CMW Day 4 Rebekah Higgs, Young Galaxy, Two Hours Traffic, The Golden Dogs @ The Horseshoe
Saturday night at the ‘Shoe to see Two Hours Traffic and The Golden Dogs, Young Galaxy was a bonus. I had heard of Young Galaxy previously, they are another band on the ever impressive roster of Canadian music at Arts & Crafts but I wasn’t familiar with their music. Their sound is quite unique in that it marries a kind of gothic sensibility with the British New Wave electronic music of the 80s. It is as rooted in such bands as Duran Duran, Haircut 100 and Flock of Seagulls as they are in Depeche Mode. You have to give them credit for coming up with a sound that is both unique and somewhat familiar at the same time. You think you’ve heard it before but you can’t think where. Of all the bands I’ve heard this week, I really hope Young Galaxy gets the attention they deserve.
Their set was interesting, Catherine MacCandless’ voice has the haunting quality associated with Nancy Wilson of Heart. It made for an interesting dichotomy in that my eyes were telling me it was not Nancy Wilson but my ears where telling me a different story. The melodies are beautiful and MacCandless’ voice carried even over the conversations all around me. She sent shivers up my spine a few times. Stand out songs for me were “Swing Your Heartache” and a cover of The Stills “Destroyer”. Personally, I think Young Galaxy has the potential to become one of Canada’s biggest bands.
Swing Your Heartache by Young Galaxy
Rebekah Higgs started out the night with an ethereal voice which instantly brought comparisons to Leslie Feist. I think I also detected a little bit of Enya in there and maybe just a touch of Sia. Higgs voice can be very powerful and true even when she is full-throttle. Mostly her songs are a dreamy mix of keyboards and guitars with looping and lots of reverb. This gives the music a lush, large sound with all the production. Her sweet melodies were like honey on my ears after the last few nights of rock ‘n’ roll. The audience was appreciative and I was surprised to see how she seemed to hold them in her hands without any tricks. If you like Feist you are sure to like Higgs and to those who say, “Do we really need another Feist clone?”, I say “Why, yes, I think we do.”
Two Hours Traffic was the third act I saw last night. I had decided to reacquaint myself with them after a disastrous (at least for me) introduction two years ago on the same stage. Then they sounded like they needed a refresher course on how to tune their instruments now they sound polished and ready for the big time. The crowd obviously agreed since they swarmed the stage and the ‘Shoe managed to fit in as many people as it could uncomfortably hold. I don’t think anyone left disappointed.
Two Hours Traffic delivered a terrific set of poppy, danceable music that really did have people on their seats dancing. “Jezebel” is a retro-sounding Weezer-ish song that immediately had the effect of lifting your mood no matter how down you felt. They also played a few new tunes off their upcoming new album. “Territory” was the best of the ones they played. As with all Two Hours Traffic songs this was another very upbeat tune that dared you not to move your feet. “Backseat Sweetheart” was the song of the set, though. Very catchy melody with an unrelenting bass and drum beat. They are a great band to see if you are feeling a little down or you just want to go out for a fun evening with friends and dance the night away.
Backseat Sweetheart by Two Hours Traffic
The Golden Dogs, on the other hand, took the stage with a vengeance. This is a take no prisoners band. They took control of the crowd and the night and never let go. Their sound is reminiscent of the B-52’s with a little bit of Brian Wilson and a Totoish/Steely Dan vibe from time to time. This is feel good music delivered with a self-assurance that makes you pay attention. They never stopped, going from one song to the next with no introductions or breaks. The drummer is absolutely astounding, driving the songs and supporting the rhythm section while the guitars screamed. The crowd was again up dancing on their seats for the entire set. Great band, probably my second favourite of the one’s I’ve seen at CMW. My favourite? The Handsome Furs hands down.
