THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE * DEPARTING
(Saddle Creek)
When The Rural Alberta Advantage released their debut, Hometowns, a couple years back, I became an instant fan and immediately wanted more. Even though they turned around Departing fairly quickly, my anxiousness found it long overdue. Patience is generally rewarded, and when the album's first single "Stamp" hit airwaves a few months back, I got legitimately giddy. One of the reasons I loved Hometowns so much was Paul Banwatt's speed-of-light drumming, and "Stamp" throws that front and center. It encompassed so many of the highlights of its predecessor into one neat 3-minute package.
Departing begins much more methodically than Hometowns. The slow and painfully romantic "Two Lovers" is far different than the in-your-face percussive blast we were given with "Stamp." It's definitely a curious choice for a lead track, but it succeeds in setting the tone RAA fans grew accustomed to with Hometowns. "The Breakup" kicks things up a notch, highlighting lead singer Nils Edenloff's over-the-top nasally delivery while simple layers of keys and Amy Cole's background "ooohs" and "aaahs" exuberantly complement his snarling vocals. The nasally peak is reached two songs later on the loud, straightforward, punch-in-the-gut "Muscle Relaxants."
The second half of the album finds the RAA drifting towards a common, pastoral feel. "North Star" relies heavily on simple themes reminiscent of small town winters, while "Tornado" spits forth the kind of cyclical lyrics that the title suggests, giving us a tale of love found, then lost. "Barnes' Yard" is the album's shining light and would prove to be an admirable follow-up single to "Stamp." It bounces with the same sappy energy as Hometowns' "Four Night Rider." The blissful and somber "Good Night" closes out the sophomore effort, giving us a nice little bell curve of an album.
Departing might be a goof of a title, because this record is anything but a departure for RAA. Edenloff's lyrics grow a little monotonous throughout the quick 10 song LP...sometimes to the point where taking a shot every time he or his lyrical muse held each other close/tight would result in excessive inebriation. While it won't produce the same kind of glowing buzz as Hometowns, it does provide them with a solid launching pad for expanding their live offering. Now who's up for an RAA drinking game March 25th at First Avenue?
Grade: B
Departing begins much more methodically than Hometowns. The slow and painfully romantic "Two Lovers" is far different than the in-your-face percussive blast we were given with "Stamp." It's definitely a curious choice for a lead track, but it succeeds in setting the tone RAA fans grew accustomed to with Hometowns. "The Breakup" kicks things up a notch, highlighting lead singer Nils Edenloff's over-the-top nasally delivery while simple layers of keys and Amy Cole's background "ooohs" and "aaahs" exuberantly complement his snarling vocals. The nasally peak is reached two songs later on the loud, straightforward, punch-in-the-gut "Muscle Relaxants."
The second half of the album finds the RAA drifting towards a common, pastoral feel. "North Star" relies heavily on simple themes reminiscent of small town winters, while "Tornado" spits forth the kind of cyclical lyrics that the title suggests, giving us a tale of love found, then lost. "Barnes' Yard" is the album's shining light and would prove to be an admirable follow-up single to "Stamp." It bounces with the same sappy energy as Hometowns' "Four Night Rider." The blissful and somber "Good Night" closes out the sophomore effort, giving us a nice little bell curve of an album.
Departing might be a goof of a title, because this record is anything but a departure for RAA. Edenloff's lyrics grow a little monotonous throughout the quick 10 song LP...sometimes to the point where taking a shot every time he or his lyrical muse held each other close/tight would result in excessive inebriation. While it won't produce the same kind of glowing buzz as Hometowns, it does provide them with a solid launching pad for expanding their live offering. Now who's up for an RAA drinking game March 25th at First Avenue?
Grade: B
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