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Julie Doiron

Woke Myself Up

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by jimtarnation on 08/16/2007

So, is there a real Canadian Cultural Conspiracy (hence known as the CCC)? The most important record released in the 2000's, so far, is Neon Bible, and the Arcade Fire hysteria circa now dwarfs the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah hysteria of 2005-6. The new Feist album is, rightfully so, maybe the best new album to be released in a whole long while for those with an inclination to add a little pep to their step, or to enjoy what might be the classic Hall & Oates of the new milennium. I went to see Guy Maddin's Brand Upon The Brain! a few weeks ago, with a live orchestra & narrator & live foley, even a live castrato whose nickname was "The Manitoba Meadowlark." It was possibly the coolest experience i've ever had, but the live foley does a lot for me, as does the nickname "The Manitoba Meadowlark," as I wish that Mike & Linda would've had the courtesy to name ME that instead of John Michael. So, how does Woke Myself Up fit in? You're asking yourself, obviously.

Well, the obvious #1 is Julie Doiron lives in Canada. She won the Juno prize a few years back for her last record, the Canadian equivalant of the Mercury prize in the UK & the US equivalent of nothing. #2, Feist sounds like Julie Doiron. Their voices both rest within the same realm of melodic timber, but where Feist is more of a crooner, Julie Doiron's voice always seems like it's about to crack, but never does. Her vocals are fine (and not in the "adequate" sense), touching, strong and adhesive. But, Woke Myself Up doesn't really work with any of the bells and whistles, Ms. Doiron plays plugged in, but not exclusively with the traditional 4 piece rock quartet (drums, bass, guitar & vox). The songs without the rhythm section excel as much as the songs with.

These songs, whether resting within the playful "I Woke Myself Up" and the refrain of "Maybe this coffee was a bad idea," or the intro to "Yer Kids," which opens touchingly with "Well yer kids love you more than you know," have tangible, visible roots. Every song is relatable, and pretty sweetly loveable too, with simple themes and structure, but at the same time not obvious. "No More," the standout track on the album, sounds like an outtake from the Feist record no one ever heard, and maybe the best song from that album. Danceable and rocking at the same time, this song puts an exclamation point on a singular and unique album, and one of my favorites in a long time.

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I totally agree with you on the quality of this album, it is so sad but so comforting at the same time. The CCC is totally for real though, arcade fire, born ruffians, caribou, destroyer, great lake swimmers, wolf parade, new pronographers, holy fuck, junior boys, islands, final fantasy, crystal castles, patrick watson, Tokyo police club.............and the list goes onnnnn. I am a huge Canadian music fan and firmly believe that it is taking over the airwaves.

Posted by Anonymous User on 03/11/2008

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My Mixtape No More [MP3]

Album Details

Year: 2007
Label: Jagjaguwar
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Tracklist

1	I Woke Myself Up
2	You Look So Alive
3	Swan Pond
4	Yer Kids
5	I Left Town
6	No More
7	Don't Wannabe/Liked by You
8	Dark Horse
9	Wrong City
10	Me and My Friend

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