(photo by Alex Wagner)
The last several years has seen a high-volume of genre-dodging output from our very neighborly neighbors up in Canada. The seminal, noteworthy, and just-plain outstanding Arts & Crafts label has provided homes to some of the most critically acclaimed artists of recent years (Broken Social Scene, Stars, Feist, The Most Serene Republic, etc.), and we need not even mention the innovative explosion of 2004 which surfaced in the form of Arcade Fire.
Islands, of all bands currently on the ‘buzz’ market, are no exception, and fit comfortably alongside many of our aforementioned experimental neighbors. The Montreal-based sextet are revved up for their sophomore release ‘Arm’s Way,’ their first album with ANTI, making them label-mates with Tom Waits, Nick Cave, and Neko Case among others. From the preview-sounds available on MySpace (Creeper, and The Arm) they appear to be moving into an area of more lush orchestration, and you can hear vocalist Nick Thorburn pushing his boundaries of personal expression. Considering how well their 2006 debut ‘Return To The Sea’ was received, no doubt their upcoming tour will be well-attended, and hopefully, well-received.
The album will be available for purchase (you can pre-order now) via the usual outlets (iTunes, InSound, Amazon) on 20 May 08 in North America, and 19 May in Europe.
Their extensive upcoming North American tour commences 22 May in support of ‘Arm’s Way.’ Watch the video for ‘The Arm’ below.
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