Here's two more late, unheralded (and primarily red) releases to consider:

Flophouse Jr. Houseboat

[img][100:100]http://www.northern-electric.ca/Houseboat.jpg[/img]

Their first new release since 2002's Hour Glass House. Flophouse Jr. is singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jon Wood's project with singer Susan Young, and together they create an achingly delicate brand of twee alt.country pop. This time out Jon Wood's songs are even more hushed and fragile than ever before, meaning don't even think about popping this sucker in the player unless you're ready to bliss-out in a puddle of your own melancholy.

RIYL: the mellow side of Sparklehorse, Andrew Bird (if he played banjo instead of fiddle), crying in your latte

Rich Hope and his Evil Doers s/t

[img][100:100]http://www.maximumjazz.com/media/images/albums/thumbs/Rich%20Hope%20Hires%20cover%20Thumb150x150.jpg[/img]

Rich Hope was a member of Vancouver's resident bunch of Stones/ ACDC/ Dolls worshippers John Ford, so his ass-kicking pedigree is unquestioned, and his new album drives that same road while looking even deeper in the rearview mirror. It's roots rock, plain and simple and unapologetic, and includes a liner note shout-out to Jack Kerouac and a cover of "Stray Cat Blues" that doesn't embarass itself. This is what happens when Stones delinquents find a stolen stash of Hank Williams reckids - and depending on your outlook on such things it's either stultifyingly retro or gloriously so. I doubt there'll be much middle ground - and I doubt these guys'd want it any other way.

RIYL: Jail






(btw - I don't know yet if either album will make my Top 20 - but both are worth a listen if you can find 'em.)

Well, John T. Ford was workin' with the Klu Klux Klan
The six foot five John T was a hell of a man
Made a lot of money sellin' sheets on the family plan

Here's another one (that I haven't heard yet):



Christa Couture Fell Out Of Oz

She put out a truly cool ep a few years ago (Starter, produced in part by Ewan Deane of Mean Men and Don Harrison of Sons of Freedom), and now has FINALLY released her debut. If this is anything like the ep's moody folk-pop then it's a worthy addition to anybody's reckid collection.

that Rich Hope album sounds interesting

I need this. I really liked her ep. Chances seem pretty slim that It'll be easy to find in the states.


Edit:

In looking for it at Miles of Music, I discovered a couple of 2005 releases I didn't know existed:

Peter Bruntnell "Ghost in A Spitfire"
Carlos Guitarlos "Hell Can Wait"

I just heard the Christa Couture album last night and my first reaction was disappointment. It's very precious and little-girlie sounding. She's signed to Maximum (who also put out that Rich Hope album), though - and the story is that they want her to get back to working with Don Harrison for the next album. So there's still hope.

BTW - how is that Carlos Guitarlos album? I saw a great (and hugely depressing) documentary on him quite a while ago.

That Rich Hope sounds fucking great.

Here's another one:

NQ Arbuckle Last Supper In A Cheap Town



This one's for anybody with a taste for the more downcast moments of that Lucero/ Slobberbone brand of rootsy Americana. NQ Arbuckle is the name of the band, and they move from heavy-lidded country-folk to that lazy Crazy Horse stomp, all in service of singer/songwriter Neville Quinlan's gruff, raspy voice. His vocals remind me of both Richard Buckner and Chris Mills - and the strength of the songwriting isn't that far removed from either of those artists. This album was produced by Veal's Luke Doucet, who also guests on a few tracks (along with Carolyn Mark).

Feck, I wish I could YSI this thang, but here's a link to a review and soundclip on the Spendid site. Best I can do.

Here's one I think ya'll should check out:



Graham Cousens - Living Room Sessions

MP3's here

You must be Canadian. Great picks so far.

More good stuff from Canada you might have missed:

The Floor - Personnel. These guys sound like what the Killers should have been. They combine a very slick 80s synthpop sound with a bit of British mopery. Like OMD with a kick in the nuts. They're from Edmonton, out on the Normals Welcome record label.

www.thefloor.ca

Falconhawk - Here's Your Ghost. This is the second album from Falconhawk, an upbeat mix of new wave and post-punk. This album is a lot more abrasive and experimental than their first album. They remind me of Wire but with the pop sensibilities of Blondie. From Calgary, out on Saved by Radio Records.

Vailhalen - Pop Violence. Another great Calgary band on Saved by Radio. They sound like Joy Division, but with an arena rock attitude, like Kiss. Sound like Broken Social Scene in places too.