Trench/Merival/Daniel Romano's Outfit
Trench
Blossom // Independent
There is a special kind of feeling when you discover new vital lifeforms. Especially when they originate so close to where you lay your head. Full disclosure, Edmonton is my hometown. All city rivalries aside, I'll be the first to admit that Calgary has got a few pockets of sick.
Calgary's Trench take a few chances with their tidy debut LP, Blossom. Eleven tracks spanning 22 and a half minutes bring an often brutal assault on your sensibilities. Blossom opens with the ominous opener, "Crawling Past". That leads directly into the relentless "Face of Ra". As if to say, we will not let up. And yet, In the third track, " Become Fulfilled" there are a few melodic respites. "Crystal Shame" concludes with a few electronic bleeps and bloops. The adventurous standout "Living in Salt" really highlights how Trench can use progression to their advantage. "Hellbent Gate" sees Jesse Zaraska of Misery Signals join in on vocals and writing credit.
Trench lean on a bottom heavy emotive melodic Hardcore sound. All the while, they do not shy away from using sonic elements not often associated with aforementioned Hardcore or Metalcore. That is the exciting aspect of this release. They take the familiar, do it well, and twist some new life into the genre. All too often, the HC zealots are way too eager to pigeon hole an act into some sub-genre according to their diagnosis... Cripes!… I almost did it here!
Holy Fack, Progressive Hardcore might now be a thing. Alberta has a legitimate innovative participant act in Trench. I'm digging Blossom, and I'm windmilling to the apocalyptic synth breakdown.
- Drew Cox
Merival
Either Side // Independent
Unlike most of the artists in my music library, I was introduced to Anna Horvath - known in the Canadian music scene as Merival - purely by chance. In 2016, she happened to be the musical act of the evening at my once-a-week bartending gig in Kelowna. As I finished my shift, I was expecting to polish off an after work pilsner and head home. But before I had the chance to slip out, the set had began, and I was instantly immobile. My thoughts were swept completely, and I was instantaneously infatuated with the beautiful, melancholic sounds of Merival.
Four years after 2016’s EP Lovers (of which I heard songs from that evening), and just shy of a year after the release of her full-length album Lesson, Merival has displayed, once again, her capacity for complex, captivating songwriting with the release of Either Side. The four song EP (released April 24th) was revealed one song per week, over the span of a month, giving us the opportunity to fall deeply for each track as we waited for the next.
Track one, appropriately titled ‘Patience’, slowly and calmly introduces us to Merival’s rich, dreamy vocals. The open, ringing guitar and lightly reverberated vocals feel so, so intimate - almost like an intrusion into this delicate performance. The pace picks up ever so slightly with the following ‘Me and My Friends’, which feels like the artists insight into the intricacies of the human condition. As percussion is introduced, the track weaves fluidly in between the worlds of folk and waltz, tied together with a powerful and constant vocal presence. The shortest track on the EP, ‘The Knack’, contains what I consider to be one of my favourite parts about Horvath’s guitar playing. Her ability to seamlessly match inflections of her voice with quick and organic jumps from one chord to the next, makes the track feel so cohesive. With just a voice and a guitar, she accomplishes a degree of depth and fullness that is often present whilst watching three or four-piece bands. The final and title track ‘Either Side’ is probably my favourite on this EP. It offers a tender view into the heaviness and disarray that can be felt while battling feelings of hopelessness. This track also introduces haunting, beautifully fragmented piano in the last minute; sorrowfully similar to some of my teenage years most influential songs such as Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton’s ‘Dr. Blind’. The layering of instruments creates a growing soundscape throughout the song that leaves you feeling satiated after devouring the last of this collection.
My admiration for Merival as a songwriter aside, this EP is exquisite. The production and mixing by Sam Gleason is brilliant - each note feeling like a piece of the puzzle that has settled neatly into its respected spot in the mix. The mastering by Heather Kirby is also done beautifully, and each track sounds full, present and alive. Drums, played by Evan Cartwright, were executed faultlessly - never overpowering, and with just as much expression as if they were another voice or guitar on the track.
These days... they're super strange times that we’re all living through. I hope that this EP, as well as all of Merival’s music, can bring some comfort and familiarity to listeners lives as it has mine since its unveiling.
- Lauren Giorgio
Daniel Romano’s Outfit
Content To Point The Way // You’ve Changed
When I picked my albums to review this time around I had started with Daniel Romano’s Super Pollen. I soon found out he had released two albums in April. I researched further and found out this is only some of the many releases by Daniel Romano. I so thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve heard that all I can say is “Daniel Romano’s Outfit… here, take my money!” I was sold on this album right from the first track when I heard that steel guitar. This is a completely different genre and style than Super Pollen and it’s not a bad thing. It reminds me of home...or maybe it’s a feeling of home. Waking up every morning to the sound of country music playing on the radio. Dan, you really surprised me with this one… how you knew I like a little country now and then and just how much this album speaks to my soul.
“If Words Can’t Express” my heart strings got plucked and tugged on this one. It’s peaceful easy feeling emits a pure love. Also how I feel at times. Sometimes words can’t express what I’m feeling. I’m all feeling.
“Bits and Pieces” is what every good country album needs... some beautiful harmonies and a nice country Waltz. A good country Waltz gets me every time! It’s like you know my heart. I did actually Waltz down my hallway to this one.
“They Haven’t Got a Word for That Yet” - Great little two-stepping number right here! It took me till now to figure out, but it reminds me of Alan Jackson and The Grateful Dead at the same time.
”You’d Think I’d Think” - A country album wouldn’t be complete without a few tear jerkers. Gonna have a good cry in my coffee now to this one.
”You’ve Always Been With Her” - Country songs taught me one thing. They taught me about loss and how to process it. Somehow it’s soothing even when it’s heartbreaking.
”A Pig Is A Pig Jig” - The last album had another lively number dedicated to the boys in blue. This one is straight up Hazzard County. It’s got a Dukes of Hazzard feel all over it, and some mighty fine guitar picking.
“Diamonds and Dogs” - Another heartfelt tear jerker. Something about the harmonies on this whole album that needs to be addressed… they work perfectly and are so delightful… hope they find the puppers.
”Little Shirly Melrose” is another great two-step to have you dancing in your kitchen, down the hallway or driveway party. This song sure features some great storytelling much like the others on this fine album.
”I’m So Lost Without You” has me taking a stroll up to the local bar. Gonna sit down and drink my worries away tonight. Forget all the loss and hurt if only for a night.
”Make Believe Love” - The album ends on beautiful note with a classic heartbreaker. This song leaves me wanting more. I wasn’t done crying my blues away yet.
We all need a little country in our lives. This is the release you need when you lose it all but there’s still hope for tomorrow. Something some of us might even be feeling right now. Content To Point The Way from Daniel Romano’s Outfit is a must have, emotional release and felt feelings. I’m a very “feeling” being and I want to say it’s okay to feel! You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. So have the dance, drink the wine, sing the song! Say I love you freely and often. But whatever you do, make sure you give this one a listen! Your ears will thank you!
Now I’m off to find more Daniel Romano. (Shouldn’t be hard… in fact, I might have some catching up to do!) Just couldn’t get enough! Well done Daniel Romano’s Outfit. You’re a keeper and repeater in my music library.
Be good to each other out there!
Sincerely,
Noreen
