The Weakerthans - Live in Winnipeg

Whenever the Weakerthan's return home for a show it always puts a smile on my face. As far as I can remember, this show at the Burt (Burton Cummings Theatre) is probably the largest hometown crowd they have played in front of. The near capacity crowd of over 15oo fans were treated to a tight, yet relaxed set of new and older songs by the wonderful Weakerthans. I know they have a large (larger?) following state-side and sometimes I get the feeling they are unappreciated here at home, but the fact that the half an' hour encore accounted for a third of the overall show (100 minutes, 22 songs), proved that Winnipegger's couldn't get enough of John K. Samson and band. I'm not very good at writing reviews of concerts because I'm so in awe of seeing a great band live that sometimes I can't be very objective, it also is especially tough since I've been a huge follower of the band since the beginning. Check out the reviews in the local papers (Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Sun) to hear what the "experts" have to say, you'll see they must have written their reviews from the same notes.

I've posted a recording of the show at EZtorrent (Dimeadozen.org). It sounds really good, recorded from the middle of the first balcony with clear and balanced sound. The torrent is a lossless FLAC file, so download the appropriate software if you can, If you're not a member of EZtorrent let me know and I'll see what I can do. I'd prefer not to post the MP3's for the entire show, but here are some songs from the concert, as a teaser. Enjoy!

Winnipeg September 16, 2006.
Audience recording-1st balcony
"Aside" - Weakerthans
"Utilities" ("new" song where John K. solos) - Weakerthans
"Diagnosis" - Weakerthans
"The Reasons" - Weakerthans

The Good, The Bad And The...

One CD that has gotten a lot of play recently is the Bicycle's, "The Good, The Bad And the Cuddly" the debut album from this 5-piece band out of Toronto. They claim to pay homage to the likes of "the Monkees, Kinks, Brian Wilson and the Archies". I can hear a bit of that influence on different songs with a very grandiose sound that ranges from rockers to dreamy ballads. This album took a few listens to really appreciate the rich melodies and lush arrangements, but everytime I play this disc it has more to offer and puts a smile on my face. The Bicycles are well worth checking out.

"Gotta Get Out" - The Bicycles
"Longjohns And Toques" - The Bicycles

John K. Samson- Little Pictures

John K. Samson is best known for his work with the Weakerthans, but back in the early 90's he was tearing it up as Propagandhi's bass player. During 1993/94 John made some solo recordings that were released by G7 as a split CD with Winnipeg band Painted Thin in 1995. These songs have been re-packaged as a solo John K. Samson mini-CD "Little Pictures" available since August 29th, 2006 through G7 Welcoming Committee.

Don't forget the Weakerthans show Saturday September 16th at the Burton Cummings Theatre, I think there is only tickets left in the 2nd balcony, so grab 'em quick. Hopefully I'll have a recording of the show and I'll post at least a couple of songs from the concert. Let me know in the comments section if you want the complete concert, I'll let you know how it sounds first.

"Farewell Faded Memory" (from "Little Pictures" recorded in 1993/94?) - John K. Samson
"Anchorless" (original 1996 version from "Less Talk, More Rock" shorter and punchier) - Propagandhi
"Uncorrected Proofs" (live early slow version 2-24-02 Winnipeg) - Weakerthans

"And I Feel Fine"

REM to release Best Of I.R.S Years 1982-1987
On September 12th, EMI will release the first comprehensive CD and DVD anthologies of R.E.M.'s 1980s I.R.S. Records catalog. The CD will be called And I Feel Fine…The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 and will be available in 2 formats: a 21-track single-disc collection of hits and band/fan favorites and a 2-CD Collector's Edition with a second 21-track disc of rarities including alternate takes, demos, previously unreleased mixes, and live recordings of classic R.E.M. The collector's edition will include 11 never-before released tracks. The DVD, When the Light Is Mine The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 Video Collection, includes the music videos from Chronic Town through Document, as well as live television performances and James Herbert’s short film, Left of Reckoning. DVD extras feature early interviews and rare acoustic performances.

If you've only heard REM post-1987, you've missed out on what I considered their best work. I realize that songs like Losing My Religion and albums like Automatic For the People and Green gave them exposure to a larger mainsteam audience, but their creativity and unique sound earlier in their career is what had influenced dozens of bands in the alternative, college rock scene of the mid 80's. On their first two albums, REM created what will be considered their landmark achievements and they begin to flesh out their sound to the fullest by the time they release Document, their last I.R.S. release.
As far as Greatest Hits albums rank, this one ranks quite high for the sheer fact there's no filler or duds and considering this is only the first quarter of their career. Their previously "Best Of" collections do NOT stand up to this one, this is the essential REM. Get the collector's edition as the 2nd disc of rarities is a treat, with many unreleased tracks and demos that sound crisp and clear and well worth seeking out.

"Radio-Free Europe" (Hib-tone version) - R.E.M
"Mystery To Me" (Demo; previously unreleased) - R.E.M.
"Bad Day" (Outtake; previously unreleased) - R.E.M.

Summer In Review: Volume 1

It's September, which means the kids are back to school, traffic gets crazy again and Halloween candy and costumes are clogging up the aisles at the department stores. I noticed today the leaves are starting to fall like rain, which means raking, bagging and then shovelling (snow)!
I've listened to plenty of music this Summer, lots new and lots not so new. I'll give you a short review and some downloads to enjoy (right click>save link as..). If you want more information about the album, click on the title and you'll be directed to Amazon or the band site.

The Sadies- In Concert, Vol 1
A brilliant 41 song 2-CD live concert recorded at Lee's Palace in Toronto over 2 nights. I finally had a chance to witness the Sadies live this July at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. I heard that their live show was well worth seeing and I wasn't disappointed, though at Folk Festivals you only get a sample of a full nightclub performance, I just wish I was at the Lee's Palace shows in person. For the two sold out nights, the crowd was treated to four-hour sets by the Sadies and guests. Special guests included members of the Deadly Snakes, Blue Rodeo, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, Gary Louris, Garth Hudson, Jon Langford, Jon Spencer and the Good Brothers. Disc one is mainly the Sadies own material, while disc two they begin to branch out, showcasing their collaborative firepower and running through a few favorite covers. This album establishes the Sadies not just as instrumentalists but as songwriters able to display their various influences and combine them into something unmistakably their own. This is truly a classic live album.

"16 Mile Creek" - Sadies
"Tailspin" (Jayhawks cover) - Sadies (w/Gary Louris, lead vocals)
"Memphis, Egypt" (Mekon's cover) - Sadies (w/Jon Langford, lead vocals)

Cassie Says...!

In case you haven't heard yet, Cassie Campbell announced her retirement from the Canadian Woman's National Hockey team on Wednesday. So I don't bore you with the details, click here or my sister site for the full story. I know in the grand scheme of things this isn't a big deal, but for me who is a huge Hockey fan, as well as a follower of Woman's hockey, I have to admit to some sadness. Cassie appealed to me with her skill, speed, and toughness, but still maintained her femininity in the world of hockey. She definitely wasn't a butchy presence either, her cuteness and natural beauty prompted my band Zamboni Joe to use Cassie's likeness on gig posters and most famously a song about my favourite female hockey player!

The song "Cassie Says" was written in late 2002 around the time when teammate Hayley Wickenheiser went to Europe to play on a men's team. Recorded live at Salisbury House Restaurant in Headingley, MB (Winnipeg) last year, this remains as Zamboni Joe's last show. Hockey rock is Zamboni Joe's passion with numerous songs dedicated to this winter pastime and If you want to hear more ZJ, please leave a comment and I'll post more.

"Cassie Says"- Zamboni Joe (September 24, 2005 Headingley, MB)

Ben Kweller's Sundress EP

Here's a special treat, the brand new limited edition 5 song EP from Ben Kweller. Though this may seem like a teaser for the upcoming album release on September 19th, this disc includes 3 songs NOT on the new full-lengther. This highly anticipated release follows 2004's On My Way and 2002's brilliant debut Sha Sha, and as Kweller's fan base builds, so do the expectations. His current tour dates takes him from Europe to the US (including Mpls 10/6/06) and back to Europe. If you have a chance to see Ben Kweller on this tour, do it! He may be playing arena's soon and then you'll regret it.

Due to a complaint from the DMCA, I have removed the offending tracks...Sorry 'bout that!

New Lemonheads CD and tour dates

After a 10 year hiatus, the new Lemonheads CD is scheduled for release September 26th and a fall tour supporting the CD kicks off November 18th in California. Evan Dando has assembled a totally different incarnation of the Lemonheads for this new disc, and he is helped out by Bill Stevenson and Karl Alvarez from All/Descendents, so the sound will be a faster, more melodic rock album. J. Mascis contributes a solo on "No Backbone" , a great song that is a hopefully a preview of good things on this new disc.
I'm actually looking forward to this new release, as I thought Evan's solo album, Baby I'm Bored was okay, but it wasn't very memorable and was...kinda boring. I have a couple of live recordings from the revamped Lemonheads last fall in London and New York and if the rockin' energy of those shows are any indication, this upcoming tour might be worth checking out.

Lemonheads "No Backbone"
Lemonheads "Alice Is Starting To Happen" (Bowery Ballroom NYC 12-16-05)

(to download- right clip save link as)

Who Needs A Ipod?

Back in early 1990's I was one of those guys that held out from buying a CD player. I was a vinyl junkie through the 80's who bought a armful of albums every weekend and spent the week nights taping friend's albums onto 90 minute Maxell cassettes. I enjoyed the large record jackets, the black vinyl and the crackly sound of my lousy stylus. Despite the smaller compact size and superior sound quality, I didn't want to give in to this new fad, I figured it was going to be the next Laser Disc or Betamax or 8-Track. It became apparent towards the end of the 80's that I wouldn't be able to buy some of the newest releases because they were no longer pressing them onto vinyl.

In 1992, I was in Seattle and browsed the local record stores snatching up some excellent vinyl, then I came upon an album I had been looking for, actually it was a CD from the Squirrels, "What Gives", that was only available in CD format. I soon discovered that I would be missing out without a CD player because less and less artists were producing albums and cassettes. I still bought the Squirrel's CD, got a friend to transfer it to tape, but it took me another year to buy a portable CD discman to actually play it on. What the hell, I still have my Dual turntable circa 1975, and I could still play records on it, though it's being used to stack CD's on it.

Fast forward to 2006, I didn't think I needed a Ipod, despite having to carry stacks of discs to work each day and on vacation at the lake I would pack 25 discs into one of those CD wallets. How dependable was this small unit?, was it prone to glitches over time?, what if I dropped it and if I lost it, would I lose everything on it? When I received my Nano Ipod (for my birthday), I was able to load the same amount of CD's on this tiny unit. It's only 1 gig, so I can't load my whole CD collection onto it, so I've decided I will only load on new releases before I make a disc from it or buy it.

So far so good, Apple of course makes a ton of $ on all those semi-necessary accessories such as battery charger/AC adapter, FM transmitter (to play on home or car radio), carrying case, and skins (Ipod scratches and scuffs easily). I enjoy the size, of course and it's so easy to operate and loads songs very quickly. The sound quality is only as good as it's source and it's too bad you can't add more storage space (hard drive space) but then again these are mainly glorifyed flash drives with controls and a screen.

In the upcoming days I will let you see what I have on my Ipod (new-ish releases) and give you a brief and hopefully informative review. I will also try to provide some song samples (MP3) or helpful links for more info on the artist, as soon as I purchase some online storage space. I urge you to bookmark this blog and tell all your friends, and please check in every couple of days as I will try my best to keep this site updated.

New Pornographers Tickets On Sale

Just purchased my presale New Pornographers tickets from Ticketbastard for their show on October 14th at the Garrick Marlborough Ramada Venue here in Winnipeg. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Saturday morning August 26th, but the presale began Thursday.

In case you're worried about a sellout, I highly recommend doing the presale, concerts in Winnipeg have been known to almost sell-out before they are offered up to the regular public. I don't know if the Ticketmaster site is glitched, but I was able to get the presale without typing in the special password. Simply click on the "Internet Presale Offer" and your ticket quantity, . (update: now you have to have submit the password "twincinema"). Since this show is a general admission show (no reserved seats) you probably don't need to rush for tickets as the last time they were here, back in February, it didn't sell-out til a week or so before the show.

In fact it was 8 months ago, same venue, same opening band (+Immaculate Machine) and same price for tickets. Suffice to say I wasn't exactly blown away by the band, in fact I thought local opening band Novillero were more entertaining. I saw the NP's a few years back with Neko and they were great, the between song banter with her and Carl was worth the price of admission alone, vocally Kathryn Calder does a admirably good job, but it's Neko's presence that sells it. After seeing both the NP's and Neko Case separately this year, I would love to see her with the band this time around, but I doubt it. Regardless, this is a must-see show from one of the greatest bands in Canada!

JULIANA HATFIELD-Solo Electric 2002

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been busy with other projects (Sick Puppy blog), but now my full attention is on this page. Right now I don't have the technology to post mp3's or wave files. I am planning on getting a ezarchive account soon, so I can post music instead of linking to other sites. For now I'll have to leave you with just links.

I just came upon this excellent Juliana Hatfield solo electric show from October 2, 2002 at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA. This is only available through EzTorrent and you will need to register (very recommended).

It's well worth your time to learn about the world of BitTorrents and lossless audio compression such as FLAC. It changed the way I listen to music and opened up a huge door to concert recordings. To all you anti-piracy stealing music advocates, this is the sharing of concerts by artists that have given permission or allow fans to record and share the live concert experience. Fans trade and exchange, but should not sell these recordings. There are companies and individuals that make a living manufacturing and selling inferior concert recordings at ridiculous prices...Beware the bootlegger! Years ago, I used to trade cassettes (no money changed hands), one for one through the mail, but to receive a handful (mail packetful) of tapes it took at least 2 weeks for copying, labelling, mailing and receiving the tapes. Now a show can be had in less than an hour, wow have times changed!

I've included a couple of samples from the show:
"My Sister" - Juliana Hatfield (Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA 10-02-02)
"Somebody Is Waiting For Me" - Juliana Hatfield (Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA 10-02-02)

Free Juliana!

For some reason I've been listening to a lot of Juliana Hatfield lately. Maybe it's because I just got her new CD, actually her side project, Some Girls' CD, "Crushing Love". I've had a few listens to this follow-up to 2003's predecessor "Feel It" and it sounds pretty good. (I'll review it in a couple of days) I also recently purchased Juliana's CD from last year, "Made In China" a raw, crunchy tasty treat that has to get you excited.

The past few days, I have been cruising her back catalogue and enjoying her path forward as she just turned 39 last week. In my mind, she's getting better with age, with the usual speedbumps ("Total System Failure" for example) and maybe more bitter as well, with many attacks on the music industry in her recent lyrics. If you buy Made In China, buy it directly from Juliana. In case you missed it the first time, Juliana is offering up some demos and unreleased tracks on her website with an honour system for the download guilty. These tracks are free (they do work!), but if you feel you want to donate money to her, (not a record company!) she has a Paypal link.

If you're into live Juliana, here's a link with a few older concerts and radio shows, and if you a fan of the Blake Babies and Juliana Hatfield doing cool, sometimes goofy covers go here. They are in MP3 format, so don't be trading these, I'll link you to some Bit Torrent (FLAC format) shows in uncompressed quality when I find 'em.

Up and Running

Welcome to the "Teenage Dogs In Trouble" music blog! I listen to music on the way to work, either in the car, bus or foot, I listen to music at work, on the way home from work, at home on the stereo, at the computer and finally in bed . Though my employment has nothing to do with music, during my average 19 waking hour days, I probably listen to music at least 75% of the time. I own hundreds of LP's, dozens of 45's, and thousands and thousands of cassettes and CD's.

The point is I love music! Official releases, live or on bootleg I can't get enough. When you own all you can own of your favourite artist's work, you have to move beyond the norm, seek out those tasty gems you don't hear on radio. Find music that moves you, not only physically but emotionally as well. No, i don't mean sucky, sappy American Idol crap that you are "suppose to listen to" according to the record companies and radio stations, I mean music that is timeless, something you can throw on anytime and evoke a feeling.

I have lots of great music I'm anxious to share, I'll review new, random and MUST have CD releases, whatever I feel like at the time. I try to see as many bands and shows as possible and I'll report back with my criticism or praise. My live music collection is overflowing and I'll try to post or link current and favourite shows that I enjoy. I'm always seeking out new music, so please, I need your feedback and suggestions of how to make this blog more enjoyable. Thanks!