Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

Anticipation is kind of a dangerous thing, wouldn't you agree?  When having such high hopes for something in particular, in your head you can only foresee two things happening:

1) Everything goes horribly wrong.  All your nightmares come true and all you want to do is run back home, crawl into fetal position and pretend your somewhere in Ecuador...or

2) All positive thoughts come to fruition and everything you wanted to go right, goes right!

Then you get these seldom once in a lifetime experiences where anticipation becomes an after thought.  Where only the conclusion occupies your mind because you don't want it to end.

I had the privilege to meet all five band members of Lord Huron, and I couldn't help but be taken aback at how humble and genuine these folks were.  I waited a mere year for their album to release, but they gave me an experience worth waiting a lifetime. 

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Lord huron has such a peculiar sound to them, in which you can't quite place your finger on.  Their afro-cuban, Western, Alternative rock flair can't be compared with anyone, or anything else I've heard, which is why I took such a great interest in them.  Right from the get go you can hear how synchronized and unique their instruments are played; the guitar riff in "She Lit a fire", the multi-layer percussions in "The Man Who Lives Forever", the delayed bass in "Lonesome Dreams".  Yet the one thing that stands out the most is the lyrics.  

I read a review on Lord Huron prior to Lonesome Dreams where the writer stated: "great bands create songs, but great lyricists create stories".  Ben Schneider (lead singer and founder of Lord Huron) is an amazing story teller, creating themes and rhythms that are extremely difficult to mimic.  The music and the stories he writes come together in such a way that you can't help but be engulfed in the atmosphere he creates.  Here are some of my favourites. 

"She Lit A Fire" - I spent countless hours trying to perfect this guitar riff that my fingers grew calluses over their calluses; totally worth it.  What impressed me the most is how this song is constructed. Each instrument has its own characteristic where one doesn't out shine the other.  It's a perfect blend of lyrical and instrumental ingenuity.  

- "I have been trying to find her

Want to give what I got
She lit a fire but now 

she's in my every thought"

"Ghost on the Shore" - The first time I heard this song, I pictured myself sitting on a rock in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a reason to leave but never finding one.  If you listen to the lyrics, it's funny how it resembles just that.  

- "Die if I must let my bones turn to dust

I'm the lord of the lake and I don't want to leave yet
All who sail off the coast ever more
Will remember the tale of the ghost on the shore"

"The Stranger" - The Stranger is by far my favourite Lord Huron track so far.  It is extremely uplifting, yet deeply meaningful at the same time.  I always find something different when I listen to this song, it's difficult to describe but nonetheless it's a beautiful song.  If you haven't already, I highly recommend listening to The Stranger.

- "All words of comfort can not take away my doubt

I've decided if it kills me I'll find out what you're about"

Once everything is said and done, you feel a little silly how anxious you were at the beginning.  How your heart races and your brows dampen just from the thought, but thats the beauty of anticipation.  We live for that.  We live for the thrill, for the feeling that only you in the entire world is experiencing this moment.  It's a great feeling and I really hope it happens again...I'll just have to wait. 

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

5/5

Recommend Songs:

She Lit A Fire

Lonesome Dreams

The Man Who Lives Forever

Ghost on the Shore

Brother

Favorite lyric: "I said life without end wouldn't have any meaning / The journey to death is the point of our being /Well the point of my life is to be with you babe / But there ain't enough time in the life that they gave me" - Man Who Lives Forever

Mumford and Sons - Babel

I've been entranced with the boys from Mumford and Sons since their inauguration to the indie music scene with "Sigh No More".  Many were weary at first with their folk like sound and melodramatic melodies, but with Marcus Mumford's charming personality, backed with a group of multi-talented musicians, Mumford and Sons took the hearts of millions around the world in the span of one year.

My girlfriend and I had the privilege to watch these four fellows take the stage at a sold out Air Canada Centre. I couldn't help but be proud of a band who exemplified the prowess of hard work and determination.  I also couldn't help but be proud of my city whom excepted and acknowledged the music these men have created.  Sigh No More was a classic, how they faired on their sophomore album is about to be determined.
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To my surprise, every critic review I read upon the release of Babel were all negative.  They ranked the album subpar or merely decent compared to their predecessor.  But here's the thing, none of these reviews took into consideration when, where, and why this album was created.  

Mumford and sons were a traveling folk band playing in venues such as The Horseshoe Tavern, now they have the #1 album in the world...in the WORLD!  Sticking together as a band and keeping a humble heart with so much success in such a short period of time is quite impressive in itself.  Now keep that in mind and realize that they recorded the entire album while on tour.  If that's not enough, you don't think Mumford understands the pressure they are under after Sigh No More?  They put this upon themselves, but as an aspiring artist, it's a problem I would love to have.

Ok, enough of my two cents, here is a review of a few tracks from Babel

"I Will Wait" - Their first single, and by far their best song on the album.  With its thumping bass drum and banjo plucking we've all come to love, "I Will Wait" grasps you with its first strum till its final kick drum.  Its first chorus slows down the melody dramatically, but it mimics the lyrics of having to wait for whats yet to come, and believe me it's worth the wait. 

"Lovers of the Lights" - Lucky for me they played this track during their performance at the ACC back in October.  Listen to the melody when Marcus Mumford sings "watch me stumble, over and over".  This little melody comes up periodically and I can't help but think of Dave Matthews Band when I hear it.  It must be the drum kit in the background that allude to Carter Beauford.

"Below My Feet" -  The lyrics "keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn" still haunt me today.  A play on words that Marcus Mumford is quite known for, his lyrical talent has driven and will continue to drive this band to even greater heights.  This song is the one I am most excited and looking forward to witnessing live.  Might I remind you that Marcus sings, plays guitar, kicks the bass drum and tambourine all at once?  I Know....Mind Blown!

Rating: 4 / 5

Recommended songs:

I Will Wait

Lovers of the Light

Below My feet

Lover's eyes

Broken Crown

Stars - The North

I love Canadian music, there is so much emotion and talent that others take for granted. That being said, I do admit there is a lot of Canadian music that may sound the same and have the same themes and rhythms, but to me, I couldn't ask for anything less.  Each time I listen to a Canadian artist, whither it be the Arkells, Feist, Brocken Social Scene, Toyko Police Club, Arcade Fire, Rush, or even Shad, each one of these artist mimic what it means to be Canadian through their music.  What it means to be Canadian can be debated, but all I know when I think canadian music: euphoric.
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I get such a rush every time I listen to Stars.  Every album they release, there are at least 4-5 different tracks that give me goosebumps; it's like they have a nack of sharing...freedom.  Their latest instalment "The North", i'm proud to say, never let up with those goosebumps.  The entire album hits a different spot with the same feeling; such a rush.
Their first single off the record, "Hold On When you Get Love and Let Go When You Give It", is not generic by any means.  For one, the title is ridiculous and their lyrics are all around the map.  But for front man Torquil Campbell, and front lady Amy Millan, ridiculous is usually whats hit's the spot.  I couldn't agree more.  I couldn't help but sing "take the weakest thing in you, and beat the bastards with it", in the car, at the gym, in my sleep.
"The North" was the next song that caught my attention.  Listen to the chorus during a long walk and don't tell me you didn't fall into deep thought.  Such a subtle, yet strong chorus, definitely worth the same title as the album.
Finally, "Through the Mines" has Arcade Fire written all over it.  Amy Millan and Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, are two of the most talented, Canadian, and under rated female singers in Canadian music today.  So poise yet so strong, "Through the Mines" simply brings you to another world.

I did not grow up listening to Canadian music when I was younger.  My sister was the one who usually chose the music in the house, in which I learned the acronym for R&B at a very young age.  But I haven't been more proud to say that the music that my country produces can easily contend with the best.  Rock on Canada!

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended Songs:
Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It
The North
Through The Mines
Backlines
A Song Is a Weapon

Mystery Jets - Radlands

There are a few things I've learnt in my post grad era.  One, you have to learn how to take advice.  Two, patience is nothing short then a gift.  And three, ambition should never be feared from, but admired.  To many times have I been afraid to do what I want because I thought my dreams were too big.  Then I realized that dreaming small is the largest step to falling short.  I've always admired people who have large admiration, that believing you are the best at what you do is never by chance.

I recently watched a show at the Sound Academy in Toronto, excited to be part of a three thousand plus crowd singing and dancing uniformly.  But before the headline band could blow us all away with their strobe lights and dashing good looks, the opening band was well prepared to set us up for a knock out show. So much so that their music was stuck in my head the whole night, even throughout the headline's setlist (the headliner being Keane; and I love Keane).  On the off chance of shuffling through their music once or twice, Mystery Jets was just another band on my playlist that I had no real diligence to listen too; but I think that was the beauty of it.  It was the first time I payed close attention to their music, how they constructed their songs, how united they were as a band, and how determined they were to give the best show they could possibly give.
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Mystery Jets - Radlands

 

Their first song "Someone Purer" taught me a valuable lesson, if you are not aiming to grab their attention at first strike, good luck trying the rest of the night.  Lucky for me, this song grabbed my attention and latched on until I started to sing those oh's in ah's in the chorus; mind you this was the first time hearing it.  This is everything you would want in an opener, catchy, melodic, enthusiastic, and that guitar riff just sneaks up on you at the right moment........perfect!
"The Ballad of Emmerson Lonestar" was another track that stood out to me, but in a different way.  Since meeting my girlfriend, I've taught her how to listen to the different instruments individually.  In turn, she taught me how to listen to the lyrics as an instrument.
"Just a lone star in the sky/treading the night/cutting loose the mess you left/taking flight/from coast to coast you move like a ghost/trying to break the past/so follow the rope to wherever it goes/and strike up another chance".  I also couldn't forget "The Hale Bop".  This one's like a 21st century Ghostbusters!

Mystery Jets understanding for music was what excited me the most while watching them live.  Their camaraderie on stage, their attention to detail, their unity as a band, you could just tell that they didn't get here by chance.  Believing in what you do already sets yourself a part from the rest.  Funny what music can teach you some times.

Mystery Jets - Radlands
3/5
Recommended Songs:
Someone Purer
The Ballad of Emmerson Lonestar
The Hale Bop
Sister Evert
Radlands

@jayleung20