Canada does it again as Montreal's The Low Sixes release their debut on Chicago's excellent Forge Again Records label. The quartet are no newcomers, coming together after various exploits with other bands, most notably Doughboys, but they have the energy of something much newer, yet reminiscent of previous golden days.
This is rocked up Power Pop delivered at pace with nods to Indie Rock and even Classic Rock. There feels a lot of Cheap Trick in them, but are maybe even rockier and certainly more Power Pop. To call them Pop Rock wouldn't do them justice because they are far more urgent.
Everything that would please a long time I Don't Hear A Single listener is present and superbly dispatched. Massive Riffs, Huge Choruses and Solos that come in (and end) at exactly the right time. Incredibly catchy, but leaving plenty of room to shake your fist.
Talking of Cheap Trick, The Worst Is Yet To Come is probably the best Rick Nielsen song that he hasn't written, even down to the Guitar solo and the Zander like vocal. New Action is the Rockiest song on show, nearing Classic Rock, a little Glam and massive Thin Lizzy style solos.
The pace only slows down one one of the nine songs, Leave The Radio On and that is no ballad, just a little slower and very FM friendly. On the closer, Smoking Hash All Summer Long, The Low Sixes get very close to The Replacements and add a great Brit Pop change of direction a couple of times.
Teenage Crime Wave may be the best Power Pop song that you will hear this year. The Oshawa Tree is an album that be referenced for years to come. An album like they used to be, a refreshing change from some of the too Kool For Skool nonsense we have been hearing from many Indie bands lately. High marks for the album title pun too. Definitely a Top 10 of the year contender,
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a Download.
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