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Steaming Toolie + Rock Plaza Central reviews
just thought I'd send along a couple of reviews that'll wind up in print
sometime soon. I've never heard anyone talk about Rock Plaza Central --
that I even listened to the CD was almost a fluke. Anyone else have any
opinions?
.................
Rock Plaza Central
Quantum Butterass
Independent
General Delivery, Sackville, New Brunswick, E0A 3C0
Considering their popularity in Canada, it?s always surprised me that
the Rheostatics haven?t inspired very many imitations. Once an
innovative band gets to that level, usually every big city has a few
groups that wear their influences on their sleeves. That being said, I
was happily surprised to hear Rock Plaza Central for the first time.
Similarities with Etobicoke?s finest are both co-incidental and
intentional. I say co-incidental because of style: The songs are
acousticly driven pop-rockers with liberal use of dynamics;
instrumentation includes cello, piano, and banjo to complement the
foundation of bass/drums/guitar; and the lyrics are stories unto
themselves, complementing the creative and interesting songs. At the
same time, any comparisons could be considered intentional because two
?guest? artists on Quantum Butterass are brothers of the Rheostatics?
Martin Tielli, John and Douglas.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Rock Plaza Central
is paying a great compliment to a great band. More importantly, they?ve
managed to make one of the most enjoyable records of the year.
..........
Steaming Toolie
Deliciously Saucy
Kelp Records, 32 Ascot Court, Fredericton, NB, E3B 6C4
Music that lulls with a sweet melody juxtaposed with noises and sounds
of percussive clattering; irreverent, creative, driving pop combined
with interruptions of sonic diarrhea, Deliciously Saucy is a compelling
debut CD release for Fredericton?s Steaming Toolie. Over 20 tracks and
73 minutes, we are exposed to a dump of sound experiments and songs
straight from the 4-track and onto CD.
There is a step removed from most lo-fi fare by virtue of the variety
from song to song. Instrumentation -- which mostly focuses on guitar
and voice, also includes drums, banjo, trumpets, and odd keyboard or
tape loop noodlings -- differentiates this LP from what you?d expect by
such a group.
>From the melancholy Broken Girl-esque strumming of the third track,
?Traffic Jam? to the sound collage of ?The Soul Covering,? Deliciously
Saucy is exactly what it promises.