Stand Of Tide
Self-Released, 2019
9/10
A Canadian indie-rock vehicle spearheaded by Mitch Bowden that has blossomed into a full band in a ten year existence, Don Vail is in its best configuration yet, as evidenced by the dynamic, eclectic and charming sounds of Stand Of Tide.
After the brief guitar “Intro”, the band get right into pulsating indie-rock with the shimmering rhythm of “Pulse Of Disappearing”, and “On The Wire” continues with cautious melody in a subdued alt-rocker that takes subtle nods to post-punk.
An album where each tune is the stand out track, the warm keys of “Basement Therapy” bring a cinematic and instrumental moment, while ‘If We Both Start Young” takes the keys in another direction with punchy pop-rock fun.
The back half of the album is just as luminous with the fuzzy yet cautious “New Danger”, the booming alt-rock of “Stand Of Tide”, and the ambient, hazy “Institutionalized”, which bursts into clever indie-pop. “Fireflies” ends the listen as strong as it started, with a glorious display of multifaceted rock that’s spacey, chamber-influenced and beaming with radiant energy.
An extremely inviting record, Don Vail are well versed in infectious power pop as they are the dreamier side of rock, and while the tunes here remind us of some of the greatest songwriters of this generation, they still very much belong to Don Vail.
Travels well with: The New Pornographers-Challengers; Elliott Smith- Figure 8