Joel Plaskett does the Ashtray Rock

Currently tearing up my music player of choice is Joel Plaskett's new disc Ashtray Rock. Released last week via Maple music, the new long-player finds Joel back again with The Emergency (Dave Marsh and Chris Pennell) after a short hiatus on 2005's La De Da.
And it is good to have the band back. While Joel is sill the principle songwriter if you look at Joel's post-Thrush Hermit work you'll find that his more boisterous and rocking side is linked intricately with the appearance of the Emergency band.

Such is the case of Ashtray Rock. The album, a rock musical of sorts, is a 13-song story about a young group of friends. Nameless and earnest in their teen-aged glory. Pretty Girl finds herself at the top of the love triangle between two members of the band. Though she doesn't seek it, their affections drive a rift between each other and eventually breaks up the band. She moves away and the boys are left miserable and alone.

Not many artists nearing in their late twenties could pull this one off convincingly. Joel's an obvious exception. From the early days when Joel, skinny and barely pubescent, started Thrush Hermit to now, Joel's boyish charm has always gone a long way to understating his actual age. In person he can give off a slight Eddie Haskel vibe which is appropriate considering his, at times, sugary brand of songwriting is the kind of anthemic stuff the kids really go for. This big kid too.

On first listen I was struck by how different the album initially sounded from previous Joel efforts. This probably has something to do with Gordie Johnson (ex-Big Sugar) enjoying producer credit. He also plays lap steel on the record, as well as adding some strings and synth. Not all change is good, but in this case it really works.

Drunk Teenagers is one of those glorious anthems that instantly grabs you. It's about, surprise, surprise, drunk teenagers, as fitting in with the story. Enjoy the shout-outs to Halifax and some of its less notable landmarks. It's bit tongue in cheek as well, if not a bit mischievous.

I heard Joel do Fashionable People back around Christmas time. I wasn't too impressed with the track. It was irritating then but now less than irritable on record. Much to my surprise I really enjoy it.

Joel is doing a cross Canada tour starting in May. Head to his website for all the dates and for a few more tracks from the album stream.

The Joel Plaskett Emergency - Drunk Teenagers mp3
The Joel Plaskett Emergency - Fashionable People mp3

Purchase the album

Year End Review Part 3

Artist: Christina Aguilera
Song: Ain't No Other Man
Album: Back to Basics (2006)

I'll admit right now to being completely head over heels in love with the new Christina Aguilera. She's said goodbye to the teen pop and slutty images. As the title of the album suggests, the former genie in a bottle is returning to her roots. Gospel, R & B, and pop, with a huge smacking of soul. The album was a bit bloated at two discs, but still, a triumphant return for Christina. Ain't No Other Man packs a massive wallop, sultry and all curves.

Artist: Joel Plaskett
Song: Nowhere With You

The song was included on the bonus EP that accompanied his Make a Little Noise live dvd. It was also heard all over your tv sets as a commercial for K-Mart. If you're one of those types you might cry sellout. Of course, that means you'd be ignoring as great a pop song as Joel's ever done. And that would make you a douche.

Artist: The Hold Steady
Song: Stuck Between Stations
Album: Boys and Girls in America (2006)

The third release from The Hold Steady was easily the most hyped on the blogosphere this year. While I'd argue it failed to surpass their previous work, it was still an inspired effort. Lyricist Craig Finn is a rock and roll Kerouac. And like the authour was for his generation, Finn is a vital voice to understanding ours.

Artist: Weezer
Song: Perfect Situation
Album: Make Believe (2005)

I haven't bought a Weezer album since Pinkerton. I though the first two singles from this album, Beverly Hills and We Are All On Drugs, to be two more sad indications of how far from the path the band has strayed. Then they go ahead and release this gem. As the video for the song informs us, Before there was Weezer, there was Weeze. This is the emo song every emo band wishes they wrote. Perhaps all that time spent in women's jeans cuts off their creativity. In '06 Rivers Cuomo finally graduated from Harvard, got married, and put Weezer on "hiatus," which might be like doing the right thing and taking Old Yeller out of his misery.

Artist: Cadence Weapon
Song: Black Hand
Album: Breaking Kayfabe (2006)

Known to his mother as Rollie Pemberton, Cadence Weapon released his debut album this year to great fanfare. He was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music award and although he didn't take home the award this could hardly be considered a setback. Critics and fans love him for his intelligent brand of hip hop that skirts the usual shit. On a good night, he's like a revelation.

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Song: Pay Me My Money Down
Album: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)

A lot of the rock royalty were getting political this year. Bruce stopped by with his collection of Pete Seeger songs. The whole album feel like a raucous back alley jam. The songs are essentially timeless, although Bruce does do a bit of updating, "Well I wish that I was Mr. Gates/ they'd haul my money home in crates." A Great effort from the Boss.

Artist: Cat Power
Song: Could We
Album: The Greatest (2006)

For Cat Power fans this shall be known as the year Chan Marshall got sober. By most accounts her live shows are no longer the train wrecks of yore, which is definitely a good thing. Cat Power tends to be good for rainy days. Rainy days nursing a broken heart, even better. Recorded in Memphis with a band of veteran players, Chan crafted a country drenched effort that may not be her Opus, but certainly bodes well for the future.

Artist: Corinne Bailey Rae
Song: Put Your Records On
Album: Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)

Corinne Bailey Rae had a great year on the heels of her first album. Nominated for Best song, record, and new artist of the year at the upcoming Grammy awards, Rae will probably have a fruitful career as a popular artist. My tendencies tend to lead me away from middle of the road popsters, or what I assume to be middle of he road popsters. Judging a book by its cover and all that. I was going throwing the racks at an HMV one day and I hear this track. Asked about it and went home and downloaded it. This is the only song I've heard by her. Anyone out there with a strong endorsement? I probably shouldn't be so judgemental, I did , after all, praise Ms. Aguilera a few tracks back. This tune sits with me real well. Such a beautiful pop song.

Artist: Nelly Furtado
Song: Crazy

Here Ms. Furtado covers that Gnarls Barkley so that everyone didn't hear everywhere this summer. I've also heard a Ray Lamontagne give it a shot. All versions are great in their own right. I really enjoy seeing artists cover their peers. Hey, I'm a sucker for Neil Young covers too, it just seems that artists today are afraid to touch the work of their contemporaries. It seems to be much less prevalent today, then say, 40 years ago. Nelly had a pretty big year with the success of her own Maneater album. I've never been a huge fan of Nels, always liked her singles though. Hated her whole, Promiscuous Boy, persona. Lazy fuckin' club anthems. Utter and complete shit. And don't even give me the 'ol "has a good beat" excuse.

Artist: Elliott Brood
Song: The Bridge & Only At Home

Elliott Brood plays "death country" whatever that is. Country-tinged i suppose, but sounds a bit darker. Either that or him and his band are either zombies or terminally ill. The first track comes from the LP Ambassador, originally released in 2005, but re-released in '06. The second one is from the EP Tin Type from 2004. Both are great and highly recommended. Boo-tiful stuff. Get it, "boo" tiful. Oh boy, I'm good. Cut. It. Out

Artist: Loose Fur
Song: Hey Chicken
Album: Born Again in the U.S.A. (2006)

Comprised of Jeff Tweedy, Glenn Kotche, and Jim O' Rourke. Really just a side project for everyone to get their ya-ya's out on. A bit too heavy on all the instrumentation added. Still, a decent effort for a side project. The lead track, included here, is a playful rocker. Rock and Roll. That's all baby.

Artist: The Black Keys
Song: Your Touch
Album: Magic Potion (2006)

The BK's play the modern day blues. I find it hard to sit through a full album, even Magic Potion, which was a great effort. Still, If I'm trolling through the blogs and I see talk of the band, I will always take the time to read and listen to what they've been doing. They rarely disappoint.

Artist: The Pipettes
Song: ABC
Album: We Are The Pipettes (2006)

If I were to compile a list of my favourite artists I'm sure the Ronettes would show up in the top ten. Though I have indie tastes I'm clearly a fan of pop music. A weird term that has certainly taken on a negative connotation since rock and pop supposedly went their separate ways. When I say pop you probably conjure up American Idol visions, which is okay, even if it is false. The Beatles, Beach Boys, Oasis, Wilco, White Stripes, they all play pop music. It can also be called rock and roll. Hell, it could be described a million ways, but at its base, its all pop music. I know folks who won't listen to music if it doesn't fit into the parameters they have decided they enjoy. It has gotten to the point where I lie to them in describing the genre the artist supposedly belongs in, just so they will give it a listen. The term "guilty pleasure" was spawned from this kind of thinking. I mean, why be able to simply say you enjoy an artist or type of music without ruining your ego or credibility. I love the Ronettes, in fact I've got a soft spot for a lot of those sixties girl groups. The Pipettes are a throwback to that era. They reference Andy Partridge among others, all with a wink, which hooks some of the indie kids. I'm hooked 'cause they're fun. No pretensions. Just rock and roll music with a shake.

Artist: Belle & Sebastian
Song: The Blues are Still Blue
Album: The Life Pursuit (2006)

Not a huge B & S fan. I'll pull out an album every couple months and then put it back halfway through. Their latest is full of great singles. Sometimes that's all you really want anyways.

Artist: Shotgun & Jaybird
Song: Marquee Glass
Album: There Are Days and Then There Are Days (2006)

Shot and Jay also released a full-length later in the year. Bound to get Pavement comparisons
every now and again. The two piece, comprised of Shotgun Jimmie and Dick Morello, with JulieDoiron on guesting vocals, here, craft lo-fi music that sounds like even you could have made in your bedroom. Here's the thing, you can't. As our mother repeatedly told us growing up (and which we'll pass on to you), "you're worthless. I don't even know why I had you."

Artist: The Bicycles
Song: Gotta Get Out
Album: The Good, The Bad, and The Cuddly (2006)

Terrible album name, though apt. The Bicycles are cuddly. And cute too. They wear matching "B" shirts on stage. They write carefree songs that make you go "weeeeee." I'd go have a popsicle now if I didn't have that weird phobia of popsicle sticks. Too saccharine? You decide.

Following up Friday's post, I went down and saw Joel Plaskett Friday. Not without a little trouble however. When I arrived at the venue the show was unfortunately soldout. Having my heart on seeing Joel that night, I stuck around outside the venue with the hopes that someone would have an extra ticket to get rid of. Their were a few others in the same boat with me and we all kept our fingers crossed as we slightly shivered in the November chill. I graciously allowed a chatty girl (also known as super chatty drunk girl with self-esteem issues and feeling lonely due to her embellished weight problem) to grab the first ticket chance that arrived confident that there would be others shortly. This proved to be false. As other would-be concert goers straggled off I waited patiently. Finally, about two songs after Mr. Plaskett had taken the stage to muffled (possibly raptourous, possibly polite) applause, the doorman let me in. It was a pretty decent show, with Joel splitting hs 90 minute set equally between older Thrush Hermit material, Down at the Khyber, La De Da, and Truthfully, Truthfully.

While I was waiting to get in I struck up a conversation with Chris from Neiles Life, who I recognized from his blog. Neiles Life is another London blog. We had a good little chat about blogging in general and Chris gave me some shit for my low scoring on the Hold Steady album I reviewed in the university paper. Chris just finished posting his top 50 albums of the year so you should head on over there to check out things. He runs a good site that always has some decent tracks worth stopping by for. He also has a big love for the rich history of the east coast independent scene. Anyone who talks about the Local Rabbits is alright in my books.

Aside from that I'm tapped out and exhausted. Monday's are for breezing through. I'll leave you with a few tracks that have been taking up my ears this weekend.

This a cover of the Warren Zevon original by Magnolia Electric Co. This version stays pretty true to the original, albeit with a few small stamps. I can't seem to stop listening to the track. Perhaps, it is the earnestness of Jason Molina's delivery. Either way, download the track, courtesy of You Ain't No Picasso.

If comparing and contrasting is your thing....

Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London

I was catching up with my new favourite television show, Heroes, the other night and realized i had never seen the first ep. I got around to watching it and fell in love with a song playing in the background during a scene. The song? "Eyes" by Rogue Wave. It was released as a b-side to the "Publish My Love" single off their latest, the 2005 release Descended Like Vultures. It's a beautiful love song that aches in your ears for a long while.

Rogue Wave - Eyes

Tonight sees the return of Joel Plaskett to a London stage. The last 2 or 3 shows he was slated to play were inexplicably cancelled at variations of the last minute. Support is fellow east coast rockers Two Hours Traffic and the tepid emo/core stylings of local act Machete Avenue.

A bit excited about this show to be honest. It has been a good 2/3 years since I last saw Joel Plaskett. I went through a mega fan phase when I was 20, seeing him live a good 6 times in the same number of months.

Joel started things young when he formed Thrush Hermit as a tender teen circa 1992. Around '95 halifax became appointed by the international press(well American really) as the "New Seattle". A bidding war for Sloan ensued and high expectations turned to rap rock and teen pop. Easily one of the most important bands of this so-called "Halifax pop explosion" were Thrush Hermit. Signed to Sloan's Murder Records imprint, the band released 3 great EP's, along with the full-lengths Sweet Homewrecker (1997) and Clayton Park (1999). They disbanded amicably in '99 leaving behind a still vibrant east coast scene.

Joel released his solo debut In Need of Medical Attention the same year. By the time of 2001's Down at the Khyber Joel had formed the tight backing band The Emergency and the rest was pop history. 2003's Truthfully, Truthfully cemented Joel's place as an important Canadian songwriter, garnering him his greatest critical and commercial success to date.

Joel's songs veer towards a pop styling. Expansive and heartfelt his songs explore the modern Canada. While nationalistic at times he touches upon universal themes of the heart and mind. After releasing solo effort La De Da in 2005, Joel has been busy touring as always. You may have heard his "Nowhere With You" gracing K-Mart commercials throughout the summer. Surprising at first, repeated listens ensure that Joel is still creating the same heartfelt songs that endear us to him.

Joel plays London tonight with The Emergency. He'll be in Toronto on Saturday for the annual Festival of the Lights Christmas tree lighting at Nathan Phillips Square, wrappin up the mini tour in Hamilton on Monday night.

Thrush Hermit - Hated It
Joel Plaskett - Down at the Khyber

Joel Plaskett - Written All Over Me

Joel Plaskett - Nowhere With You

"Nowhere With You" can be found on the bonus disc that accompanies this year's live Joel DVD Make A Little Noise. It may very well be worth it for the track "Million Dollars" which is included on said bonus disc and is also streaming over at Joel Plaskett's website.