Record Review: The Love Machine

The Love Machine - Sweater Weather 3/5

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For Ottawa's The Love Machine, time has been their friend. After releasing two EPs, in 2005 and 2007, the boys stand as a more mature and well-rounded band culminating with 2010's release of the band's third disc and first full-length album, Sweater Weather. Not to mention on the eve of the album's release the boys were in good company sharing the stage with The Most Serene Republic and Still Life Still.

Sweater Weather swings between large anthems and more contemplative songs. 'Anniversaries' is the anthem that kicks off the record, but that initial energy is not carried throughout the record, however standouts like 'Be A Path' and 'Width Eyes' capture something more, a mature alternative sound and The Love Machine's instant likability. Good songwriting, avoiding the cliche of relationships in crisis and vocals provided by three of the four members, Sean Prescott (guitar/keys), Jordan David (bass) and Allan Gauthier (guitar/keys) add some depth and interest to the band's sound, but mis-steps like 'Love Is On Your Side' feel angst ridden and a step backwards.

There is still plenty of room for the boys of The Love Machine to grow, and develop their sound, but as far as a debut record goes, the strong moments, like 'Lioness' or key heavy 'We Are Squirrels, And This Is Nuts' make listening and watching the band's evolution worth it. Time is a friend to The Love Machine.

Record Review: The Weepies

The Weepies - Be My Thrill   4/5

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Nine years ago, Deb Talan and Steve Tannen began work on their first record, what they thought would merely be a side project to their respective solo careers is now four albums deep. A Cinderella story of sorts as, in 2005 Talan and Tannen became more than just a musical partnership, they married, and shortly after the release of their third album, Hideaway, they became parents.

Unlike their previous efforts, a mix of upbeat sugary pop and more mellow ballads, Be My Thrill finds The Weepies in an almost entirely cheery disposition. The record speaks of the duo's love affair, like the first single 'I Was Made For Sunny Days' a bright, cheerful single made more sweet by the gorgeous harmonies of Colbie Caillat. 'Be My Honeypie' is a love letter from Tannen to Talan, one of the album's many highlights also showcases Tannen, whom usually plays supporting role to Talan on lead vocals. Even in the more somber moments like 'Add My Effort' there is an effortless beauty in their melodies, it's hard not to fall in love with The Weepies like so many of their Celebrity admirers including Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 and Mandy Moore, the latter with whom, the band collaborated on her 2007 effort, Wild Hope. Not to mention the wide array of TV shows, and films that have featured the bands compositions, including Sex & The City: The Movie and TV alum Everwood.

Be My Thrill from start to finish is a charming slice of indie-pop that never misses a step, 'Not A Lullaby' the album's most subdued song, a simple, elegant track is followed by arguably the band's most experimental song the loose, and rebellious 'How Do You Get High' without a hitch, just going to show this is one musical marriage that continues to deliver solid, enjoyable pop.

Record Review : Forest City Lovers

Forest City Lovers - Carriage   2/5

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Indie folk/pop band Forest City Lovers, return with their sophomore album, Carriage the follow-up to their successful debut The Sun and the Wind. For anyone unfamiliar with the Toronto based outfit, lead by singer-songwriter Kat Burns, the band has made a name for themselves as a captivating folk-pop act.

Carriage by all accounts is a departure from the band's usual sound, and while the record is more adventurous in rock, and pop elements than it's more folksy predecessor, it is not necessarily a complete success. Much of the first half of the album feels like Burns and company have been brushing up on their Paul McCartney, post-Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, with songs like 'Tell Me Cancer' arguably the records best track, and 'Minneapolis' but what initially seems promising becomes your typical indie pop record. 

The album suffers from tracks like 'Oh The Wolves' and 'If I Were A Tree', the latter of which was recently featured as itunes 'Single of the Week' in Canada, are overly cute and attempt to lighten the album's mood, and the darker tones of Burns writing. A limited vocal range and at many times what feels like phoned in vocals, Burns' fails to carry the emotional weight of some lyrics convincingly. Though the instrumentals are sound and the songs are well-written, Carriage doesn't have much bite, it's safe, simple and ultimately is a bit of a snooze.

Record Review: Allie Hughes

Allie Hughes - Allie Hughes EP   3.5/5

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Allie Hughes' name may be most familiar from her time as a top 10 finalist on CBC's summer reality series 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria' back in 2008. Since then Hughes has not only been in the studio working on her debut record, but cultivating a stage persona that has earned positive reviews and genuine interest in what the unpredictable performer does next.

The four track EP is unpredictable and hard to pin down, playing sugary sweet notes on 'Not The Stars', to punk shrieks on 'Damaged Nail', resulting in an immediate fascination after just one listen. Bubbling over with personality and colourful twists, it's hard not to notice the theatrical element in Hughes all over thefour tracks from bubblegum pop to an alternative hybrid of Bjork and Fiona Apple on 'Rolling Days'. There is no question of Hughes' talent, but it's what she does next, her debut album, that will really show what she's capable of.

Single Selections: Shakira

Shakira - Loca (feat. Dizzee Rascal) 3/5

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Shakira moves beyond She Wolf, with 'Loca', a salsa infused hip shaker featuring a bold choice in MC Dizzee Rascal, a welcome change from atypical American rappers. 'My Hips Don't Lie' it is not, but it is catchy, latin dance-pop, and that's rarely a bad thing.

Rae Spoon - We Can't Be Lovers With These Guns On Each Other 3.5/5

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Calgary's Rae Spoon can be found climbing CBC Radio 3's top 30, with thumping drums and subtle electronic elements, this garage rock track is heavy on a hooky chorus. It's only a matter of time before Grey's Anatomy and every other television series are picking apart Spoon's latest disc, Love Is A Hunter for gems like this.

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World) 4.5/5

Leaked

Ditching Jay-Z for Euro glam, Rihanna makes a comeback of sorts, though she never really left it's a return to Good Girl Gone Bad form. Rihanna seems to have switched to an Ace of Base heavy dance-pop diet, guaranteed to be rocking dancefloors from Bangkok to Halifax to Milan, it's a transcontinental hit. Period.

Sky Ferreira - Obsession 1/5

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While her European single 'One' is quirky enough to capture our curiousity, Ferreira's North American single 'Obsession' plays to the lowest common denominator... forgettable... you're really not missing much.

Ruby Coast - Creep Me Out 4/5

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The playful, jangly indie pop tune is a short and sweet hand-clapper that's instantly charming. Put on your dancing shoes for a bit of crazy fun, it's a welcome return of the Aurora natives.

Record Review: Robyn

Robyn - Body Talk Pt. 2 4/5

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Body Talk Pt. 2 is a sleeker, faster and more pimped out club record. Her beats rival that of M.I.A., she's does Euro glam better than Gaga and out paces Kylie and Britney with relative ease, but Part 2 earns its strips as the counteract to Part 1's bored, experimental, dancefloor craving Robyn, with a pop diva happily at play in the clubs.

"Hang With Me" is the perfect reaction to "Dancing On My Own", the light after the dark. Body Talk Pt. 2 is more unified in polished electro-pop like the standout "Include Me Out" or "Love Kills", the intent of Robyn's second act is focused to "wind it, grind it" as she scoffs on "Criminal Intent". The years best collaboration showcases the Swedish spit-fire declaring, "even the C-I-A knows not to fuck with me" alongside Snoop Dogg on the groove hard "U Should Know Better". The record closes with another acoustic track "Indestructible", which is arguably Robyn's biggest anthem to date, and that's without a proper mix, surely to be found on Body Talk Pt. 3.

Body Talk Pt. 2 is again a thin 8 track record, but if we learned anything from Lady Gaga's Monster Fame, it is a winning formula highlighting the great pop tracks, and still allowing for more experimental moments like "We Dance to the Beat". Robyn is pop's wacked-out girl next door, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Record Review: Gabby Young & Other Animals

Gabby Young & Other Animals - We're All In This Together 4.5/5

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Buzz-worthy is a term that gets thrown around with the majority of new artists that emerge every year across the musical landscape, most fizz out faster than a bowl of Rice Crispies can snap, crackle and pop! In North America buzz may be an accurate way of describing Gabby Young & Other Animals, but if you've spent any time in Britain than you've either come across of the many positive responses to her debut record or caught her live at one of the many festivals this past summer, buzz-worthy is an understatement.

We're All In This Together is a pitch-perfect blend of swing, jazz, folk, and pop, a cabaret act that comes to life from the album opener, "Umm" to fading horns of "Two By Two". Young's vocals are a show all on their own, elegant with the occasional explosion into Bjorkesque madness, all the while demanding your attention.

Young never stays still in one sound for long, from the quirky spirit of "Ladies of the Lake" where Young seems to have spent time with Fiona Apple's "Paper Bag", to the playful, undeniably catchy "One That Got Away", a swing-pop song with great horns, the album keeps you on your toes. Meanwhile, the straight forward guitar driven pop of "Lipsink" allows for a more stripped listen to Young's considerable talents as a songwriter as well as a singer. Standout title track "We're All In This Together" is a rich folk ballad, starring the opera trained, Young's emotionally charged vocals.

While the We're All In This Together sways between flamboyant, energetic romps and mid-tempo, heartfelt songs, there is a feeling that this is one finely tuned cabaret act, that is wildly entertaining and rewarding. At the heart of this record is impressive instrumentals, equally strong songwriting and the talented vocal performance of Gabby Young. With her 'Other Animals' in tow, Gabby Young is more than just buzz-worthy, she's the genuine article.

Artist to Watch: Meaghan Smith

Meaghan Smith

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For anyone who enjoyed 2009's indie comedy, (500) Days of Summer, you may have had the unknowing pleasure of hearing Meaghan Smith's bewitching cover of "Here Comes Your Man", a surprisingly original spin on the Pixies' beloved classic. Smith's appearance on the film's soundtrack is just one example of the London, Ontario native's continued success, having been named to Canada's 2010 Polaris Music Prize Long List for her debut record The Cricket's Orchestra.

Despite the recognition, the Sheridan College graduate is no household name, Smith's fusion of folk, jazz and pop isn't exactly radio's first choice for a hit single, which makes The Cricket's Orchestra all the more rewarding a discovery. A rich tapestry of horns, clarinets, string arrangements and lyrics that bleed honesty, Smith is both impressive and captivating, with her personality drenched over every inch of the album. Equal parts playful and intimate, it's no surprise what started out as a small independent record was quickly picked up by Sire Records.

Smith's spin on vintage sounds, mixed with modern elements like the standout "A Little Love" which adds turntable scratches create a fresh sound, that is all the more charming. It's hard not to feel a little love for Meaghan Smith, who's currently working on new material with the likes of mega-producer Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, P!nk), leaving us wondering if maybe Smith is onto something.

Hear It First: Ruby Coast

RUBY COAST ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR & RELEASE DIGITAL 7"

Aurora's Ruby Coast released two free tracks today, "Whatever This Is" and "Creep Me Out" off their soon to be released debut record, Whatever This Is.  Alongside the release of their two energetic singles are dates for the band's North American tour. Including the following Canadian dates:

Sept. 9th - North Bay, ON - Nipissing University

Sept. 11th - Thunder Bay, ON - Lakehead University

Sept. 18th - Newmarket, ON - Studio Five Salon

Sept. 24th - Toronto, ON - Unit C

Sept. 25th - Guelph, ON - Jimmy Jazz

Oct. 1st - Ottawa, ON - Cafe Nostalgica

Oct. 2nd - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus (Pop Montreal)

Oct. 8th - London, ON - Alex P. Keaton

Oct. 9th - Sarnia, ON - Trinity Lounge

Download Ruby Coast's latest tracks below:

Creep Me Out

Whatever This Is