Archive for the 'album' Category

The Parkas

Published at August 29, 2005 in album, artist, concerts and music. Closed

It’s interesting how things come around. In discussing a band I have rediscovered I will recall a concert I saw them give 2 years ago, and how they didn’t really impress me.

I came to rediscover The Parkas after hearing them on episode 14 of the CBC radio 3 podcast. But this story starts well before today. I first saw and heard The Parkas play in the fall of 2003 at the El Mocambo, because a friend had gone to school with them in Thunder Bay and recommended they be checked out. Rarely one to turn down a suggested night out, a few people met up to check out the show. Arriving at the show, a singer/songwriter by the name of Teitur was just about to take the stage; but that would be another story. As I recall it The Parkas were the 2nd last band, followed by a horribly loud and incoherent band. Now that I try and think about it, I can’t say I remember to many specifics about their set, other then I was left less then impressed, and the guys looked like a bunch of stereotypical computer science nerds trying to wear flannel and tight jeans. They weren’t a very tight as a group, and I had no desire to see them again.

Now it is 2005 and my musical tastes have slightly changed, matured, and morphed. I know this because I listened to the same 2 songs posted on The Parkas website from 2003 and thought, “These guys are pretty good. It’s a little bit pop, with great hooks, driving guitars, and lyrics that are simple and effective.” The 3 tracks I’ve been able to listen to are the first 3 tracks on the album (which is available at MapleMusic, amazon.ca, and iTunes). Continue reading ‘The Parkas’

I Do My Own Stunts

Published at June 29, 2005 in album and music. 1 Comment

Today was a day of firsts. Today I bought my first hip-hop album (note* yes I bought K-Os, but K-Os is completely trans-genre, and doesn’t really count as true hip-hop. K-Os is a member of the completely awesome genre). Today I purchased, from a brick and mortar HMV store, Mood Ruff – I Do My Own Stunts. I will admit that I bought this album based on a limited criteria list: 1) I heard a stellar single on CBC radio 3 (a fantastic resource for indie Canadian music), and 2) it was $15.

The ‘song of the summer’ from this album is fully, and completely track 4 Rocketship. This track drips and bleeds solid beat, ridiculous hooks, and catchy lyrics. I’m still getting into this album, but thus far I’m impressed (however my hip-hop experience is limited). I blame society, and grade 7. In grade 7 I refused to listen to any music beside metal and 60-70′s rock (The Doors, Iron Maiden, Metallica et al.). Why? Because it was cool, and all other music was not. It didn’t matter if my toe got to tapping, I wasn’t going to like it. I would make that toe stop tapping, throw on my black, band screened t-shirt, my plaid shirt, and march off to school with my Panasonic walkman blaring.

I know I miss great music from time to time, but I’m not too worried, cause I’m sure even those that pay attention miss great music miss out as well. I often wonder how many great songs are out there, already written, recorded, and discarded. Who knows, the next big hit may have already been retired to the bargain bin.

Who knows, I may stumble upon it tomorrow.