This review is part of our series of reviews of the shortlisted 2010 Polaris Prize albums. The Polaris Prize is a Canadian music prize picked on a basis of artistic merit alone, and not commercial success. As a result, the long list tends to turn out some of the best music...
Title: Instinct Over Influence Artist: Samsara Label: Trial & Error Records / Stomp Released: 9 July 2010 In one word: Pissed! One sincerely hopes that the title of this album wasn’t meant to be some statement of the band’s musical philosophy, ’cause while I kinda enjoyed the CD for what it’s...
Title: Lawson Graham Artist: Factor Label: Fake Four Inc. Released: 27 April 2010 In one word: Exceptional I took my time with this one. After receiving a copy of Lawson Graham back in the middle of June, I found myself listening to it on pretty heavy rotation. It was love at...
In this first installation of reviews of the shortlisted 2010 Polaris Prize albums, I’m going to be looking at Darker Circles by The Sadies. The Polaris Prize is a Canadian music prize picked on a basis of artistic merit alone, and not commercial success. As a result, the long list tends...
Title: Chemistry Artist: The Sun Harmonic Label: Truth In Records Released: 11 May 2010 In one word: Chilled I’ll come straight out and say this isn’t necessarily my kind of “thing”, but if you like your music super-chilled, emotional without being too overwrought, easy-listening without plumbing the depths of the dreaded...
Title: Kronic Rock Artist: Krome Label: Cordova Bay Records/Fontana Released: 10 August 2010 In one word: Banal The packaging for this CD by Vancouver, BC band Krome is rather uninspiring, being a mocked-up picture of an amplifier with the text on the speaker and amp head showing the name of the...
Title: Songs to Make Love to Your Boyfriend By Artist: Ben Prytherch Label: None Released: 19 June 2010 In one word: Goofy The introduction to this debut solo album by English born Colorado, USA musician Ben Prytherch (pronounced Pri’-thərk, as per the record’s liner notes) is a spoken word monologue from...
Title: God Said It’s Legal EP Artist: The Demon Parade Label: Jaya Jaya Records Released: 17 July 2010 In one word: Groovy Okay, this review’s gonna be short but sweet. My hard-workin’ editor’s gonna love me for it. Do you remember the late 80s/early 90s? Melbourne, Victoria’s The Demon Parade certainly...
Title: True Sound Of The Underground Artist: Sister Sin Label: Victory Records/Stomp Released: 25 June 2010 In one word: Familiar This is a bit of a no-brainer, really, this one. Basically, if you like 80s hair-metal bands a la Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, Ratt et al, with slightly more “modern” production,...
Title: Noir Artist: William Control Label: Victory Records/Stomp Released: 8 June 2010 In one word: Promising William Control is apparently the lead singer of a band called Aiden, a group I’ve yet to have the pleasure of, but after this album I’m at least curious enough to have a listen. An...Music Vice Magazine - www.musicvice.com - Independent online music magazine established 2002: UK, Canada, Australia and Planet Telex
