My Review of Eye Was an Ion's "The EP"

I wrote a review of the new Eye Was an Ion album for Northern Rocks Magazine, but I guess I must have submitted it too late or something because it wasn't published. Anyway, here is the review. It's a little short because I tried to keep it under 150 words:



Sudbury-based Eye Was an Ion's debut EP has been a long time in the making, and it shows. These are songs that have reached full maturity, having spent the last ten years marinating in the minds and on the tape reels of chief songwriters Ryan Kitchen and Mac Colasimone. The songs are at once distant-sounding and emotionally resonant, as if the weight of the world is hanging on the weary shoulders of the band.

This is not to say that the songs won't make you move. The rhythms are indeed as powerful as the melodies, contrasting nicely with the melancholy character of the songs. From start to finish, there is not a sleeper on this album.

The songs share common melodic themes, which helps to tie the album together as a cohesive unit, but there are of course a few standouts on the record. The arhythmic percussion at the start of I Will Hunt You gives it a spooky character, which makes the chorus all the more powerful. And, when the lyric "A Reason to Comfort You" is sung on the song The Measure of Attitude, it is absolutely heartbreaking. These two songs constitute the meaty high point of a swervy line that carries the album through it's meandering course.

This band is truly a gift to Northern Ontario music, accomplishing more with subtle whispers and glassy guitar textures than all the screaming and distortion in the world ever could.

Oh man

I have never wished I had my camera with more than I did last night. Library Voices played a joyous explosion of a set in the Millards' garage along with locals Willett, Eye Was an Ion, Bunnies in Berlin and Lightmares.

Willett's debut performance was extremely tight, showing a supreme knack for pop songcraft and subtle harmony. Reminiscent of groups like She & Him and Mates of State, Willett's presence on the Sudbury music scene is extremely welcome.

Eye Was an Ion also played a terrific set. Their music is dark-sounding, rhythmically propulsive, and emotionally distant, and yet it is extremely powerful and engaging. I am so happy that they are gigging around here. This five piece will be performing with Willett at the CKLU open stage on Mach 26th, and will be releasing their debut album on May 1st. If you're reading this, and you're from Sudbury, you must go see these bands!

Obviously, Bunnies in Berlin and Lightmares played excellent sets. On their home turf (the garage), they are untouchable forces of nature that barrel through their sets with reckless abandon. I can't say enough about these young bands. Also, Bunnies in Berlin finally has some recordings up on their myspace so you should check it out!

Honestly, a special place in heaven is reserved for Library Voices. This is one of the best bands I have ever seen. Not just in the garage, but ever. Plus, have you ever seen a 10-piece band in a garage? I have. Have you ever cried subtle tears of joy while watching a band in a garage? I have. I would put them on the same level of musical ability as large bands like Broken Social Scene and Most Serene Republic.

After the garage show, I took the Library Voices people to the Townehouse along with Mac from Eye Was an Ion to see their Saskatchewan friends in the bands We Were Lovers and the Sheepdogs.

We Were Lovers has a super hot girl named Elsa as their lead singer/keyboardist, and the Sheepdogs simply destroyed the stage with their tight harmonies and impeccably arranged guitar work. They played to a bar that was empty except for a few drunks, Library Voices, Mac and myself. I only caught the end of We Were Lovers' set, but I will be sure to catch them next time they come through! They're on their way to SXSW right now so I wish them luck at the border.

All in all, it was a great night.

Last weekend

It was a blast! A ton of people came out on Saturday night at the Townehouse, perhaps more than ever before! It was awesome to see Dead Flowers play again. Even though two of their members were sick, they still gave it their all. Matt Ralph was Mick Jagger in snowmobile boots.

Not many people came to the all-ages show unfortunately, but it was still super fun. For once I didn't order too much pizza, and witnessing I Was an Ion's debut performance was a thing of beauty. They are playing a show next Thursday at the Townehouse with Life Size Dream (Formerly High Deaf).



Our friend Brandon Grey took some great pictures at the Myths show (though there are only a few of them). Here is the link to his flickr.

A special place in heaven is reserved for Mule Skinner. These two guys were awesome to hang out with all weekend and rocked the living shit out of every gig they played. Matt Davis' family was super nice, and hopefully Hotel Mule Skinner becomes a regular place to catch an underground show in Niagara Falls.

I'd also like to mention the band Spooky Scarecrows, with whom we played in Niagara. Their set featured ghosts, drums, a shirtless, scarf-wearing viking, trombones, confetti, synth and sax. Despite the fact that they never practice, they played a lively and powerful set at Hotel Mule Skinner. It must be nice to play in a band that doesn't need to practice. I will post some pictures soon of this show.

In short, even though I was running on about 4 hours sleep on Saturday night, it was an amazing feeling to get the audience response that we did at the Townehouse. To see people lined up seven or eight rows back is incredibly gratifying. In addition, Lightmares sounded amazing at the Townehouse! It was probably the best set I've ever seen them play (and I've seen them play a lot).

This Weekend

Meadowlark Lemon is playing some shows this weekend.

On Friday, we are in Niagara Falls:



(Poster designed by Damienfrom Mule Skinner)

Mule Skinner
Spooky Scarecrows
Le Stack

On Saturday, we are playing an early all-ages show at Myths and Mirrors at 6 PM with:


Mule Skinner
Eye Was an Ion (check these guys out-they are really good!)
Lightmares
Dead Flowers (no myspace yet)

Then, we are playing the Townehouse at 11PM with all the same bands except for Eye Was an Ion.



The above poster was designed by Matt Marager from Small Change, inc.

Please bring a non-perishable food item if you come to either of these shows as we are trying to help out the Laurentian University food bank.