Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #27

I’m doing an odd number this week! Taylor will return next week, but he’s taking this week off. I’m not sure of all the details, but I’m going to assume it’s because he’s some big shot hockey reporter now. He’s probably replacing PJ Stock on HNIC (I just don’t really like that guy).

Anywho, to keep the spirit of Rocca on Tuesday I’ve gone through the songs he’s picked through out the summer and made a mega mix. Yes, you heard right. MEGAMIX.

Ok, so that just means 15 songs, cause I couldn’t choose 10. Looking back at all the songs we’ve featured, you try to choose 10, it’s brutal.

Since we’ll be taking a larger chunk of your time this week, let’s jump to it.

1. Gabrielle Papillon No Common Ground from the album The Currency of Poetry
   This Nova Scotian caught me with that chorus and melody. Something about the way she tosses out “I heard Rome was burning, and this was all they found,” I just really like the way it sounds. Simple. Nothing cerebral or critical. It just sounds pleasing.
2. Coeur de pirate Adieu from the album Blonde
   To continue with the softer female vocalists, Montreal’s Couer de pirate. Like Taylor said, I have nothing against the French speaking part of our nation, I just don’t understand the language. It’s the reason I don’t choose more Fracophone songs for Threat Shark, I’m not sure what they’re talking about. However, that being said, there is some astounding material coming out of that cultural niche. This sounds like it fits in with other Canadian indie music, yet still retains something that sets apart because of the language. Ideal.
3. Amy Millan Towers from the album Masters of the Burial
   Amy Millan is one of the busiest musicians in Canada, you gotta figure. Stars is releasing a new album, which she is a part of, which is great, but I really enjoy her solo material as well, and kinda hope she’ll work on a new album now, though she’l probably be touring with Stars for a little to support their new piece. I’ll forgive her for the delay if they make it into the Okanagan.
4. AUSTRA Lose It from the album Feel It Break
   The only reason I didn’t put this on one of my lists is because he beat me to it. I think this is off the first  summer playlist, and it killed to see he’d snuck in with it right away. A really interesting direction of Canadian music is developing with some strong vocalists working over some more digital or synthesized sound landscapes. Here, we hear one of the more unique voices, and talented. Right around 3:10, yeah, that’s just great.
5. Grimes Vowels = space and time from the album Visions
   A bit of a buzz has come from media around this young woman. As much as Austra is recognizable, Grimes is off in her own category in a lot of ways. Here we get some of that skitchy-techno rhythm with a spacey synth and her voice just lightly over top. Again, lots of layering of vocals.
6. Diamond Rings I’m Just Me
   Something a little more aggressive now. It’s a bit of a slow burner. It seems fairly tame for the first and then really comes alive at the minute mark. The band apparently was taken too serious at first, by those in their seen, but hearing them without any foreknowledge, it sounds like this is a pretty together group, fitting nicely into that modern electro-pop sound. Lead singer John O has got a great voice for it.
7. Rah Rah Little Poems from the album Little Poems
   Switching directions a little bit here, this is totally reminding me of some of the new My Morning Jacket or others playing with that new found twang. It’s developed separately from the “New Country” garbage on the radio, and this song, and many others are reaching into the past for inspiration. I’ve never liked country, but that was because the few times I heard the current crap it was Alan Jackson or Shania. While my Dad introduced me to stuff like Gram Parsons and similar artists, my generation wasn’t producing anything worth while in that arena. Now, we seem to be seeing a rediscovery from the indie scenes and new bands influenced by the past folk, country and folk rock greats like the Band, CCR and old Dylan, which in turn is bringing us something country flavoured in it’s own way.
8. Audio/Rocketry Stompin’ & Strummin’ from the album Buskin’ Songs with Audio/Rocketry
   These guys also play a bit with that prairie country sound I’m talking about, but also use some of the acoustic punk (from bands like Against Me) to infuse a bunch more energy through the vocals. I can totally see these guys sitting on some crates playing at some small town pub playing songs like this. Just some acoustic guitars, a harmonica and a bunch of energy coming from the voice.
9. Cuff the Duke Count On Me from the album Morning Comes
   I’m a bit of a Cuff the Duke fan, and again, we’re hearing some of what I’m dubbing prairie country. It’s not that southern rock, or pop country, or traditional/blue grass. There’s definitely indie rock, it’s a border genre, with themes of the land, unity and trying hard. Anyways, Cuff the Duke haven’t quite become a big name, but they’ve been playing for a few years now and are slowly building up fans and awareness. I think they’re playing TO just as TR leaves.
10. Andrew Vincent Cover It Up from the album I Love the Modern Way
    This guy might have the most Canadian lyrics ever. He’s singing about stuff that happens to everyone. Here, it’s the season’s and how you look. The Alberta Wheat Board and Much Music make appearances. How much more Canadian can you be? He adds some humour at the end, singing about his street.
11. The Rural Alberta Advantage Frank, AB from the album Hometowns
    If you don’t know about the Frank Slide, that’s essential to the lyrical portion of this song, so we’ll just wait a second while you go wikipedia that shiznit. Go ahead. Threat Shark will wait. Fine I’ll do it for you. Ok, with you now informed, listen to the song. I always have a soft spot for songs that go back to almost forgotten historical events and pen a song on it. Often these events were incredibly important to a lot of people and may have altered societies, on a local level at least. As time marches on, the impact of the events can be forgotten, and people can lose touch with the fact people experienced something then and there. So yeah, I’ll just get down from this high horse now.
12. Said The Whale Holly, Ontario from the album Islands Disappear
    Ok, so Said the Whale has become a staple in the Threat Shark diet. It’s kinda strange, since I saw them a few years ago, just after Camilo came out, and I found them rather bland. But the studio work they’ve put out is actually pretty strong. This is off the same album as Camilo, and I really enjoy it, so there’s hope, and maybe they’re excellent live now.
13. Dan Mangan Post-War Blues from the album Oh Fortune
    I don’t know exactly what it is about this song, but I really enjoy it. The war imagery diluted by the Vampire Weekend-esque guitar. The driving beat and big sound coming from a guy I don’t really expect it from? SOmething clicks every time I hear it though.
14. John K. Samson When I Write My Master’s Thesis from the album Provincial
    One of the first songs I heard when I got back into CBC R3 (back when hat was a thing) was this song, and I had no idea it was the guy from Weakerthans. It’s a song I think a lot of university students can get behind, especially my age. While I can’t speak to the master’s part of it, there’s a lot I do get intuitively. It just seems to capture the lifestyle really well, in an honest way.
15. cub My Chinchilla from the album Betti-Cola
    These women should reunite and write lots of new songs. That is all.

C ye,
Kergin

Threat Shark Summer – Playlist #7

It’s hot and muggy and disgustingly gross here in Toronto. In fact, it’s so gross that there is even an air quality warning in effect today.

Perfect.

Seeing as I moonlight as a meteorologist, I knew that today was going to be exceptionally hot. Therefore, I brought together this wicked set of cool tunes for you.

Apologies to anyone from anywhere that isn’t currently experiencing balmy or humid weather.

CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC!

1. In Came the Flood by Wintersleep – It’s a fantastic combination of cool! Winter, sleep and a flood! If those aren’t three things that cool you down, then I’m not sure what is! Ok, maybe ice cream could fit somewhere in there…but other than that…Hailing from Halifax, N.S., Wintersleep just released their newest album, Hello Hum in June 2012.
2. Satellites by Cygnets – Satellites are often found orbiting in space. Space is pretty cold from what I hear. Cygnets is a new wave band from my old stomping grounds, Edmonton, Alta. Satellites can be found on their newest album, Dark Days, released in March 2012.
3. Low Sail by Amy Millan – What better on a hot day than to roll out the sails and set out on the water with a cool breeze at your back? Amy Millan calls Montreal home and I found myself feeling comfortably at home listening to her peaceful voice. Low Sail can be found on Millan’s 2009 release, Masters of the Burial.
4. Bitches in Tokyo by Stars – Sharing the same hometown as Amy Millan, Stars amps things back up for us a little bit after a more low key track from Millan. What’s cool about this? How about everything about Tokyo? Fashion, food, lights, music, you name it! I’m starting to find a common theme in many of the songs that I have been picking over the past few weeks. If you can figure out just what it is…please do tell! I’m curious if anyone else is picking up on it.I think it’s subtle…at least I hope it is subtle. Bitches in Tokyo can be found on Stars’ 2007 album, In Our Bedroom After the War.
5. Bloodlines by Arkells – I absolutely love the Arkells! I’ve basically been listening to them non-stop for the past weeks. You may hear more Arkells from me in the coming weeks. Hamilton born and bred, I only wish I could see them live at an outdoor venue this summer! When I think of the song title Bloodlines, I think of veins. When I was younger, I always thought it was really cool that I could see all of my icy-looking blue veins through my skin. I used to trace them with a blue pen when I was really little. Bloodlines can be found on Arkells’ 2011 release, Michigan Left.
6. Cover It Up by Andrew Vincent – In the first line of this song, Vincent sings about his house being covered by snow in the winter. Sounds like it is cold wherever he is. This song is just plain fun. I don’t know much about Vincent and I’ve never seen him perform before, but it sounds to me like the guy knows how to have a good time. He also gets bonus brownie points from me for mentioning the Alberta Wheat Board. This track is almost 10 years old, coming from Vincent’s 2003 album, I Love the Modern Way.
7. Echoists by Young Liars – Typically I spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth from coast to coast. Not today. This is our first Vancouver-based band on the playlist. This electro-pop track makes me reminisce and think back to warm August nights spent laying on the cool grass under the stars. Don’t ask me why. It’s just what comes to mind. Echoists comes from Young Liars’ February 2012 album Homesick Future.
8. Requiem for a Scene by Brasstronaut – After avoiding VanCity, we hit it up for two straight. Brasstronaut is a progressive pop group from the rainy city on Canada’s west coast. I absolutely love the brass horns featured in their work. If having trumpets and horns as a part of your regular set isn’t cool, then I don’t know what is. Requiem for a Scene can be found on Brasstronaut’s 2008 release, Old World Lies.
9. Dick & Jane by Sidney York – When I saw that Sidney York called Calgary home, there was no way I could keep them off of my list. After all, I am from the coolest city on the planet. Once again, I am smitten after hearing another great band featuring strong female lead vocals. Dick & Jane comes from Sidney York’s 2011 album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic. 
10. Oceans by Topanga – Finally we bring it all the way around and back to where I am currently calling home. Out of Toronto, Topanga brings us Oceans. A gigantic body of water? Perhaps this is what brought in Wintersleep’s flood from earlier. Or maybe this was where Amy Millan was with her Low Sail. Either way, I can’t think of a better way to end my edition of the playlist this week. And that is pretty cool if you ask me. Side-note: Oceans comes from the album of the same title, release in February 2012.

Come back on Thursday as Kergin smash you upside the head with his next edition of Threat Shark Summer! Keep it real home dawg slice fries…?

-T