Backlash Blues

 » Arcade Fire / Mar. 02, 2011 / 802 : Education 2011

On An Island

Arcade Fire, Vincent Moon and fame's variability

Roland Pemberton

After being bludgeoned into submission by years of accolades for albums with dubious critical standing and the similarly dour selection of Grammy winners that very evening, I was… Read more »

 » ARTISTIC REGIONS / Jan. 26, 2011 / 797 : Ann Vriend

Disputed zone

Braids, Purity Ring and the media barriers of fringe music exposure

Roland Pemberton

As is the natural order, Alberta's arts community appears to be experiencing a bit of a rise in international recognition. Trevor Anderson and Fish Griwkowsky, the intrepid duo… Read more »

 » Top Albums of 2010 / Dec. 22, 2010 / 792 : In Case of Holiday Break Glass

Rollie’s top 10 albums of 2010

Roland Pemberton

As 2010 draws to a close, Vue columnist Roland Pemberton presents his top 10 albums of the year. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Before Today After eight albums of… Read more »

Nov. 24, 2010 / 788 : Wool On Wolves

Youth in revolt

Willow Smith, Odd Future are kids in control

Roland Pemberton

Envision this scene: a monochromatic lunchroom filled with robotic children is cross cut with a singular character imbued with colour. That character is our protagonist, here to bring… Read more »

 » Kanye West / Oct. 26, 2010 / 784 : You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Kanye West’s pop artifice

The singer will do whatever it takes to get people talking and that may be his downfall

Roland Pemberton

Kanye West has always attempted to posit himself as being bigger than the media that he creates. From releasing an artfully Auto-tuned R&B album in a commercial climate… Read more »

Sep. 29, 2010 / 780 : Dave Stone

Where it began

Rhythm Talk and other curiosities

I'm an unusual breed of media addict. The majority of people are content in absorbing what they hear or see in passing. If a show is on, they'll… Read more »

 » Personality and music / Aug. 25, 2010 / 775: Eamon McGrath

Oh, the humanity

North American audiences want more than just music

Roland Pemberton

I had a discussion with a friend recently about the continental differences in approach towards pop and electronic music. On our continent, dance music is mostly isolated to… Read more »

Jul. 28, 2010 / 771: Young at Heart

If you build it, they will come

Edmonton's festival landscape rumbles with potential after SOS Fest

Roland Pemberton

Earlier this month, SOS Fest proved that a multi-venue festival is a sustainable concept in Edmonton. On stage with Shout Out Out Out Out at the festival-closing Sunday… Read more »

Jun. 23, 2010 / 766: G8

Between party lines

Reading the MIA/New York Times controversy

Roland Pemberton

What's so special about a truffle fry? A variation on the traditional French fry, a truffle fry is cut julienne style, prepared with truffle oil, kosher salt and… Read more »

 » Wyrd Fest / May. 27, 2010 / 762: Timeland

Wyrd days, Wyrd nights

What happens when music criticism and music festivals collide?

Roland Pemberton

I used to have a problem with popularity. It is a youthful conceit to hate something because lots of people seem to like it. I wasn't popular when… Read more »