| SCINTILLA - RODGER BRUNNING |
| With the title taken from the Latin word meaning "spark" or "the twinkling of a star", this CD certainly does have its full share of "shining" moments in the country/rock genre! The opening track, "Canvas", starts out with a head-spinning drum roll (Bruce Moffett) and segues into some wonderfully dreamy, laid-back lead guitar work by Rob Long (a.k.a. Rob Heemstra), which was strongly reminiscent of Pearl Jam's "Nothing As It Seems". I was then caught off guard by Rodger Brunning's unique but distinctive vocals which don't really sound like anyone else, but I certainly heard echoes of David Byrne of the Talking Heads. The lyrics are also somewhat unusual and dramatic, although cryptically thought-provoking. What follows is a musical journey filled with wide-ranging moods, emotions and dynamics, with both acoustic and electric guitars blended with consistently reliable support from the bass and drums section (Jay Speziale and Bruce Moffett). We are introduced to an interesting array of different characters, including "Miss Cathcart" (a pop tune a la The Cars/Elvis Costello//Police) about a teacher caught up in the innuendo of ""forbbidden" romance. "Answer the Angel" is an allegorical tale which draws a parallel between children and angels, citing an uncaring truck driver who doesn't want to take the time to really listen to what his son has to say to him: "People are important because they keep God company" (in the darkness of the world) and wants only to get back in his truck, "driving down that old 401". "Plums" is "as pure as the driven snow...you can see her high, you can see her low, but she's as pure as the driven snow". This amazing blend of glam-cowpunk consistently reminded me of Ray Davies' "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" in its stylistic rendering. It was referred to by one of the band members as "the Hoe-down song", but there's definitely a "twist" there! We also meet a girl who's looking for "A Boy in a Pick-up Truck". Rodger could take this one to a country music station for some heavy rotation - a catchy, true-blue C&W romance! "Everything Stays" is a rocking Celtic jig of a tune about a bitter and disappointed divorce "survivor" having to deal with a real estate lady in the mundane realities of divorce. I especially like the "gunslinging" guitar work on this one. "Don't Talk About Her Like That" is an excellent tune showcasing Rob's versatility on melodic lead guitar. Great dynamics on guitar as well. I'd love to hear Chrissie Hynde's rendition of this one! Rod Phillips (Pie Guys and Sparkjiver) takes the reins on "Running with You", an uncharacteristically laid-back (but pleasant) tune for him. Murray Daigle (the "mix master") sings back-up vocals on this one. My favourite track of the CD, "Worst Out in Me", in which Rodger displays a totally different vocal technique, is a "bayou-reggae" tune during which I couldn't help thinking of J.J. Cale ("Naturally",) both in the vocals and guitar work. It narrates a tale of drunken jealousy. After several listens, I could hear similarities to early Dire Straits and Eric Clapton. This one's definitely ready and eligible for any radio station! An altogether enjoyable listening experience! |
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