First Listening: Canyon

By Jenn Young 
Associate A&E Editor

Think ambience: A dimly lit room, maybe candles scattered about – the scene evoking either sleep, contemplation or both.
Bands like Canyon were made to be the filler music for such settings. As their name implies, they are the kind of band who musically creates an  abyss that you unavoidably fall into when listening to them. But once you find yourself in their world, you quickly learn that it’s not that bad of a place to be. 
The first song on their second album, Empty Room, hypnotizes you with an organ overlay before the soft vocals of guitarist/harmonica player Brandon Butler kick in and segue to a sweetly drawn-out guitar solo. This song marks the beginning of a 43-minute joy ride into an  otherworldly state of music. 
It may be easiest to categorize Canyon as an indie-folk band, but even that label is probably too restrictive. The reason partly has to do with the pressing Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd element of psychedelia that lingers at the heart of Empty Rooms. Surprisingly though, the combination of folk and psychedelics is an impressive one.  
“Magnetic Moon” likewise has a similar power of enchantment as Butler sings over a gentle background of guitar and drums, “I know how you must feel with that cross tacked to your heal ... Sun won’t you go away / I just wanna sleep in / This moon has got me all tied up / feelin’ like I’ll never love again.”
The entire CD is composed of songs like this that pull you into their vortex and keep you listening. 
The band’s appeal may be partly due to the kind of quiet Nick Drake/ Elliot Smith  desperation that comes out in their sound. One that begs you to listen, but doesn’t overwhelm you once you do. Whatever it is though, it works.
Canyon will be playing Friday, Nov. 29, making 123 Pleasant St. their first stop on a 12 city tour. Tickets are only $6, and Canyon is slated to begin at 11 p.m. Mark your calendar, they’re definitely a band to catch.

Jenn Young can be reached at:
DAA&E@mail.wvu.edu.

Holy burning couches, Mountaineer fans! With all the crazy escapades that went on Wednesday night, I’m tempted to rename the column Info-Flamement! Who ever thought we’d beat those evil Hokies? That’ll show them a thing or two about football! And where would football be without fans? We finally reclaimed our throne as the premier street bonfire builders in all the land, turning Morgantown into an absolute  madhouse. Then again, no one was really all that mad ... more happy, actually. Happyhouse doesn’t sound as good though. Anyway, on with the entertainment gossip!
Newsflash: Michael Jackson is a freakin’ nutbag! First, he gets plastic surgery to make himself white. Next, he accuses Sony’s Tommy Mattolla of being a “racist” and a “devil.” Now, he is dangling babies from fourth story windows! That’s right, he held his son (who was curiously covered in a white sheet) out of a Berlin hotel window while fans screamed below. Whatever happened to that sweet little boy from The Jackson Five? Why do you hate yourself, Michael? I can’t understand. You did that “ABC, 123” song, the “Thriller” video, and warmed the hearts of so many of us. Whatever happens though, I will stand by you, the champion of my musical heart. Just no more putting your children on the brink of death – that was kind of f***ed up.
That bastard Ben Affleck stole another prize from me this week when he was announced “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine. First J-Lo, now this. The battle lines have been drawn. It’s on, Affleck!
How about that Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot? She has one of the hottest albums out there, she’s slimmed down, and her face is all over the news. That merits a hearty Info-tainment, “You go, girl!”
Remember slap bracelets? Those were a blast. My fashion prediction: they’ll be on all the hottest models’ wrists this winter.
Everybody’s favorite little gangsta, Justin Timberlake, broke his foot during a rehearsal in London. Serves him right for trying to rip off Michael Jackson’s dance moves. No one can unseat the King of Pop!
The Bachelor finally made his decision, and he picked Helene! My question: What kind of sick son of a bitch agrees to go on a show like that? And who the hell is watching this garbage? My loathing of reality TV is no secret; the only show that’s worth a damn is “The Osbournes,” and the stars are sick of the idea themselves. Maybe that’s a wake-up call for the rest of the world. Reality TV is worthless. The allure of viewers seeing real people experiencing real emotions has quickly been replaced by over-dramatic scene stealers without any trace of genuine emotion. People experiencing real issues, like the Osbournes, don’t want cameras on them all the time. Stop watching! It’s ruining the American cultural center that television once was. Think about it. Remember when shows like “The Facts of Life” and “Major Dad” got all the attention? Those were the days.
That’s all for this week – had to make it short. Kind of beat from the wild night of partying. Keep one thing in mind, though: don’t burn any more couches this weekend. If you did, what would you sit on when you watch WVU beat up on Pitt next week?

Chris Moore can be reached at:
Chris.Moore@mail.wvu.edu.