Posts Tagged ‘owen pallett’

Best of 2010: Melody

December 28th, 2010 | By: admin

The staff of The Singing Lamb is being so kind as to offer you our insight throughout the last week of 2010 as to what albums, singles, and shows were the best of the year. First off, creator Melody Lau/Lamb shares her top 10 albums. Check it.



10) Janelle Monae — The ArchAndroid


9) Spoon — Transference


8) Hooded Fang — Album


7) The Wilderness of Manitoba — When You Left the Fire


6) Vampire Weekend — Contra


5) Arcade Fire — The Suburbs
If you were oblivious to The Suburbs this year you were probably living under the world’s biggest rock. The only words to describe the year this Montreal collective had this year are triumphant and big. The Suburbs brought back a more-grounded affair, in comparison to the band’s second record Neon Bible, and successfully paired stadium rock hits with the same earnest indie appeal we first saw on Funeral. This band did no wrong this year. 


4) Best Coast — Crazy For You
We can sit around and debate the logistics of chillwave but I think we can all agree that California lo-fi rockers Best Coast reigned supreme above all other surf/beach/whatever you want to call it bands this year. Crazy For You was more polished than their previous singles but its lackadaisical ease was the perfect soundtrack this summer.   


3) Robyn — Body Talk
Unabashed, empowering and catchy as hell. Robyn is the modern day role model everyone should look up to. “Dancing On My Own” and “Call Your Girlfriend” are some of the year’s best dance songs and Robyn’s ability to narrate one’s heartbreak is spot-on. (Do I know this from personal experience? Maybe.) The beats literally burst out of her chest as she sings “I’m givin’ it my all/ but I’m not the girl you’re takin’ home/I keep dancin’ on my own” and she even tells you not to fuck with her alongside Snoop Dogg. Nuff said.


2) Beach House — Teen Dream
Ambient pop music does many things of the ambient variety – swooning, daydream and sometimes a bit lethargic (in the good sense). But what Teen Dream did upon first listen was knock you over the head. One of the most gorgeous records of the year, Teen Dream weaves song after song of dream-like earworms that will haunt you for days, weeks, and clearly in this case, months. Year-end list aside, this is an album I can listen to for years to come.


1) Owen Pallett — Heartland
Pop perfection from beginning to end, Heartland is Owen Pallett’s best work to date. Pallett doesn’t compromise his musical visions here, enlisting a complete orchestra for the first time and in turn he created a record that’s able to intellectually grab your attention while making you tap your feet. A fine balance between a cerebral masterpiece and a straight-up pop hit, Pallett’s formula is one that very few people can attempt let alone excel at. I’m not shy when it comes to being very proud of the music Toronto produces but this year’s pride and joy all rested on one record. In the span of a year, Heartland has already grown into a classic. (Original review)

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Osheaga Recap – Day 1: Owen Pallett

August 3rd, 2010 | By: Melody Lau

Owen Pallett

Toronto violinist Owen Pallett, formerly under the moniker of Final Fantasy, played an early set to a crowded audience on the Green Stage, evidently the most troublesome to artists of Day 1. Immediately apparent from Pallett’s soundcheck, moments before he took the stage, Pallett was struggling with sound issues prompted by the inability to hear himself in the monitors. Visibly annoyed, he stepped offstage and returned sporting a brave and optimistic face to the adoring crowd loudly applauding.

Pallett projects the grandeur of an entire orchestra but orchestrated by one man, and in some cases two with the addition of guitarist/percussionist Thomas Gill. Looping and layering coats of classical violin melodies with eccentric rhythms, Pallett weaves and conducts symphonies of pop-perfection. “Many Lives – 49 MP” breathes new life with the addition of Gill’s accompanying guitar matching the pace and melody of Pallett’s intricate violin parts whereas a classic like “This is the Dream of Win and Regine” didn’t stretch too far from its original but was still exciting and proved to be a crowd pleaser, especially to an audience who was clearly here to see Pallett as much as they were here for Day 1’s headliners The Arcade Fire whom Pallett was a member of and serves as the orchestral brains behind on records.

To us, Pallett sounded phenomenal but it was clear that he didn’t feel the same way. On set closer “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt”, Pallett stopped mid-song, apologized to the audience and stormed off. “I’m sorry guys, I just can’t hear myself and I can’t do this.” Known for being a perfectionist, it was completely understandable and very commendable that he had even lasted through most of his set with this problem looming onstage. There were definitely faces of disappointment across the sea of fans who tried to convince him to return but no love is lost, Pallett. The fact that he handled the situation so well just made me love him more, if that was possible.

For More,
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/owenpallettmusic

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The Singing Lamb Recommends…

February 24th, 2010 | By: Guest Contributor

Daniela Gesundheit

I’ve just arrived home, and my minus-40, trudge-through-any-weather, supposedly invincible boots are full of snow. Now thawing my toes with chai tea and songs that speak to the lovelier faces of winter, I am coming to better terms with the snowflakes coursing by the window.  Snowblink has become my cold-weather musical obsession as of late, with songs like Green to Gone combining the delicate vocal talents of Daniela Gesundheit with nuanced strings and a poppy melody that will soothe any grumbles about damp socks and cold fingers.

Being Gesundheit’s brainchild, Snowblink has included a rotating group of musicians since its inception in 2005, the current touring band being comprised of Daniela and Dan Goldman (although as Snowblink’s website states, guest musicians are always implied). Gesundheit is a serial musical and artistic collaborator, and is currently also a part of Bruce Peninsula and has worked with an extensive list of artists that I won’t list now but that you can check out here. While they’ve technically recorded three albums, the most readily available is Live Long, released in 2008 with lovely tracks like the aforementioned Green to Gone, as well as Rutt and Nuzzle, and Ambergris. Be sure to give the album a listen or even better, catch Snowblink opening for Owen Pallett in London, Brantford, or Hamilton later this week.

And here‘s a [more] acoustic taste of Green to Gone.

For more Snowblink, check out Myspace and snowblink.org

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Review: Owen Pallett – Heartland

January 14th, 2010 | By: Melody Lau

Heartland

Heartland

There’s always a sense of anxiety listening to a new release from an artist you admire. Part excitement, part fear, but all ears was how I went into Final Fantasy’s (who recently changed back to just Owen Pallett’s) album Heartland. But any concerns I had immediately melted away as soon as opener “Midnight Directives” began.

Heartland is a concept album about a farmer named Lewis and the world of Spectrum he lives in. For an album with such a particular narrative carved out, each song transitions to the next flawlessly just like a plotline of a movie.

Pallett’s brilliant sense of instrumentation and shines through on Heartland more than any of his previous releases, from the thumping march of “Lewis Takes Action” to the more somber mood of “E Is For Estranged”. Stand out track “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt” exhibits Pallett’s ability to perfectly layer full orchestral grandeur with woodwind instruments to come out with a modern classic.

From beginning to end, Heartland is a meticulously put-together piece of art, one of Owen Pallett’s finest to date. I know it’s only half a month into the new year but I’m going to just come out and say that Heartland is hands-down, one of the best albums of 2010.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/owenpallettmusic

Interview With AUX.TV: http://www.aux.tv/newmusic/interviews/interview-owen-palletts-heartland/

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O Young Cardinals, Nesting in the Trees

June 8th, 2009 | By: Guest Contributor

Alexisonfire

Alexisonfire

In case you haven’t been keeping track, there are only nine more days until NXNE madness descends on Toronto. However there’s another countdown going on to another integral part of Canadian music: the Polaris Prize nominations. In case you aren’t familiar with the Polaris, its probably one of the most prestigious prizes that a Canadian artist can receive. Awarded to a Canadian album each year through a voting process by a panel of music journalists, broadcasters, bloggers and other music types, it comes with a cool twenty grand in cash for the winner(s). The most important criteria about the Polaris Prize nominations though? The award is based on artistic merit not record sales, unlike say, the Junos. Which means unless hell freezes over, you’ll never see a Nickelback album nominated for the Polaris (Sorry, couldn’t resist). Past winners have includedCaribou and Final Fantasy’s Owen Pallett, and this year’s Long List (forty albums, that’ll be eventually boiled down to ten, from which a winner will be chosen and announced on September 21st) will be announced on June 15th. Check out the revamped Polaris Prize website here, and feel free to comment below on what Canadian albums you think were the year’s best. To get you started, here are Herohill’s picks for the award. I definitely have to agree with them on Japanther and Joel Plaskett. And check back here in the near future as the Lamb may be running a betting pool on the finalists…

As for NXNE, as the event draws closer there have been a whole slew of late breaking shows announced, and the Lamb will do our best to keep you updated on the going ons. The Drake Hotel, a venue that it looks like I’ll be spending a fair amount of time in this week, recently announced a showcase on Wednesday, June 17th. On the bill include performances from The D’Urbervilles, Lioness and Woodhands, and DJ sets by Famous Players and Fucked Up (yep, you read that right). Not quite sure what a Fucked Up DJ set could entail, but given Pink Eyes & Co.’s reputation for live appearances, this could be quite spectacular. CiRCA will also be throwing a show called Vision (the after-party of the Much Music Video Awards and National Tattoo Convention) on the 21st, with a little help from Lights, k-os, Alexisonfire’s George Petit, Bedouin Soundclash’s Eon Sinclaire, The Stills’ Tim Fletcher and Dave Hamelin, Saint Alvia Cartel’s Ben Rispin and Skate For Cancer’s Rob Dyer, who all will be spinning their favourite tunes.

Speaking of Alexisonfire, in case you’ve yet to see the awesome video for their new single “Young Cardinals” (off the upcoming album of the same title), you can watch it here. Filmed on the Maid of the Mist boat at Niagara Falls (they’re on a boat, motherfuckers, don’t you ever forget), the only way that this video could get more Canadian would be if Wade was holding a beaver while Dallas slowly drizzled maple syrup over himself (I’m sure his hordes of 14 year-old girl fans would find that very erotic). And for a special treat for Lamb readers, here is a download link to check out the yet-to-be-radio-released new track “No Rest”. If anyone asks, you didn’t get in from us though…

As part of Toronto’s CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (June 16-21), on June 19th at the Royal Ontario Museum, you can check out the sixth edition of Scene Not Herd – a collection of groundbreaking music videos. The showcase includes vids from the likes of Beast, Department of Eagles, Fleet Foxes, N.A.S.A., and this gem from Thunderheist. Unfortunately this thing starts at 9:30 p.m., so chances are if you’re planning on attending, you’ll have to skip out on a NXNE show or two. More details here.

MGMT has a new, predictably awesome video for “Kids”, starring folk singer Joanna Newsom. Watch it here.

I don’t like to throw the word around lightly, but Brooklyn’s The National, have been one of my “favourite” bands since I was introduced to them about two years ago. That’s why I had high expectations going into their sold-out Toronto show at the Kool Haus, a few weeks ago, with two friends of mine from Kingston. Unfortunately this being their first show of the tour, the band showed some considerable rust, which wasn’t helped by an uncooperative microphone. Lead singer Matt Beringer even flubbed the opening to my favourite National song, “Fake Empire”. Some good did come out of the show; including Beringer’s alcohol-induced, mic stand smash and cathartic howling during “Mr. November”, and the debut of several new songs. One of these songs was the tentatively-titled “The Runaway”, which the band performed recently live on Jian Ghomeshi’s QTV. Watch it here.

Thought I’d share with you another Toronto music blog worth checking out, and that’s Jessica Lewis’ music blog RoundLetters. Lewis is a fellow journalism student at Ryerson (represent!) going into her fourth year, and also contributes to ChartATTACK.com and SPINearth.tv. Show some love and check it out.

If you’ve never been to the Imperial Pub before, you have been missing out on one of the city’s best dive-bars. Just on the other side of Yonge-Dundas Square, it strikes just the right balance between sketch and homey (several of my memorable and not-so-memorable nights of drunken debauchery this school year started with “university nights” at the pub’s “Library Lounge”). Either way, it should be a nice fit for a one-off show next Thursday with Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, Owen Pallett (wow, two mentions of Owen in one post – that has to be a record) and The Hidden Cameras’ Betty Burke. Facebook event details here.

Thought I’d leave you with what may be perhaps the best faux interview ever. Montreal’s globe-trotting DJ Tiga is apparently a notoriously tough interview, because he enjoys nothing more than taking the piss out of interviewers. Not that it makes my job any easier, but music needs more artists like him. This two-part (Part Iand Part II) fake interview is hilarious. “I said ‘watch me’…you should have seen them watch me.”

Cheers,
Max

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