Marcus's always stellar production make for a very special listen. Classy musicianship by all of the players. Wonderful to hear BJ Cole squeezing out sparks again! Real drums... nice. Gustaf Ljunggren's brilliant contribution of clarinet & WTF... saxophone! Always got the impression that sax was taboo with TJ...

Try: "Ghost Of Song" "St Cecilia" "My Muffled Prayer" 

DESTROYER - 'Poison Season' - After the masterpiece that 'Kaputt' was, the follow-up was bound to be a letdown. And in many ways it is just that. 'Poison Season' is unfocused and poorly paced, with a clunky mess of musical styles. Meanwhile Dan Bejar is as word-drunk and eccentric lyrically as ever. He's abandoned the synths that were ubiquitous on Kaputt, and some of the songs seem to have been intentionally sabotaged with quirky off-putting sonic changes/lyrics in an effort not to repeat Kaputt. Still there are so many wonderful moments, particularly the tracks with string sections; and I must say that this is the album that has been in my CD player most often this year. Challenging and often difficult listening, 'Poison Season' still makes my Top 5. 

Try: "Girl In A Sling" "Times Square" "Bangkok"

ROMAN A CLEF - 'Abandonware' - Hell yeah, they've copped the sound/style of Prefab Sprout a few times here, but I love this little album. Pretentious lyrics, clever chord changes, sweet co-lead vocals by the angelic Jen Goma, member of my top pop band of 2014 - The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart. I'm sure Father Paddy will forgive them their sins. They mean well, and this is beautiful stuff...

Try: "The Prisoner" "Bye/Gone" "Lucky Toasts"

DEAN OWENS - 'Into The Sea' - I believe everyone here is familiar with this fine Scottish country troubadour. Owens has done himself proud...

Try: "Closer To Home" "Up On The Hill"

TALL TALES AND THE SILVER LINING - 'Tightropes' - Horrible name for a band, but this Laurel Canyon sounding americana/soft rock really struck my fancy with this release. Just the right amount of pedal steel/strings with laid back vocals make for a sunny soundtrack for California dreaming...

Try: "Something To Believe In" "Unknown Forces"

TALLEST MAN ON EARTH - 'Dark Bird Is Home' - Another crap moniker for a band. Saw him on Letterman and he's a short bugger! Good album though...

Try: "Sagres" "Timothy"

MERCURY REV - 'The Light In You' - My "weird" entry... Surprising return to form after a string of mediocre turds. Huge, bombastic string arrangements & choirs... love it!

Try: "Central Park East" "Coming Up For Air"

DUCKTAILS - 'Saint Catherine' - Critics have made comparisons to Prefab Sprout with this band, but I don't hear it... Side-project of Real Estate's Matthew Mondanile, features woozy, layered reverb guitars, dreamy atmospherics. Reminds me a lot of the 2012 solo project Lightships: 'Electric Cables' by Gerard Love of Teenage Fan Club... which is a gem I highly recommend as well.

Try: "Headbanging In The Mirror" "Heaven's Room"

BUBBLING UNDER:

LONE BELLOW - 'Then Came The Morning' - a few stand-out cuts, but the over-emoting gospel crescendo formula gets tiresome over the course of an entire album. (surely, Di will beg to differ, right TJ?)

BUTCH WALKER - 'Afraid Of Ghosts' - Produced by Ryan Adams, and sounds just like him. "Father's Day" is a beautiful, touching track, but Walker has way to many tattoos, plus his name is Butch! Sorry, pet peeves...

THE LATE CALL - 'Golden' - "Carry" is a terrific single, with a few other good tunes. Honorable mention, but not top 10 worthy.

DISAPPOINTMENTS: 

(apologies, to several old favorites...)

THE LILAC TIME - 'No Sad Songs' - (forgive me Phil...)

JOSH ROUSE - 'Embers Of Time'

JOSH RITTER - 'Sermon On The Rocks'

GRETCHEN PETERS - 'Blackbirds'

MARTYN JOSEPH - 'Sanctuary'

RICHARD HAWLEY - 'Hollow Meadows'

SUN KIL MOON - 'Universal Themes'

CLUB 8 - 'Pleasure'

TRASHCAN SINATRAS - Delay... Delay... Hey! Where's that new album promised?

Toronto Tim Says: My Best of 2014

Tim Patrick is a good friend.

Here are his choice cuts from 2014.

As you can see, he knows his onions...
Why not add your list at the bottom under 'Comments'?
Or, you could email me your list and comments and I'll post separately...
Come on. 
We all like a list.
Mine follows shortly...

TORONTO TIM's - BEST OF 2014

Excellent year for new music! There won't be many surprises listed here, since I've already tipped my cards earlier in the year via several 'hissyfit' postings. 

Here they are anyway...

SONG OF THE YEAR:  

JONES  - "Somewhere North Of Here" (Easy choice. Another timeless classic)

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR:

THE WAR ON DRUGS - 'Lost In The Dream' (blown away by this one. Earns a slot in my top 30 LP's of all time)

THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART - 'Days Of Abandon' (mixed reviews by critics, but it's my top "pop" album of the year)

CHERRY GHOST - 'Herd Runners' (sparkling gem from Simon Aldred - highly recommended)

JONES - 'To The Bone' (a grower - Yes, a change can be good, very good...)

JOE HENRY - 'Invisible Hour' (Humdinger... May be Joe's best ever...) 

BEN WATT - 'Hendra' (I miss Tracey's golden pipes, but Ben's voice in fine form & very solid tunes abound)

DAMIEN RICE - 'My Favorite Faded Fantasy' (still a few cheesy lyrics, but a surprisingly strong return to form - Thanks TJ)

TOM HICKOX - 'War, Peace & Democracy' (promising newcomer. "Pretty Pride Of Russia" my 2nd favorite tune this year)

BILL PRITCHARD - 'A Trip To The Coast' (unknown veteran makes a real nice record)

PETER JAMES MILLSON - 'Sweet The Love That Meets Return' (lovely album, full of heart - Thanks Nick)

SILVER SEAS - 'Alaska' (best mate and longtime co-writer of Josh Rouse, produces catchy tunes that sound like... Josh Rouse!)

PEARLFISHERS - 'Open Up Your Coloring Book' (way too sprawling, way too sweet, but I'm a big fan of David Scott so this one makes the list)

FUTURE ISLANDS - 'Singles' (kinda weird stab at retro 80's synth-bands that caught my fancy)

NOTE: Sorry to some old favorites whose latest releases just weren't good enough - Bruce Springsteen, Deacon Blue, James, Stars, Simple Minds, um... U2. 

Also, Mary Chapin Carpenter's latest 'Songs From The Movie' would have made my "Best Of" list, except that it consists of older songs reinvented with orchestral arrangements, so doesn't qualify.

Toronto Tim Says: GUILTY PLEASURES - JENNY LEWIS - "SHE"S NOT ME" & "HEAD UNDERWATER"

Here's where I hand the page over to the enthusiasms of Toronto's very own Tim Patrick:

A couple of sweet pieces of ear candy by Jenny Lewis. Reminds me of Fleetwood Mac, circa Tango In The Night. She has a new release called "The Voyager" produced by Ryan Adams, who does a fine job providing an accessible west-coast 70/80's style pop sheen to the entire album. Fittingly, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan/Doobies fame lays down some tasty guitar work on my favorite track, "She's Not Me".  Benmont Tench of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers lends his always excellent keyboard talents & Beck Hansen also makes a nice cameo on "One Of The Guys".

I must say that I've never been a fan of the quirky brand of indie-rock Lewis or her band Rilo Kiley produced. She always seemed to be in self-loathing, angsty chic mode & wallowing in the sleazy LA cesspool of kinky sex and dope. Except for a couple of references to blow-jobs, coke and a menage a trois she's managed to tone down the tawdriness this time. And whilst the lyrical focus is on confessional middle-aged gal angst, the ever-catchy variety of pop-songwriting musical styles she adopts has won me over. 

Slick pop music from a decidedly female POV - a guilty pleasure for sure, but it's summertime and I'm liking it anyway…

SHE"S NOT ME: 

Toronto Tim Says: Brooooce!

Here's where I hand my page over to my Canadian mucker Tim Patrick. I'm actually just copying in his latest email (hope that's ok Tim) but he's always an engaging writer...
Here comes TT…

Musically, I'm currently on a "Bruce binge" - having finally picked up the Peter Ames Carlin bio... leading me to re-watch the DVD's of the making of ''Born To Run' / 'Darkness'. Always fascinating. I'm 2/3 way though the book's 500 pages, and thus far I don't hate Bruce. He was a wildly eccentric character in his early years. Brilliant, tempermental, humble, stubborn as a mule. His pursuit of his musical vision tireless & relentless. And there's no doubt that he is "The Boss". Some wonderful stories about how down-to-earth/miserly he was. My fave - Even just before 'Born In The USA' came out he was still touring in an old van, renting used cars, and living in a very modest rented house in Jersey with harldly any furniture other than a pinball machine and a bed. So Bruce and his girlfriend would drive around the neighborhod on trash-night, and pick up old furniture left at the curb. Love it!
However, 2/3 in, I'm at the the part where suddenly beef-cake Bruce is on MTV "Dancing in the Dark" with Courteney Cox, and the "compromises" begin, I'm afraid. So much for the "I'll never play stadiums / I'll never intentionally write a "single" for a record / I'll never make a video / I'll never mix politics & music, blah, blah, blah..." This is the place where I mutinied on BS temporarily back in 1984. We'll see what happens as I progress with the read... I'm pretty sure I'll be able to forgive him in the end, unlike some musician bio's I've read... Clapton / Van / Macca / Mozza / Eagles / Marvin Gaye, even Sir Cliff - narcissistic, self-destructive egomaniacs all. OK, Cliff's not self-destructive, but unbelievably vain & self-righteous. I've yet to read Mr. Sting's autobiography. 
Oh, we've come full circle!
Anyway, the Bruce binge has me revisiting glory days... Memories of a 1978 concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, indelible... even on my increasingly forgetful noggin. The 10 minute epic performance of "Prove It All Night" stands out as the most electrifying live performance I've ever witnessed. (I know you've seen this one before) but - It was exactly like this: 

TORONTO TIM SAYS: NEW MUSIC: THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART - DAYS OF ABANDON ++++

Here I hand over the page to the enthusiasms of Tim Patrick from Canada. 
Toronto Tim Says:

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are a young Brooklyn-based indie-rock band whose first two albums rated highly on journo's year end Top 20 lists of 2009/2011. However, my impression was mostly one of general indifference to the noisy, wall of sound type of sonics that seemed to emulate shoegaze bands like Ride/My Bloody Valentine/Stone Roses.

OK, but not my cuppa...
So, based on previous releases, 'Days Of Abandon' is one that I almost turned the page on, without even giving it a chance. But I'm pleased that I gave it a quick sample, since it's a pretty impressive collection of dreamy indie "pop"... with stress on the "POP". Unfortunately, the new album seems to be polarizing some of the critics, many of whom prefer the clangor and crunch of the early releases versus the catchy, jangly melodies of the new one. Love it or hate it, I'll take their new smoothed edges direction any day. Think of bands like Stars, The Sundays, Smiths, The Cure (at their catchiest), maybe a dash of Belle & Sebastian tweeness...
DAYS OF ABANDON may not be ground-breaking or edgy enough for some in the crowd, but a good healthy dose of warm, sunny tunes always does me good. 

Smugness be damned!
I can't even pick a favorite song, not a clunker to be found. 

Turn off your brain & just soak in the blissful pop sunshine…

Kelly (live):

Life After Life (live):

TPOBPAH official website: http://thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com/

TORONTO TIM SAYS: NEW MUSIC: BEN WATT - HENDRA ++++

Here I hand the pages over to Tim Patrick from Toronto. 
I tried to host all of the videos but they froze my screen so, please just click on the links. 
I have the album and agree with Tim, it's a fine album. 
It also led me to his two books, an autobiography 'Patient' and the story of his parents troubled life together 'Romany and Tom':

Toronto Tim Says:

Ben Watt's new solo album 'Hendra' has arrived… 

I'd heard a couple of promising clips earlier, and David (Friend Of Rachel Worth & former blogmeister of the sorely missed Cathedrals Of Sound) had mentioned that it's his 'Album Of The Year' (so far), so I was eager to give it a spin. I must say that Dave was right. 'Hendra' is excellent... I'm so glad Watt has put "DJ-Disco Ben" on the back-burner, and gone back to his roots. This seems like continuation of his last solo album 31 years ago - 'North Marine Drive' mixed with a dash of his more successful band Everything But the Girl (with sidekick/wife Tracey Thorn).

Musically, this is classy record. Warm, clean electric guitars played by Watt and collaborator Bernard Butler, gentle Fender Rhodes/Hammond, a steady rhythm section and occasional shadings of synth. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour stops by to add some tasteful slide guitar on the breathtakingly lovely "The Levels". Ben's voice sounds richer and stronger than ever.

It's also a very personal, contemplative record. Watt explains on his blog: 
"Lyrically, I definitely wanted to write a bunch of unsentimental songs. I wanted to write a set of songs that were very true. My sister, who I was very close to, died, quite unexpectedly. She was only 58. It all came to head, and I wanted to get some of this stuff down. It’s quite dark emotionally, but I always think I write songs about some form of resilience. There is some form of hope, even in the darker moments. I’m always looking for that in the characters in the songs. They have a tough exterior, even if they have a soft interior." 

The songs? There are so many good ones. Let's begin with the one that breaks my heart every time I hear it ... 

"THE LEVELS" -  A simple tune with a powerful, haunting lyric. One of those "dart to the heart" songs, such as: "Family Life", "Sister Song", "Mid-Air", "If I Fall Behind" that evoke empathy and emotion, and leave an immortal wound on the listener. The lyric tells a poignant story - with utter honesty and grace. I dare you not to be moved. Especially after you hear the inspiration behind the song... 

Ben reveals: "The song is set in the low-lying area of the Somerset Levels. It was where my sister got married in 2004. The song is about how we deal with loss. She died unexpectedly in 2012. I wrote it for her husband..."

THE LEVELS

The estate agent's been over, I've resurfaced the driveway

I'm setting flowers out on the pavement, made it nice round the place

I'm up for selling the business, my heart isn't in it 

Without your face over the counter, without your face

Some nights I drive out on the levels

Through the village, past the church where we got married

And I can see for miles

Out there is the future, what's this standing in my way?

Right now it's my past, and it's not moving forth

Some nights I'm out there on the levels

And the ditches and the fields are flooded by the river

And I can see for miles

And I know its only daylight that we all walk through

And everyone has wounds that heal with time

And I'll get over mine 

Some nights I'm out there on the levels

And we're talking like we used to

But it's me who does the talking

And I'll be out there for a while

And I can see for miles...

- The Levels (live w/ David Gilmour on pedal steel): 

"YOUNG MAN'S GAME" - a candid ballad of soul-searching, regret and surrender; reflecting on his journey from DJ/clubber to middle-aged Dad/husband, admitting: "I'm not as good as I used to be, with the late nights, now just look at me, I'm staking a claim at the young man's game tonight" and asking: “Every mirror just tells the time - Can you name a great fighter over 45?” "Should I act this out, or act my age, tonight?" 

- Young Man's Game:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD3yuFzeMm4

"GOLDEN RATIO" - probably the closest reminder of the elegant bossanova /jazz vibe that EBTG excel at. Bernard Butler guitar-playing shines.

- Golden Ratio:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbiqbqsdYL8

"FORGET" - Breezy mid-tempo ditty reminds me a little of Lloyd Cole for some reason. Maybe the self-loathing... "Who am I fooling, when I say I have no regrets. You can push things to the back of your mind, but you can never forget..." 

- Forget:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl685ButgLo

"HENDRA" - the moving title track, inspired by the dreams of his late sister, a rural postmistress and shopkeeper... 

- Hendra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e_KxrI3erc

  

There are five more fine tracks on 'Hendra'... Notably “Matthew Arnold’s Field” where Watt travels to scatter his father’s ashes near Oxford. Only one possible misstep - "The Gun" which is an anti-gun rant that just seems out of place with the nature/flow of the record. Sorry, I have a pet peeve about being preached at...  

Overall, a very special record. I rate it 8/10. 
Let's hope Mr. Watt doesn't wait for another 30 years before another solo release...

Ben Watt official website: http://benwatt.com/

TORONTO TIM SAYS: NEW MUSIC: THE WAR ON DRUGS - LOST IN A DREAM +++++

More Tim Patrick.

I've been eyeing this album for a while; heard snippets. It seems that this needs to be listened to in one hit…

Toronto Tim says:

It's a very rare occasion where you'll find me running down to the HMV in the big city to pick up a new CD... However, after one listen of "Red Eyes" by The War On Drugs on satellite radio, I found myself motivated enough to risk my neck and embark on the harrowing 1 1/2 hour trip down the freeway, rather than wait weeks for an Amazon shipment. 

Was it worth the drive? 

I'm thrilled to say... You bet!

Where do I begin? First off... 'LOST IN A DREAM' is a fantastic album! I had heard of Phillie-based The War On Drugs before, but just like another great band with a crap name - Destroyer, I was terribly misled by the moniker. Metal/hardcore/whatever? After actually having a listen to the music (not what I expected!), I initially thought it was one of those magical times when you believe you've discovered a great record/band that will become "my little secret." Little did I know that 'Lost In A Dream' is at the very top of almost every reputable journo's lists of best of 2014 (thus far). Almost universal praise and 4-5 star ratings across the board... It's actually refreshing to know that the press can sometimes get it right! 

The music... I really hesitate to mention musical comparisons lest they immediately scare people off. Let's just say that it's difficult to categorize... Very much like theaforementioned band Destroyer, there are a multitude of influences/inspirations going on here, yet the resulting sound is refreshing and unique... Band-leader AdamGranduciel has taken a inbred heritage of americana and classic-rock baggage and cleverly blended it with ambient, shoegaze, new-wave, dream-pop influences, and constructed a sprawling classic all his own. He spent almost two years fussing away, obsessively crafting the 10 meticulously constructed songs, and the results are sublime. The arrangements are densely layered and unpredictable; dozens of various instruments creep in and out of the mix; unrelenting reverb and hazy vocals remind us that we are indeed "Lost In The Dream..."

Adam has admitted that the record was born out of a period of extreme depression, a messy break-up and feelings of isolation. 'Lost' spends most of its time wondering how to pick up the pieces of a broken dream. Despite this, it's a sonically uplifting work. There are even whoops of delight that pierce out amongst the the darkness & desolation of the lyrics. 

Nine-minute opener “Under The Pressure” is an expansive two-chord jam, propelled by hazy keyboards and subtle horn arrangements. “Well the comedown here was easy, like the arrival of a new day” - “But a dream like this gets wasted... without you.” The three minute droning feedback & synth outro may have some reaching for the "Skip" button, but don't give up! It's the least accessible bit on the record...

"Under The Pressure": 

“Red Eyes” was the first song that I heard from 'Lost'... It's a galloping romper that explodes with adrenal rushes of energy and causes spontaneous head-bobbing. Makes me feel like a kid again...

"Red Eyes":  

“An Ocean In Between The Waves”, a epic seven minute slow-burning jam, brilliantly rocking out, recapturing the spirit of 80s pop radio; with driving percussion, propulsive bass-line and searing but tasteful guitar-playing that stands among the best I've heard in a very long time. "I just wanna lie in the moonlight and see the light shine in, with you in the outline…" 

"An Ocean Between The Waves": 

 

"Eyes to the Wind" is the centerpiece of the album. A striking ballad of gentle beauty that you wish would never end. Pedal steel and baritone sax add gorgeous colour to what's basically an acoustic driven number. Most critics compare this to a certain legendary songwriter that I'm not a big fan of, so I'm saying it reminds me of a certain Scot/Scott that I am a fan of... "I’ll set my eyes to the wind, but it won’t be easy to live again..."

"Eyes To The Wind":

"Burning" has become perhaps my favorite song on the record. However, the first time I heard it I actually cringed and skipped the track, since it was the one track that obviously wore it's influences on it's sleeve. One listen and you'll know exactly what I mean... Granduciel admits it's an barefaced homage to one of his heroes; and it's a killer. Chugging along on a wall of synths/organs, then soaring... "I'm just a burning man, trying to keep the ship from turning over... again." "Whoo Whoo!" I dare you to try and keep your foot from tapping!

"Burning": 

Closing track, "In Reverse" begins with a mood of hazy, ambient music before morphing into a gorgeous breezy groove, the lyrics finally bearing acceptance of the darkness & pain & the need to move forward. "I don't mind you disappearing, when I know you can be found." "Like a light that's drifting, in reverse.... I'm moving..."

"In Reverse": 

I've intentionally avoided direct comparison with other artists up to this point, but I can't help but say... This is the record Springsteen fans wish he had in him... 

'Lost In The Dream' gives me hope that maybe great rock music isn't dying/dead. This is rock music with soul.

Great Live Band Performance Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbzV2Y06G-E

Visit The War On Drugs website:  http://www.thewarondrugs.net/

TORONTO TIM SAYS: MORE NEW MUSIC: FUTURE ISLANDS - SINGLES

Here's where I hand the page over to Tim Patrick; our friend from Canada who has an insatiable appetite for new music. Tim has unearthed some unearthly pleasures recently. This one's no exception...

I caught this band on 'Late Night With David Letterman' show recently, and at first didn't know quite what to think. Shoegazer synth-pop backing band with a bonkers Stanley Kowalski look-alike singer crooning away, beating his chest, punching the air, doing the same nerdy dancing that I used to do as a lad.

Yikes! 

Awkward? 

Strange? 

Parody? 

Or friggin' great?

Certainly left grumpy old Dave Letterman gushing 'n grinning like I've never seen before...
Damnedest thing was that after just one listen to "Seasons (Waiting On You)", the tune embedded in my noggin', and I couldn't get to sleep for hours...
"People change, But you know that some people never do."
When people change, they gain a peace, but they lose one too.
I've been waiting on you....I've been hanging on you."
Since then I've watched/listened to the YouTube clip dozens of times (along with 1,000,000+ other folk), and despite the weirdness... it's a mesmerizing performance, and I sheepishly have to admit that I love It. Kind of a 80's synth-pop throwback, Peter Hook-ish melodic bass-lines, OMD/Spandau Ballet synthscapes, but with a "real" drummer. Vocally, I hear some similarity to Roland Gift from Fine Young Cannibals, except when he drops in a scary Tom Waits growl @ 3:08. Or is that the Cookie Monster... or Death Metal?
There's something endearing about lead-singer Samuel T Herring. He's an odd performer, but his passion, conviction and honesty connects with this old fart. Have a listen to his interviews and you'll see that contrary to his eccentric on-stage persona, he's actually a sincere, down to earth fellow… 

The CD arrived today, and first impressions are that it's pretty solid. Nothing ground-breaking, but if you like 80's style synth-pop music with an odd vocal twist, give it a spin...
The new album is titled 'SINGLES' on 4AD Records. 

It's getting brilliant reviews...

SEASONS - (Live On David Letterman): 

SEASONS - (album version/official video): 

A DREAM OF YOU AND ME - (album version):

FUTURE ISLANDS (Live at KCRW):

FUTURE ISLANDS (Live at KEXP - sans dance moves):