Thursday, October 8, 2009

Quick Hitters:: Kalle Mattson Whisper Bee

Do you remember when you were 18 years-old? Well, actually some of you might just be a toe-headed youngster that is new to the world, but for most of us silverbacks those awkward days of self-discovery, when love’s up and downs seemed as monumental as a plate tectonic shift are just memories kept tucked in old boxes like faded pictures and high school yearbooks.

I could barely articulate what was going on in my head, let alone display the maturity to handle those tides of emotion in sunshine laced pop melodies full with hooks and clever word play. Kalle Wainio on the other hand, seems to be wise beyond his years musically and emotionally. The Sault St. Marie native his band – Kalle Mattson - show more potential than any young band I’ve come across lately (other than maybe York Redoubt). With no member older than 22, these classically trained musicians have an obvious understanding of chords and melody, but the instinctual feel they have is what helps them shake free of the shackles of education and let their songs breath.

In true pop form, Whisper Bee is 11-songs focused on the universal muse of love. While the message might not be unique, the different ways the band approach the subject certainly are. Obviously, they prefer to travel on the same easy breeze that Wilco has perfected (Drunken Sweaters) fused with some nice feedback and sonic exploration (check the end of Mourning Dove) but whether it’s Weakerthans inspired stories (Whisper Bee, Come To Me), rollicking rock numbers (Bomb Threat Blues) or straight ahead pop hooks (Hall of Oats), these young men seem comfortable branching out in countless directions, but talented enough to make all the tracks fit together.

Like most people still waiting to reach their twenties, the guys in Kalle Mattson are still trying to find out where they fit and gain the life experience to help their songs blossom into something special, but they are a lot farther along than lots of their older peers. More importantly, if they keep writing and keep playing live, they will eventually – unlike most of us graduates - help them make a career out of their discipline.