Calendar, the new album from JF Robitaille, may be a pretty straight forward folk pop album, but the pathway to it’s release was anything but. Robitaille has had somewhat of a nomadic life, bouncing back and forth around London, New York City, and Montreal. His hometown of Montreal seems to keep bringing him back, and is where he recorded his latest album. After releasing the critically acclaimed The Blood in My Body EP, he worked on a new album. A new album was completely recorded and mastered, but was lost in a legal kerfuffle after the Rhythmbank label he was on folded in 2008.
Fast forward to 2011, after a move back to Montreal he has released a new album. The album features a backing band with members associated with Elephant Stone, Sunfields, Jenn Grant, Two Minute Miracles and guest appearances from members of Dears, High Dials, and Sunfields. While that is quite the list of musicians name dropped there, this album never feels over crowded or over done. The album is an easy listen. Ranging from the soft duet of male and female vocals on “When We Say Goodbye” or the subtle violin of “The City Trembles”, this album has a soothing affect. Even the more upbeat tracks such as “Enemies” or “For Better Or Worse” stay true to that alt country folk sound that can be so enduring. Throughout the album, Robitaille puts his talents as a gifted songwriter on full display. The lyrical content is what you may expect, songs of lost love, new love, old relationships, and such. While an easy and almost familial listen, at times the album could use a little more variety or excitement to keep the listener engaged over the thirteen tracks.
