Naomi Carmack

Naomi Carmack CD review: InhibitionBy: Dan Brisebois Edmonton’s Naomi Carmack got her first big break in ’91, when the then 12 year-old entered her song “Be My Baby” in a local radio station contest, placing second runner-up and later being featured on their subsequent homegrown talent CD. The same song also landed her a nomination …

Moist

Moist CD Review: MERCEDES AND FIVE AND DIMEBy Sherri Paterson Moist, comprised of David Usher (vocals), Mark Makoway (guitars), Jeff Pearce (bass, mandolin), Kevin Young (keyboards, trumpet) and Paul Wilcox (drums, percussion), offers listeners an eclectic mix of raucous alternative rock blended with the occasional offbeat ballad. I’ve followed Moist’s career ever since their first …

The Perms

The Perms CD review: BETTER DAYSBy: Dan Brisebois Throughout Canadian rock history, Winnipeg has always served as a breeding ground for a lot of the country’s most original music. The Perms are a four-piece band whose honed their chops on the circuit for several years. Comprised by Shane Smith on bass, Chadwick Smith on guitars, …

Pimp-T

Pimp-T Artist review There are two types of people in the world: leaders and followers. Troy Neilson a.k.a. PIMP-T is the perfect combination of both: he leads those who yearn to learn; and yearns for the knowledge of his teachers. His dedication to hard work and passion for doing each and every job to the …

Robbie Cooper

Artist: Robbie Cooper CD Review: DROWNING IN REALITYBy: Dan Brisebois A fresh approach to adult rock is what Robbie Cooper displays in abundance on his third independent release, DROWNING IN REALITY. This Toronto native has added fuel to pop music’s flame, and is on the brink of finally having the mainstream come around to his …

Shift F7

Artist: Shift F7 CD Review: CRIMSON DIABLOBy: Dan Brisebois Two years in the making is Shift F7’s debut album, CRIMSON DIABLO. The band is actually a duo – Calgary’s Mihn Dihn Chin Chilleo and Van Roland. Released in the summer of 2008, the record is sometimes eclectic, sometimes dark and mysterious, and always interesting. The …

The Adopted – Shotgun Highway Review

Shotgun Highway CD review: SHOTGUN HIGHWAYBy: Dan Brisebois This explosive 2011 self-titled debut EP is from one of Montreal’s hottest and hardest independent groups. Formed in 2007, the band consists of frontman Jesse Racicot, guitarists JD Steel and Tony Midas, Dany Toxik on bass and drummer Tod Diesel. They’ve honed their chops around the Montreal …

Simon Walls

Simon Walls CD review: DON’T ASK YOUR EYES WHAT THE END LOOKS LIKEBy: Dan Brisebois The 2008 debut from Simon Walls is twelve songs of passion and tenderness that rely on the Toronto artist’s ability to paint a picture of varied emotions in a slick, predominately acoustic environment. If every song has a story and …

Sonica

Sonica CD review: THE SOUND THAT FISH MAKEBy: Dan Brisebois Complex arrangements and well thought-out songs comprise Sonica’s second CD, THE SOUND THAT FISH MAKE. This Edmonton-based outfit has strived to develop an authentic sound that defies “labels,” in the process developing a genuinely unique style. Kristy Munroe on vocals and guitarist Ted Hamelin Jr. …