(photo: Jess Baumung)

I’m not going to say that I’m totally into Alexisonfire, but I’m enough of a fan of Dallas Green’s work as City And Colour to give his harder, heavier other project a chance.  You know me, nothing if not an equal opportunist.

Part of the fascination is of course that Alexisonfire started in St. Catharines, Ontario, just a stone’s throw from QBiM HQ.  Local heroes would be an understatement; these boys have been raised to God-like status around these parts by those who appreciate the heavier side of life (musically and emotionally speaking).  Old Crows / Young Cardinals is the band’s fourth album, and follows pretty much the same trajectory of the others; as the band themselves describe their sound as “two Catholic high-school girls in mid-knife-fight”, and that pretty much is the definitive quote on the subject.  The album is definitely broadening their scope and style, and offers some relief from the shouted lyrics of yore thanks to the excellent mid-album track “The Northern”.  George Petitt, main vocalist harmonizes with Green in a mid-song break that shows maturity and growth.  Album opener “Old Crows” suggests that Alexisonfire 2009 is not the same beast it was back in 2002 when they really were young boys; “We’re not the kids we used to be,” goes the chorus, and you could certainly make the argument that they have indeed changed.

I didn’t think I’m the kid I used to be either, so Alexisonfire’s brand of heavy/loud sonic somersaults is best served me in small doses.  However, based on the strength of “The Northern”and tracks like album closer “burial” (a Dallas Green-sung heavy lament that smolders), Old Crows / Young Cardinals is worth your time and consideration.

MP3: Alexisonfire “The Northern”
Myspace: Alexisonfire

(map: wikipedia.org)

Happy Canada Day, country people!  I have no idea what I’ll be doing to celebrate Confederation today, but judging by the forecast, it’s most likely going to be an indoor activity.  If you’re stuck inside today, too, I have just the cure for your Holiday Wednesday blues:  a cross-Canada blog tour!

Yeah I could have put together another batch of great Canadian artists to play for you, but I’ve been there and done that.  I figured this year, it would be cool to celebrate many of my fellow bloggers who also call Canada home, and give them some proper blog lovin’.  I feel fortunate that Quick Before It Melts was recognized by the Polaris Prize community, and take pride in my support of great Canadian music.  Many of the blogs below have done the same, and I’m proud to be in their company.  So let’s follow the sun east to west, and check out what’s spinning across the Great White North!

Halifax, Nova Scotia Herohill Bryan and Shane are connoisseurs of great Canadian content, and go out of their way to support great East Coast acts, like former Thrush Hermit guy, and current CBC Radio 3 lucky charm, Joel Plaskett. MP3: Joel Plaskett “Through & Through & Through” Myspace: Joel Plaskett

Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario Said The Gramophone Possibly the most creative and eloquent of the blogs listed here, Said The Gramophone features the most beautiful music-inspired prose and poetry I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.  They are not exclusively Canadian, but their global music scope is indicative of their place as one of the world’s best music blogs.

Ottawa, Ontario i (heart) music Lowercase in name only, Matt has been bringing the noise from the nation’s capital since 2005.  He’s a concert promoter, a supporter of local music, and a big presence in the Canadian blogosphere. MP3: The Acorn “Crooked Legs” Myspace: The Acorn

Toronto, Ontario Chromewaves Ah, Frank, we cannot hold a candle to you.  The “chrome” standard, Chromewaves is, in my humble opinion, the best music blog out there today that features Canadian music.  I often wonder what Frank does as his day job (or if he even has one) as it seems he’s always out at concerts snapping amazing pictures for his site.

Winnipeg, Manitoba Painting Over Silence They call themselves a “Winnipeg Music blog with a penchant for indie”, and a better description isn’t to be found.  Again, not exclusively posting Canadian, content, Painting Over Silence still brings the spotlight on their hometown’s artists, and provides them with national exposure.  Like my favourite ‘Peggers, The Details. MP3: The Details “The Height of Land” Myspace: The Details

Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia Raised On Indie Brian and Lana have moved from the standard blog posting template into a more magazine style site.  They’re still huge supporters of the West Coast scene, and you can count on them for all the latest happenings from B.C. and beyond.

Vancouver, British Columbia Pogo a Go-Go Fil has been doing this longer than most of us, and though he may not have a daily post, when he does have something to say, it’s always worth hearing.  He’s one a great contributor to the Contrast Podcast, too.

(photo: Autumn de Wilde)

It feels odd to be putting up a review of Wilco (The Album) now, even though today is the album’s official physical release day.  Back on May 15, I wrote about Wilco making the album available in high- and low-res streams on their site to thwart the album’s leak.  Still, unless you found yourself a leaked copy of the album, that’s been the only way to really listen to the music, which isn’t as conducive to enjoyment as actually playing it yourself.

For Wilco fans, Wilco (The Album) feels like a personalized birthday gift, complete with hand-made greeting card and specially chosen wrapping paper.  From the opening love-letter-to-fans “Wilco (The Song)” through to the fourth track “Bull Black Nova,” there’s something to appease fans of Being There and A.M. Wilco and fans of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot/A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky.  Those first four songs feel like a sequential journey through their back catalogue, whether intentionally or not, leading listeners to “You and I”, where Jeff Tweedy duets with Feist.  It is a plaintive and sweet song; the vocals sound as if they were recorded while Tweedy and Feist were standing face-to-face, hand-in-hand, under a canopy of twinkling lights, the band dress in matching gold-lamé suits positioned behind them on a gymnasium stage.  That’s all good, by the way.

From there, Wilco (the Album) feels like Wilco (the band) have rediscovered Wilco (the spirit).  Much less introspective and experimental, the six remaining songs take the refrain to “You Never Know” to heart.  As Tweedy sings “I don’t care anymore/I don’t care anymore,” you sense the shackles of expectation and responsibility falling from their ankles.  They cut loose, play free, and make some of the best music of their career.  The dramas of past recordings, the addictions to pain killers and pressure from the public seem like a forgotten memory.  The album’s recording was finished prior to the death of former band mate Jay Bennett, which I’m sure must have affected Tweedy; I can only wonder how that incident may have influenced the album if it had not been finished yet.

Wilco (the Album) is a perfect entrance point for new fans, and a great gift to those who’ve been following them for years.  It manages to be the perfect balance of past, present and future, and the epitome if the gift that keeps on giving.  Thank you, Wilco, it’s just what I always wanted.

MP3: Wilco (with Feist) “You And I”
Myspace: Wilco

The kiddies are out of school for the summer, and the weather this past weekend was picture postcard perfect.  I spent as much of it outdoors as possible, and have the sunstroke to show for it.  The soundtrack for my fun in the sun was the excellent Arts & Crafts Sampler Volume 6, from venerable Toronto label Arts & Crafts.  Not only does the sampler include some fantastic tracks from recent releases by Los Campesinos!, Apostle of Hustle, and Brendan Canning from Broken Social Scene, it also has a brand new track from current QBiM heartthrobs Zeus!

“Fever of the Time” is slated to be one of the tracks on Zeus’ debut album, due later this year.  Special thanks to Bryan from Hero Hill for pointing me in the direction of this free–Yes, FREE!–download.

MP3:  Zeus “Fever of the Time”
Myspace: Zeus

(photo: canvasmedia.ca)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my favourite track on the sampler is brand new material from an eternal QBiM heartthrob, Amy Millan.  She has a new solo album titled Masters of the Burial, scheduled for release September 8.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but me thinks me detects the dulcet tones of one Leslie Feist in the backing vocals, no?

MP3: Amy Millan “Bruised Ghosts”
Myspace: Amy Millan

As today is my last official day of work for the next two months, things may get a little quiet around QBiM.  I will post regularly, but it may not be daily (or maybe it will be, who knows), but please do stick around.  We’ll be celebrating our third birthday in a few weeks, and we’ll definitely cover the Polaris Music Prize shortlist announcement next week, and who knows?–there may be a few surprises along the way.