Dog Day
Fade Out | Fundog
Nancy Urich and Seth Smith, a duo from Halifax, bring a much darker atmosphere to their new album Fade Out compared to their three previous albums. There’s a Joy Divison and Sonic Youth influence to the alternative rock sound of their music.
The opening track “Blackened” really sums up what this record is about, with powerful bass in the background and amazing guitar work, especially at the end of the track, giving a more bluesy sound to the song. More upbeat sounds can be found in songs like “Lurking Fear” and “Joyride.” The lyrics complement the music with lines like, “All I earned from my sweat was an itchy emptiness to become a better person,” and, “It’s just modern convenience, where you only exist if people hear it.”
The last song, “Before Us,” is carefully chosen and closes the album perfectly with soft guitar and Smith’s melodic voice. With lyrics like, “We were holding out for the dream, I remember when we caved on a dog day,” they refer briefly to their band’s name and when the singer repeats, “It’s not over yet,” they conclude their latest album.
—Jamie-Lee Lauzon
C. C. Trubiak
Tiny Army: The D. Holmes Sessions | Unsigned
It’s noon. There is a mountain of textbooks to the left of me, a hot coffee to the right, and I know I need some music that will get me through the 10-page history essay I have due in 20 hours. Enter Tiny Army: The D. Holmes Sessions, an album by C.C. Trubiak, which promises melodic folk tunes. It is more country than catchy, but it is relaxing nonetheless.
Think Jason Mraz with a banjo, strumming in 4:4 time to a three-chord progression for the duration of 50 minutes.
If you’re willing to give this album a shot, the opening track is entitled “Coming Home.” Less than a minute long, it provides me with a calming introduction, until the singer opens his mouth.
“Sunrise” is a lovely deviation from the album, with jarringly unexpected high notes and slightly out-of-sync harmonies. The track provides a sullen depth that the rest of the album seriously lacks. The most comical track is “Blue,” a song about breaking up that takes on an uncomfortably youthful tone, with major chords and lyrics like, “I’m as blue as a boy could be.”
Trubiak’s Tiny Army is an excellent album for anyone looking to spend 50 minutes buried in an essay or in need of a good sleep. His music is relaxing, albeit generic. The steady percussion let me tune out everything, including the album itself.
—Tina Wallace
Eamon McGarth
Exile–Part One | Aporia
It isn’t without reason that 23-year-old, Eamon McGrath has “a list of accomplishments under his belt that would echo that of a writer twice his age,” according to his online bio.
He is the embodiment of DIY, has recorded a seemingly insane amount of songs from his basement, and has pulled in quite a crowd by doing so. You can hear the meaning in his voice, the truth to his words, and the motivation in his music. He’s got an edge of tenacity that satisfies almost any musical interest. My personal favourite from his new EP Exile–Part One is “Uninvited Guest.” The music is lax and has a sombre tone, but one that lets you enjoy watching the snow fall.
The album is a heavy mix of punk and folk with some interesting twists. It’s good for fans of Jack White looking for music with a Johnny Cash attitude.
—Bryant McNamara
