BYWATER CALL
Broken Souvenirs (Continental Record Services)
Heavy on the heartache, this subtle seven-piece from Toronto get a lot of variety out of their roots-rock sound. Starting with a midtempo soul groove that can only bring a smile to the face, before shifting to the fingerpicked minor key Americana single Is This Thing On and then pivoting to post-Winehouse grief-sharing, Bywater Call cover a lot of ground. But it’s testament to their talents that every shift in style is well-done and welcome.
There’s a touch of Janis Joplin in the relationship between singer Meghan Parnell and the all-male band that support her. And they sound the best on tracks like Way To Go when all seven are fully involved. What is a little frustrating is that these very good songs seem a step away from great. Most of them are lacking a moment that really lifts the track to take this from an enjoyable record to a superlative one.
words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES
