Arts

The Dean Ween Group The Deaner Album (ATO Records) 3/5 Best known as half of alt-rock duo Ween, Dean Ween is not one to sit idle between gigs. Since Ween’s breakup in 2012, he’s been jamming with friends, and it’s culminated in The Deaner Album. Opening with “Dickie Betts,” a southern-rock ode to the Allman […]

Derek Hayes’ Canada: An Illustrated History (Douglas & McIntyre) is a thorough and entertaining glimpse into Canada’s past and what led us to today; this 296-page behemoth is great for those who are interested in our country’s history. The book starts with the discovery of North America by Aboriginal peoples and ends with Justin Trudeau […]

Scenic Route to Alaska Long Walk Home (Butler Records) 3/5 Edmonton indie-folk-pop band Scenic Route to Alaska has come out with a sweet and nostalgic sound on their fourth LP, Long Walk Home. Lead singer Trevor Mann’s voice has a unique sound to it that makes each word he sings cut through all the instruments […]

It might seem hard to believe, but there is a demographic of people who don’t open MP3 files to listen to music. Instead, they prefer to listen to tunes the old-fashioned, tangible way: on vinyl. Ryan Wugalter, organizer of Vinyl Supernova—a large record fair happening on October 22—says that there will be more records for […]

Slothrust Everyone Else (Dangerbird Records) 3.5/5 Jazz- and blues-influenced rock is not my usual genre of choice, but Slothrust kept me interested on their third album. The songs have very interesting titles, which always pulls the listeners in and is very fitting for this album. Personally, I would have preferred the first song, “Surf Goth,” […]

David Radford is a local theatre actor who has written, directed, and starred in various productions, including an interactive play coming just in time for Halloween. Arkenham Abbey is a site-specific show that takes place at Craigdarroch Castle in late October. The play is a Batman-esque thriller set in post-Edwardian London, after World War One […]

Toronto indie-pop musician Hannah Georgas’ third album, For Evelyn, is a beautiful homage to Georgas’ grandmother, Evelyn. Georgas—once a student at the University of Victoria—says that her grandmother has always been an “open door” for her but also adds that the album isn’t entirely about her. “The album isn’t about her, but it’s a nod […]

Lead Mule Parts & Labour (Independent) 4/5 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia’s Lead Mule has put a modern twist on early ’90s rock with Parts & Labour, their second LP. The album combines intricate three-part harmonies, snappy riffs, and choruses that the listener can’t help but sing along with. Vocalist/guitarist Mat Bridgeo brings something to the table […]