The latest release from Woodpigeon is a toned-back continuation of the dreamy acoustic pop that has garnered the Calgary eight-piece international acclaim, as well as opening spots for Broken Social Scene, Grizzly Bear, Calexico, The Dears, and Iron & Wine in the last four years alone. Referring to the band as an octet is almost misleading though, for Houndstooth Europa does not sound like the fusion of eight band members. With the back and forth of vocals between Mark Hamilton and Kenna Burima, as well as the light instrumental accompaniment on the album, Woodpigeon thrive in a Simon & Garfunkel meets She & Him (QRO live review) environment. Houndstooth Europa maintains a very steady flow; songs are built on the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar and the vocals of Hamilton and Burima. From there, Woodpigeon encompasses a variety of percussion (drums as well as bells, chimes and glockenspiels), violin, cello, harpsichord, and of course one very tender piano.
"Ladybug Ladybird" showcases Hamilton’s simple-yet-meaningful writing on such lyrics as, "I don’t want to sing these songs / If you’re not here to sing along". "A Given" and "Matty John Chzyk" meanwhile, speak to the band’s proficiency at hitting the softest and most pleasing of notes. Houndstooth Europa closes on its finest accomplishment, an instrumental introspective called "A Slight Return Home". Here the various band members play very freely, though somehow in unified rhythm. The constant beat of a quiet drum, a gentle, almost tortured violin, meaningful assortments of percussion like wind chimes, and the most thoughtful piano playing say what no words ever could.
Woodpigeon refuses to leave on any sort of a sombre note though, and the emotional struggle reaches an upbeat resolution. This ten song EP is a splendidly mellow collection of light, airy tracks. While enjoyable to say the least, they do not quite live up to the magnitude of Woodpigeon’s other orchestral pop endeavours.
