Magazine

Independent, provocative, now! The CJLO Magazine is the resource for features, reviews, and interviews. Established in 2004, and run by dedicated CJLO volunteers, the magazine covers the latest and best in local and international music, art, theatre, film, festivals, and more!

Metal Monday: Home for the Horrordays!

December 23 2013 // Magazine // Features

All this holly jolly jingle belling got you feeling down? Is braving the hordes of seasonal shopping zombies making you wanna kick someone in the ring-ting-ting-a-lings? Let me help you find some emotional catharsis during your winter holidays by catching up on some of 2013's most essential horror film releases.

U.S. Girls - Free Advice Column

December 17 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album review by CJLO Magazine contributor Chelsea Woodhouse

Self-taught musician and vocalist, Meghan Remy's Free Advice Column is a four song EP that is courageous in both tone and melody. This brief selection is a collaborative effort between both Remy and Canadian hip-hop producer Onakabazien, who also worked together on the 2011 full-length album U.S. Girls on KraaK.

Metal Monday: Thrash Metal Needs Old Tones

December 16 2013 // Magazine // Features

Like many fans of heavy metal in the past decade or so, I was happy to see thrash metal enjoy a resurgence in popularity. There was a dark age that lasted for a number of years after the style's original decline in the early '90s, but the next decade saw a slow revival. Lots of bands reunited, new and talented thrash bands formed, and the audiences returned. However, I do have a pet peeve concerning many of the newer releases of thrash metal acts. Namely, I believe that new thrash releases all too often make use of the modern tones associated with metalcore styles when they ideally should not.

Ari Swan - Symphony Plastique

December 15 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

Symphony Plastique is the debut solo release by Montreal artist Ari Swan. This four-track EP, recorded with Jamie Thompson (The Unicorns, Esmerine), paints a beautiful aural space that includes percussion and various effects that yield an eclectic mix of sounds and rhythms. Swan's vocals and violin weave together nicely around the canvas of sound created by Thompson giving us tracks that are fun, playful and at times intricate; a true symphonic duet.

Beartooth - Sick EP

December 13 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

World Psychedelic Classics 5 - Who Is William Onyeabor?

December 12 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

If you have no idea who William Onyeabor is, you're not alone. The information available about him is unfathomable at best, but what I can tell you is that he is a Nigerian man of mystery. 

Tamaryn - Tender New Signs

December 12 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

There's something to be said for control, especially when you're making a full length record. In the case of Tamaryn's new release Tender New Signs, there is a very noticeable amount of deliberate choices made, adding up to a pleasant and varied experience for the listener.

American Sharks

December 12 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album review by CJLO Magazine contributor Craig Carestia

The self-titled release from Austin, Texas stoner-punks (yeah, I just made that up) American Sharks is like a 100-mile-an-hour space cruise down a desolate desert road through the centre of bat country. The album is like punk played through amps built from used Ford Thunderbird parts. If those wizard/tiger/dragon airbrush paintings on the sides of cargo vans in the '70s could record an album of their own, American Sharks would be it.

Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe

December 12 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

Album review by CJLO Magazine contributor Chelsea Woodhouse

A slow car ride into a happier time?

Rhapsody of Fire - Dark Wings of Steel

December 11 2013 // Magazine // Music Reviews

Greetings one and all to the halls of metal, blessed by the gods themselves. It's Cecil here, and today I have something for all of you. Hailing from the Italian lands we have Rhapsody of Fire's latest album Dark Wings of Steel, and I'm not sick of it yet. Now, before I get started, let me just get comfortable with a nice strong drink.

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