Green Dion?

From the Globe and Mail:

“Divided nothing is possible. United everything is possible,” [Dion] said, arguing that he would be the greenest prime minister for Canada.

From The London Free Press:

The Liberals have been criticized for renting the old, gas-guzzling plane for the duration of the campaign.

Understanding that campaigning in general demands a lot of travelling once you’re in a certain league, declaring yourself the greenest PM while flying across the country (in an old plane, no less) is quite a claim.

Should Britain send more troops to Afghanistan?

Just posted the following comment on the subject BBC’s Have Your Say:

In reading through many comments, I was surprised to find little support for the NATO mission in Afghanistan (AF). Equally surprising was some of the supporting minority’s linking the mission with winning common Afghans over from the Taliban, and, incredibly, reducing opium production. The main points to keep in mind are: 1) AQ were more successful when they had a haven (AF); 2) no regime (whatever their principles) should see hosting AQ as fine — think North Waziristan now, as we help AF.

Most assuredly a simplification — darn character limit — and, particularly in the case of the first point, debatable: AQ-inspired success continued after September 2001, but one wonders whether the inspiration would peter out, were AQ core unable to comfortably operate anywhere at the same time as contravening messages were promulgated (the latter being something we need to do more of, incidentally).

The Trews and the Capital Music Hall

I bought tickets for this one with some trepidation. I’d seen these guys open for Gordie Johnson and Big Sugar a few years ago (at the old Capital Music Hall on Rideau, come to think of it), and had been blown away by their guitarist, John Angus; he and Gordie got goin’ on a few songs — man, what a show.

But the trepidation surrounded what seemed to be a new sound on their third album, No Time For Later. My first impression — a few months ago now, I guess — was that it was often repetitive, and downright dull. The only addendum that subsequent times through brought was a snort or two at the new oak-cudgel diplomacy in their lyrics.

Now, before I continue, I know I’m being hard on these guys. But it’s only because I really liked their first two albums, and I think they’re truly talented musicians. At the end of the day, however, they’re boys from down east makin’ it big, and that’s wicked (or deadly, as they say on the rock). I wish ‘em all the best, and that sentiment carried me through the subject ticket purchase.

So I get there around 9 p.m. or so and I don’t even know who’s opening. Turns out that it was supposed to be Rise Against, but ended up being a band from Toronto called My Darkest Days. Talk about f***in’ apropos is all I’m going to say about them. Again, Canadian boys, so good on ‘em, and they may have been filling in on really short notice. Definitely not for me, though.

But by the time they’re off and the roadies are startin’ to set things up for the Trews, it’s gettin’ really hot. I mean obscenely so. It was a replay of the Airbourne show I saw there in April. Again, amazing band; just amazing. (Great opening act too in that case, though: Endeverafter are f***in’ showmen in the best sense of the word.) But, crazy hot and tons of technically difficulties. Sound problems, delays. There were close to a dozen ear-piercing tones this time, though, that we weren’t subjected to last time. Just completely unprofessional. The place is a f***in’ joke. If Tool came to that place, I’d still have to seriously think about passing (and their my favourite band, in case that wasn’t coming across).

So the Trews finally come out, and they’re complaining about the heat and the fog — yeah, worse than down east, they said; fog machine was workin’ overtime — ’cause it’s really bad. Anyway, what can I say: they’re touring their new album, so they played a lot of tracks off it; and I still don’t like it. The backdrop was neat, though. I liked the light show (although my relief at being spared a second round of My Darkest Days’ seizure-inducing onslaught may have played a role there).

Anyway, I ended up taking off early, after a lacklustre solo from John Angus — it was cool, but nowhere near what he’s capable of. I swear the guy wouldn’t have broken a sweat if they hadn’t been playing on Mercury. But enough of that. As I said, good on ‘em, and lots of people around me seemed to be enjoying themselves, so there ya go.

Hawksley Workman and the message

I bought For him and the girls, lover/fighter, and Treeful Of Starling the other day on my brother’s recommendation; boy, am I impressed. How have I missed hearing about this guy for so long? And a good ole Canadian boy, no less!

He’s that rare combination of voice – in the sense of having something to say, a message – and talent. I find myself drawn to those musicians, in spite of any apathy in might initially have regarding their music; that is, without that voice – again, the broader sense – I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

Some musicians seem to lose their voice. The analogy of a well is popular and apt. Some have more to draw on. For example, Chris Cornell’s is shallow – his lyrics have become increasingly strained since Badmotorfinger. Tori Amos’s seems deeper. I say ’seems’ because I’ve lost interest in her over these, oh, goin’ on 15 years now, I guess; but there are likely a variety of reasons for that, not the least of which is how much I’ve changed since then. There’s less doubt with Chris because, unlike Tori, I still enjoy Audioslave’s music; or its potential, anyway. But his lyrics are inane.

Aside: All that’s in the past! Rage is back, baby!

All that to say, I like Hawksley Workman’s music more each time I listen to it, and that has more to do with his voice – no need to clarify now, right? :-) behind it than the music itself. For example, I could see Panic! At the Disco playing a song that sounds just like Paper Shoes, but isn’t nearly as compelling.