More IME Too?

First it was Big Wreck coming out with a great new song and album, and now I just found today that I Mother Earth has also regrouped and released a new song, "We Got The Love". I'm listening to it for the first time on the band's website as I type this. I'm loving what I'm hearing. Also, my self of 10 years ago is loving this resurgence of some of my favourite band.

New Music from Big Wreck!

One of my favourite bands, Big Wreck, has gotten back to making new music. I had heard about it this summer, when Ian Thornley was featured in the LCBO magazine for some reason, but it had slipped my mind until I caught their new song "Albatross" on satellite radio a few days ago. I gave it a few listens when I got home and I absolutely love it! I bought the single off of iTunes and added it to my BBM Music profile. Apparently, the new album will be out in the new year and I'm really looking forward to it now.

Not that we've been completely without the Big Wreck style of music since they disbanded in 2002, since Thornley's new band Thornley carried on with a similar sound over their 2 albums, but getting back to the old name with the addition of the Big Wreck guitarist is a nice touch. Side note: I read that the Big Wreck guitarist, Brian Doherty, has been living and teaching guitar in Camlachie. That was kinda cool to find out.

Anyway, add me to your BBM Music friend list to check out the song. Or just go buy it. I'm really happy with the sound of the song... big sweeping guitar melodies that is a signature of the Big Wreck/Thornley sound.

Barenaked Ladies Concert

I went to see Barenaked Ladies last night at Centre in the Square. I was really eager to catch them live since they became a 4 piece band. They certainly did not disappoint. Of course they played a bunch of stuff from their new album (which is pretty good), but there was a solid amount of their hits. I think my surprise favourite of the night was "Sound of Your Voice". The only song I had really hoped that they would play, but didn't, was "For You".

Of course, one of the things going into the concert was how were they going to be without Steven Page. Honestly, I can say except for one or two times during the concert, I didn't even really notice that something was missing... which I suppose means that there isn't. The only time I really noticed it was during "If I Had $1000000". Speaking of $1000000, someone actually threw Kraft Dinner on stage during the song. Really, guy? Really? I thought they got people to stop that like 10 years ago.

The crowd was a bit weird though. About a third teenagers, a third late 20's/early 30's, and a third seniors (for some reason). That, plus being in Centre in the Square, made the band work really hard to get people up out of their chairs during their songs... but they eventually succeeded. And kudos to them for doing it creatively (an impromtu rap which included the chorus of "get off your ass!"), instead of how I saw the Tea Party do it one time (they just simply said, "Stand up, this is a f*cking rock concert").

So, anyway, that was the third time I've seen them in concert. The first being at the Palace of Auburn Hills and the second at Bayfest. 3 very different venues. I'll see them again for sure.

Concertopia

Well, I found the NyQuil (actually it was the NeoCitran version of NyQuil) and I finally fell asleep at around 3:30. And as I thought, I was pretty much useless today.

Last night I went with Dan and Faith to a worship music concert. Afterwards, we got the offending Slurpee. But as it was in perfect condition, staying awake was totally worth it.

Speaking of concerts, I went to see Great Big Sea the other week in London with Spirit of the West opening for them. I had forgotten how much fun GBS concerts are and I liked their newer songs, even though I haven't heard them since I haven't bought their new albums in the last few years. So, that was a pleasant surprise. But even as good was seeing Spirit of the West. Now, all I really know is their album "Save This House" on which "Home For A Rest" is on, so I was happy when I really enjoyed all of these songs I didn't know. Last year they released a 2 disc Best Of album... I think I might have to pick it up.

Tonight is Monday and you know what that means... Grocery shopping.

BNL Musings

I suppose most have heard the news this week that Steven Page is leaving the Barenaked Ladies. As they've been my favourite band for a long time, I have some mixed feelings about this. Firstly, I'm sad that they're losing a member, but at the same time I'm happy that they're going to continue as a band and I'm really curious how the band will work as a foursome (or with a replacement, whatever the case may be). I'll be looking to catch their show as soon as they start touring again.

The New Hockey Night In Canada Theme Song

That's my brother's kick at the HNIC song contest. Go to the song's page to give it a high rating and nice comment to give it a better chance of becoming a finalist.

It's All Making Sense Now

Have you ever had the experience of finally understanding what the correct lyric to a song is, even though you've been listening to that song for years. I had a revelation tonight from the song "Blame It On Me" by the Barenaked Ladies. I know, I know, I should be ashamed of myself for not knowing all the lyrics to my favourite album of my favourite band, but anyway... "Milli Vanilli told you to blame it on the rain, but if you blame it on the rain tell me what can be gained?"

I don't even know why "tell me what can begin" even made sense to me. Because it doesn't.

Co-op Student Pays Off!

This just in... it pays to have a co-op student at work. Today she earned her entire term's worth of pay in one day. Because today she informed me that there is now Karaoke on Rogers On Demand. Holy crap, that just made my day forever.

Baby, baby, it looks like it gonna hail...

Always Good Advice

A friendly reminder to hold your applause until the end of the symphony, not at the end of each movement. Nothing horrible will happen if you clap at the inappropriate time, and usually the conductor will be nice and acknowledge the applause, but generally, it's best to enjoy the piece as a whole. Don't feel you must clap because there is silence.

The Yellow Tape

Last week, I finally bought myself of the Barenaked Ladies' pre-"Gordon" indie tape, known as the Yellow Tape. I got it for $16 on eBay, which, thanks to the flying-high Canadian Dollar, only cost me $16. It includes pre-"Gordon" versions of "Be My Yoko Ono", "Brian Wilson", "Blame It On Me", and "If I Had $1000000". Also, there's a cover of Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" for some reason.

The only drawback is that I had to get out and hook up my old stereo to be able to listen to it, since it's the only tape-deck I have. Now I just have to find some way of getting it on my computer. It seems my current computer only has mono sound input (ie. a microphone jack) and no stereo input (line-in). Anyway, those problems are small potatoes compared to the sheer awesomeness of this tape.

Muse-ings

Last night I received an early birthday present from Kyler. He took me to see Muse in concert in Mississauga. Now I can't say I knew much of them before the show, except that I was listening to the songs on the player on their website all day long beforehand. Anyway, they put on a really kick-ass show. I think they made a new fan. Thanks Kyler!

The Wørd: Orchestra

It was an orchestral weekend for me. On Friday night, I went to Detroit with my mom, my dad, and Kiersten to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Palace of Auburn Hills. For those who have no idea who they are or what they sound like, I usually describe them as a "Rock Orchestra". It seems to fit. My Dad, on the other hand, described them as "Heavy Metal and Rap". So, either will work. Anyway, the music was great, and the accompanying light show was awesome. The only drawback was the I had a giant beer right beforehand, and had to pee really bad right from the start. Sure, I tried to nip that in the bud by going to the bathroom five minutes before the show started, but the liquid just haden't worked it's way down yet. I would have gone during the "intermission" an hour and a half into it (which actually was when the lead guitarist spoke to the audience and introduced the band, so it wasn't really an intermission), but I mistook it for the end of the show and I didn't go at that time thinking the show would get out while I was in the bathroom and I'd have to fight my way back to get my coat, etc. Anyway, after the talk, there was another hour and a half of music. So despite the great show... it was kinda uncomfortable.

But then I came back to Waterloo on Saturday as I had tickets to go see the KW Symphony with Josh and Jessica. It was thier annual Christmas Pops concert. They played such hits as The Nutcracker, Carol of the Bells, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, and of course Sleigh Ride. Also, there was a singalong portion. So, good fun.

And then today, I officially kicked off my Christmas shopping for the year. Hmmm... early start this year.

Youth - A CD Review

Ok, so I haven't had much to post about lately, and it's shown in the dropoff in hits here lately. So, I'm in a frenzy as to not lose my web-popularity, here's a CD review.

I picked up Collective Soul's latest CD, entitled "Youth" about a week ago. First, a little background. Collective Soul.... one of my favourite bands. I have all their CD's and been to two concerts. Now, their last CD was released about four years ago, and since that time they left their label and went the independent route with their own label. But anyway, it had been a while since they released anything new, so to say i eagerly awaited this CD was an understatement.

Anyway, you may have heard their single "Counting the Days" on the radio. It's definately one of the more rock-like tracks on the CD. I like the song. It doesn't grab me like some of their earlier hits, but still decent enough. Putting the CD in for the first time, you'll hear the opening track, "Better Now". At first I hear it, and though "ugh... not really diggin' this". But I find that for me to like something I have to listen a few times, and lo and behold, after a few times, I discovered that I really liked the richness of the chorus of that song. So, now I, in fact, am diggin' it.

To keep it short, I'll jump to the song that I really, really liked right off the bat. And that is the fifth track, "Him". It's short (only 2:38), which is too bad, because I could have really used more of this song. It's a little more mellow and simplistic and somthing about it just strikes a chord with me. Another song I like is "Under Heaven's Skies".

All in all, I'm happy with my purchase. It's not the best album of theirs (in my opinion, that's "Dosage"), but it's far from being a bad album. I read a review of this album somewhere on the internet that discribed it as "A Collective Soul album for people who don't like Collective Soul", while saying it was one of their best (I think it was on allmusic.com). That weird because I definately like Collective Soul, and this album.

Won't you join our Tea Party?

Ok, so I went to the Tea Party concert last night in Hamilton with my friends Jill and Jay (Jill also being a co-worker of mine). I gotta say that they put on an awesome show, but then again I really like thier music. I have thier new CD, and I think it is good. I saw them once before in Sarnia a couple summers ago, but this was different as they were playing in an actual theatre, which was good for the presentation and sound. Plus it really eliminated the drunken rednecks who went to the one in Sarnia just because it was also Ribfest. Although, I do like ribs....

On another note, go check out Man vs. Basement: Part II -- basement fights back, man calls for backup on Dan's blog. Amazingly enough, I contributed to the construction of a not-so-bad looking piece of practical furniture. Amazing!