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CD Reviews
These CD reviews appeared in the Winter, Summer and Fall 2001 issues of Broken Pencil
magazine
CD Reviews:
Rayovaq -- tendency to sway
(Catch-and-Release Recording Collective)
After the eventual line-up musical chairs that plagues most indie bands, Calgary’s rayovaq have settled on a strong group of musicians, who’ve recorded a solid, well produced, bunch of songs, on their first full-length release, tendency to sway. Although, I believe that you’d classify this as an ep, as there are only five songs here, and it clocks in at just over half-an-hour. The vocals are what stood out to me; mature and melancholy, reminiscent of jale, bettie serveert and versus. Musically, they run the gamut of bliss-out to solid pop. If you like your music slow, and core-like, with a few faster songs thrown in between, you’ll dig this.
The Mandarins -- Shiver ep
The Mandarins are a Winnipeg-based band composed of members of the Bonaduces (now known as The Paperbacks) and Swim. The six song e.p, produced independently by The Mandarins demonstrates a fine ability to write standard pop songs, in the tradition of groups such as Velocity Girl and the Blake Babies. But the overall effect leaves me underwhelmed. Their bio tells me that the band was formed to back up lead vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist, Tanya Zubert, and it feels that way. She writes the songs, they back her up. The music floats along, with few attention-catching moments. It’s all nice, but there’s nothing there that stops you and makes you want to press repeat on your CD player or put a song of theirs on a mix tape.
Mellonova – Mellonova (Aporia Records)
Grand massive soundscapes. That’s what I thought of when I heard the first song on this five song ep. An album recorded for fans of vocals filled with passion and music that builds up and crescendos. Mellonova are at their best when they stay away from the alt-rock sound, which they sometimes fall prey to, and concentrate on the sianspheric-esque cyclical guitar and atmosphere.
The Burdocks -- Lips & Assholes (No Distribution)
Halifax’s, The Burdocks first release, co-produced by former SuperFriendz member, Charles Austin, has handclaps. That’s a point in its favour. It also has keyboards. These two elements, which they have in common with fellow Haligonians Sloan, betrays the band’s roots. While they share Sloan’s obsession with classic guitar rock-- In fact, I know that one member of the band was/is on Sloan net-- unlike Sloan’s more polished sound, the Burdocks have a scrappy/punky quality that I really like. Think rawk music crossed with the Apples in Stereo. Lips & Assholes is the sound of a fan-based band moving past their immediate influences.
projektor -- red wolf glass (endearing records)
Readers familiar with the endearing records roster may be a bit surprised by the kind of music projektor make (as I was). Unlike endearing bands such as b’ehl and the salteens, known for their indie pop leanings, the debut CD from this Winnipeg-based band forays into the intensely emotional canon of rock and roll. It’s late night music, with some tracks informed by a bit of Afghan Whigs (although not nearly as sexually charged) and some emo-type sounds. Most of this CD flows along at an even keel, with an element of diversity thrown in via alternating vocalists.
Various artists -- 11 objects lost and found
(Catch-and-Release Recording Collective)
The latest compilation from the Catch-and-Release Recording Collective is meant to showcase music from around Alberta. Rayovaq, who recently released a fine album, are featured with two songs of minimalist pop. Keeping with the less-is-more theme are the four songs by Laura Palmer, the soundscape laden alter-ego of Craig Boyko. In contrast with these groups are tracks from the post-rock pop sounds of Shecky Formé and punkier hard core-inspired band Parkade. And rounding things out are the bass heavy, cleverly named, Whitey Houston, who are somewhat reminiscent of Morphine; a good release to pick up if you’re interested in finding out more about their vision of the indie scene in Alberta.
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