When listening to the complex, polished, and innovative sounds of Cult Classic’s latest singles, one could be easily forgiven for mistaking the dramatic and trancelike music of self-described “creampop” Montreal band Cult Classic for that of a band with years more experience together. Despite forming just over a year ago,[Read More…]
Music
Pop Rhetoric: What’s in a name?
Viet Cong’s new self-titled album manages to make me feel excited about guitar-heavy jams despite living in an age where there is a glut of such music. This Calgary four-piece is on the cusp of the almost unobtainable—a career in indie rock. However, what’s up with that name? Is it[Read More…]
Deep Cuts: Time Warp
My Same Artist: Adele Album: 19 Released: January 28, 2008 Adele has made a name for herself with her soulful and powerful voice, bringing new beauty to pop ballads. In “My Same” Adele’s vocal muscles were not flexed as far as on other tracks, but the cool vintage piece highlights[Read More…]
Diss Tracks Outside of Rap
How Do You Sleep? Artist: John Lennon Target: Paul McCartney Album: Imagine Released: September 9, 1971 Although Lennon denied the song’s malicious intent several years later, there is little doubt that in the context of 1971, “How Do You Sleep?” was a cold-blooded verbal attack on the former Beatle’s ex-partner-in-crime,[Read More…]
Celebrities You Didn’t Know Could Sing
“Why Do You Let Me Stay Here” Zooey Deschanel Released: January, 2008 Zooey Deschanel has garnered massive fame in recent years with her leading role in the successful TV show New Girl. Not everyone knows that she also stars as front-woman in the indie duo She & Him next to[Read More…]
Wrapping Up the Holidays
The McGill Tribune arts team presents an overview of the movies and music you may have missed over the break.
Student concert round-up
The Steel River Band and EMPEROR T and the Suspenders In case you’ve never heard of Barfly (4062 Saint-Laurent) before, here’s what it is in a nutshell: A hole in the wall tucked between Roy and Duluth that hosts a bluegrass night every Sunday, and is likely to be blasting[Read More…]
There’s no such thing as a magic bullet: Josh Hook on video games & success
Two Thursdays ago, Tokyo Police Club guitarist Josh Hook spoke to me over the phone from Whistler, BC, and warmly answered as many questions as I could muster about the band’s origins, Montreal coffee, N64 games, and advice for aspiring musicians. Hailing from Newmarket, Ontario, Tokyo Police Club first entered[Read More…]
Pop Rhetoric: Got Blues?
“I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley/ To do black music so selfishly/ And use it to get myself wealthy” — Eminem
Deep Cuts: Turning Points
He’s Gonna Step On You Again (aka Step On) Artist: John Kongos Album: He’s Gonna Step On You Again Released: 1971 Sampling is such a staple of modern music that it has become almost an overused nuance—unless, of course, you’re Kanye West. While the origins of sampling are blurry, largely[Read More…]
