Dirty Dirty North – Beltline Therapy

Beltline Therapy
the Dirty Dirty North
Demo 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

By the end, I forgot I was listening to music. I got caught in the excitement, and was singing along at that terrible volume that isn’t singing to yourself, but clearly isn’t intended for anyone else.

B-Lines – Demo

B-Lines
Demo Tape
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

B-Lines songs average sixty-six seconds each, which leaves just under eighty-five minutes of blank tape to play once the five songs are over. Why would someone release a cassette in this day and age? There’s a tape renaissance in the works; like vinyl, tapes fight disposability by forcing the listener to actually interact (when was the last time you rewound an mp3?) with their purchase. Unlike vinyl, cassettes can hold a lot of music and are dirt cheap to make. Hopefully having that explained to you has got you to dust off your old tape deck in preparation.

Blueprints of Tomorow [sic]

Blueprints of Tomorow [sic]
Demo
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Blueprints of Tomorow [sic] managed to get their demo passed along to me for review, although by the time I got it I had heard enough about it that I could have memorized it. The CD starts with Supernatural Reality, which was “originally written for a school rap competition in grade 10 which I got 3rd place for.” Honestly, I’m surprised that a sixteen year old possesses this level of literacy. Included here are excerpts from the lyrics, as presented in the “enhanced” content.

Annthronein – No People Demo

No People Demo
Annthronein
Independent
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

These guys are great. As people. Heck, Jaydee is one of my best friends. However, their music is a tad boring. A twenty-six minute CD produces maybe ten minutes of enjoyable music, unless you’re into grunge, in which case, have you ever agreed with any review I have done ever?

Doers – Whatcha Doin’?

Whatcha Doin’?
the Doers
Reluctant Recordings / Red Cat
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Normally I hate “Best of” albums, preferring the carefully calculated song orders of a normal album, but folk punk quartet The Doers cry out for such a release. Each of their previous releases are in essentially direct proportion to their complete discography; some fast, exciting fun songs, but primarily slower (but still good) songs. The problem is that listeners (at least) me, don’t want to here a cross section of their complete discography, we want something similar to a Doers set. Unfortunately, Whatcha’s Doin’? follows this disappointing trend.

L’ananas – Big Whoop

Big Whoop
L’ananas
Unreleased
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

First, an introduction. L’ananas is the newest Abbotsford band around. They have yet to play a show, but they’ve already un-released a splendid unofficial EP. The band is Jason Nicholas (formerly of You Say Party! We Say Die! and The Progressive Thinker*), Adam Fothergill (Fun 100 and Title Shot), and Jason Spencer (hilarious). I was lucky enough to get a copy of this six or seven track album via electronic mail. Oh, it also has Naneword Lake.

The Spinoffs – Street Rock Stars

Street Rock Stars
The Spinoffs
Black Market Records
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The Spinoffs‘ third release punches a hole through your leather jacket and beats you up. If you own a leather jacket. I don’t. Anyways, The Spinoffs play lots of fun punk (a phrase seemingly long dead) in the course of 16 songs averaging about a minute and a half each.

All Purpose Voltage Heroes – Already Haunted

Already Haunted:
An Album About Loss or Regret
the All Purpose Voltage Heroes
Rectangle Records
Reluctant Recordings
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The All Purpose Voltage Heroes are at it again! For their third release they released this splendid EP, which doubles as “an album about loss or regret.” Indulging in my desire to be exceedingly cheesy, you’ll regret not getting this album!

the Doers – Plastic Bass

Plastic Bass
the Doers
Red Cat Records
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The Doers‘ latest effort takes a step away from their double EP, Ready, Set… Do! The tracks may be mellower than their collaboration with Mike Watt, but Plastic Bass does not fail to deliver. Each of the 500 copies is carefully placed in a sturdy cardboard cased, hand-numbered, and graced with Sean Maxey’s artistic touch, not to mention the elegant liner notes, alerting listeners of the special features (a music video) and encouraging them to duplicate the cd. Enough about semblance, on to the show!

Neo Tokyo – Live Studio Demos

Live Studio Demos
Neo Tokyo
Independent
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

This review is the reason that I should be payed for doing this site. I actually had to listen to a recording of Neo Tokyo. Vomit inducing. Anyways, let’s get on with it.