Adele @ The Rivoli, Toronto (26-03-08)

Adele made her first trip to Toronto last night and I was lucky enough to be in the audience to see her play a sold-out show at The Rivoli. For anyone who doesn't know, The Rivoli is a very small, historical venue in the city. A lot of musicians play their first gig in Toronto here and then move on the bigger and greater things. After last night's show I have no doubt that Adele certainly will as well.

You can probably guess that the size of location made for a very intimate affair. Besides that, the entire set was "stripped down" as Adele put it. This, Adele noted, is how she likes to introduce her music to a new city because it's the way she writes songs and plays them to her mum for the first time. Adele sat on a stool in the middle of the stage and began the set with just an acoustic guitar, playing the first track, 'Daydreamer' off her debut album. Shortly after she was joined on stage by her guitarist and pianist. They made there way through several songs on the album including 'Crazy For You', 'First Love', ''My Same', 'Melt My Heart To Stone', 'Chasing Pavements' and the Bob Dylan cover 'Make You Feel My Love'. Adele closed her first appearance in Toronto with the song that first introduced me to her music, 'Hometown Glory.'

The acoustic set was a great idea and it went over very nicely. While she admitted to being nervous and apologized for her raspy voice (she was suffering from a hangover after a gig in Montreal the night before) Adele hardly seemed as if she was not in top form. Anything that she considered imperfect about her performance last night were in fact, endearing. The only complaint that I have, which most at the show will probably agree with, is that the set was too short. It ran well under an hour, maybe between 40-45 minutes and managed to play around 10 songs.

Good news for anyone who missed out on last night's show. Adele mentioned that she will be back in Toronto and (more likely than not) North America in June with a "proper band." Sadly for us (but great for), she will probably be playing a bigger venue next time around. After last night's show I will definitely be going to see her again and so should you. If you haven't picked up her album 19 yet, do so. It's a keeper and the buzz that has been floating around Adele for a while now is deserving. Why? Because she has the talent to back it up.

MySpace: Adele

Buy 19

You Should Be Listening To: FANFARLO - FIRE ESCAPE

I don't know much about Fanfarlo but I do know that I like what I hear and that's reason enough, right? But here's what I do know: the band are from London, they just played a couple of successful shows at SXSW and they have released several singles, each on different labels it appears. Most of the songs are floating around on the interweb (you can listen to them on the band's official website) but it's the catchy 'Fire Escape' that really sticks out among the bunch. It even ends with some good ol' whistlin'. Give it a listen.

Download: Fanfarlo - Fire Escape [mp3]
MySpace: Fanfarlo
Fanfarlo: Official Website

Buy Fire Escape [UK]

New Death Cab Track

Ok, here it is. New Death Cab For Cutie. I have been very excited about this new album for a while now (called Narrow Stairs if you haven't heard) and the first single "I Will Possess Your Heart" has reminded me why. It's a long one too. It runs til' 8:36. Not sure if this is just an album version as it's length isn't very radio-friendly (not that I give a shit). The reason for this is the nice unexpected 4 minute-ish instrumental at the beginning of the track. It builds nicely to the vocal portion of the song, where Ben Gibbard kicks in and gives us a great quintessential Death Cab melody. I'm really liking the instrumentation on this song, The subtle, yet resounding, bass line is a perfect complement to the piano/guitar mix that Death Cab has perfected, at least they have in my book.

Bottom line: it's a Death Cab song, therefore, it's good. Really, you can't go wrong. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album.

Download: Death Cab For Cutie I Will Possess Your Heart [mp3]

MySpace: Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie: Official Website

Pre-Order Narrow Stairs (Delux Edition) [U.S. ITunes]

Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling

I seem to really be into female singer-songwriters at the moment. Adele, Duffy, Feist, Laura Marling, the amount of female talent seems endless at the moment and I can now add Basia Bulat to that list. She is fantastic singer-songwriter from London, Ontario, Canada who is garnering some much deserved attention at the moment. She played this year's SXSW and NPR has labelled her as one of a few to watch at the festival. In 2005, Bulat released a self-titled EP. Her debut album, Oh, My Darling, was released in 2007 in Canada and the UK. It was released on February 5th of this year in the United States. The song, 'In the Night' is great, although it does not appear on her debut. I'm actually not sure where this recording can be found but hopefully it appears or will appear somewhere.

Basia Bulat is playing a whole bunch of shows in Canada and the U.S. this Spring. Check out her MySpace for a list of dates. Also be sure to listen to her session at Daytrotter. You can find a link to it on her official website.

Download: Basia Bulat - In the Night [mp3]

MySpace: Basia Bulat

Basia Bulat: Official Website

Buy Oh, My Darling

The Last Shadow Puppets

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane of The Rascals. Need I say more? I didn't think so but I will nonetheless. I was a little surprised when I heard that Turner would be releasing solo work. Not sure why but it didn't matter because it was soon announced that it was actually a side project with Kane. The two met when The Little Flames (Kane's former band) opened for Arctic Monkeys in 2007.

The first track off the album is 'The Age of the Understatement.' This title also serves as the name of the album, to be released on April 21st, 2008 on Domino. Like most people, I've only really heard this track and whatever Youtube live footage I could find but what I can tell you with certainty is that this song is fantastic. Musically, it is nothing like Arctic Monkeys. There's strings for one thing and it's all very epic. If anything, the song will make you want to hear more from The Last Shadow Puppets.

So is the video by the way, which you can find at the band's website (and is actually all you can find right now). I don't know what it is about this video but I love it. You can't go wrong with the cold Russian winter and nice jackets. You just can't. Anyways, the boys played their first show in NYC last week. There should be more dates to come. Stay tuned.

Download: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement [mp3]

The Last Shadow Puppets: Offical Website

Buy The Age of the Understatement [Single] (UK)

You Should Be Listening To: SONS AND DAUGHTERS - CHAINS

Great song from Glasgow's Sons and Daughters. It's called 'Chains ' and it's off of the band's latest CD This Gift. The song pretty much sums up how awesome this album is. It's just good pop but with an edge. It is really worth picking up. The first two singles 'Gift Complex' and 'Darling' are just as good.

The band are supporting Editors for five dates in the UK before they head to North America for a tour which concludes with a spot at Coachella. Check their MySpace page for a list of dates and also a free dowload of an acoustic version of 'Gift Complex.'

Download: Sons and Daughters - Chains [mp3]

MySpace: Sons and Daughters

Sons and Daughters: Official Website

Buy This Gift

CD Releases: Week of 12/02/08

One of the best singer-songwriters Dallas Green, a.k.a. City and Colour releases his follow-up to his debut album this week. The new one is called Bring Me Your Love and features Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip on the track 'Sleeping Sickness.' It is a fantastic tune. My favourite though, has to be 'The Girl.' The album is solid but I expect no less from City and Colour.

Other releases worth you attention include British Sea Power with Do You Like Rock Music and the 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Notable CD Releases

British Sea Power - "Do You Like Rock Music"
The Cardigans - "Best of"
Ray Charles - "The Way I Feel"
City and Colour - "Bring Me Your Love"
Marilyn Horne - "Souvenir of a Golden Era"
The Isley Brothers - "The Definitive Collection"
Michael Jackson - "Thriller (25th Anniversary Edition)"
Mike Jones - "Running 4 President 2K8"
Morrissey - "Greatest Hits"

Download: City and Colour - The Girl [mp3]

MySpace: City and Colour

City and Colour: Official Website

Buy Bring Me Your Love

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Justin Vernon a.k.a Bon Iver is set to release his solo album on February 19th. Once a member of the band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon took part in other musical ventures before setting out to write his solo material. The music on his debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, were written and recorded during 3-4 cold winter months in a cabin in Wisconsin. The songs reflect such an atmosphere and are a great listen on those cold snowy days. The album, of course, is a re-release as it was self-released by Vernon last fall. The music is folk mixed with horns and subtle drumbeats. Nothing is overdone or over produced. The beauty of it is it's simplicity.

Bon Iver hits the road with Vancouver's Black Mountain beginning on February 19th. Check his MySpace page for dates.

Download: Bon Iver - For Emma [mp3]
MySpace: Bon Iver
Bon Iver: Official Website [Jagjaguwar]

Buy For Emma, Forever Ago

CD Releases: Week of 05/02/08

There are some really good releases this week including the much anticipated debut album from Adele entitled 19. Other releases worth checking out include a solo effort from Broken Social Scene's Jason Collet, Hot Chip's Made In The Dark and Nada Surf's Lucky.

Notable CD Releases

Adele - "19"
Beck - "Odelay" (Deluxe Edition)
Johnny Cash - "Collections"
Jason Collett - "Here's to Being Here"
Ben Folds - "Rockin' the Suburbs"
Hello Operator - "Break" (EP)
Hot Chip - "Made in the Dark"
Jack Johnson - "Sleep Through the Static"
Janis Joplin - "Collections"
Nada Surf - "Lucky"
Willie Nelson - "Collections"
Roy Orbison - "Collections"

You Should Be Listening To: THE HELIO SEQUENCE - KEEP YOUR EYES AHEAD

The Helio Seqeuence are a great little indie band. They come from Portland, Oregon and just released their new album entitled Keep Your Eyes Ahead. The single, of the same name, is a wonderful track with a mild electronica-80's retro feel to it. I love the 80's, twas a great time. And the music, chalk full of one hit wonders, only makes the decade even better!

The Helio Sequence are essentially a duo, Brandon Summers and former Modest Mouse drummer Benjamin Weikel. They have been together for a while, since the late 90's and released their last album, Love and Distance, way back in 2004. So fans have waited a long time for this release and although it may be a little more slower paced than some of their older stuff, the songs are still pretty damn good.

Download: The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead [mp3]
MySpace: The Helio Sequence
The Helio Sequence: Official Website

Buy Keep Your Eyes Ahead