BIG

I think it would be pointless to throw in more than a few thoughts on Kayne West's new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, since it's been receiving perfect scores across the board. Even the super critical, hard to please Pitchfork gave it a perfect 10 - last time that happened was with Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

The only way to describe this album would be big. It's just...big. It sounds big. It's got big samples. And it's got big name contributors - most notably Bon Iver, Nicki Manaj, Rick Ross and Jay-Z.

I don't think it deserves the absolute perfect scores its been getting, but there's no doubt it's a fantastic album. Standout tracks: All of the Lights, Devil in a New Dress (this one's got a Smokey Robinson sample) and the biggest sounding of all - Lost in the World (ft. Bon Iver's Woods!) / Who Will Survive in America. Really. It sounds like there are 100 people playing on the Bon Iver track, and combined with Gil Scott Heron chanting "who will survive in America?" on the latter half makes for a perfect and somewhat chilling way to end the album.

Rap fan or not, everyone should hear this.

Official Video: Young Rival - "The Ocean"

Here's the official video for Young Rival's lovely second single The Ocean from their debut LP (aptly titled LP).

They call it a "DIY 8mm video". It was filmed in Moose Jaw, SK, Canada.

myspace.com/youngrival

Lo-Fi Pairings

Lo-fi couple Best Coast & Wavves have been very busy lately. For starters, they'll be touring together early next year (dates TBA - check your local promoters).

Additionally, they've released a holiday collaboration for Target called Got Something for You. The song is cute, poppy and catchy, lending itself much more to the style of Best Coast rather than Wavves.

Listen to it here, along with other Target-approved holiday jams by groups including Bishop Allen and Guster.

STROKES IV

More huge news! As confirmed by frontman Julian Casablancas on twitter, The Strokes' infamous fourth album is finally finished.

It could be a long, long time before any piece of this album package officially surfaces, but we can all sleep easy now knowing that the tracking has been completed.

Stay tuned!

Apple on Apple

Some very big news surfaced this morning - The Beatles are now on iTunes!

After decades of trademark debacle between The Beatles' label Apple and Apple Computers, the quartet's entire discography is now available legally in the digital realm.

apple.com/the-beatles

Let it Die or Be Caught Dead

I thought I'd give a heads up on some new Ruby Coast, since (1)we've basically (d)evolved into a Canadian Music Appreciation blog and (2) it's been at least a year since I last wrote on them.

Simply put, Ruby Coast is the pop version of Tokyo Police Club, all because their '08 EP Projectable Collections was produced by floppy haired Toronto king Dave Monks of said Club band.

They've put out a new 7" - Whatever This Is / Creep Me Out. The b-side's real good.

Grab it for free on Facebook and watch this space for my review of their live show. I'll be seeing them play at the Meligrove Band's CD release party in Toronto this Friday.