New Release

So, yesterday was my first day at the record store in about six months... like riding a bike. It felt like home, in a strange way. I guess it's where I was meant to be.

Hey, while I was there, I realized that a few days ago we had received the brand new CD from Heavy Meadows, which I had no idea existed! Needless to say, I was stoked to pick it up... but, sadly, I had just finished off the till for the day and closed the store when I noticed it. So, I had to wait until today to pick it up.

Anyway, the CD is sounding very good, although it's considerably mellower than their last release (perhaps due to the fact that bassist Jeff Wheaton only plays on three of the album's nine tracks. And, drummer Benn Ross isn't nearly as prominent on the release, considerably subdued throughout most of the tracks (the most notable exception being leadoff track "The Flood", a simply stellar track with all members involved, and well-deserving of being released as the album's first single). It's also kind of short at just over 36 minutes. And, "Grace" is pretty much a slightly faster reprise of "Kine" from the last release, which made me feel just a little cheated. And, the album-closing instrumental "Cymbals And Rain" is short and somewhat processed.

But, in the grand scope, these are all minor qualms that are rewarded for listeners patient enough to explore the album past face value. The production, handled by the band and Steve Outhit, is top notch. And the songwriting (credited nearly entirely to vocalist Virgil Muir and guitarist Seth Timothy) remains strong. Ross' and Wheaton's near-or-definite absence on tracks makes the instances where they show up even more rewarding (again, "The Flood" is a prime example). The album's terse length lends to easy relistening. And, while "Grace" could have been titled "Kine II", it honestly does improve on the original, even if the rhythm section is practically non-existent. And, the forementioned album-closing instrumental doesn't actually close the album; it prefaces a hidden track that matches some of the disc's finest moments.

So, when it's over, the CD strikes me a little bipolar. I like it, particularly "The Flood" and "Providence", for its familiarity. Yet at times, without the strong presence of Wheaton and Ross, it feels like there's a gaping hole in the music. However, when all the pros and cons are weighed, Heavy Meadows do come out with a winner. It's not the startling acheivement their second album was, but it's still well worth the time.

(***1/2)

And while we're on the subject, hit heavymeadows.ca to watch the meds' brand new video for "The Flood". Booyah!

Other random thoughts...

- I also learned during my first day back at work that Sony is planning a Pearl Jam greatest hits CD for release in late September. Now, I can accept the fact that the weather's been a little warm over the past couple of days, but I didn't think it was quite hot enough to make my blood boil... stupid fucking grabass estranged record labels...

- Picked up six tapes for $2 at a yard sale today. Among them? Def Leppard's "Hysteria" (which I desperately hope to find on vinyl eventually), Midnight Oil's "Diesel And Dust", and the immortal Sam Kinison's "Leader of the Banned".

- Why in the blue hell would a fast food restaurant drive-thru employee ask you to pull your car ahead to the stop sign (NOT to a designated delivery parking space... big difference here), and make a fellow employee take your food out to the door for you? That happened to us this morning. We speculated it was because I was smoking, which pissed me off superbly. However, upon getting our meals, I simply pulled ahead to the nearest space, and watched the next car approach the window. I noted that neither driver nor passenger appeared to be smoking. They made them advance, too! What the fuck is going on at Burger King? This is really bugging me.

- I really hate it when I'm trying to do a half-decent update after weeks of silence, and I keep getting interrupted. The phone has rang twice for me, I'm getting distracted by this Heavy Meadows CD, and the landlord yelled in the window, asking me about the strange cat that's been hanging around all day. Here's the deal; where Carrie works, they kept a cat that supposedly got pancaked by a motor vehicle. This morning, as we're leaving the house, she sees this cat in the driveway that looks kind of like this dead cat. So, she decides to bring him inside while she calls her dad. It should be noted at this time that we already have two cats. Anyway, the cat has seen the inside, and now it won't go the fuck away. It probably thinks we owe it a home, or something. Regardless, Carrie's now pretty sure this is not the dead cat from her workplace. Whew, the last thing we needed was a purring fucking poltergeist. Now, all we have to do is find this cat's owner (because no one in their right mind pays to have a stray cat neutered).

- Speaking of which, Randall's balls and claws have been removed. Unsurprisingly, his behavioral problems have been proven to be in his big head, rather than the little one. Bastard. Although, it's somewhat amusing having this strange cat outside yowling. It's pure torture for Randall and, in a sick way, I enjoy it.

- Oh, and PJ is elated, now that the playing field has been evened, so to speak. Their fights are much more entertaining now.

- Never rent a movie that boasts itself as the "unrated version you couldn't see in theatres". This, inevitably, means one of two things. Everyone but the smoking hot star of the movie is getting naked and/or all they cut out were shots of cock and balls.

- Green Day - "American Idiot": I smell comeback.

- Prodigy - "Girls": I smell sellout.

- Korn - "Word Up": I smell burned toast.

- The end.