Evangelista
Hello, Voyager
By Vish Khanna

Haunting vocalist Carla Bozulich returns with another monster record of fractured punk poetry that’s slyly forceful. Naming this band after her critically acclaimed 2006 Constellation debut, Bozulich conjures an extroverted, energetic set of arrangements for her dark but often playfully blunt wordplay on Hello, Voyager. Though things begin with familiarly ambient drones on “Winds of Saint Anne,” Bozulich charges into the song with an otherworldly incantation. The song’s abstracted soundtrack, aided by members of A Silver Mt. Zion, gives way to the multitude of stomping drums that propels the ironically titled “Smooth Jazz,” which has the ominous feel of the Jesus Lizard, with Bozulich twisting into David Yow’s sense of phrasing and humour. “Lucky Lucky Luck” is a subversive lounge act, while “Truth is Dark Like Outer Space” gallops forward out of New York guitar skronk into New York art-rock. Album highlight “The Blue Room” is a wonderfully crafted set of verses rendered with grace by Bozulich and a soaring string section. Hello, Voyager is endlessly compelling and a more than fitting introduction to Evangelista.

Does Hello, Voyager fulfil your vision for these songs?
Bozulich: My vision for my music is that there not be a vision until it’s finished. A lot of things have discipline, structure and instruction but, for the most part, I try to stand back and be surprised, especially because I can afford to with such amazing players.

Is there a central lyrical motif?
I knew that “Hello, Voyager” was going to be the flagship piece [laughs], that I wanted this swashbuckling, Armageddon thing to do with the line, “This is what I don’t want people to see.” I like to dig deep to really dark places, but what’s probably kept me going is that I can step back and laugh maniacally because everything is so absurd. Really, all we have left after we’ve analysed that is each other, which is what Hello, Voyager is about.

What about Constellation and Montreal compels you to visit Quebec to make music?
I mean, I [re-]made Red Headed Stranger. That had Willie Nelson on it and took me years to find a label to put that out. I can’t tell you how incredible it is to be on a label that’s conscientious and loves me. Then, when you get into the musicians, it’s almost like, “pinch me, am I dreaming?” I get choked up just thinking about it! (Constellation)
Hilotrons - Happymatic
Ottawa pop rock geniuses Hilotrons hone a timeless sound on the excellent Happymatic, and the multi-layered result is more rewarding with each listen. Even as other bands strive for the quirky tightness of Devo, Talking Heads and the Police, Hilotrons master the artful, immediate energy requi ...Read More
A Weather - Cove
Adele - 19
Apes - Ghost Games
Baby Walrus - Baby Walrus
Bauhaus - Go Away White
Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward
Bell X1 - Flock
Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow And Blue
Brent Cash - How Will I Know If I'm Awake
Cali - L'espoir
Cancel Winter - Liestillnow
Chad Hatcher - Tunnels and Pathways
Crushed Stars - Gossamer Days
Cryptacize - Dig That Treasure
Danko Jones - Never Too Loud
Dengue Fever - Venus On Earth
Die Mannequin - Unicorn Steak
Diebold - Listen to My Heartbeast
The Dirtbombs - We Have You Surrounded
The Durutti Column - Circuses and Bread / Fidelity / Live In Bruxelles / Lips That Would Kiss
Elfin Saddle - Gigantic Mother/Wounded Child
Eric Matthews - The Imagination Stage
The Failer's Union - Sinker
Fredda - Toutes Mes Aventures
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Gutter Twins - Saturnalia
Hills Like White Elephants - Himalaya
Ida - Lovers Prayers
Idiot Pilot - Wolves
Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast - Strange Hexes
Joe Jackson - Rain
Justice of the Unicorns - Angels with Uzis
Kara Keith - Kara Keith
Ladyhawk - Shots
Little Woman - Teeth
Mia Doi Todd - Gea
Panther - 14 kt God
Photon Band - Back Down To Earth
The Populars - A Pill for Everyone
Proof of Ghosts - Proof of Ghosts
Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
Ride Your Bike - Bad News From the Bar
Science for Girls - Science for Girls
Sh! The Octopus - The Carrot Chase
Share - Pedestrian
Sian Alice Group - 59:59
Silje Nes - Ames Room
Silje Nes - Ames Room
Society of Rockets - Our Paths Related
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
The Superfantastics - Choose Your Destination
Team Robespierre - Everything's Perfect
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings And All
TheKokoon - Berlin
Unwed Sailor - Little Wars
Veda Hille - This Riot Life
Weird Weeds - I Miss This
Whatever Happened To Corduroy? - Whatever Happened To Corduroy?
White Hinterland - Phylactery Factory
Yoav - Charmed & Strange
Hostage Life - Centre Of The Universe
It's unfortunate the words "maturity" and "growth" are stigmas in the world of punk rock. They would be the perfect descriptors for Toronto, ON-based Hostage Life's tertiary release. Maintaining the adage that a band never realize their true potential until their third album, the quintet prove thems... Full Review
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Dir. by Paul Weitz
In an interesting twist of Hollywood fate, Chris and Paul Weitz have entered the final stretch of 2009 each in control of a major vampire franchise built from the pages of popular young adult fiction.

From one half of the brotherly team who brought us American Pie and About ... Full Review
The Brütal Legend of Tim Schafer
Game designer Tim Schafer is not a well-known man, at least not to the mainstream. But like Buffy creator Joss Whedon, Schafer's a full-blown hero amongst the geek-pop set, his name synonymous with creative vision, critical acclaim, fervent fans and, alas, sub-par sales.... Read More
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
• Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the April 2008 Issue: • Contents Page • News • Click Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Questionnaire  •  Release Dates  •  Research  •  Timeline  •  Videogames  •  Web Exclusives • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Destination Out  •  Frequencies  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews  •  CMW Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Meet & Greet  •  Need to Know  •  Where I play • Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio • Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue • Browse Issues