THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENS play Yonge-Dundas Square Friday (August 3). See listing. Rating: NNN
You may want a shot of coffee in your beer in order to keep up with the Magnificent Sevens’ sophomore album.
Many of the bluegrass- and country-inspired tunes move at an impressive clip, including an adrenalin-soaked cover of Neil Young’s Unknown Legend and a tough take on the Dillards’ There Is A Time. The Winnipeg acoustic five-piece may be contemporary and a little punk in approach, but they’re traditional in instrumentation, playing acoustic guitars, upright bass, banjo, dobro and fiddle.
And not everything moves so briskly. Travelin’ Song is spaciously drenched in reverby banjo and sad strings, and The Rapture begins with a quietly growled religious warning and a scream. But don’t get the wrong idea – these guys are fun and charismatic. Not frightening in the least.
Top track: Blue And Feelin’
