Our friends over at Kitsilano’s Zulu Records once again present their weekly Scout feature, the Zulu Report. Within, staff from the West 4th music store provide The Track, the song that is on heavy rotation that week; The Playlist, which is pretty self-explanatory; The Gig, the must see show of the week; and The Glance, a view ahead to music on the horizon. From their ears to yours, enjoy…

The Track

DEERHUNTER | Helicopter from HALCYON DIGEST (4AD)

For years I have loved the vision of London’s 4AD record label. My record collection is littered with bands that got their start in the seminal days of 4AD – Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil, Pixies, etc. – as well as some of the fresher faces of today’s scene – The National, TV On The Radio, St. Vincent, Blonde Redhead etc. Label head Ivo Watts-Russell has always had a nose for incredibly unique voices, musicians, and performers as well as a distinct sense of graphic design, packaging and promotion. Here is a label that cherishes the art side of the business and with each new release sees an exciting aesthetic come to fruition. Now, let’s turn our ears to the latest act to arrive under the mighty 4AD banner – Athens GA’s post-psychedelic sonic wizards Deerhunter! With this new release you finally get the sense that Bradford Cox and his crew of misfits has finally synthesized all the tiny bits of greatness evident on his previous three Deerhunter efforts. Halcyon Digest has it all – distorted dream rockers, delicate ambient lullabies, and evocative soundscapes that shift tones, melody and shape like dazzling star clusters. The lead off single Helicopter is a real teaser of what else lies ahead in this near perfect record. The inviting beats crackle behind swells of organ and bliss and Cox voice blends gracefully with the organic haze. It is the sort of song that you might turn to when your car goes off the road into a ditch and you have to wade knee deep through the toad muck back to safety. An image 4AD might themselves savour!!

The Playlist

JUNIP | Fields (Mute Records)
Instantly recognizable as Jose Gonzales, this is in fact his first love – the band he was with before he made it solo and in the TV commercial market.

NO AGE | Everything in Between (Sub Pop)
Man, the fuzz is loud on this raging noise rock record from everyone’s fave Vans and Sunglasses dudes!

NEIL YOUNG | Le Noise (Warner)
Ok! This is actually awesome. Neil finally gets back to the wild man guitar heroics that most young kids love. Produced by none other than Daniel Lanois – who loves pedals, distortion, loops, and delay. Thank you Neil!

WOMEN | Public Strain (Flemish Eye)
Reverb guitars that scream treble and drums that distort on tape naturally – these are two the best kept recording secrets for young bands. Calgary’s soon to be huge Women will fill you in on all the other secrets that make this record a standout!

THE THERMALS | Personal Life (Sub Pop)
When I think about power three pieces I always think about Husker Du and Dinosaur Jr. The Thermals are slowly making a power triangle in my head right now.

KARKWA | Les Chemis DeVerre (Select)
The day they announce the Polaris Music Prize is always the day the earth stands still… and then the next day is when a bunch of people rush out to the store and check out an amazing Canadian rock band that largely few under the ecran radar.

SHARON VAN ETTEN | Epic (Ba Ba Bing!)
On tour as the opener for Jose Gonzales and Junip – this is a voice that begs to be witnessed live. The songs are fantastic and it feels like we are seeing a star being born… that sort of stuff doesn’t happen very often.

STORNOWAY | Beachcomber’s Windowsill (4AD Records)
I think I am actually getting goose bumps listening to this gorgeous stuff. Sort of like a more small village version of Belle and Sebastian. Songs about lying in attics always hit me hard.

SUFJAN STEVENS | The Age Of Adz (Asthmatic Kitty)
It is good to see Sufjan doing more of a freak out music project. This is body music mixed with free jazz and thus ultimately I think it is pretty cool. The kid seems to have a natural talent, tons of music ideas, and a sense of when to take chances.

THE CLIENTELE | Minotaur EP (Merge)
A 30 minute mini album that I am very fond of and have taken to listening to while cross-country running. Man, cross-country running is a very lonely sport. Good thing these Brits sound like absinthe.

The Gig

CHAD VANGAALEN – RICKSHAW THEATER Friday September 24th as part of the OLIO FESTIVAL!!

The Glance

Fri SEP 24
LAUGH GALLERY – RICKSHAW
BINGO PLAYERS – CELEBRITIES
SERGE DEVANT – POP OPERA
TEGAN AND SARA – MALKIN BOWL
HOT HOT HEAT – COMMODORE
TANLINES – BILTMORE
CHAD VANGAALEN – RICKSHAW

Sat SEP 25
RUN WITH THE HEARD – VENUE
STEELE – SHARKS CLUB
CAJUN HONKY TONK – ST.JAMES HALL
THE WOODEN SKY w/ Yukon Blonde – BILTMORE
K’NAAN – MALKIN BOWL
REVENE OF THE TOTAL CHINESE BUFFET – TINSELTOWN
PRIMUS – PNE FORUM

Sun SEP 26
FLAMING LIPS w/ ARIEL PINK – MALKIN BOWL
PHOENIX – PNE FORUM –
NOISIA – FORTUNE
NEON INDIAN DJ SET w/ DJ CONNOR BRADY- SHINE

Mon SEP 27
DEAD PREZ – FORTUNE
KATE MILLER HEIDKE – MEDIA CLUB
MATT & KIM – RICKSHAW
FENCES – BILTMORE

Tue SEP 28
ARCADE FIRE – PACIFIC COLISEUM
HUDSON MOHAWKE – SHINE
SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS w/ Active Child – BILTMORE

Wed SEP 29
BAND OF BROTHERS – RICKSHAW

Thu SEP 30
THREE 6 MAFIA – GOSSIP
GAUDI – BILTMORE