Basia Bulat's New Album, and Some Thoughts on Change

I have some very mixed feelings about Basia Bulat and her soon to be released sophmore album, Heart of My Own. On the one hand, in the first six months of this blog, it feels like I wrote about Basia almost exclusively. I could've been her personal publicist. I saw her play, I wrote about her as a contender for the Polaris Prize, I hung around waiting for her outside her apartment, and I listened to her debut Oh My Darling over and over. I was mesmerized by her voice, and was itching to hear anything, anything that she'd done. I scowered the internet for live sets, youtube clips and anything I could find.

Well, now she's done it. Basia is releasing Heart of My Own on Secret City Records (Patrick Watson, Miracle Fortress, Plants and Animals) January 26, 2010. One would imagine I'd be jumping off the walls (excited) at the prospect of a new BB album, but, well, I'm not. Not that I'm not excited, but I haven't been counting down the days or anything. After hearing the lead single "Gold Rush", which she is giving away for free in exchange for your email address, I'm less excited then I was before.

Part of this has to do expectations. Her debut, as I previously mentioned, knocked my socks off and really made an impression on me. That said, given the wowness of the first album, she was in a spot where she'd really have to do something to wow me again. I mean, if you think about all the great albums, and then think about the ones that came after, they were/are, by and large, not as good. Honestly, I can't really think of any bands that released an excellent debut, and followed it up with an excellent sophomore album. I have a hard time even thinking of bands that have released to albums back to back that have been excellent, very good, or even just good.

I think the second part of this equation is my inclination to under appreciate the status quo. There are some people who like what they like, and don't want things to change - with music, and in life. While I'd categorize myself as someone who is partial to the status quo with life stuff in general, with music, I get bored easily. I'm of the mind, rightly or wrongly, that if you're going to release another album that sounds the same you might as well release it as a book of poems or something. It's like, I'm a big fan of grilled cheese or kraft dinner, but if you start having it too often you're going to get sick of it. Maybe Basia and I just need to take a break until January.

After all that, I'd encourage you to check out Basia if you haven't already. She's worth some space on your iPod, and these videos from a show last year at Aeolian hall are pretty awesome:
"The Shore"


"Heart of My Own"

A Final Thought on the Polaris Prize

There have been some luke warm reactions to Caribou winning the 2008 Polaris Prize (see: here, here, and here). And, really, I find its pretty tough to disagree with that pick particularly when the word 'artistic' as in "the albums of highest artistic integrity" is the criteria used to pick the prize. To me, what this 'artistic integrity' means is that the winning album should push some kind of boundaries... so with that in mind, albums by Basia Bulat, Two Hours Traffic, Stars, etc. should be struck from the group. Great albums? Yes (except for Stars). But, challenging, genre-stretching albums? Not exactly.

In my mind, given the criteria, there were three artists that are serious contenders: Plants and Animals, Holy F--k, and, well, Caribou. Plants and Animals gets bumped because Secret City Records can't win 3 prizes in a row, Holy F--k probably was a pick that was a little too political, and so Caribou wins by default, which, I think is kind of a shame. A shame if only because Caribou counts as artistic because he makes electronic music - which is outside the norm of mainstream radio - and not because he's made a real genre bending album.

I've said it before, and I realize I'm a huge homer, but it really would've been great to see Shad win. His album doesn't exactly blow everyone else away in the 'artistic' category... I mean, he's not the first guy to rap about social problems, but the more I listen to that album, the more I like it. And, the more I think I'm going to include it on my 2008 year end list despite the fact that it was released last year.

And one more reason to love Shad. The Fresh Prince themed video for:

Shad - The Old Prince Still Lives At Home

Friday Night: Basia Bulat @ CTO vs. Woodhands @ the APK

(Sorry, Basia I realize that photo stretch wasn't real flattering)

It's not often that there is anything to do in London, let alone two separate events, but that's the case with this Friday (tonight). The two shows Basia Bulat w/ Katie Stelmanis at Call the Office
and Woodhands w/ the Peter Project probably couldn't be a whole lot more different.

Basia and KS are girls with guitars and sometimes an autoharp in Basia's case, while Woodhands says they sound like "Hot Problem Sex" - they do. And its awesome.

All this means is that if I'm exhausted at the end of the day I'll probably opt for Basia, if I've got some energy I'll probably be hitting up Woodhands. That said, if Liz's mom makes it down to visit - its almost definitely Basia. Either way, it'll be a good night I think.

Some Basia:
[mp3] Home (live @ CBC Radio 3)
[mp3] The Shore (live @ CBC Radio 3)

Basia "Little Waltz" live @ Aeolian Hall



The guys at Woodhands said they'd send over some mp3s, so when I get them you should get to hear a bit of their full length Heart Attack, which, if you weren't paying attention before... is like hot problem sex. Sexy.

Basia, Basia, Basia (in the Key of Jan Brady)

I've blogged about Basia Bulat probably more than any other artist/band since I started blogging about 6 months ago, and for good reason, she has an outstanding knock-you-on-your-ass kind of voice. The other reason being that I'm a little bit of a homer (Basia is from London, On also). So, anytime I come across anything Basia related I always feel compelled to forward it along:

Courtesy of the always terrific B(oot)log mp3s from Basia at the Wolfe Island Music Festival 2007.
[mp3]The Pilgriming Vine (live on Wolfe Island, Kingston On)

Via Everything is Pop, I found out that Basia recorded a few songs for Daytrotter, including an untitled orginal, a Sam Cooke cover, and an unreleased Daniel Johnson cover.
[mp3]The Hem of Your Garmets (Sam Cooke Cover)

From way back in January Basia opening for Hayden at Aeolian Hall.


"Little Waltz"
More videos from the show here.

Basia Bulat is touring around SW Ontario again and will be in London at Call the Office April 4. You can check her myspace for other tour dates.

Friday Bullets: An Environmentally Friendly Friday

• Thanks to Everything is Pop, I found four more live songs from Basia Bulat (London, On) courtesy of the Unniversity of Minnesota's Radio K. There are three that I've heard before, and another new one that I haven't heard before... I smell a new album for 2008... so, if you're behind the times and haven't picked up her album Oh, My Darling, do so at Zunior.

[mp3] Basia Bulat - Before I Knew (Live on Radio K)

• It's Canadian Music Week in Toronto. If you're in the city and looking for something to do and you don't want to spend any money, Wolves, Hawks and Kites has a list of free record store shows, and i(heart)music has a list of stuff you probably should've done yesterday, I'd imagine he'll have something up for the weekend.
  

• After picking up the mp3s of a show that the D'Ubervilles played in Kingston via B(oot)log, I think that they're the band to see in London on Mar. 18th.

[mp3] D'Urbervilles - Dragnet

• Chuck Klosterman wrote an article on the impact KG has had on the Celtics in this month's New York Times 'Play' Magazine. Its an excellent read, and demonstrates, I think, how important leadership and the mental part of professional sports is. If that isn't enough Basketball, there's the ESPN writers roundtable giving their takes on what will happen in the East come playoff time (hint: they're not predicting that the Raps are going to win).

• Oh, I also should mention that I've decided to boycott Tim Horton's during their roll-up-the-rim-to-win contest. Its not because I haven't been winning, but because they're not allowing people who bring their own mugs to participate without wasting a paper cup. Do with that what you will. This is the first article that came up when I googled 'Tim Hortons paper cup'.

Have a great weekend.

New Basia Bulat

Basia Bulat (London On) opened for Hayden at the end of January, she was terrific as always, and played a couple of songs that I hadn't heard before. This was a little surprising since I had seen her a couple of times live, bought her album Oh, My Darling, and was unaware that she had anything new in the works. So, after hearing these songs I was a little crabby not knowing anything about them, when or if they had been recorded, how to get a hold of them, or whether they were originals or covers. Well, I've completed part of the puzzle courtesy of i(heart)music (Ottawa) who posted Basia's CBC Radio 3 session this December. The CBC performance is basically identical to her set opening for Hayden except she played solo in her opening gig, which, again, was outstanding.

I've got three new mp3s for you, including a very Tracy Chapman-esque opening to her set with 'Home', and a couple of videos from her set in London.

[mp3]Basia Bulat - Home.mp3
[mp3]Basia Bulat - Heart Of My Own.mp3
[mp3]Basia Bulat - The Shore.mp3

The rest of the CBC set is available at i(heart)music.



"Heart of My Own"


"The Shore" - the sound is great on this video, highly recommended.

Do yourself a favour and buy Oh, My Darling for your mom/girlfriend/sister I guarantee they'll love it. And you probably will too, unless you are a heartless a-hole. Its available here - and probably everywhere else.

Hayden comes Alive! w/ Basia Bulat @ Aeolian Hall, London On

Last night really couldn't have been better. It started here:

the Town & Country Saloon where Elliot cleverly pointed out, it was surprising that we didn't need a passport to get in. This place was definitely in a different world, possibly a different galaxy (for those who don't know me personally, I tend not to frequent bars where drunks sing karaoke at the dinner hour). Serves me right for wanting to get to the show early, I guess. Although, I would like to give a shout out to Mike, Serge, and Scott for their takes on Elvis and Bob Seger. Your performances were.... incediary. Also, to the host, who reminded both Liz and I of Miracle Max's wife, from the Princess Bride.

Rather than screw up the rest of the post, I'll just post the videos - not great quality, I know, but as I always say, you get what you pay for. They should be roughly in the order that they were played last night. Oh, Basia played a couple of songs - the second one with this tiny little hammer on her autoharp, supercool - that I didn't know, so if anyone can fill me in that would be appreciated.

Basia Bulat


"Unknown"


"In the Night"


"Little Waltz" (probably my favourite of the night)


"Unknown 2"


I Was A Daughter.mp3

Hayden


"In field & town"


"Where and When"


"Damn this feeling"


"Lonely Security Gaurd"


"Trees Lounge"


"Killbear"


"Weight of the World" w/ Basia Bulat


"Bad As They Seem"

Now, as I've figured out this mp3 hosting thing, I thought this would be an appropriate one to post.
Hayden - Message from London.mp3

Also, thanks to the young chap who was good enough to slide over to make the videos possible.

Basia Bulat's New Video "In the Night"

Basia Bulat has been getting a whole lot of attention lately, which is great. The London Free Press declared her the local performer of the year, CHRW (Radio Western) awarded her local album of the year, AND most importantly, she was #14 on my best of 2007 list!

She has a new video, embedded above. Its reminiscent of Bat for Lashes "What's A Girl to Do?", because, really, who doesn't love people in creepy animal costumes walking around in the dark?

Best Albums 2007

20. Handsome Furs Plague Park

The other half of Wolf Parade (Sunset Rubdown) has got a lot of attention, but I much prefer the electronic-infused music of the other half (Handsome Furs). The HFs come a little closer to the Wolf Parade sound, and that's a good thing.




19. The Acorn Hope Glory Mountain

After seeing The Acorn cheer on Ohbjiou at the London Live Arts Festival (LOLA), encouraging the crowd to "Get their 'O's up" ('O' is for Ohbijou). I thought the guys in the Acorn seemed like pretty fun dudes. Their album, a tribute to lead singer Rolf Klausner's mother, is a little more experimental (read Latin American influenced) than their previous two EPs, Tin Fist and Blankets.




18. Brother Ali The Undisputed Truth

Brother Ali is probably my favourite rapper (albino or otherwise), and I had been waiting for a new album since .... the last one. Sometime in between releasing the Champion EP, and the releast of tUT, Ali split with his wife which had an obvious impact on his work, see 'Walking Away'. Tracks like this, represent the softer, but not best side of Ali, who is strongest when he is confident and telling us the way the world should be. For his best work see Shadows on the Sun [2003] , or Champion EP [2004].



17. Mark Ronson Version

In the aptly titled Version, Ronson, producer for Lily Allen gives his take on a number pop songs 'God Put A Smile on Your Face' Coldplay; 'Toxic' Britney Spears. Amy Winehouse on 'Valarie' is the highlight of the album, and an outstanding, outstanding, song.






16. Iron & Wine The Shepard's Dog

All of Iron & Wine's previous stuff (that I'd heard at least) was really, really, really, slow. This album is certainly more upbeat, and as a result it possible to listen to when you are not horribly depressed, or trying to fall asleep.




15. Voxtrot Voxtrot

I managed to ignore Voxtrot for a while, despite hearing good things, but since seeing them on Spinner.com's 'Interface' their catchy, poppy, rock songs really grew on me. It also encouraged me to find out what 'kid gloves' are...




14. Basia Bulat Oh, My Darling

The world would be a better place if the female vocalists Canada exported sounded more like Basia Bulat, and less like, say, Celine Dion or Shania Twain. A great album, and, I've said it before, but a good one that Mom and Dad might enjoy also... so you can avoid hearing 'A Very Shania Christmas' this year.





13. Beirut The Flying Club Cup

I was a big fan of last years 'death march through the Balkans' aka. The Gulag Orkestar, and thankfully this year's trip through France is less depressing. In my first post on this site, I recommended the videos that Zach Condon put out just before releasing the album. If they don't hook you on the album, you might be dead. You might also just be weirded out.



12. Miracle Fortress Five Roses

It's hard to believe that I'm ranking this as the third best album out of Montreal this year. Five Roses sounds to me like an interesting combination of the Beach Boys (very appropriate since there is a song called 'Beach Baby'), with a dash of singer-songwriter and a hint of electronic keyboard. This album would probably be about 7 or 8 spots higher if Panda Bear's Person Pitch hadn't filled my quota of atmospheric, loopy albums that were clearly influenced by the Beach Boys.



11. David Vandervelde The Moonstation House Band

I wrote about Vandervelde a couple of weeks ago here.








10. Amy Winehouse Back to Black

She may not be someone you'd want to come within, say 100 feet of (for fear of catching some type of disease), but she sure as hell can sing.








9. The Arcade Fire Neon Bible

With so much to hype/expecations to live up to it was inevitable that this wasn't going to do it for everyone. Including me. Still, in my opinion, they are the best band of the 00s.






8. Ohbijou Swift Feet for Troubling Times

Ohbijou (Toronto, On) definitely deserves more attention than they've been getting from Canadian blogs, and hopefully with a new album and some touring in the new year more people will be exposed to their music. I managed to catch them twice, or maybe three times, this year and every time they captivated everyone watching. I would expect them to be a breakout band in 2008. Great for fans of Stars, Feist, any female singer-songwriter, softer stuff by BSS.


7. Great Lake Swimmers Ongiara

Hopefully, opening for Feist on her last North American tour gave Tony Dekker a little more exposure for what is a more polished, upbeat, singer-songwriter album than the previous two GLS albums.







6. Feist The Reminder

Not much else to say that hasn't been said about this album, except to link again to Feist playing 'I Feel It All' on the city bus.









5. Jens Lekman Night Falls Over Kortedala

I think quirky, is best way to describe his songs, but he is a great storyteller and an outstanding composer of the Ben Foldsian variety; although with the use of a wide variety of samples Lekman is able to cover a lot more sonic territory than traditional singer-songwriters. My favourite track has got to be "A Post Card to Nina", a song about Jens pretending to be his friends' boyfriend, so she could continue to date her girlfriend. Welcome to the world of Jens.



4. The National Boxer

I had never listened to the National before this year, and hearing Boxer has made me go back through their entire discography. La Blogotheque's , always fantastic 'Take Away Shows', really display how interesting/poetic/cool the songs from this album are. The National's show here.






3. Panda Bear Person Pitch

To be short, this album will not be for everyone. I'd describe Panada Bear (Noah Lennox of the Animal Collective) as a terrific combination of the Beach Boys and Air (who did the outstanding soundtrack for the Virgin Suicides). The album is quite a departure from his first solo work, Young Prayer, after the death of his father. PP was written in Portugal, after the birth of his first child, and is decidedly more positive, upbeat, almost inspiring. This was Pitchfork's number 1 album, for good reason, and on a different day this would probably be my number one.



2. The Besnard Lakes ... Are The Dark Horse

For anyone who has been following along, its been pretty apparent that I'm really, really, into this album. I described them before as a combination of Led Zepplin and the Beach Boys, which on the face of it, sounds akward, but it works for them. Unfortunately, since we live in such an image driven world, I think people that look like this, may never be famous rock stars.




1. Kanye West Graduation

I'll admit, there are a couple of weak spots on Graduation, but the track 'Barry Bonds' notwithstanding, this might be my favourite hip-hop album of all time. Kanye has always been an outstanding producer, and I think this album he doesn't let his rapping get in the way, too much.






Meetings with Castro and Cuervo next week, back on the 4th of Jan.