The Most Serene Republic: ...And the Ever Expanding Universe

Artist: The Most Serene Republic
Album: ...And the Ever Expanding Universe
Date Released: July 14, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alt-rock, post-rock, experimental
Rating: 7.5

Review: The Canadian music scene is alive and well -- it's arguably never been stronger. Now if only the rest of Canada would wake up to this fact. Case in point is The Most Serene Republic -- an outstanding and innovative 7-piece act from Toronto that's largely unknown in its home country. That being said, with ...And the Ever Expanding Universe, TMSR have released their most accessible album to date. There's no longer any excuse for ignoring this band.

The 2009 version of TMSR are a little less post-rock and bit more alt-rock, if not alt-pop. The tracks on ...And the Ever Expanding Universe are tighter and more constrained than before (take the Philip Glass inspired "Patternicity," a track that could have easily gone out of control), but they're no less daring and enjoyable. And as always, the band is high-energy and all about the fun factor (check out "Heavens to Purgatory" for a taste).

An excellent release from a very talented band.

The Veils: Sun Gangs

Artist: The Veils
Album: Sun Gangs
Date Released: April 7, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alt-rock
Rating: 8.6

Review: Sun Gangs is the third album from The Veils, a band with members from New Zealand, Germany and Britain. This time around it's a break-up album that find Finn Andrews ruminating about relationships and all the associated angst and frustration that go along with them.

With that as the backdrop, Sun Gangs provides a platform for The Veils to showcase their immense songwriting and arranging talents -- and as an opportunity for Andrews to display his tremendous vocal abilities; the Veils is what Rufus Wainwright would sound like if he formed an indie-band with Jeff Buckley.

Track highlights include "The Letter," "It Hits Deep," and "Sit Down by the Fire."

Soap&Skin: Lovetune for Vacuum

Artist: Soap&Skin
Album: Lovetune for Vacuum
Date Released: March 16, 2009
Genre: sadcore, singer/songwriter, alternative
Rating: 7.6

Review: Soap&Skin, the Austrian wunderkind also known as Anja Plaschg, intertwines multi-generational influences like Nico and Kate Bush along with more contemporary arists like Bjork, Cat Power, Sigur Ros, Aphex Twin and Autechre. The music is nearly impossible to describe -- suffice to say that it's powerful, bold and highly original.

On "Thanatos," Plaschg rhythmically pounds the piano while her richly layered vocals drive the piece forward. And then on the following track, "Extinguish Me," the violence of the piano is replaced by gentle string arrangements and a buzzing accordian. Each track stands out on its own, seemingly unrelated to the other, but ultimately they comprise a coherent and rewarding whole.

Soap&Skin is definitely an artist to watch.

Sian Alice Group: Troubled, Shaken Etc.

Artist: Sian Alice Group
Album: Troubled, Shaken Etc.
Date Released: July 31, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, indie-rock
Rating: 7.3

Review: The sophomore release from Sian Alice Group finds them mellow and feeling a bit retro. With the occasional hints of Stereolab and Radiohead, the music is ultimately given its strength by the tender and often delicate vocals of Sian Ahern. A moody and atmospheric album, Troubled, Shaken Etc. will appeal to those looking to satiate their post-rock sensibilities. "Close to the Ground" is an album highlight.

The Fiery Furnaces: I'm Going Away

Artist: The Fiery Furnaces
Album: I'm Going Away
Date Released: July 21, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alt-rock
Rating: 7.4

Review: After a string of messy and (supposedly) experimental albums, The Fiery Furnaces return with a surprisingly solid and coherent effort in I'm Going Away. Fans of Gallowsbird's Bark and Blueberry Boat will be very pleased. Eleanor Friedberger 's immense vocal talents are finally given the tracks they deserve. "Even in the Rain" is a stand-out among 11 other solid tracks.

Passion Pit: Manners

Artist: Passion Pit
Album: Manners
Date Released: May 19, 2009
Genre: indie-electronic, indie-pop
Rating: 7.4

Review: Following on the heels of the Chunk of Change EP, Manners is the highly anticipated debut album from Massachusetts outfit Passion Pit. For those looking for a continuation of their brilliant synth-infused pop this album will not disappoint. Manners features two highlights in particular, namely the opening track, "Make Light" and their latest single "The Reeling".

Of possible concern, however, is the realization that the album's strongest track, "Sleepyhead," is also featured on the EP; does this suggest that we’ve already seen the best from Michael Angelakos and company?

But with a strong live show and a knack for catchy riffs who am I to argue. Indeed, the band is steadily gathering support in America and in Europe. And anyone who knows their indie-electronic will be dancing along to Manners this summer.

Reviewed by Alex Diffley

Japandroids: Post-Nothing

Artist: Japandroids
Album: Post-Nothing
Date Released: August 4, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, noise-rock
Rating: 9.0

Review: Post-Nothing, the debut from Vancouver duo Japandroids, is one of those albums that could be easily overlooked and passed over as another effort in the suddenly over-crowded noise-rock scene. But closer inspection reveals catchy riffs, shockingly good performances and no shortage of excellent melodies and grooves. And with lyrics like, "We used to dream, now we worry about dying," along with song titles like "I Quit Girls," it's a no-brainer: Post-Nothing is truly one of the best albums of 2009.

Nadja & A Storm of Light: Primitive North [Split]

Artist: Nadja & A Storm of Light
Album: Primitive North [Split]
Date Released: March 3, 2009
Genre: post-metal, post-rock, doom metal, sludge metal
Rating: 7.4

Review: Primitive North is a split CD from Toronto's Nadja and Brooklyn's A Storm of Light (featuring members of Red Sparowes, Tombs, Unsane and Satanized). Each band contributes by remixing and interweaving elements from both, creating apocalyptic waves of doomy fuzzes and drones. Primitive North is intensely heavy and agonizingly slow -- not for the feint of heart.

The Dead Weather: Horehound

Artist: The Dead Weather
Album: Horehound
Date Released: July 14, 2009
Genre: alt-pop, alt-rock, garage rock revival, blues rock
Rating: 7.8

Review: The Dead Weather is an American supergroup composed of Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Jack White (The White Stripes and The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes). The music on Horehound is raw and bluesy, and at times reminiscent of early Zeppelin (including plenty of sexual innuendo).

Mosshard and White trade vocal duties, while White also performs on the drums. But the real standouts on Horehound are the guitars and the most evil sounding organ work I've heard in quite some time (check out "Treat Me Like Your Mother" to get a sense of what I mean). This album has too much attitude and confidence to ignore.

Bibio: Ambivalence Avenue

Artist: Bibio
Album: Ambivalence Avenue
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, indie electronic, electronica
Rating: 8.5

Review: On Ambivalence Avenue, England's Bibio (aka Stephen Wilkinson) weaves together densely textured and dynamic layers of heavily processed samples and beats. The album's mood is warm, welcoming and summery.

Bibio dips into a variety of influences, some as immediate as Boards of Canada, Justice and Caribou, and others as far back as Future Sound of London, Jean-Michel Jarre and even Ummagummesque Pink Floyd; Bibio shows outstanding creativity as he reworks these influences into something that still sounds very fresh.

Ambivalence Avenue will appeal to those looking for straight-forward pop while also appeasing those looking for something a bit more daring and complex. There's absolutely nothing to be ambivalent about here in the slightest.

Mos Def: The Ecstatic

Artist: Mos Def
Album: The Ecstatic
Date Released: June 9, 2009
Genre: east coast rap, alternative rap, political rap, hip-hop
Rating: 8.3

Review: Dynamic. Laid back. Frenetic. Bollywood. Soulful. Brooklyn. Hazy. Diverse. Afro rhythms. Madlib. Political commentary. Hip-hop. Middle East. Oh No. Great samples. Vamping. Spanish. Mr. Flash. Fantastic.

Bill Callahan: "Jim Cain" [live video]

Bill Callahan: Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Artist: Bill Callahan
Album: Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Date Released: April 14, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alternative singer/songwriter, low-fi
Rating: 8.1

Review: Bill Callahan, the artist formerly known as Smog, has returned to more familiar territory on Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle: this album is moody, laid-back and devoid of frills.

As always, his low baritone is front and center, teasing the listener with his limited range. The arrangements are light, spacious and warm, providing a beautiful accompaniment to Callahan's striking voice.

Lyrically, Callahan is somber, angry and introspective. Indeed, it's the strength of the lyrics that power Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. His statements and repetitive phrasing demand attention. On "Jim Cain" he sings,

Well I used to be darker
Then I got lighter, then I got dark again
Somethin' to be seen, was passing over
And over me
Well it seemed like a routine case at first
With the death of the shadow, came the lightness of births
In the darkest of nights, the truth still dazzled
And I work myself, until I'm frazzled
I ended up in search of ordinary things

But my favorite lyrics come on "Faith/Void," where he explores some more existential territory:

This is the end of faith, no more must I strive
To find my peace, to find my peace in the lie

It's time to put God away
It's time to put God away, I put God away

Callahan's my new hero.

Mastodon: "Oblivion" [video]

It's like 2001 meets Solaris.

ISIS in the studio: Wavering Radiant Sessions [video]