Blog
November 18th 2008
The Local Heavy: Sylvie at Lo Pub, Nov. 14
A last minute addition to their cross Canada tour brought Regina’s Sylvie to the Lo Pub on Nov. 14. Too bad this show wasn’t properly advertised because Sylvie were in top form.
Touring in support of their latest record, Trees and Shade are our Only Fences, Sylvie sounded tight and urgent, like only a band that has been on the road for a few weeks can.
The band’s set list favoured the new disc heavily, tracks like “Please Make it Home” and “Notes of Counters” sounded terrific live, and the band’s surprising 4-part vocal arrangements and harmonies were dead on. Though heavily influenced my American mid-west post hardcore bands like Fugazi, Jawbox and Burning Airlines, Sylvie include synths, heavy guitar effects and a driving rhythmic pulse to push their sound into something unique. Sure, there are moments of jangly, razor-sharp guitar squall that sound like Jawbox, and some of the herky-jerky guitar riffs and disco drumbeats are reminiscent of Minus The Bear, but those are merely footnotes in Sylvie’s sound. Sylvie have managed to combine their influences and re-arrange them into a combination that is original and irresistible: while wearing their punk rock colours on their sleeves, Sylvie incorporate elements of modern indie-rock and vocal harmonies that wouldn’t be out of place on a Beatles record with keen pop sensibilities.
The delay-drenched guitar lines and huge chorus in “Breakout for Summer” echoed throughout a nearly empty Lo Pub, but Sylvie played as though the room was packed. The few people in attendance, including yours truly, certainly appreciated the band’s energy and enthusiasm. I caught Sylvie last spring on the Minus The Bear tour and I was left unimpressed. I must admit that I have been converted. The new record is terrific, and Sylvie’s live show is not to be missed. Did I mention that this band is from Regina?
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