Rating: NNNN
Octoberman frontman Marc Morrissette had to take a break during the recording of his fourth album to recover from a vocal polyp. The wait worked out, both for his glammy, gritty vocals, which sound awesome, and for the sonic experimentation that occurred under the guidance of co-producers Jim Guthrie and Andy Magoffin. (Everything from synths, horns and strings to pedal steel and squealing guitar makes an appearance.)
Morrissette and his indie rock band, conceived in Vancouver but now based in Toronto, found inspiration for the clever lyrics in the work of Haruki Murakami and Kurt Vonnegut, the life of Van Gogh, odd news stories and meditations on romance. Disregard the autumnal band name the sadness and loneliness of their earlier sound is still present, but many songs suit a sunny day.
Top track: Pool Hoppin’
Octoberman play the Tranzac Main Hall Friday (April 13).
