Restorations - Restorations

Restorations

Restorations

Coping with aging may be a common theme permeating today’s punk scene, but how Restorations convey it on their self-titled debut is anything but common. The band’s compositions are vast and their song structures are unconventional: Distant, swirling guitars often merge with drums that quietly build and break into huge bridges (“Nonlocality,” “Canadian Club”). Vocalist Jon Loudon’s delivery is weathered and world-weary, making the lyrical introspection (“Neighborhood Song,” “Broken Vacuum”) that much more palpable. Loud yet distant, their aesthetic could be compared to that of the Constantines, an underappreciated, relatively inactive Canadian group who have forged a similar sound over the years. Still, the attributes that make Restorations so exciting will simultaneously make it a tough sell for listeners yearning for more hooks and choruses. However, it’s an album that’s meant to be experiences as an album—and it’s more than worth the effort it requires.

Tiny Engines http://www.tinyengines.net

“Neighborhood Song”