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Saturday, November 08, 2008
Lindy's High Notes: The Dears
The Dears - Missiles (Dangerbird Records)
I instantly dove into this triumphant new album from a Montreal-based band that I've followed for a decade. Missiles is gorgeous, thoughtful and full of expression. Murray Lightburn gives one of the coolest vocal performances in Canadian music. The poetic lyrics are significant and meaningful and should be listened to closely on headphones or speakers at top volume.
My favourite track is Meltdown In A Major, a perfect song to keep you from coming apart. Featured in Crisis 1 2 and complimentary throughout is the lovely singing of Natalia Yanhack. Lights Off has a classic guitar solo you never hear anymore, and has vocal moments like Beach Boys, Beatles and Nat King Cole. It also sounds like these songs were written during the darkest hours of the night. From beginning to end this album is as true as the north star and as solid as moonlight on the Canadian Shield.
Their tour for this new album is bound to be unforgettable. Don't miss a chance to see them play these new songs live.
Here are their upcoming tour dates across Western Canada.
December 13th - Toronto, ON, Canada @ Sound Academy
December 15th - Winnipeg, MB, Canada @ Burton Cummings Theatre
December 16th - Saskatoon, SK, Canada @ Sask Prairieland Park
December 17th - Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Shaw Conference Centre
December 19th - Calgary, AB, Canada @ MacEwan Hall
December 21st - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Vogue Theatre
December 22nd - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Vogue Theatre
MySpace: The Dears
You can buy the album in stores, on iTunes from their website www.thedears.org, or by following the Amazon link below:
[ed.: Lindy Vopnfjord is the front man for the Toronto indie rock band Major Maker. He is also known for his solo acoustic folk music, simply as Lindy. To hear Major Maker's music go to the Major Maker website, the Major Maker myspace page, Lindy's website, or his myspace page.]
Posted by Lindy Vopnfjord on November 8, 2008 in Canadian music | Permalink
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Comments
commenter review ...
I always find these Jungian style symbolic music videos boring and goofy. If one is trying get 'the message' they will only be confused or misinformed. This video said nothing.
I also noted that the music bed, consisting of a couple of simple cords and an equally simple melody that sounded like sooooo many others, was NOT much music (pun intended).
Coincidentally, I saw another Montreal artist last night at the River Rock Casino in Richmond BC. Gino Vanelli looking about 30 years old fit and healthy performed many of his intricate jazz funk oriented songs from the 70s that actually had meaning. He also performed some newer material and one memorable Italian opera piece with piano accompaniment only that sent chills throughout the 1000 seat full house theater.
The band backing him were obviously a bunch of prodigious young Jazz/funk artists who could all be stars in their own right.
That is entertainment and we haven't seen anything much of that quality since the the very 70s.
The message from Gino was live your live, love and be happy. No garbage dumps, filth and violence were needed or wanted. Everyone smiled all evening and went home happy.
I feel sorry for young people today, their music is basically shit by comparison. Depressing and miserable.
Sorry to be so cruel, but I have been a musician and optimist all my life and I know the difference.
Posted by: John V | 2008-11-08 7:32:38 PM
The intro sounds a lot like 5440's "one day in your life". The video was a ripoff of one by "The Verve". The vocals were boring as hell.
Gino Vanelli? He's gotta be 70. My sons went to an "April Wine" concert on Saturday night. I couldn't make it, but they said it was TOO LOUD. Kids nowadays have wimpy ears. I heard that Jerry Mercer is 69. I (barely) remember him doing a drum solo with strobe lights in 1972.
Posted by: dp | 2008-11-08 7:51:13 PM
Great stuff - like this indie music feature.
Keep it coming.
Posted by: Craig | 2008-11-09 1:55:43 AM
Gino is 57 years old, but he looks 30. His big voice has not deteriorated at all. The band was loud.
Posted by: John V | 2008-11-09 10:53:59 AM
Craig: I look forward to these as well. There's something special about the Canadian Indy music scene, but I'm not as wired-in as Lindy is.
Some of the best new music is coming out of Canada. The Arcade Fire and Tegan & Sara, to name two that just popped into my head. Not to mention Lindy himself, and Major Maker.
Having Lindy post these is a point of pride for me. I doubt people will like all of the bands Lindy highlights, but a few will knock your socks off. I'm sure of it.
Posted by: P.M. Jaworski | 2008-11-09 1:06:52 PM
I heard Lindy and Major Maker play in Calgary. It was nothing short of amazing. What a thrill to have him blog for us. He's a first rate talent.
Posted by: Matthew Johnston | 2008-11-09 1:10:25 PM
I am going to try and make one of their Vancouver shows.
Posted by: Michael Cust | 2008-11-09 1:27:52 PM
I got my tickets!
Posted by: Michael Cust | 2008-11-09 1:41:48 PM
I agree re the Canadian indie scene. Although desperately unhip, I did buy the Dears' first album right after it came out.
Good call getting some music on the site.
Posted by: Craig | 2008-11-10 12:30:08 AM
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