Album Reviews

Toronto indie rockers July Talk first released their self-titled debut back in 2012 via Sleepless Records and have been touring their asses off since with everyone from Weezer and Tegan & Sara to Billy Talent and the Arkells. After having re-issued the album in Canada last year as a deluxe edition with three bonus song, they are now ready to unleash the album on the unsuspecting American public through Island Records.

If you still had the poorly conceived notion that all Canadians were so nice they themselves don’t even deem it necessary to lock their front door, then you’ll be in for a surprise here. Opening with the rockabilly stomp of “The Garden” and “Guns + Ammunition”, July Talk are not so much knocking on the door as blowing it out off its hinges. Vocalist/guitarist Peter Dreimanis has the kind of growl that gives little kids nightmares while the rest of the band whips out some badass riffs, thumping basslines and rattling drums. And just when you think things can’t possibly get any better, in comes the delightful voice of Leah Fay, who alternately manages to sound pissed off, seductive and innocent as you work your way through the rest of the album.

Actually, it doesn’t feel fair to describe listening to this album as a chore. It’s a real treat to listen to songs like the bluesy “Paper Girl”, the exuberant “Headsick” and the extremely catchy “Summer Dress”. This album is honestly one of the biggest surprises I’ve heard in a long time!