Montreal's Jon Cohen Experimental put out an unusual album called Behold, and it's been circling around in my head like a magical bee for the past few weeks. Featuring members of The Dears, The Stars, and The Stills, among others, the record often seems dreamlike, oweing in part to layered, hushed vocals. Although parts of the album may faintly recall the whimsy of The Flaming Lips, mores cues seem to be taken from early to mid-period Pink Floyd (more David Gilmour vocally than Syd Barrett or Roger Waters), but overall, it sounds like when seventies rock musicians began to expand their conciousness. You get the feeling that any instrument could find its way into the mix, and in fact 17 different players lend their expertise. Lyrically, I detect a wicked anti-corporate stance, personal politics of choice against a dehumanizing society, a crafty vote for going against the grain while utilizing a musical palette that is catchy yet still slightly going against the grain - not too far from what The Dears or The Stars do in their own way. My favourite so far is Hold the Fire, featuring sold in-your-face drums, melodic fuzzy bass, shimmery and spiky guitar, and smooth, warm vocals. Jon Cohen Experimental will play in Winnipeg at the Cavern Club January 14.
Jan 9 Behold Tour Windsor, CA Jan 10 Behold tour Hamilton, ON, CANADA Jan 11 Behold tour St. Catherines, Ontario, CANADA Jan 12 Behold tour Sudbury, Ontario, CANADA Jan 13 Behold Tour Thunder Bay, Ontario, CANADA Jan 14 Behold Tour Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA Jan 15 Behold tour Edmonton, Alberta, CA Jan 18 Behold Tour Regina, Saskatchewan, CA Jan 20 Behold Tour Calgary, Alberta, CA Jan 22 Behold Tour Golden, British Co, CANADA Jan 25 Behold tour Penticton, British Co, CA Jan 26 Behold tour Kelowna, British Co, CA Jan 29 Behold tour Victoria, British Co, CA Feb 17 Behold Tour Vancouver, British Co, CA Feb 18 Behold Tour Burnaby, British Co, CA Feb 24 Behold Tour Duncan, British Co, CA Mar 7 Behold Tour San Francisco, California Mar 9 Behold Tour San Diego, California Mar 9 Behold San Diego, California Mar 17 SXSW Austin, Texas
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Scruffy the Yak 34 Allenby Cres Winnipeg Mb R2C 3J4
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