SotW for March 25, 2009

The Burning Hell is a band made of 13+ people whose quirky lyrics and playful melodies, featuring lots of ukulele playing, have stolen my heart. (Matthew has previously posted about them.)

Their 2006 album Happy Birthday was a treat to listen to. Singer Mathias Kom's baritone contrasts well with the silly songs, and it would all fall apart if one couldn't be sure that the band has a lot of fun doing it.

The Burning Hell's new album Baby came out in late February. Fittingly, the first song on the album recounts an idealistic baby (fetus?) planning his entry into the world.

"I made all kinds of plans for when I got out
The things that I would do, the things I'd talk about
For when I learned to walk, I planned the places I would go to
Like New Brunswick and the mall, and the Toronto Zoo"

However, when the baby is born, he learns the world isn't all it's cracked up to be, at which point he decides he was much happier in the womb. He sings, "Take us back to the old world..."

The Burning Hell - Old World [mp3]

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SotW for March 11, 2009

Amos the Transparent sounds like a rapper to me. But instead of spitting fresh verse — which is what I think rappers do — Amos the Transparent is a beautiful indie band from Ottawa.

Our nation's capital is home to many good bands such as Hilotrons and The Acorn. Adding to the city's already impressive roster, this four-piece band led by singer Jonathan Chandler creates intricate, soothing pop gems that are perfect to listen to on a chilly afternoon, bundled up in a sweater. That said, Amos the Transparent does have its harder moments, too.

Their new EP My, What Big Teeth You Have... has, so far, received nothing but positive reviews. This week's song is Lemons, aka (BigFishLittlePond) and comes from that EP. Please listen, buy, support.


Amos the Transparent - Lemons, aka (BigFishLittlePond)

SotW for March 4, 2009

Hello, all. This week's feature is a six-minute opus by Elvis Perkins in Dearland. Perkins comes from a family of performers, his father having played Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Named after the King of Rock n' Roll, Perkins took to music at a young age and released his debut Ash Wednesday in 2007. Almost exactly two years later, he and his band released the self-titled followup Elvis Perkins in Dearland from which we get the Song of the Week, "Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville."

The song is long without being indulgent and steady without being boring. The album comes out March 10 and high hopes are had by all.








Elvis Perkins in Dearland Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville

SotW for Feb 25, 2009

The Josh Reichmann Oracle Band is the latest project by — you guessed it — Josh Reichmann. Of course, Reichmann cut his indie teeth as part of Tangiers, which got rave reviews and saw success in Canada and the US. Reichmann will release his latest project's debut Crazy Power with Paper Bag Records. The record is available at the label's website where it is described as the "culmination of Josh Reichmann 's absorbed and mutated influences and ideas to date."

In that spirit, I offer "Kiss My Lips" by Tangiers and "Trade Names" by the Josh Reichmann Oracle Band to give us a before-and-after look at the Torontonian.


Tangiers - Kiss My Lips [mp3]
Josh Reichman Oracle Band - Trade Names [mp3]

SotW for Feb 18, 2009

We should do themed playlists more often. When winter turns to spring we might do our second annual Springtime Playlist but for now, let's focus on animals.

Or, The Whale is a seven-piece alt-rock band from San Francisco, although they prefer not to be classified as such. Let's say they are part of the nebulous group of music known as "Americana." The band's name comes from Herman Melville's classic Moby Dick or, The Whale and they have been making an impression in the indie scene, even appearing on ABC's Good Morning America.

"Call and Response" is from their album Light Poles and Pines, written about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans. I strongly recommend you throw it onto the iPod. Despite being about a natural disaster, the song will have you dancing in no time.

Or, The Whale - Call and Response


Also, I forgot to post last week. Here's "DANS" by Vancouver's Wintermitts. This song is well worth your time.

Wintermitts - DANS

SotW for Feb 4, 2009

Check out Bon Iver's performance on the Late Show with David Letterman from December. What a fantastic song this is. It's been a while since we have played it on Green Eggs and Ham but I think that will change this week. I still cannot believe Matthew and I have not featured it yet.

Everyone, consider this my premature Song of the Week.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love [mp3]

Song of the Week for Jan 28, 2009

"Love is no big truth. Driven by genes, we are simple selfish beings."

Whether you have recently been dumped or if you truly don't believe in love, this week's Song of the Week will make you feel good about your cynicism.

Love Is No Big Truth is from Kings of Convenience's 2004 album Riot on an Empty Street and I hope they release something new soon. (Their myspace says they have nine new songs ready but nothing recorded yet.) Until they do, however, we can all enjoy this song.

Kings of Convenience - Love Is No Big Truth [mp3]

SotW for Jan 21, 2009

The names Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino may not mean much to anyone. But if you drop their last names, you get one of the most danceable groups in all of Christendom. Matt and Kim have been gathering a significant following ever since their self-titled 2006 album which featured the infectious hit Yea Yeah.

On Tuesday the couple released their follow-up Grand from which I have plucked my song of the week. Lessons Learned is another simple arrangement by the duo with nothing but drums, keyboards and some half-yelling by Matt. Maybe it's that simplicity, the feeling that you could probably play these songs yourself, that makes Matt and Kim so much fun to listen to. If you're unfamiliar with these Brooklynites but you love a good indie-dance tune, have a listen to Lessons Learned.

Matt and Kim - Lessons Learned [mp3]


[BONUS]
Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare is a slower track from Grand and available at their label's website.

SotW for Jan 14, 2009

This week's featured song is by San Francisco's Vetiver. What is a vetiver, you ask? As far as I can tell, it's a type of grass indigenous to India. (For pronunciation, see Answers.com.)

Singer/songwriter Andy Cabic is the man behind the band and he will be releasing Vetiver's fourth studio album with Sub Pop, whose roster continues to attract the best bands in indie music. Tight Knit will not be available until Feb. 17 but it is already a best seller on the label's website.

The song is Everyday and its soft melodies and soothing lyrics make the 3 mins and 49 secs fly by. My favourite bit of the song:

I always seem to make something out of nothing
But I can't make you appear
While I'm away just know
I'll play this song for you and wait

Vetiver - Everyday [mp3]

SotW for Jan 7, 2009

Better late than never. This week I'm crazy a song by The Magic. While perusing the various top songs and albums of 2008, I heard No Sound on Wolves, Hawks and Kites and I fell in love with it.

Investigating the band revealed The Magic is from Toronto/Guelph and consists of Geordie Gordon, Evan Gordon, and Sylvie Smith. Their other songs on MySpace and NMC are worth checking out but here's the one that caught my attention first.

The Magic - No Sound [mp3]

SotW for Dec. 31, 2008

Here's an extra song not included on the playlist. Recently, I was urged to get the Jens Lekman CD by my ladyfriend who is a big fan. I thought I liked Jens but I had no idea. The man is a musical genius. The song I'm including is from his 2007 album Night Falls Over Kortedala. Kortedala, by the way, is a neighbourhood in Jens's hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden.

A Postcard to Nina is the true story of Jens posing as his lesbian friend's boyfriend to her parents. Our Swedish hero sings about the awkward family dinner he endured while Nina's father (pronounced "fodder" by Jens) asks him questions. The comedy, sadness, and tenderness with which Jens sings has melted my heart and I have been listening to this song for the last two weeks on repeat.

Jens Lekman - A Postcard to Nina [mp3]

SotW for Dec. 17, 2008

I hate Sloan. I don't really know when my hatred for them became as intense as it is, but I hate the status they enjoy as "icons" of Canadian music. Their songs tend to be pretty damned boring, although singer Jay Ferguson's voice is pretty good, I must admit.

However, I really like Waterloo's Will Currie and the Country French whom I came across last year on the I Heart Music blog. Their piano-inspired tunes with Will Currie's songwriting made for a jolly good time. So imagine my surprise when the two acts collaborated on a song.

Push Pins was written by Will Currie who shares the vocals on the song with Jay Ferguson. They harmonize very well together and the song is a sugary pop gem. They recorded while touring together and Will Currie and the Country French have seen some good publicity as a result. In fact, the song is nominated for a Bucky Award. Let's hope they continue doing well.

Will Curry and the Country French & Sloan - Push Pins [mp3]

SotW for Dec. 10, 2008

Musical siblings rarely share the spotlight well. For example, there is no doubt as to which Jackson is more talented, Michael or Janet. Same goes for the Hanson brothers. Clearly Zac is the best mmmbopper of the bunch.

But when it comes to the Matthew and Jill Barber, it's hard to pick a favourite. The two Ontarians are both great singers and songwriters and successful on their own terms. However, given the choice, I will choose the big brother who once played the part of amateur radio host at Queens University's campus radio station. (It's like I can relate to him.)

From the 2008 album Ghost Notes, here's a short but interesting song by Matthew Barber. I especially like the piano opening.

Matthew Barber - I'm Gonna Settle My Accounts With You [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 26, 2008

What are they putting in the water in Athens, Georgia? How come so much good music comes out of that part of the States?

Well, Modern Skirts are a four-piece from that magical place in the state of Georgia. Their album All Of Us In Our Night doesn't drop until Jan. 20 but this teaser should impress you all. A few songs on that album, including my song of the week, were produced by R.E.M.'s Mike Mills. Don't worry if you can't remember that member of R.E.M. No one can.

Infinitely catchy, the song Motorcade is well worth downloading. Pinky-swear.

Modern Skirts - Motorcade [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 19, 2008

For the second week in a row, I'm not offering anything new. I apologize. However, I rediscovered this cover of the Cardigans on my iTunes library after months of not having heard it and I needed to share.

The Morning Benders are a quartet from Berkeley, California who released their album Talking Through Tin Cans back in May. However, I also happened to have this cover of Lovefool from a free internet album they were giving away called The Bedroom Covers. Here's a song you'll want on the iPod.


The Morning Benders - Lovefool [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 12, 2008

This week's pick is a bit of a cop-out.
We've played this song by Shotgun Jimmie probably more than any other over the last year. Therefore, it came as a surprise that neither Matthew nor I had posted it yet. So here it is, from the album The Onlys, Shotgun Jimmie with Bedhead.

Shotgun Jimmie - Bedhead [mp3]

SotW for Nov. 6, 2008

This week's pick is from Toronto's Michael O’Connell, better known as Culture Reject.
The self-titled debut has been getting some great reviews since its release earlier this year but Saskatonians won't have a chance to see him live for the foreseeable future, according to the MySpace.

Still, here's a taste to whet your appetite for more Culture Reject. My favourite part of the song is at 2:55.

I wanna get home, I wanna get stoned.
Make myself food, make myself good...

Culture Reject - Inside the Cinema [mp3]

SotW for October 29th, 2008

They Tear Down Houses Don't They? That's my six-minute Song of the Week® for this Halloween issue of the show. Edmonton's Shout Out Out Out Out (that's 4 outs) have only released one album in 2006 entitled Not Saying Just Saying but they have toured relentlessly.

On Monday Nov. 3 you can see the guys play at Louis' on campus with opening act San Serac. It promises to be a good show. Here's a little taste of the madness.

Shout Out Out Out Out - They Burn Down Houses Don't They? [mp3]

SotW for October 22, 2008

There comes a time in every man's life when he discovers love.
But more commonly, he rediscovers his love for Sam Roberts.

Here are two songs by the Montreal crooner. One is from his latest effort, Love at the End of the World, and the other is my favourite song from We Were Born In A Flame. Please enjoy and, just maybe, unearth your crush on Sammy Roberts.

Sam Roberts - Words & Fire [mp3]

Sam Roberts - No Sleep [mp3]

SotW for October 15th, 2008

This edition's Song of the Week is a cover. 

M.I.A., whose music I can't stand, included the song Jimmy on her 2007 album Kala. 

Luckily for us though, the guys from Of Montreal covered it and turned it into yet another pop gem. Enjoy.

Of Montreal - Jimmy [mp3]