Track-Fu

Lazy Sunday evening watching bad reality TV and listening to some songs for Track Fu. It's a solid list on the whole.

1. Jewelry Rat - Thrill Me Now

Jewelry Rat sound like they could have been putting this song together in a basement thirty years ago. It's got a nice melodic sense, but sounds raw enough that it doesn't get generic.

JEWELRY RAT record release, Tropics, Terror Lake @ Sneaky Dee's, $5 ($10 w/ vinyl) Friday April 11th

2. That's the Spirit - Made Up My Mind

This track by That's The Spirit sounds like a campfire song, all strummy guitar and vocals that almost sound sung to himself until the rest of the circle quietly joins in on the chorus. It kind of reminds me of those older Hayden songs that I really like, which is not a bad thing.

TWM presents: Animal Clinic, The Coast Guard, That's the Spirit, Karma Controllers @ Rancho Relaxo, $6 Friday April 11th

3. Brass - Autumn Hex Signs

This is a lot of drama, I think. Brass' singer's voice is dramatic, the lyrics are dramatic, the instruments are dramatic. Maybe I am just getting old, but it's a bit too much for me.

4. The DoDos - Jodi

The DoDos have their genre on MySpace listed as "Happy Hardcore", which terrified me. I had a raver friend, and she was (still is) very nice, but oh, the happy hardcore music tested my limits. Fortunately, the DoDos sound pretty cool and this song is not a Brian Adams cover sped up with chipmunk vocals. It's got a slightly halting melody that really comes alive on the chorus, and I can see why Pitchfork is pushing them right now.

THE DODOS, Key Witness @ El Mocambo, $8, Weds April 9th

5. Entire Cities - Dancing With My Brother

Entire Cities finally have a CD! Their live show is established as great, so at least they're starting several rungs up the ladder. Fortunately, they've managed to capture that energy on this song. You really need to go to a show to get the full effect -- as it should be with all good bands -- but the recorded version of this track does them justice too, and that's nice to hear.

6. Sweet Thing - Change of Seasons

This song by local outfit Sweet Thing won me over pretty quickly, with the charming opening vocals, but it stayed engaging all the way through. The vocals make me think a bit of Born Ruffians, but this local outfit has a richer sound with piano and urgent guitar. Just a really catchy, well put-together song that hooks you pretty much from the get-go.

7. Man Man - Mister Jung Stuffed

Well, this is kind of a strange song by Man Man. It's got a melody, then gruff vocals that remind me a bit of Tom Waits, and all kinds of instrumental stuff going on, and slightly creepy backing vocals -- and then it's all just done. All the little bits are engaging at different points in the song though; I just think it would take several listens to really process.

8. The Torcus - In My Head

The Torcus just have a demo, so I shouldn't judge the recording quality too harshly, but it's kind of a mess. The vocals are too high or something. I sort of feel like the instrumentals are a bit messy, like they're not really on with each other, and the guitar solo seems mostly unnecessary. There's a decent melody in the song though, and enough energy that they'd probably be worth seeing live; it might do them more justice than a demo recording can.

THE TORCUS @ Horseshoe, $5, Mon Apr 7

Winner

Sweet Thing's song was my favourite of a few great local tracks on this week's list.

Loser

Brass have a cool name, but this is just too overwrought.

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