Junior Boys, Julianna Riolino, and Sloan
Junior Boys
Waiting Game // City Slang
Here we go again. Fall is upon us. We've begun another spooky season, and there's no turning back. Pumpkin spice and Halloween decorations have even started to show themselves on this side of the pond in Italy. While cruising the country for the last few weeks, I was provided ample time on long train rides to sit down and mellow out with a new Canadian album release. I was in luck because this time around, I landed on a new release that fit my situation perfectly. I'll be looking at the latest release from the duo Jeremy Greenspan and Matt Didymus, aka Junior Boys from Hamilton, Ontario, for the Cups N Cakes Network.
This new release fits my situation perfectly because the new Junior Boys record, Waiting Game, released on October 28th on City Slang, finds the pair in a tender and contemplative mood, a switch-up from their punchy, R&B-infused dance melodics. This was great for my travel, especially tracks like "Thinking About You Calms Me Down" & "Samba on Sama," where the songs are slow burners, but the listener enjoys every step of the way.
The lead single, "Night Walk," imagines a person who has gone missing and has no desire to be found. The video was edited by Mike Jerome using footage from the TV show "Night Walk," created by slow television pioneer Michael Spivak. The video footage was shot at night, in and around Yorkdale subway station in Toronto in 1986.
The title’s and lyrics of Waiting Game focus on the single idea of waiting for anything to happen. During his walks through an eerily quiet Hamilton, Greenspan tuned in more closely to other people's conversations. When a specific phrase was heard and seemed interesting, he wrote it down verbatim, and when he came across something beautiful or odd, he wrote down a description. This patchwork style of lyric writing feels light and bright, with a sense of freedom.
Waiting Game is a great release to throw on and get lost. The album flitters along and can easily be played repeatedly and fade into the background of a moment. Waiting Game also takes the main stage and bursts the listener into a new world of bliss and serialism. Regardless of how you approach this new Junior Boys album, it's filled to the brim with melancholy joy. Perfect for the time of year. Watching as the colour of the leaves change and the season turns again.
- Earl D
Julianna Riolino
All Blue // You’ve Changed Records
Like any other review I have done to date. I started by listening to this whole album and picked out a couple songs I found to suit my tastes. Then I listen to them on repeat. I asked myself, what is it about these songs you enjoy so much? I pondered and pondered. Then it dawned on me that I am getting old lol! Do you remember the days riding in the car with your parents or grandparents and thinking “oh… gosh their music is old and outdated.” Well, here I am… it appears I have found a new appreciation and love for tunes that have the memorable feel of the younger years. Brought out anew to touch these times. Julianna Riolino doesn’t stop at that. The twists of new flare and joining together the old time feel with twang and you folks have a fun filled album of alt-country.
Catchy piano skills from Thomas Hammerton, filling in all the punch needed to catch a listener's ears. That “oh my keep it coming…” I'm intrigued and craving more.
Julianna Riolino speaks from the heart “For me it was about looking into a reflection of who you once were, letting go of that idea of who you thought you needed to be, and being okay with who you are.” She nailed it, be comfortable in your skin, age is just a number.
I really feel these days like the world needs more unity, some days I feel like “I'm a Lone Ranger in this lonely world”. “Lone Ranger” is captivating with its catchy rhythm and backup vocals, full of zest and nothing short of pure fun. Playing these songs must be a sheer blast.
This next tune that I enjoyed was “You,” an attention grabber with a striking beat. Catchy, fun-filled and briskly romantic.
Telling it like it is. A match made in heaven, Julianna has got the voice and lyrics all spot on. “Who am I to you but a glove to wear and then take off” she sings on “Queen Of Spades,” a song about a one-sided romance. All things combined and completed with the steel guitar.
All Blue is full of so much fabulous talent. Julianna’s love for traditional country shines out, a tribute to all the artists that shaped the genre to be what it is today and what it was. Keep them coming. Clap clap clap. Thank you, Julianna and fellow band members.
- Stephanie Harrold
Sloan
Steady // murderecords
2022 has been an amazing year for me as an “amature” music journalist. This year I have had the privilege of reviewing Canadian, and more specifically, Atlantic Canadian artists whom I have admired for years and decades. Sloan is certainly one of those artists I have admired for decades. First seeing them in the mid ‘90s, and leaving their performance feeling full of energy, and inspiration. Prior to that I had watched bands like Triumph and Helix; however, seeing Sloan live was different. They were four cool dudes from Halifax who seemed real - I could relate to them. They were a small band, on a small stage, with a presence which exceeded its limits. I wanted to do that, play on a stage and connect with the audience.
On October 19, Sloan released Steady. I couldn’t help but think the title is somewhat metaphoric. After 30 years as an iconic indie rock band, Sloan has been exactly that, steady. They have amassed a career, and discography few bands dare dream of. For a band to reach this height, there are always trials and tribulations to endure, and endure they have. Their inclusive band approach is one to be admired, they share the load, with all four members having equal say and content on each and every album. And rightfully so, Patrick, Jay, Chris, and Andrew, each possess a distinct yet common voice to be heard.
As only Sloan can, Steady consists of: harmonies, intertwining melody lines, concrete guitar riffs and hooks, and the ability to drive a song as though it’s a train from Snowpiercer - nothing is going to stop its momentum! Like Sloan fans posting on their Bandcamp page, I too cannot pick a favourite track. I do; however, have a line which struck me when I heard it. It is a lyric written by Andrew on the track, “Panic on Runnymede” - “Time has a value that decreases every day. Don’t give away love, light or fear.” The lyric sent me into a mode of self reflection. How many times have I just given away time, and love? Did I give it away with the expectation of receiving something in return? Would it have been better to keep it all to myself? How many times have I given away my own fears, only to do so in an attempt to have someone unknowingly live it with me?
This article may have failed in providing an in-depth review of the album; however, I believe it is more important to know who Sloan is, and how they have navigated their way through 30 years as a band.
- Branton Langley
