Breakestra - Hit The Floor

Today I want to welcome you to the wonderful world of funk and one of my personal favorite genres in music. Funk has been around since the early 1960s and is a fusion of jazz and blues. Although they heyday of Funk may have been rooted more-so in the 70s, funk is still very much so alive and churning out the funky, feel-good licks which have made it such a distinct genre. It is true that actual bands producing funk records is now a lot smaller than it used to be, they still put out some of the best and catchiest records going. And enter, Breakestra. I discovered these fellas a few years ago and they still make their way onto my playlist all the time. Breakestra was formed in the late 1990s and if you didn't know any better (other than the superior recording quality versus those of funk records produced in the 70s) you'd think this band was part of the James Brown era. If you like your funkier hip-hop/rap (e.g.: Jurassic 5 and Del the Funkee Homosapien), then you'll definitely love Breakestra. Just toss this album on and be carried away on the most fun you've had listening to a record in a LONG time. Oh and if you love this, then be sure to check out the Keb Darge compilations!

So go to it now, and nab Breakestra's 2005 disc, "Hit the Floor" here!

You can read their AMG biography here.

And check out their video for "Getcho Soul Together":

3 Documentaries You've Got to See...

Now I know the main thrust of this blog is music... however I have a passion for documentaries, especially those which aren't always brough to the mainstream (a la: Fahrenheit 9/11 or An Inconvenient Truth)... So if you'll allow me, I will post 3 of my favorites, films which have definitely changed my life here for your viewing/downloading pleasure.

The first one is a very powerful and intruding BBC documentary entitled "The Power of Nightmares"... This film traces the roots of radical Islam and then ties it into our current political situation, using the thesis of ruling and obtaining power through fear-tactics is the main thrust of this film. It is exteremly well done and is a must see. You can either stream it below, or download it as 3 files:

Part 1 - Baby it's Cold Outside | 64kbps | 256 kbps | mpeg2
Part 2 - The Phantom Victory | 64kbps | 256 kbps | mpeg2
Part 3 - The Shadows in the Cave | 64kbps | 256 kbps | mpeg2

Streaming:


The next movie is a Canadian made/produced film by TVO called "The Corporation". This is an amazingly well done, and very successful film which has garnered worldwide attention. The main argument of this film is that the modern day corporation as we know it can be clinically diagnosed as being insane according to the WHO's standards. The film features many academics from Chomsky to former CEO's and even Michael Mooore. It's a bit long, but a damn well amazing and fascinating watch.

Go here to watch it at Google video, or stream it here:


And finally, another amazingly done environmental documentary also done by the BBC is entitled "Global Dimming". This film traces a phenomenon which was first noticed on September 12, 2001, a day when all flights in North America were completely grounded. The film shows the connection between CO2 emissions, global warming and how our pollution is both causing global warming, but also actually helping to keep the planet cool at the same time (due to the pollutant particles blocking sun rays). A very startling movie, in the same vein as Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"...

You can view it at Google Video here, or stream it:

And that concludes this installment of must-see doc's! I will come back with more surely in the future.... oh and I am also looking for suggestions of ones to see!!

Pride Tiger - Lucky Ones

Wholy crap! How did I miss this band? I was sitting home last night when a good friend, who's very musically inclined, tipped me off about a little West Coast band named "Pride Tiger". I had never heard of them before, but decided after checking their site to go down to the Paramount and check them out.... I was totally floored. These guys rocked hard, and get this -- the lead singer is the vocalist. He's rocking out so hard but manages to maintain clean, crisp and smooth vocals over the hard rock backing. The band lines up vertically, bassist and lead guitar, drummer in the middle and rythm guitar on the other side. Very novel idea... the drummer rocked so hard and looked so happy, even though there was all of 40-50 people there. Either way, one of the best shows I've seen in a while! Their music is classic rock and roll, think a modern-era Thin Lizzy... but also in the same vain as Death From Above 1979 and the Panthers. Definitely a solid album which you should give a listen to.

You can download their debut album, "Lucky Ones" here!

They have a very limited profile at AMG.

Check out a video of the boys during Canadian Music Week playing "The White Witch Woman Blues":

Go! Team - Proof of Youth [2007]

I'm getting bogged down with school work. I'm a bit stressed out by it all; however, Go! Team comes through with another solid pop outting to keep me motivated. Proof of Youth brings the same lady rap with heavy percussion and upbeat sampling.

The album isn't grabbing me like Thunder, Lightning, Strike, but it's still good. Grip it like a Vice and The Wrath of Marcie are my favorites on the disc so far.

P.S. Don't confuse The Go! Team with Go Team, the '80s indie band started by Dub Narcotic Sound System's Calvin Johnson.

Grab Proof of Youth here.

The Hives - The Black and White Album

One of my most cherished bands, Sweden's "The Hives" churn out punk-rock albums like no other. Combining hilarious outfits and names, with insanely catchy, fast and addictive music is the hives recipie for success. These guys's albums are all solid, start to finish, and it's no wonder they are not more popular. I would say they rank amongst my top 10 favorite bands, and one of the top bands I want to see (According to Spin magazine they were ranked the best live band in the world a few years ago)... This new album JUST dropped and hopefully it will be one of the hits of 2007... I bet you'll end up nabbing their entire disog, it's worth it... I picture these guys as perfect working out music or something to play in a dressing room pre-game.

Nab the Black and White album here!

Here's their review of their 2002 album "Veni Vidi Vicious", which got rave reviews at MetaCritic.

See there AMG Bio here.

Here's the lead single from the new album, "Tick Tick Boom"


And here's a super cool medley of about 6 or 7 songs... so funny, random covers:

Eddie Vedder - Into the Wind [2007]

"Once I built an ivory tower/ so I could worship from above/ when I climbed down to be set free/ she took me in again" - Eddie Vedder, Hard Sun

I saw this album in HMV on Tuesday. At first, all I saw was original Eddie Vedder material. I wandered over, grabbed the CD. Then I saw 'soundtrack,' What the fuck? Why would Eddie Vedder do a sound track? It took a glance at the full title and then I shit my pants.

It's the soundtrack to Into the Wild, Sean Penn's adaption of Jon Krakauer's 1996 New York Time bestseller and my favorite book. Krakauer, an accomplished mountaineer and adventure, retraces the steps of Chris McCrandless. In 1992, McCrandless left a comfortable life the Souther United States to live in the Alaskan wilderness, trying to be a Henry David Thoreau.

Penn handpicked Vedder to write and perform the soundtrack. Unlike Bono, his urning, echoing voice isn't pretentious. It's a storyteller confident on his own, searching for peace with nature.

Hard Sun is the best track on the album, capturing the spirit of the novel. It's also pretty epic.

... no youtube video, get the book at the library, here's the album. Oh, you'll need to install FLAC.

edit: Canadian Gordon Peterson wrote Big Hard Sun, which Vedder covers (Hard Sun), back in '89 for his album Big Harvest. Here's the song via youtube with a fan-made video:

Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood [2006]

I may be Doctor Rock, but I have other interests and that includes melodic country music. Neko Case has been around for awhile. She used to be a punk rock drummer before making it big doing guest vocals for The New Pornographers. Her solo career started in 1997, casting away the punk roots for alternative country.

You won’t find a better voice out there today. Once called the ghost of Patsy Cline, her voice compels the listener to follow her stories of friendship, faith, love, and jealousy. It’s real country.

To me, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood is one of two albums released in 2006 that keeps my listening over and over without skipping songs. For those of you that care, TV on the Radio’s Return to Cookie Mount is the other. The highlight for me is the opening track, Margaret vs. Pauline.

I want to share a high quality recording with you. Here's another good song, Hold on, hold on.

Get it here.

The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

One of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2007 thus far is the polaris prize nominated "The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse". This album has drawn international attention and guess what... this amazingly awesome band is playing in SACKVILLE, NB on October 18th!!!







Just read these reviews:

Drowned In Sound

That music so majestically restrained in pace can make your heart beat so quickly is a testament to The Besnard Lakes’ focus and ability to coat each millisecond of track time with an utterly captivating sound without ever becoming clogged up with their myriad ideas.

Under The Radar

Their overarching fingernail-meets-chalkboard eeriness... is what prevents a lapse into the preciousness that sometimes accompanies orchestrated indie rock, making the album a rousing success. [#16, p.90]

NOW Magazine

These are explosive epics that don't get tired, tied together in an album that's both instantly accessible and grows on you over time.

Nab the album here!

See there AMG bio here and reviews of their critically acclaimed 2nd album, here.

Check their video, "For Agent 13" here:

Cheeseburger - Cheeseburger (2005)

If you’re a purist, you might have trouble getting over the obvious influence of The Stooges and a blatant reference to Nirvana during Derby Days. If you can get over that, or if you’re the person that loves music for what it is, not what’s before it, these guys create a great sound that I like to call drunk rock.

Tiger stands out as the best song on the disk. The opening lines, “Well I’m fucked up mess/Baby I’m a full-time wreck/I maxed out my credit card/Yeah, I live in a car” tells you all you need to know about how the party starts. Other highlights include both Easy Street and Hot Streets. A surprising closer, Bobby’s Theme, puts it all in perspective, should we rock or finally spend some sober time with those we care about? This is the song about the guy who decided to skip the party for something more.

The selling point for this album is between the songs. Lead singer Joe Bradley assumes the role of radio jock Zach Richards, spinning the album the entire way through. He talks about hair cuts, wonders how Cheeseburger got into the playlist, and Rowdy Pete’s, the best bar in town.

No word on a new CD but the guys are still doing shows in New York. Here's the video for Tiger.

Grab it here.

The Pigeon Detectives - Wait For Me

This is just a quick post gang! The Pigeon Detectives are part of this new UK bubble of bands, much akin to Kaiser Chiefs, The Cribs and The Zutons. These lads from Leeds have been together since 2002, releasing some demos and EPs along the way finally dropped 2007's "Wait for Me". This highly energetic album will have you rocking away at your desk or as you stroll down the street. Perfect music to crack on when you're cleaning or doing some menial work. But definitely worth a listen, catchy as hell, the Detectives will surely have you tapping away like 10 year old ADHD kid on speed.

Grab the torrent here!

Find out more about The Pigeon Detectives at AMG here.

And of course, a video for your viewing pleasure:

C'Mon - Bottled Lightning Of An All Time High

Ohhhhhhhhh C'Mon! If you don't know this, one of Canada's best rock and roll bands, you're silly. Ian Blurton, the mastermind behind several Canadian bands and the producer of such bands as: The Weakerthans, Raising the Fawn, Amy Milan, The Rheostatics and many more delivers us a brand new disc, "Bottled Lightning of an all time High". The energy and pure rock this album crunches out can go toe to toe with any rock band. The best part? They're on TOUR now in the Maritimes!

So go ahead, nab the new album HERE... and be sure to catch them live, they are DYNO-MITE.

Check out more about Ian Blurton here at Wikipedia.

Check out C'Mon's MySpace page here.

Here's some tour dates:

• • 2 October 2007
  • Charlottetown, PEI @ Hunter's Ale House (view map)
  • Wing Night!!! w/ The Motorleague
• • 3 October 2007
  • Sackville, NB @ Tantramarsh Club
  • w/ The Motorleague, Kellen Barrett
• • 4 October 2007
  • Sydney, NS @ The Steelworkers Hall (view map)
  • Gobblefest 14 kick off show (All Ages. you know we will scare the kids) w/ The Junction, Wolves and much more
• • 5 October 2007
  • Cornerbrook, NF @ The Backlot (view map)
  • w/ Starred Opposite
• • 6 October 2007
  • St. John's, NF @ The Ship
  • w/ ????
• • 9 October 2007
  • Sydney, NS @ Upstairs at the French Club
  • w/ The Motorleague, ????
• • 10 October 2007
  • Fredricton, NB @ Vixen's (view map)
  • w/ ????, Barracuda Sunrise
• • 12 October 2007
  • Moncton, NB @ The Paramount Complex
  • w/ The Motorleague, Cuban Assassins
• • 13 October 2007
  • Halifax, NS @ Gus's Pub (view map)
  • w/ The Motorleague, Cuban Assassins
• • 17 October 2007

The Black Keys - Magic Potion

Fans of the blues, rock and roll and The White Stripes let me introduce you to Akron, Ohio's "The Black Keys". This rock/blues duo produces some of the catchiest, dirties rock and roll and blues licks you'll hear anywhere. Drawing from old school blues roots with a twist (akin to the White Stripes, without all the really weird shit), these fellas have put out four amazing albums since 2001. Their lo-fi, two man, simple sound works amazingly well for these gents and these albums can be listened to start to finish, all of them.

You can nab 2006's "Magic Potion" here. However, my favorite and the most acclaimed album is 2004's "Rubber Factory", but you can get it here too.

Here's their AMG biography. Here's the Metacritic reviews of "Magic Potion" and "Rubber Factory"

Just do yourself a favor and get the damn album, but if you need convincing check out "Just Got To Be" from "Magic Potion" and also featured on EA Sports NHL 08.

BRMC - Baby 81

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC)'s fourth studio album "Baby 81" has the group going back to their rocking roots and sees the return of their drummer Nick Jago. BRMC's 2005 release, "Howl" was a stripped down, acoustic/folksie album which was loved by some and hated by others. These boys broke on the scene in 2000 as part of the "new rock" bubble with the likes of The Strokes and The White Stripes. Although they flew under the radar for some time, their self-titled album, they were critically acclaimed by many. Their follow-up album "Take them on, on your own", perhaps my favorite (nay, this one is even better) was, as many sophmore albums are, not recieved with the same sort of critical acclaim. Well after 7 years, and four albums BRMC goes back to their A game through and through and produces a gritty, bluesy, rocking album which should be loved by ya'll!

Download Baby '81 here!

See their AMG biography here and the MetaCritic reviews of Baby '81 here.

Check out their lead single from Baby 81, "Weapon of Choice":

Babyshambles - Shotters Nation

Well, in our second installment of a two part series of post-Libertines bands, here's Pete Doherty's other love (besides music, writing, Kate Moss and recreational drugs), "Babyshambles". Unlike Barat's "Dirty Pretty Things", Doherty started fresh and retained no ex-Libertines in his band. Now this band was actually formed while Pete was still in the Libertines, but after they eventually split up, Babyshambles was his main focus. Touring right after the fall of the Libertines in fall 2004, but not putting out a full debut album (Down in Albion) until December 2005... Unlike Barat's DPT's, Babyshambles had a very different sound from the Libertines, only rarely replicating that sound on a few tracks. This new musical styling included even a raggae-fused song, which Doherty does a pretty good job at.

However, "Down in Albion" was very disliked by the music critics (compared to Barat's DPT and definitely the Libertines, and even though it was produced by former Clash member Mick Jones). Granted, that debut album was sporadic, the flow from track to track is not very good, and really there were only a couple of gems on it. Turning to their follow-up sophomore album, "Shotters Nation", Babyshambles have delivered a much more accessible and catchy album that reverts closer to the Libertines sound. However, if I had to take a choice of what album I would rank between DPT and Babyshmables, Barat's "Waterloo to Anywhere" would be the clear winner...

Without any further adu, you can nab the brand NEW Babyshambles album (which just dropped TODAY) here.

You can get Down in Albion here.

And here's AMG's bio on Babyshambles. And reviews of Down in Albion at Metacritic here.

Check the new single from Shotters Nation, "Delivery" -- a groovy tune!

Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo to Anywhere

After the dissolving of The Libertines, Carl Barat and Pete Doherty both, rather quickly, founded their own, new Post-Libertines bands. Barat's is the focus of this post. Dirty Pretty Things (DPT) features Barat as the lead, and maintained the 'tines drummer, and put together a couple of other high-profile musicians to complete the lineup. This album, Waterloo to Anywhere, which came out in May 2006 features some of the best parts of the Libertines and is an amazing album, start to finish.

Catchy tracks, lyrics, riffs with a certain rawness makes this album so great. Heralded by the critics as, "not too bad", in comparison to the Libertines works, this album was bound to be judged with the Libertines in mind... I think that this album is just as good as any of the Libertines albums and if you enjoy them then take the plunge and check this one out. After all, Carl was the main vocalist on a majority of the Libertines songs, so this transition will be an easy one for you.

You can nab the torrent here.

Here is DPT's biography on AMG. And the album reivews on MetaCritic here.

Check out their lead single from the album, "Bang Bang Your Dead"