Until now, the story of the Nils has been a tragic one. The Montreal power-pop-punk band shot out of the gate in the 80s with a handful of great EPs and a perfect self-titled debut record in 1987, which you could find a vinyl copy of in every Canadian college-radio library worth its salt. Extensive touring followed, abruptly ending when the band’s label went bankrupt.
Fans waited for a follow-up. And waited and waited. The band, led by brothers Carlos (bass/vocals) and primary songwriter Alex Soria (vocals/guitar), went on hiatus. Drug abuse rumours swirled. Alex started new projects, including a reformed Nils with original guitarist Mark Donato before committing suicide in 2004. Now it’s Carlos and Donato picking up the pieces, making festival appearances lately and, finally, delivering that second album.
That it’s here at all is a triumph. That it’s so spirited is a miracle. Carlos takes over mic duties with ease, his voice ragged in an awesome way, his melodies total earworms. Riffs are punchy, tempos brisk, songs lean and no-frills. The lyrics get angry – “Fuck off and get yer own,” goes second song Tony Sanchez – and goofy (“Got a belly full o’ heartache over you / Got a belly full of Molson… too”) but don’t ever come off as bitter, just honest reflections on a life hard-lived.
It loses some steam by the end, but never completely.
Top track: More Alike
