Guest Edition #1
Welcome to a very special edition of the Quick Picks column.
For the next few weeks we will be bringing in some guest writers to helm this column and fill in for Matthew Belton. Fear not loyal followers, Matthew will return after taking some personal time away.
For our first week with a guest writer, we are handing over the reigns to our dear pal, PJ Lavergne. PJ is a beloved member of the Calgary music community where he is not only a booster of YYC music, but also the front person for the iconic rock n roll juggernaut, Napalmpom. Enjoy these four selections and write-ups by the one…
and only….
PJ LAVERGNE!!!
Julius Sumner Miller - Try It Out
Full Disclosure! I used to host Punk Rock Bingo with Darren sometimes, and if I was allowed, I’d go give him a big hug right now. A giant hug.
This one’s got 12 new JSM songs full of the anthemic rippers that demand you sing along, and the driving, booming moments where you can’t really understand how Darren gets all those lyrics out before he runs out of breath, all alongside these great, beautiful, powerful riffs. If you have grown tired of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack, this is a great substitute.
Dark Time - Radiation EP
Full Disclosure! I sang some Rolling Stones songs with Cayley for a charity thing and she nailed all the Merry Clayton parts in Gimme Shelter, so we’re friends forever now.
A new four song EP full of surprises and these sprawling, gorgeous pop songs do the band’s name justice. There are so many moments on the EP where you think you know where the song is going, but then BAM! a psych freakout with the keys and pedals that leave you wondering what’s coming up next. “Shooting Blanks” is my favourite. Sounds like Easter-era Patti Smith, but coated in reverb.
Poltergeist - Hallucinations in the Catacombs
If you’ve ever heard The Crow soundtrack, you know there’s this great cover of Joy Division’s Dead Souls done by Nine Inch Nails that’s just the best.
This EP is just like that, if you also jammed it full of guitarmonies and shredding solos.
It’s dark, it’s brooding, but it also just absolutely rips.
When we’re allowed to have Goth Nights anywhere again, absolutely expect some Poltergeist jams.
Les Shirleys - Forever Is Now
It’s fun, it’s bouncy, it’s got so many riffs, and it leans so hard into the “pop” part of “power pop” that it’s just begging for a sunny summer day and getting too sweaty in your leather jacket.
Opener “Fuck It I’m In Love” sets the tone right off the bat and the album is just packed with great moments that sound like a really fun street fight? Can street fights be fun? Only one way to find out!
- PJ Lavergne