Broken Social Scene

Broken Social Scene
"Fire Eye'd Boy" (mp3)
from "Broken Social Scene"
(Arts & Crafts)

For those who don't know, Broken Social Scene is an 'indie rock supergroup' from Canada made up of core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning who formed BSS in 1999. A whole cast of their other friends including: Jason Collett, Leslie Feist, Charles Spearin, David Newfield, and too many other people to name make up the rest. All of its members currently play in other bands around the Toronto indie scene.

Having won 2 Juno Awards for the 'Alternative Album of the Year', these guys definitely know what they're doing. Incorporating all of these instrumental elements at once can't be an easy task to accomplish, but surprisingly they manage to do it, and do it well.

Fire Eye'd Boy is a song which makes me feel empowered, and I can't help but move some part of my body while listening to it. If you ever get the chance to see these guys/girls live, you'll leave with a whole new meaning of what music is.

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Big Light

Big Light
"Hard Knocks" (mp3)
from "Big Light"
(reapandsow, Inc.)

Another local band that is making its way up the ladder goes by the name of Big Light. Most of these guys have been playing music their whole lives, so it was only natural to decide to get together and lay down some original tracks. With their debut album releasing last month, I find this song to be one of my favorites.

With soothing instrumentals and sincere lyrics you can't go wrong with Hard Knocks. I find it to be catchy, but not in the typical pop kind of way. It also has a bit of a happy folk-ness to it and after giving this a listen, you'll pretty much feel one with the universe, and the line "you remind me of my sister with your heart of gold" will stick with you for awhile after...

If you want to check these guys out in person, they are playing at the 12 Galaxies in the Mission on July 31st at 9 pm.


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Creeping Mustard

creeping mustard
"Skimming....Nothing" (mp3)
from "If You're Into That Sort of Thing"
(reapandsow, Inc.)

From my hometown of San Francisco comes this one man band, Creeping Mustard. Steve Wertheim is his name and he is the man behind the music. Having been around for nearly a dozen years now, he finally decided to make his own album.

First hearing this track, Skimming....Nothing, it immediately grabbed my attention. It starts off with what feels like a classic rock riff but when the bass kicks in, it turns into more of an alternative, progressive feel. I'm also really diggin this guy's 'no fuss' kind of voice, and the double tracked vocals on the hook make it that much more amazing.

All in all, this song rocks and you have to check it out.

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Museum Pieces

Museum Pieces
"Looks Can Kill" (mp3)
from "Nor You, Nor You"
(Youth Club Records)

Museum Pieces is a band out of Halifax, Nova Scotia which includes a rotating cast of musicians but is primarily singer/guitarist Tyler Messick, and drummer/pianist Andy March.

Although this album was released back in April of '07, I only just recently stumbled upon it. "Looks Can Kill" is a track which I especially like; mostly because of its spontaneity. I find the drumming to be amazing and it makes me wish I could play drums as fluidly as this guy plays, or even at all... Atypical chord changes and catchy guitar riffs are also to my liking, and with the smooth, catchy vocals; this song pretty much just hits the spot for me. Give it a listen!

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Windmill

Windmill
"Tokyo Moon" (mp3)
from "Puddle City Racing Lights"
(Friendly Fire Recordings)

Windmill first started getting attention in the alternative underground scene with a limited 7” release on the highly respected indie label ‘Static Caravan’. This caught the attention of another stellar independent label ‘Melodic Records’ and work began on Dillon's first full album.

This one man band is Matthew Thomas Dillon. His strange, high pitched voice will catch you off guard on your first listen, but once the shock has settled, you will begin to hear the beauty in his music. His piano driven songs are filled with sadness but are triumphant at the same time.

His debut album, "Puddle City Racing Lights" is available right now for digital download and the street release date is set for the 22nd of July.

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