THE BALCONIES play the Halloween Indie Spectacular at the Horseshoe on Saturday (October 29). See listing. Rating: NNN
The Balconies are making all the right moves toward commercial success. Since relocating from Ottawa to Toronto, the young three-piece have been hitting the festival circuit (NXNE, Pop Montreal, Halifax Pop Explosion), playing constantly around town and making important connections that have led to tours with Bedouin Soundclash and recording with Jon Drew (Tokyo Police Club, Stars, Arkells).
You can hear that striving in their new Drew-produced EP, Kill Count, five songs of energetic pop rock with an almost too glossy sheen. Jacquie Neville’s voice is loud and confident, making her sound older than her 24 years. The band is super-tight, the melodies strong, the rhythms danceable and the songwriting smart.
None of the material is brand new: three songs appeared on their debut LP, while the other two were on a recent 7-inch. But all have been re-recorded to sound mightier. They’re clearly saving the new stuff for their in-progress full-length, which will no doubt land on a solid label.
Top track: Serious Bedtime
