The Daily Earworm is: Left Brain Blues by Fish & Bird. I must admit I have a soft spot for folk music, but Fish & Bird is my absolute favorite. They're like a Canadian hybrid of Mumford & Sons and Iron & Wine (what is it with folk bands and their ampersands?!). This song is sure to make you want to dance, and yet there is an unmistakably mellow vibe to Taylor Ashton's voice. After you listen to this I swear you will never get the line "My right brain has got the left brain blues" out of your head- but why would you want to?

Today's Daily Earworm goes to: If You Would Come Back Home by William Fitzsimmons. Off his third album The Sparrow and the Crow, this song should be the anthem of anyone who's experienced heartbreak or longing. Fitzsimmons' soft croon heightens the despair that is plain in the chorus: "If you would come back home/We could start all over/If you would come back home/I swear it would be better". But be warned, dear readers, this song may drive you to tears.

The Daily Earworm: Fragile Bird by City and Colour, off the new album Little Hell. It is definitely the strongest song off the record: frontman Dallas Green has expanded his vocal textures, giving the song a layered quality that reminds listeners of the transition between dreams and reality. This is underscored by the lyrics: Green has explained that the song is about his wife's night terrors. Both haunting and somewhat sexy, you'll want to listen to this song on repeat for hours.

Earworm of the day: Soft Rock Star by Metric, off the album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? I have long nursed a soft spot for frontwoman Emily Haines, but this song is especially good. Haines capitalizes on both her uncannily sweet voice and her powerful lyrics to swing together an unforgettable tune.The carefree, haunting chorus, "Choose the highest bidder, was my answer when they told me I was up for sale", stays in my head for hours, if not days.

The Daily Earworm

My new feature, and just what it sounds like- every day, a song I can't get out of my head.

Today's earworm is Michicant by Bon Iver, off the new self-titled album. Which I would buy, if I were you.

A Belated Dance Party with Ellie Goulding and the Bag Raiders

Dear readers, I apologize for the time that has elapsed between my seeing Ellie Goulding live and my report on it. I usually try to write these immediately after the concert, so the memory is still fresh, but let me say that in the week that has passed the experience has not faded.

I saw Goulding at Toronto's Kool Haus venue, and because I got there more than two hours early I managed to get a spot up close. Goulding's style seemed to be as addictive as her music- I saw several young Ellie Goulding lookalikes.Her opener, Australian duo Bag Raiders, got the crowd dancing with their electro-pop remixes, and their adorably bearded Chris Stracey won some hearts with his sweet accent and jokey demeanour. For those of you who don't know them (I didn't!) I'll post a link to some of my favorites.

Goulding came on around 9 (the doors opened at 7) with the crowd favourite "Under the Sheets". Everyone in the crowd knew the words, and was singing their heart out, which seemed to delight her. The British singer has shot up in popularity since the American video version of "Starry Eyed" was released in July this year, and has been compared to Kate Nash and Lykke Li. Going in, I have to say I was skeptical- though I've long been a fan of Goulding's music, I've found that most artists who rely heavily on electronic sound don't pack a punch in concert- but I was wrong about Ellie Goulding. Not only can she sing, but she also is quick to remix her own songs, using her considerable vocal talents to hold notes for so long that the audience stopped singing along and applauded in wonder and making slower songs more danceable. Her rendition of Elton John's classic "Your Song", which has won her awards in her home country, was sweet and soulful, one of the only quiet songs of the night. Though at first she seemed a bit crowd shy, going straight from one song to another, she warmed up to us, regaling us with the stories behind the songs. "The next time you think you've made a mistake, well, I made a bigger one, so I win," she told us, giggling, before launching into "Your Biggest Mistake".

Although the concert was short (including the encore, we got out at 10:15), Goulding packed a punch- the crowd was cheering even as it streamed out of Kool Haus. Keep an eye on Goulding- I have a feeling she'll be making a lot more critics go "Starry Eyed" in the future.

photo credit: Rachel Gould

A Reckless Evening

On Saturday night, I saw The Pretty Reckless live at Toronto's Tattoo Rock Parlour. For those of you who don't know The Pretty Reckless, they are Taylor Momsen (also known as Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl)'s rock band. Taylor Momsen has sparked controversy with every step she's taken, from openly discussing her penchant for corsets and support of underage sex in Revolver magazine to flashing fans at one of her concerts. Many members of the press, including Perez Hilton, have raised eyebrows at Momsen's racy behavior and hypersexualized style. Perhaps it is because of this that Momsen is rarely recognized for her musical achievements.

The doors to the venue opened at six thirty, and when I arrived at seven it was still relatively empty, so I was able to snag a spot pretty close to stage. Momsen's band came on after two openers who weren't terrible but were nothing to write home about. Momsen, true to her reputation, was clad in leather panties, fishnets, and a low-cut shirt that read, "I fuck for Satan". However, her talent soon eclipsed her attire: her voice is sultry and rich, and her range is impressive. She seamlessly hit the high notes in songs like "Make Me Wanna Die" and "My Medicine". While her lyrics seem a bit too mature for a girl of seventeen, her skill is undeniable. She improvised a mashup of Muse and Oasis, and managed to give it her own unique spin. Momsen is also a natural stage presence: she seemed comfortable with her fans, inviting up two girls to dance with her on stage and seeming to siphon energy off the crowd. She made a few well placed drama-stirring comments, such as "I don't touch boys, I'm a ladies girl", and "Anyone drinking tonight? Good, okay, that's what this song's about." Momsen was flippant of her extreme eroticism, which allowed us in the audience to feel like children in on a naughty secret and added a spark to the crowd. While she self-promoted during the break between her songs, she wasn't obnoxious about it and seemed genuinely pleased to be performing in Toronto.

While it is safe to say Little J has grown up, I think Taylor Momsen has a long career ahead of her. One that may or may not include pants.