DusTy SORBET A Still Life With Timely Nick- Nacks No Records Halifax’s urban hobo poet, Dusty Sorbet, can craft an album with as much heart and tenderness as a live performance. In fact, almost half of his album, A Still Life With Timely Nick-Nacks, contains recordings from a show at the Oxford Theatre in Halifax. The rest of the album retains the intimacy and raw vul- nerability with recordings that sound like they were recorded live off the floor. This album is rugged- ly beautiful and as warm and gentle as Dusty. -SML GuittTRIP GuiltTRIP Independent Not being a fan of punk myself, I ‘vas surprised at how much | liked this six-song album. Cape Breton’s Guilt TRIP can get very heavy at times, but they also know how to make melodies, which balances everything out and makes their songs easier to digest than most punk that I have heard. The lyrics are nothing special: angst-ridden, me-against-the-world fare. Most of their songs, however, have long pauses between the instrumentals so the musicians can display their real talent. In fact, one of their best songs is “No Gratitude,” which has no lyrics at all. If you like punk, give them a try; if you don’t like punk, give them a try. www.guilttrip.org. -JC Chris Colepaugh and the Cosmic Crew 16 Second Solace Independent Fans of this explosive rock outfit from New Brunswick may be sur- prised by the slick production value of 16 Second Solace. Even though the ferocious live energy of front- man Chris Colepaugh has been somewhat tamed in this studio recording, the result is a different presentation of what the band is capable of. All band members are talented musicians and songwriters as is displayed in the classic blues jams on this record. Listening to this album is a totally different experience from seeing the band live, but the excellent quality and mixing of the recording allows the listener to appreciate their skills as skilled technical musicians. I can’t wait to hear a live recording of this band in the future. -SML ROCK RANGER Rock Ranger Independent This album is perfect, and the best east coast album release this year. Each track is better than the previ- ous one, catchier, more exciting. This guitar riff rock is tight with every note and every word perfect- ly placed, perfectly recorded. "Cut and Dry," "Forward Fall," and "Nothin up my Sleeve," stand out somewhat from the other tracks, along with "Shotgun" and its remix by Charlottetown's Windom Earle. www.houseofrock.ca -SKM THE Rupdy HUXTABLE PROJECT with demonstrative objectives Independent “My Boy,” or the catchy “Whatever The Rudy Huxtable Project gave one of the best performances over the weekend and have released the most visually pleasing CD jacket as well (all 32 copies have different jackets). The trio's first release is personal, melodic punk. The home- recorded sound would make any- one else's material sound mediocre, but it adds warmth to theirs. All 12 tracks are strong, but "White Coat Hypertension," "Bruised Walls," and "Soundtrack to Observation," stand out as their best work. www.cblocals.com -SKM EYES FOR TELESCOPES Please Survive Independent Just when you think you have decided, once and for all, what exactly is best about Eyes For Telescopes—it’s Pat Deighan and Belinda Doyle’s harmony on the Eric’s Trip-esque “Marigold”—you start to have doubts. Maybe the best thing about them is the haunting Happened.” No. No the best thing about them is Dan Currie’s vocals on the bluesy “Cold Depression.” Hmm, no, it’s that slinky groove on “Blonde Wig.” Finally you come to the realization that the best thing about Eyes for Telescopes is the band in its entirety and the fact that this is just their first album. -MFD ‘ =" | e s 8 S & & 8 % & & Es % eS es : SROReReaR aOR URORIRIRIR EERE CBI RRR: RRIIIETRROII The Cadre —