His first solo record since 2011’s Diaper Island, Calgary-native Chad VanGaalen’s Shrink Dust marks a definitive change in his sound. While VanGaalen often relies on homemade instruments to craft his zany soundscapes, Shrink Dust features the addition of an aluminum pedal steel guitar. This makes the album — in VanGaalen’s view — a country record.… Continue reading Chad VanGaalen
Results for "Garth Paulson"
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Spun: The Decemberists
“Long live the king!”- this traditional exclamation may pronounce a new era of independent music to come as The Decemberists explore new sonic territory. After six weeks of recording at the Pendarvis Farm near Portland, Oregon, The Decemberists completed work on their sixth album, January 2011’s The King is Dead, as well as the more… Continue reading Spun: The Decemberists
Spun: Gorillaz
The virtual band Gorillaz came into existence in 1998 at a time when English creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlitt grew increasingly tired and frustrated about the quality of music played on MTV. Fourteen years later, the four animated members — 2D, Noodle, Russell and Murdoc — now make up one of the most creative,… Continue reading Spun: Gorillaz
Spun: Tom Waits
Let me get this out of the way: Tom Waits is the most badass man in music today. Every album he has released feels like it has been made exactly to his specifications, and Bad as Me is no exception. The album feels like it’s coming from a place only Tom Waits has been to… Continue reading Spun: Tom Waits
Cuff the Duke
Maybe it’s the fact that they have been hailed as the successors to Canadian legends Blue Rodeo, or maybe it’s that I saw them absolutely kill it at a festival this summer, but it seems my expectations were a little too lofty for the fifth album by cult indie-rockers Cuff the Duke.Frontman Wayne Petti’s vocals… Continue reading Cuff the Duke
Spun: LCD Soundsystem
What do chocolate milk, tandem bicycles and this album have in common? All of them are based on great original ideas, changed up to make them that much greater. The London Sessions has a set list that spans all stages of James Murphy’s career recorded as a live-in-studio album. It’s a fitting analogy for a… Continue reading Spun: LCD Soundsystem
Spun: The Decemberists
The Decemberists have a penchant for instruments usually found in polka bands, churches and orchestras. Among this musical diversity, their new album The King is Dead somehow finds peace, tolerance and a middle ground. Their lyrics are a Pandora’s box of the musical world- sometimes morbid and yet sometimes hopeful too. “Don’t Carry It All”… Continue reading Spun: The Decemberists
Spun: Weezer
The 1996 release of Weezer’s Pinkerton was a surprising flop for the band. The album’s sales were low and it was hammered by Rolling Stone as one of the worst albums of the year. Despite the auspicious start, word of mouth spread and the album became a cult hit. Since then, the album is acclaimed… Continue reading Spun: Weezer
Spun: LCD Soundsystem
This Is Happening… Three minutes into the album, listeners may wonder what exactly is happening, if anything. Then, at 3:08 into “Dance Yrself Clean,” it starts — frenetic synth loops and beats, rich layering, havoc being wreaked upon a dancefloor somewhere. There is something else happening here though — James Murphy actually sounds pissed off.… Continue reading Spun: LCD Soundsystem
Spun: Tetrix
Local art-electronica artists Tetrix have finally hit double digits with Tetrix 10, their 10th release since 2002’s Tetrix 1. It is stunning to look back and see that these musical adventurers have released at least one album annually. Like the lyrics on opening track “The First Green Leaf” every new Tetrix release is “Ringing in… Continue reading Spun: Tetrix