// Category Archive for: Canadian Content

Music Review: Limblifter, Pacific Milk

By Tyler Hodg

A band can be either one of two things: a fragile organism that needs complete concentration to succeed, or a project that possesses a special kind of chemistry that allows it to be picked up at a moment’s notice and still work wonderfully. In the case of Limblifter, who have returned to the studio after nearly 10 years to record and release their fourth album Pacific Milk, it is the latter. It seems as though time away served the band for the better because not only is Pacific Milk a solid album, it may be their best to date.

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Concert Review: The Gutter Demons At The Rockpile

By Less Lee Moore

March 7, 2015
Toronto, ON

If you haven’t heard Montreal’s Gutter Demons, and you have even a passing interest in rockabilly, psychobilly, old skool punk rock, or just damn good music, you must rectify this situation immediately. I had never heard this incredible trio until last week, but at The Rockpile on Saturday night, I got schooled.

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DVD Review: Wolfcop

By Less Lee Moore

As any regular reader of this site knows, especially if you follow Brad Henderson’s reviews, ’80s throwback horror and action films are a hot commodity right now. Sometimes they work; sometimes they don’t. The ones that do have two things in common: enthusiasm and commitment. Even when these films aren’t total successes, there are usually enough enjoyable elements to make them well worth watching. Which brings me to Wolfcop.

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Music Review: Dan Mangan + Blacksmith, Club Meds

By Tyler Hodg

Thanks to Dan Mangan + Blacksmith’s new album Club Meds, the year 2015 has gotten off to an impressive start musically.

But before you listen to it, first thing’s first: grab your headphones, find an isolated area, and make sure to turn off all of the lights. Some albums deserve proper atmosphere for an optimal listening experience, and Club Meds is a prime example.

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Concert Review: Sloan At The Phoenix

By Tyler Hodg

November 29, 2014
Toronto, ON

In support of their latest effort Commonwealth (review), Sloan arrived at The Phoenix in Toronto on November 29 to deliver a lengthy, energetic rock show—and man, was it ever good.

Although the band is originally from Halifax, Sloan has been based in Toronto for quite some time now. The group played two sets for the excited, hometown-ish crowd and departed from the stage proving they are still one of the best rock acts in the world. “The Commonwealth Tour” saw the band travel across North America for 22 shows, with this show concluding their venture.

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TAD Film Fest Review: Why Horror?

By Less Lee Moore

Why Horror? is for every person who’s been mocked for loving everything encompassed within horror film fandom. Horror writer and hardcore fan Tal Zimerman is the subject of this documentary from Nicholas Kleiman and Rob Lindsay that explores why people are drawn to one of the more maligned, misunderstood genres in popular culture.

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Concert Review: Lower and Merchandise at Wrongbar

By Less Lee Moore

Toronto, ON
October 15, 2014

Two of my favorite albums of this year are Merchandises’s After The End and Lower’s Seek Warmer Climes, so my attendance at this concert was guaranteed. Not only did both bands exceed my expectations, I discovered two more bands that are also compelling.

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Indiegogo Campaign: Ink Is A Body Horror/Creature Short Film That Needs Your Help

By Less Lee Moore

Although horror is often considered a masculine domain, there are many female horror fans who can quickly disprove that stereotype. One is photographer Ashlea Wessel, who is currently working on her short film debut, Ink. As a huge fan of monster movies, Ashlea always wanted to make her own movie; such cinematic ideals have frequently seeped into her photographs over the years.

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Music Review: Lowell, We Loved Her Dearly

By Less Lee Moore

You live in a man’s world, I live in my own world.
I tell you I don’t want you anymore.
—Lowell, “I Love You Money”

Imagine if there were a female singer/songwriter/musician who’s a Britney Spears-loving feminist, a former stripper who self-identifies as bisexual, and who has synasthesia. And imagine that her music is poppy and provocative and that she sings like both an angel and a banshee. That person is real and her name is Lowell.

Lowell first came to my attention earlier this year with her dynamic and delightful EP I Killed Sara V. (review). Its first track, “Cloud 69,” is a unique slice of sugary, sexy pop and like nothing else I’ve heard. We Loved Her Dearly contains that EP’s five tracks plus seven more and it’s going to blow your mind and break your heart.

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Music Review: Death From Above 1979, The Physical World

By Less Lee Moore

I can’t sell you if no one buys.
Point out your heroes, click and they die.
—Death From Above 1979, “The Physical World”

Death From Above formed and later added the 1979 (under a bit of duress, mind you). The duo released some EPs and an album. Then they broke up for a decade and during that time, didn’t speak to each other for five years. Eventually, they started emailing each other again and took steps towards reforming. They toured for a couple of years, including a set at Coachella in 2011. Now they are back with a second album of new material and as much as it pains me to say this, I like it better than everything else they’ve ever done.

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