9/7/10

A Social Thread Review: The Rural Alberta Advantage

When I first heard about The Rural Alberta Advantage, it was described to me as “a genius mix of Ra Ra Riot, Connor Oberst, and Bloc Party.” I was immediately intrigued. I heard the first song from the debut album from The RAA (what the band calls themselves) and I honestly thought it was like nothing that I’d ever heard and downloaded the album on iTunes.

The RAA consists of lead singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Nils Edenloff, drummer Paul Banwatt, and percussion and backup vocals by Amy Cole. The Toronto based trio describes their music as, “indie rock songs about hometowns and heartbreak, born out of images from growing up in Central and Northern Alberta…” That description nearly summarizes their debut album Hometowns to a T.

The album keeps you guessing from slow guitar driven rifts to the quick almost pop-music dance beats that get stuck in your head for days. The album starts with a resounding base drumbeat and an upbeat tempo for The Ballad of the RAA that tells the story of Edenloff leaving his hometown of Alberta to the larger Ontario. The Dethbridge to Lethbridge has an angry, punk driven beat and Edenloff’s voice goes from melodic to a scream. Don’t Haunt This Place is a standout on the album. The song takes you through the pain and regret of an ending love and the possibility of finding each other again someday,” I want to hurt/I want to betray/It’s not like me to make your heart break/This was hard it was fun we should do it again/Give ourselves some time ten years for the day.” Frank, AB tells of the real life devastating rockslide that occurred from over mining in the town. Edmonton is where the RAA shines. With Edenloff’s lyrics at an apex talking about a love that is leaving and a town that may never be the same again. The album ends with In the Summertime which is a solemn ballad about the cycle of a Summer romance, “And once in a while/I know our hearts beat out of time/And once in a while/I know they’ll fall back in line.” As a debut albums go, I can’t remember being this impressed since The Killers or Vampire Weekend.

Critics have dogged The RAA and claimed that they’re playing copycat with bands like Neutral Milk Hotel or another Toronto-based band Rock Plaza Central, but I believe that both of these bands lack the drum-drive sounds and undeniable lyrics of the RAA. In my book, The Rural Alberta Advantage deserves a genre, and a following, of their own.

Take a listen and let me know what you think…

Happy Listening!

xoxo,

Heather

The Social Thread