Review: The Rural Alberta Advantage- Hometowns

What is indie? At one point or another you have undoubtedly been asked to explain by someone, whether simply a musically skeptical friend or even your mom. Each time the fumbled explanation comes out the same. "Well, you see, it started as having to do with labels, but now that doesn't really matter so much, and it can really sound like anything I suppose..." In a world where the indie blanket spans from Beirut to LCD Soundsystem, how do you explain it? The "if you have to ask you'll never know" approach, while maybe applicable, is a cop out. When it comes to indie at its roots, down to its very core, it is in fact one of the most unmistakable 'genres' in existence. I am speaking of the indie of Pavement's 'Slanted & Enchanted', of Guided by Voices 'Bee Thousand'; and it is that unmistakable, ramshackle, heartfelt, homemade brand of pop that distinctly characterizes the debut from The Rural Alberta Advantage.

Testament to this, 'Hometowns' has been out, self released, for about a year. It wasn't until recently in 2009 that Saddle Creek picked up the band and gave the record its deserved proper release. And what a record it is- immediately likable, and yet undeniably and consistently flawed. A producer or some sort of editor perusing this collection of songs would certainly have streamlined what we have before us into a more succinct and enjoyable listen. (For instance, what does the under-two-minute-long "Four Night Rider" really bring to the table here?) However, in many ways enduring the flaws and missteps of the album, while finding amongst them every sparkling joy, makes the honesty and earnestness of the album all the more apparent. It is almost as if watching a child grow, at times being slightly disappointed in their behavior, but in the end being unable to do anymore then let out that caged smile and affectionately ruffle the toddlers hair.

The first misstep appears on the opening track, "The Ballad of the RAA". Despite seemingly trying to encapsulate the band within this one track (based on the title), the desperate yearning of Nils Edenloff's voice is a bit much to stomach before having time to become fully acclimated to it. Throughout the track his vocals are always stretching just a little higher (for the note perhaps?) with not but a lone kick from a drum machine and simple synth riff to distract. It is followed by the immediately likable folksy jaunt of "Rush Apart", and the album has hit the ground running. There are very few "perfect" songs here. Each have elements that detract. However, as soon as you begin losing faith in a particular track, something will happen. A harmony, a lyric, a rhythmic break, and the song will be heard anew and become completely engaging again. Yes, this makes for quite a roller coaster ride of a listen, but a wholeheartedly compelling listen as well. One of the most compelling elements being the evolution of Edenloff's aforementioned voice. Sometimes a beast all his own, and at other times channeling almost hauntingly Jeff Mangum ("Luciana") or Colin Meloy ("Frank AB"). Is it this voice that often makes this feel almost like folk music? Possibly some combination of that and the sheer honesty this music is drenched in. The lo-fi nature of the recording keeps the synth's from sounding quite so electronic, and the band and record name don't help the issue. The fact is however, as solidified by gems like "Don't Haunt This Place" and "The Air", that this record is the definition of indie pop.

It is refreshing to see, 17 years after Pavement christened a new type of music "Indie", definable and quality indie records still being made. If nothing else, maybe the album's sheer likability draws from this alone. It is no impostor. No major label slouch vying for street cred. No zany genre experiment tossed off into the only category that would take it. These are a couple of Canadian kids making music they love for each other in a garage. And for the next time your mom asks, that, my friends, is indie.

Best Tracks: "Don't Haunt This Place", "The Air", "Edmonton"
Rating: 6.5/10