The Violet Archers : Sunshine At Night

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/thevioletarcherssunshine.jpg" alt=" " />Sometimes a band's breakup can pave the way for a greater amount of material through new channels. ...
7.6 Zunior
2008 

The only good thing about the dissolution of the legendary Canadian indie-rockers The Rheostatics is that it has led to four times as much great music being released. This is the second record from former Rheo Tim Vesely's indie-pop group, The Violet Archers.  Their first album, The End of Part One, was very well received and this CD should only help to build the band's momentum.

“You and I”, the first track on the CD is quick to establish the primary focus of the album.  It is smooth and low key but manages to maintain your interest. The rest of the album follows the same path, it doesn't demand your attention but you can’t really help but want to listen to it. That said, the most exciting part of this record is how Vesely and Ida Nelson (of the Buttless Chaps and Great Aunt Ida) are able to really come together and create some brilliant male/female dynamics. “Insecure” shows off Nelson’s prowess and it does not disappoint.

The middle of the album is more focused on Vesely's vocals and the jangling and slightly quirky musicianship of Camille Giroux, Yawd Sylvester and Scott Remila on drums, guitar and bass respectively. They do a great job at throwing a variety of sounds together to come up with a non-threatening result.  The album closes well with “Listening” and bonus tracks “Another Round” and an acoustic version of “You and I” which bring a satisfying ending to a satisfying collection of songs.

Maybe the most interesting aspect of the CD is how it continues to show how sonically diverse the Rheo's really were.  Lacking Dave Bidini's punk-ish tendencies and Martin Tielli's oblique song writing, Vesely is able to bring his pure pop-sensibilities to the forefront, another great addition to a long and storied career.

-William Krueger
[email protected]

 

Categories
Album Reviews
  • Anonymous
    at
  • No Comment

    Leave a Reply

    Album of the Week