By Chris Conaton, Pop Matters
When you are a band and you name your debut album How to Have Sex With Canadians, you probably need to forgive people who have never heard of you for expecting sarcastic power-pop or snotty pop-punk. As one of those aforementioned people, I was surprised to find that The DoneFors make quiet pop songs, alternately romantic and bittersweet. The four-piece band is fronted by Janine Stoll, whose clear, gentle voice is well-served by her casual, conversational lyrics.
"In a Cornfield" starts out with the memorable lines, "Stumbling on the brink / Of too many beers / Brain full of hash / Not enough to numb my fear." The rest of the band follows Stoll’s lead, keeping the music mostly low-key and unassuming, from smoky blues ("The Narrator", "In My Blood", "Red Fish") to acoustic ballads ("One by One"). The majority of the album is mid-tempo pop, such as the catchy "The King and Me" and the wistful closer "The Last Thing You Do". It’s all well-crafted and likable, but nothing about How to Have Sex With Canadians is particularly memorable. With the exception of the album title and the standout "In a Cornfield", The DoneFors aren’t yet making pop music that is sticky enough to lodge in your brain.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
PRESS - Disc Review: The Donefors - How To Have Sex With Canadians (independent) - NNN
By Carla Gillis, NOW Magazine, Toronto
There's a goofy quality about Toronto's the Donefors, made up of Janine Stoll (the Ladybird Sideshow), Brian Lahaie (SuperstacK) and Mr. Something Something's Paul MacDougall and Liam Smith. See the album title. And the hammy press photos. And the oddball lyrics.
It's a unique quality considering the sophistication of their music, which features Stoll's sprightly singing front and centre and navigates an eclectic course through jazz/country/chansons/folk/pop waters throughout the 12-song debut. How To Have Sex is a little all over the place, but its bright, balanced production and strong songs help bring everything together.
Top track: Crazy Eight
There's a goofy quality about Toronto's the Donefors, made up of Janine Stoll (the Ladybird Sideshow), Brian Lahaie (SuperstacK) and Mr. Something Something's Paul MacDougall and Liam Smith. See the album title. And the hammy press photos. And the oddball lyrics.
It's a unique quality considering the sophistication of their music, which features Stoll's sprightly singing front and centre and navigates an eclectic course through jazz/country/chansons/folk/pop waters throughout the 12-song debut. How To Have Sex is a little all over the place, but its bright, balanced production and strong songs help bring everything together.
Top track: Crazy Eight
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
PRESS - Indie band you need to know: The DoneFors
By Chris, tuneslevel.com
Toronto's The DoneFors establish an awesome folksy, indie pop sound on their debut album How To Have Sex With Canadians. I'm still not sure what's different about sex with Canadians (Are things just frigid? Do you get hammered on Molson first?), but I do know that the album is full of addictive songs.
Songs like "In A Cornfield" (video below) have warm guitar melodies played in smart rhythms. Add in the unique, indie-friendly voice of Janine Stoll and it becomes pretty hard not to enjoy The DoneFors. If you dig "In A Cornfield," check out "Mouth Full of Marbles" on The DoneFors MySpace. If you want a song with a more rock edge to it, "The Narrator" is cool indie rock as well.
Toronto's The DoneFors establish an awesome folksy, indie pop sound on their debut album How To Have Sex With Canadians. I'm still not sure what's different about sex with Canadians (Are things just frigid? Do you get hammered on Molson first?), but I do know that the album is full of addictive songs.
Songs like "In A Cornfield" (video below) have warm guitar melodies played in smart rhythms. Add in the unique, indie-friendly voice of Janine Stoll and it becomes pretty hard not to enjoy The DoneFors. If you dig "In A Cornfield," check out "Mouth Full of Marbles" on The DoneFors MySpace. If you want a song with a more rock edge to it, "The Narrator" is cool indie rock as well.
FREEDOM OF THE PEST
Hip Toronto Magazine Q: So tell us what's going on with you guys.
DoneFors A: Well, is it just us, or is anyone else feeling like this year's early March is an especially depressing one? I mean, I know we're all good Canadians just for living this cycle every year, but c'mon! It's been the type of winter you just want to end already. And there's more on the way. Us? Well, we've been feeling like we just got dumped. Like we got kidnapped while we were waiting for the bus. Feeling like all hope is lost. Like an abortionist on their way to work. If I were a walrus I'd definitely be Paul. If I were Steve Miller I'd've hung myself just for the press. If I were a bee I'd be a worker and not the queen. Sorry... what was the question?
Hip Toronto Magazine Q: The question was "what's going on with you guys?"
DoneFors A: Oh right! Are you kidding? Tons of SHOWS in Toronto this month. Gladstone / Mitzi's / The Local & C'est What. You'd be completely crazy to miss any of them so we can expect you to have perfect attendance if you want a passing grade. Don't be a flunky.
Your microwave is making you sterile.
Love,
The DoneFors
Monday, March 2, 2009
PRESS - The Donefors: How To Have Sex With Canadians, (Independent) *****
By Chris Homer, Muzic Reviews
The DoneFors don't offer any love advice on How To Have Sex With Canadians, but the album is a surprisingly textured indie rock opus. Hypnotizing guitar melodies flow into the melodic vocals of Janine Stoll, often creating a Neko Case vibe in The DoneFors sound. Despite relying heavily on simple melodies, How To Have Sex With Canadians is an addictive album that's indie rock at it's best.
The DoneFors don't waste your time with any overly experimental songs. "The Narrator" points to the pleasing style that the band develops on the album. The main guitar melody of the track may repeat a few times, but the psychedelic sound established is far from boring. "The Narrator" is complimented with a funky bass line from Liam Smith that ties everything together brilliantly. Meanwhile, Stoll's lofty vocals will leave you mesmerized.
The rhythmic sense that The DoneFors have is the real power behind How To Have Sex With Canadians. "Mouth Full of Marbles" bounces cleverly between a punchy acoustic guitar rhythm and a lightly played melody on electric guitar. Likewise, "Lemons From Argentina" creates a unique sound out of hand-claps and delicate melodies that grab hold of your attention.
Stoll's powerful voice also adds enjoyment to How To Have Sex With Canadians. Her ability becomes obvious on "In My Blood," where the instrumental tracks remain deep in the mix and Stoll is allowed to cut loose.
Later, The DoneFors have more success with "The King And Me." The reggae influences behind the song create an awesome laid-back jam that makes it one of the best efforts on the album.
From beginning to end, How To Have Sex With Canadians is a fantastic listen. The DoneFors don't disappoint once and build an album that will quickly find a place among any indie rockers' favorites.
The DoneFors don't offer any love advice on How To Have Sex With Canadians, but the album is a surprisingly textured indie rock opus. Hypnotizing guitar melodies flow into the melodic vocals of Janine Stoll, often creating a Neko Case vibe in The DoneFors sound. Despite relying heavily on simple melodies, How To Have Sex With Canadians is an addictive album that's indie rock at it's best.
The DoneFors don't waste your time with any overly experimental songs. "The Narrator" points to the pleasing style that the band develops on the album. The main guitar melody of the track may repeat a few times, but the psychedelic sound established is far from boring. "The Narrator" is complimented with a funky bass line from Liam Smith that ties everything together brilliantly. Meanwhile, Stoll's lofty vocals will leave you mesmerized.
The rhythmic sense that The DoneFors have is the real power behind How To Have Sex With Canadians. "Mouth Full of Marbles" bounces cleverly between a punchy acoustic guitar rhythm and a lightly played melody on electric guitar. Likewise, "Lemons From Argentina" creates a unique sound out of hand-claps and delicate melodies that grab hold of your attention.
Stoll's powerful voice also adds enjoyment to How To Have Sex With Canadians. Her ability becomes obvious on "In My Blood," where the instrumental tracks remain deep in the mix and Stoll is allowed to cut loose.
Later, The DoneFors have more success with "The King And Me." The reggae influences behind the song create an awesome laid-back jam that makes it one of the best efforts on the album.
From beginning to end, How To Have Sex With Canadians is a fantastic listen. The DoneFors don't disappoint once and build an album that will quickly find a place among any indie rockers' favorites.
PRESS - The DoneFors: How To Have Sex With Canadians
By Josh Fewings, The Argus, Thunder Bay
Toronto-based band The DoneFors are currently touring Southern Ontario and teaching various cities and towns about sex, or at least how to listen to songs from their album How to Have Sex With Canadians. Despite its risque title, the album is far from being blatantly raunchy. This is an album with so much class that it could be the background music to a martini party, and yet it's grounded in folksy spirit that would fit perfectly into a folk festival lineup. Lead singer Janine Stoll has been playing music for years, but her voice is fresh here, while her lyrics are smart and sassy. Two members of the band are also in Mr. Something Something, an Afro-beat/funk band that has visited the city regularly. With any luck The DoneFors will come to teach us how to have sex in Thunder Bay.
Toronto-based band The DoneFors are currently touring Southern Ontario and teaching various cities and towns about sex, or at least how to listen to songs from their album How to Have Sex With Canadians. Despite its risque title, the album is far from being blatantly raunchy. This is an album with so much class that it could be the background music to a martini party, and yet it's grounded in folksy spirit that would fit perfectly into a folk festival lineup. Lead singer Janine Stoll has been playing music for years, but her voice is fresh here, while her lyrics are smart and sassy. Two members of the band are also in Mr. Something Something, an Afro-beat/funk band that has visited the city regularly. With any luck The DoneFors will come to teach us how to have sex in Thunder Bay.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
PRESS - The DoneFors - How To Have Sex With Canadians
By peanut gallery, Hybrid Magazine
Keith: Indie Astrid Gilberto without Samba but includes incongruent jazzy vocal lines. Tony Childs?
Laurie: I can see hipsters in corduroy sports jackets completely failing to score with this.
Danny: Iron Wine Velvet Sebastien w/ funk bass.
Chris: Jazzy, pop nonsense, but not nearly as maddening as Steely Dan... Ear Jello w/ celery in it.
Keith: Indie Astrid Gilberto without Samba but includes incongruent jazzy vocal lines. Tony Childs?
Laurie: I can see hipsters in corduroy sports jackets completely failing to score with this.
Danny: Iron Wine Velvet Sebastien w/ funk bass.
Chris: Jazzy, pop nonsense, but not nearly as maddening as Steely Dan... Ear Jello w/ celery in it.
PRESS - Album Review: How to Have Sex with Canadians By The DoneFors
By Amy Lotsberg, Collected Sounds
Their CDBaby page says RIYL: Beatles, Joni Mitchell. Is that a joke? I don't know how much more disparate you can get unless you add the Sex Pistols to the list. Well, the Donefors don't sound like any of those if you ask me. But judging by their promo package and their website they do have a healthy sense of humor. But you may have guessed that by reading the title of the record.
The lead female vocals (by Janice Stoll) have a bit of a 60s pop sound. When pop music had a little touch of a jazzy sound to it. Her voice is very likeable.
She's also the composer and lyricist and a skilled one at that. The songs have fun, interesting melodies and the lyrics are smart and clever if not always quite as happy as the tempo may have you believe.
A particular stand out example:
"I'm a drunken lollipop
Lick my tattoo
I find you kind of pervie
That's what I say to you
But you don't speak a lick of English
So honey as you were
I'll save my regrets for the morning"
The DoneFors - How To Have Sex With Canadians -from Lemons From Argentina
This is one record I want to have more time with. I have a feeling if I could listen to it and just it for a long time I'd be in love. But I have 30 other CDs to get to. If I get a chance to come back to this one, I will write more.
Their CDBaby page says RIYL: Beatles, Joni Mitchell. Is that a joke? I don't know how much more disparate you can get unless you add the Sex Pistols to the list. Well, the Donefors don't sound like any of those if you ask me. But judging by their promo package and their website they do have a healthy sense of humor. But you may have guessed that by reading the title of the record.
The lead female vocals (by Janice Stoll) have a bit of a 60s pop sound. When pop music had a little touch of a jazzy sound to it. Her voice is very likeable.
She's also the composer and lyricist and a skilled one at that. The songs have fun, interesting melodies and the lyrics are smart and clever if not always quite as happy as the tempo may have you believe.
A particular stand out example:
"I'm a drunken lollipop
Lick my tattoo
I find you kind of pervie
That's what I say to you
But you don't speak a lick of English
So honey as you were
I'll save my regrets for the morning"
The DoneFors - How To Have Sex With Canadians -from Lemons From Argentina
This is one record I want to have more time with. I have a feeling if I could listen to it and just it for a long time I'd be in love. But I have 30 other CDs to get to. If I get a chance to come back to this one, I will write more.
PRESS - Review: The Donefors - How To Have Sex With Canadians
By Jason Schneider, Exclaim Magazine, Toronto
Toronto singer-songwriter Janine Stoll certainly knows a good thing when she hears it. After assembling a band of top-notch players to back her for shows promoting her last solo album, This Is Where We Bury It, the musical chemistry they shared has led to this new project, a clear departure from Stoll's normal work. Drawing upon a wealth of technical skill, the DoneFors delve into some daring musical territory while at the same time maintaining an honest and live overall sound. At times reminiscent of vintage Rheostatics and Jane Siberry, the songs are rooted in a storytelling style that's just as adventurous as the music, driven by Stoll's wonderfully unpredictable, jazz-trained pipes. How To Have Sex With Canadians is a unique first effort from a band that, in spite of their name, deserve to have a long life. (Independent) Toronto singer-songwriter Janine Stoll certainly knows a good thing when she hears it. After assembling a band of top-notch players to back her for shows promoting her last solo album, This Is Where We Bury It, the musical chemistry they shared has led to this new project, a clear departure from Stoll's normal work. Drawing upon a wealth of technical skill, the DoneFors delve into some daring musical territory while at the same time maintaining an honest and live overall sound. At times reminiscent of vintage Rheostatics and Jane Siberry, the songs are rooted in a storytelling style that's just as adventurous as the music, driven by Stoll's wonderfully unpredictable, jazz-trained pipes. How To Have Sex With Canadians is a unique first effort from a band that, in spite of their name, deserve to have a long life.
Toronto singer-songwriter Janine Stoll certainly knows a good thing when she hears it. After assembling a band of top-notch players to back her for shows promoting her last solo album, This Is Where We Bury It, the musical chemistry they shared has led to this new project, a clear departure from Stoll's normal work. Drawing upon a wealth of technical skill, the DoneFors delve into some daring musical territory while at the same time maintaining an honest and live overall sound. At times reminiscent of vintage Rheostatics and Jane Siberry, the songs are rooted in a storytelling style that's just as adventurous as the music, driven by Stoll's wonderfully unpredictable, jazz-trained pipes. How To Have Sex With Canadians is a unique first effort from a band that, in spite of their name, deserve to have a long life. (Independent) Toronto singer-songwriter Janine Stoll certainly knows a good thing when she hears it. After assembling a band of top-notch players to back her for shows promoting her last solo album, This Is Where We Bury It, the musical chemistry they shared has led to this new project, a clear departure from Stoll's normal work. Drawing upon a wealth of technical skill, the DoneFors delve into some daring musical territory while at the same time maintaining an honest and live overall sound. At times reminiscent of vintage Rheostatics and Jane Siberry, the songs are rooted in a storytelling style that's just as adventurous as the music, driven by Stoll's wonderfully unpredictable, jazz-trained pipes. How To Have Sex With Canadians is a unique first effort from a band that, in spite of their name, deserve to have a long life.
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