Glasvegas

Scottish quartet Glasvegas just released their debut self-titled full-length this past week domestically but I've been listening to a promo for the last month now. Even before I'd read things like Creation Records / PopTones head Alan McGee, heralding them "The most exciting thing I've heard since Jesus and Mary Chain" or the BBC saying that the band "...draw on rockabilly and pop from the 1950s and '60s, using a backdrop of brooding guitars to create their own wall of sound, a bit like the Jesus and Mary Chain playing the 'Grease' soundtrack", my initial impressions that the band dabbled in a 60's-ish pop sound combined with JAMC's wall-of-sound were already quite evident. Although, perhaps early JAMC's wall-of-sound aesthetics sounded a bit like they were filtered through a tin can, Glasvegas go for broke with a much clearer production, and glorious waves of guitar, bass and drums combined with vocalist James Allan's attractive emotive Scottish drawl leading things along more than competently. Glasvegas sound big, fit for stadiums or big halls, much in the same way that Oasis approaches their influences with a large robust sound. Lyrically, there's a few missteps, but I find myself better able to handle them the more I listen to the album. I'm looking forward to seeing them when they come to Toronto for a just-announced show at The Mod Club on April 3, tickets onsale January 10. They performed on Late Show With David Letterman a few nights ago and will perform on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on January 15. [photo courtesy of William Morris Agency]

MySpace: Glasvegas
Video: Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (live on Late Show with David Letterman)

Brooklyn Vegan informs that Femi Kuti has cancelled all upcoming tour dates in February (including a Toronto date at The Opera House that had been scheduled for January 15) due to illness.

Canoe indicates that Tokyo Police Club have a date at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 4. The venue site indicates that the event taking place that day is a Teen Consumer show. Anyone know what that's about.

NME reports that The Watson Twins are kicking off a North American tour on February 16 to support the release of their newest album "Fire Songs". The tour stops in Toronto for a show at The Mod Club on February 22.

Attack In Black post at their Myspace that they along with Baby Eagle and Shotgun Jimmie have started a new record label which will be releasing Shotgun Jimmie's new album "Still Jimmie" on March 10. A MySpace post over at Shotgun Jimmie's page says that the new record label imprint is called "You've Changed". Over at CBC Radio 3, they report that Attack In Black and Baby Eagle will be doing a split LP (perhaps being released on their new label I guess?). Attack In Black will be covering Baby Eagle's "Some Things We Lose".