The Canadian choral/vocal sensations return with a new album. Soaring harmonies and subtle, soulful arrangements of classical repertoire and modern pop hits make this a fantastic listen.

Legendary NL metal-masters Devastator are back and have already garnered rave reviews for their death/thrash metal, with a heavy groove.

The Pschyobilly Cadillacs  occupy a rather niche market in St. John’s, being (as best as I can tell) the only country rock (aka psychobilly) band to make the rounds locally.

Featuring Phil Winters of Bung and Robert Mills, a familiar face browsing in Fred’s Records on Saturday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter), accompanied by a beer-buckit load of local guest musicians, these are some of the hottest lix and the saddest croons you’ll hear all year.

Vernon Regehr, professor in Memorial University’s department of music, presents a new disc of music for solo cello from Canadian composers.

Duo Concertante return with a new recording of Beethoven’s Sonatas for violin and piano.

“The strengths of Duo Concertante’s current undertaking is an emotional openess to Beethoven’s range of moods, evident from the opening Allegro of the E flat Sonata Op. 12 No 3. The Duo’s stylings are expressive without ornament, their tempos carefully chosen and their timing perfectly synched.” OpusOne Review

Burning Hell is “a haunting beast with many heads but sometimes only one appears” as described in one of many bios of the band.  Lyrics often humorous, wry and prosey – think Rheostatics, The Tragically Hip but with a crazy-ass act.  Pop orchestra wildly weaving throughout.  Truly theatrical on stage, Burning Hell can revive that energy to your own room (or party) on “People”.

Elements of klezmer and improv, pop-jazz mix in with the artistic exchanges of band members as Mathias Kom struts out his lyrical musings.  Great stuff.

Adam McGrath is a veteran local singer/songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist featuring stalwart long-time pals.  The sound ties in astutely with past faves: Tom Petty, John Hiatt, Arc Angels, Black Crowes…

The working person’s record – Adam pulls no punches lyrically as the crunchy guitar riffs pounce all around.  A tasty dose of rock n’ roll.

Adam McGrath prowled the local circuit off and on over most of 2 decades with stellar band mates

With rock n’ roll songs about girls, cars, bars and guitars, reminiscent of early Southside Johnny and Tom Petty, the Tearjerkers energize rooms and infect their audience to “get involved”.

A past Fred’s Records employee, Adam’s CD is a long time comin’.  Check out the liner notes.

After 6 years (has it been that long?) Colleen is back with a new disc of french-language songs. “Le Bonheur Domestique” covers the trials, tribulations and unexpected joy of being a mother in the modern world.
Colleen Power is a survivor, a prime example of endurance. When she debuted in September 2000, she appeared to be on the verge of making a big splash nationally. Ah, but the music industry Gods are fickle and cruel – yet Colleen persisted.  As an outsider she has released a plethora or marvelously diverse and highly enjoyable recordings.

Under the influence of Sinead O’Connor, Colleen fired ahead becoming more favourably compared to the late Kirsty MacColl – distinguishable, recognizable but always on the fringes of the mainstream.

This, her second all french recording is an absolute beauty.  She has always brought her “A game” as a vocalist, rich in character, expression and emotion and her band always features the “cream of the crop” on the local live music circuit.  Featuring an all-star cast, the likes of Duane Andrews, Sandy Morris, Mark Bragg and the ever present Aneirin Thomas on bass.  Canadian folk icon, Fred Eaglesmith drops in on 2 tracks and lest I forget, even kitchen/home appliances and utensils are put to rhythmic use.

“Le Bonheur Domestique” is a truly pleasurable listen.

The debut full-length from Kujo front men Victor Lewis and Brad Power. These guys are revered lords on the Newfoundland music scene who seamlessly float between many of  St. John’s best bands – regardless of musical genre. They have a penchant for releasing a lot of music under many names (Vickee lou, Mercury Topaz, The Outfit, Vick & the Hickory Switch, Vic Lou, and Vick E. Lou & Kujo – I think that’s all!) in lo fi homemade packages, most ranging in price from $5 to $10 bucks.  Sometimes it’s swirly psych rock, or tripped out Byrds like 12 string throwback country rock, or an all out rock assault, or a Michael Jacksonesque dance floor killer complete with Van Halen guitar solo… sorta. Mercury Topaz is something altogether different, though. The boys have traded guitar licks for synth loops in an attempt to write a record of cold wave minimal synth pop.

On their second outing, Mercury Topaz have begun to incorporate new elements into their post-cold wave sound. You can hear Zappa-isms and hints of Ween creeping into the sound, although the solid melodic foundation is still there.

Mercury Topaz (Victor Lewis and Brad Power) follow their collective muse producing an easy blast of pop pieces.  Little bits of Zappa-esque vocal styilings permeate the mix, a scattering of 70s R&B grooves and you just know Paul McCartney would get off on the jams.  Track 7 could have been a Joy Division demo.  You have to luv these guys.

Victor Lewis (a.k.a. Vickee Lou, Vic Lou, etc.) is arguably Newfoundland’s most innovative and eclectic indie-pop artist.  We liken him to a young David Bowie.

Brad Power is highly recognizable on the St. John’s circuit.  Modestly calling himself “just a guitar player”, everyone in town and beyond, from the past greats to the young slingers consider Brad the most dexterous and talented guitarist on the scene – and that’s a fact.

This duo is a dream team.