Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Peaches (a.k.a. Toronto’s Merrill Nisker) is Feist’s potty-mouthed counterpart. Where Feist moved to Paris to become an ultra-cool chanteuse, her former roommate relocated to Berlin and spawned an x-rated brand of electroclash. Here, Peaches gets help from Joan Jett on the pumping “You Love It” and from Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and Feist on the hoser anthem “Give ’er.” Like Carole Pope crossed with Madonna—only dirtier, Peaches leaves the listener in desperate need of a shower. July 11

This has all the ingredients of another Cockburn classic: political tunes (“Slow Down Fast”) and spiritual numbers (“To Fit in My Head”) mixed with travelogue (“This is Baghdad”), love songs (“Different When it Comes to You”) and instrumentals (“Peace March”). But the addition of horns (jazz trumpeter Kevin Turcotte), a 23-piece string section and vocal assists from Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman and Damhnait Doyle give the veteran Canuck folk legend’s 29th album a refreshing new spin. July 11   

Emm Gryner is a “hot one.” Her resumé includes: singer-songwriter (eight albums); producer; label owner (Dead Daisy Records); David Bowie band member (keyboards and backup vocals). Recently, Gryner has joined fellow Torontonian Jordan Kern and New York City’s Nathan Larson and Kevin March in a cross-border side project. Hot One’s debut bristles with loud ’n’ angry rockers like “Get Your Priest On!” and “Daddy Was a Pilot,” and the versatile Gryner can now add kickass bass to her impressive list of credits. July 4

The appetite for Cash shows no signs of abating. This release will please fans who like their Man in Black raw and unadulterated. With spare accompaniment, Cash sings about love and salvation on stark originals like “I Came to Believe” and “Like the 309” (the last song he wrote before his death) and covers by Hank Williams and Bruce Springsteen. For Canadian Cash-aholics, his interpretations of Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds” and Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind” are a cool, maple-leaf waving bonus. July 4

Fans of twangy instrumental rock (Ventures, Shadows, etc.) will be thrilled by this reissue set devoted to the legendary Edmonton group. Dakus and his band ruled Western Canada in the late 1950s and early ’60s. Tasty singles like “El Ringo” and the weird ’n’ wacky “Dog Food” brought them to the attention of producer Norman Petty (Buddy Holly), who eventually recorded “Pedro’s Pad” and “Side Winder” (both included here) at his Clovis, New Mexico studio. Irresistible stuff, with two more volumes to come.

The bonus material for the 60th birthday tribute to Chuck Berry, originally filmed in 1986 by Taylor Hackford (Ray), is priceless. On top of the concert movie, with music director Keith Richards and guests including Eric Clapton and Etta James, the DVD offers rehearsal footage and interviews with Berry peers like Bo Diddley, Little Richard and a crazed Jerry Lee Lewis. Most revealing is the behind-the-scenes drama in which Berry holds the entire production hostage—proving himself rock’s most ruthless genius.

What sets Toronto’s Billy Talent apart from so many screamo-punk pretenders is the band’s issue-oriented songs and singer Ben Kowalewicz’ surprisingly melodic throat-shredding roar. The group’s second album, co-produced by Gavin Brown and guitarist Ian D’Sa, bristles with explosive energy and raging conviction. From the opening salvo “Devil in Midnight Mass” and the fiery “Red Flag” to the searing “Covered in Cowardice” and the closing “Burn the Evidence,” there’s no room for wimpy apathy. June 27

Although the South by Southwest Festival has put Austin, Texas on the musical map, the city’s other major festival, operating since 1976, has showcased some hot talent itself. This two-disc DVD set features recent performances by 28 acts, ranging from danceable art-punk bands like Bloc Party (“This Modern Love”) and Kaiser Chiefs (“I Predict a Riot”) to such young and veteran singer-songwriters as Rachael Yamagata (“Be Be Your Love”) and John Prine (“Lake Marie”). Bonuses: interviews and mini-documentaries. June 20

With its 2004 debut, Hopes and Fears, Keane took a lot of knocks for its emotive pop style, often getting labeled “Coldplay lite.” But the British pop trio, led by singer Tom Chaplin and pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, is aiming for a tougher, darker and more diverse sound on it sophomore album. “Is It Any Wonder?” which questions Britain’s role in the Iraq war, is a forceful rocker, while “Leaving So Soon?” has shades of Rufus Wainwright and the organ-drenched “Hamburg Song” stands out as a gorgeous, plaintive ballad. June 20   

It’s well known that France has never been a bastion of decent pop and rock. One exception has been the electronica duo Air, which contributed a fine soundtrack to the Sofia Coppola film The Virgin Suicides. Phoenix, which once shared a label with Air and occasionally served as the duo’s backing band, is another. The group, led by singer Thomas Mars, revels in giddy power-pop and dreamy West Coast rock on songs like the hooky “Consolation Prizes” and the French saluting “Napoleon Says.” C’est tres cool. June 13