Release brings internal warmth

HOMES
Jon and Roy
7-out-of-10

Winter in Saskatchewan has fully tightened us in its icy grip. In late December, one can only patiently remember what July's heat feels like. It's such a dream-like recollection.

Thankfully, I discovered Jon and Roy's 'Homes' while trying desperately to feel some sort of external warmth.

The initial listening of this album would be much better suited at the lake, where summertime activities can take your attention away from the soothing melodies and hooks that radiate from this recording. It is easy to imagine these tunes blaring from a sound system while the BBQ sizzles and the fire crackles, while the laughter of close friends melds with the violin runs of Boon 'Elm and laid back rap vocal of Brooker's Song.

This is a summertime album, no doubt about it, and to listen to it in the dead of winter creates the strangest feeling of nostalgia.

This Vancouver Island duo, accompanied by a collection of very talented and tasteful musicians, have created something unique, but not everlasting. This album sits well with the beach chairs and coolers, but as soon as the cottage is packed away after Labor Day, it loses its comfortable resonance.

Each track seamlessly flows to the next, creating a constant positive vibe. Impeccable instrumentation gives way to soft spoken vocals, which aren't grabbing for your attention, but instead laying a perfect foundation for your own conversations. The listener never feels the need to focus solely on the music, which is perfect for a summertime inspired record.

Throughout the album, I was left waiting, almost wanting, some sort of brooding number to bring it all back to reality. I suppose, in Jon and Roy's version of summer, there are no sad moments and nothing to brood about; I think I'm okay with this.

Bottom line is, I can't wait for June to come so I can have this album kicking around in the car, ready to be thrown on whenever the situation calls for a simple, uninvolved listen. Pick it up on iTunes and let it be a staple in your summer playlist.

- SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU

MAKE/LIKE/WISH/THINK
Jerry Stamp
6-out-of-10

I had the privilege of seeing Jerry play live in London, Ontario this past May with Regina's Nick Faye. His set stuck in my mind for months afterwards. Stripped down and acoustic, his vocals were haunting, clear, and unforgiving. This Newfoundland native naturally ties in an East coast flair with his music, but does so ever so slightly.

Jerry Stamp stays true to his own take on pop folk without succumbing to cliche.

By the second track of his latest album, Make/Like/Wish/Think, I was hooked like a fish. A story of heartbreak forms quickly and grabs the listener with it's all too familiar feeling of loss and regret. Besides the powerful guitar and pristine vocal, I wanted to know where Stamp was taking us on this journey. Stamp's voice portrays the overall element of this record flawlessly. You know what he was feeling just by listening, and the guitar accompaniment rises and falls in all the right places. He does a fantastic job of creating sonic waves of emotion.

As the record carries on, Stamp's talented guitar playing takes lead. Catchy rhythms appear, blending with his fleeting vocal melodies. The second half of the record nicely picks up the pace and with it, Stamp throws some distortion on the guitar. A welcome change to the rather clean cut first half. The album reaches crescendo with the socially driven 'We' and falls quickly to the soft spoken finale 'Colours You Can't See'.

The addition of a short, sweet, and well rounded bonus track is a pleasant encore to an overall good listen.

At times I felt the album did drag a little too slow, but Stamp ramped it up just in time allowing all the parts to flow together nicely.

- SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU