http://www.michaelfeuerstack.com
http://www.forwardmusicgroup.com
Canadian indie rock act, Michael Feuerstack on his new record The Forgettable Truth in part leaves behind some of music he has perfected the last twenty years, here he is more melodic and less rock alternative. The new album is awash in subtle pop hooks, quirky riffs, beautiful melodies and easy on the ear lead, the kind of music that gets to the inner soul of the listener, whisk them away from the drudgery of everyday life, problems, fears and other aspects of modern day living in our ever shrinking world.
Supporting Feuerstack (vocals, guitar, steel guitar, percussion) who apart from his solo records also recorded as Snail House, you have Peter Xirogiannis (bass, backing vocals), Michael Belya (drums), Pietro Amato (keys, French horn) plus Sebastian Chow (many violins), Nick Cobham and Laurel Sprengelmeyer on harmony vocals.
Though the hooky pop entries have a place you soon become tired of nice and begin to hanker for something with an edge, feisty. Something you can sink your teeth into, music and lyrics of the street, although real street life is there, only his voice and production is warmer, and the edges smoothed out.
It took till “The Devil” for anything daring or where I instinctively thought this has something of note, quick, direct and with an incessant rhythm Feuerstack never stops probing. Sombre, and a little dragging in tempo “Cemetery Trees”, and with a keener, deeper dug “Mother Tongue” has Feuerstack’s work gain a greater significance.
Of the remainder “Talking Blues” with its world-weary feel enjoys more of the depth just mentioned, beauty too as Feuerstack winds his way patiently home, and last but not least final track “Monrovia” and shuffling “Blue Light”, though a mite dreamy it too has an honest feel. Pop, indie rock meets art is how I would best view Michael’s latest record.
Maurice Hope