A lot of the bands that QRO has caught from their start aren’t around anymore, but thankfully Hamilton, Ontario’s The Rest still are, and are out with their third full-length, SEESAW. After the impressive 2007 debut in Atlantis, Oh Our Saviour (QRO review), channeling the indie-orchestral sound so popular north of the border (and increasingly in the U.S. of A. as well), 2009’s follow-up Everyone All At Once (QRO review) saw the seven-piece collective go yet more orchestral, if a little over-ambitious, even for these skilled musicians. SEESAW keeps just the right level of orchestral, while adding a frenetic energy to make for their best release yet.
With seven members, including cello and organ, it’s not surprising that The Rest try to do a lot – what is surprising is how well they pull it off. They do an effective high orchestral procession in opener "Who Knows", get a frenetic activity (akin to fellow Canadians Wolf Parade – QRO live review) with brightness in "Hey! For Horses", go expansive and effective with single "John Huston", bring a catchy Rest party on "Young and Innocent", and even combine a calypso beat to both their energy & grandeur on "Laughing Yearning". They reach for the stars, and largely make it, though when The Rest stick only to expansion and slow wash, it’s not as impressive, and can even come off as too sweet, such as in closer "Slumber".
Click here for photos of The Rest at CMJ 2010 in New York, NY in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for QRO’s review of The Rest at Piano’s in New York, NY on June 18th, 2009
The Rest started great, with a debut album far more accomplished than any debut album by a bunch of kids had any right to be. The reached even higher for their follow-up, but have now grown up enough to reach for the stars while still able to have their feet on the ground.
MP3 Stream: "Laughing Yearning"
