Release Date: April 15, 2008
One of the more slightly awkward questions asked in the course of small talk is often, “Who’s your favourite band?” -You’re supposed to answer, “I don’t have one favourite, but I like…” which will lead to a discussion of genres and tastes. I am one of the few with a definitive answer: Constantines.
I can’t recall the first time I heard them, but it would have been on CD, their first, self-titled 2000 release. It came in a beautiful hand-made package that contained a wooden match, an appropriate way to light a long creative fuse that led to 2002’s brilliant Shine a Light, through to the even stronger Tournament of Hearts in 2005, and culminating now in the explosive Kensington Heights.
I love that they are a real band—five distinct and original musicians working together to produce this democratic roar of music. Primary vocalist Bry Webb has a beautiful, distinct voice—rasping, plaintive, yet powerful and fluid. His lyrics are just as unique—a strong, observant writer full of feeling and whimsy and insight, a writer who gently distorts the world and makes us hear it in a new way. This unique voice is set to equally unique music—drummer Doug MacGregor and bassist Dallas Werhle split open the seams of regular rock patterns and stitch together something surprising and distinct, while multi-instrumentalist Will Kidman, along with Webb and Steve Lambke (who is also brilliant in his role as sometime vocalist/lyricist) on guitar, embroider something challenging and instinctually melodic.
The Constantines are the best live band I have ever seen, entirely dedicated to communicating with an audience. Able to produce moments of sustained and complicated quiet, they are also one of the loudest bands I have encountered. Yet the volume is never used to repel the listener. Instead, they co-opt the sometimes aggressive conventions of rock to express the overwhelming parts of being alive, to explore the themes of community and struggle, to remind us we belong to something larger than our individual selves. The decibels tell us we are not alone.
This new record might be my favourite simply because it best captures the elements of the live show that has so often moved and inspired me. Named after the street in Toronto’s vibrant Kensington Market area where they practice in a basement, Kensington Heights, like the neighbourhood itself, is a vibrant maze of histories and sounds. The album is fittingly dedicated to the late Gar Gillies, the Winnipeg amp-maker who designed and built the Garnet amplifiers that defined the overdriven classic Canadian-rock sound of the Guess Who and BTO. Gar was building and refurbishing amps right up to his death last year at the age of 85, and some of his last work was used on Kensington Heights, a familiar sound finding a radically new voice.
From the massive opening number, Hard Feelings (“Some people’s love isn’t strong enough”) to the gorgeous thudding close of Do What you Can Do (“You do what you can do with what you got”), Kensington Heights is a tour of original themes and multiple genres, full of infectious hooks and evocative lyrics. It is the sound of my favourite band at the height of their considerable powers.
– John K. Samson
“Once the Constantines start heading off-stage, the “woo hoos” start going off like air-raid sirens. No one’s saying it, but everyone’s thinking it: we have something to believe in again. The Constantines are the children of Fugazi, stepbrothers to Make-Up and Trail of Dead, the grand-kids of Springsteen and Strummer. They call what they do soul music, not because of what it sounds like, but where it hits you.” – EYE Weekly
Just a reminder to listen to CONSTANTINES on THIS GREAT WHITE NORTH. It's an ALL CANADIAN music show FRIDAYS 4:30-6pm CST on 91.7 KOOP FM in Austin, Texas. You can listen online at www.KOOP.org.
You guys were absolutely fantastic on Tuesday. Despite how drenched and cold we all were, I thought it you were incredible. Please come back!
Oh, and what was the last song of your set that night? I don't remember exactly how it went so I can't find it, haha. All I remember is that it was amazing.
what are you doing thurs july 9th If your 21 you and your friends should come check out EdstanleY they have a show at the Blue Cafe in Huntington Beach Ca They're a 3 piece band Scott Gripe does guitar/vocals Justin Brescia is on drums and Dave Reese is on bass you would love the show it will be a blast , If you choose to come, email me your guestlist @ jvarnado@tmo.blackberry.n et so i can put you and your friends on the list, hope to hear from you
The address is 17208 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, California 92649
THEY GO ON AT 10PM !!! SHOULD ARRIVE AT 9PM please mention EdstanleY at the door
To celebrate the US dvd release of Pascal Laugier's highly controversed 'MARTYRS' we are releasing the full score as a FREE DONWLOAD EDITION (320 kbps mp3).
FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW !!! http://www.seppukuparadigm.com/
Go mental Kids ! Spread the word,Share & Enjoy ;-)
Just a reminder to listen to CONSTANTINES on THIS GREAT WHITE NORTH. It's an ALL CANADIAN music show FRIDAYS 4:30-6pm CST on 91.7 KOOP FM in Austin, Texas. You can listen online at www.KOOP.org.
yo! Motorhead heads dissssssssco! get our new remix of Ace of Spades here http://www.zshare.net/audio/61703444f27e94ad/ if Lemmy and George Clinton were jamming on the Mir space station, perhaps it would sound like this back at ground control. or maybe it wouldn't.
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