this year.

It’s interesting how things come around. In discussing a band I have rediscovered I will recall a concert I saw them give 2 years ago, and how they didn’t really impress me.

I came to rediscover The Parkas after hearing them on episode 14 of the CBC radio 3 podcast. But this story starts well before today. I first saw and heard The Parkas play in the fall of 2003 at the El Mocambo, because a friend had gone to school with them in Thunder Bay and recommended they be checked out. Rarely one to turn down a suggested night out, a few people met up to check out the show. Arriving at the show, a singer/songwriter by the name of Teitur was just about to take the stage; but that would be another story. As I recall it The Parkas were the 2nd last band, followed by a horribly loud and incoherent band. Now that I try and think about it, I can’t say I remember to many specifics about their set, other then I was left less then impressed, and the guys looked like a bunch of stereotypical computer science nerds trying to wear flannel and tight jeans. They weren’t a very tight as a group, and I had no desire to see them again.

Now it is 2005 and my musical tastes have slightly changed, matured, and morphed. I know this because I listened to the same 2 songs posted on The Parkas website from 2003 and thought, “These guys are pretty good. It’s a little bit pop, with great hooks, driving guitars, and lyrics that are simple and effective.” The 3 tracks I’ve been able to listen to are the first 3 tracks on the album (which is available at MapleMusic, amazon.ca, and iTunes).

Bus Station Blues – A song about somehow losing your sense of direction at one of the greatest landmarks on earth. I hear a bit of Sloan in this songs lyrics and melody, but generally the song lives on its own with great driving guitars, and hooks. Subtle harmonies come at you from dark corners when you least expect it. (listen)

Giants In My Field – This track reminds me of a local band (Rubber Souls(?)), circa 1997, that I don’t think made it very far. I only learned of them because they were friends of friends. I had an opportunity to see them goof around one weekend and they were good live, but their album suffered from drastic over production. That is how the start of this song feels to be — over produced. Vocals way out front, cutesy addition of sounds and effects that fade into clean audio. It reminds of many tracks from the Rubber Souls album. Probably one of those songs that works better raw and partially acoustic. (download)

This House of Crime – For me this song is dripping with other peoples work. On first listen I could immediately hear The Rolling Stones ‘Heart Of Stone’, as well as Joey Lauren Adams’ ‘Alive’ (from the film Chasing Amy). I love that this song feels raw and that the angst is allowed to pour freely from the singers lips. However, I still have the urge to break into the Alive chorus every time I hear this song. (download)

I have added this band to my personal ‘bands to watch list’ and hope to catch them next time they play a Toronto show (as I was unable to attened NXNE the last few years, and therefore was blisfully unaware they have been making baby steps into the spotlight). The Parkas will be releasing a new album in September 2005, called ‘The Scars To Prove It’.

I’m looking forward to big things from this band I almost lost.