Category: Blog

By: Hilary Johnston September 13th, 2013

Say good-bye to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” – radio has a new track to overplay, and ultimately kill. Arcade Fire’s latest, “Reflektor”, is not only infectiously catchy and modern, it’s also emblazoned with the vocal stylings of David Bowie and the production of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, making, if possible, the Montreal outfit cooler than one could fathom.

The trouble is, the song feels like a deliberate hit and not necessarily their own vision. Although the lyrics touch on social commentary similarly to their previous work (“We’re so connected / but are we even friends?”), the glitz of the track, as well as its accompanying video and PR campaign, seem to be at the expense of the classic Arcade Fire spirit. The full album is slated to drop on October 29th and I can’t wait to hear how the song fits into a larger collection. Will it be as amazing as their past three albums, or is it just a rejektor?

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Be sure to follow Toronto Music Scene on Twitter @TorontoMusic and Hilary Johnston @hilary_johnston

By: TJ Liebgott September 4, 2013

By: Hilary Johnston August 13th, 2013

Born Ruffians released their third album, Birthmarks, back in April and have been showing off their increasingly sleek sound all summer. The record is satisfying, affording a more mature direction for the quartet while maintaining their steadfast Ruffian spirit. The release of the video for “Needle” is timed favourably to build some hype for the last few North American stops before the band takes off for Europe in the fall. 

The video features all of the obvious choices, from the quintessential Brooklyn Bridge shot to performance clips and the seemingly obligatory girls in a photobooth. Albeit visually entrancing, it’s nothing new. The consistent Instagram-esque stock effect gives the impression that the disjointed events are occurring as part of some sort of reverie. Either way it’s a blur, imaginably due to all of the rooftop champagne carousing. To directors Istoica and James Cooper’s credit, there is some connection between the video and the song.  By bouncing between shots of lead singer Luke Lalonde wandering the streets and mingling with sociable twenty-somethings, an insular feeling is implied, visually complimenting the refrain “I belong with no one / You belong with me”.  What’s more, New York may be the perfect setting to bring a song about being part of a larger whole to life. Sure, it’s another obvious choice, but I think this one is forgivable.

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Be sure to follow Toronto Music Scene on Twitter @TorontoMusic and Hilary Johnston @hilary_johnston

By: Sean Carsley July 31st, 2013

A song that clocks in at nearly eight minutes, it would be assumed that Braids would have a video with substance to accompany their song, “In Kind”. 

In the first minute and a half, a montage of the sun and blurry clouds appear as if there is a story to be told. Truthfully, there are some intentions that connect, but overall it’s a shame that they used too many quick cuts. The buildup, the rise and fall of the song could have been reflected with longer cues perhaps, in return creating a mini-story or a sense of harmony.  

With that said, it’s an adequate effort, and in the vein of experimental music and a reflection of the said video, the effect offers a strong attempt at aligning the “feel” for the song with the craft of the cinematography. 

Short of a bullseye, “In Kind” is an admirable experiment nonetheless – one that declares itself, and Braids, to be the purveyors of Canadian indie’s off-beat psyche.

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Be sure to follow Toronto Music Scene on Twitter @TorontoMusic and Sean Carsley @carsley92