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

FUCKED UP – “The Other Shoe” – David Comes To Life (Matador)

Seriously. Best band in Canada? Perhaps. I touched on this record last week, but I have to extend the spotlight one more week because I truly can’t get enough of the new LP from this Toronto quintet. Maybe the soft spot in my heart for cheesy punk and cheesy arena rock is vulnerable. This album is equal parts both. This is one of those records that really makes sense to own in its physical form. I mean, I guess you could find some lame, half-guessed lyric transcriptions on the internet, but personally I really enjoy holding the liner notes in my hands (even better when printed 12×12!) and pouring over the poetry that Pink Eyes has promised since the early days of Fucked Up.

The Playlist

TUNE-YARDS Whokill (4AD)

Thought I had this band pegged, but I must admit their new LP has some rad surprises up its sleeve! Indie-afropop yodeling. Well then! Watch this video!

GANG GANG DANCE Eye Contact (4AD)

Sprawling eleven-minute opener sets the tone for great new album from mad NYC electro-rock scientists!

THE KILLS Blood Pressures (Domino)

Heavy heady shit from this UK duo. Makes me wanna scowl and ask one of the UPS guys that delivers our weekly shipments if he’d be “into scrapping” as a gag, but also testing the waters to see if he’d actually throw down. Homie looks tough!

ARCTIC MONKEYS Suck It And See (Domino)

I’m not sure what the Monkeys are trying to say with that album title but I’ll ignore it and listen to the music. You know what it reminds me of? The first Bloc Party record, guitar wise. Whoa, this is actually really good so far! Yeah!!!

THE RAVEONETTES Raven in the Grave (Vice)

Remember when they were only writing songs in B-flat major? This band has come a long way (although you know what I liked that record too!) This is a standout… super pretty/minimal garage rock tune.

RAPHAEL SAADIQ Stone Rollin’ (Columbia)

Dude was in Tony! Toni! Toné! Am I the last one to know that? Nevertheless, hear his newest single! ‘Tis the season to be sexy!

OBITS Moody, Standard and Poor (Sub Pop)

Bratty little punk dudes from Brooklyn. Reminds me a lot of one of my favourite bands, Hot Snakes. Seems legit!

THE ROSEBUDS – Loud Planes Fly Low (Merge)

One of the most underrated bands in indie rock today. Such a promising debut back in ’03. It’s hard to believe this is their 5th proper full-length. They’ve written some of my favourite rock songs over the last 8 years. Best part about this band is that frontman Ivan Howard was about 4 weeks from declaring for the NBA draft when he broke both of his wrists going up for a dunk. He met Kelly Crisp during his recovery and picked up his guitar. The rest is Merge Records history!

The Gig

Thursday JUNE 30 THE SADIES – Biltmore

God bless The Sadies! They’re doin’ two nights at the Biltmore this week. This show in particular will be special as it features a Ford Pier opening slot; always a pleasure to hear the old friendly grouch play new tunes! My favourite piece of trivia about The Sadies was always that they guested on the Adult Swim show 12 oz. Mouse, but now my favourite piece of trivia about The Sadies is that they’re about to sell out two nights in a row at Biltmore. Unheard of!

The Glance

Fri JULY 1 PRETTY LIGHTS – CELEBRITIES – WE ARE SOLD OUT
Sat JULY 2 IAN CAREY – GINGER 62
Tue JULY 5 OMAR SOULEYMAN – BAR NONE
Tue JULY 5 TOOTS & THE MAYTALLS – COMMODORE – WE ARE SOLD OUT
Wed JULY 7 SHEARING PINX RECORD RELEASE SHOW – ZULU RECORDS 7:30PM – FREE!
Wed JULY 7 SKA FEST Ken Boothe w/ Chris Murray – SHIP POINT (Victoria)
Wed JULY 7 GET BUSY COMMITEE – FORTUNE
Thu JULY 8 SKA FEST Planet Smashers – MARKET SQUARE (Victoria)
Thu JULY 8 GABRIEL & DRESDEN – CELEBRITIES
Thu JULY 8 DUB FX – CLUB 560
Fri JULY 9 SKA FEST: KY-MANI MARLEY – COMMODORE
Fri JULY 9 COLISEUM w/ Spirals + Scarebro – BILTMORE
Fri JULY 9 INFECTED MUSHROOM – GOSSIP
Sat JULY 10 SKA FEST: KY-MANI MARLEY – MARKET SQUARE (VICTORIA)
Mon JULY 11 HAPA – BILTMORE
Thu JULY 14 DADA LIFE – FORTUNE
Sun JULY 17 FASTER PUSSY CAT – RICKSHAW
JULY 16 – 17 KULTH MUSIC FESTIVAL – COOMBS RODEO
Thu JULY 21 TORQUX & TWIST – FORTUNE
Fri JULY 22 12TH PLANET w/ Flinch – CELEBRITIES
Fri JULY 22 XV & CASEY VEGGIES – FORTUNE
Sat JULY 23 DERRICK CARTER – GINGER 62