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

currently on heavy rotation in the store…

“That Old Feeling” by Dead Ghosts from their self-titled debut (Florida’s Dying).

These local sloppy garagers describe themselves as the laziest band on the planet. Lucky for us they finally crawled off the couch and recorded this sloppy, swampy 13 song collection. Sounding somewhat like one of Kim Fowley’s many failed outfits, these guys nail the delinquent attitude that currently defines the vast world of underground garage rock. Like their heroes The Black Lips, No Bunny, and BBQ, the Dead Ghosts’ songs drunkenly stumble along towards the ultimate trainwreck shambles that can only come from a true, hard-won I don’t give a shit attitude.

The Playlist

The records we can’t get enough of this week…

THE CHINA SYNDROME Nothing’s Not Worth Knowing (self released)

Great local power pop from these avid students of the Paul Westerberg/Andy Partridge school of songwriting. Features David Carswell on percussion!

TORO Y MOI Causers Of This

Chillwaves rejoice! After a series of remixes and eps, Toro Y Moi’s debut long player is a revelation of woozy, drippy, home recorded synth pop.

TAPES N TAPES Outside (Ibid)

Having survived a brutal thrashing from the bloggers, Tapes ‘N Tapes return bloodies but unbowed. Still channeling the classic slacker era sounds of 90’s American college rock, these Minneapolis boys do their city proud.

BRITISH SEA POWER Valhalla Dancehall (Rough Trade)

With their distinctly British sense of the absurd throughout an album that references everything from Kurt Schwitters, Nazi military terminology, French New Wave cinema, and Playboy magazine, this is some of the most rockingly literate rock that we’ve ever encountered.

THE NIGHTCRAWLERS Down In The Bottom LP (Cellar Live)

Down In The Bottom is a beautifully packaged, vinyl-only release from talented locals that resurrect the organ-driven 1950’s jazz combos. A stunning addition to Vancouver’s Cellar Jazz label.

THE WHITE STRIPES s/t LP Reissue (3rd Man)

One of our fave White Stripes albums, from the band’s humble, golden era, lovingly reissued by Jack White boutique vinyl label, Third Man. “Jimmy The Exploder,” “One More Cup Of Coffee,” it’s all here…

BRIAN MCBRIDE The Effective Disconnect (Kranky)

One half of Stars Of The Lid delivers a stunningly beautiful soundtrack to a film documentary about diminishing bee populations. Although technically a soundtrack, this plays confidently as an album in its own right, and is sure to please fans of STOL, Gorecky, Eno, etc.

MADVILLIAN Madvillainy 2: Madlib Remixes 2LP (Mad)

White label, two LP collection of Madlib’s supreme remixes. What can I say? We’re huge fans here at the store, and its nice to have this one back on wax.

The Gig

The upcoming show that we’re really looking forward to…

Wed FEB 16 | SMITH WESTERNS at the BILTMORE

This one’s a way off, but we were smitten by the fresh young-faced Smith Westerns when they played a set of glammy-garage rock to a mostly empty Media Club last summer. Their forthcoming long player, Dye It Blonde, is a hotly anticipated release for 2011. And it just seems to us that this show is going to be a total blast. So be there with us.

The Rest

Mon JAN 24
DARWIN DEEZ – MEDIA CLUB
WEEN – QE THEATRE

Tue JAN 25
DEVIL DRIVER – VENUE

Wed JAN 26
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS – COMMODORE
DJ PAULY D – GOSSIP WE ARE SOLD OUT

Thu JAN 27
THE WOOD BROTHERS – MEDIA
VINCE VICCARO – VENUE

Fri JAN 28
THE PACK AD – BILTMORE
BIG RIVER – SHARK CLUB
BOBBY LONG – MEDIA
MORGAN PAGE – CELEBRITIES
TABOO REVUE – W.I.S.E

Sat JAN 29
HOON N SLING – GINGER62
DAWES – MEDIA CLUB
RA RA RIOT – BILTMORE
SHAH & MOO @W2 – W2

Sun JAN 30
INDIA CALLING – PLAYHOUSE

Mon JAN 31
TENNIS – MEDIA

FEBRUARY

Wed FEB 2
DANIEL LANOIS – COMMODORE * NEW VENUE*- WE ARE SOLD OUT

Thu FEB 3
RYAN DAHLE – VENUE
BRYAN GREENBERG – MEDIA

Fri FEB 4
MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO – VENUE
ATOMIC TOM – MEDIA

Sat FEB 5
THE BLOW – BILTMORE
12TH PLANET – WALDORF
JOHN DAHLBACK – GINGER 62
THE TOASTERS – VENUE

Wed FEB 9
MICHAEL BERNARD FITZGERALD- BILTMORE
BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY – VENUE

Thu FEB 10
CHROMEO – COMMODORE – WE ARE SOLD OUT
ZED’S DEAD – FORTUNE
AGGROLITES – VENUE

Fri FEB 11
NICOLE ATKINS & THE BLACK SEA – MEDIA CLUB
SEBADOH – RICKSHAW
BOYCE AVENUE – VENUE
DADA LIFE – CELEBRITIES
CHROMEO – COMMODORE

SAT FEB 12
V DAY AT THE BILLY – BILLY BISHOP
GOLERS / TYRANTS BLOOD – RICKSHAW

Tue FEB 15
GANG OF FOUR – VENUE – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Wed FEB 16
GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR – VOGUE – WE ARE SOLD OUT
SMITH WESTERNS – BILTMORE

Thu FEB 17
FREQ. NASTY – FORYTUNE
BEST COAST + WAVVES – RICKSHAW

Fri FEB 18
PLANTS & ANIMALS – COMMODORE
SADIES – VOGUE
SKRILLEX – CELEBRITIES

Sat FEB 19
YO LA TENGO – RICKSHAW
THE CORONAS – BILTMORE
YOU SAY PARTY / YOUNG GALAXY – RED ROOM
VOGVILLE’S DAY & NIGHT FESTIVAL – ALPEN CLUB

Sun FEB 20
RYAN BINGHAM – VENUE

Tue FEB 22
UNITED STEEL WORKERS OF MONTREAL – RAILWAY

Fri FEB 25
BIFFY CLYRO – VENUE
MAN OR ASTROMAN? – BILTMORE
MACEO PARKER – COMMODORE
SWANS – RICKSHAW

Sat FEB 26
EMILIE AUTUMN – RICKSHAW
JIM BRYSON & THE WEAKERTHANS BAND – BILTMORE

Mon FEB 28
WILD NOTHING + ABE VIGODA – BILTMORE