George Michael - Fast Love (RIP001)

George Michael died on Christmas day. #wham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHAQlFq6TFg

Modern English - Moonbeam (Hype 019)

Brand new single from Modern English off the album Take Me To The Trees released by the band themselves just this year. #4ad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u05of1quqog

Lapsley - Operator (Hype 018)

Soulful electronic record on XL Recordings....

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDsVVkIqbWE

Blood Orange - Augustine (Hype 017)

Smooth track from Blood Orange taken from the 2016 album Freetown Sound on Domino Records #TPL

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXtzcViZPGA

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Amputation (Hype 016)

Brand new single from the Chain off their forthcoming album Damage and Joy. Its been a long 18 year wait for a new album.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1adCABireXI

Dream Wife ‎– Hey Heartbreaker (Hype 015)

UK pop outfit Dream Wife Hey Heartbreaker 7 Inch out on Cannibal Hymns.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdZBvE7nZyM

Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles ft. Gucci Mane (Hype 014)

Massive addictive chart topper....taken from their second album Sremmlife II........

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8m9zhNAgKs

Gloria Jones - Gone With The Wind Is My Love (Hype 013)

Great Northern Soul classic from Gloria Jones reissued on 7 Inch in 2016 on the Light Of Love Wax Co. label out of the UK.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG1qgIlWq-k

Nightmares on Wax - World Inside (Hype 012)

Brand new track from downtempo outfit Nightmares on Wax called World Inside featuring the vocals of Andrew Ashong. Drifting and recovering from a long work week.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKhOK-1N7yY

David J - The Day That David Bowie Died (Hype 011)

Interesting low key single released on 10 Inch vinyl by Love And Rockets guy David J on A Records. Tribute to Bowie

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GRAHwKs7do

Our Girl - Being Around (Hype 010)

Fuzzy droning single from this Brighton UK band for a sunday morning taken from their Normally EP on Cannibal Hymns.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ylOznf1wxg

Peter Bjorn and John - What You Talkin About (Hype 009)

Another catchy track from Peter Bjorn and John taken from their stellar new album Breakin Point.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9i4r5XvCmQ

Pauline Murray And The Invisible Girls - Dream Sequence 1 (Retro 1)

              

Nice single from Pauline Murray's first solo self titled album taken from 1980. Produced by Martin Hannett. Yes, 36 years old. Early eighties alternative music.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dt2UeBIaQ0

Pet Shop Boys - Say It To Me (Stuart Price Alternative Mix) (Hype 008)

Say It To Me is the 4th single from the Pet Shop Boys 13th album Super. The Pet Shop Boys recently stopped by Toronto for a show at the Sony Centre but alas they didn't play this fantastic track.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stsCYhJi3gk

The Wonder Stuff - For The Broken Hearted (Hype 007)

Brand new track from the Wonder Stuff's new album 30 Goes Around The Sun. Hard to believe its almost 30 years since their classic first album The Eight Legged Groove Machine was released.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWEQyy6m4rg

Peter Bjorn and John - Dominoes (Hype 006)

Dominoes is the brand new single from Peter Bjorn and John taken from their new album Breakin Point on Ingrid Records. Indiedisco stomper....

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoAX7LkzJjM

Ninetoes vs. Fatboy Slim - Finder (Hope) (Hype 005)

Norman Cook..........a bunch of 90s house samples..steel drums.....dancin.......on Spinnin Records

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QOrX1tcKTU

The Divine Comedy - Catherine The Great (Hype 004)

It's been six years since the last Divine Comedy album and twenty six years since the first. Album number eleven is called Foreverland and is released on September 2, 2016. First single is called Catherine The Great. 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4V7WBq72Gg  

Jonas Blue - Perfect Strangers ft. JP Cooper (Hype 003)

A recent trip down to Austin to partake in some weekend madness had me listening to club tunes again including this summer club tune by Jonas Blue. Currently massive in the UK.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey_hgKCCYU4

 

Dexys - Grazing In The Grass (Hype 002)

Dexys or Dexys Midnight Runners to some are back with this summer jam. Great new single from their UK Top 10 album Let The Record Show: Dexys Do Irish And Country Soul.

Kevin Rowland and his ever-changing line-up were unstoppable in the eighties with their classic albums Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980), Too-Rye-Ay (1982) & Don't Stand Me Down (1985)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU8yDcEjAqg

Millie and Jam - Before the Sun (Hype 001)

Synthpop project of 1/2 of Nightlife. Nice summer track featuring the vocals of the other 1/2 of Nightlife. Almost thought we were going to get a Nightlife reunion.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4xLF7iJHs

Lamb of God, Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity @ "TD" Echo Beach May 19th, 2016

The first decent week of weather in Toronto and nice way to celebrate with a concert at TD Echo Beach featuring Corrosion of Conformity, Clutch and Lamb of God.

What this age of corporatism means for the concert-goer so far is not yet clear. Definitely more visits from established bands, with acts coming through town at least twice a year. Also more food truck vendors seem to be getting into the venue. And better drink selection (finally).

First time seeing any of these bands. I only knew Corrosion of Conformity through Pepper Keenan's audition for the Metallica bassist position documented in Some Kind of Monster. Keenan is a gentleman and very classy and full of praise for TO as the opener. I liked two of their tracks and will have to spend some more time appreciating their contributions to 90s metal.

Never heard of Clutch until this gig and thought they (almost?) stole the show. Great rhythmic sensibilities. Love their sound. Bought a T-shirt. Definitely check them out if you like metal with some groove or southern flavour.

Have always wanted to see Lamb of God. Most of the concert attendees were sporting Lamb of God Ts. A few had "Free Randy Blythe" Ts. They did not disappoint with Blythe jumping around the stage in an energetic but sadly short set (venue at fault not the band). I'm a bit of a novice to Agnes Dei but thoroughly savoured three from Ashes of the Wake, an album I love. Also got a L o G T.

Sound was decent for a smallish open air venue. Sightlines were a bit challenging as the concert ground is flat not sloped; fortunately I got a half way decent spot in the sand. The venue kept to the set times fanatically. Beer selection was very good with some good quality domestic tallboys albeit at 3x LCBO price and well spaced throughout the venue. Food trucks aplenty - I skipped out on these - but looked like a good selection. Merch tent stayed open after the concert and was well-stocked. Had a sense the promoters  might not have sold out the entire venue. Shoutout to the lady with the cast on her right arm!