So it's finally summer, and that usually means an overload of new music. I can't name the number of songs or albums that remind me of a specific summer in my life. Something about the change of pace and warm weather that just makes music attach itself to memories. What does this have to do with this album? I'm just nostalgic and should really get to the matter at hand.
Jon McKiel comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia, that cold Canadian town in the Northeast that sounds exotically foreign. The Nature of Things is his second album, recorded at Fort Apache Studios which produced pieces like Dinosaur Jr.'s Green Mind and Radiohead's The Bends. The group, filled out to a five-piece on record, plays to the full extent of their instruments available, layering harmonizing melodies that fit very well together.
The album starts of with "War on You," a good introduction to the band's sound. The melodies are only slightly rough, and the varied drums help you bob your head along pretty easily. This song is slightly reminiscent of The June Spirit, but only briefly. Next up is "123 Friends," reminding me of Maritime - simple and catchy - and you really get to hear the vocal abilities of Jon McKiel. He does a good job of wavering his voice slightly without sounding obnoxious, and the backup vocals compliment his surprisingly well.
A few of the songs didn't really work for me, like "Walking With the Dead" and the power-ballad feel of "Get Caught." But a lot of the songs made me perk my ears up a bit more and pay attention. My favorites are "Poor Heart" and "Sleep Cities," which use their simplicity to concentrate on the slow emotional intricacies in the instruments and vocals. The album doesn't let up towards the end either, finishing strong with "Stars Get Their Courage" leading into a great secret track, which would have been more than appropriate as its own track.
The Nature of Things really took me by surprise, as some albums are known to do. I'm glad that I didn't write off McKiel's sound at first glance, because the songwriting abilities are there, even if they're not breaking into a new genre. I got over my "warm weather music" mentality, because even though this might be more appropriate music for winter, it's too good to pass up for that long. On a last note, one of the things that drew me in was the modesty of the music and layout; Jon McKiel does not seem to be forcing another re-hashed indie album down your throat, but simply offering his unique take for anyone that chooses to enjoy it.
