Cuckoo Canoe / Shining...

Although this is a bit of a departure for the type of music that I generally feature on this blog, I felt like it deserved a bit of a mention on here. I only recently had a chance to listen to the album Basketball Freedom Overdrive by the NYC trio Cuckoo Canoe. Goofy name aside, their album is actually pretty impressive despite the obvious Strokes pseudo garage influence they have going. Even though they do have that sort of style to them, their music is undeniably catchy. I never find myself listening to a whole lot of fairly straight up indie rock, but this certainly grabbed me after I listened to it a couple times through. It’s actually kind of nice to hear a band that is working within tight limits of funding and a DIY attitude release something that I would consider much more listenable than whatever the latest overly hyped indie darling is. Cuckoo Canoe may not be forging any sort of new ground with this release, but they obviously know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating catchy pop songs. Hopefully this will make its way across indie land and get some attention, because it’s solid enough to warrant some, that’s for sure.

Cuckoo Canoe – Aderol [MP3]
Cuckoo Canoe – Turtle Envy [MP3]

There really isn’t much information on the release or really the band itself. However, for those interested, they do have a MySpace.


Another album that I gave some attention to over the weekend is the new one from Shining entitled Grindstone. After their last album In the Kingdom of Kitsch, it’s pretty evident that these guys have made a name for their selves as being possibly one of the most original bands currently out there right now. They originally started out as an odd post-bop jazz quartet; however the band has over time taken that sound and greatly built upon it and turned into an interesting art-rock blend. I have no idea how to capture Shining’s sound in the form of words. To say it’s completely all over the place is probably an understatement. The influences are many, and they hit them hard here on their latest album. While I have yet to determine whether this album is as great as In the Kingdom of Kitsch, I can still tell you that it’s definitely going to be pretty good regardless. I do have to admit I wasn’t high on the opening track, but Grindstone seems to gain steam as it rolls on. Some of the songs like “Psalm” are pretty mind blowing and continue to strengthen this bands place in the upper tier of avant-rock.

Shining – Psalm [MP3]

This has yet to be released in the US and doesn’t look like there will be one for a couple months or so. Until then keep checking out the Rune Grammofon for a more definitive release date. Enjoy!