The Constantines
Kensington Heights
Arts & Crafts
2008
Rating: 7.5 CN Towers out of 10
When I first heard the Constantines via their self-titled album in 2001, my first impression was their sound came mostly from post-punk idealism ala Fugazi, with a hint of heartland ideals not unlike Bruce Springsteen. Now, seven years later and four albums in, that comparison could probably be flipped – mostly straight forward anthemic rock, with just a hint of that early-nineties DC sound that characterized their early work (and especially their live shows, though that may not have changed much).
But if their sound is growing a little more mainstream, it's coupled with skilled songwriting and musicianship that is reaching higher and higher with each successive release. Honestly, there is only one reason these songs shouldn't (and won't) take commercial radio by storm – Arts & Crafts doesn't have the A&R budget to buy airtime and compete with the big labels. I guess I'm OK with that – I don't have to share one of my favorite bands with the goons of the world, though at the same time this group of Canucks deserve much wider attention than they get.
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