Kelp 15!!

OK today Kelp Records turns 15!

With that tonight there will be a show at the Mayfair Theatre and playing there will be Jim Bryson and The Acorn.

That in said I will review The Acorn’s album Glory Hope Mountain.
Album has been out since 2007 and put this under my “Best of 2007” list but I never got to write a full review until today.
This album has longevity and I think is putting them on the international spotlight.
Because lately they have been in the UK opening up for bands like Elbow and Fleet Foxes.
A small session on BBC Radio.
That is sure to give them a big break in the UK.

With this album, I will classify it as indie experimental alternative rock.
Don’t freak at me, but I can’t see them as a folky band, alternative-rock yes.
The album is a conceptual style dealing with the lead singer’s mom during her times in Honduras.
Very sad, emotional and high energy.

There is alot of acoustic and agressive tracks.
I haven’t gotten their older albums and should need to get them.
Glory Hope Mountains sounds very sophisticated to listen to.

Lots of great melodies.
Great album by this band.

Best tracks:

• Flood Pt 1 & Pt 2
• Glory
• Oh Napoleon
• Low Gravity
• Antenna
• Lullaby (Mountain)

Show Review: Shout Out Out Out Out

Last night I went to Babylon Nightclub to see the band Shout Out Out Out Out (Usually its Shout OutX4 to make it very short).
I was suppose to see another band that night but with persuading I went to this one instead.

The opener was The Cansecos.
I was glad to see them live because they were frequently played on CBC Radio 3.
They were really great live with their mix of Electro-Disco Dance Rock music.
I really enjoyed their set.

After them was Small Town DJs.
Didn’t know who they were it was just basically techno dance music.
It was great but weird to dance since not alot of people were dancing.

While hearing their music, the members of Shout OutX4 were getting ready to set their equipment on stage.
There was alot of stuff they put on the stage like two sets of drums, two sets of keyboards and other electronic stuff.
While waiting for them and they started it off and the crowds went wild.
All I can say that it was a fun night being on a Wednesday.
Hot, sweaty and dancey is all I can say.
Their music is electro-dance, words can’t explain it on how this show it was.
I did take photos but I just decided to dance my butt off.
Don’t know any of the title tracks they sang but they were in promoting their new album called Reintegration Time.

Great show to remember!

Jim Bryson (Review)

Today I will review Jim Bryson’s Where The Bungalows Roam from Kelp Records.
The album was released on March 27, 2007.

Jim Bryson is the reigning Ottawa King of Folk-Rock at the moment.
Usually he plays the keyboards for Kathleen Edwards and the Weakerthans.

First time I heard his music was CBC Radio 3 when they played his song “The Wishes Pile Up” on rotation.
Saw him live last year at the Kelp 14 Anniversary party.
And various shows IE Bluesfest and Black Sheep Inn.

“Where The Bungalows Roam” is a very acoustic, mellow album.
Except for Wishes Piles Up and The Options which is very upbeat with the guitar riffing.
Very raw and emotions with the songs he sings like in Flowers, By The Bridge and Fire Watch.

This is a really great album.
Catchy and enjoyable to listen to.

Best Tracks:

• Flowers
• By The Bridge
• Clear The Crowds
• The Wishes Pile Up
• Fire Watch
• All The Fallen Leaves
• The Options

Jim will be playing with the Acorns tomorrow night at the Mayfair Theatre.

Hilotrons – Happymatic (Review)

There is about three days left until Kelp Records starts their 15th Anniversary.
Starting off with the Acorn and Jim Bryson at the Mayfair Theatre on April 30th.

In part with this I am going to review three Kelp records (I have in my CD/vinyl collection) and they are:
Today – Hilotron’s Happymatic
Tomorrow – Jim Bryson’s Where The Bungalows Roam
Thursday – The Acorn – Glory Hope Mountain (Technically its on Paper Bag Records but still calls Kelp Records home.)

So here is the review of Happymatic.
I guess Hilotrons are not playing at Kelp 15 this year.

Concert Review: Peter Bjorn & John

Last night I went to see Peter Bjorn and John at Ottawa’s Capital Music Hall.
I came with a open mind and I wasn’t feeling it for some weird reason.
Just say later on I was really surprised.

Show Review: Said The Whale/Hey Ocean!

I had an amazing time at Zaphods!
Since its was BC Scene, attended two bands from BC.
One I’ve already seen before which was Said The Whale.
The headliner was Hey Ocean! and was my first time checking them out.
Apparently Ottawa was their last Canadian stop before heading off to the USA.

All I have to say was this was an amazing show.
Great for both bands to get alot of support from the Ottawa scene.
Surprised the show sold out.

CD Review: birdacrosswater – Like Art

I got this album which I didn’t get to see on Thursday night.
Like Art is by birdsacrosswater, who is a solo artist by Nic Lefebvre (also in Hunt Chant).
This is like a side project at the moment for Nic.
His other band mate Michael O’Brien is with Sick Friend.
I swear there must be something significant in the Montreal music scene.

birdacrosswater’s music is very folky acoustic with some experimental sounds.
Right now I can’t think in my head of what artist he sounds like.
Maybe abit like Chad Vangaalen or Destroyer.

This CD is very arty in sound.
Very haunting in tracks like:

• We Be Right Then
• Dagger In The Ground
• Sunday Ballad
• Pretty Purple Shades
• Like Art

The CD has that distinct 1960s folky sound.
Overall its a nice and creative CD.
Nice to see an artist use different instruments for this CD. 

Best tracks: 

• We Be Right Then
• Dagger In The Ground
• Like A Knife
• Ye Olde Dirty 2 B
• Sunday Ballad
• Like Art 

Hoping Nic will be back in Ottawa for another show.
Go on the Myspace page and check it out.

Concert Review: Sci-fi Spectacular at the NAC

This could be under music.
All I have to say is I had an amazing time going to this show at the NAC.
Spur of the moment since I couldn’t go to another show which I won’t mention
George Takei is on another blog.
Sparked my interest now in classical orchestra symphony shows.

Show Review: Adam Saikaley

As I went from acoustic folk pop in one venue, I go to anther venue which is experimental.

After Elise at the Rainbow Bistro.

I ran as fast as I can to get to this show.

It was Adam Saikaley (he is also in a band called Videotape).

Second time seeing him play solo.

His music is very different than you hear from Videotape.

Instrumental minimalistic music.

It was a great setting being at the Avant Garde Bar.

I always forget that during his set that he has a TV or on the big screen flashing colors.

Its nice but I am always afraid of getting a seizure.

It was a nice set.

Kind of sad that I missed out Birdsacrosswater and Sick Friend.

Both being from Montreal and its a side project by Hunt Chant.

Fun night.

Show Review: Elise von Teichman @ The Rainbow Bistro

Last night I went to the Rainbow Bistro for a CD Release show.
I met Elise von Teichman back in the winter time at this dinner club.
Not to my knowledge, I didn’t know she was a singer.

Surprised there was alot of people that were at this show.
Showing their support for Elise.
That is when good word of mouth or Facebook is helpful.

The first opener was Matt Ouimet.

I know he sometimes backs up Sarah Hallman.
This time it was just him doing a solo stuff.
His music was really nice.
But his bantering, all I can say is entertaining.
An talented musician.
Good thing he didn’t curse, there were kids at the show too.

After he was done Ana Muira introduced Elise on stage.
Elise came on and everyone was very excited.
She had her guitar and sang tracks from her CD.
Alot of nice acoustic songs.
Some nice and some sad.
Nice that one of her sisters gave her flowers before she started her encore.
Very lovely to see that.
The encore she sang a cover which was Damien Rice’s 9 Crimes.
Nice cover she did.
I checked out for one song of Kathleen June.
She sang Bittersweet Symphony.
Wish I could have stayed longer.

It was a nice night at the Rainbow Bistro.
Its a great venue, wish they get a more broader acts than the Bluegrass/roots/Blues genre and open up for more diversity.
I got Elise’s album and its really great!
Go get it at your local music shops.