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Album reviews Music

Steven Page

Rating: NNN


After leaving the Barenaked Ladies following a 2008 drug bust, Steven Page, one of Canada’s most recognizable (and ubiquitous) voices, has had a rocky few years. Though he’s no stranger to side projects (see 2005’s Vanity Project with Stephen Duffy and the recent Art of Time Ensemble collab), Page One is the singer’s first post-BNL solo effort.

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The album is stylistically restless, jumping from power pop to 60s-inspired ballads, with dashes of disco, 80s dance music and klezmer squeezed in. Characteristically verging on annoying, Page is also refreshingly optimistic, like on boppy opener A New Shore. Indecision is radio-friendly, but Clifton Springs, with the late Will Owsley on pedal steel, and Over Joy, a jangly song about depression, are more interesting. All The Young Monogamists moves from cynicism to plain love.

A good first for Page.

Top track: Clifton Springs

Steven Page performs Abbey Road with the Art of Time Ensemble tonight (Thursday, October 21) at Koerner Hall.

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