HOODED FANG play the Lower Ossington Theatre August 5. See listing Rating: NNN
If you’re only now coming to the Hooded Fang party, you’ll likely very much enjoy the Toronto six-piece’s new album of simple, lo-fi surf rock fuelled by Daniel Lee’s charismatic, laconic singing and melodies as memorable as ever.
But fans of Album, their recent effort, might lament the notable loss of innocence that seems to have occurred over the past nine months (which they spent touring constantly – maybe that’s a clue). In Clap, the first song proper, Lee sings to a double-faced lover who appears one way onstage but who he knows is “an icy ho” once she takes off her clothes.
Other tunes aren’t quite so harsh but often equally jaded-in-love, an unexpected departure from their earlier tweeness. The brevity of the songs, three of which are 30-second instrumental snippets, make it a quick listen, and keyboardist Lorna Wright’s pretty backup vocals and glock have gone by the wayside.
Still, it’s breezy, enjoyable and summer-ready. And the decision to go with a fuzzier, Nuggetsish production style proves they aren’t as precious about their sound as fans might be.
Top track: ESP
