DECEMBER 7, 2006

THE CADRE @ 15

ARTS & ENTERTAIND

ANT

Swan Lake - Beast Moans

Whitney Rose. Reporter

A flawless amalgamation of already established Canadian musicians has graced the Indie music scene to bring us a stunning new album.

Together, Daniel Bejar of Destroyer and New Pornographers, Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown and Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes make up Swan Lake, whose debut album “Beast Moans” was released on Novy. 21.

I must admit, at first listen it sounded to me as though the trio had come together and simultaneously started to play tunes from their individual previous

groups. Upon encouragement to listen further, I focused on

songs that Krug (my personal |

favorite of the three) had written. It was then that I fell hopelessly in love with “Are You Swimming In Her Pools?” a song that has the

uncontested diversity to hold a place in anyone’s iPod. What is so fascinating about his work is the choice of light and heavy he offers; the effect of his music is to the discretion of the listener. It’s ostensible aitniness is as attractive as its engraved depth and I am having a hard time deciding which aspect I appreciate more. Another fabulous Krug tune is “All Fires”, which is the predicted hit of the album.

Being familiar with only three of the bands that the trio comes from, my next step is to acquaint myself with the other two and I recommend you do the same. Before indulging in Swan Lake, learn their history and break in your ear. Then write letters to the Student Union and politely,

yet firmly, inform them that

good music does exist and that it should be reflected in the bands we are subjected to at the Wave.

White Swan: Daniel Bejar, Spencer Krug, and Carey Mercer

Photo: Google Image Search

Kim Stockwood’s first Christmas CD a sure hit

Mélanie Bernard Managing Editor

Kim Stockwood has finally done it, she has released a Christmas CD!

When I first listened to I Love Santa I wanted to go buy a fancy red dress and go to a classy Christmas party. The instruments in these songs made me want to dance. I don’t know how to dance to this kind of music, but if I had a fancy red dress, I’m sure I could learn really quickly.

The festive mixture of the drums, guitars, trumpets, trombones, violins and other percussion instruments helped Stockwood master the tunes

Stockwood wrote a few songs for this CD, including, Home This Christmas (How Water Street Lit Up The Sky) and I Love Santa. They were very playful. They have the perfect sound for the Christmas season and they will be played incessantly on my playlist. Home This Christmas has a wonderful piano solo that is sure to make this one a favourite for everyone. She masters the charming voice needed for Christmas classics and she really makes you believe how badly she wants to go home for Christmas.

When I heard the

classics like O Christmas Tree, Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer and Have Yourself

a Merry Little Christmas, a flood of Christmas memories came pouring through my mind. The music lets you forget about all the stresses in life and takes you to a happy time of presents, family, booze and food enough to feed an army.

It was also great to hear Stockwood’s fellow Shaye sisters, Tara MacLean and Damhnait Doyle, on track 11, Silent Night.

For those of you who are stressed out by exams and final projects, I recommend listening to this CD. You would never know it, but Christmas music can be relaxing... unless some of you have worked in a mall of grocery store where they start

http://www.kimstockwood.com/Blurb.aspx

pumping out the Christmas tunes in October.

I think Christmas music is hard to master. I was apprehensive when I put the

CD in, but Stockwood really pulled it off. I can’t wait to hear these songs on the radio.