Arts

LAGSSOON(Casu Marzu Records)4.5/5  SOON is Rome post-hardcore band LAGS’ second album. With a progressive style, SOON proves that LAGS are definitely one of the main players in the Italian hardcore scene. The album begins with powerful tracks like “Knives and Wound” and “Echoes” that combine indie, hard rock, and punk. “Showdown” takes listeners on a […]

JV’s Boogaloo SquadGoing to Market(Flatcar Records)3.5/5 I wasn’t sure what to expect when I slid Going to Market into my car stereo, but I was drawn right in. JV’s Boogaloo Squad are a trio from Toronto; the CD cover features three very approachable-looking dudes smiling away. Upon opening up the packaging, I saw a write-up […]

Rare DMVanta Black(Independent)1/5 Rarely have I heard albums I don’t enjoy, but Rare DM’s Vanta Black is one of them. From Brooklyn, New York, Erin Louise Hoagg (also known as “Errmine”) has released her debut dark electronic and underground dance album Vanta Black under the name Rare DM. Just give up now if that’s too […]

From being good friends just jamming together and discovering their sound to breaking through and achieving success, The Blue Stones have come a long way. Now the Windsor-based alt-rock duo are coming to Victoria during their first North American headlining tour, in support of their debut full-length, Black Holes. Before vocalist/guitarist Tarek Jafar and drummer […]

Until Saturday, May 25Walk and talkThe Capital Regional District is hosting a series of guided walks and hikes in its regional parks. Register for a selection of guided walks, moderate and intermediate hikes, and accessible tours at crd.bc.ca. Until Monday, May 27Pictures of the floating worldPrints by influential artists of the ukiyo-e tradition, Katsushika Hokusai […]

Hanif Abdurraqib makes a heartfelt homage to the band A Tribe Called Quest in his new book Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest. The band left an indelible mark not only on the author and on all of rap but on the music industry, and this book explains why. When […]

TrampolineHappy Crimes(Independent)2.5/5 The rock musical Happy Crimes from Winnipeg’s Trampoline is an interesting and unfamiliar mix of music and storytelling that I really expected to enjoy more than I did. I love musicals; I love rock music; what’s not to like?  For starters, the songs are not as melodic as a musical demands. The vocals […]

Most people have too little time in their busy lives to think much about their past. We are too concerned with our next meeting or class or what our commute time looks like to worry about history. However, the things we can learn about our past can often help us shape our futures, which is […]

Mark MortonAnesthetic(WPP Records/Spinefarm Records)3.5/5 Lamb of God fans will be eager to check out lead guitarist Mark Morton’s debut solo album, Anesthetic. The record is more like acollaborative project orchestrated by Morton than it is a traditional solo album, as every song features a different vocalist, which is a refreshing take on the Lamb of […]