When I’m writing I repeatedly edit words and rework tracks/
I’ll admit I’m like the Raptors – I got weak first drafts/
So when I’m dropping a new flow/
It’s prolly not all that solid at first post yo might call it Araujo/

I already liked Shad before I heard this song, but a reference to the Raptors and their controversial first pick in the 2004 draft put me over the top. Icing on the cake is that, as far as the press and the youtube can determine, Shad’s as down to earth offstage and his lyrics let on. Since enjoying Shad’s album The Old Prince (2007), I’ve been looking forward to his new material which hit virtual and actual shelves a couple weeks ago under the title TSOL (and it includes an appearance by Broken Social Scene’s Lisa Lobsinger on Rose Garden).It’s already one of my albums of the summer.

Shad’s on tour right now, hitting southern Ontario in a couple days (including two shows in his home town of London) and then playing the Jazz Fest in Montreal on June 25 which I’ll be at no matter how indie pop darlings are playing the Jazz Fest that night (right now that number is three). Here’s Shad’s most recent video, Rose Garden, but also check out Yaa I get it, Compromise (which features the Raptors lyrics) and Shad freestyling.