| Indie
Spins
December
1, 2004
by Michael Walls
Canada
via Portland
This month we visit the Great White North with a stop
in Portland. These are some indie artists that you should
be on the lookout for, either in your favorite online
record store or possibly on tour in your city. These reviews
are simply introductions to some outstanding music, and
I hope you'll take the time to check out their websites
and sample some of their music.
Tegan and Sara
So Jealous (2004)
See,
I would have thought calling the band “Lesbian Twin
Sisters From Canada” would have been a really good
marketing gimmick. But I guess making really good punk pop
music could work as a gimmick too. With a sound similar
to 90’s female fronted bands like Elastica, Republica
or Garbage, Tegan and Sara build on the Euro-pop sound with
some hints of Riot Grrrl punk. The sisters share songwriting
duties, and take turns on lead vocals – each with
their own distinct vocal style – but what really works
is when they harmonize together. When they turn up the guitars
and lament about life and love (like on “You Wouldn’t
Like Me” or “Bet It Stung”) you can’t
help but get drawn into the raw chords and rhythms. But
when they turn it down and harmonize over washing synths
and acoustic guitars (like on “So Jealous” and
“Downtown”) they’ll just break your heart.
Links:
Tegan
and Sara website
EX~PO
Harsh Lenses Point Homeward (EP) (2004)
Only
after spending a few weeks of enjoying the music of EX~PO
(a moniker for the individual efforts of Dean Marino) did
I learn that Marino’s main musical occupation was
that of singer/guitarist for Toronto-based Knacker (who’s
sophomore CD arrived at my door a month later). You’d
think that a 5-song solo EP by a guy busy with another band
was actual just a collection of leftovers that got rejected
by his band. But it’s obvious that Marino’s
got an overflow of creative melodies that he needs to channel
into a different format. Whereas Knacker is a guitar-heavy,
power pop, rock band – EX~PO does it’s best
to bring simple melodies, tender vocals and lyrical imagery
to the listener’s ears. Marino lists Wilco and the
Beatles as his influences, but so do artists like Travis
and Pete Yorn – who EX~PO more closely resembles.
Links:
Film
House Recordings website
Knacker
Picture|Show (2004)
I’d
like to say that the alternating vocals of brothers Pete
and Dean Marino are the reason this album rocks like Neil
Young at the end of a 20-city bender. But the truth is,
as good as the vocals are – the crushing guitars and
pounding drums (courtesy of Jefrey Nedza and Chris Edelman)
are the heart and soul of this relentlessly infectious CD.
Borrowing hooks from ‘70s British acts like The Who
and The Kinks, Knacker has integrated that classic, crunchy-but-clean,
hook-heavy, guitar sound with a modern vocal feel, full
of great harmonies and creative melodies. Speaking of Neil
Young – don’t miss the hidden track, a nicely
done cover of “Cinnamon Girl.”
Links:
Knacker
website
Maggie's
Choice
Maggie's Choice (2003)
This
debut CD by Portland-based Maggie’s Choice floated
around the 2Walls network of writers for nearly a year before
landing on my desk. Why it wasn’t picked up and put
into someone’s regular rotation is beyond me. I latched
onto this band’s big, bold, roots rock and bluesy
sound like a trucker pulling an all nighter through the
heartland. The funky bass rhythms, slide guitars, backing
Hammond organ and alternating lead vocals reminds me of
those days when Don Henley and Glenn Frey made it cool to
drive around in a flatbed Ford.
Links:
Maggie's
Choice website (Michael
Walls is a volunteer staff writer for 2 Walls Webzine)
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