Port Cities PORT CITIES. Turtlemusik

A port city is a place where cultures and histories collide, where goods and ideas are imported and absorbed into the local bloodstream. Not entirely un-coincidentally, Port Cities the band is the musical equivalent; a melting pot of three talented award-winning Canadian musicians, drawn together to make an entity better as a group than its constituent parts. Comprised of a trio of celebrated Nova Scotian musicians Carleton Stone, Dylan Guthro and Breagh MacKinnon, Port Cities were drawn together through songwriting as independent artists, with every intention of crafting new material, and then going their separate ways. Yet that is not quite how it panned out…

The album opens with the upbeat ‘Back To The Bottom’ which is the story of a toxic relationship and being stuck in a cycle that is bad for both parties but continues without end. The song’s pace is rapid and vibe is country rock but the guts of the song lie in the simple and effective lyrics: “When you hold me closer/You’re only pulling me down…” The melody is strong, the solo and duette vocals natural and strong. It’s a strong opening gambit.

‘Don’t Say You Love Me’is a more interesting track with its powerful rhythmic underbelly and rocky male vocals, with a melody that sticks in the head. It’s also a distinctive track which is delivered at storming pace. ‘In The Dark’ focuses on the female vocal which young, fresh and covering an impressive range. Like all the songs here the melody is strong with strong pop sensability through catchy chorus lines. There are also telling guitar passages and a sound that camouflages a deeper and darker message.

‘Sound Of Your Voice’ stands out as the most beautiful song here with a lovely and expressive male vocal and simple instrumental backdrop. The backing vocals enter to add depth and drama to a great song that could so easily be blaring out on the radio airwaves.

‘How To Lose You’ is a lighter song that flits around like a butterfly while ‘Half The Way’ is a funky rocker and ‘Where Have You Been’ is a musical plea for the truth from a missing lover. There’s welcome sonic diversity here, one moment country rock and the next a dark and slow song that plumbs the depths of despair. This is a good album and for lovers of roots music a genuine treat.

4/5

Curse Of Lono AS I FELL. Submarine Cat Records

Joining frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer in Curse Of Lono, who were formed in London in 2015, are Joe Hazell (lead guitar and vocals), Dani Ruiz Hernandez (keys and vocals), Charis Anderson (bass and vocals) and Neil Findlay (drums).

“I was only a couple of weeks out of detox, living in a halfway house in Delray Beach. My best friend had passed away a few months earlier, my girlfriend of five years was gone and I was climbing the walls. It was a very dark time and the only thing I had to cling to were the songs that kept pouring out. I thought that I had exhausted that well when we started working on this album but despite my desperate attempts not to go back there, this song wouldn’t leave me alone. Eventually I backed down and gave it another chance. I’m glad I did. It’s a time capsule.”

Opener ‘Valentine’ is a delectable slice of Americana which explodes out of my speakers with strong rhythm and melody. It’s a great introduction to a band I have never heard before. At the album’s heart is a strong blues ingredient and just a hint of pop sensability that makes the whole album highly accessible to a wider marketplace. ‘Way To Mars’ is a conversational piece that is firmly down the country rock road but in more relaxed mode. Lyrics are clear and interesting: “Crashed onto the carpet on my way to mars. Now I’m shedding my skin again/I need a brand new face and fresh new taste to run this race over again.” The lyrics of this (and other songs here) also reveal Bechtolsheimer’s past real problems and a more oprimistic future.

‘And It Shows’ repeats the formula with a typically well-judged instrumental arrangement that allows the vocal and lyrics to be heard with optimum clarity. There’s also another fine melody and some special guitar moments. ‘I’d Start A War For You’ ups both the pace and darkness punctuated by crashing guitars (Dire Straits style) and echoed vocals that render this song as a potential radio single. It’s one of my favourite tracks here.

‘Kathleen’ is a more contemplative piece with cinematic wailing western guitars introduction before the expressive vocal enters. Every song here screams quality, authority and distinction with welcome changes in pace and mood. The title track is a darker, slow affair with instrumental economy and attractive distant multi-layered vocals which combined make an epic, compelling musical vibe.

‘Leuven’ ends the album in a moving and beautiful way with a song that reflects the sadness of loss and a sound that matches the sentiments exactly. This is a wonderful second album by the band and is highly recommended. Thus far, It’s my rock album of the year.

5/5