SOUND BITES

Over the course of their first six albums, Wintersleep have risen from earnest Maritime upstarts to become one of Canada's most dependable bands and somewhat of a revered export, earning a growing following in the U.S. and Europe. That they've done so without surrendering their identity or steering their core sound into the mainstream is a minor miracle in these modern times where bands are encouraged to bend to the will of taste makers and corporate interests. Their seventh record firmly upholds their status as one of the nation's most exploratory and consistent bands; In the Land of finds them not only stretching their sound toward experimental new territory, but also taking the time to reflect on their roots. Forest Fire , for example, lilts along a pleasant piano-led melody while employing multi-tracked vocals and lush harmonies, making for one of the band's most beautiful songs. The Lighthouse , meanwhile, is both a lyrical and musical throwback to some of Wi...

Wintersleep has had an interesting evolution. Their first record in 2003 was a stripped down, mostly acoustic blend of earnest folk/rock and melancholic indie, while they slowly introduced heavier elements and more electric guitars through their second album en route to their true breakthrough, 2007's Welcome to the Night Sky . That record spawned the hit Weighty Ghost , which remains their best known tune and laid the groundwork for what the band would be judged on over all future recordings. The thing is, as great a song as it was, that entire album was a triumph; it was the sound of a young band hitting its sweet spot, infusing Paul Murphy's dark imagery with fully fleshed-out, often violent soundtracks. Weighty Ghost is easy to sing along to, but much of that album is far more challenging and, therefore, far more rewarding. Changes of scenery and attitude crept in on the following pair of records, with 2009's New Inheritors letting some sun in and 2012...

WINTERSLEEP In Came The Flood From: Hello Hum Released: June 12 After a couple of albums to build momentum, Wintersleep broke through in 2007 with the utterly brilliant Welcome To The Night Sky , an album that everyone knew was going to be difficult to top. So, some slack was given for the less focused, less satisfying New Inheritors , an album that had all the hallmarks of a great Wintersleep album but just didn't stick for some reason. Now, two years later, Hello Hum showcases the band's seemingly effortless knack for writing stadium-ready anthems and hearkens back ever so slightly to the nervous energy that permeated their first three albums. In Came The Flood , with its nimble rhythms and soaring chorus, is one of the most feel-good songs about the rapture I've heard in recent years.

I can't let you go too long without some new ear candy, but it's been a little slow over the past week and a half, so we'll both have to make do with some random stuff that's piqued my interest of late. First up is, I suppose, some big news: The Tragically Hip have a new single.  Honestly, I'd have posted this a week ago, but I've been waiting for album and release date info.  They're being tight lipped about that for the moment, but it stands to reason we'll see something rather soon (July is my guess).  Hopefully Murphy's Law takes it from here, wherein I make this post and they announce all the dirt in an hour. At Transformation feels like an exercise in compromise; the tune rocks harder than most of their recent output, but Gord Downie's lyrics and delivery refuse to take us all the way back to the early 90's.  This will likely be a problem for some, but I've always stood by the band despite their stubborn refusal to record Up ...

One of the Maritimes' most exciting exports, Wintersleep have announced their fifth album, Hello Hum , as well as a couple of tracks from it. Hello Hum follows just two years after their somewhat polarizing 2009 release, New Inheritors .  That album showcased less melancholy and raw emotion than their previous three, which seemed to rub some fans the wrong way.  Well, judging from the first two songs to see light of day, those folks aren't likely to be swayed.

A new standard bearer for Maritime rock.