Rattlesnake Choir
Live Music
By Kerry Doole

This combo is the brainchild of John Borra, long one of Toronto’s busiest and most respected players. They formed two years ago to play a residency at a T.O. watering hole and this debut disc is a satisfying outing. Singer-songwriter Borra is joined by long-time sideman Sam Ferrara (the Ugly, Viletones, Screamin’ Sam), bassist Tony Benattar and violinist Miranda Mulholland, with some vocal and instrumental contributions from Treasa Levasseur. The sparse feel keeps the emphasis on Borra’s convincingly earthy vocals and songs, and the recording process (live to two-track and tape) adds to the warm and intimate ambience. Ferrara wrote the engaging “Caroline” and the Choir cover songs by local honky-tonk heroes Handsome Ned (the classic “I’ve Come To Get My Baby Out Of Jail”) and the Sadies (the instrumental “Lay Down Your Arms”). Such song selections show their heart is in the right place, and Borra’s own writing is equally strong. This is a disc worthy of exposure beyond the Toronto roots scene. (Cousin Jeb)
Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life
It must be hard living for an aspiring songwriter with a pedigree marked by the names “Townes” and “Earle.” It’s no wonder it took this Southern son time to realise it’s not his role to try to imitate these roots. After a misspent youth trying to find his voice in various bands, Earle rid himself of ...Read More
Waco Brothers - Waco Express
It’s actually a bit surprising that this is the first-ever live Waco Brothers album, given their reputation for shit-kicking, barnstorming gigs (as often proven at Toronto’s legendary Horseshoe Tavern). Its full title is Waco Express: Live & Kickin’ at Schuba’s Tavern, Chicago, the home town ...Read More
Carlene Carter - Stronger
Dawn Landes - Fireproof
Forest City Lovers - Haunting Moon Sinking
Gibson Brothers - Iron & Diamonds
Graham Brown And The Prairie Dogs - Do What You Should
Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind
House of Doc - East Of West
Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static
Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces
Matthew Barber - Ghost Notes
Oliver Schroer - Hymns and Hers
Peggy Seeger - Bring Me Home
Ray Bonneville - Goin' By Feel
Ray Davies - Working Man’s Café
Romney Getty - Ramblin Girl
Tim Hensley - Long Monday
Various Artists - Dr. Boogie Presents: Rarities From The Bob Hite Vaults
Waifs - SunDirtWater
Weedeater - Born To Be Wilder
Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
Grizzly Bear - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC October 14
Before the release of 2009's Veckatimest, Grizzly Bear stood at a career watershed of sorts. Critical darlings without much mainstream success, they could very well have continued in the direction set with 2007's Friend EP and become perennial indie overachievers, in the vein of the Li... Full Review
Hostage Life - Centre Of The Universe
It's unfortunate the words "maturity" and "growth" are stigmas in the world of punk rock. They would be the perfect descriptors for Toronto, ON-based Hostage Life's tertiary release. Maintaining the adage that a band never realize their true potential until their third album, the quintet prove thems... Full Review
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Dir. by Paul Weitz
In an interesting twist of Hollywood fate, Chris and Paul Weitz have entered the final stretch of 2009 each in control of a major vampire franchise built from the pages of popular young adult fiction.

From one half of the brotherly team who brought us American Pie and About ... Full Review
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