Something I hope to make a weekly feature (while it lasts)… reviews of record shops in Toronto, just so you know where to go to get what you want.

First up is Rotate This, one of my personal favorites.

Rotate This is great in that caters to both vinyl and cd lovers. Though, really the first thing to note is that Rotate definitely does cater towards the Alt-(insert genre here) categories of music much more so than main stream stuff. Definitely not a detriment if you ask me, but in case you were hoping to get the latest mainstream chart toppers, you’re probably out of luck.

Rotate’s vinyl collection is unmatched when it comes to new releases, plus its far from being outrageously priced (certainly not always the case). As a bonus they do deal used vinyl and there’s usually some great finds to be had (say, Abbey Road for $5…)It’s CD selection holds up pretty well too, minus the aforementioned lack of mainstream, if you want it, chances are rotate has it.

Just to make it even better, Roate is a fantastic ticket outlet. You can get tickets for most alt-____ acts that come through town… without crazy ticketmaster service charges. In fact, their site works as well as most concert listings for seeing what’s coming up soon.
Overall 4.5/5 for CD listeners 5/5 for vinyl listeners.

p.s. extra bonus their owner(?) is featured in the Broken Social Scene video for Fire Eye’d Boy.

Something to act on fast… Final Fantasy is putting on a pair of shows at the (tiny) Tranzac bar on the 23 and 24th of February. The show on the 23rd starts at 8pm and the Saturday show is an all ages matinée starting at 2pm.

What is Final Fantasy? (no, we’re not talking about the one with big swords) Final Fantasy is “delicate vocal/violin/tapeloop indie pop from Owen Pallett, peripheral Arcade Fire member and string arranger for their landmark debut, Funeral.” (pitchfork)

Final Fantasy never disappoints and for $8 you can’t find a better bargain. Stop by Tranzac itself, Soundscapes or Rotate this for tickets. Definitely a show you don’t want to miss.

Something I meant to write about earlier… but did not. Wavelength (the definitive Toronto indie zine/concert series) is having its seventh anniversary this weekend.

The first show was tonight at music gallery, so too late for anyone to go (unfortunate as it featured Laura Barrett and more)… fortuanetly there are three more shows this weekend. (more…)

Tired of the usual academic lectures? Perhaps a change is in order.

Perhaps, the Trampoline Hall lecture series is just what you need. The lectures are always eclectic, but also, always guaranteed to entertain. This month features:

• B. Soonstra: Mercantalism and Department Stores
• Chris Lee: Self-Refereeing
• Jessica Edwards: Hunting

To make it even better, this all happens at Sneaky Dee’s. The show starts Monday the 12th at 8pm and, tickets go on sale this Thursday at Soundscapes for $6 (so act quick). Also note, if you do buy a ticket and do want in, don’t be late, or else it’s all for naught. (more…)

Here’s a chance to catch three great Toronto bands. Tomorrow night Friday Morning’s Regret is having a launch party for their new cd When lost at sea. Along with Friday Morning’s Regret you also get to catch the fabulous Ohbijou, and Timber Timbre. To make it even better, the show is only $6, can’t go wrong on this one.

This all goes down at Horseshoe (368 Queen St. West)

Timber Timbre at 10
Ohbijou at 11
Friday Morning’s Regret at 12:15

Want something a little different to do on Thursday? Hart House has a pair of unique events going on. In the Gallery Grill Lounge you can catch Whisky a Go Go – A tutored sampling of six whiskeys. For $30 you get in on the on the sampling along with some hors d’ouvers and three free cocktails… plus complimentary jazz. See the flyer here.

For something not as pricey (or say free), over in the arbor room Mr. Something Something is playing. I won’t even attempt to describe them but, to say the least, they sound pretty interesting, check out the link for more info: Mr Something Something Concert

Whisky a Go Go starts at seven, the concert at nine.

NaturoPack is hosting the Get it To Go Green Fundraiser this Thursday at Gladstone, the reason: to launch a campaign aimed at getting Toronto cafes and restaurants to use biodegradable containers.

Given the green nature of the program, the event follows suit. Lighting will be provided by an interactive bicycle generator, musical performances will be acoustic, art from recycled materials will be on display… and you can check out samples of the containers NaturoPack is pushing.

Beyond all that local comedians (i.e. the hosts: The Rumoli Bros), local music (Ohbijou and more) and Jennifer Wright, founder of Green Shift (a Toronto consulting firm which helps companies meet environmental goals and standards) will all be on hand. Should amount to an interesting night… plus it’s only $10. Again, this is happening this Thurs. Jan 25, 2007. Doors at 8:00 pm, in the Gladstone Ballroom at the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W.).