Ada Rook, The Great Speckled Fritillary, and Kroovy Rookers
Ada Rook
UGLY DEATH NO REDEMPTION ANGEL CURSE I LOVE YOU // Self-Released
Ada Rook’s seventh full-length, UGLY DEATH NO REDEMPTION ANGEL CURSE I LOVE YOU is a masterfully pissed off record. Rook is likely best known for her work as one half of the noise-pop duo Black Dresses but it would be cheating yourself not to delve further into her work. She has been putting out a plethora of incredible art for years with both her music and video games. This latest addition to her discography is among the highest points for her work thus far.
UGLY DEATH NO REDEMPTION ANGEL CURSE I LOVE YOU takes a drastically different approach than 2021’s separated from her twin, a dying android arrives on a mysterious island’s softer pop and ambient energy. UGLY DEATH works with hype and heaviness to deliver its dose. The esoteric crunkcore and trap-metal ideas come through unobscured, but any part of this album that could be abrasive is sugar-coated with catharsis. I don’t mean to imply that any of the screaming, blown-out electronics, or melodrama of the work is watered down or that it holds back for even a moment, rather, all of these things that might turn some away are delivered with such passion and viscerality that it would be hard to put them down in the moment. If this album gets your full attention, with the volume up and your inhibition left out of it, it is a fully engrossing piece of primal ecstasy.
The structure of the album builds to multiple peaks throughout while giving just enough respite to let you recover for the next breakdown or anthem hook. While some moments stand out as exceptional, none had me tuning out or turning down. The structuring is beautifully displayed with “night in a secret world” backing off the chaos before the majesty of “5H4D0W H34R7Z” closing out the album with industrial Britney Spears rave implosion.
The palette of sounds is clearly industrial at its default but even within the realm of clanging violence, Rook is explorative and unafraid to give something completely new, well after UGLY DEATH’s aesthetic feels figured out. While hyper-distorted drums, growling bass, raspy screams, and pop-hook singing all establish themselves early on, the album keeps adding new sounds to engage you. “TRU U” debuts the Sophie-style steel keg snares that return throughout the album and both “COWARD 2 COWARD” and “XANAFALGUE” switch out the revving industrial synths at moments to deliver fleeting, disjointed bass runs. This variety is helped along by the multiple features on the record.
Rook’s pace shows not only on the tracklist but within each song. Holding back the guitars on “PURGATOR3Y MODULATION ENGINE” to let Sunrise Transperence’s horns cameo carry the first choruses allows the introduction of the guitar to hit that much harder later on. ESPer99’s production on the opening “i’m cis” and penultimate “night in a secret world” add their own flavour that gives a wonderful variety to the album. ESPer99 and Rook’s long time collaboration and artistic cohesion allows the production on these tracks to feel at home in the album while not simply blending in. ASH NERVE’s auto-tuned vocals on “UNDERNEATH IT ALL” takes the track to the next level of late aughts, scene nostalgia; combined with the downtuned, heavy-gated guitar, this track delves furthest into the mall-goth roots of UGLY DEATH.
UGLY DEATH NO REDEMPTION ANGEL CURSE I LOVE YOU capitalizes Rook’s heavier sounds while still excelling outside of them. This project has come closer to the territory covered by her other projects like Black Dresses or crisis sigil but manages to stake its own place in the Ada Rook pantheon with a unique approach within her distinct style. Whatever she has in store for us next has me excited as she has only ever gotten better.
- Tobias Hart
The Great Speckled Fritillary
Her Majesty’s Secret Circus Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 // Haushome Records
Alright, before I get started there are some points I would like to raise straight away. First, this is a DOUBLE album! In a world plagued with short attention spans and music released as singles, The Great Speckled Fritillary did not submit - releasing two albums with 14 songs per volume. Second, and this one really amazed me, they consciously recorded Vol. 1 in the studio, then six months later, recorded Vol. 2 at a different studio. Oh, and I almost forgot, the majority of the tracks were recorded live off the floor. These points are intensely important to keep in mind as you soar your way through these volumes!
28 songs! Any of you who have entered the ring of songwriting, recording, and producing music will understand the immense amount of work that goes into one song, let alone 28! Sure they could have phoned in a few of the songs, producing them with little structure, and minimal attention to detail, but nope, apparently that route isn’t one The Great Speckled Fritillary takes. It’s extremely interesting having this knowledge and hearing the differences between the two volumes. Absolutely admirable!
Her Majesty’s Secret Circus Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 gently latches onto punk and progressive rock, all while fitting into Alternative/Indie at the same time. I’m not schooled in genres of music so this may be incorrect, but I’ll tell you what is correct, the two albums are Speckled-tacular! The volumes contain a vast amount of instruments, styles, effects, overdubs and soundbites. This is prevalently displayed in “I Saw Two Craven Cowards” - a swinging country diddy, “Northwood Orbital” - a mind stirring progressive journey, to “Croak of the Lock” - well, you listen and tell me.
Prior to writing for Cups N Cakes, I was ignorant of the amount of amazing artists who exist right here in Canada. The Great Speckled Fritillary is exactly one of those artists and their music needs to grace your ears.
“Headphones. That’s the only way to listen to music. It’s all kinds of different emotions because you get real quiet and comfortable and just listen to it.” ~ Gregg Allman
- Branton Langley
Kroovy Rookers
Nothing Seems To Stick When You’re Stuck // Self-Released
Edmonton’s legendary Oi Punks, Kroovy Rookers are back with a whole new bag of shenanigans to make you stomp your feet and shake your derrière. They bring the party and the pit with their highly anticipated release titled Nothing Seems To Stick When You’re Stuck. When you have 7 previous releases under their belt and 18 years of history playing together in Edmonton…you really know how it’s done.
Who is this Kroovy Rookers anyway? Rod Gillis growling on vox and grinding guitar, Mike Danyluk a total menace on the bass, and the mighty Mike Martin killing it on the kit! When they play you are literally moved right out of your seat and onto the dance floor. This latest LP, Nothing Seems To Stick When You’re Stuck was recorded, mixed and mastered by Rob Lawlwes at The Physics Lab in Edmonton. All the phat Bass was recorded at Record Without A Cause in Edmonton. Produced by Mike Martin and Rob Lawless. Super deadly cover art with a black widow on a web and lettering to appear as stuck in the web. Metaphor? Maybe? So lace up your boots… don’t feel shy…just jump in the pit…let’s goooooooooo!!!!!
“Do the Bomp Bomp” a fun and fiesty number that fires things off and invites you to get out onto the dance floor and get down. “Come take a chance on a new dance”, and “Let’s have some fun, this songs for everyone.” Be as wild as you want. Swing your arms. Kick your feet up. Let loose and let go! You’ll be bopping along doing the Bomp-Bomp and you won’t be able to stop. This song is my get up and go, and will definitely have you moving too!!
Something I love about Kroovy Rookers is to take something like dollar store razor blades and then make a hilarious song about it called “Dollar Store Blades” Even though the theme may not be a serious thing it’s lyrically put together so masterfully and with a sense of humour. Having a good sense of Ha Ha in their music makes it right up my alley. There is way more more than just a good sense of humour. The sick guitar licks, harmonies/background vocals, the perky drumbeat, sick bass, and hands clapping.
This was fun favourite. I’ll never look at my dollar store razors the same again. At least I can laugh when I shave my legs now.
I’m about to get super dorky for a moment and share a little personal story of my childhood….When I was grade 3 I did an Air band and choreography to a very famous Tiffany song for our school talent show. Something I was proud of as a kid and funnily enough I still remember the choreography to. Now when I first seen Kroovy Rookers play “I Think We’re Alone Now” live at the Bohemia (venue that we lost during pandemic) I think I shrieked like a little kid and danced my little bits choreography on the dance floor. I mighta cried too. It was very emotional for me and fulfilled the happiness in the heart of my inner child. I know bands may not like when you gush over cover songs. But this one had me dancing with the confidence of a 7 year old kid in a unicorn shirt! I also learned the original version of “I Think We’re Alone Now” is done by Tommy James and the Shondells, but the Kroovy Rookers version tops them and Tiffany in my opinion. They put their own spin on it and I really dig it!!! Thank you for this one Kroovy Rookers.
“Baby Talk” is an ode to mainstream radio Working all day and having to listen to the designated radio station that is allowed at work. It’s almost like having teeth pulled. Repeating the same songs everyday. The same auto-tune and baby talk all day. This could drive one mad. I like that they can write about something that we can all relate to at some point. Thank goodness for headphones.
This album is dedicated to and in honour of late friend of the band, Tom “Slippy” Lacey. The last song on the album “Too Young” was written for him. This song is about moments and memories of Tom and a very special song to the band. Hearing them play this one live has brought me to tears and made me an embarrassing mess crying on the dance floor. I didn’t know Tom but I know loss and this one hit my heart hard. Punk is real and punk has heart. Through the good and bad times. Acknowledging and remembering our late friends and family is important I feel. Grieving is so hard but music has a healing power about it. Rest in Power Tom “Slippy” Lacey.
“Breaking The Law” ya you know this one!! You already started singing it when you read that title!! This Kroovy Rookers version will have you needing a chiropractor. Head banging and horns up for this one!
Kroovy Rookers latest LP Nothing Seems To Stick When You’re Stuck has all the heart, all the humour, and all the grit. It’s what makes them legends to the Punk Scene in Edmonton. It’s what makes their music stand up and stand out! It’s a riot of a time and I really hope you get up, get moving and, “Do The Bomp Bomp!” with Kroovy Rookers!
On a side note I’d like to personally express my gratitude to this band for their kindness and guidance in our own music journey. They took a chance on us when we were starting out and they’ll always have a special place in my heart. Thanks for just believing in me. Much love and respect to Kroovy Rookers!
Be good to each other!
Love Always,
- Green Noreen
