Brock Skywalker

Waterloo loves me! · 10 November 06

I just found this review of my cd on the University of Waterloo’s Official Student Newspaper’s website – The Imprint (yes, I was ego surfing):

Brock Skywalker and His Irregular Heartbeats
Cerebral Re-Runs
Frozen Puck

Listening to Cerebral Re-Runs is like being in a wacky dream. Brock Skywalker and His Irregular Heartbeat’s lyrics are vivid and clear, yet somewhat bizarre. You never know what to expect. One moment you’re listening to a slow “I don’t love you” ballad; the next, you’re on your feet shaking your bonbons, doing the twist, dancing to the same song played to a fast paced 80s rock and roll beat.

Just when you think you’ve caught a grasp of the dream’s plot, the band throws a curve-ball at you. Suddenly you’re listening to “The Devil Went Down East” watching Satan come out of a cave and into the real world.

The song is dark and gloomy. Words are spoken to a mysterious creepy beat. The dream has transformed into a nightmare where Lucifer is the antagonist.

But wait! What’s this? As the song continues to play, you find out that the lord of evil isn’t what he seems. Human beings are the real antagonists. They beat the poor guy up and file down his horns. The song ends with the devil going back home, only to find out that police officers have stolen his watch.

In my opinion, the only thing comparable to good lyrics and beat is a catchy chorus. Brock Skywalker and His Irregular Heartbeat combine all three of these elements in their songs. People who like Matt Osborne, quirky music or well-written light rock should definitely give Cerebral Re-Runs a listen. Those who like whiny “emo” bands like Simple Plan and Good Charlotte should stay far away.

I am tickled. Thank you U of W. Thank you and your unnamed music reviewers! It is so nice to be understood.

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Ottawa doesn't like me · 18 October 06

From the University of Ottawa’s English-language student newspaper – The Fulcrum.

Artist: Brock Skywalker & His Irregular Heartbeats
Album: Cerebral Re-runs
Rating: C-

THINK HARVEY DANGERFIELD with a cooler name. The album is full of joking pop songs, which is enjoyable for about half a song, and then endearing, like a mildly annoying but cute child, for another two or three tracks. After that, you start wondering why it’s still playing. However, they do get extra points for making a Shakespeare reference without sounding geeky. Just goes to show there’s a place for every English major – though with these guys, that’s hardly consolation. – Andrew Faulkner

English major?! Try Theatre Arts, buddy! Sheesh!

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Playing if not charting · 31 August 06

I just got an email from CFBX 92.5 FM, Cable 106.1 – The X Campus/Community Radio in Kamloops, BC telling me that my cd is being played, though not enough to chart, on their station! Playing but not charting is cool with me. And you know how I did it? With good old fashioned Canada Post. Woohoo!

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Big in Lethbridge · 17 August 06

According to Earshot-Online my album Cerebral Re-Runs was number 17 on the top 30 chart at CKXU 88.3 FM in Lethbridge for the week of August 1st! Number 16 was Corporate Love Breakdown’s The Bluegrass Tribute To Radiohead, and number 18 was The Goat Island Extrapolation’s The Goat EP. So I am in rather odd company… which is exactly where I like to be!

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KD reviewed · 20 July 04

Good old Vue magazine in Edmonton reviewed Kris Demeanor’s live album (the one I recorded, mixed and mastered)! This is what they said about our handy work:

Kris Demeanor and His Crack Band, Party All Night (Best Before)

You don’t have to hammer listeners over the head with your politics. But if you’re squatting on the banks of the Bow River and you’re hungry, you do have to whack that goose pretty hard on the noggin if you wanna eat. In “Dinner Tonight,” Calgary’s Kris Demeanor spins a yarn about Willie and Dan, a couple of men of vision who ignore city animal-protection bylaws in their quest for food. It’s a lively story with a poppy chorus, punctuated by the courtroom admission “We were helplessly led by our guts!” It’s classic Demeanor: an up-tempo number that starts all light and airy but becomes heavier and more troubling as it progresses, culminating in the realization that all ain’t right here our own backyard but we can still have fun while taking a few pokes at the truth. Recorded over a pair of nights at Calgary’s Ironwood Stage and Grill last fall, this live album from one of Alberta’s top indie artists is a perfectly structured concert recording. Complete with horns and pedal steel – and let’s not forget Chantal Vitalis on electric guitar and backup vocals – Party All Night showcases Demeanor at his playful and pithy best. Whether he’s using a neighbour’s cross-alley “Shut the fuck up!” yell to launch into a working man’s ballad (“Real Jobs”) or trading creative loving insults with Vitalis (“You’re You”), Demeanor has the uncanny ability to infuse clever, tight studio tracks with new energy onstage. Spin this one the morning after a big night out.
4 Stars – Dan Rubinstein

This is what I said:
”...perfectly structured concert recording.” COOL!

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Solo review · 22 April 04

Hey! I got my first musical solo-set review! Not so very great but… whatever… I am still excited. It was from a show I played with the James Murdoch Band in Calgary. In case the link gets taken down this is what Cord Magazine had to say:

“Opening the show was Brock Skywalker, singer for Edmonton based folk rock band Captain Tractor. Based on tonight’s collection of songs, the predominant topics Skywalker touches on are hockey and women, or some combination of the two. Sample song titles included "Frozen Puck To The Head" and "Hockey Moms Rule The World". These pleasant Canadian novelty songs came off as quirky and charming at first, but by the end of his half hour set Skywalker had filled his stay.“
I am going to assume that filling my stay is better than filling my shorts… But not as good as filling my coffee…

 [ File under: Me & Review-me ]

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