Oh boy! We've got another new track from Dany Laj And The Looks! And it's a dandy! "Tell It To You" is the second single off the band's album If Looks Could Kill, which will be out September 18th on Toronto's Having Fun Records. I like this track because it adds some really cool layers to the usual pop-rock approach. It starts off a little laidback before really hitting its stride in the chorus. Dany has some really interesting things going on with his guitar tone on this record. I love the way his guitar and Jeanette's bass bob and weave around each other in such a striking way. The song comments on one of the worst aspects of modern life — the way public discourse is dominated by supposed truths that are anything but. A lesser songwriter may have been too heavy-handed with the topic. But this song takes a more subtle and human approach, holding off on the snark until the final verse, and even then its comes off as perfectly good-natured. How is it that we're knee-deep in the Information Age and people are more prone than ever to believing the dumbest things? The "three chords and the truth" approach to music has never been vital, and "Tell It To You" is exactly what the doctor ordered. When that chorus hits, it hits hard. Based on the singles that have been released so far, I can't help but be excited about If Looks Could Kill coming out next month — one day before NHL preseason starts! Let's go!
I'm always stoked for new music from Dany Laj and The Looks — especially when it turns up without advance notice and totally makes my day. "We're The Freaks" is the first single from the band's new album If Looks Could Kill, which is due out in September. There aren't any bad Dany Laj and The Looks songs, but "We're The Freaks" is a particularly inspired number. This one is right there in that Dany Laj power pop rock 'n' roll wheelhouse, and I have to say that it's one of the best songs he has ever written. Joined here by Jeanette Dowling and David Laplante, he's in vintage form. I love the guitar tone on this number! The song is about the importance of artists and independent spaces in revitalizing urban communities. They build something beautiful and exciting, and then in come stuffy new neighbors complaining about "the freaks making all the noise." And just like that, all that creativity and culture is at risk of disappearing.
Leave it to Dany Laj to write a song this angry and still have it sound like a good time. But perhaps that is the whole point. He doesn't want to go to war with anyone. He just wants to spread joy and make friends. "Why you gotta be angry?" sings Laj. "Come join the party; it will set you free." More than anything else, this song is celebration of the musicians and artists who transform and positively impact cities everywhere. It has something important to say, and it sounds great cranked loud. The song clocks in at two-and-a-half minutes and leaves me wanting more. But that's okay since more is soon forthcoming! Habs and the Flyers in the conference finals next year? Let's bet on it!
That's right, folks: this is a new Dany Laj and The Looks review! I'm always pumped to hear from this band, who are longtime favorites of mine and longtime favorites of just about everyone they meet! "Ça Va" is the band's new single and first release in over a year. It's the group's first-ever track to be sung exclusively in French. Fun fact: I took five years of French in school mostly because I became enamored with French Canadian culture due to being a hockey fanatic. I have forgotten almost everything I learned, but I do remember the expression "Ça va"! Laj describes this as "a song about staying the course, even when everything seems to be going wrong." Holy smokes: that's a sentiment the world needs now more than ever! What good is life if you can't hold on to the hope that things will eventually get better? For this track, Dany and Jeanette are joined by drummer Andrew Moszynski. It's everything you'd expect from Dany Laj Et Les Looks: garage rock meets power pop radiating pure joyful energy. At just two-and-a-half minutes, the song will leave you wanting more. It will also leave you smiling and truly believing yourself when you utter the words "Ça va." The video definitely captures the spirit of the song. And as always, Dany and Jeanette's hat game is unrivaled. This single is the first release from an upcoming French-language project, so keep your eyes peeled for more information. My Canadian friends can catch Dany Laj Et Les Looks on tour this fall. You want some dates? Here are some dates!
09:20 Wakefield QC, Festivale De La Musique
09:26 North Bay ON, The Block Public House w/ Bettie and The Bandits, Low Class Hero
09:27 Cobalt ON, Miner's Tavern w/ Running Late
09:28 Sault Ste Marie ON, PITS Pop-Up w/ Tye Lawless Co.
09:30 Winnipeg MB, Bulldog's
10:03 Medicine Hat AB, Casa Amigo's
10:05 Edmonton AB, Blakbar
10:08 Calgary AB, The Palomino Steakhouse
10:10 Gibson's BC, Tapworks
10:11 Vancouver BC, Green Auto w/ Car, Night Court, Transmitors
10:13 Penticton BC, The Hub
10:14 Kelowna BC, Dunnenzies
10:15 Red Deer AB, Vin L Den
10:17 Thunder Bay ON, Black Pirates Pub
10:18 Sudbury ON, Townehouse Tavern
11:28 London ON, Rum Runners w/ Lowest Of The Low
11:29 Windsor ON, Meteor w/ Lowest Of The Low
Go Habs Go (except when they're playing the Flyers 😃)!
It has been a minute since we last heard from the always delightful Dany Laj and the Looks. Their last single came out in November of 2022, and their last studio album was released three years ago. Most distressingly for a band that lives to play in front of live humans, they have not had the chance to tour since 2019. That will change this fall as Laj and the Looks hit the road and finally get to tour in support of their terrific 2021 album Ten Easy Pieces. To celebrate, the band has cooked up the brand-new party anthem "Meet Me On The Floor." This new single sets a tone for the upcoming live dates, and its accompanying music video (the splendid creation of Courtney O'Hearn) gives you a little taste of what to expect. It's just a great rock 'n' roll song — a feelgood hit about setting aside your worries, hitting the club floor, and dancing until you drop. You know stuff like this gets me even more fired up than the Flyers' penalty kill! "Meet Me On The Floor," which draws equally from power pop, garage rock, and soul music, is all about infectious energy and good vibes. It could not be any catchier. How nuts are the crowds gonna go for this song on tour?! Joining Laj and his partner Jeanette Dowling on this release are David Laplante on guitar and Alex Pauzé on drums. Stacey Case (Tijuana Bibles, Weirdies) guest stars on tambourine. There can never be too much tambourine in rock 'n' roll! I've missed Dany Laj and the Looks, and their return is truly triumphant. They'll be touring all across Canada in late September and early October and then hitting the USA for some dates in the Midwest and New York — then returning to Canada with Paul Collins' Beat! Click here for further tour info!
Installments in the I-94 Recordings "Detroit covers B-sides" 7" series have been arriving regularly and impressively. Release #7 in the series comes from some great friends to this blog — Dany Laj & The Looks. I'm always excited about new music from Dany and Jeanette. "You Should Know" and "I'm So Glad" are their first new tracks in nearly a year and a half. Back when Ten Easy Pieces came out, I actually thought the Flyers had a Cup-contending team (take whatever time you need to cease laughing). Man, things can sure change in a hurry! But one thing that will never change is being able to rely on Dany Laj & The Looks to deliver the goods. Dany and Jeanette recorded this release with pals Anna and Mike Mernieks-Duffield. That makes this particular iteration of the band a collaboration of two couples, and you can feel that dynamic in the warmth of the title track.
"You Should Know" is one of the most traditional rock and roll songs that Dany Laj & The Looks have ever done. It's a very simple song, yet it's executed wonderfully. Doo wop and girl group influences are front and center, and I'm also catching serious Buddy Holly vibes. Fine details such as the backing vocals and twangy guitar tone are immediately pleasing to the ear. But ultimately this song works because of its genuine sentiment and timeless melodies. What a catchy tune! It seems redundant to say that this is a terrific little pop song when this band is all about terrific pop songs. But I think you'll understand what I mean. Drop the needle on this track, and you'll be transported to the late '50s or early '60s. For the B-side, the Laj time machine stops off in 1967. The Detroit cover is essentially a cover of a cover. "I'm So Glad" was originally written and recorded by Delta bluesman Skip James in 1931. Detroit's The Scot Richard Case had a regional hit in '67 with a psychedelic rock version of the song. That recording was the inspiration for the B-side of this very record. Laj & The Looks definitely put their own twist on the song. But if I didn't know any better, I would think this track was actually recorded in the late '60s. It sounds that authentic to they heyday of psych rock. I'm usually very, very "meh" about the psych thing, but I can't deny that I'm impressed with this take on "I'm So Glad." It totally rocks, and the musicianship is out of this world.
Most people have their story about the first fun thing they did when lockdown ended. Dany Laj and Jeanette Dowling hung out with a couple of dear friends and eventually had them come down to make a record in the middle of a May heatwave. And now we can all enjoy the fruits of those sessions! "You Should Know" is available now from the I-94 Recordings web site. As usual with this series, there are many different sleeve variations and vinyl colors to choose from. Quite a few are already sold out, so hop on over to the site and check out the tantalizing options that still remain. And look for Dany Laj & The Looks to be touring everywhere in 2023!
Hot on the heels of their rightfully acclaimed album Ten Easy Pieces, Sudbury, Ontario's Dany Laj and the Looks have reached back into the vaults to assemble a new collection of the best tracks from all of their previous releases. Available now from the illustrious Spanish labels Kick Out The Jams and Snap!! Records, RetroSpectacle collects songs from the full-length releases Word on the Street (2016), Alive and Kicking (2017), and Everything New Is New Again (2019) along with a couple non-LP tracks to form an absolutely bulletproof compilation of power pop rock and roll hits. With the original releases now out of print, this is a great way for fans to own some of the band's most essential tracks on vinyl (and very soon on CD!).
Laj and his partner in life and music, Jeanette Dowling, are the two constants here across these 12 tracks. They're joined by a host of drummers and keyboardists who've helped give life to these fantastic songs. I've been on the Laj train since 2017 and am pleased to find many of my favorite tracks here such as "Sweet Pretender", "Mister Screaming Attitude", "Hold For Love", and the terrific 2018 single "Left To Right One". I've also discovered a couple of old gems in "I Know You Want Out" and "Best Thing In Town" that have immediately ascended to my favorites list. While "power pop" broadly describes this band's music, I've always appreciated how Laj has never limited himself to a specific genre. He's a singer/songwriter first and foremost, and his songs reflect the influence of everything from punk to folk to indie rock to classic pop & rock and roll. There's more than a little Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello in his musical DNA!
RetroSpectacle nicely sums up the "early years" of Dany Laj & The Looks. By no means does it make the purchase of the albums unnecessary (I especially recommend Everything New Is New Again). But if you've discovered this band through Ten Easy Pieces and now find yourself wanting more, RetroSpectacle is a convenient way to catch up on the very best of the group's prior output. And if you've never heard Dany Laj and the Looks, this is certainly a fine place to start! A North American release on compact disc is due out early in the new year from Rum Bar Records. The Rum Bar release tacks on a couple of digital bonus tracks ("Annie" and "My Head") which KOTJ and Snap!! have released separately as a limited 7" single. Whether you're a longtime Laj supporter or just a fan of guitar pop with heart, RetroSpectacle is well worth your time. Follow the links below for all of the pertinent details!
Ten Easy Pieces, the fourth album by Sudbury, Ontario's Dany Laj and The Looks, has been a fixture in my car CD player for a couple of weeks now. While it's most definitely an album for all seasons, Ten Easy Pieces is the perfect summertime rock and roll record. It's well documented that I was a big fan of the band's previous two albums Everything New Is New Again and Alive & Kicking. But with zero hesitation, I'll say that Ten Easy Pieces is the best album yet from Dany Laj and The Looks. With the previous albums, there were obvious "hits" that stood out. This time through, it's hard to pick a standout track since they're all so good. And the feel of this album is a little different as well. While it certainly has its serious, more melancholic moments, the overall vibe is joyful, energetic, and just plain fun. This is music that puts a smile on my face!
It's hardly surprising that Ten Easy Pieces is such a strong collection of songs. In advance of this album, Laj spent two years writing new songs and rearranging old ones. Some of these songs date all the way back to the early 2000s. 38 songs were eventually paired down to 12, and there's not a single sub-par track in the bunch. On this release, the band functions as a trio with drummer Dusty Campbell joining Laj and his musical and life partner Jeanette Dowling. The album also features appearances by Laj's pals Paul Loewenberg (keyboards), Greg Mihajic (harmonica and keyboards), Dunstan Topp (drums), and Zack Tymchuck (percussion). Ten Easy Pieces is a fine example of the musical appeal of Dany Laj and The Looks. The punk and power pop elements remain, mixed seamlessly with influences ranging from '60s pop to garage rock to indie rock to straight-forward rock and roll. "Smile", which channels the Beatles via early Elvis Costello, is an infectious opener that sets the tone for the entire album. "You & Me", the album's most recent single, is so catchy that it ought to come with a government warning. If "Don't Keep Me Guessin'" doesn't have you up and dancing within 30 seconds, there may be no hope for you. "Pick It Up" and "I Play Guitar" are every bit as rockin' and hook-laden. While the second half of the record is not without its up-tempo tracks ("Till Jockey's Lament" and "Wanted To Be Loved" are both top-notch rockers), it also sneaks in some quality deep cuts. "One More Hole" is "mellow rock" done right, while "Smoke In the Sun" is a wild foray into psychedelic garage territory. "In Other Words" brings John Lennon to mind. "Who's Pickin' On You" is a terrific cover of a little-known gem by the John Borra Band.
With Ten Easy Pieces, Dany Laj and The Looks have delivered a set of pop/rock and roll songs that absolutely delights from start to finish. Laj as a songwriter is as rock-solid and dependable as Carey Price between the pipes. He and Dowling have infused their music with their special chemistry, and that especially comes through on this release. I've never had the pleasure of seeing this band live, but the vibe of this record is how I imagine the vibe of the group's on-stage performances. If you haven't yet seen the music video for "You & Me" directed by Ryan Thompson, check it out below. It's absolutely insane! Ten Easy Pieces releases on LP today on the Toronto-based label We Are Busy Bodies. CD release (with five digital bonus tracks) has been licensed to Rum Bar Records!
Near the top of my list of 2021 album releases I'm most excited for is Ten Easy Pieces, the third LP from Dany Laj and The Looks. The album will be out in June, and its first single "Don't Keep Me Guessin'" was recently released digitally. Clearly 2020 was a tough year for all bands and musicians. But for Dany Laj and The Looks, who absolutely live to tour, it must have been excruciating. Laj spent much of 2020 writing new songs and reworking old ones -- continuing a process that dated back to the previous year. Eventually he had enough material for three albums. But, no, it's not time for the triple LP just yet. Ten Easy Pieces will feature 12 of the best songs Laj and his bandmates have worked on over the past two years. I can tell that "Don't Keep Me Guessin'" was a fine choice for lead single because every time I play it, I end up listening to it four or five times. One play always leaves me wanting more! This is a very significant song for Laj personally. He wrote it ten years ago after he first met his life partner and bass player Jeanette Dowling. Musically, it's classic Dany Laj and the Looks. While broadly classified as power pop, this is a band that never limits itself in terms of musical style. You can't really put this song into a genre. It sounds a little like Irish folk, a little like bluegrass, and a little like pop. I like that there was a real-life happy ending to "Don't Keep Me Guessin'", but there is a cool contrast here between the uncertainties expressed in the lyrics and the lively, happy feel of the music. This is a song you can't help singing along with, and for sure it will make you wanna dance. You know it will be a crowd favorite once it's safe enough for Dany Laj and The Looks to get back out on the road! For now, you can download "Don't Keep Me Guessin'" from a variety of digital platforms. And watch out for Ten Easy Pieces, which releases June 11 on Toronto-based label We Are Busy Bodies!
It may be true that you can't judge an album by its cover. But the cover of the new album by Dany Laj and the Looks sure tells you an awful lot. The new record is a six-song effort titled Everything New Is New Again. Dan Parent (yes, THE Dan Parent!) did the cover art, which would totally make you want to buy the album even if you didn't already know that Dany Laj and the Looks were the best! Dig that scene: you've got people dancing and romancing and having the absolute best time while the band joyfully rocks out on stage. Talk about fun city! Many of you who've seen the band will surely attest to the authenticity of that image.
Dany Laj, the Montreal-based (by way of northern Ontario) songwriter, describes his music quite simply as "pure pop". I would say that's very accurate, and you know that's something I can wholeheartedly endorse. He and his band mates Jeanette Dowling (bass) and Victor Tremblay-Desrosiers (drums) recorded Everything New Is New Again last year at NY Hed Studios in New York with Rocio & Matt Verta-Ray (who also played on several tracks). For some reason, I'm getting a real 1980s feel from this record. The style is that straight-forward rock and roll with melody-driven songwriting that we've come to expect from Laj and friends. There aren't a whole lot of bands that do it better. Laj knows how to turn out a memorable riff ("Hold For Love") or hooky chorus ("Annie") that can totally make a song. The sweet spot Laj and his band hit here falls somewhere in between Tom Petty and mid-'80s Replacements. With its creative guitar lines and cool keyboards, the verhy catchy "My Head" brings to mind that moment in time when new wave pop-rock was king. It's probably not fair to hold Laj and co. to the standard of "Left To Right One" or "Mister Screaming Attitude" every time out. But honestly, there are several songs on this album at that same level. For my money, this is Laj's strongest and most consistent set of songs to date. And since I'm always a fan of a good "deep cut", I must commend the nearly six-minute closer "Small Town Miner". This is a song that's very meaningful to Laj - who comes from a small mining town. It shines a light on the struggle of unprotected miners - who have worked hard all of their lives to provide for their families but could still lose everything at any moment. It's a powerful song and performance and definitely one of the best things Laj has ever written.
In support of Everything New Is New Again, Dany Laj and the Looks have been touring North America since last month and will continue to do so through next month at least (Hopefully the Habs will be comfortably in first place by the time they wrap up). The next two weeks alone, the band is making its way through the great American Midwest. You can find the tour dates over at the band's web site. LP is available from Yeah Right! Records. Transistor 66 has the CD and digital release of the album - which tack on French language versions of "Annie" and "My Head"! This is pure pop indeed, and ya gotta love it!
We have a brand-new single from Dany Laj and The Looks, and I am loving it! Dany, Jeanette, and company have been touring all over and turning out some of the finest power pop in the land for quite a few years now. Released just in time for the arrival of spring, "Left To Right One" is a high-energy, life-affirming rocker that's tailor-made for singing along loudly in your car with the windows down. It's both a feelgood love song (the best kind in my opinion!) and an exuberant celebration of a life devoted to rock n' roll. Recorded at The Midwest Sound in Rockford, Illinois by Jeremy Koester and Dan McMahon, this track damn sure puts the power in power pop! A vinyl release is coming next month in the form of a split with Pink Beam. In the meantime, the digital version is available now for just $1. That's gotta be the best dollar you'll spend all year! Dany Laj and The Looks will be touring this spring with quite a few shows in the U.S., so be sure to check out the band's Facebook page for more info! It will make my day if someone pulls up next to me at a stoplight sometime and they're cranking "Left To Right One" at full blast. Let's see if we can make that happen!
We never go very long without a great new release coming out of Montreal, and the latest is the new album from Dany Laj and The Looks. Alive & Kicking is the band's fourth release overall and second LP following 2015's Word On the Street. It arrives on the eve of a huge North American tour that should be of great interest to power pop fans in Canada and the States. I dug Laj's voice from the first time I heard it. He's the kind of singer that you just can't help rooting for, and I appreciate how he combines power pop hooks with the lyrical depth of a singer/songwriter. He's backed by a top-notch rhythm section in Jeanette Dowling and Colin Burnett. Alive & Kicking tells the story of a small town kid from Kirkland Lake, Ontario making his way to the big city and forging a life of touring and creating music. The band bio refers to his lyrics as "powerful yet unpretentious", and I must say I totally agree!
While certainly based in the hooks and the sensibilities of power pop, Alive & Kicking is an album representing many different moods and musical styles. The 1-2 punch opening this record is as impressive as any I've heard in a while. "Mister Screaming Attitude" is a driving, earnest number that brings to mind Tim/Pleased To Meet Me era Replacements. It's just so easy for me to close my eyes and feel the cold wind of a winter's day in Montreal. "Sweet Pretender" is a bigger hit than even Alexei Emelin could deliver - a radio-worthy pop/rock number that really benefits from Patrick Bennett's excellent keyboard work. It was a logical choice for a single. But don't sleep on the deeper cuts - which serve to bring variety to the album. The rocker "Planet Fun" works the groovy side of Big Star, while "Mixing A Drink" conjures the breezy pop feel of sunny California in the '70s. In a good way, "Diamond In The Rough" sounds like something I would have heard on an "alternative" radio station 20 years ago. And the band really gets to show off its chops on "Defending Champion" - a somewhat dramatic rock epic that genuinely succeeds. It sounds like it should be playing in a critical scene in a triumphant sports movie.
Alive & Kicking is a fine example of quality pop that doesn't limit itself to conventions of genre. Laj is a talented gentleman, and he has a gift for crafting songs that are relatable to almost anyone. In support of the album and the "Sweet Pretender" single, Laj and his band will embark on a long tour next week that is slated to last at least into April. Full tour dates can be found on the band's web site. Alive & Kicking releases this Friday on CD and digital download on Some Call It Pop Records. Record Centre Records will release the album on LP in the spring!
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