Sometimes the whole idea of going off into an old cabin or house, recording an album, and releasing it can be a cliche thing to do in indie circles. It can be over romanticized and come across as unauthentic, especially when the album is released by a big label or the band does a world wide tour to big crowds. Colleen Collins and David Trenaman are the real thing. They live in an old house along the sea in Port Greville, Nova Scotia where they recorded Mutatis Mutandis. All the recording was done by themselves in their living room studio known as the Quarantine.
This do it yourself style is apparent throughout an album that focuses on the heart and soul of music. Choosing not to dive into synths and electric keys, rather raw guitars, percussion, piano, and vocals. The album opens up with over a minute and a half of haunting acoustic guitar plucking before the vocals of X come in on “the Appeal of the Master Dredger”. That song does an excellent job at setting the table for an album that is equally haunting and personal. Consisting of 8 songs over 26 minutes, the album is easy to digest in one sitting. The trading off of lead vocals keep things fresh throughout the album. The album may not necessary have any of those hit single moments but rather consistently provides a pure and raw glimpse into the talent of Collins and Treneman.
Construction & Destruction – Bear (free download, right click save-as)
Construction & Destruction on CBC Radio 3
