Thursday, July 16, 2009

Quick Hitters:: Burn Planetarium

I have to say, if, by some crazy and incredibly unlikely set of circumstances, I were forced to relocate back to Upper Canada, but this time to a city similar to Halifax, Guelph would likely be high on the list. Like Halifax, it's a smallish university city that appears to have a vibrant local music scene that produces a large number of solid acts for a place its size. Oh, and if this Wikipedia the kids are all talking about is to be believed, Thomas F. Ryan, the inventor of five-pin bowling, grew up in Guelph. So yeah, it's got plenty going for it.

Here's something else Guelph can count as a positive: being the current homebase of young indie rockers Burn Planetarium. I've been listening to BP's new self-titled EP for a couple weeks now, and I must say, I'm rather a big fan of it. This five piece delivers energetic indie rock in the vein of the Collagen Rock stable, to use a local Maritime example. Consistent drumming and taut basslines keep things moving at a brisk pace, and loud, angular guitar-work helps turn the chorus on pretty much each of the five songs on the EP into a raucous sing-along.

I certainly don't mean to over-simplify these songs, because although the band members seem young, they appear to have spent some time crafting their songs. The themes are definitely young adult in nature, with loneliness, alienation, and the general trying to find one's place in the world taking centre stage on most songs, but they are able to keep the attention of even a crotchety oldster like myself, so that's a good sign. They also use their 5-man size to their advantage, juxtaposing shout along group vocals with softer two-man harmonies on songs like Young Chameleon and Chimney Sweep. But they also know how to put their indie pedal to the metal, as straight-ahead boppers like Death!Death!Death! and Green To Orange quite capably display.

It's safe to say I'm looking forward to a Burn Planetarium full-length, so here's hoping one is in the works. For the time being, check out their EP, and if you happen to be in Toronto, you can check the band out live at their album release party tomorrow night at The Silver Dollar Room (College and Spadina).