Three full-length records later and Canadian indie-rockers Said The Whale still have what it takes to stun the masses and put out a jaw-dropping
record. Their third debut, Little Mountains, was released March 6 via Hidden Pony Records/EMI and proves to be one of their more exploratory ventures.
Said The Whale have been making music for the better part of 5 years, starting back in 2007 with the release of their first EP Taking Abalonia. Since then, they have toured the US, released four more EPs and two full-length records as well winning one of the highest accolades in their homeland – a JUNO award for New Group of The Year.
Little Mountains finds the group retaining their pop smarts while gambling with elements of rock that were scarce during their previous records. As a multi-stylistic tour-de-force, each track offers something unique and individual that causes it to stand out from the rest of the record.
Little Mountain finds Said The Whale’s sound pulled in a dozen different directions, but not to their disadvantage. Offering an eclectic mix of pop, rock, techno and dashes of cabaret strewn about the album, audiences can’t be sure what to expect next.
Styles range from jaggedly syncopated rock (“We Are 1980”), effervescent pop (“Loveless”) and horn-heavy cabaret (“The Reason”). Their single from the album (“Heavy Ceilings”) provides upbeat rhythms and a big build-up to catchy hooks present in the chorus, proving to be a wonderful dance-floor ditty.
While lacking the innocence that could be found in their previous releases, Said The Whale still manage to still cater to audience expectations while also keeping true to their creative and idiosyncratic nature. Steering clear of recording an album laden with cliché broken-hearted songs about love, the group continues with one of their most important talents, the ability to tell a story through their music.
Whether it’s advice in love from member Ben Worcester’s grandfather in “Big Sky, MT” or the experience of leaving their hometown for tour in “Big Wave Goodbye”, Said The Whale doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to captivating listeners’ attention.
The band will be touring throughout the US and Canada this spring as well as performing at festivals such as SXSW and Sasquatch.
