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November 20, 2008
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2008-11-20 
Reviews - CD
AC/DC
Black Ice
(Sony BMG Music)

A

AC/DC

The boys of AC/DC stay true to their mass fan following with this album, revamping their original sound and style only slightly. Diehard fans will pound their beer guts with delight and rock 'n' roll spirit while they blare Black Ice in their garages. Non-fans will likely not find a difference between the new songs and the old. It's apparent that AC/DC's song-naming process still consists of asking oneself the following question: "How many times can I use the phrase 'rock 'n' roll'?" And that's as it should be. Hitting and passing middle age doesn't seem to have hindered AC/DC's spirit, and that shows through on Black Ice.
— Emily Thomson
Carlos Del Junco
Steady Movin'
(Northern Blues)

B

Carlos Del Junco

Canadian Carlos Del Junco plays electric blues harp like a man possessed on Steady Movin'. He is melodic and daring, swooping from note to note with surgical precision. As a singer, he'd be just fine after a couple of beers at the Windsor Hotel. If you love that pure acoustic harp tone check out Movin' Down the River Rhine in all its glorious breathy grunts and pops. All in all, a worthwhile addition to any blues lover's collection.
— Chris Brown
DJ Dolores
1 Real
(Crammed Discs)

C

DJ Dolores

DJ Dolores - who is a), Brazilian and b), a dude - crams a whole bunch of global beats and sound elements into 1 Real, and while I'm certain there's an audience for it, the album is a little too United Colors of Benetton for me. Had he stuck to exploring the sonic terrain of his homeland instead of incorporating Middle Eastern vocals, country fiddling and other disparate elements, I'd be more receptive. Still, the most positive aspects of the record are found in the production - there's a depth to 1 Real that's unreal.
— Michael Elves
The Gaslight Anthem
The '59 Sound
(XOXO/SideOneDummy)

B+

The Gaslight Anthem

This Jersey four-piece has been entertaining fans of Against Me! and other roots-rockish/Clash-like outfits (think Jesse Malin or Marah) for a few years now. With The '59 Sound, the band's first widely available release, Brian Fallon and co. deliver a 12-song calling card that bounces from track to track with an immediacy that doesn't wear off, even after repeated listens. The choruses soar, the gang vocals go 'whoa-whoa' in all the right places, and the number of place names, pop cult shout-outs and musical references will boggle the mind, cementing Fallon's reputation as a songwriter to watch.
— John Kendle
Keane
Perfect Symmetry
(Interscope Records)

B

Keane

After making two scratch-checks to ensure the disc wasn't skipping, it turned out the repetitive sounds of Perfect Symmetry had already gone on for three songs. Fortunately, the English trio's identical electro-pop sound and smart lyrics make for a good tune. Simple piano accompaniment on the fifth track breaks the cycle and leads into smooth, upbeat ballads as catchy as the preceding songs. Keane's clever lyrics pick up the slack and make for a well-done third album. Spiralling, the first single, is probably the catchiest release yet from Keane, and starts things off on a high note for Perfect Symmetry - pun slightly intended.
— Emily Thomson
Various Artists
Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins
(True North)

C

Various Artists

William Hawkins is a poet and author who, back in the '60s, was a member of a bunch of regional bands in and around Ottawa. Hawkins had the good fortune to play with Bruce Cockburn, Brent Titcomb and Murray McLauchlan, and they and many others appear here over two discs. The songs are all well-crafted but, for a Prairie audience, there's not much to get excited about here. If you remember The Children, Heavenly Blue or The Occasional Flash from your time in Ottawa, you'll want to check it out.
— Chris Brown
Seckou Keita SKQ
The Silimbo Passage
(World Adventure Records)

B

Seckou Keita SKQ

The most engaging world music not only delivers ethnic sounds from unknown areas of the planet, it also attracts the curious and open-minded listener. The U.K.-based SKQ deliver on that premise, and track for track, this enlightening album is a swirling, jazzy and soulful experience. Keita is a kora maestro with a traditional sense that he combines with the ability to push the boundaries of his instrument into new and exciting realms. It doesn't take the listener long to feel like they've been swept up into some dark Tangiers marketplace buzzing with odd instrument tunings that will electrify your synapses. Trippy yet grounded in earthly delights.
— Jeff Monk
Various Artists
Putumayo Presents: Acoustic France
(Putumayo Records)

B

Various Artists

Yes, folks. It's the label with the nifty cartoon covers and seemingly endless reserve of middle-of-the-road (read: safe) music from all parts of the world, now hitting us hapless listeners with a dozen non-chart toppers from the quiet side of the Seine. Actually, this album of pleasing ditties is one of the better releases from the label that, by and large, stays inside the box. It's a great soundtrack for sipping black-as-death coffee, smoking filterless cigarettes and complaining about how crass the rest of the world is.
— Jeff Monk
The Sound Of Animals Fighting
The Ocean and the Sun
(Epitaph Records)

A

The Sound Of Animals Fighting

Disc of the Week

With a mission statement of 'rethinking what music will and should be,' American collective The Sound of Animals Fighting has set a lofty goal for itself. While the band doesn't quite achieve it on The Ocean and The Sun (and really, who could?), TSOAF does present an album full of interesting musical ideas. The four masked members of the band distill sounds from the indie rock, ambient, hardcore, and punk worlds into a pleasant sonic brew. Atmospheric soundscapes collide with tight moments of metal-inspired mayhem. This is a band that isn't afraid to experiment with style and sound, and the end result is an album that is worth a listen.
— Mike Sherby
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