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

MONSTERS OF FOLK | “The Right Place” from their self-titled debut on Shangri-la Music.

Based on the flood of fresh faced interest in Monsters of Folk, their recent performance at the Commodore Ballroom must have been the stuff of indie crush folk lore. Bearded and dreamy, M. Ward, Jim James,? Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis a.k.a. Monsters of Folk are the indie rock equivalent to the legendary super-group The Traveling Wilburys and arguably even give those debonair dudes a run for their riffage money. Originally conceived in 2004 as a special touring group that fleshed out each others respective recording catalogs, the band like their time away from My Morning Jacket, Bright Eyes and M. Ward projects so much that further collaborating on a studio recording quickly became the next goal. Thus, five years in the making, Monsters of Folk finally set aside their respective ultra busy schedules and offer up with instant classic debut record. Shades of Dylan, The Band, John Lennon, and Neil Young all come through on these immaculate tunes – destined to become one for the ages!

Hear more at http://www.myspace.com/monstersoffolk

The Playlist

HOPE SANDOVAL AND THE WARM INVENTIONS Through The Devil Softly (Nettwerk)
As close as one can get to the sonic equivalent of absinthe – Hope’s songs are dark, deep, and all consuming.

MT. EERIE Wind’s Poem (Pwelverumandsun Records)
Phil’s most intensely brooding album features more than just delicate folk guitar – there’s even some tasteful crackling ambient drones.

AIR Love 2 (Capitol Records)
From France with love comes another rogue hot air balloon of sexy sexy sexy synth rock. Oh the drama.

BOB DYLAN Christmas In The Heart (Sony)
Agreeable or not… Dylan writes his own rules and then rewrites his claim on the classics. Hard not to love.

MUM Sing Along To Songs ( Euphone Records)
Iceland’s second most famous band give us their most organic blast of pastoral electronica.

GOSSIP Music For Men (Sony)
Welcome to the big league! Gossip release their major label debut and shock the system with some dense electro-punk chaos.

CONVERGE Axe to Fall (Epitaph Records)
Kicking ass live with Mastodon Converge are indeed a jewel in the post-hardcore metal crown.

BREAKESTRA Dusk Till Dawn (Strut Records)
Shout outs to L.A.’s best breakbeat, old school funk, Latin grooves, jazz and soul combo. This should move you.

VOLCANO CHOIR Unmap (Jagjaguwar Records)
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon gets loose on this decidedly non-backwoods folky side-project.

NOAH AND THE WHALE The First Days Of Spring (Mercury)
A great break-up album and one of this week’s most requested titles – oh heartbreak on 4th Ave!!

The Gig

AMY MILLAN Saturday OCT 24th  at The Biltmore

Toronto’s Amy Millan already has an impressive resume that includes roles in Canadian indie faves The Stars and Broken Social Scene, but with the arrival of her remarkable sophomore release Masters of The Burial, it has become abundantly clear that her cup overrunneth with musical talents. Catching this show in the intimately small confines of the Biltmore is highly recommended, as much like her kindred Arts and Crafts record sister Feist, only bigger and bigger stages lie on the horizon. Millan’s gorgeous lush arrangements that cradle her moody voice and lyricism are nothing short of enthralling live as her songs reveal their absorbing charms blissfully. Truly a night of beautiful music – see you there.

Here and learn more at http://www.myspace.com/amymillan and http://www.arts-crafts.ca/amymillan/index2.html

The Glance

Tue OCT 20

ISLANDS – RICKSHAW
PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS – BILTMORE
MOBY (DJ SET) – VENUE

Wed OCT 21

FORMER GHOSTS – MEDIA CLUB
YO LA TENGO – COMMODORE –

Thu OCT 22

GOSSIP – COMMODORE –
LE LOUP – BILTMORE
JOEL BATTLE – ST.JAMES
CRYSTAL CASTLES DJ SET – CAPRICE

Fri Oct 23

CEDRIC GERVAIS – CELEBRITIES
THAO – BILTMORE
ALELA DIANE + MARISSA NADLER – MEDIA CLUB

Sat OCT 24

DEAD MAN’S BONES – VENUE
JESUS LIZARD – COMMODORE
AMY MILLAN – BILTMORE

Sun OCT 25

SHONEN KNIFE – BILTMORE

Mon OCT 26

THE DODOS – BILTMORE
THE SOUNDS – COMMODORE

Tue OCT 27

PROPAGANDHI – RICKSHAW

Wed OCT 28

AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT – COMMODORE
CROOKERS – CELEBRITIES
YOUNG GALAXY – BILTMORE