Out of London, On., comes Running From Daylight, with their recently released 3 track ep. ‘CoffinFor Two‘. I was told when the music was submitted, that this was Rockabilly . I was not however, informed that this was Rockabilly on steroids. I grew up listening to Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and a host of others, and this is not that Rockabilly. Call it Psychobilly, but it screams fun. There are 2 wonderfully up tempo tracks, filled with twangy guitar riffs, cool harmonies, and a stand up bass that Joe B. Mauldin would be proud of. The lyrics are insanely dark, but resonate camp and wit. The third track is a throwback to the early 1960’s Teenage Tragedy song, in which the girl will forever be the boy’s “GhostBride“. A wonderfully good time that will have you boppin’ and rockin’ the night away. Looking forward to hearing what these guys come up with next. You can listen for yourselves right here.
Another talented band from London, Ontario, The Tracks, released a 7 track album in January, 2016. Filled with wonderful melodies, wrapped in a killer rock-blues-folk vibe, the songs offer nice changes, some way cool guitar riffs and solos, and insanely good vocal tracks. This Sydney Maguire can sing! There are some sweet harmonies and backing vocals, and influences from Country Rock (check out “Whiskey & Smokes“), and Arena Rock (listen to “The Story“). Not a bad song on the album. The Tracks are now on my list of bands that I have to see live. You can stream and purchase the self-titled album on bandcamp. Pay attention to this band.
The 1st review ever written by I Can’t Believe My Earz was of London, Ontario’s, The CreeksideStrays. It seems only fitting then, that the 1st review of 2016 be on Farewell Stanleys, a new side project of Creekside Strayers Justin & Jeremy, and their pal, Mark Milanovic.
The recently released album, “Good Company“, offers a folk-pop sound, with alternative sentiments. The songs are wonderfully written, with introspective and touching lyrics, set within an acoustic framework. There are way cool pop melodies, great changes and transitions, and dynamite harmonies. The arrangements are wonderfully suited to the minimalist instrumentation, which places the focus entirely n the songs, and the percussion is exceptional. Melodic and accessible, the sound falls somewhere between The Beatles “Rubber Soul”, and Loggins & Messina. One listen is just not enough. Favorite tracks: ‘Olivia‘, and ‘Said And Done‘. You can listen and purchase “Good Company” here.
In 2013 Alyeus set out on a bold journey by releasing the Forty Days At Sea, the 1st in the trilogy of concept albums chronicling a story of war, and a struggle for existence. In October 2015, this London, Ontario band released And From The Sky We Fall, the 2nd part of the story.The concept is cool-events in the mythical kingdom of Eleria, forever shape the lives of celestial beings, and the worlds they protect. It is the music however, that is the real story here!
The album opens with ‘The Architect‘, a short instrumental that sets the stage, and bridges into ‘The Archetype‘. an incredibly melodic track, that offers cool changes & transitions, and some great double guitar. ‘Aphorisms‘ is wonderfully mood evoking, and delivers a solid bass line, kick ass drumming, and nice harmonies. ‘Rise Of Dissent‘, is another beautiful, instrumental bridge, that takes you into ‘Celestial Descent‘, filled with dynamite guitar, wonderful vocals & harmonies, and some way cool chanting. The piano on ‘Wish You Well (Eleria’s Rift)‘, is perfect, and the harmonies superbly executed. The synthesizer and guitar on the instrumental ‘Casimir‘ makes the perfect backdrop for the dynamite effects. ‘And From The Sky We Fall‘, my favorite track on the album, delivers great vocals and harmonies within a wonderfully sweet melody, backed by acoustic guitar, and cool synthesizer. At times, this track reminds me of Styx.
And From The Sky We Fall is a wonderful ride. Filled with cool effects, eclectic lyrics, acoustic guitar, and I am almost certain there is an electric drill in use here!! The guitar and synthesizer collaboration is exceptional, and I thoroughly enjoyed the underlying spoken word dubbed in. The album is wonderfully written. Wonderfully executed. Wonderfully produced. This is one cool concept album. Do yourself a favour, and check it out, Listen to it in its entirety in one sitting. It is well worth it. http://alyeus.bandcamp.com/
Another wonderfully talented Toronto band, Meeko Cheech released the 6 track Miss Bolivia, in June 2015. Incredibly diverse, the album incorporates several music styles, delivering an eclectic, and somewhat eccentric sound, that works. The songs are filled with wonderful riffs, moody keys, cool effects, dynamite changes, and brooding vocals. The trumpet and organ are wonderful additions, and the background vocals are perfectly sublime. This is dark pop, with an weirdly eerie vibe. Mood altering, and mind blowing. Wonderfully original, with a dramatic, full sound that attaches itself to every brain cell. An insanely good time! Something you definitely must check out, and add to your collection. Stream Miss Bolivia here: http://meekocheech.bandcamp.com/ and then purchase 1 for yourself, and get 1 for a friend. Favorite tracks: ‘Miss Bolivia‘, ‘Shock Unit‘.
From Chatham-Kent, Ontario, hippie-punksters BurnOuts released a wonderfully addictive Ep in May, 2015, as a follow up to their 2012 album, ‘Pause For The Cause’. Simply titled The BurnOuts EP, the 7 tracks are wonderfully traditional punk, with nuances of pop throughout. The songs are raw and simple, with cool riffs and solos, wonderful changes, and sweet melodies. The drums and bass are consistently heavy, and the use of keys on “New Days Old Faults” is a wonderful addition. Favorite tracks: “Let Her Go“, with its Rockabilly vibe, and “Freedom Radio” which incorporates some nice harmonies. Raw and simple, The Burnouts EP is an album you should check out. Punk with more sensitivity, and less anarchy. http://theburnoutsband.bandcamp.com/album/the-burnouts-e-p
So, now there are 2 things from Mississauga, On that impress me: Hazel McCallion, and pop-rockers Aukland, who recently released their album, Rookie.With 10 exceptional songs, filled with wonderfully exciting melodies, cool riffs, a dynamic rhythm section, and great changes, I haven’t wanted to stop listening. The fullness of the sound pulls the album together, and the incredible energy level keeps me wanting more. The arrangements are great, and I am particularly fond of the 2 guitar sound. Notable tracks include ‘Doing It Right‘, with its cool backing vocals; ‘Worry Some‘, which delivers a dynamite melody, and way cool guitar; and ‘Open Fire‘, which has a nice 1980’s Wave vibe. Pay particular attention to ‘Curtains & Lights’. offering a great vocal track, and a beautiful riff. A wonderful song with an exceptional melody, this is a great closing track, for an album and a live performance. The longest track on the album, this could be Aukland’s ‘Free Bird’.
The album rocks. An incredibly fun time, filled with way cool music. The kind of music you crank up on a drive down the highway. Something you should definitely add to your collection. Check it out for yourself. http://aukland.bandcamp.com/album/rookie and to keep up with events and news, follow them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/thatstreetnamed?fref=ts
Its always exciting to find incredible music right in my own backyard. Ivory Hours, 1 of the wildly talented bands out of London, Ontario, are set to release their full length album, ‘Morning Light’, on June 9, 2015.
The songs are insanely good, filled with pop melodies, great harmonies, and wonderful arrangements. The lyrics tell stories, and the choruses are insanely good. Pure pop. With a elements of rock, and blues. The vibe is dynamite. Entertaining & exciting, this Luke Roes can write songs.
I particularly like “Dreamer“, with its cool vocal track, great changes, and a dynamite chorus. A wonderful opening song. “I Won’t“, delivers a solid pop melody, woven around a great hook. Listen to the keys in “The Priest“. My favorite track, “Like Them“, offers cool changes, and sweet harmonies with a kind of Brit Pop feel. Oh, and check out the guitar. An incredibly wonderful listen! Amazingly pop, with bass and drums providing the perfect backdrop to exceptional melodies. Go out and get 1. Or 2. It is that good. You can stream a few tracks from ‘Morning Light’ at http://ivoryhours.bandcamp.com/, and you can get out and catch one of their record release shows, by checking dates on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IvoryHours?fref=ts .
The album is just plain wonderful, providing way cool pop melodies with exceptional arrangements. Definitely in contention for I Can’t Believe My Earz‘s 2015 Indie Album Of The Year.
One year after the debut of their 2014 EP, ‘Charley‘, London, Ontario’s Olivia & The Creepy Crawlies have released the 5 track ‘Tongue Tied‘. While remaining true to the band’s Canadiana/folk sound, this latest album contains more pop sensibilities than I had anticipated. The melodies are wonderfully cool, with harmonies that seem to come out of nowhere, and vocal tracks that generally blew me away. Olivia Borkosky can sing! The songs contain nice changes, and arrangements that include violin, electric mandolin, glockenspiel, autoharp, harmonica, and of course, ukulele. There is even hand clapping on “Supervillain“. The resulting sound is magical! There is so much going on here, you need to listen several times to get it all.
‘Tongue Tied’ is filled with wonderfully original songs, that demonstrate a unique approach to creating music as evident in the resulting sound. It is entertaining and uplifting, with wonderfully simple, yet cleverly meaningful lyrics. A wonderful album, that will make you smile. Buy it! Listen to it! Love it!
It has been long time since The Creekside Strays released an album. Almost 2 years. After listening to their January, 2015 release, ‘Blacklisted‘, it was worth the wait. Which ever one of the Strays came up with the idea to release an album with an acoustic side, I am eternally grateful. Brilliant idea.
The ‘A’ side is the electric side . The cool jazz-funk beat of “Ms. Hunter” is overshadowed only by the wonderful melody. The blues-rock “Hey, Grave Digger“, has an amazing fuzz bass line, and a little Stevie Ray Vaughan thing going on. “GuiltyParties” delivers way cool vocals, and some double tracking. The changes in “Live This Down” rock, and “Begin To Heal” offers a dynamite melody. “Sucker Boy Blues” gives up great blues riffs, and exciting changes.
The acoustic ‘B’ side surprised and impressed me. I heard strings, and a cello in “Blacklisted Interlude“, and maracas and possibly bongos in “Wet Palms“. The wonderful change of key in “Took A While“, and the cool effects in “Let Him Go“, amazing. “Once Again” offers sweet harmonies, and a great riff and solo in an incredibly beautiful song. “Recycled Man” gives us some of the best female vocals I have heard in a long, long time, while”Unfold” has a way cool 1980’s folk-pop-rock, sort of Sugar Ray feel. Stand out track.
I am trying to figure out why The Creekside Strays are not a household name. They should be!! Blacklisted is an eclectic collection of incredible songs, with blues, jazz, funk, pop, rock, and folk elements. And they just keep getting better. This album demonstrates their maturity as songwriters, arrangers, and producers, and highlights the sophisticated simplicity of their songs. A dynamite album, and a wonderful time. A definite early contender for the I Can’t Believe My Earz 2015 Indie Album Of The Year. I suggested you grab yourself a copy, or 2. You should also check earlier The Creekside Strays releases.
For Two‘. I was told when the music was submitted, that this was Rockabilly . I was not however, informed that this was Rockabilly on steroids. I grew up listening to Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and a host of others, and this is not that Rockabilly. Call it Psychobilly, but it screams fun. There are 2 wonderfully up tempo tracks, filled with twangy guitar riffs, cool harmonies, and a stand up bass that Joe B. Mauldin would be proud of. The lyrics are insanely dark, but resonate camp and wit. The third track is a throwback to the early 1960’s Teenage Tragedy song, in which the girl will forever be the boy’s “Ghost Bride“. A wonderfully good time that will have you boppin’ and rockin’ the night away. Looking forward to hearing what these guys come up with next. You can listen for yourselves right here.
I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EARZ 