Single Selections: The Ting Tings

The Ting Tings - Hands   4.5/5

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The Ting Tings change things up on their latest single "Hands" an electro-disco that has the dynamic duo brushing up on their Kylie Minogue dance beats. A simple hook, hot synth and an instantly addictive beat, it sticks to your brain, forcing you to press repeat, and you won't want to fight the feeling!

Maroon 5 - Give A Litte More   1/5

iTunes

It may be new Maroon 5 but it sounds and reads like the remainders bin of songs that didn't make the cut on It Won't Be Soon Before Long. "Give A Little More" gives less than it promises.

Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West - Erase Me   2.5/5

iTunes

Kid Cudi's latest single is not his best, featuring Kanye rhyming like a Joe Jonas break-up text, it's a decent radio-friendly single but doesn't keep your attention for long.

Robyn - Hang With Me   4/5

Myspace

After being featured on Body Talk Pt. 1 in acoustic form, "Hang With Me" is given a proper mix on Body Talk Pt. 2, proving Robyn can produce pop singles with the best of them. It's not quite as rapturous as "Dancing On My Own" but it's just as delicious.

Janelle Monae - Tightrope (Wondamix) feat. B.o.B. & Lupe Fiasco   4/5

Myspace

Stripped down to a groovy guitar rift and a beat, Monae spits rhymes alongside two of raps biggest boys, reaffirming her place as the best female hip-hop and R&B artist on block. "Tightrope (Wondamix)" will cause a body twitch from head to toe, you better believe you'll be groovin' to a stellar remix of an already stellar song.

Record Review: Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard   3.5/5

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On first listen The Orchard may not be what those who have been awaiting Ra Ra Riot's follow-up to The Rhumb Line, but upon a second and third listen you'll discover a more well-rounded and mature band. The contrasts between the band's debut and sophomore albums are clear, as co-founder/drummer, the late John Ryan Pike does not inhabit much of the songwriting as on The Rhumb Line, but it's The Orchard's more lush, textured string arrangements, flourishes of energy and warmer hues are the most captivating

Where The Rhumb Line found a winning formula with a tug-of-war between hooky, energetic chamber pop and melancholic mid-tempo numbers, The Orchard find more complex, sophisticated arrangements, though not abandoning what makes the band so enjoyable, like lead single "Boy" and its preppy follow-up single, "Too Dramatic" which follow the formula of "Dying is Fine", hooky, pop-rock that's chalk full of energy.

At the cost of some hooks the boys and girls of Ra Ra Riot branch out experimenting on tracks like "Massachusetts" that dances on sprite piano keys, and strings. Cellist Alexandra Lawn takes a turn on vocals on the surprising "You & I Know", as Lawn's vocals recall a young Stevie Nicks, on the album's heaviest moment. The record's standout track is "Shadowcasting" a light and hooky, pop song with vocalist Wes Miles at his most charming.  

The Orchard demonstrates the band's growth, set to more layered arrangements and genuine energy, Ra Ra Riot may not reproduce The Rhumb Line's instant likability, but they clearly aren't resting on their laurels.

Record Review: Gramercy Riffs

Gramercy Riffs - It's Heartbreak 3.5/5

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NXNE like it's Austin, Texas counterpart is one of the few major festivals that help focus on new and emerging artists/bands, and for bands like Gramercy Riffs, you may earn some good reviews and a little more attention than an honorable mention of the date and time of your performance.

It's Heartbreak, the band's debut record, has only helped to continue the momentum in the their favor. A solid pop-rock record that re-affirms the already positive responses to their live performances, full of energy, and songs about love and heartache. For a relatively new band, their music shows the maturity of a band that's come a long way from their St. John's, Newfoundland beginnings to their establishment on the Toronto music scene.

Mara Pellerin's vocals are one of the highlights like on the striking yet simple pop-rock of "Dreaming", or the grittier rock of "Call Me". Though not as strong, guitarist Lee Hanlon still controls the microphone with relative success, like "Silent Walls & Siren Calls". Though It's Heartbreak isn't big on experimental sounds or epic rock anthems, the band maintains their energy and even finds a bit of playfulness with elements of rockabilly on "Seventeen" and "The Freezedown". Solid arrangements, dual vocals and genuine energy make for a good time whether on your ipod or live in concert.

Download: Seventeen

Download: Dreaming

Record Review: First Rate People

First Rate People - It's Never Not Happening EP 4/5

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Owen Sound's First Rate People are an indie-pop gem that have grabbed the attention of not only indie music fans but even Pitchfork. It's Never Not Happening the bands debut EP only cements the band's credibility as indie-pop darlings. Following their debut single, "Girls' Night" Slinky slice of pop that recalls the Tom Tom Club's "Genius Love".

Much of the EP's remaining tracks build off that disco grooves that are instant dancefloor jams, like "Charlie Kaufman" and "Orion". "Dress So Fine" is a playful song that finds similar sounds to that of the Dirty Projectors but there's no complaining here, even playing in some of their initial folk beginnings like "It's Never Not Happening Pt. 1". The band's colourful indie-pop is hard to resist and with their latest single "Gentlemen's Club" (not found on their EP), it's clear First Rate People are no fluke.

Download - "Gentlemen's Club"

Record Review: The Consonance

The Consonance - Come The Day   4/5

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The Consonance, consisting of 6 jazz students from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton have created Come The Day, a record that masters the genres of jazz and hip-hop while drawing on the elements of rock, pop, R&B and funk. Possessing striking maturity from Jesse Dollimont's vocals to skilled saxophonist Sophie Heppell, showcased on "Cost", The Consonance produce a style and record that stand alone.

Instant favourites like title track "Come The Day" and "More Alive Than Life Itself", find a funky groove and Justin McDonough's rhymes, who also doubles as the band's drummer, while staying more rooted in the band's jazz sound. Meanwhile, "Seeing Red" strays into alt-rock, and the enjoyable "Take Your Thyme" plays in pop elements, ripe for it's eventual remix. Album closer "Mind In Motion" finishes off the record with catchy lyrics, and an addictive groove. 


Come The Day is an impressive debut that is refreshing and finds its heart in every aspect of the music from vocals/rhymes to its instruments from a band that appears to not only have studied Coltrane but learned a little from the Fugees as well.

Download: "Come The Day"

Record Review: Daniel Moir

Daniel Moir - Road 3.5/5

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At just 20 years old, Daniel Moir has already earned comparisons to the likes of fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan, but comparisons aside, the Edmonton native possesses talent well beyond his years. Road is an impressive introduction to Moir's skills as not only a musician but as a songwriter, capable of creating stories like that of "Halcyon Days", a gorgeous folk-pop song that is among the album's highlights.

With the help of producer Russell Broom, Jann Arden's former guitarist and producer, Road is a full realized record chalk full of guitars, string arrangements, pianos and banjos, that showcase the young musicians considerable talent. Though Moir still has room to grow into his vocal stylings, it's the youthful energy of songs like "The Leaving Song" and Moir's naivete that's most charming. Moir's youth plays to his strength given plenty of time for further growth as an artist, don't be surprised to find Moir's name one day listed on Polaris.

"Fruitless Journey"

Single Selections: Rah Rah

Rah Rah - Arrows 3.5/5

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The pop-rock collective's lead-off single from their sophomore effort, Breaking Hearts, "Arrows" is a reminder of the band's magnitude. Thumping beats, clashing cymbals and pure energy, it's no wonder "Arrows" is finding love on CBC Radio 3's Top 30.

Shad - Yaa I Get It 5/5

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Hailing from London, Ontario, Shad is arguably one of the best hip-hop artists ever to hail from Canada. "Genetic freak, poetically".... we agree, Shad spits rhymes like the best in hip-hop. Yaa we get it, Kanye and Common take notice.

A B & The Sea - Suzie 3/5

Myspace

The San Francisco by way of Wisconsin trio, find sun, sand and a carefree vibe on their single, Suzie from the Boys & Girls EP. It's a retro pop tune that's fun and breezy. Beach Boys they are not but everyone enjoys a good hand clap now and then.

First Rate People - Gentlemen's Club 4/5

Myspace

Owen Sound's First Rate People, live up to their name with the lush, sweet harmonies, and foot taping beat of "Gentleman's Club". It's alt-pop candy that's sultry and addictive, you'll be left wanting more.

KT Tunstall - Push That Knot Away 3.5/5

Youtube

Released as a Youtube clip, the Scottish singer/songwriter takes on a booming beat, an edgier rock sound and electronic elements in her departure from her coffee house sound. It's got energy, a bit of brass, and a sweet bass solo, plus Tunstall's echoing vocals, not her best but we're not complaining.