Category Archives: canada

Watch for the Loose Rocks Under Your Feet

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This week’s album review is on a fully Canadian band. I mean, comes from Canada, sings about Canada, tours in Canada, no American media can be found for them in the least.

And in a reversal of trends, I am picking up on Said The Whale almost a year after second full-length album was released. (Get it, cuz Canada is always behind us? Ha ha. Yes I know, Canadian Hockey Team. Gold. 2010. Whatever. They invented the sport.)

I am an uncool Canadian kid
Awed and inspired by all the popular guys
Most of them are truly irresponsible
They do irresponsible things

But I’m just a heartbroken gentleman
And gentlemen never seem to get gentle women
I need a small town girl
To follow me home and teach me how to be a real man

Islands Disappear was released last October, after an EP in July and another full-length the summer previous. The band formed officially in 2007 after a few years of basement recordings by high school pals. And they haven’t always sung about Canada. Their 2008 album Taking Albalonia and subsequent re-release Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia are both much more upbeat, while at the same time, so very indie.

This makes me appreciate Islands Disappear all the more. Knowing what the band is capable of makes it enjoyable to listen to a dedication of sorts to the vast, expansive Canadian homeland and all the pioneers who have shaped its history.


Download Said The Whale – Out on the Shield

…Recent history is not ignored on this album. Lest you think the very popular (well, in Canada…) track “Camilo (The Magician)” is just a fun song about an imaginary character, oh no dear. Mago Camilo is a young Colombian man whose life has been made of magic, and who has chosen the True North as his second home.


Download Said The Whale – Camilo (The Magician)

They released a new EP earlier this year, and they’re submitting new songs to Canadian radio all of the time. What say you, America? Are you going to catch up to the Syrup Lickers?

King Khan rules over you

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I’ve just recently discovered the oddity known as King Khan. Recently, on tour with BBQ (real name: Mark Sultan), the Khan was arrested for having certain fungi in possession. His tour manager was also arrested, having an invalid license.

No matter. They still make some quirky era-inspired tracks. Depending on whether he’s working with BBQ as King Khan and the BBQ Show or with the Shrines (as, yes, King Khan and the Shrines), you’ll get a pretty varied era-specific sound. Here’s where I get to have the fun of sharing the tracks I like.

First up is what I think is the best of the bunch. It’s off of the latest King Khan and the BBQ Show album entitled Invisible Girl. This is reminiscent of late ’70’s punk at its glorified high. Just think of the Ramones, and you’ll get a good comparison. This track, “Lonely Boy” is loads of fun, and while only around two and a half minutes, packs a lot into it.

Download King Khan and the BBQ Show – Lonely Boy

Next up is something hearkening back to the ’50’s off of King Khan and the BBQ Show’s self-titled album. “Fish Fight” is a romp, and Chuck Berry is written all over this one. This is the sort of stuff that the Amazing Royal Crowns were going for, also, but the stripped down sound that these guys have makes it a big winner.

Download King Khan and the BBQ Show – Fish Fight

Lastly is from King Khan and the Shrines. This is really one of the only ones I dug off of What Is? and has a completely different sound from their usual ’60’s guitar inspired riffs. This makes me think of the Rolling Stones, and I think you’d clearly see why I think that. Rolling grooves and very mellow. Definitely a big winner.

Download King Khan and the Shrines – The Ballad of Lady Godiva

As always, buy this stuff. Or else turkeys will come by and smack you around a bit. They will! I swear!