AWmusic

Looking at my picks of the week over the past 5 weeks I feel like I’ve unfairly been discriminating against bands of the rock/pop genre. There’s been a couple of big collective type bands (Rah Rah, Bruce Peninsula), a couple of more ambient-atmospheric types (Animal Collective, The Antlers), but I suppose there was Ketch Harbour Wolves… nevermind…

… although this album, Endless Water by the Darcys stands out in my mind as being very different from KHWs, and here’s why…. I think….

I had heard the Darcys myspace songs before I went to go check them out opening for Bruce Peninsula/Tom Fun Orchestra and they blew me away live. I just was not expecting them to be that good, and they were that good. Maybe part of my, admittedly low, expectations was that I was listening through my computer speakers (which are terrible), but part of it has to be that the Darcys are a live band recorded. And that’s not to say that Endless Water is not worth hearing, because it absolutely is; but more that I expect that EW is an album that isn’t going to grab you right away.

I mean, half the reason that the Darcys aren’t going to grab you (and I think the reason it didn’t grab me) is because the Darcys just kind of sound like a band. I mean, imagine a bunch of people you know started a band… they’d sound like the Darcys. But I think what makes the band worth listening to is the way they are able to build songs, layer their instruments, and hit you with those moments where the vocal harmonies sound like Thom Yorke’s take on the Beach Boys.

In contrast, KHW’s (free) debut EP, Dead Calm Horizon, is album that from the first minute its easy to see what they’re doing and you’ll either love them (which is likely) or you won’t (far less likely).

The take home message:
The Darcys and their album Endless Water are Toronto’s answer to Montreal’s Plants and Animals Parc Avenue. I’m not sure the live album really captures how good they were/are live, but its certainly worth your time…

[mp3] The Darcys – Strange Fits
[mp3] The Darcys – Ultra

and just for comparison’s sake:

[mp3] Ketch Harbour Wolves – Letters
[mp3] Plants and Animals – Bye Bye Bye

Three songs into the album I’m thinking that I can see people (B. Mr. Grosman, and Eliot if you’re reading this) who like “indie rock bands” really digging this album, and loving the live show. The live set was impressive: they were tight, everyone in the band could sing, they rocked out, they had great stage presence and a great co-ordinated jacket-vest-and-tie-thing going.

Thumbs up for The Darcys.

Band #2: Bruce Peninsula
They were absolutely overwhelming.

I think I read somewhere – and I forget where – someone describing them as a force of nature, and that couldn’t have been more accurate. There were 12 people on the stage last night each one playing, banging, hollering and creating this enormous wall of sound. So if the record was like being in a haunted country church (as I described it on Thursday) seeing them live was like being trapped in the church with no where to go (only probably less scary)… I really, really dug all the songs when Neil Haverty(?) and his growling Sunparlour-esque vocals were leading the charge… “Inside/Outside”, “Shutters” and “Crabapples” might be my three favourite songs this year…

Just awesome. They have a bunch of SW Ontario dates so check their myspace.

Band #3: Tom Fun Orchestra
I missed out on, and I feel kinda bad about that… both Liz and I were absolutely wiped… but from what Bob (It’s Not the Band I Hate, It’s their Fans) Battams said he thought they were quite good.

I’d expect Bob and/or Jen will have some thoughts posted in the next few days.

On a somewhat related note:
Also, I’ve got audio for “Shutters” “Steamroller” and “Weave Myself A Dress/Crabapples” from last night in .WAV format, if you’re interested in hearing it I’ll email you.
Holla at cha’ boyee: londononburgeoningmetropolisATgmailDOTcom

And – I went to go see Thunderheist @ Nathan Phillips Square and have some thoughts on that too.

The Darcys:

Bruce Peninsula

Here are the contents of the prize pack:
2 x tickets to the show (guestlist spots)
Tom Fun Orchestra -You Will Land With a Thud
The Darcys – Endless Water CD
Bruce Peninsula – A Mountain is a Mouth (digital copy)

If you are unfamilar of the bands, here’s my quick analysis.
Tom Fun Orchestra is a huge band (as you would expect with Orchestra in its name), they refer to themselves as a Soul/Western Swing/Post Punk. I hear some gypsy folk in their stylings while some actual western swing. They are definitely as unique of an indie band you’re going to find, with rough vocals and are an impressive set of musicians from Cape Breton.
Watchmaker by Tom Fun Orchestra

The Darcys are a local band doing a one off until march, their band line up is listed as a hockey line up (but with only one defensemen, they should know that 2 forwards and 2 defensemen work out a lot better especially if that defensemen has offensive ambitions). I kind of like the band, apparently Endless Water was released in 2007 and they are working on a full release. I find them to be a bit space rocky, but ultimately liking some of their work. Herohill is pretty reliable (potentially batshit insane ) with reviewing all Canadian bands that are mentioned, so check out their review of the Darcys.
I’m A Ship by The Darcys

Bruce Peninsula was #5 on the Hottest Canadians bands 2008 edition. I left off the list because it seemed like I was left out of the picture or a total left field projection. The local band includes 12 members such as Katie Stelmanis and is quite a unique band indeed. I’m know I’m not going to do a good job of explaining them, just visit their website, it centres around a male lead singer and some hypnotic type of chanting. At first I wasn’t sure if it was my thing but it’s grower material.
Steamroller by Bruce Pennisula

Here are the contest rules:
1. Contest open to Canadians only (it should be to just Torontonians but don’t want to limit it too much)
2. Enter by commenting in this post.
3. Must include a valid e-mail address.
4. Winner will be contacted by e-mail for their name and address.
5. Contest ends on Thursday, January 29th (need to respond asap).

Tour dates after the jump.
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