Music Reviews

REVIEW: The Forest Seasons by Wintersun

July 18 2017 // Phil Aveline // Magazine // Music Reviews

It has been a long time since we last heard of Wintersun, with their last album Time 1 in 2012. We’ve been given a great outing this time around with The Forest Seasons, its heavy articulation with orchestrations making this album feel alive and like the beast that it is.

With the amount of teasers that Jari has posted on Facebook, we were all excited to finally hear new material from Wintersun. What we got was something out of the ordinary, a unique masterful album from the mind of Jari and what the guys had to offer us.

Vinyl Review: Double Album by the Memphis Jug Band

July 6 2017 // Alyosha Nowlin // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album: Double Album – 28 songs!

Artist: The Memphis Jug Band

Year: 1981 (2013 Re-issue)

Label: Yazoo

Tested On: Ortofon 2M Red – Luxman PD-282 – Luxman R-1050 – Dynaco A-25

REVIEW: Habits and Dreams by Still Flux

June 29 2017 // Jennifer Zipper // Magazine // Music Reviews

Set for a June 29th release, Still Flux’s sophomore album Habits and Dreams is a smart blend of acoustic indie and early 2000s rock.

Clocking in at just under 27 minutes, Habits and Dreams aims to capture listeners by exploring themes of darkness among almost joyful sounding instruments and a haunting synth beat. In doing so, the seven-track LP successfully breaks through genre barriers.

REVIEW: Tarot by Aether Realm

June 26 2017 // Phil Aveline // Magazine // Music Reviews

It has been a while since we last heard from Aether Realm since their debut album in 2013 Once Chosen by the Gods, and now the band has given a different approach and feel for this record alone and it is very good!

I had very wary expectations while diving into this record since it has been a few years since I heard their last record. No I'm not like Decapitron, where I almost got hurt in a thunderstorm (I hope you’re okay buddy). I was safe lying in my bed upon the end of my work day.

Review: True to Self by Bryson Tiller

June 10 2017 // Matthew Warner // Magazine // Music Reviews

After a fantastic debut with his breakthrough album TRAPSOUL in 2015, which managed to reach platinum status, Bryson Tiller released his long awaited follow-up  album True To Self. Although the R&B singer had initial plans of releasing the album in June, he gave an explanation as to why it the album was released a whole month early in an interview with Billboard. The artist stated, "I can't take the credit for that. It was just my manager, it was his plan [to] drop it a month early." The album's early release took many by surprise with its unexpected drop, but having had time to go on multiple tours, and to get feedback from fans as to what they liked and what they wanted, this album tries to satisfy everyone.

REVIEW - O Body by Po Lazarus

April 17 2017 // Sarah Boumedda // Magazine // Music Reviews

It’s being talked about everywhere at CJLO—our very own On Rotation rock band Po Lazarus is launching their brand new EP, O Body, on April 19, only months after the release of their debut album this past fall. Curious about the sound of the record? Wondering what to expect at the band’s live album launch, this Wednesday at the Quai des Brumes? I’ve got you covered—here’s a quick, simple, effective review of the EP (and why you should definitely check it out) by yours truly.

REVIEW & INTERVIEW - The Source by Ayreon

April 17 2017 // Phil Aveline // Magazine // Music Reviews

After long-awaited anticipation for the new Ayreon record The Source, I am happy to say that this new album brings in a lot to the table from previous Ayreon records and blends them all together.

Shifting from The Gentle Storm, the man behind Ayreon, Arjen Anthony Lucassen took a different approach with this record, going more sci-fi than romantic in genre. He knew that he had to make another exciting adventure.

Vinyl Review: Shake Shook Shaken by The Dø

March 30 2017 // Alyosha Nowlin // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album: Shake Shook Shaken

Artist: The Dø

Year: 2014

Label: Cinq 7

Tested On: Grado Black – Realistic Lab 400 – Luxman R-1050 – Dynaco A-25

Vinyl Review: Another Eternity by Purity Ring

March 22 2017 // Alyosha Nowlin // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album: Another Eternity

Artist: Purity Ring

Year: 2015

Label: Last Gang

Tested On: Grado Black – Realistic Lab 400 – Luxman R-1050 – Dynaco A-25

NEW RELEASE: Punk Shadows by Blood and Glass

March 21 2017 // Sarah Boumedda // Magazine // Music Reviews

There's just something about Montreal duo Blood and Glass' music—something eclectic and entrancing, something that flawlessly brings together a wide variety of sounds into one song. That sound is omnipresent, now more than ever, in the group's brand new album Punk Shadows that drops today.

Review: Ritual Master - Obscurus

March 19 2017 // Sean Zumbusch // Magazine // Music Reviews

It’s a rare occasion that I decide to review a recent album, but this year’s Metal March at CJLO has proven to be such a time. As such, I have decided to take a look at an EP released earlier this year by Montreal locals Ritual Master, entitled Obscurus. I’m a real sucker for metal albums that use Old English font on their covers, so this one piqued my interest from the get-go.

Review: The Real McKenzies - Two Devils Will Talk

March 11 2017 // Matthew Coyte // Magazine // Music Reviews

“F*** the Real McKenzies!”

Not many groups can simultaneously be as kickass and self-deprecating—all while maintaining such a sense of humour that feels lacking in today’s age of far-too-serious punk—as the Real McKenzies.

One of Canada’s most iconic punk bands returns with their next offering to their already impressive catalog. The Real McKenzies kicked off 2017 with the release of Two Devils Will Talk, an album that continues their trend of Atlantic-infused Celtic punk. From the moment the bagpipes start playing, Two Devils works to reaffirms the ongoing legend status of the group.

Vinyl Review - Mississippi Fred McDowell Vol. 2

March 9 2017 // Alyosha Nowlin // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album: Mississippi Fred McDowell Vol. 2

Artist: Fred McDowell

Year: 1966 (2016 re-issue)

Label: Arhoolie

Tested On: Grado Black – Realistic LAB 400 – Luxman R-1050 – Dynaco A-25

Vinyl Review - Intents and Purposes by The Bill Dixon Orchestra

March 2 2017 // Alyosha Nowlin // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album: Intents and Purposes: New Sounds for the Music of Tomorrow

Artist: The Bill Dixon Orchestra

Year: 1967 (2016 re-issue)

Label: Superior Viaduct

Strange Froots - Blossom This Froot for Thought EP Review

February 26 2017 // Rachelle Barrett // Magazine // Music Reviews

Montreal R&B outfit Strange Froots, composed of members Naïka Champaïgne (a.k.a. DragonFroot), Mags Mbow (a.k.a PassionFroot), and Sage Stewart-La Bonte (a.k.a StarFroot) have been making serious waves on the local music scene and beyond with their unique collaborative sound.

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