Gorgeous melodies and heart-tugging harmonies may be what your ears hear
first, but this strong fourth album from the Kingston couple holds some
powerful truths too. Kris Abbott (The Pursuit Of Happiness) and Dee McNeil make pleasing pop-folk sounds but those calming melodies hold sharp observances. These are socially-charged lyrics, taking stabs at repression big and small.
There's the lout who cares more
about his politics than his family ("Politics Are Thicker Than Blood")
to the woman forced to settle for a reduced lot in life rather than
flying free ("Settled Down"). These are songs that champion the best in
people, calling out what holds us down. Plus, it's smart and satisfying
Canadiana pop all the way through.
I keep running into new favourite lines on each listen, another song jumping up to become a new champion. "Don't Get The Universe" looks at the everyday ridiculousness that frustrates us all: "There's a woman, she's got bills to pay, works a double every day/while her boss complains they have raised minimum wage." They can get some old-school folkie venom going as well, as found on the closer "Simple Little Sheep": "The meek shall rule the earth is just a lie/so we don't take what we deserve in this life." Can I vote for Kris and Dee in this election?
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