Rating: NNNN
Charlottetown four-piece Two Hours Traffic claim to have overhauled their sound on their new EP, incorporating Motown influences and installing in the producer’s chair Darryl Neudorf rather than Joel Plaskett, who has thus far been behind their three-album, two-EP discography.
Whatever Motown influences exist are awfully subtle, though the band did up the electric guitars this time around. What stands out most is how well they’ve perfected classic pop songwriting. All four tunes are succinct, smart and memorable, both melodically and lyrically.
Amour Than Amis is believably yearning and has impressive groove, while Audrey brings to mind Joe Jackson’s Is She Really Going Out With Him? Feel Alright is relatively unremarkable but keeps the energy up, while lilting folk tune I Did What I Could sees the return of the acoustic guitar.
If its intent is to build anticipation for the 2013 full-length, Siren Spell more than does its job.
Top track: Amour Than Amis
