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Album Reviews

Music Worth Hearing

	She and Him: Volume One (Merge) - She & Him are actress Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. The two met when performing the Richard and Linda Thompson tune "When I Get To The Border" for Martin Hayens’ film The Go-Getter. Zooey’s affinity for old music, old movies and vintage clothes indicates she’s basically and old-fashioned gal. And it really shows. She wrote all but three of tracks; all of which taking you back to innocence of early pop music – where flavors of country and western, blended with rock, soul and hula exotica. Acoustic guitars, strings, keys, pedal steel, bass and percussion set the stage for her enduring, reverb kissed vocals – full of sweetness, sass and strength. The subtle imperfections make it all the more genuine. Highly Recommended.
	Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles (Last Gang) - Toronto indietronic duo Crystal Castles are the namesake of cartoon heroin She-Ra’s home. Ethan Kath’s music and Alice Glass’ vocals are heavy on the 8-bit aesthetic. Let Light Hope welcome you into the aural space of vintage synths, video-game samples, drum-machines and varied, processed vocals textures. Find your way to the special dancefloor hidden within the mysterious golden crystalline beacon. Recommended.
	Charles Lloyd: Rabo de Nube (ECM) - Over 40 years into his recording career, and at the age of 69, Jazz legend Charles Lloyd demonstrates once again his ability to twist and turn the tradition in many intriguing directions. With a revamped quartet of young stars (including pianist Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers on bass and drummer Eric Harland), this energized performance consists of Lloyd originals and a title track by Cuban Silvio Rodríguez. It’s an easily recommended live set from Switzerland’s Theater Basel.
	Prince Fatty: Survival of the Fattest (Mr. Bongo/ Rasa ) - Producer / engineer Mike Pelanconi (Lily Allen) assembled Prince Fatty to make a one-off single for Stussy’s 25^th anniversary. The ensemble’s up-beat, positive vive of rock-steady beats, jazzy horns, organ and modern dub touches was an underground hit in the UK, leading to a full-length for respected UK world music label Mr. Bongo. Give it a toke, you will be convinced this is it. Recommended.
	Bauhaus: Go Away White (Bauhaus Music) - Bauhaus are considered to be the founding fathers of goth rock. While that genre kind of gets a bad reputation these days, Bauhaus does it without all the gimmicks.  They aren't about eyeliner, they aren't about black hair dye, and they aren't about their image.  They focus on their music to represent who they are and on this, their first album since reforming in 2005 (they split up in 1983 after forming in 1978), they should remind people what goth rock is all about- a continuation and interpretation of the punk movement.  With heavy reverb, lots of guitar, snare drums and dark deep lyrics, this, the bands final album, is a fitting goodbye.
	Sera Cahoone: Only as the Day is Long (Sub Pop) - A drummer since she was 12 years old, Sera Cahoone finally steps out from behind the drumset and moves center-stage to show off her singing and guitar playing.  She played drums for Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses, but she clearly is influenced by the likes of Cat Power's Chan Marshall and Laura Veirs.  Warm singer/songwriter, folksy songs definitely worth checking out.
	LowFish: Burn The Lights Out (Satamile) - Lowfish is Toronto-based producer Gregory DeRocher. He crafts an energetic experimental electro that references early IDM, new wave and Kraftwerk. Propulsive beats, analog keyboard washes and textures of unintelligible vocals coalesce into tech dance sounds with a dark, hard edge. Recommended.
	Neptune: Gong Lake (Raduim) - experimental in the truest sense of the word, Neptune made all their instruments from saw blades, bike parts, oil drums, VCRs and other bits of trash.  Knowing that, what they have done is impressive.  This sounds like music, not noisy trash.  It's bizarre, but strangely attractive.  The sound of a musical apocalypse, one that you definitely want to be around for.
	Colour Revolt: Plunder, Beg, and Curse (Fat Possum) - The debut LP from Mississippi five-piece Colour Revolt has the right ingredients for something special - heavy rhythm, metal tinged guitar and smoky southern vocals. It’s got a nocturnal, backwoods blues feel. Whiskey soaked avian imagery fills the moonlight sky. Let the dark winds call you there. Good.
	Gaudi + Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Dub Qawwali Remixes (Six Degrees) - In 2007 electro-dub artist Gaudi brought Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s qawwal vocals into the realm of dub. It was a match of spiritual significance. Taking it one step further, two tracks from the beautiful Dub Qawwali project are remixed by label-mates Cheb I Sabbah, Bombay Dub Orchestra and Pinch. A remix of a remix may seem odd and rather unnecessary. True, a few years ago it’s doubtful this would have been released. However in this era of digital download, taking alternate mixes to market is viable. Withstanding the Shining Star ReMix, really noting is gained other than tailoring the sound to specific audiences.

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