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By AMY KENNY
Staff Writer

New CD's for the school year eh? Well I'll tell ya's, money's running a little low in the old Kenny account since school ate up, in four years, all the cash I made in 23 (...then left me with nothing to market back to the cold, harsh economic wasteland that strives to suffocate me so...but that's a whole other kettle of fish...in the meantime...uh...study up kids! It's all worthwhile!), so sadly, I can't quite indulge the way I used to, but I sure can do my darndest to influence you cats -you whose bursary money still floats down from currency heaven, whose parents still top up what falls low, whose OSAP cheques will be spent before the ink has dried on their signatures.

Open up a word file on your shiny new E-Macs and take note...

Shaker -Refer to the feature on them in this issue if you need some convincing, then head on out to a show, hit up their website, or scour local independent record stores and pick up their self-titled EP (then go back to any record stores that didn't have it and harass them until they agree to carry it so these boys can make some money and put out a full-length album). It should be available in the next couple months.

Oliver Black -Super-energetic, straight-up rock. Word on the street is that Daniel Lanois of U2 production fame, wants to do something with this group. They're rumoured to be coming out with a debut album in February, so sit tight. To tide yourselves over, head on out and catch the foursome's mad Ontario tour this fall. They're playing a couple dates with 3 Days Grace (but we love 'em anyways), as well as a load of shows with the Trews.

Matt Mays and El Torpedo -If you don't have Matt Mays' first album...well first off, why the hell not? Get off your ass, pick it up, and prepare yourself for the follow-up, due out when? Besides "not soon enough", I have no idea, but I do know this -when I saw him open for Ireland's The Thrills back in June, he mentioned he'd just finished recording his 2nd, more-rock-than-country album, with the fantastic El Torpedo, so it should be out soon.

Modest Mouse -Good News For People Who Love Bad News came out a while ago, but if you don't already own it, you need to. Like now. NOW I said! Run, don't walk! And while you're at it, pick up some of their earlier stuff too, then people won't be able to make fun of you when you say you only own the most recent and commercial album. The CD is kick-ass from start to finish (as their stuff consistently is) and with it, Isaac Brock has proven himself THE best lyricist around these days (and possibly EVER in my books). I guess they're classified as "rock" but they're truly more all over the board than anyone I've heard in a long time.

Jeremy Fisher -I'm not usually a fan of guy/girl-and-a-guitar-type concerts, but this particular guy knocked my socks off during Toronto's North By Northeast festival in June. I've never seen a bar so full of so many drunk people go as quiet as the Rivoli did during the song that closed his set. Honestly. Incredible. Plus he tours on his mountain bike. Pretty damn cool if you ask me. His debut folk-rock album, tentatively titled "Let It Shine," came out at the beginning of October.

So there you have it. A handful of albums to get you through the next few months -be it studying or partying. Check back with us in a few months and maybe we'll have some post-winter break picks for you. Maybe you'll even have some OSAP cash still kicking around so you can follow up on the new recommendations. If not you can always pawn that E-Mac. I mean, come on -priorities right? It'll probably be obsolete by then anyways.