SHUYLER JANSEN plays the Dakota Tavern tonight (Thursday, May 5). See listing. Rating: NNNN
Shuyler Jansen has evolved since his days with well-loved Edmonton alt-country outfit Old Reliable, a fact hammered home with electric guitars, synths and big drums in the first three songs on his third solo album. The recording also sees Jansen move from Steve Dawson’s rootsy Black Hen label to Vancouver’s heavier Scratch.
Production team JC/DC (the New Pornographers) weave their magic throughout, showing off their knack for radio-ready power pop on songs like Kill January and Totally Anonymous. But the album’s dark heart takes you on a nuanced journey to a familiar place filled with Jansen’s baritone guitar and guitarist Paul Rigby’s work. If It’s Meant To Be soars with string arrangements by Amritha Vaz, piano by Ford Pier and backup vocals by the Deep Dark Woods Wedding Band sounds like a Go-Betweens song and distortion, percussion and violin mingle on Falcons Wing (Hellhounds Return).
Top track: If It’s Meant To Be
