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Album Review
by SashaS
9-2-2005
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| Tin Foil Phoenix:'... Shadow of the Bat' |
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Tin Foil Phoenix: 'Living In The Shadow Of The Bat'
(604/Roadrunner)
Tin Foil Phoenix - a goodie from above the 49th Parallel
Isn't it strange that in the week when Brit Awards celebrate the country's music - there are no major releases by domestic artists. One can argue that there are hardly any major/mainstream releases whatsoever... There is no adding to the cultural values and record companies would rather if we spend our cash on compilations/re-releases due to the ever progressing technology. Still, [wo]man, how many times do you need to own the same song?
There is an album we’d like to bring your attention to by a Canadian band. They are called Tin Foil Phoenix [not a very catchy tag but they had to change their original Sonic Boom due to being already in use] and the debut album is also quirkily entitled - ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Bat’. It is a rocking album that commences with a half-spoken ‘Neapolitan’ that evolves into a rousing track.
‘Bum Rush The Motorcade’ is nearer to the rap-rock, ‘We’ll Get The Venus’ is a neo-rocker, more melodic with soaring guitars and riffs to elevate the pre-Chrimbo soul. ‘Ms Genova’ slows the tempo a bit but it is mid-tempo song with a more traditional balladry captured on ‘The Outtside’ that may be a tad bit better than their boss’ band, Nickelback.
One of the last songs the band, formed in Winnipeg in 1997, wrote for their demo EP - that would form basis to this album - ‘Neapolitan’ was entered for a recording project at a local studio. The band subsequently decided to push the single onto the Canuck’s radio where they were heard by Chad Kroeger who snapped them for his 604 Records.
So, the Bat of the title is the Batman of the 1960s series and not some Heavy Metal ritual; it actually refers to the Batman’s sidekick played by Burt Ward. It is a song about the underdog who forever lives in the shadow if its character. Not that it should happen to singer Michael Allen Zirk, a.k.a Maz, and his playing cast.
‘The Mothership’ takes the band into a more stratospheric rocking, showing they are as much influenced by Led Zeppelin as by The Cure. ‘James Spader’ takes in high and lows over the dynamic 5 minutes before getting into more atmo-rocking on ‘Jesus Isn’t Listening’ and ‘Bottom of the Bay’ with the final ‘The Tuesday Effect’ bringing very melodic sounds into your room.
An album of several facets that refreshes certain parts other bands are too busy to explore. Solid album from the American neighbours who differ from the Yanks by not churning out HM clichés too regularly.
8/10
SashaS
9-2-2005
Tin Foil Phoenix’s album ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Bat’ is released 07 January 2005 by 604/Roadrunner
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