MUSIC PREVIEW: Ocean Alley a trip
Not many bands would attempt a crazy mix of psych, rock, and reggae into a heady blender all their own – but it works for Ocean Alley. This Sydney, Australia band’s pair of EPs and a similar pair of full-lengths are full of rising anthemic crescendos, a not-so-subtle funk, and hooks galore. Their track The […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Weird Al dares to be original
Here, finally, comes the true test for “Weird Al” Yankovic – an entire concert based on his own songs. Wait, what? He has his own songs? A whole show? Like that polka medley he always does? More than that. True fans know Weird Al composes his own music – quirky stylistic homages that might as […]
FOOD: River City Revival House serves rock ‘n’ roll
Rage Against the Poutine made me angry. Instead of the expected cheese curds that squeak on your teeth (indicating freshness) was the surprise appearance from homemade Thanksgiving stuffing – which, like grandma on family holidays, dominated the otherwise perfectly-cooked house-punched French fries drizzled with rich bacon gravy, backed up by succulent flakes of pulled pork. […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Bon Iver Voyage!
Bon Iver makes a triumphant return to Festival City on Monday. Although not running amok under an frenzy of hype this time around, the indie folk act fronted and founded by Justin Vernon now has a weighty catalog of material underneath him, and curates his own annual music festival in his hometown of Eau Claire, […]
Slayer kills at farewell show in Edmonton
Springtime in Edmonton. The trees are blooming, grass is growing, birds are singing, and the locals have shed the many layers to hit the great sunny outdoors. What better circumstances for this year’s metal juggernaut tour to roll through town? The four bands on stage at the Shaw Conference Centre on Sunday night have all […]
David Byrne doesn’t stop making sense
If the live concert experience has to be reinvented, and maybe it does, David Byrne is just the guy to pull it off. He’s got the credentials – a weird New York art-rock cat who became the intelligent face of the new wave movement with the Talking Heads. Ever since, he tries to do something […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Which side are you on?
We can’t ignore the connection – and friendship – between Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal. Hughes got into hot water recently because of some things that he said. Homme and Hughes co-founded Eagles of Death Metal in 1998. After QOTSA got big, Homme played […]
Eagles put a spell on Edmonton
What a minute! How did Vince Gill wind up doing so much heavy lifting as the newest member of the Eagles in Edmonton on Tuesday night? No offense to Vince Gill. He’s a great guitarist and songwriter. One of country music’s finest. Helluva singer, too. Got that high, lonesome voice. But is he worthy to […]
REVIEW: Tragically Hip ballet an elemental triumph
Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître has made a reputation for himself with his signature portrait ballets. In 2017, they did Gordon Lightfoot’s Our Canada. Prior to that: k.d. lang, Elton John and Sarah McLachlan. And now, it’s a wrap for a triumphant sold-out run of No Dress Rehearsal, This Was My Life – the […]
Shania Twain still the one in Edmonton
It’s always a double bill of sorts whenever a Shania Twain show rolls into town – usually a toss-up between her lengthy tresses and telltale leopardskin wardrobe. This time, it wasn’t just the eyes focusing on the still-svelte 52-year-old songstress. Ears were perked up to see how her reconstructed larynx could withstand the punishment of […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Morris before us
The city was all abuzz back in 2010-11 when local Jeff Morris released his debut album, Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar. He got mentions in press both near and far, and was nominated for an astounding six Edmonton Music Awards in 2011, including Best Live Performance, People’s Choice, Best Album and Best Single. Fast […]
