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Album reviews Music

The Rural Alberta Advantage

Rating: NNN


The Rural Alberta Advantage have always rocked out more than descriptions of the “indie folk” trio would suggest. Their third album, especially, sounds like it was written with clubs full of sweaty fans in mind. Turns out that retreating to a remote cabin to write songs did not result in the kind of pastoral, mellow mood you might expect. Every delicate acoustic bit eventually turns into a big singalong crescendo, and even the most restful moments feel full of tension waiting to release.

It’s a very effective formula for their live shows, but over the course of an album, the constant dynamic shifts between intimate verses and extroverted choruses become a bit repetitive. Thankfully percussionist Paul Banwatt continues to find new and exciting ways to push a song into high gear, fluidly pounding out frantically rolling beats that help propel singer/songwriter Nils Edenloff’s plaintive vocals and Amy Cole’s subtle keyboard licks.

Top track: Vulcan, AB

The Rural Alberta Advantage play the Danforth Music Hall December 18.

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