Quick Hitters:: heat-ray

Things have been quiet on the Pop Echo front lately. After their biggest acts either a) broke up – Golden Hands Before God b) got picked up by another label – Bella, Junior Bloomsday or c) are more associated with another label and are kind of stuck in limbo – The Whitsundays, it’s not shocking that it took some time to restock the talent pond.

But restock they did.

Calgary super group, heat-ray is about to release their debut record, and since the band is comprised of members of Hot Little Rocket (Aaron Smelski), Lotus Galaxy (Sheila Mann), Shiver (Jon Pynn, Joel Tobman) and The Floor (Matt Pahl), it’s not surprising that the debut album – Loveallover - is a powerhouse. You can't have that much experience in one band and not write a few quality tunes, but right out of the starting blocks the band turned heads. Even before releasing an LP, they stole some of the shine from the '08 Sled Island fest and have warmed stages for some of the biggest bands touring through western Canada.

Unfortunately, if you read a description of the band’s sound on paper you want to lump them in with the herd of bands revisiting the shoegazey guitar hazes. With so many bands dipping their creative toes into My Bloody Valentine’s pool of inspiration, it’s hard to think any of the newgazers are trying anything unique. While it’s true that heat-ray is indebted to the band, their big walls of guitar and drums have a grittier rock edge to them and the vocals are thickened by solid three part harmonies. Somehow it seems familiar and new all at once.

I've only heard a handful of tracks, but they all lead me to believe this record is going to be one that I play to death. Beautiful melodies, some urban grime that keep your head nodding but still craft a state of melancholic bliss. Bottom line, do yourself a favor and cop Loveallover on August 4th and support another great band on a great INDIE label.

MP3:: heat-ray - C'mon, C'mon, C'mon

MP3:: heat-ray - If Love is the Drug

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/heatray77
BUY:: http://popecho.com

Labels: Canada, heat-ray, Music, Quick Hitters