Mark and Wendy Redfern
Mark and Wendy Redfern are co-publishers of nationally distributed indie rock magazine Under the Radar—combining their literary and visual skills to create a publication that promises “The Solution to Music Pollution.”
It’s pleasing, to say the least. With no song hitting the four minute mark, Lerner's real-life observations quickly pop and crackle with a timeless urgency. Coupled with pleasingly organic production (thanks to producer, Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla), Lerner could easily be the boy next door, testing his witty observations, band nestled somewhere in the depths of his parents’ garage. Could we get so lucky?
Under normal circumstances this is remarkable. But in a city boasting an incestuous music scene where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a Polaris Prize nominee? Amazing. It’s an argument for drinking the water. Or whatever the French word for Kool-aid is.
Start packing. After all, this is the kind of soundtrack to listen to on repeat while planning your escape to the Great White North. At first listen, you might be taken vocalist Warren Spicer’s Arcade Fire-ready warble on “New Kind of Love”—only to be struck on the second go-around by the Polyphonic Spree-style instrumentation and chorus of “Bye Bye Bye.” By the time you hit lush album-closing instrumental, “Guru,” chances are you’ll be halfway to the border. And frankly, who could blame you?
(Plants and Animals on MySpace)
