The Details - The Original Mark EP and mp3

The Details have released a new ep entitled The Original Mark. It's a teaser for their upcoming album, which will feature production by Stephen Carroll (of The Weakerthans) and Brandon Reid (The National). A Weakerthans connection makes sense, because The Details loosely fit in with other Winnipeg bands that like to have "The" before their name, write mature, oft-literate tunes, and contain musicians who have some punk in their pedigree - like The Weakerthans and The Paperbacks, for example.

The Details-The Original Mark by scruffy the yak

The Original Mark tracklist:
1. The Original Mark
2. Surface Breaks
3. Uniform
4. Strings and Ribbons
5. Floor Plans (Remix)



Tour Dates:

18 Nov 2010 20:00 Norma Jeans London, Ontario
21 Nov 2010 20:00 The Mansion Kingston, Ontario
22 Nov 2010 20:00 The Drake Hotel Underground Toronto, Ontario
27 Nov 2010 21:30 Lo Pub Winnipeg, Manitoba

Buy The Details here.

The Paperbacks give you more MP3s, tour like Lance Armstrong

The Paperbacks are still quite willing to let you join their gang (what should their fan club be called?). Maybe you've been afraid to dive into the spiky seas of their double album, Lit From Within, with its frothy 20-foot waves and dark, chilly depths. Never fear, the boys are playing the crack dealer role well, slipping you another taste that will have you begging for more - two more tracks to lovingly place on your Walkman until you must buy the whole frigging thing.

Drop me a comment below - how do you like the Soundcloud player? Does it download the mp3 quickly and easily for ya? Witty, pithy ideas for the Paperbacks fan club, anyone?

The paperbacks-a dizzy chain of bees by scruffy the yak

The paperbacks-perpetual autumn by scruffy the yak



“Lit From Within” Tour Dates

May 14 Winnipeg, MB @ Lo Pub w/ The Departures and The Ear Drums.
June 01 Thunder Bay, ON @ Black Pirate's Pub
June 02 Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ Foggy Notions w/ Kalle Mattson
June 03 Sudbury, ON @ The Townehouse Tavern
June 05 Montreal, QC @ Quai des Brumes - w/ Mia Verko & Camaromance
June 04 Toronto, ON @ TBA
June 06 Quebec City, QC @ L'Agitee w/ Fiction in Motion & Hopeful 16.
June 08 Rimouski, QC @ Bar L'Après-Match w/ Modern Sins + Guests.
June 10 Halifax, NS @ Gus's Pub w/ Greg MacPherson & The Winning Hearts
June 11 Moncton, NB @ Plan B
June 12 Sydney, NS @ Governor's Pub
June 15 Ottawa, NS @ Rainbows
June 16 Toronto, ON @ NXNE
June 17 Sarnia, ON @ Paddy Flaherty's
June 18 Toronto, ON @ NXNE
June 19 Peterborough, ON @ The Spill.
June 24 Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice w/ The Darby and Joan Club
June 25 Calgary, AB @ Broken City
June 26 Edmonton, AB @ Haven Social Club w/ We Were Lovers

The Paperbacks Make Art

Winnipeg continues to offer up essential artists brought to you by the letter P (see previous post), but this week's band has little in common with the Pumps or Personality Crisis. The Paperbacks have been churning out literate pop for almost a decade now. However, only two full-length albums, An Episode of Sparrows (2003) and An Illusion Against Death (2007) had materialized. Until now. Well, January 12th is the official release date, but more importantly, the bookish ones have unleashed a juggernaut by way of a double album. Yes, that's right, 32 tracks of wordy indie-rock, all available tout-suite. Who releases double albums? Rush? Husker Du? Ryan Adams? Smashing Pumpkins? Although there have probably been a few Manitobans who have accomplished this feat, I can't think of any. In any event, you can buy it from Scratch, Bandcamp, Cdbaby, iTunes, Amazon, Kresge's, Woolworth, The Bay, Syd's Carousel, Long John Silver's, Kelly's, Records on Wheels, Mr. Sound, Impulse, and any online service you can think of and a bunch more you've never thought of and never will.



So what does it sound like? Well, the name of the band should help, as should the above adjectives "literate" and "wordy". Song titles such as Illness as Metaphor, Casually Swearing at the Vacant Coastline, The Asheville Period (In Retrospect), Stars (for Claire Massey), Regrettable Tattoos, may give you further clues as to the sensibilities of these gentlemen. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug McLean was never afraid of using his vocabulary with previous bands Painted Thin or The Bonaduces, but now lyrical poetry flows like fine ale at the King's Head. Reference points may or may not include The Weakerthans or Death Cab For Cutie, but smart, melodic guitar-based rock is never a bad start. Add some good dynamics, a few well-placed guest musicians, and a willingness to be inventive, and you've got a fine recipe. Haven't heard the whole album yet; what do you make of these songs?

The Paperbacks - Make Art (download mp3 here)


The Paperbacks - Slow Learners (download mp3 here)


There wil be an album release party January 23rd at the West End Cultural Centre, be there or be mumbly and artless.

It Will Take Courage, My Love


Lit From Within


Who Will Run the Starfish Hospital