CD Reviews

SLAVE to the SQUAREwave Big Change Sparks Music / 2007 ♥♥♥♥½	Picture Devo. Now picture Devo, but with David Bowie as the singer. Now picture Devo with Bowie, but they’re all sporting Talking Heads suits and influences. Now picture a squarehead and you might just begin to get the feel for the music of Toronto’s SLAVE to the SQUAREwave. SLAVE to the SQUAREwave was born out of a mutual admiration for the bands mentioned above, a penchant for fat, funky bass lines, that infectious retro dance beat, and a flare for the dramatic on stage. Emulating new wave, they aren’t the most innovative band, but it almost sounds better done by them. Big Change, their debut LP, is an album full of singles that, at times, may feel as though you’ve heard them elsewhere, but is nonetheless infectious in its smooth pop sensibility. The album’s opening track, “Sinners of Saint Avenue” gives you a taste of what to expect: catchy guitar riffs anchored by strong synth-driven hooks, slick production, and Colin Troy’s effortlessly cool pseudo-Brit accent. He’s got the whole Robert Smith thing going, minus the hair and makeup. By about mid-album, the tracks begin to blend a little too consistently; 14 tracks is a lot of album to appreciate. However, the style that is reinvented by these guys definitely deserves that kind of lengthy playtime. This album heralds a whole dance revolution just waiting to happen, and is absolutely necessary for any new wave dance party to come! Pick this up now! — Ian Baxter, volunteer staff
Batoche Terra Incognita Independent/ 2007 ♥♥♥½	Opening the album with blasts of sporadic, metal force, Batoche actually allows you to catch your breath with some atmospheric musical breakdowns. It’s sometimes nice to have a balance so that the music does not mesh together as one pounding, unrecognizable whole.Lyrically, every song is laced with strong political and philosophical messages and opinions, each accompanied by interesting quotes in the liner notes — far better than the emo (or screamo) that is all over the market today. Much to my relief, the vocals do not stick solely to a high-pitched scream, or simply alternate between said scream and a standard singing voice à la Alexisonfire or other such outfits. The screaming is there, but balanced by deep growls and some likeable punk-style singing and/or yelling. A lack of vocal variation can make heavy music exceedingly boring if the music doesn’t offer distinct melodies (or sweet shredding riffs). It is a relief that Batoche have created something that is interesting to listen to, without resorting to a message that panders to teens. The album title, Terra Incognita, refers to a journey into unknown country. While the brand of metalcore delivered by this Vancouver-based quartet is not exactly charting completely new territory, it still delivers something worthwhile. — William O’Donnell, staff
Mark Ronson Version Allido/Columbia Records / 2007 ♥♥♥♥	Calgary-born songwriter Kent McAlister’s second release, The Way It Rolls, is a step in the right direction for anyone looking for a little rustic country amidst their current library. At first listen, it’s hard to immediately distinguish The Way It Rolls as country; McAlister uses his jazz influences to put a different spin on play-it-again country music. Along with pedal steel and trumpet, McAlister’s smooth vocals give a solid foundation to The Way It Rolls’ more elaborate elements: time changes, breaks, and a mariachi feel that wanders in and out of the melodies. As a result, the album feels more Pacific in its roots than your grittier, prairie-country ballad. Not without its pitfalls, the album’s length is something to be demanded, featuring only nine tracks. McAlister clearly promotes quality over quantity, like the wistful, breezy treatment of Leonard Cohen’s “That’s No Way To Say Goodbye.” However, by the time you reach the seventh track (“The Way It Rolls”), there’s hardly a dip in pace; many of the sounds begin to blend and you can only ride on the momentum of the beat. For a low-radar Canadian release, The Way It Rolls succeeds in being a short reprieve from the mainstream country we are all too familiar with. If you’re a fan of upbeat tell-it-like-it-is country, then Kent McAlister and the Iron Choir will deliver. — Ian Baxter, volunteer staff