Label: Paper Bag Records
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cfcf

CFCF first captured the music scene’s attention with remixes of the Teenagers, HEALTH, the Presets, and by winning a Crystal Castles’ “Air War” remix competition. The Montreal based DJ-producer’s debut full length album, Continent, is sure to create some noise within the electronic music scene, with his varying styles from track to track definitely keeping our listening interesting. This varied and upbeat style in his music and DJing comes from the influence of 1980s Italo-disco, the same genre of music that eventually brought along much of our mainstream Eurobeat and Electro. Let us not forget that Italy is also the same wonderful land that offered us the frozen treat known as gelato.

Since his January 2008 EP, Panesian Nights, CFCF has moved away from his strict, yet interesting, blend of synth sounds into a larger sphere of sounds, notably with various guitar and drum samplings. CFCF’s upcoming album Continent combines his usual, yet nonetheless amazing, synthesizer playing in “Half Dreaming” with vocal samplings in “Big Love” and “Come Closer” to create an album for any taste bud. (Just like gelato!)

As published in the October 2009 issue of Beatroute Magazine

Label: Domino
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyprojectors

A pretty typical indie/experimental album. This album doesn’t really leave too much of an impression on me; very basic rhythms and technique, nothing too exciting.
Each track seems to simply build on another, the only track that stood out was “Useful Chamber”. This track had some more interesting rhythms and used more instruments and sounds than simply a guitar and drums.
However, I don’t have too much to say about this album. An average indie rock album, with below average self-proclaimed experimentalism. Overall, a decent album, but nothing I would go out of my way to purchase or listen to.

Label: Arts & Crafts
Website: http://www.arts-crafts.ca/themostserenerepublic/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/themostserenerepublic
Purchase Album: Release Date July 14 2009

I was just able to get my hands on an advance copy of this seven piece group’s most recent work, “…And The Ever Expanding Universe”, to be released on the Arts & Crafts label this coming July.

This seven piece orchestra creates some of the most outstanding music, using some old classical techniques and some new 21st century beats, it is definitely a pleasure to listen to.

The first track I gave a moment to was “Patternicity”. After first listen of this track it gave me the feeling that this was a classical album of sorts, but I had my doubts, it being on the Arts & Crafts label. Moving further into the album, evidence of this bands amazing talent is exposed. “Don’t Hold Back, Feel A Little Longer” gave quite a contrast to “Patternicity”; still using classical instruments, such as the violin, the addition of a drum machine and other electronic instruments definitely gives the album a new feel.

All in all, this album is a highly recommended purchase. Yet another great group of artists off the reputed Arts & Crafts label.

Download “Heavens to Purgatory”, a free track off this upcoming album, from Arts & Crafts. The full album is to be released on July 14, 2009.

British group, Late of the Pier’s debut album, Black Fantasy Channel is fantastic. Their album has a nice blend of electronics and technical skill. Their instrumental track “V W” really adds to their first full length LP, this one track I can listen to forever, it is quite amazing that this much noi-… excuse me, music, can come from four band members.

The track “The Bears are Coming” has a very unique sound, the blend of electronic tones and acoustic drums really makes a great combination. Their music video for this track is really quite wonderful as well.

The last couple tracks on this album bothered me, “Mad Dogs And Englishmen” and “Bathroom Gurgle”. “Mad Dogs And Englishmen” had an intro that was way too similar to that of Bloc Party, the first time I heard it I thought my iTunes went wacko and started playing a Bloc Party track, but all in all a pretty decent track.
“Bathroom Gurgle” didn’t seem to have anything going for it, it was either poorly produced, the singer had strep throat or they were attempting to cover a Kylie Minogue song.

All in all a great album and gets a rating of 4 out of 5 from me.

The group was recently featured on the September 13th 2008 issue of NME along with popular indie bands such as MGMT and Bloc Party.

Friendly Fires’ debut, self-titled album, is, well, for lack of a better word (and my effort to find one), friendly. The album flows smoothly through the listeners ears, each track contains some really creative rhythms, instrumentals and vocals. The track “On Board” is most likely the one that stands out the most on their album. It features some fairly creative vocals and interesting electronic instruments, and of course, the occasional cow bell.

Personally, I can’t seem to pick out a favorite track from this album, but I have to say “Lovesick” is in my top 3. This song probably features the most guitar originality and riffs out of the whole album.

All in all, a great album, a rating of 5 out of 5 from me because I can’t think of any excuse to give it anything lower.