Music Review: Angéline, Back to Pike Place

By Tyler Hodg

Angéline is the type of singer-songwriter that is impossible to not find inspiring. Her music is soulful and true, and her latest release, Back to Pike Place, is no exception. The EP compiles five beautifully-written songs (and one intro) that are all unique in their own ways. While the music may not necessarily make you want to jump up and dance, it will, however, make you want to cheer for its honesty.

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Concert Review: Sloan At Massey Hall

By Tyler Hodg

Photo shamelessly stolen from Sloan’s Facebook page

September 11, 2015
Toronto, ON

For only the second time in their career—and the first time since 2000—Sloan brought their talent to the legendary Massey Hall in Toronto on September 11. As singer/guitarist Chris Murphy pointed out, the band “never really got massive,” but the venue was packed with their die-hard, loyal fanbase. For those who were in attendance, it was a night to remember. For those who weren’t in attendance, it will be a night you will hear about for a long time.

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Music Review: WSTR, SKRWD

By Tyler Hodg

Pop-punk is a genre of music that is probably past its glory days of popularity, yet to those who grew up with it, it remains a familiar and comforting sound. Newcomers WSTR (Waster) bravely fly pop-punk’s often forgotten flag with their debut EP, SKRWD, and give a unique reason to revisit the sounds of yesteryear. Although WSTR attempts nothing revolutionary with their first release, they have still created something that is sure to stir up nostalgic feelings and counteract the lack of edge in your playlist.

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Music Review: Buckcherry, Rock ‘n’ Roll

By Tyler Hodg

Seasoned veteran rock ’n’ roll band Buckcherry have returned once again to deliver their seventh album, simply titled Rock ’n’ Roll. The band’s music of late has been less than desirable for a lot of fans and could be described as generic at best, so is Rock ’n’ Roll a return to form or another disappointing outing? Aside from being riddled with cliches, the album actually brings some much-needed energy back into the fading band. Buckcherry is a hit-or-miss ensemble that has ended up on the
hit side of the equation this time around.

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Music Review: Wordburglar, Rapplicable Skills

By Tyler Hodg

Rather than indulge in generic, mainstream topics and themes of current day hip-hop, Wordburglar has chosen to write about subjects much more close to home—like hockey players, Canadian issues, and video games—with conviction and humor. But don’t get him wrong, Wordburglar is far from a joke.

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Music Review: Best Behavior, Good Luck Bad Karma

By Tyler Hodg

Best Behavior showcases their take on surf, punk, and garage rock all at one time with their latest offering, Good Luck Bad Karma. The Brooklyn-based band is a no-frills act, void of musical or lyrical cliches, which isn’t the easiest thing to do when so much has been achieved and repeated in rock music. Despite that respectable feat, Best Behavior’s songs unfortunately only fall into the “good” category rather than “great,” due to the lack of uniqueness in their music.

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Music Review: Sharkmuffin, Chartreuse

By Tyler Hodg

It’s incredible to think that Chartreuse is Sharkmuffin’s debut full-length album. The duo’s aggressive punk-rock sound is realized to its fullest, and amplifies the idea of the importance of a cohesive unit. In addition to the band’s music, the all-female Sharkmuffin proves rock’n’roll is not limited to the male gender.

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Movie Memories: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure

By Tyler Hodg

I can vividly remember the first time I saw Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. As a child sitting on my Grandmother’s couch, I could not take my peepers off of the television as the scene where Pee-wee realizes his bicycle has been stolen played out. Morbid curiosity got to me during a shot of a mechanical clown taunting the character’s distress, pushing my coulrophobia to the limits, and my interest to an instant high. I watched the movie in wonder until it concluded, and to this day, it’s one my favorite films of all time. I also still hate that damn clown.

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Music Review: Direct Divide, Own Your Ocean

By Tyler Hodg

Seattle has been home to a number of incredible bands—Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Band of Horses, to name a few—and one up-and-coming group plans to prove they are worthy of being added to that list. With their latest EP Own Your Ocean, Direct Divide showcases their unique style of music through five songs of unapologetic symphonic-rock. While the EP isn’t absolutely perfect, it’s an ideal indication of what is to come from the clearly focused band.

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Big Music Fest 2015 Review: Big Sugar, Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden

By Tyler Hodg

Jane’s Addiction

From July 6 through 11 this year, Kitchener, Ontario was transformed into one of the hottest spots of this summer. Why, you ask? It’s because the annual Big Music Fest was held at McLennan Park once again, bringing some of the biggest rock acts in the world—including Jane’s Addiction and Soundgarden—to the city.
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