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…

So It Goes from Akron/Family’s new album The Cosmic Birth And Journey Of Shinju (Dead Oceans).

As one of the most consistently interesting and most difficult to pin-point bands of the last decade, a new Akron/Family album is always an event. The band has tried on more styles than most other bands are aware exist, everything from ambient tone-clusters to rootsy weirdo folk, from Funkadelic-style work outs to ripping guitar ragers. On their fifth outing, the curiously titled S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju, the band again treats us to a smorgasboard of styles and flavours, the result of which is anything but monotonous. Very few bands are capable of wearing so many musical hats, but somehow the four Buddhist dudes in Akron/ Family make it all seem natural.

The Playlist

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

MOGWAI Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will (Sub Pop)

At this point in their career it’s hardly necessary for the five Scottish rocker/hooligans to prove their rightful place in the hallowed chamber of guitar gods. But in case you need reminding, Hardcore.. is a swirling beast of an album, the soundtrack to a distant star imploding into itself and then hurtling endlessly outwards. Heavy.

CRASS Stations Of The Crass (Crass Records)

A beautiful re-release of Crass’ second scuzz-punk long player that sounds great, looks great, and includes unreleased tracks and an informative booklet with photos and essays. A vital document, lovingly curated by the band for the dirty, vegan, anti-establishment, backyard gardening, brick throwing punk inside you!

OFF! First Four Eps (Vice)

A punk rock super group of sorts, Off! is a conglomerate of Redd Kross, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Rocket From The Crypt and countless other SoCal hardcore outfits. And you guessed it, this collection recalls the kind skate-trash, whip your hair anthems that make you want to drain your neighbour’s pool and carve that mother!

WILLI WRIGHT Telling The Truth (Numero Group)

We at the store are huge supporters of the obscure, totally unheard-of gems that Numero Group label digs up. Telling The Truth is Willie Wright’s counter-culture call to arms, and comes off as kind of fringe Gil Scot-Heron style street-preaching. And you know what? Of lot of Willi says rings true.

DECEMBERISTS The King Is Dead (EMI)

The title of the Portland indie-rock overlords may reference The Smiths, but this album is pure Americana roots through and through. Pete Buck (R.E.M.) and Gillian Welch show up to help out, though its hardly necessary. Meloy and co. have got this one in the pocket.

BRIGHT EYES The People’s Key (Saddle Creek)

Having ditched the wide-eyed wunderkind persona of years past, Oberst returns with a concept album of sorts about space travel, UFOs, and ultimately, the place of humans in the grand cosmic scheme of things.

V/A Pakistan: Folk And Pop Instrumentals ’66-’76 (Sublime Frequencies)

Sublime Frequencies, that impeccable archival label that specializes in documenting obscure musics from far flung corners of the world, presents to us a superb 2LP gatefold set of insanely catchy Pakistani garage/pop/folk songs. I’m not going to pretend like I’ve ever heard of any of these artists before, but I will go on record as saying that this collection slays.

WYE OAK Civilian (Merge)

Thie Baltimore husband wife duo that comprise Wye Oak do a bang up job of mixing melodic, shoegaze guitars with splashes of electronic colour, all held together with wife-singer Jenn’s cooing vocals. We like.

IRON AND WINE Kiss Each Other Clean (WEA)

Sam Beam’s funky new Topanga Canyon-flavoured affair is sunshine harmonies all the way down Venture Highway. See you at the beach.

DESTROYER Kaputt (Merge)

I promise this is the last week that I will feature hometown boy Bejar’s newest long player on the Zulu Report. The reason it keeps appearing is that this quiet-storm, sax-inflected, Epic Ninth Album is a stone cold stunner.

The Gig

Fri FEB 18 SADIES – VOGUE

Generally regarded as one of the best live bands in the world, let alone Canada, the Sadies are a treasure to behold. Moving effortlessly from lonesome twang to surf to psychedelia, the Sadies are true masters. If you have not yet had the chance to bask the unfurling, swirling melodies that this band produces then avail yourself of the chance to see it all go down in the beautiful Vogue theatre.

The Glance

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