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

Let England Shake from PJ Harvey’s excellent new album Let England Shake (Universal).

PJ Harvey has crafted a truly singular path in the music industry over the past two decades. Intethered to any real trends, she has the remarkable ability to veer between menacing and charming in a way that never comes off as awkward or contrived. It’s been a career of left turns and many unexpected delights. Let England Shake is a concept album of sorts that explores England’s place in the modern world. There are mentions of the country’s 1915 Gallipoli campaign, the UN, an the damp greyness, all sung in a high, off kilter soprano. This is a musically intriguing album; for Harvey’s first foray into sampling she’s dug up a series of totally unlikely sources. I mean, digging up Niney The Observer, The Four Lads, and Eddie Cochrane? Who’d a thunk? In anyone else’s hands this could be a flop. But then PJ Harvey is like no other. Consistently fascinating, Harvey’s done something great with Let England Shake, and it’s going to take me a while to figure out just what that is.

The Playlist

TIM HECKER Ravedeath, 1972 (Kranky)

A national treasure, Tim Hecker returns with another fully formed, austere album ambient greatness. Features organ tracks recorded in a cave in Iceland!.

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE Asleep On The Floodplain (Drag City)

Ben Chasny is a shining constellation in the Fahey/Sir Richard Bishop/Sandy Bull axis of guitar picking trans- migration and Asleep is a fine addition to what has become and extremely impressive oeuvre.

MARKLEY A Group (Aurora)

Here’s the kind of gem that we at the store love to dig up for our discerning customers: Markely is, in effect, The West Coast Pop Art Experimental band under a different name. A classic slice of 1969 psychedelia, this was the band’s attempt at getting a hit. There’s no “hit” here per se, just a lot of great, inventive pop!

CHROMATICS Night Drive reissue (Italians Do It Better)

PDX’s Chromatics evolved from skronky, thrashy post punk into a sleek, sexy electro outfit. Night Drive is like some great lost 80s B-film soundtrack. It’s a perfect album to play while you pretty yourself up for a night out. It’s sexy.

TORO Y MOI Underneath The Pine (Carpark)

One of Chillwave’s leading lights wastes no time in following a strong debut. Underneath The Pine finds Toro bridging chillwave towards electro as a whole without losing the trademark woozy catchiness that made us love it in the first place.

BRIAN ENO Another Green World LP Reissue (EG)

This is a beautiful vinyl reissue of one of my favourite Eno “rock albums” (before he went fully ambient). Featuring a Japanese Obi sleeve and heavy vinyl, here’s a great way to get a brand new copy of a perennial classic.

HEY ROSETTA! Seeds and Into Your Lungs (Sonic)

Two albums of local greatness from these fast rising stars! In short order these guys are going to be travelling the world, appearing on Jimmy Fallon, etc. Get in on this while you still claim bragging rights.

SEEFEEL s/t (Warp)

I never would’ve predicted the return of Seefeel, one of the leading lights of early 90s UK shoegaze/electronica, but having heard this new self titled long player, I’m sure glad it happened. Spaced-out kraut grooves blend into ethereal synths and tribal drums. This is awesome.

DUCKTAILS III: Arcade Dynamics (Woodsist)

A part time Real Estate member, Matthew Mondile is something of a wunderkind. Arcade Dynamics finds Mondile in good form, crafting hooky bedroom recordings that wobble and bobble like an earworm into your skull. Features an appearance from Panda Bear on one track.

Richard Pinhas L’Ethique (Cuneiform)

Recognized as the Father Of French Electronic Music, a one time Philosophy professor at the esteemed Sorbonne, and a founding member of synth explorers Heldon, Pinhas was an avatar of space rock, a French brother to characters like Klause Shulze, Tangerine Dream, etc. We are justifiably psyched to be carrying this 1982 solo classic!

The Gig

Wed MAR 9 GZA – FORTUNE

This one is a total no-brainer. I mean, GZA at Fortune?!? What more do you want? The Wu Tang member dazzled the crowd at Richards a few years back, and there’s no doubting he’ll do the same this time out. We’re selling tickets fast, so don’t sleep on this one.

The Glance

Mon MAR 7
CRYSTAL CASTLES – COMMODORE – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Wed MAR 9
GZA – FORTUNE

Thu MAR 10
DATSIK – GOSSIP

Fri MAR 11
DRIVE BY TRUCKERS – COMMODORE – WE ARE SOLD OUT

Sat MAR 12
KAKI KING – BILTMORE
HUGH CORNWELL – VENUE
MARCY PLAYGROUND – BILTMORE
BORN RUFFIANS – RICKSHAW
GEOFF BERNER – WISE HALL

Mon MAR 14
TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS – VENUE

Wed MAR 16
MICKEY AVALON – VENUE
FAKE BLOOD – FORTUNE

Thu MAR 17
DESTROYER w/ WAR ON DRUGS- COMMODORE

Fri MAR 18
THE TOWN PANTS – COMMODORE
DIRTY SOUTH – CELEBRITIES

Sat MAR 19
WARPAINT – BILTMORE
WEST COAST REGGAE CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS – DIAMOND BANQUET HALL
THE RESIDENTS – RICKSHAW
BASS KLEPH – GINGER 62

Tue MAR 22
GOLD PANDA – FORTUNE
MEN – BILTMORE

Thu MAR 24
TATE RADIO – BILTMORE

Fri MAR 25
ELECTRIC SIX – COMMODORE
AKRON FAMILY – BILTMORE

Sat MAR 26
THE PARLOTONES – BILTMORE
ESBEN AND THE WITCH – WALDORF

Sun MAR 27
TELEKINESIS – MEDIA CLUB

Mon MAR 28
TORO Y MOI + BRAIDS – BILTMORE

Tue MAR 29
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE – BILTMORE
SHARON VAN ETTEN – MEDIA

Wed MAR 30
SAY HI – MEDIA CLUB
O’DEATH + STRANGE BOYS – BILTMORE

Thu MAR 31
MOUNT KIMBIE – BILTMORE
THE DODOS – RICKSHAW