Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Owen Davies & The Evangelists, and Bad Waitress
Daniel Romano’s Outfit
Cobra Poems // You’ve Changed Records
If Cobra Poems by Daniel Romano’s Outfit is to be likened to a soundscape that is familiar, vintage and classic, then this sound is only the backdrop and foundation of a well sculpted album. Cobra Poems consists of ten wonderfully composed songs which took me on a journey that I admit, I was not expecting. Sadly, I hadn’t heard of Daniel Romano or The Outfit prior to this review. When I first played the single, “Nocturne Child”, I felt as though I was late entering a movie theater. The gritty and cutting guitar rhythm was the slow rising curtain, and as I took my seat, the full band came together as one musical entity, bringing the screen to life! It was at that point, I was glad this was the show I was about to see! I listened to Cobra Poems as I typed this review and I found myself losing my thoughts, and getting lost in the music and the beautiful layers of sounds filling in every song. As a composer, one hopes people will connect with your music and get something from it. Well, I plugged in and took all I could!
Cobra Poems is a concept album with a recurring theme of childhood struggles, filled with self doubt and trying to figure out how one fits in. This is evident from the instant you play the opening track, “Tragic Head”, which starts with a narrative audio sample. I think this album is best listened to from track one to track ten and I believe this is Romano’s wish as well. Why do I say this? Well, aside from songs blending into the next, after listening to the entire album, I went back to track one and it became evident! What I heard made me realize Daniel Romano is truly a brilliant artist. There are two book ends on this album and in between is the message - “Love Is A Bond Between Time and Everyone”.
Members of The Outfit, without question, deserve acknowledgement. Juliana Riolino’s vocals are so fitting with Romano’s, and when she is given lead on “The Motions” and “Tears Through a Sunrise”, she delivers the emotion of the song! Ian Romano’s drumming is both fluent and free - this guy is for real. Roddy Rosetti’s bass provides the exact lines the song is asking for. David Nardi brings the rhythm by way of guitar, and yes, he does bring it. Daniel Romona’s guitar and instrument playing is obviously all over the album as well. I have no idea who created the guitar tones on Cobra Poems, but they are inspiring! - Full disclosure, I am a guitar player and a bit of a tone chaser; however, I am trying to contain myself!
I would also like to acknowledge the phenomenal production and engineering quality of Cobra Poems. Recorded at their Camera Varda Studio, the album earns the requirement of: best experienced through speakers or headphones. Rock and Roll is alive!
- Branton Langley
Owen Davies & The Evangelists
Pasta On The Moon // Self Released
Indie rock has a bit of a bad rep these days. In a genre oversaturated with Mumford & Sons and alt-J, it can be quite a daunting task to find an indie group that transcends beyond the reverberated campfire music abundant in indie. One of my favourite parts of this gig is being exposed to artists who attempt to create music both innovative yet catchy, and Owen Davies is no exception.
Davies and his group, The Evangelists, are an alternative indie group hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador. On their new EP, Pasta on the Moon, they deliver us blessed listeners an immersive exploration into a variety of sounds, from the abstract soundscapes (“Incidental Music”) to the jam-tastic, drum machine-carried grooves (“Duchovny Day”).
“Duchovny Day” also has an accompanying music video, a collection of vintage home video footage, displaying a variety of scenes, from drive-by footage of the Canadian landscape, to a gorgeous trip to the wilderness, all displayed in that old style, grainy goodness. This helps to accentuate the group's influence in nostalgia, a staple of most indie rock.
The EP closes on its fifth track, the nine minute long “Caroline.” Opening with a beautiful piano and a pedal steel guitar, this folky, country-esque song unfolds into a several minute instrumental jam session, making it most difficult to not close my eyes and move my body to the silky smooth rhythm and Owen Davies’ gritty vocals that add a sharp edge to this beautiful song.
Pasta on the Moon shows that Owen Davies & The Evangelists know how to take indie rock and expand upon it with heavily layered tracking, taking inspiration from a variety of genres. It’s a great EP which will soon have you glossing through their entire discography, just as it had with yours truly.
- Brandon Kruze
Bad Waitress
No Taste // Royal Mountain Records
Bad Waitress’ new album No Taste is rather ironic in its naming, for this is nothing but an extremely tasteful, energetic, and fun album. Straight from the first song, the band’s sound is clear, and I love it. It pulls no punches, it is pure unadulterated punky fun. The simple and repeatable lyrics make the tracks here something I simply can’t wait to mosh to. I can only imagine how incredible this band would be live.
The old-school punk influence is present but there’s something fresh and new here. Whether it’s Kali-Ann Butali’s ethereal vocals, or her and Katelyn Molgard’s guitar work. And that’s without mentioning Jessica Maxwell’s iconic and clear basslines, which sell the emotion from each track and really accentuate the drama and flair. And of course, who could forget Eva Moon’s articulate and strong drums throughout all of the songs which perfectly pair with all the intricate melodies.
The opening song “Rabbit Hole” is a perfect way to start off, it’s deranged, it’s loud, defunct, and yet perfectly synchronized and orchestrated. It’s organized in its chaos and it feels fresh. It’s heavy, it’s loud, it’s janky and wild, it’s a great little intro piece to the rest of the album.
My favourite song on the album however comes just after “Rabbit Hole,” the second song, “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” This is the song that’ll really get a crowd moving. This song just makes you wanna throw your fellow man and hurl yourself at breakneck speeds at your friends, facefirst into some guy’s jacket studs. This song features some really incredible, freaky, cacophonous guitar riffs, which I am completely in love with. I also absolutely love when the song starts back up with the eccentric rhythm and bass. And of course the coarse and exciting ‘yeah yeah yeah-ing’ will keep you coming back excited for the next one.
So, in conclusion, No Taste by Bad Waitress is one of the hottest, raunchiest, punkiest new Canadian records this year has to offer, and I hope you have the common sense to listen to it.
- Kaden Peaslee
