Last Thursday I went to the Knitting Factory to see a friend play with his band. After the show, when the “I don’t know what we should do” statements started to fly around the group, I decided to stay for the proceeding act, called Rail, I believe, and my god what a treat. So picture it, two saxophones, a guitar, a synth and drums playing together to create the most wonderful harmonies and melodies, songs that cried with pure artistic expression and talent, a literal cornucopia of conflicting sensibilities- those of rock and jazz, clamor and silence, unrest and lullabies.
I was so throughly impressed, that I leaned over to my friend and asked if they had any proper recordings- she didn’t know. Only a few seconds later did they say they were having an album release party on Saturday June 21st at 7:30pm at the Bowery Poetry Club. Everyone, line up with me as it will be beautiful.
Now, this leads to two things.
Firstly, as I may have mentioned before, it’s about that time to share some tracks of the lesser knowns out there, which will become a feature promptly, if it hasn’t started now. And secondly, my great appreciation for Do Make Say Think.
(never has anything been so concise)
It’s odd that they haven’t been introduced as of yet, but there is, as they say, a time for everything. Do Make Say Think is one of those super Canadian Bands, associated with Broken Social Scene and Valley of Giants, far too peopled and talented for their own good. But they are more than those labels- they are a modern manifestation of experimental jazz (for the sake of classification) in this “indie” world. Always tackling their songs with an intensity, a fiery edge that keeps the listener pleading for just a bit more, for the climax of the song to be well worth the tormenting guitar and drums that spiral up and down a stair of disenchantment and somehow reaching a hopeful goal. Do Make Say Think manages, so effortlessly, to evoke all of unexplainable feelings that lyrics cannot, with the sheer power of their humming songs- songs that take the conventional and spin it into some weird ditty about the oral traditions (ironically, they usually don’t have lyrics) and history, they cover the entire spectrum of an event, bobbing and weaving a tune that gently gestures away from musical insensitivity.
mp3: Do Make Say Think- The Landlord is Dead [The Whole Story of Glory Tour EP 2008]
mp3: Do Make Say Think- The Universe! (live recording from CBC Radio 3 session 2007) [The Whole Story of Glory Tour EP 2008]
mp3: Do Make Say Think- THofR Part Three [The Whole Story of Glory Tour EP 2008]
mp3: Do Make Say Think- Bound to Be That Way [You, You're A History in Rust 2007]
mp3: Do Make Say Think- Ontario Plates [Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn 2003]
Adieu.
