Revolution Winter
For its recent cross-country jaunt Calgary’s Stalwart Sons adopted the title “Earnest goes on tour.” One would be hard-pressed to come up with something more fitting; Jim Varney was surely fist-pumping from beyond the Pearly Gates. Yet while heart-on-sleeve sincerity typifies this post-hardcore trio there are plenty of other factors that make this LP a satisfying gut-punch. On top of Rites of Spring-style melodic aggression these 10 songs are imbued with classic rock-informed riffs with more bends than the Bow River. Frontman Kevin Stebner shreds vocal cords like his life depends on it bassist Matt Learoyd injects a pop sensibility with his catchy bouncing lines while drummer LeeJay Dunphy keeps it simple and rock-solid throughout. No frills ironic inside jokes or unnecessary gimmicks are to be found here just timeless tunes pressed onto wax from Stebner’s own Revolution Winter imprint. True patriot love in all thy Sons command.
