Category: acoustical things

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Recently picked up this great new album from Atmosphere after listening to it in a buddy’s car. Lyrics and beats are solid as always. For an in-depth review, check out Pitchfork Media. I agree that the lyrical content is a bit of departure from Slug’s usual, but I don’t think it helps him out of “indie-rap territory”–nor is that a weakness. Slug is one of too few rappers willing to rhyme about topics that go deeper than how sick their flow is, or how everyone else is a suckah MC. In this world, that means he’ll stay indie.

Hillside 2008 roundup

Went to Hillside last weekend for an awesome-as-always time, with great bands, delicious food, environmental awareness, and friends.

Among my favourite acts were:

  • The Burning Hell
    They’re from Peterborough and have a bunch of people from the Silverhearts! How could I not like them? Plus they’ve got weird lyrics about the moon being painted on, and dinosaurs.
  • Akron/Family
    These guys put on an amazing live show — definitely one of the best live performances I’ve seen in a long time, though I think I suffered some permanent ear drum damage standing next to the amps. Can’t get into their recorded music as much, though.
  • Jason Collet
    Also an amazing live act, with four or five guys on guitar rocking out some truly excellent jams
  • The Magic
    Some Guelph natives, these guys were one of my favourite discoveries, and I bought their EP (releasing an LP in the fall). Some great retro keyboards and songs slightly reminiscent of the New Deal, before I stopped liking them (see below).
  • Old Man Luedecke
    Got the CD of this Nova Scotia native a while ago, and was eager to hear him live, but only caught the end of his act (see below).
  • Ron Sexsmith
    Not on the list of performers, Sexsmith, who is one of my faves, was a special guest of Stuart McLean. I wanted more Ron and less Stewie.