The Super Friendz - Mock Up, Scale Down

Holy Shit. I have fallen off the wagon.
Sorry kind fellows. I would try to pretend I had a good reason, but I just found a bunch of records I posted that I never published.
A bunch of classics from the Canadian 90's.
I feel like writing about this record, but if you're anything like me...you've been trying to get your hands on this shit since you were a preteen.
If you're not too familiar with the Friendz, I can introduce them to you.
Dave Marsh plays the drums. You may remember him from the Joel Plaskett Emergency or perhaps his own band, Dave Marsh and the True Love Rules. Dave Marsh likes Canadian Club and John Bonham.
Charles Austin plays the bass. He is a lovely man who you are likely to catch in sweatpants or a flannel shirt at any local rock and roll show. If you live in Halifax, go see his band...they're called The Lodge.
Drew Yamada plays the guitar and he is now a doctor. He also writes great songs about smoking cigarettes...
Matt Murphy plays the motherfucking guitar. Think Robbie Robertson meets Thurston Moore? Matt plays in a ton of cool bands. But I think he's a journalist now. Who lives in Toronto.
Anyway. The Superfriendz have been working on a new record for the last couple of years. Everytime I see a member of the Superfriendz, they tell me about how Matt just has to finish some vocal tracks, and that's been happening for the last two years...so...that may never come out. But if it does, I guess you can expect to find it here, right?
Stay out of trouble, music fans.
-Cool Jerk

The Masala Mix Tapes!

So, what started as an pair of Russian Imperial Stouts, a rainy day, some fucking fly hip hop and absolutely no Timbaland; birthed the idea for monthly installments of something so delicious, it can only be called a masala. In the spirit of a friendly joust, each month will be subject to a arduous challenge in which ISSG's contributors will duel to bring you the cherry on the top of your ice cream. Each challenge will consist of an objective, idea or quest that Dave and The Cool Jerk will, in equal parts, pick up the gauntlet of groove and serve up five smokin' tracks each, yielding the holy masala of the month.
So, to summarize, on the 30th day of each month; look out for a very special post, a ten track mix tape, or as far as we're concerned, a mixture of spice, or, for the crakas involved... a masala.

The challenge for June '08 is "The Nord Electro Masala". For those not familiar with the synthesizer; the Nord Electro 2 is a simply flawless reproduction of a Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet. Perhaps the nature of the challenge is a users guide to said instrument. The ten tracks will be our idea of the essential electromechanical. More info to follow with the post.

Anyway! as for any ISSG news, I seem to have started lagging behind in terms of posts. Be on the look out for a handful of posts as my solemn apology. Starting in July, I intend on running a segment I call "Essential Easties", or a month long, eight-part series of my best introduction to the sounds of Eastern Canada in the 90's. After that, you can expect a post every Thursday.

Dave has some wild exciting news on the horizon, which include a July that can only be called "Timbaland, you wish you produced this." Also, get ready for a new set of webisodes, that ISSG will be fucking proud to host, produced by our man, Dave. Look for those in the Fall. Again, they're gonna kick some ass. Get ready foos. Get ready.

Hey. If you have any ideas for challenges for the Monthly Masala, don't hesitate to holler. Your best bet would be to post a comment here or on any of the future Masala posts.

Happy Listenin'

-The Sonic Glee Crew.

Manitoba - Up In Flames

Easily one of the best and most rare albums in my collection. Rare because a year after the release of Up In Flames, Dan Snaith was slapped with a lawsuit and forced to change his stage name from Manitoba (but not before a drug induced vision quest) to Caribou. So, Manitoba's Up In Flames was taken off record store shelves, and replaced with Caribou's Up In Flames. So, it is probably impossible for Caribou fans circa 2004 to get their hands on a genuine copy of Manitoba's Up In Flames, even though it's the exact same record as the re-release which came a year later...

Alright, so maybe it's not rare in the collectors sense, but it is definitely rare in style and power. In my mind, Up In Flames is Dan Snaith's best album to date. Andorra was alright, but it definitely wasn't solid gold, whereas Up In Flames is just one of those albums that rocks from start to finish. Plus, who doesn't enjoy waving around an out-of-print album like a maniac, saying "I discovered this band" as if you're some a&r dirtbag. Well, if you've never done that, now you can.


(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)


Enjoy, and until next time

-Dave

Santogold - Santogold

Cool Jerk popped ISSG's cherry already, so as usual, I guess I'll just slide my contribution into the horrible gaping, leathery, um... never mind.

Sparkling wine for everyone! Cheers!

I recently picked up this album and was very impressed by it. A refreshing genre-hop between reggae, dub, punk, new wave and badass. Needless to say, a mixed bag of music here.

1. L.E.S. Artistes
2. You'll Find a Way
3. Shove It
4. Say Aha
5. Creator
6. My Superman
7. Lights Out
8. Starstruck
9. Unstoppable
10. I'm a Lady
11. Anne
12. You'll Find a Way (Switch and Sinden Remix)

Admittedly, the album looses a little steam by the end, but easily makes up for it by kicking serious ass for the first two thirds. "Creator" is definitely the thunder-stealer of the album. A very very sexy dancehall-y tune. I dare you to try not get sexy to that tune. That having been said though, it's tough to pick a favorite from such a diverse cornucopia of musical style.

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)



Enjoy, and until next time

-Dave