The Laissez-Faire System is not quite working right

That is Novillero. Holy great stuff! I ordered a CD of theirs earlier this year but it was not the latest-Aim Right For The Holes In Their Lives. I knew I liked them the first time I heard them on The Verge last December but finally got the newer Mint release (which I could not find in NS or TO) Two nights ago I put it on while editing and it make a huge impression. Just really well done power pop, clever lyrics, different arrangements and good crunch! I am hooked~but I knew I was from the first listen.

I am exploring a few of the newer purchases I had yet to listen.
The first Meligrove Band CD "Let it Grow" is way too much of a copy of the Sloan led Halifax scene circa 1994. However, "Planets Conspire" has been a soundtrack of 2006 for me. I suspect a high entry in the LMC Tops of 2006.

This summer, thanks to "Skinny Boy" by Amy Millan I have been led into the world that is Stars. I have documented my love for Amy's "Honey from the Tombs" but have yet to mention how I fell in love with Torquil Cambell after hearing an interview with him on Jian Ghomeshi's "Sounds like Canada in the summer” His material with Memphis is a breath of fresh air even though I have yet to get my hands on the new CD. It was time to take the steps to get into Stars since I have individual admiration for them both. Last night, once again while editing, I popped in my newly purchased "Set yourself on fire" and was transformed. I certainly knew a few of the songs off the radio but...what a musical journey those two voices can take you on.

The next listen in the last few weeks has been local darlings The Format. I certainly liked their material but always classified them as more of one of Dan's bands than mine. I had picked up "Dog Problems" when it came out for Dan but he had yet to listen to it. I pulled it out the other night while we were both on our computers. I don’t think he paid attention but I did knowing that one of Redd Kross' MacDonald brothers produced and I think The Format had been studying Jellyfish's "Spilt Milk" The record is very gorgeous in it's orchestration. It is a departure for them as they are known for their catchy sing along style, not these dense numbers. It is one that needs to grow on me but it has all sorts of potential.

Finally in the changer is Sloan's "Never hear the end of it" Once you get it, the 30 tracks and the transition between the many personalities of that 4 songerwriter axis, there is no listening to it in pieces...It is a whole sitting, it becomes one song with many different changes. It is not really meant for singles because the songs seem lonely on their own, without their lead in and out. Originally I felt there were some weak inclusions but now, I can't imagine the sequencing without them. To me, the CD really needs to be played in order live but without a separate drummer; I can't see how they could. It will be my CD of the year but not just because it's my fave rave, etc...It is because it is that amazing. I have not had an entire CD grip me like this in years.