I think we’ll have to have an official Divorce week in 2007 to fully highlight what they are up to and what they’ve done to date. For now here’s an email set out recapping 2006 and highlighting some plans for 2007.
I hope everyone is well. Divorce had a great year and is gearing up for a bunch of new projects in 2007. I’ve included our latest reviews, a list of what to expect next year, and a few other things. Thanks.
Be Bad/Attack Mode Spilt 7″ Reviewed in January 2007 MAXIMUMROCKNROLL:
“Starting with the art, which is obscurest but kind of spooky and cool, this record is obviously not a generic punk or whacky thrash record. ATTACK MODE starts things off by playing thuggish and kind of scary art-damaged skronk, sounding vocally like a ‘No New York’ type band but with music that is less obnoxiously cerebral. There is a sort of modern indie punk element to them too but it is buried under the angry guitars. Me Like. On the flip, BE BAD plays in a very similar style, calling strongly to mind the ’90s and bands like JESUS LIZARD.There are a few bands in North America mining this territory, which would get extremely annoying very fast if it becomes a full blown trend, but as it is, the style seems interesting and almost intrepid for the couple of good bands holding it down for ’90s noise freaks the world over.” BUY NOW
Husband and Knife’s debut was listed in the Coast’s Top 100 Discs of 2006. Here’s the review: “This album is absolute. From the creaky four track recordings to the morbid song topics, the mood never sways. It’s worth every moment you can give it. Somewhere between early Elliot Smith and Eric’s Trip’s more acoustic moments. It’s like a call from an old friend that you didn’t necessarily want to hear from.” BUY NOW
Torso in Dead Angel #9:
“Check it out, doom childe: The first full-length release from Canadian harsh-noise adherent Sandy Saunders, aka Torso (who will also be appearing next spring on a split with Unicorn). What the release offers is eight tracks of brooding ambient power electronics, presented in varying slices of audio nihilism. The sounds are harsh (as are the vocals, mixed in to sound like part of the noise much of the time), but the attack is not full-on; rather, many of the tracks feature a thick layer of processed ambient noise within which other sonic ugliness happens, or some relative variation of this strategy. Rumbling electronic sounds play an important part of Torso’s aesthetic as well, along with the passion for dark-ambient stylings and field recordings. In some ways (especially structurally and tonally) this has more in common with free-jazz than noise, strictly speaking, but free-jazz was rarely ever this loud and fond of microphones feeding back. Plenty of variation, plenty of nastiness on display here. Fans of the Unicorn and Sky Burial discs mentioned a while back will probably find this of considerable interest.” BUY NOW
Gilbert Switzer in Razorcake #35: “It’s always refreshing - when during the tedious chore of laboring through shitty music to review - to be slapped upside the head unceremoniously and without notice. And that’s exactly what Nova Scotia’s Gilbert Switzer did. This band is a three-piece comprised of a singer, guitar player, and two piece stand-up drummer who dishes out deranged and deconstructed punk rock. Think Flipper, early Butthole Surfers, the Birthday Party, and Crime all tossed into a rocks glass and filled with absinthe. This is art punk of the highest degree.” BUY NOW
The Hold are featured on a new compilation of Canadian punk called “Killed by Canada”. I haven’t seen the disc yet, but I’m told it features over 50 bands. Find this!
Divorce Distro: I’ve been doing some trading with labels I like. I’ll be doing a lot more next year, but for now I have the following albums for sale:
Bastard Noise Three Dollar Date 3″ - $6
Six Doors a housepig compilation featuring Bastard Noise, Aube, Unicorn, and more - $10
The Chitz Break The Cycle 12″ - $8 (very last one)
If you’re interested, email me at chikwhite@gmail.com
Confirmed for 2007:
- Valentine’s Day Label Showcase in Halifax
- Unicorn/Torso Split CD
- Experimental Music Festival in Halifax
- Be Bad Full Length CD
Other good possibilities include releases by Husband and Knife, Shit Cook, and Attack Mode. Torso and Shit Cook may do a big tour with an awesome band TBA, and Be Bad are planning to go to Europe!
Thanks again for your support. Albums can be purchased in our new online store, at select distros, and at the good record stores in Halifax.
Chik
http://www.divorcerecords.ca
