Articles by Daniel Sylvester

Foo Fighters Extracted Every Ounce of Energy in Ottawa

Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12

PUBLISHED Jul 13, 2023

"We have two hours to play 150 songs — two hours is a short set for us!" While Dave Grohl couldn't beat Shania Twain's opening night sellou...

Ottawa Bluesfest 2023's First Weekend Felt Bigger Than Ever

PUBLISHED Jul 10, 2023

After a post-pandemic downscale that resulted in the elimination of one of the Ottawa Bluesfest's five outdoor stages, later gate times on...

Foo Fighters Scratch the Surface of Loss on 'But Here We Are'

PUBLISHED May 30, 2023

Foo Fighters are an institution, and institutions never die. This is everything you really need to know about the 11th full-length from the...

The Smiths' 12 Best Bass-Driven Bangers

PUBLISHED May 23, 2023

Without Andy Rourke, the Smiths would have simply been a mopey goth act. Although there's no questioning the songwriting genius of Morriss...

Tinariwen Expand Their Universe on the Majestic 'Amatssou'

PUBLISHED May 18, 2023

In the decade and a half since their North American "breakthrough" LP, Aman Iman: Water Is Life, Tinariwen has earned a reputation as "musi...

Alison Goldfrapp Dives Headfirst into Pop Music on 'The Love Invention'

PUBLISHED May 11, 2023

In North America, Goldfrapp will be forever lumped together with the mid-'00s electroclash movement that spawned bygone acts like Fischersp...

​Gord Downie and Bob Rock's Electrifying Collaboration Goes "Beyond Friendship"

PUBLISHED May 2, 2023

Those hanging onto the notion that Gord Downie's posthumous album would be a solemn affair simply don't know Gord Downie. Built from hours...

Rob Mazurek & Exploding Star Orchestra Bring a Crackling Energy to 'Lightning Dreamers'

PUBLISHED Mar 30, 2023

If you want to draw a line from traditional American jazz to today's electronic-infused scene that birthed Makaya McCraven and BadBadNotGoo...