EPs Galore

Lately been very busy with the happenings in the Ottawa music that I haven’t done any music picks.
This time I will do EP picks since its seems to be a trend with indie musicians releasing them.

Braids – Set Pieces (Review)

Didn’t get to see Braid’s set last night at the Avant Garde Bar.
I decided to purchase their digital EP instead so I can give them a review on this site.
Braids is a Calgary, now Montreal band.
The EP is called Set Pieces and there is five tracks.
Music is indie experimental alterna-pop, like a mix between Sigur Ros and Azeda Booth.
To my amazement, three out of the five are more than seven minutes long. A bang for your buck.
Liver and Tan is about 9 minutes long.
Listening to it is very fun and upbeat except for Chaos And The Dark and Vendevel which is mellow and slow.

Favorite tracks (being all five):

• Liver And Tan
• She Brave Soul (Check out this video)
• Chaos And The Dark
• Marlin
• Vendevel

CD Review: Honest I’s – Anatomy of Lightbulbs

On April 11th I went to see Honest I’s and I got their first EP called Anatomy of Lightbulbs.
The EP has six tracks
They are:

1. teeth
2. rise
3. young (apparently when I play it on iTunes it says 3rd of June)
4. wristwatches
5. take
6. home

This EP is very indie rock/alternative driven sound.
Very catchy and lots of good rock driven sounds.
Stephen Cornwell the lead singer and keyboardist, has that scruffy vocals.
A unique EP by this band from Toronto.

Best tracks:

• teeth
• young
• wristwatches
• take
• home

Review: Dan Mangan – Roboteering EP

I got a sneak peek of Dan Mangan’s March 2009 EP called Roboteering.
Its apparently a teaser for his upcoming sophomore album Nice, Nice, Very Nice.
I find the EP is a mix of happy and sad tracks.
Still has his folk-acoustic sound.
This time he sounds like he has a band now and its more upbeat with tracks like Robot and Sold.
You have the softer sounds with tracks like The Indie Queens are Waiting and Till I Fall.
I would have thought with the title he might be veering into electric territory.
Guess that isn’t the case, if it was he would be turning off alot of his fans.
Its a great EP and I can’t wait for the second album now.

CD Review: The Urban Aesthetics

If you want a copy of this CD.
Just e-mail me saying you want this CD.

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After seeing them last night at Zaphods.
I got myself a copy of their EP simply titled The Urban Aesthetics.
If you don’t know who they are?
Urban Aesthetics is a indie Ottawa band and was featured in this blog.
Their name sounds hip and catchy and love the album cover.
Members *typing from their album cover* are:

• Greg Janssen 
• JD Rifkin 
• Jen Rouse 
• Evan Runge
• Joe Thibodeau

Review: Ennuie – Youth 2.0

Ennuie is a duo from Ottawa.
They are Ivana Borojevic and Luca Furgiuele.
After seeing them from various shows (one being from Friday night). I got their EP called Youth 2.0.
Their music is a range of folk, country, hip hop, noise, glitch, pop and disco-electronica-dance.

Its an interesting EP, lots of creative beats, music and singing.
Its like art for your ears. 

You have dancey tracks like White Snow and Pirate Dance Party (about 7 minutes) which is enjoyable to dance to.
Folky acoustic of 8,7,6 (The Cowboy Song) and rocking  sounds of To Be Is To Have But Behave (The Alphabet Song).

Can’t wait for something new from them.

Go see them play at the 2nd Ottawa Rock Lottery.

CD Review: Stars – Sad Robots EP

After seeing Stars play the second night in Ottawa
Which I didn’t regret.
I bought the tour only EP called Sad Robots and its also out on iTunes for those that couldn’t see them live.
Onto the review

Ruby Coast – Projectable Collections (EP Review)

October 16th I went to see my favorite band Ruby Coast play at Zaphods.
More times to count on the shows I’ve attended in seeing them.

They just finally released a proper EP called Projectable Collections.
Its basically from the “pay as you want” EP but more of a proper studio sound.
Also its produced by David Monk (Member of Tokyo Police Club).
Same tracks as before but left out I Live With Monsters but added two new tracks called Tiger and Town To Province.

Hearing the new version of More Than Television.
Sounds more faster and synth like.
The whole new version of the EP is more polished, fun and playful.
Tracks that wants you to scream your lungs out.

Get this EP for the catchy tunes like More than TV, Neighbourhood and Town To Province.
The two new tracks are also great.
Go and get this EP!