Attempting to describe Alanadale’s genre would quickly devolve into multi-hyphenate meaninglessness. Suffice to say that if Sufjan Stevens got together with members of Fleet Foxes and Don Caballero (the Pittsburgh band, not the SCTV character for whom they are named), and everyone shoveled in a mouthful of long-overdue antidepressants, this EP might be the result. Combining such seemingly disparate elements sounds refreshing on the debut release from this Winnipeg quintet named for Robin Hood’s bard friend. Thomas Krause’s beautiful melodies take lead while George Dyck’s electric guitar and Dale Thiessen’s synth and piano keep things bouncing along. The driving There Could Be No Place as Great as This and the closer, the Minus the Bear-flavoured Fettered Flocks on the High Seas are the standouts of the six track disc that is a rich and stimulating experience from start to finish. I’ve found one of my new favourites; more please.

Published in Volume 67, Number 26 of The Uniter (May 29, 2013)