CD Reviews

A New Honour
The Untitled Truce
Independent, 2008
♥♥♥♥

This first release from local rock quartet, A New Honour, is radio-ready with a hard-rock sound that is not afraid to dip into occasional ballad territory. The production values makes one think of the likes of Three Days Grace and other assorted Canadian rock groups featured heavily on local radio stations but not quite as desperate or even cheesy with the song content. (Fun fact: last year, they had a charting song on Power 97.)

If I may stick with the radio theme, the melodies are strong enough to place them above the typical rock music masses that make one change the station. (I’m eyeing you, Nickelback.) Coupled with this, the lyrics are inspirational-based, instead of pandering to the common themes of loss and heartache that litter the modern airwaves.

So, while strong comparisons can be drawn to the sorts of bands that critics love to blast (I’m guilty of that), A New Honour proves to be worthwhile. It is encouraging to see local talent go that extra mile, attempting something bigger than the usual. What we have here is a band name to keep an eye out for and an album that will satisfy fans of the genre.

— William O’Donnell, staff