So as you can see it's been some time since I've updated this music blog'o'mine. I've just been super busy and to be honest I'm not sure if anyone out there is even reading this damn thing. If so, let me know and I'll probably start again soon. If not, then I just may junk this all together..

Here's catchy song #2 - "Love Me Like You" by The Magic Numbers. They're a band from the UK and consist of two brother-sister pairs. Their music has been often described as having a modern "Mamas and the Papas" sound and it probably a fair comparison - great vocal harmonies with accessible pop melodies.

This song was taken from their self-titled CD from June of last year and is well worth picking up if you like this track. Apparently their new one is in the can and due out this November.

"Love Me Like You" - The Magic Numbers

Now that Caitlin has decided to wrap up her "catchy tune" drive in her music blog I figured I'd carry the torch for a while and post a few catchy pop tunes myself.

The first being a song by Montreal's own Islands which is comprised of two former members of the now disbanded trio The Unicorns. Now, one would expect that the two bands would sound basically the same given it's essentially the original band sans a guitar player. I certainly did and that was a-ok because I really, really dig the Unicorns. Well, I was wrong and thankfully I don't care because this new album is a much more interesting listen. The Unicorns played a collection of disjointed and unpredictable pop-punk tunes but the Islands smoothed things out and yet still managed to produce an album of much varied pop tunes. Sounds and influences range anywhere from space pop, country and even calypso, just to name a few.

In my opinion, this is the catchiest tune on the album Return To The Sea and is called "Don't Call me Whitney, Bobby". I don't really know what it's about and given the obvious connection to Mr. Brown and Mrs. Houston I not sure I want to. All I know is that when I first heard this song it was in my head for a full day, maybe more. So enjoy.

"Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby" - Islands

Next up is a track from the band Elbow who are a fantastic band from the UK but are one of those bands that just haven't been able to break through in North America quite yet. I'm not sure why that is exactly although I suspect it has something to do with their music not being the most accessible. Not that the music is overly complicated either, but most of their tunes are more about texture and emotional buildup than catchy hooks.

Check out this track and you'll see what I mean. This one in particular is from the CD "Cast Of Thousands" which is their second LP and probably their most mellow. (They have three LPs out to date).

I think I'll even dedicate this one to my lovely wife Caitlin. Our traveling lifestyles often have us apart in different parts of the world and I think this song captures rather well how lonely that can be at times.

You can all stop gagging now.

"Fugitive Motel" - Elbow

Here's a track from the fairly new band Tapes 'n Tapes from none other than my adopted, part-time hometown of Minneapolis. This song is the first one on their debut LP "The Loon" and I haven't been able to get past it as it's just so damn catchy. And don't mind the title, there's more than just drums happening here. Apparently these guys were a huge hit at SXSW this year and now I see why. (In fact, they are touring the US now so keep your eyes open for them!)

Anyway, I dig their sound - melodic pop/rock with a DIY aesthetic but somehow they manage to keep it original and fresh. If I actually get to check out the rest of the LP I'll let you know. (I kid, I have and the whole CD is killer!)

"Just Drums" - Tapes 'n Tapes

I'm off to see Beth Orton tomorrow night so I figure this is about a good as time as any to post about her.

Simply put, I love Beth and I love, love, love her voice. Her last two CDs were pretty good but nowhere near as good as her debut "Trailer Park" and I was starting to worry we'd never get the old Beth back. Thankfully her latest "Confort of Strangers" is a marked improvement, she seems to have her groove back and is mixing things up again. Of course, co-writing some of the tunes with Matt Ward probably had something to do with that. (Don't worry folks, I'll be posting an Matt Ward - aka M Ward - tune soon.) Collaborating seems to be something Beth does well having worked with other songwriting greats such as Ryan Adams, Terry Callier and now Matt Ward.

So here are two songs - "She Cries Your Name" and "Ooh Child". The first is perhaps my favourite song of hers and is the opening track on "Trailer Park". Listen to it and you'll probably see why the media dubbed her style, for better or worse, "folk-hop". Her blend of electronic beats, synthesized sounds with an acoustic guitar is incredible. And again, the voice. It conveys such emotion, especially for such a sad song.

As for "Ooh Child", it's a briliant cover from the "remix and b-side" compliation "The Other Side of Daybreak" that I think best shows her more subtle side. This is the sound she has moved towards since "Trailer Park". It's a beautiful tune and I'm glad she didn't clutter it with too much instrumentation.

If you decide to pick up any of her CDs, I recommend you start with "Trailer Park" and "Comfort of Strangers". If you like those enough then by all means check out her others like "Daybreaker" and "Central Reservation" and her EP "Best Bit" with Terry Callier.


"She Cries Your Name" - Beth Orton

"Ooh Child" - Beth Orton

Shara Worden is a musician that I've been a big fan of for a few years now. She used to be in a band called Awry but has since disbanded that and is busy working with her new project My Brightest Diamond which I'm very much looking forward to. I first caught her during a Jeff Buckley tribute show at C'est What where she stole the show. From what I know she has a very varied background from vocal training in opera to gospel roots. Not to mention she's a great guitar player. So it's no surprise that her music pulls from many different influences.

Check out this track "Spellbound" from the self-titled CD from Awry. I love the vocals and the slow build up in the tune.

"Spellbound" - Awry

My first selection for my new-fangled music blog is a local Toronto band called "Broken Social Scene". Hardly an unknown band anymore but without a doubt one of my all-time faves.

The band was started by core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning back in 1999. Since then musicians from many other Toronto bands have come on board - bands like Metric, Stars, Apoostle of Hustle, Leslie Feist and so on.. I've seen these guys play several times and there have been as many as 18 people on stage at once.

As for which track to select, I picked one in honour of the recent Canadian election and our new Conservative government. So here you go Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the song "I'm Still Your Fag" by Broken Social Scene (taken from the album "You Forgot It In People")

"I'm Still Your Fag" - Broken Social Scene

I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and start one of these music blog thingies. Caitlin has one, Peter has one and countless others so what the hey, I love music too!

So, my plan is to post a song here every once in a while that I hope interests you. I suspect most will be more of the indie-rock variety (especially Canadian) because after all, that's my thing.

Hope you enjoy it kids. Please do send me your feedback on the music, I'd love to hear it.