01/29/08

CHMA 106.9 FM Record Review: The New Pornographers / Challengers

There's been a lot of complaints around the internet music reviewosphere that The New Pornographers' newest record, Challengers, is bad or worse than previous release than Twin Cinema. This isn't entirely true. While critics are quite right to point out that Twin Cinema doesn't measure up in breadth or depth to its predecessor, it's not simply because the songs are boring or less interesting.

As with most other New Pornographer releases, this record is built around the vocal and melodic talents of its primary members, not to mention the pop hooks and melodic talents for which Carl Newman has become rather well known, not to mention a backing band that adds enough depth to the pop melodies to make them into rock and roll songs.

The main difference here is not so much that the New Pornographers are playing slow songs. The problem here is that all the catchy and showy vocal melodies, which actually serve as excellent window dressing for a band that is actually made up of some very talented musicians and a very brilliant songwriter in Carl Newman, really don't have as much depth to them as records past. Newman even gave his backing musicians on his solo release, The Slow Wonder, more wiggle room than this. Here his band seems underused, even bored.

Every New Pornographers release gets old after the melodies are worn out after a few listens, and Challengers offers the exact same feeling of exhiliration upon first listen. The difference here is that this just gets old quicker than most New Pornographer records.

holy h, check out that list of September shows

boy, there sure is a lot going on this September. check it out over there, to the right.

Sappy Records Preview Show on CHMA 106.9 FM

A week of interviews and songs by artists performing at next week’s Sappy Records Music Festival, held right here in yours and mine dear Sackville, NB. Tune in your radio to 106.9 on your FM dial next week as the CHMA music library takes you through what everyone is doing next weekend.

Schedule

Monday: Forest City Lovers, Evening Hymns, Peter and the Wolf
Tuesday: Baby Eagle/Constantines, Sarah Hallman, The Stance
Wednesday: They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Ohbijou
Thursday: Dog Day, Snailhouse
Friday SPECIAL IN-STUDIO FESTIVAL KICK-OFF SPECTACULAR: Chad VanGaalen, Calvin Johnson

All this and a possible guest interviewer? You bet.

who to see and who to play at the Sappy Records Music Festival

the second annual Sappy Records Music Festival is fast approaching. officially, you should go see as many artists as you possibly can, but here's some highlights from the CHMA music library. these CD's are currently being played extensively at the station, as well as those not listed here. for the complete schedule, please go here.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3
Calvin Johnson: ex-Beat Happening dude. plays slow indie music acoustically.

Snailhouse: think a male version of Julie Doiron; solo-electric, heartfelt, folk-rock music.

Constantines: need any more be said? one of the best live bands ever. Springsteen rock updated for 20-somethings with "feelings".

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?: a collection of rock songs with back up music that makes the main dude sound like he's playing from the inside of a circus tent.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
Sarah Hallman: singer-songwriter pop that doesn't sound out of place at this festival? this performance is going to be a breath of fresh air (literally and metaphorically).

Mt. Eerie: acoustic music that bleeds sincerity and directness. sackville is lucky to have him here.

The Paramedics: a brand new band featuring a combination of two seemingly opposite, but equally brilliant musicians: Mike from Snailhouse and Bry Webb of the Constantines.

Chad VanGaalen: everything a solo performer should be.

Ohbijou: folk music with a backing band.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5
Evening Hymns: like all those acoustic guys you listen to on your discman: Great Lake Swimmers, Iron and Wine. reminds me of simpler times.

John Tiell's Metal Kites: I don't know much about this, but I know I love Clark the Band (their former name). loud, energetic, and catchy pop songs.

The Stance: a revival of a revival? The Stance play the rock music that made The Strokes my favourite band in the 00's, except this is easier to get moving for and appears at your local roadhouse.

Dog Day: one of the catchiest releases of 2007 is "Night Group". a fraction of that, translated into a live performance, should make for a wild ride.

Eric's Trip: "Canada's underground indie darlings" from the 1990's, all united under the same roof once again. before my time, so it's a good thing this reunion thing keeps happening.


finally, GO BUY YOUR TICKETS and spin the CD's on CHMA. Thank you.

julie doiron nominated for the Polaris Prize

sackville's own Julie Doiron has been nominated for the Polaris Prize, awarded annually with criteria based solely on artistic merit as opposed to album sales. Dorion's "Woke Myself Up" was released in January and here appears alongside other artists such as Arcade Fire, Feist, and Junior Boys. but don't let me tell you about it. sackville friend Chad VanGaalen is also there. Julie will appear on Boardwalk Radio on CHMA 106.9 FM this friday between 12:30 and 2:00 PM to tell you all about it.

CHMA Charts, week ending July 3, 2007

Hey Everyone, happy Canada Day! CHMA played lots of Canadian artists again this week, because that's just how patriotic we are. Wooden Stars topped the charts this week, in support of their show with Julie Doiron and the Hylozoists here next Friday. Also, Wax Mannequin plays a house show here tomorrow and Tanya Davis will perform at Struts on Thursday. Things continue to be hyped for Sappyfest, as more artists performing at this year's festival were on the charts this week.

And now:

CHMA Charts, week ending July 3, 2007
*1. The Wooden Stars - People Are Different (Sonc Unyon)
*2. Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock (MapleMusic)
*3. Nich Worby - Oh, how? (Ford Plant)
*4. Julie Doiron - Woke Myself Up (Endearing)
5. Calvin Johnson and the Sons of Soil - Calvin Johnson and the Sons of Soil (K)
*6. Wax Mannequin - Orchard and Ire (Infinite Heat)
*7. Andre Ethier - On Blue Fog (Blue Fog)
*8. Code Pie - The Most Trusted Name in Yous (Flagless)
*9. The Ghost is Dancing - The Darkest Spark (Sonic Unyon)
*10. Feist - The Reminder (Arts and Crafts)
*11. Tanya Davis - Make a List (Independent)
*12. David Trenaman - Success! (Independent)
13. The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me (Universal)
*14. Jim Bryson - Where the Bungalows Roam (Kelp)
*15. Dog Day - Night Group (Black Mountain Music)
*16. Entire Cities - Centralia (Independent)
*17. Sarah Hallman - Sarah Hallman (Busted Flat)
*18. Baby Eagle - Baby Eagle (Independent)
*19. Dick Morello - RCPMRIEFTMAS (Independent)
20. Koop - Remixes by Christian Prommer, Sirs, and Beanfield (Compost)
21. The White Stripes - Icky Thump (Universal)
22. Battles - Mirrored (Warp)
*23. Miracle Fortress - Five Roses (Secret City)
24. Architecture in Helsinki - Heart it Races EP (Polyvinyl)
*25. Love and Mathematics - Love and Mathematics (Independent)
*26. Shapes and Sizes - Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner (Asthmatic Kitty)
*27. Tokyo Police Club - Smith (Paper Bag)
*28. Lightning Dust - Lightning Dust (Jagjaguwar)
*29. The Phonemes - There’s Something We’ve Been Meaning To Do (Blocks)
*30. Frog Eyes - Tears of the Valedictorian (Scratch)

* denotes Canadian content.

Charts compiled by Mark Brownlee, music director.