Thursday October 09th 2008, 12:17 pm
Filed under: Emma-Lee
Bridging styles from swingin’ jazz, dreamy 50’s pop, folk and blues, Never Just A Dream is a mosaic of styles. A 10-song collection inspired by AM oldies radio, lead by a silky warm voice mature beyond her years. Listen for the jaunty piano-tickler Jealousy, the Hawaiian lilt of Isn’t It Obvious to the big-band swinging kiss-off of Mr. Buttonlip. Whether you hear k.d. Lang, Feist or Norah Jones in her sound, Emma-Lee isn’t a name that you’re going to remember.She’s a singer you’ll never forget.
“Clearly, Never Just a Dream is an auspicious beginning.” - The Globe and Mail (***1/2)
“She’s destined for big things.” - The Toronto Star (****)
“Lyrics born from painful personal experience combined with soothing, soaring melodies make this freshman effort one of the more impressive debuts this year.” - Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio
Patrick Krief’s solo project has mutated over the past year from his initial offering (an EP titled Take It Or Leave) to the creation of an ambitious and explosive rock band. What was born was Black Diamond Bay. Taken from a Bob Dylan song title, the band is an evolution of Krief’s songwriting talent, referencing Magical Mystery Tour Beatles to Hendrix’s signature guitar solos and Floyd’s epic layered rock. So far the band has performed at South by Southwest, Pop Montreal, M for Montreal, Osheaga as well as being invited to play The Great Escape Festival in Brigthon, UK.
The production on the self-titled album is lush, layered and all done in-house with the accompaniment of horns, violins, and cellos. Though sonically diverse, the record still retains uniformity. Krief (previously the guitarist from The Dears) has also recently completed work as a composer on a Canadian independent film (The Bend) where not only the score had his musical touch, but all other licensed songs from the film were from Krief’s endless catalog of classics, ballads and instrumental arrangements. Genre: Classic Rock, late 60’s Beatles/John Lennon
Sounds Like: John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix
“..this record is about skilfully delivered and expertly paced “big” songs. It takes big talent to do this right, and Krief and his excellent band are more than equal to the task. ****” –The Hour, Montreal
Friday August 15th 2008, 1:46 pm
Filed under: Mardeen
Get ready for the debut album from Halifax’s Mardeen, 12 gorgeous hook-laden alt-pop songs that overflow with bright shimmering guitar, catchy rythyms and unforgetable melodies. Think of Built To Spill and Teenage Fanclub accented with the swirling distortion of My Bloody Valentine. Imagine the anthemic vocal delivery of Bob Pollard (Guided By Voices) or early Michael Stipe mixed with the sweet high harmonies of Rivers Cuomo. Now picture yourself singing these songs in your head while holding on to the last moments of summer.
Genre: Indie Rock, Alt-pop
Sounds Like: Teenage Fanclub, Built To Spill, Weezer, Two Hours Traffic
