...but you can call me dee.

o7. Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

2008-06-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not really going to write a review for this one because chances are, if you know me, you know my feelings toward this album. Don't be surprised if you hate it the first time: give it more than one listen and you'll like it. I guarantee it...?

This file contains three bonus tracks that appear only on the Japanese release of the album. Below is the entire track listing for the album. Enjoy it, or I will eat your first born child!

Download
It's a .zip file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. Life in Technicolour - 2:30
2. Cemeteries of London - 3:21
3. Lost! - 3:55
4. 42 - 3:57
5. Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love - 6:51
6. Yes - 7:07
7. Viva la Vida - 4:01
8. Violet Hill - 3:43
9. Strawberry Swing - 4:10
10. Death and All His Friends - 6:19

Bonus Tracks
11. Lost! (Acoustic) - 3:40
12. Lovers in Japan (Acoustic) - 3:48
13. A Spell A Rebel Yell (B-Side) - 2:40

o hai!

2008-06-14T12:49:00.002-05:00

This morning I dropped a whopping 200$ on tickets to see Coldplay at the end of July. I justify this expense as it being my boyfriend's birthday present. Divulging his age would make you shiver, so we'll pretend he's turning 25!

Lots of music this summer. Lots of new albums hitting shelves definitely worth checking out. My top three right now:

The Best of Radiohead - If you can get the DVD, you're that much cooler.
Coldplay (Viva La Vida or Death and all his Friends) - It's one of those albums that has to grow on you, which is unfortunate.
Weezer (Weezer/The Red Album) - Again.. an album that needs time to grow on you. There are really only two songs on the album that retain that Weezer sound so don't be surprised if you're a bit disappointed.

In the weeks to come, my suggestions:

June 17
Wolf Parade (At Mount Zoomer) - It's about time they released another album. More than anything, I'm excited to see what Pitchfork rates it.

June 24
Hercules and Love Affair (Self Titled) - I've had this album for about a month now and if you like lo-fi electro beats with a retro feel, check them out. Pitchfork gave it a 9.1/10 so.. you know it must be good if those hard-asses gave it that high of a score.
Sigur Ros (Meo suo i eyrum vio spilum endalaust [With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly]) - Do I even need to say anything!?!

It's NXNE weekend and I hope you get to check out some sweet shows. I, on the other hand, am missing out completely. Monday I've got a huge midterm and I'm behind in some work. Plus, I've been given four giant boxes of CD's (mostly Juno nominees) to go through at work and subsequently throw into the system at the station. Of course I can't complain, I get a ton of free CD's out of it!

So peace out, home slices. Hope you're enjoying the sweltering heat. Maybe I'll start posting like a normal human being from now on. A little of this a little of that some pictures and definitely hilarious videos. And in that spirit, I leave you with this!

For Craig.

Rest In Peace!

2008-02-08T17:06:00.001-05:00

I guess it's about time I explained the absence of Wavelengths. This is how it is:

I have about sixteen hours a week in class.
Add anywhere from 9-18 hours a week on-air.
Plus homework.
And we can't forget about being supervising music director for Unsigned (which you should be listening to. New episode every Wednesday night at 10 with repeats every Friday and Monday.)
Sleep.
Eating.
Number two.

You know how it can be! It's unfortunate, but I've had to give up doing Wavelengths. I've been thinking about doing album reviews or something cool like that just to keep my nose in the Canadian music scene.

I've applied for a job out in Calgary for a "Canadian content development coordinator". It sounded like a cool job when I found it and after asking a professor about the job, I feel confident that I'll at least get a phone call concerning the position. I've also got some strong references and the encouragement of great friends. On a number of occasions I've been told that I'd be a great candidate for the position and that I would do a great job. Hopefully this is all true because I think I would love the job!

Furthermore I've stopped posting in my other blog simply because it seems all I have to talk about is radio related things and school. I'm sure my avid readers (which includes my mother and various mysterious IP addresses) will contact me if they feel the need to know what's up in my boring ol' life.

Perhaps I will find something constructive to write about but until then, I am on hiatus to focus on school and getting myself a career!

I've done it again...

2008-01-11T18:57:00.001-05:00

Well, to be honest, I hadn't completed an episode of Wavelengths for the last week of school before the break. Then I was at home for three (long) weeks. Then I decided to not do an episode this week. I'm not a slacker, really! I will have an episode completed for next week. Though I've not decided who to do it on or figured out when I'll have time for it, it will be done and posted with haste!

Since returning from home, I've been granted permission to flex my on-air muscles and have been doing so with zeal! Unfortunately, I had a strep-throat scare this week which resulted in my motherly instincts, as well as the pleads of classmates, pushing me to give away my hosting shift Thursday night. The lovely Kirk Davidson took my shift and let me sit in so I could learn a bit more.

I'll be on-air regularly (I hope) so you can catch me on 96.9FM or online. You can also find my scheduled shifts on my LiveJournal! I hope you'll listen in and send in some requests!

The latest episode of Radio Humber Wavelengths should be posted by Thursday! Hope to see you then!

Sans Updates.

2007-12-05T23:38:00.000-05:00

I know I know. Not that many people even know this blarg exists, but I'm alive. My music reviews and posts have been few and far between as school takes up 99.9% of my time. The other 0.1% of my time is reserved for breathing. Nothing more.

This week brings another episode of Radio Humber Wavelengths. I chose to do episode 4 on Attack in Black both because I love them and they remind me of high school. Mostly because I went to high school with Ian Romano, but mostly because the band reminds me of high school which reminds me of home. I am sometimes fond of home. More often than not, but I digress.

The episode turned out great. I enlisted the perfected production of Kirk Davidson and the piece has come out like a babe from the womb: gooey and beautiful. Here's your chance to get acquainted with the hidden gem that is Attack in Black.

Also, if you'd like, you can catch the episode on Radio Humber this Friday (December 7th). It will be airing on @Humber which starts at 12:05pm! I hope you'll give it a listen!

For now, here's your advanced peek!

boomp3.com

Radio Humber Wavelengths

2007-11-11T14:03:00.000-05:00

What a way to withdraw from a blogging commitment! I've been ever so busy though not uninterested in this endeavour.

The previously mentioned feature I'm doing is called "Radio Humber Wavelengths" and debuts this Friday on @Humber. You can listen LIVE at 11:30am. Let me know what you think. The first episode is on Stars as I'm going to their show at the end of the month with a friend of mine. For the first episode, it turned out alright. The next one will be done this week at some point. Thus far, the feature will be on a band called These Electric Lives. Recently I e-mailed them requesting a copy of their EP for Radio Humber. I've been a fan for a while, and after receiving the album, I got all giddy and listened to it on repeat for a good four hours. I e-mailed them concerning a project we have to do called "Unsigned" and thankfully they agreed to be my band! I'm excited and nervous but overall more than stoked.

So I'll be posting the newest episode of Radio Humber Wavelengths after it's done and produced.

If you'd like to hear a band featured on Radio Humber Wavelengths, let me know! I'd love to hear about it and am always up for new music!

Until next time, stay trashy, Rexdale.

Album of the Week

2007-10-31T21:08:00.000-05:00

I've recently been contracted to do a weekly music show much like my blog but for airing purposes on Radio Humber. Due to this, I will probably start posting my scripted pieces along with the albums, but I won't be doing an album this week. I'll probably head into the studio next week to put the first episode together. It will be focusing on new Canadian releases, but I hope to have a more independent artist take on it. I will also be posting the audio from those weekly features along with the posts and albums. I think I might start scoping the albums as well in order to advocate actually buying the artists' album. Anyway, I'll be posting some stuff in a week or so. Keep your pants on, my friends.

o6. Shapes and Sizes - Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner

2007-10-20T23:23:00.000-05:00

Back to good old Sunday posting...

Shapes and Sizes is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia. After releasing their first self-titled album, it caught the eye of Sufjan Stevens and his record company "Asthmatic Kitty". Soon thereafter, Shapes and Sizes re-released their debut under "Asthmatic Kitty". In January they released a split 7" album with The Weird Weeds as part of a split 7" series project record company Asthmatic Kitty was working on. Five months later, Shapes and Sizes released their second full-length album "Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner". The Canadian foursome, three guys and a girl, have since been featured on CBC Radio 3's "R3-30" with Craig Norris as well as "The CBC Radio 3 Podcast with Grant Lawrence" and a CBC Radio 3 "Session" on May 8th, 2006.

This album is soft and quiet, rough and loud and all around great. If you're not falling asleep with it on, you should be makin' love. I present to you "Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner" by Shapes and Sizes.

Download
It's a .zip file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. Alone/Alive - 3:37
2. Head Movin' - 2:53
3. Geese - 3:46
4. The Taste In My Mouth - 5:31
5. Teller/Seller - 2:22
6. Grassy Corner, A Sunset - 0:44
7. Highlife (I Had Been Duped) - 4:47
8. Can't Stop That (Sinking) Feeling - 4:08
9. The Horse's Mouthy Mouth - 5:45
10. The Long Indifference - 4:04
11. Canvas Skies, Muslin Trees - 1:38
12. Victory in War - 4:08
13. Piggy - 3:53
14. One, Two, Three - 4:00

o5. The New Pornographers - Challengers

2007-10-17T13:34:00.001-05:00

The second that I heard the first release from this album, I knew it would be the next post for Album of the Week. In fact, I had to try my very hardest to not post two albums last week because I wanted to post this one so badly.

The New Pornographers formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Almost immediately after banding together they recorded the classic "Letter from an Occupant" and since then, it's been on. With eight members in this highly successful Canadian Indie group, The New Pornographers have put out four full-length albums and have been featured on three compilation albums, more recently on the CBC Radio 3's "Sessions Volume III" released earlier this month. With their latest release, "Challengers", The New Pornographers have amassed positive reviews and it gives you almost everything you would want and expect from the band. Considering the band has eight members, this album succeeds in showcasing a bit of each personality but still keeps the group meshed together. After your first listen to this great piece, you will be won over. But with repeated listens, I can almost guarantee that it will not only become part of your "Top 5", but will stay there for some time to come.

If you don't like this album, you are crazy and I probably don't want to know you anymore. I present to you "Challengers", the latest, and perhaps greatest, release from Canada's very own The New Pornographers.

Download
It's a .zip file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. My Rights Versus Yours - 4:17
2. All the Old Showstoppers - 4:08
3. Challengers - 3:31
4. Myriad Harbour - 4:00
5. All the Things that Go to Make Heaven and Earth - 3:09
6. Failsafe - 2:37
7. Unguided - 6:33
8. Entering White Cecilia - 3:28
9. Go Places - 4:32
10. Mutiny, I Promise You - 4:12
11. Adventures In Solitude - 4:16
12. The Spirit of Giving - 4:01

o4. Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara

2007-10-07T18:40:00.001-05:00

What can I even say about this week's album? I've chosen to post "Ongiara" by Great Lake Swimmers. In one word, this album is indescribable.

Hailing from the good old township of Wainfleet, Ontario (population 6 258), Great Lake Swimmers is the dream of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. The bands current line-up includes Erik Arneson and Colin Huebert. Often compared to artists such as Red House Painters, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and Neil Young, Great Lake Swimmers have formed a category all their own. Their third full-length album, Ongiara was released on March 27th 2007. Blending the banjo, dreamy acoustic guitar lines and gentle rhythmic drumming, the band has put together an amazing album that will live on in record collections for years to come. They've even released this album on vinyl (which I am lucky enough to not only own but have autographed by Tony Dekker himself) which has garnered decent sales. In early 2007, Great Lake Swimmers signed onto Nettwerk records and have since managed to prosper.

In my opinion, their second greatest album (closely following Bodies and Minds), here is Ongiara from Great Lake Swimmers.

Download
It's a .rar file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. Your Rocky Spine - 3:38
2. Backstage with the Modern Dancers - 4:30
3. Catcher Son - 4:13
4. Changing Colours - 4:46
5. There Is a Light - 5:08
6. Put There by the Land - 2:45
7. I am Part of a Large Family - 4:25
8. Where in the World Are You - 3:51
9. Passenger Song - 4:31
10. I Became Awake - 5:53

o3. Malajube - Trompe-L'oeil

2007-10-01T15:59:00.000-05:00

This week's contribution comes from a Dare to Care artist. Malajube is a Canadian Francophone Indie band hailing from Montréal. Forming in 2004, the band released their first album titled "Le Compte Complet" which garnered positive reviews and sparked a province-wide tour with Malajube hitting up some of the hottest music festivals in Québec. In 2006, the band released "Trompe-L'oeil". Malajube got even more of a response after being nominated for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize. In 2006, the band won awards for "Best Album", and "Best Cover Art". The same night, Malajube were proclaimed "Revelation of the Year 2006" with the CBC describing them as "one of very few Québec musical groups who have achieved success in English Canada despite not performing in English, something the band states they have no interest in doing."

While listening to "Trompe-L'oeil" you might find yourself recognizing songs and dancing around the room. Malajube know how to make music to tap your toes to and fall in love with after the first three chords. Even if you don't speak French, I don't see how it is at all possible not to enjoy the hell out of this album!

Here for your listening pleasure, I give you 2006's "Trompe-L'oeil" by Malajube. Bon appetit!

Download
It's a .rar file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. Jus de Canneberges - 0:58
2. Montréal -40ºC - 3:19
3. Pâte Filo - 3:44
4. Le Crabe - 4:43
5. La Monogamie - 4:56
6. Ton Plat Favori - 2:32
7. La Russe - 1:45
8. Fille à Plumes - 3:42
9. Casse-Cou - 4:06
10. Étienne d'Août - 5:27
11. St-Forunat - 3:45
12. La Fin - 10:53

o2. Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War

2007-09-23T18:36:00.001-05:00

Choosing an album for this week's edition was quite the task. Upon conceiving this idea, I had made a list of the albums I wanted to do by week. Alas, here we are, the second week, and I am already digressing from my list! Trust me when I say that this entry is worth the digression. This week's contribution is from another great Canadian Indie band called Stars. No doubt, many of you have heard of the band Stars who are based in Montréal. The album I'm posting, titled "In Our Bedroom After The War" is by far my favourite offering from the ecclectic bunch.

In this album, their fifth studio release over a six-year span, Stars re-invent their already innovative sound by employing more of Amy Millan's sultry vocals and Torquil Campbell's bone-chilling melodies. After jumping from Toronto, to New York, and ultimately planting themselves in Montréal, the group has absorbed the musical surroundings of cities left behind, and added those flavours to their own work. The band has evolved from their electro-pop beginnings and blossomed into full-blown indie rock mode making them one of Canada's greatest contributions to the indie scene thus far.

Here is "In Our Bedroom After The War": another compelling and stunning contribution from Stars.

Download
It's a .rar file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. The Beginning After the End - 2:20
2. The Night Starts Here - 4:53
3. Take Me to the Riot - 3:48
4. My Favourite Book - 4:05
5. Midnight Coward - 3:44
6. The Ghost of Genova Heights - 4:35
7. Personal - 4:07
8. Barricade - 3:51
9. Window Bird - 4:44
10. Bitches In Tokyo - 2:50
11. Life 2: The Unhappy Ending - 4:16
12. Today Will be Better, I Swear! - 5:49
13. In Our Bedroom After The War - 6:46

o1. Feist - The Reminder

2007-09-16T15:16:00.000-05:00

Here I am, scrolling through my iTunes and feeling incredulous at the amount of amazing music that this country produces, and a light goes off in my over-used and under-maintained brain. Why not start a weekly thingamajig showcasing what I believe to be some of the greatest releases from Canadian artists? So I decided to do it. Lately, my affinity for Canadian artists has blossomed into a full-blown love affair complete with lies and mischief! The lies being "No way, I'm listening to death metal" and mischief being "I'm in love with so-and-so" where so-and-so is usually some half-decent looking vocalist or a haggard bass player. But I digress!

This week's album is a sexy piece by Feist. "The Reminder", the third release from the Canadian lo-fi songstress, was released in May and has since reaped mixed reviews. Many have dubbed this offering as the best pop album to be released thus far in the year. I give to you "The Reminder" by Feist. Enjoy. Leave feedback. Let me know what you'd like to see up here!

Download
It's a .rar file so you must have winZIP or winRAR to extract the files!

Tracklisting
1. So Sorry - 3:12
2. I Feel it All - 3:39
3. My Moon My Man - 3:48
4. The Park - 4:34
5. The Water - 4:46
6. Sea Lion Woman - 3:39
7. Past In Present - 2:54
8. The Limit to Your Love - 4:21
9. Brandy Alexander - 3:36
10. Intuition - 4:36
11. Honey Honey - 3:27
12. How My Heart Behaves - 4:26

Baleeted!

2007-09-02T14:59:00.000-05:00

What is this? I'm using a Blogger account? Fear not, darling LiveJournal for you will always have my dear heart.

I'm still iffy about switching it up to the Blogger world, but we'll see how this works out. After I become really very bored of crossword puzzles and re-reading old books, I'll work on the HTML portion of the blarg. Ah, blarg.