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…

Kaputt from Destroyer’s Epic Ninth Album, “Kaputt” (Merge).

I have no idea what is going on in this Destroyer video, but I’m sure that the nerdy-boy protagonist holed up on his computer, the floating whales, and the teengirl-dancers all add up to something significant! Fans of Destroyer have come to expect the unexpected, and in that respect Kaputt delivers. This time out, Bejar and band drop the Dylan/Van Morrison/Al Stewart moves for a smoother, Jazz and Ambient-inspired set. But really, as much as Kaputt might seem like a complete left turn upon first listen, the fact is that all that we love about classic Bejar is here. Expect tales of mysterious women figures, Vancouver references, and scathing criticism of American indie rock culture, all enmeshed in a dense and rewarding sonic structure. Awesome.

The Playlist

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

V/A Get Darker Presents: This Is Dubstep Vol. 2 (GetDarker)

The massively popular, ever changing micro-genre of Dubstep is lovingly anthologized. Key players Skream, Benga, Distance and Breakage are all present.

ELECTRIC WIZARD Black Masses (Rise Above)

Yes, a new offering from one of our favourite Euro stoner metal acts burn the house down in a savage black mass of guitar wizardry.

JEFRE CANTU-LEDESMA Love Is A Stream (Type)

Love Is A Stream is beautiful guitar worship that straddles the line betwixt abstract noise-skree and beautiful, melancholy abstraction.

GANG OF FOUR Content (Yep Roc)

The first album of new material in 15 years from these punk-funk avatars is a surprisingly rocking and coherent collection. Why not familiarize yourself with it before you go to their show on February 15th at Venue?

TENNIS Cape Dory (Fat Possum)

Girl-group dynamics and simple 2 minute pop pleasures are the order of the day from Tennis, a boy-girl duo who sailed the Atlantic ocean after wrapping up grad school.

SMITH WESTERNS Dye It Blonde (Fat Possum)

These young’uns were born in the early 90s, but deep in their young rock n roll souls burn the boogie-glam bubblegum spark of Bolan, Bowie and The Sweet. A refreshingly fuzzy glam pop album for Saturday nights.

PEARL JAM Live On Ten Legs (Monkeywrench)

Eddie and the boys commemorate the anniversary of their first album by giving us this incendiary live set culled from various live shows of the last six years.

BLANK DOGS Land And Fixed (Captured Tracks)

Our favourite Brooklyn warbly-goth-popper gives us the most mature and cogent release of his already vast catalogue.

DISAPPEARS Guider (Kranky)

Expect fuzzy, hypnotic guitar workouts a la Wooden Shjips and Spacemen 3 from these very capable rockers.

V/A Something Is Wrong: Songs From East Africa, 1952 – 1957 (Honest Jon’s)

It looks like a Mississippi Records release, but no, this killer collection comes via Honest Jon’s. A transcendental collection of obscure 78s. Two LPs. Killer.

The Gig

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

Fri FEB 25 | SWANS at the Rickshaw!

All of us at the store were impressed by M Gira’s retooled, recharged Swans on 2010 “My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky.” Suffice to say that we are freaking out for Gira and company to roll into town and decimate the Rickshaw. It’ll be a rare chance to see a true originator and master at work, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

The Glance

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