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…

Down By The Water by The Decemberists from their new album The King Is Dead (EMI).

Ditching the prog-goth of their last outing, the epic Hazards of Love, The Decemberists lighten up a bit on The King Is Dead and the result is like a breath of fresh air. The album was recorded in a barn, and there’s a definite back country, Americana vibe permeating the album. Featuring Peter Buck (R.E.M) and Gilliam Welch on some tracks, The King Is Dead is full of tasteful twang and mellow acoustic strums and represents a nice change of pace for this most literate of indie rock bands.

The Playlist

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

SIC ALPS Napa Asylum (Drag City)

Our fave sloppy psychedelic home recorders drop a massive 22 song slab of genius on us in the form of Napa Asylum. By turns folky and jangly and always indelibly catchy, this is the kind of nuthouse I’d be glad to be checked into!

DESTROYER Kaputt (Merge)

Destroyer’s Epic Ninth Album is a stunner! Kaputt is a totally original blend of sounds, a strange and entrancing melange of soul, easy listening, 80s jazz, programmed beats, all reined in by Bejar’s smooth croon.

MONOTONIX Not Yet (Drag City)

The spirit of Iggy lurks somewhere behind the shaggy beards and corkscrew hair of this band. The three Isrealis of Monotonix just want to kick out the jams and blow your speakers with their dirty garage punk jams.

DEERHOOF Vs. Evil (Polyvinyl)

On Vs. Evil, Deerhoof continue to confound the jazzbos and rockers alike with their convulsive, their totally unique, totally inimitable wild style.

DEATH Spiritual Mental Physical (Drag City)

Phew, a brand new collection of scorching proto-punk rippers recorded by this Detroit band between ’74 to ’76.

WIRE Red Barked Trees (Pink Flag)

The elder statesmen of art punk return with a tasteful new album full of left turns. Never thought I’d hear Wire going acoustic, but they pull it off admirably on several songs here. You’ve got to give it to these guys for continuing to try new things.

TENNIS Cape Dory (Fat Possum)

Catch girl group hooks and classic rock and roll melodies from this globe trotting, high sailing husband and wife duo.

V/A Dr. Boogie Presents Wasa Wasa (Sub Rosa)

A superb collection of obscure R&B from ’52 thru ’68 that details the means by which R&B music would become the vector that would let black music infiltrate white popular culture.

TORO Y MOI Causers Of This (Carpark)

The pinnacle of chillwaving is to be found right here on Causers Of This, Toro’s debut full length. Let the mellow summer sun .

WHITE FENCE Is Growing Faith (Woodsist)

One man band Tim Presley gives us a fun album of Kinks-garage, warbly country, and psychedelic flashes.

The Gig

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

Friday, February 11th | CHROMEO at The Commodore

The question is: do you party? If so, seeing the Arab/Israeli dance institution that is Chromeo is a no-brainer. The Commodore is guaranteed to be turned into a writhing pit of bumping and grinding body parts. How carried away you want to get is up to you, but rest assured that Chromeo will be happy to oblige your wildest urges.

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