Under Their Spell

And simply because I love Alphabeat and their music will forever remind me of the 90s, here is their new video for "The Spell", the single off their upcoming album, This Is Still Alphabeat. The album will their first released since signing with record label Polydor in March 2009 and will be released in mid-October in the UK. Alphabeat are not strangers to fuck you operator, so to learn more check out my post from way back in April, Don't Go Out Tonight.



MP3: "The Spell" - Alphabeat

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Here is the new Flaming Lips music video for "I Can Be A Frog" off their new album Embryonic, which is set to be released mid-October. The song is especially whimsical because the animal noises were made by Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Enjoy!



MP3: "I Can Be A Frog" - The Flaming Lips

Fucked Up Wins The 2009 Polaris Prize!

I am happy to say that, yes indeed, Canadian hardcore band Fucked Up are the winners of the 2009 Polaris Music Prize for their album, The Chemistry of Common Life. They were my personal favourite to win the award, although I thought Joel Plaskett or K'Naan were more likely to win. They put one an incredible show, at one point bringing Owen Pallett from Final Fantasy onstage to play along with them. Their show was even so incredibly energetic and enthusiastic that as soon as they finished, a food fight broke out before the winner was announced, with Malajube throwing mints and Chad van Galen overturning a table!

But check out their interview from earlier this morning with CBC Q host Jian Ghomeshi to talk about their reactions, how they think winning the Polaris music prize will change their status in Canada music, as well as for Canadian hardcore in general, and their plans for the $20,000 award prize.

Alberta Twang

After my last post filled with ranting about the VMAs, I feel I need to redeem myself with a truly good find. My favourite podcast of all time, the CBC R3-30 countdown, is the best source of all things Canadian indie music and it never fails to surprise me with certain musical finds. Corb Lund, a country music singer from Alberta, managed to sneak his way onto the countdown this week as the highest debut on the countdown, although I assumed his country twang was from Nashville, rather than Alberta. But as a country filled with ranches and real cowboys, it is a great breeding ground for heart-achin' country singers. Corb Lund and his touring band The Hurtin' Albertans, have just been recently signed to New West Labels, a record label which they share with Dwight Yoakam, and have a new album, Losin' Lately Gambler, due out next week on September 29th. Despite only now being signed to a major record label, they have already been the recipients of 22 awards to date, including the 2008 Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. More impressively, however, is that they provided accompaniment for an NBC special in 2006 on Olympic gold medalist and fellow Albertan, Kurt Browning, to perform a figure skating routine to.

Here, from his new album due out next week Losin' Lately Gambler, is the first single "A Game In Town Like This" by Cord Lund.



MP3: "A Game In Town Like This" - Corb Lund

Where Did All The Respect Go?

If you were one of the millions of people who watched the VMAs last night, then you already know about the ridiculousness that continued to happen all throughout the evening. However, if you're like me and haven't gotten your cable hooked up yet, then you just finished watching thousands of clips on YouTube after hearing about events of last night.

Normally I refrain from commenting on the social relationship that celebrities keep with others and themselves, but the continued lack of respect and artist integrity at last nights VMAs deserves some commentary.

The events that shocked and disturbed me was Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video, saying that Beyonce deserved to win it more, Lady Gaga's performance of "Paparazzi", which was strange and disturbing and I'm not sure what to think of it, Beyonce allowing Taylor Swift to use her speech time to finish what Kanye interrupted, and finally, Jay-Z's performance with Alicia Keys where Lil' Mama gets up on stage at the end of the song and poses with them.

Lady Gaga's performance aside, which I just threw in there because I always need to ask myself if its about art or ego with her, it seems obvious that some artists forget that respect is integral to a successful and well-deserved career. I am grateful that Beyonce chose to address it and offer up her time to Taylor because it shows that even she doesn't approve of what Kanye did.

I recognize that I am ranting but I feel like the amount of ego and disrespect that occurred during the 2009 VMAs should speak as an example of the downfall of quality of certain musicians today.

Comments?

Home Sweet Home

And after a long and stressful summer, I am officially back in Waterloo getting ready to head back to school. Many people would be dreading this but I celebrate being able to finally leave Toronto and get back to my home and friends in Waterloo. As a plus, I am able to update my blog more, simply because I'm on my computer and looking for music more, which means music, more dancing and more of my commentary on music that no one really cares about, ha!

And provided the occasion is my celebration of my return to Waterloo, please enjoy one of my favourite Waterloo songs, "Waterloo Sunset" by The Kinks.