Mashups, abuse, burning and everything
Number 5: “New No.1” by
the Sinkin’ Ships (http://www.sinkinships.com)
Not to sound blatantly localistic, but Toronto has always
produced killer punk rock bands. The Sinkin Ships play
pretty much straightforward hardcore, but with a twist
that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s
the stand-up bass or the vocals that remind me a bit
of Beki Bondage from Vice Squad, but this song really
sounds like an attack cat, where you should just stay
the hell out of its way.
Number 4: “Paperback Beliver”
by Mark Vidler aka Go Home Productions
The thing with mashups is that they often sound like
someone just added a beat track to a familiar favourite.
This one, though, a mashup between “Paperback
Writer” by the Beatles and “I’m a
Believer” by the Monkees gives the songs new life,
like a new arrangement or conception would.
Number 3: “Framework”
by Dimlaia (http://www.lifeisasbuse.com)
When I first heard this, I immediately thought of Neurosis,
and sure enough, when I did some reading on the band,
learned Dave Ed produced their record. It reminds me
a little of bands on the old Amphetamine Reptile label:
Loud metallic hardcore, but without constraining themselves
to the style, and pushing the genre forward.
Number 2: “Los Angeles is Burning”
by Bad Religion
I felt in the minority when Bad Religion’s last
CD, The Process of Belief was released. It
seems that I was the only one who thought it was a big
step back for the band. I thought their previous release
The New America, was the beginning of a new
era for Bad Religion, with more complete songs and a
more adventurous musical direction. By contrast, The
Process of Belief was too safe – a 25-minute
hardcore record that sounded like it should have been
released between Against the Grain and Generator.
I’m happy to hear that “Los Angeles is Burning”
is a return to the more refined hardcore style they
were exploring, and is one of the best songs to enter
the Bad Religion catalogue in many years.
Number 1: “Everything”
by Alanis Morrisette
I’ve never understood the hostility that people
have for Alanis Morrissette. It seems like when she
is the nightmare ex-girlfriend who will hold you accountable
for all your transgressions, all anger and retribution,
everyone takes notice. But when she tries to extend
herself, putting aside the negative energy and looking
for something a bit more life affirming, no one, least
of all commercial radio DJs (who seem to really rag
on her), knows how to take her. Maybe it’s how
uncomfortably autobiographical her songs are. She has
always seemed the pillar of self-confidence, but now
that she’s written a powerful song where she marvels
that her lover is still around despite the list of flaws
she comes up with about why she’s perhaps unlovable,
it makes you wonder how the rest of us holds on.
[This article
was modified slightly since its original publishing
to correct some minor copy editing errors]
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