Pheromone Recordings

The Warped 45's - 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan
Review by Mark Millard

Remember how good music was once defined? No, it wasn’t characterized like today’s commercial, money driven pop rock outfits consisting of large marketing teams, a hefty emphasis on image and a consistent repetition of a sound heard time and time again. It wasn’t music put together with a boring 1-5-6-4 chord progression, three instruments, one singer and a terrible live performance. Hence why most artists creating (good music) today, if it can even be classified as such, possess very little longevity. To further illustrate this point, look back at the artists that dominated the Canadian mainstream three to five years ago. How many of them are still relevant today? Not many, a trend which will continue for years to come. Can this really be classified as good music? I think not.

Good music was about love and passion, with money and success being an added bonus. Music was once about taking both the artists and the listeners to a place they couldn’t visit otherwise. Better yet, an unforgettable journey displaying several different moods, emotions and observations throughout. Whatever happened to that? Good music took time to create, and talent to achieve; something becoming less of a necessity today. Whenever I stumble upon a new group of artists that still understand what music is and should always be about, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement because it’s consistently becoming a rare occurrence. Toronto quintet the Warped 45’s are one of those rare occurrences. Get out the shot glasses, Jack Daniels and cigarettes, because you should be properly equipped for the voyage they are about to take you on with their debut full length album 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan.

Equipped with everything from folk to rock n roll, all the way to country, the release reminds the listener of a young Blue Rodeo or Tom Petty. There are even moments of brilliant acoustic guitar displaying hints of Iron & Wine, but equipped with strings and other peaceful, yet intriguing instruments: banjo, harmonica and mandolin to name a few. Look no further than the magnificently put together song “To the Daybreak”, displaying all the elements of a band that understands how to create good music; possessing a peaceful, yet heavy sound at the same time. A notable aspect of 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is that in can appeal to fans of any genre. Tracks like “(Bring on That) New Depression” and “Radio Sky” could even lure in fans of a popular mainstream artist like City & Colour or the Tragically Hip.

Are you solely a fan of music from the east coast? No problem, you will find comfort in a song like the beautiful mandolin based “Why Oh Why”. Or simply looking for an upbeat camp fire, cottage or driving sing-a-long song? You will feel satisfied with heavy tracks like “Leader of the Lost Expedition” and “We Know One Thing”. Both present heavy guitars a la Neil Young, the latter being equipped with energetic, fun hand claps and a catchy guitar riff displayed in several different tones. Now is probably the best time to crack out the whiskey and cigarettes, because these tracks will have you singing, clapping and feeling good; taking your thoughts away from every day life, and sending you to a place you will consistently hope to remain.

Perhaps the best feature of 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is the fact that every track will translate with ease to a very high energy, exhilarating and enjoyable live experience. The Warped 45s are everything that the Canadian music scene needs today. But hey, don’t just take my word for it, go and check them out for yourself. There is definitely a good reason why these guys won the 2009 Rogers Fan Choice Award at NXNE, and they should not be avoided; unless of course, you aren’t a fan of good music. If this is indeed the case, I’m sorry for distracting you from your daily viewing of Much Music and MTV.

For those that do enjoy good music, and are hoping to take in a good live experience, be sure to check out The Warped 45s at their CD Release Party on August 20th at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.

www.thewarped45s.com | www.myspace.com/thewarped45s