SAD MAG// LOCAL MUSICS //JULY 2012
Summer is slowly coming in this year with June seeming like an extension of Fall and July/August distant in the fog. As the sun starts to toast the skin music becomes a part of the scenery as a soundtrack to the adventures to come. As this blog will focus on local music happening in Vancouver and its close surroundings, I have picked five recent local albums for cycling to 3rd beach, hosting friends on the front stoop, drinking beers in the park or canning preserves in the kitchen.
Apollo Ghosts – Landmark (You’ve Changed Records)
This album starts in all the right ways, a warm jangly riff, group vocals and Adrian Teachers quirky vocal lines. Most songs under the three minute mark bring a smooth car ride with windows down to mind and infinite joy. Go see this four piece live, it is truly a treat.
Brasstronaut – Mean Sun (Unfamiliar Records)
It’s hard not to think that Edo Van Breemen is one of Vancouver’s most beautiful songwriters along with his trumpeting contributor Bryan Davies. Mean Sun glows in maturity for the band that is known to fuse jazz & pop together. Mean Sun relishes in a more subtle journey and a fuller recording sound quality from their previous release Mount Chimaera.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl Record Co.)
At first I didn’t want to like these guys.With much hype and a recent 8.8 on pitchfork I realized that their nostalgic early 2000’s emo rock gave me some instant energy and blood flow. Considering there are only two of them, they play with vocal layers, steady drumming and riffing guitar so well. Super catchy shit too.
Needles//Pins – 12:34 LP (Mammot Cave Recording Co)
Vancouver loves its punk rock and these guys (and girl) bring the best of it with delectable song writing, clear vocal lines and well thought out pop structures. After watching them live I really appreciated the minimalism that transfers over to their recent recording 12:34.
White Lung – Sorry (Deranged Records)
I was listening to this album while eating some dinner and couldn’t sit still. These kids have had me since their first release Local Garbage. Super short, sweet and fuck yeah songs that you just want to get sweaty listening to. Sorry finds itself to be more melodic than previous releases while still keeping its hardcore punk energy alive and well.
Trippy and colourful, like a summer vacation.
art work by Marc Johns