Music

This Week's Best New Music Releases - August 24, 2010

by Josh

Land Of Talk – Cloak And Cipher

Land of Talk are back with “Cloak And Cipher”. Any holes that were in their previous album, 2008’s “Some Are Lakes”, have been filled thanks to the guidance of Besnard Lakes’ Jace Lasek, who not only co-produces the album, but also lends a hand to the arrangements. His presence certainly shines through too, especially on tracks like “Swift Coin”. That’s not to say front woman Elizabeth Powell has given up the reins. It’s still her punchy punk-influenced guitar and vocals that are in the foreground and the album ultimately belongs to her. Lasek has simply pushed Land of Talk to the next level.

Label: Secret City

S. Carey – All We Grow

Sean Carey may never shake off the fame of being Bon Iver’s drummer, but “All We Grow” is an exceptional start. Also, it’s not often we get a side project a drummer, but when we do, they can be more tantalizing than their guitarist counterparts (see Zach Hill). S. Carey’s solo material has the vibe of a movie score in the same way Explosions In The Sky does. It’s also layered with enough beauty to punch you in the stomach. Predominantly instrumental (though the album’s key track is the lyrically haunting “In The Dirt”), the album may very well slip by many ears. But to those people it catches, it will burrow inside and bring tears to their eyes.

Label: Jagjaguwar

Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard

In retail, there are certain ways to get your product noticed. For books, it’s the Oprah “O”. For albums in Canada, it’s the Arts & Crafts logo. The label that brought us Broken Social Scene, Feist, and Stars amongst others, have a track record that people tend to trust. That is good news for Ra Ra Riot, who are releasing their third album, “The Orchard”. The good news for you is that it is probably their best effort thus far. Their harmonization of indie rock and classic pop (the orchestral kind) is what sets them apart, and Ra Ra Riot have taken one step closer to perfecting their craft. Ra Ra Riot will be performing at The Mod Club Theatre on Monday August 30th. Tickets are free with purchase of the album from Criminal Records (493 Queen Street West, Toronto).

Label: Arts & Crafts

!!! – Strange Weather, Isn’t It?

I think the key to enjoying the new album from !!! (pronounced ‘chk chk chk’) is not taking it too seriously. Grouped into the genre “dance-punk” (though I think “dance-funk” is more suited), it’s a series of well crafted pop songs that just make you want to dance while throwing in your own hand claps. The snappy bass in the song “Steady as the Sidewalk Cracks” makes me want to chase a coked out Ray Liotta in a helicopter. As long as you remember that music is supposed to be fun, you will get along with this record just fine.

Label: Warp