New In-Flight Safety.

Via their MySpace.

Halifax’s In-Flight Safety have released two tracks from their new LP We Are An Empire, My Dear. The songs seem to go back to their original muse – down-mid tempo cinematic pop.  No more X&Y-inspired mediocrity ala their last record The Coast is Clear - these songs feel honest, sentimental, moving, all the things I originally loved about their debut EP Vacation Land. You can clearly hear their love of Ottawa’s The Acorn, in my books the most underrated band in Canada.

Hope the rest of the record is this focused and does something for these guys – they’ve been fighting the good fight for awhile.  One cool moment in my life was singing “Any Sense of Time” with them on stage a few years ago at a gig, a cover of one my favourite high school bands, The Inbreds.  Fun fun.  In fact, In-Flight’s cover of the tune is on their MySpace as well.

Mike’s musical formula for In-Flight = The Acorn + Wilco + Coldplay + telecaster with reverb on 18 + The National.

Noël un peu tôt.

Cara’s dad was really generous and gave me an early Christmas present to celebrate over the break.

Islay scotch is a big “interest” of mine, and Lagavulin is one of the best I’ve had.  What makes it different to other regions in Scotland is the peat and smoke infusions – I recently was at an event where 4 premium whiskeys were open-barred – Highland Park, Johnnie Walker Blue, Lagavulin, and Macallan 15 year.  So pretty much reminiscent of a certain new Andy Samberg/Jorm Taccone song.  All were amazing, my favourite was probably the Macallan but the Lag has a special peaty place in my heart.

You can call it snotty, but it’s just big flavour, big love.  I’ve been told that a drop of water opens up the scotch, but that’s as close to dilution as I will accept.  It’s like adding 6 cans of water to your OJ, just don’t do it (link reference – go to 1:16 through the video).  Again sounds snotty, but that’s just my preference – ice makes my mouth cold and less sensitive to the flavours.

What’s more awesome is that I can succumb to my drone like temptations while watching Mad Men.