Brian Eno Chooses LOLA for Canadian Premiere of his Latest Art Exhibit

Multimedia artist Brian Eno, perhaps best known his for records with Roxy Music and U2, is bringing his “77 Million Paintings” art plus music exhibit to North America. The installation, which is a kaleidoscope of the world’s art accompanied by his music, will follow a successful San Francisco run with a trip to London. LOLA (London Ontario Live Art Festival 2007) runs from September 20 – 22. See the web links for full times and dates.

Eno, a pioneering musician has had a long career as a visual artist. He has worked with "generative" light compositions in the same way that he has worked with generative music for decades. His visual work has been exhibited in galleries across the world and installations of his latest generative artwork, “77 Million Paintings” will be showing for the first time at LOLA before travelling to the Biennales of both Venice and Milan this year.

Eno’s unique installation features customized software to create literally millions of visual combinations of “visual music”. The paintings are generated from handmade slides that are randomly combined by the computer. The software also processes Eno’s music that accompanies the paintings, in a similar way to the selection of elements and their duration in the piece. They are arbitrarily chosen, forming a virtually infinite number of variations. The result is that having created the seed of the work it becomes unpredictable even to the artist himself and every viewer has a singular experience of the painting.

Well worth your time this opportunity should not be missed.

REVIEW M.I.A. - Kala

The first time I listened to Maya Arulpragasam’s (M.I.A’s) sophomore release, Kala, I did not like it. Quite simply, I was bothered by its often disjointed and harsh production sensibilities. It was brash and loud and didn’t fit the neat expectations I had derived from minor internet leaks earlier this year. But a strange thing happened by the third and fourth listens; I was really starting to like it. Repeated listening allowed me to make sense of its true sonic heart. A grower if you will. From the day-glo MS paintbox, fractal cover art to the sampled beats and oblique sounds M.I.A. perfectly weaves disparate materials to craft a fabric that characterizes the frenzied pace of twenty first century global life. A mouthful for certain, but that’s what this record is all about. A travelogue for our times this is what makes Kala entirely unique. That is not to say the hurried pace was part of the recording process. Far from it; Kala was recorded in India, Jamaica, Japan, Australia and Baltimore (her original plan to record in the US with big name producers was thwarted when visa problems kept her out of the country for an extended period), and not surprisingly has a tangible world feel. Go to her Myspace page and part of M.I.A.’s new direction is dubbed “World Town”; In all likelihood stemming from her time spent in Liberia, and partial producer Diplo’s work with the Australian Aboriginal kids for his Heaps Decent project. I’ll leave the Baltimore contingents for you to discover.

Cohesive beyond reproach M.I.A.’s frenzied theme suits her lyrics. As well her distinctive vocalization is in top form; three of the album's standout tracks lay bare her creative intent. Songs like "Bird Flu" “Jimmy” and "Boyz”, are also the most aggressive and sonically distinct cuts on the album, and best represent both the album's true soul. These tracks, recorded in studios in the heart of India. "Bird Flu" is a melodic barrage of avian squawks, Pixies sampling and a chaotic ensemble of folk drums. “Jimmy” is straight from Bollywood soundtrack territory, albeit with a more energetic rhythm.

On her previous release Arular various press exploited M.I.A. familial ties as the daughter of a Tamil Tiger rebel. That certainly helped with the badass label, but in the end perhaps it rang a little hollow as an attempt to gain notoriety. Kala achieves this same end without the guns and violence. M.I.A. is the real deal.

PPPPP
File under: Badass and Bollywood

Recommended if you like: Bollywood Soundtracks, Dr. Dre, Diplo

R.E.M. to Release LIVE CD/DVD

2007 has been a good year for R.E.M. A much deserved induction into the Rock n’ roll Hall of Fame, a successful rarities compilation and now, on October 16th the band will release its first live CD/ DVD combination. Titled R.E.M. LIVE CD/DVD the band’s previous live documents include Tourfilm, Road Movie and Perfect Square. Filmed by director Blue Leach, R.E.M. LIVE documents the band's exceptional performance at Dublin's Point Theatre on February 27, 2005 as part of a successful 116-date world tour that year.

The expansive 22-song set features some of R.E.M.'s best songs, including "The One I Love", "Man on the Moon", "Everybody Hurts", "Cuyahoga", "Orange Crush", and "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville". Also included is a previously unreleased cut called "I'm Gonna DJ". (Full set is included below.)

R.E.M. is currently recording a new album with producer Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow Patrol) in Dublin, Ireland. Their recently relaunched remdublin.com chronicles their time in the city.

R.E.M. LIVE:

01 I Took Your Name
02 So Fast, So Numb
03 Boy in the Well
04 Cuyahoga
05 Everybody Hurts
06 Electron Blue
07 Bad Day
08 Ascent of Man
09 Great Beyond
10 Leaving New York
11 Orange Crush
12 I Wanted to Be Wrong
13 Final Straw
14 Imitation of Life
15 The One I Love
16 Walk Unafraid
17 Losing My Religion
18 What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
19 Drive
20 (Don't Go Back to) Rockville
21 I'm Gonna DJ [previously unreleased]
22 Man on the Moon

PLAYLIST 4 - Can't Ignore the Train

Holidays are a great thing. Until they come to an end. After an incredible two weeks exploring the east coast of Canada the true normal is back. It feels all too real.

We took the train to Halifax and experienced things we have never seen and done before. It’s all a big blur for now. I’ll leave it to my digital camera to remind me of the details. But for now, a small comfort. In honour of that 40 hour rail experience a new playlist.

Jumping Someone Else's Train - The Cure
Blame It On The Trains - Art Brut
Death Train - A Frames
Soul Train College Policeman - Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard
Trainwreck - The Dirtbombs
The Memphis Train - Rufus Thomas
Can't Ignore the Train - 10,000 Maniacs (For Beth) *Thank you for the suggestion

Down There By The Train - Tom Waits
Happy-Go-Lucky Local (Night Train) - Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery
Blue Train - John Coltrane
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry - Paul Westerberg
Slow Train - Bob Dylan
On The Evening Train - Johnny Cash
Train in Vain (Stand by Me) - The Clash
The Last Steam Engine Train - John Fahey
Train Song (from Basket of Light) - Pentangle
The Train Song - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Trainspotting - Primal Scream
Moving Like a Train - Herbert
Trains On Top Of The Game (Interlude) - Prefuse 73
I'm Taking The Train Home - The Twilight Sad
Individual Trains - Glenn Kotche
Trains and Boats and Planes - Dan Kibler
Last Of The Steam Powered Trains - The Kinks
Train Kept A Rollin' - Brave New World
Train On The Island - J. P. Nestor

Train Round The Bend - The Velvet Underground

File Under: The Ubiquitous Train Mixtape

Just What Do You Buy for a 25 Year Old?

Has it really been a quarter century since the first compact disc was pressed; finally freeing us from the tyranny of rewinding our 90 minute, CR02 Maxell mix tapes? An obsolete form of optical media known as the "Compact Disc", the cd celebrated its 25th birthday this week. Now with some 200 billion discs having been sold worldwide it would seem that the original shiny five inch platter is unquestionably in its golden years, with more convenient or capacious formats replacing it on almost every front.

"The first CD to be manufactured at the Philips plant was “The Visitors” by ABBA. 1 By the time CDs were introduced on the market in November 1982, a catalogue of around 150 titles – mainly classical music – had been produced. The first CDs and CD players – including Philips’ CD100 – were introduced in Japan in November, followed by a US and European market introduction in March of 1983."

Though the CD is well past its prime, the form factor and basic technology saw renewal in the DVD and, later, next generation formats such as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc. Anyone remember the guy spreading peanut butter on a disc marketed as being indestructible? And remember too those green pens that audiophiles would pay $19.99 for under the belief it would make the data sound better?

I swear, the zeros sounded crisper.

1 "The first CD to be manufactured at the plant was “The Visitors” by ABBA. By the time CDs were introduced on the market in November 1982, a catalogue of around 150 titles – mainly classical music – had been produced. The first CDs and CD players – including Philips’ CD100 – were introduced in Japan in November, followed by a US and European market introduction in March of 1983."

REVIEW St. Vincent - Marry Me

Over the past year and a half, a number of established “indie” rock acts have released critically acclaimed recordings. Aside from that slightly oxymoronic label, artists like the Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, and Great Lakes Swimmers have all traversed competent, albeit familiar thematic territory. Post-plunk? Heartcore? Acoustiemo? (Hey I can invent them with the best, it’s entirely up to you to make them stick.) Yes people, its time to sell those passe Dashboard Confessional and Tori Amos cd’s, emotional resonance is back and St. Vincent has done it right. Annie Clark’s, (known professionally as St. Vincent) debut release, Marry Me is an engaging work that has exceeded all of my expectations. Clark, a former member of both the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens's band, seems to have developed a unique ear for pop and the better parts of both those groups feature prominently on her debut.

Marry Me, is a record I have listened to many times in the past couple of weeks. With every subsequent listen it slowly reveals itself and I like it a little more. Heartfelt without being overwrought this recording is special. Songs are well structured and Clark's vocals and instrumentation are stellar. Her artistic vision is a unique one and she manages to blend a very real sense of romance and drama with sardonic wit. Where some of the aforementioned bands come across as cloyingly earnest Clark uses humour to achieve her end. One listen to “Jesus Saves, I Spend” and the lyrically harsh “Your Lips Are Red” and you will get an idea of what I mean. (Download Now, Now by St. Vincent here. Right Click, Save Target As.)

Marry Me is a refreshing release and a truly excellent debut. Even better, as wonderful as this release is the promise of what lies ahead musically for St. Vincent is equally exciting. There is no doubt Annie Clark will become a significant force in music in the coming years. It will be thrilling to follow her every step of the way.

Watch for St. Vincent opening for the National at select dates this Fall.

PPPP
Recommended if you like: Sufjan Stevens

REVIEW - Cheap Trick Harris Park London - 07/27/2007

One of the first concerts I ever attended was a Cheap Trick show at London Gardens in June of 1979. To say that it changed my life would be flirting with hyperbolic posturing, and maybe just a little too cliched for my own good.

But you know something, it did change my life.

That early summer night concert was the show that would initiate me into a whole new world of live music. The energy level, the excess decibels, and all those electric guitars... Sure that old arena sounded awful that night but that didn't much matter. Rockford, Illinois' own were in the building and they had us all in the palm of their collective hand. Only well after the fact have I discovered my wife, brother in law and countless other musical partners in crime also attended the show. And yes, it had the same effect on them.

Flash forward 28 years later and Cheap Trick were in town to Rock the Park at the forks of the Thames in London. Sure, there were a few more wrinkles and the hats might be covering a little less hair but Cheap Trick remain an inspiration and damn fine entertainment. Called the "hardest working band in rock n' roll" (still performing up to 200 shows a year); Cheap Trick delivered a show to young and old and won Londoners in attendance over yet again. From Rick's guitar theatrics, to Bun's solid percussive foundation their performance was amazing. The best part of all, they are still having fun doing it. The smiles on their faces belied that. This was no by the numbers performance either. (See the setlist below) New songs like Welcome to the World and Come On, Come On, Come On from last years Rockford release melded well with standards Surrender and I Want You to Want Me.

One small difference at this show was the impromptu mosh pit that periodically formed throughout the set. A little annoying at times for an old fart trying to live out his former glories but Daddy's all right, he's just weird about these things. But I quibble, the show was plain rock n' roll fun. (Special thanks to my son Jack for getting 18 of Rick's Neilsen's guitar picks. They'll fit in my music room nicely.)

If Cheap Trick does play near you, I implore you to go see them now. They embody rock n' roll and truly deliver the goods. Twenty eight years from now I suspect the energy level might be a little less than what we got last night.

And one last note. This band belongs in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. We need to start petitioning now!

Hello There
Big Eyes
Oh Candy
Welcome to the World
If You Want My Love
Come On, Come On, Come On
Best Friend
I Want You To Want Me
I Know What I Want
Voices
If It Takes A Lifetime
The Flame
That 70's Song
Surrender

Dream Police
Auf Wiedersehen
Goodnight Now

iPod Levy Approved by Canadian Copyright Board

The Copyright Board of Canada has released its decision on the application of a private copying levy to iPods and removable memory storage cards, including the popular SD format. Backing the levy is the Canadian Private Copyright Collective (CPCC), while the Canadian Storage Media Alliance and Retail Council of Canada are both against it, arguing that the Federal Court has struck down a previous levy on digital audio recorders as being outside the Copyright Act. Despite this earlier ruling, the Copyright Board has sided with the CPCC, and in fact stated that the levy might possibly expand to cover items such as cell phones and computers as well.

"CSMA expressed misgivings about the possibility that cellular phones and computers might end up being leviable," the decision states. "We see no inherent problem with this scenario. A thing that is ordinarily used by individual consumers to make private copies should not be excluded from the private copying regime for the sole reason that it has other uses. Indeed, all media that are currently subject to the levy can be used for purposes other than private copying." The entire 41-page decision is available online.

PLAYLIST 3 - You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio

One of my best and earliest memories is that of my Deltek transistor radio playing under my pillow as I drifted off to sleep so many years ago. Wouldn’t it be something if it was Led Zeppelin or the Velvet Underground that I discovered when I was eight years old? No such luck… But I do remember The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. There's been no looking back since. In honour of that "radio" discovery, a brand new playlist.

Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio? [Demo Version] - The Ramones
This Is Radio Clash - The Clash
Video Killed the Radio Star (live) - The Wrong Trousers
Listen To the Radio - Sloan
The Radio's Hot Sun - Handsome Furs
Radio Attack - Prefuse 73
Radio Ballet - Eluvium
Radio Spiricom - Tim Hecker
Radio War - Iron & Wine
Radio Campaign - M. Ward
Radio Cure - Wilco
Radio Head [Tito Larriva Vocal Version] - Talking Heads
Radio On - Tandemoro
Mexican Radio - Wall Of Voodoo
Radio Prague - This Heat
Radio Drill Time - Josef K
In a Radio Song - Okkervil River
Static On The Radio - Jim White
Ultra-Powerful Short Wave Radio Picks Up Music From Venus - Yo La Tengo

File Under: The huge and overwhelming influence of Vicki Lawrence

Free and Funky in the UK

It's time to forgive him for Under a Cherry Moon.

Last Sunday, Prince fans and funky grandmothers in the United Kingdom got their hands on the new 10-song CD, Planet Earth, simply by buying a newspaper. The Mail on Sunday has bundled CDs several times before, and they usually sell about 2.5 million papers with these promotions. This latest foray de funk was no exception. By way of comparison, the top-selling album this year reached sales of only 1.7 million copies in the U.S. as of July 4.* The promotion is believed to be worth slightly more than $500,000 to the musician, whose hits include Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Kiss.

This was pretty much a no-brainer then for Minneapolis’ second favourite son . This is how it worked. He immediately got his music into the hands of 2.5 million people, some of whom might then buy concert tickets, which earn far more money for artists than record sales. (Prince is also giving Planet Earth away to anybody who buys a ticket to his current tour, exactly like he did when he toured his 2004 release Musicology). Pure genius if you're keeping track. Today its all about getting the music into the hands of the people, and if that musician is lucky enough fans will like your new music enough to buy tickets to see your concerts. Heck they'll even know some of the new songs you are playing and not just the classic back catalogue. In 2007, this is what it’s all about. But no, no, no physical music stores, already hurt by the decline of the CD, are not pleased. The CEO of one music retailer, HMV, said it would be "absolutely nuts" to carry the CD for free. Then HMV changed course, and was promptly denounced by rival Virgin Megastores. Are they forgetting at least it would get Prince fans into their store, where they might buy something else? Wise up music retailers; music innovation and creative marketing are exactly what you need, right now. And all it took was some guy from Minnesota to figure it out.

Those who miss the newspaper promotion--including all of us living in North America will have to wait until July 24 to buy the record when it is released on Columbia records.

* American idol Chris Daughtry holds this current title.

PLAYLIST 2 - No Fan is an Island

By special request for Ben; who reminds us all that some of the best music out there might just be in our own backyards.

Be sure to check the embedded links.

I Don't Know Why - Square Root of Margaret

Down from Above - The Canons
Leave Today - Sewing with Nancie

Promise - Tristan Psionic

Thank You for Sending me an Angel - Constantines

Dundas, Ontario - Manitoba (Caribou)
Mississauga Goddam - Hidden Cameras
Change of Seasons - Sweet Thing

Words of Simon - Duotang

Any Sense of Time - The Inbreds
Take My Money and Run - Cuff the Duke
Wonderful Towers of Watts - The Golden Seals

Frequencies of You - Two Minute Miracles

Bring it On - The Weekend

Problem with Solutions - Jim Guthrie

I Was a Daughter - Basia Bulat

I Will Never See the Sun - Great Lakes Swimmers

Rain, Rain, Rain - Rheostatics

Lady Toronto - King Cobb Steelie

Cherry Beach Express - The Pukka Orchestra
The Ballad of Hugo - Charlemagne

File Under: 401, 403 Corridor Rocks

THE LIST NO. 1 - Discovery, Catharsis and Devotion

I will follow this up from time to time with a brief story about each of these recordings and the importance each has in my life.

• Revolver – The Beatles
  
• Between the Buttons - The Rolling Stones


• The Village Green Society – The Kinks


• The Ramones – The Ramones


• The Clash – The Clash


• Low – David Bowie


• Remain in Light - Talking Heads


• Kind of Blue – Miles Davis


• Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The Historic 1955 Debut Recording) - Glenn Gould


• Murmur – R.E.M.


• Let it Be – The Replacements
  
• Fun House – the Stooges


• OK Computer – Radiohead