AWmusic

I can’t remember when the first time I checked out “The Rest”. I know I did once before and I initially thought just “meh”. I think that could’ve been the biggest mistake I made while blogging. I’ve had a change in heart when the band e-mailed me giving a chance to check out their newest full length. Simply put hands down, this Hamilton seven piece could be up to big things upon officially releasing “Everyone All At Once”. Yes, it’s not released yet (it’ll be out in April but I just couldn’t wait to review it); they are just giving it away to many bloggers where, they have thrown words around like “masterpiece” and many otherhyperboles. Say what you will, but it’s very fitting.

The Hamilton seven piece doesn’t strike me as a typical large group of musicians by listening to them. It is becoming very trendy to have 8 or so members with classical influences but The Rest isn’t one of those bands. The Rest choose a more subtle path and straying away from grandiose fashion (at least from a musical perspective). I personally forgot they were such a large band, seeing some live videos of their performances show some intricate mixing that doesn’t seem quite apparent on the first few listens.

Hmm where to start on this album? There’s a laundry list of things I want to discuss on this awesome album. (Just release it already, the critics better like it).

The vocals are top notch and by top notch, I mean the highest fucking quality attainable (pardon my French). Adam Bentley, and Co.’s vocals are really quite surprising, other then the pure emotion he’s able to portray across songs, and he has more range then any singer off the top off my head. By range, I mean being able to switch from a high falsetto voice on Drinking Again, a happy medium and a low National type voice on the closing/title track Everyone All At Once. Simply put, Bentley the band can steal the show on vocals and while it may overdone a bit too much, like the lung boasting on Drinking Again. Still, I am quite impressed.

The musicianship is like icing on the cake. I’m personally not blown away by it but every time I examine it a little more, I come off feeling more and more impressed. The Rest takes lessons in not shoving it down your throat and sticking to a more folky style at times with a hint of a slow progression throughout each song. I also find things mend very well, facilitating Bentley’s vocals talent and only coming out of shell at the right times. They create perfect moments of climax where Bentley and the band are battling where the clear winner is the listener. Nothing seems overly contrived even when each instrument is raging full throttle.

I have a hard time picking stand outs, each song is well thought and beautifully intricate. Even if some songs aren’t your favourite like Drinking Again for Ack of Herohill, I personally like the novelty of a singer being able to hit such a high note (and the music in the background saves the day on this track). Early favorites were Sheep In Wolves Clothing, Walk On Water and Modern Time Travel but realistically everything caught up after giving it a little more effort.

Personally, I feel the urge to just place the entire album up online since it’s a travesty you can’t buy it right now. It’s worth every cent. This album is just great all around; calling it a masterpiece isn’t a reach. Calling them the next Arcade Fire, doesn’t do them justice either. The Rest, with Everyone All At Once have forged a sound of their own. With a stunningly great album, they could be well on their to way to becoming the next great Canadian band. Will they achieve those levels? It’s not for me to decide, I can just ramble on and on about how great this album is.

Rating: 5 out of 5
My second 5 out of 5 of this year, albums like The Rest’s Everyone At All Once don’t come around all too often. I’ve been debating this score over the last month and I’ve literally ended up listening to it alongside my favourite albums ever where it fits perfectly within that group. Paul of Wolves, Hawks and Kites called it “-albums like this are what make music blogging worthwhile”, so very true.

Sheep In Wolves’ Clothing by The Rest
Everyone All At Once by The Rest
Walk On Water (Auspicious Beginnings) by The Rest

Upcoming tour dates:
5 Mar El Mocambo -Toronto
3 Apr Pepperjacks – Hamilton
30 Apr London Music Club – London
23 May The Spill – Peterborough

Tags: album