New Music Monday: Hey Ocean

Maybe not entirely new this week, but a new album counts, right? Vancouver foursome Hey Ocean! have been creating a small buzz across the country ever since their first release in 2006. The amazing voice of singer Ashleigh Ball was what first got my attention. Her rich harmonies and melodies seamlessly blend with some pretty catchy riffs and percussion which clearly take a little something from folk, jazz, and pop styles from around the globe. Fans of other west coast talent such as Mother Mother or Immaculate Machine would probably take a liking to these guys quickly. The most exciting thing is that they will be cruising into a town near you soon! Most likely in a snazzy Toyota Yaris along with BTA favorite Shad riding shotgun. The tour began this week with stops across Canada, and is surely worth checking out with this combo. But if you can't make it out, you can still grab their new album It's Easier To Be Somebody Else on September 9th.

Hey Ocean - Too Soon
Shad - The Old Prince Still Lives At Home

- Matty B.

And now, time for a little west coast kitchen party and...



Probably the best music video ever made...

...And They All Look Just The Same

As a young child I observed the dichotomy of suburban and rural geography, the expanding borders of southern Ontario cities that were gradually encroaching on the surrounding farmland. From my first bedroom window I had a completely unobstructed view of Canada's busiest highway, the 401, lying about a kilometer from my home. The house itself, though a semi-detached unit, looked something like one of the miniatures on the cover of Population. As I grew, the vacant fields that guided my view of the highway began to see mass residential expansion, which plotted home after home of similar design all the way from my house to the expressway in the distance. Soon enough all I could see were homes, unique as they could be with buyer's choice of shingle, brick, and garage door colour. In such environments, it's almost as if the situation begs for something to stand out and distance itself from the pack.

I grew up in the northwest corner of Mississauga. The Most Serene Republic's hometown of Milton, On, is just a few exits down the 401. The landscape transformation I observed way back then is still taking place, churning out development after development that's slowly suffocating the remaining space between our neighboring towns. This happens in lots of municipalities, but knowing that The Most Serene Republic have viewed the same particular transformation that I have has given me a more personal motivation to think hard about the title and meaning of the band's latest album (which by the way, is excellent). Population (Arts & Crafts) deals with many subjects, including the fear of uniform monotony, using multi-layered, challenging songwriting the band is known for. Each song gives the same impression as a custom-built home jutting out of a carbon copy grid. They seek to cement a strong identity with ambitious music in a community filled with acts that too often hedge their bets, minimize risk, and stay safe. There aren't enough good things I can say about the album, just check it out and judge for yourself.

They're heading west touring Population right now with Dragonette, Mother Mother, and Small Sins (on some stops). Work got in the way of attending last night's Ottawa show at Zaphod's but my hope is that the album's popularity warrants another cross country tour in the new year.

The Most Serene Republic - Present of Future End [YSI]
The Most Serene Republic - Why So Looking Back [YSI]

- Brad

"You don't need tricks, you don't need treats, you don't need Halloween"

Last night, I was finally able to catch Vancouver based Mother Mother at a free open air show in the heart of downtown Victoria. They offered their talents for the kick-off party of the Victoria Fringe Festival, which celebrates music, theatre, and art. For those unfamiliar with the group, the band is essentially a unique three piece, which I dare to describe as indie-folk rock, whose sound is brought to its fullest by the vocals and harmonics of the two female members, Molly Guldemond, sister to guitarist Ryan, and Debra-Jean Creelman. Their performance in no way fell short of what we have come to expect from other members of the Last Gang Records family. Beginning with Touch Up's opening track, 'Dirty Town', they quickly moved into some of the best material from their debut album: 'Polynesia' and 'Verbatim'. It was clear that with the immediate release of their catchiest and most well known tracks to the audience, the band had something up their sleeve. This, of course, consisted of a slew of new material. Songs like 'Ghostin' are some of the best I have yet heard from this band and demonstrate an evolution in their original sound as they build more upon the particular bits of goodness that worked for them in their previous album. Mother Mother's follow-up album, which seems imminent soon after their current touring schedule, is something I will definitely be looking forward to. And me without my camera! Sorry gang...my bad.

Matty B.

Mother Mother - Polynesia
Mother Mother - Verbatim
Mother Mother - Legs Away
Mother Mother - Dirty Town