Now that my extremely elegeant lede is out of the way, let’s talk brass tacks: this is a good band! After a heavily-hyped debut EP they put out a very enjoyable first LP. I remember enjoying it, anyway; I was struck by the fairly distinct tonal shift, moving away from the brash guitar-heavy structures of the EP into more tonal and keyboard-flecked tunes. In retrospect, however, there’s only one song that has really stuck with me hard through the years: the gentle, elegant, downright lovely “Listen To the Math.” Its spare arrangement, powerfully melodic guitars, and surprisingly deft use of the term “Australopithecine” still knock my socks off nearly six years later.
I came to their follow-up, Champ, an unfortunately-long time after it came out. Aside from a cursory half-listen or two when it first came out I actually sort of disregarded it entirely until after I became enamored of keyboardist Graham Wright’s solo album Shirts vs Skins. That record is brilliant, from the vaguely-ragtime piano number “No Hard Feelings” to the tender lullaby balladry of “Birds Of A Feather” to the saxaphone skronk and infectious wordplay of “Potassium Blast” to the classic power-pop of “Soviet Race.” It was one of the best records of 2011; how could I not check out his other output?
In retrospect, Champ is essentially a pop-rock album with a healthy smattering of keyboards; think a more laid-back, fun-loving Bloc Party. They are integrated seamlessly, though; there are tracks where it’s tough to separate them from the rest of the mix. The pacing and arrangements are nicely varied, making for a group of songs that actually sound different (unlike their EP, which—while I enjoy it—had a certain sameness to it). Heck, the first song alone runs the gamut. “Favourite Food” starts with a softly-strummed acoustic guitar and David Monk’s vocals coming across more laconic than usual. Perhaps that’s fitting, given that the lyrics suggest he’s examining the perspective of a damaged senior citizen bound to a hospital bed.
“With a heart attack on your plate you were looking back on your days, how you spent them all in a blur,” he carefully enunciates before continuing. “Let the sugar melt down your throat because you know it’s sweet getting old. With a lollipop and a rose, let the hospital be your home.”
The tenderness of the first half of the song disappears as quickly-strummed electric guitars cut in and the pace accelerates exponentially. The remainder is propelled with frantic drumming and reverberating guitar, ending in a squalling finish of guitar soloing that is downright thrilling.
It’s a strong start to an album on which the strong start pretty much doesn’t stop. With no exaggeration, each of the first seven songs could be a huge single: “Favourite Colour” is a catchy, stuttering start/stop number about friends who have been separated for a time before they move in together and are getting to know each other again (the comparison to K-Ci and JoJo is priceless); “Breakneck Speed” is an amiable mid-tempo pop song; “Wait Up (Boots of Danger)” sees Wright’s keyboard take center stage, augmenting the song’s melodic edge while Monk’s wordless falsetto hook in the post-chorus amps up the energy; “Bambi” is an amazing centerpiece, a jittery amalgam of glitchy synths and pop-rock guitars that is possibly the band’s most purely danceable number to date; “End Of A Spark” is a big-guitar number and an infectious sing-along song; “Hands Reversed” is a curveball, slowing things way down and paring the instrumentation back to finger-picked electric guitars and a plodding, propulsive drum beat while Monk explores the lower end of his vocal register; “Gone” is an entirely enjoyable number about longing for a picturesque scenery when one just needs a break; “Big Difference” establishes a frantic pace to accompany lyrics about lashing out against isolation; “Not Sick” and closer “Frankenstein” mash up elements of the songs that precede them, adding more stoic tones and lyrics to square the circle and reflect the more serious opening tone of the album.
I’m serious, people; Champ is a fully-fantastic pop rock record from back to front. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to it since I got off my butt and put it on with intent. Expectations are officially high for this new release!Categories:
Remember when our love was new
When I was a boy I really liked a girl named Jennifer. I pined for her in that curious way that 10 year olds do. I strolled the streets of our prairie town of Swift Current in the hopes that wandering by her house would produce a chance encounter. Sometimes I would see her jumping on a pogo stick. I never knew anyone who had a pogo stick. My friends and I built a rudimentary tree house in a field near her house (I stepped on a nail in an old board once and had to get a tetanus shot) and she’d stop by every once in a while. I’m pretty sure that we and our friends were too young to “date” or anything like that. I just thought she was beautiful.
Or at least, that’s how I remember it. I have a notoriously terrible memory for all things and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that wistful longing and imagined romance are rarely crystal clear.
More recently I fell instantly in love with a beguiling redhead. Early winter of 2010 was a tumultuous time for a newly-single and thoroughly broke young me but meeting this young lady was a life-changing revelation. A few hours of engrossing conversation left me determined to see her again; she was romantically tied to someone a province away at the time but I couldn’t have cared less. What was, unbeknownst to me, a mutual attraction eventually became irresistible to both of us; now we’re married and have a goddamn kid. Who would’ve seen that coming?
There are all kinds of unrequited love that can lead people all kinds of places. Lovelorn Reginans will have a chance this Friday to check out a proper noun version at The Artesian: The Unrequited Love, a brand-new big band put together by local chanteuse extraordinaire and SSA favourite Belle Plaine. The group is a who’s-who of her favourite pals and players, building on her stellar regular backing band by adding members of The Lazy MKs, the Pile O’Bones Brass Band, and The Lonesome Weekends.
The all-star roster was assembled for a Saturday night show in Swift Current but Hankewich was compelled to throw together a special Friday show in Regina as well.
“I am quite cynical about Valentine’s Day,” Plaine, the stage moniker of Melanie Hankewich is quoted in in a terrific cover story in the latest issue of prairie dog magazine. “I want to provide a place where the dejected, the sad and the lonely can go to have fun.
“We all feel heartache and it’s such a rough holiday to go through because it’s such a farce. And if you don’t fit the mold of what the day is, then you’re left out. So I wanted to have something where you can come, have fun and shake your fists at Valentine’s Day,” she continued, adding, “I resent any holiday that tells me to feel a certain way.”
Hence the name of the band, I suppose.
Regardless of your marital status Hankewich and her band are a dynamic and delightful group of performers. Her predilection for telling stories during her sets showcases a great sense of humour and self-deprecation and I can only imagine this particular event will provide bountiful opportunities for chuckle-inducing tales. Oh, and then there’s the part where Hankewich is an incredibly-talented singer and songwriter and one of Regina’s strongest musical products at present. Add to that the fact that she’s recording the show for a live album and you’ve got a chance to literally be a part of recorded history and it all adds up to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
In short, check out this show! You may not find your future partner there but you might find your next musical love.
Post a Comment