Altsounds - City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love

As a fan of his previous work there was a lot weighing on this album for me. All i could think of was, what could Dallas do to make this album better than the ones that had come before? The answer was clear. Dallas has made the album he wanted to, not the album fans had expected and this shows with the largely different styles. This however, is not a bad thing at all. Far from it in fact. This is an album from an artist that has matured lyrically and musically.

The album opens to the sound of a guitar case being opened and lots of footsteps and movement and then a soft guitar comes floating out of the speakers. The album opener, "Forgive Me" and the second track, "Confessions" have already been aired on the Live album released last year so you already are aware of what to expect from this outing. These tracks, along with the rest of the album have more of a darker moody feeling in comparison to his previous efforts. The lyrics also reflect that change. The line that sticks in my mind is from "Body In A Box"...."The reaper crept in, took his breath away, In the middle of the night". In my mind it strikes a compelling visual element that just wasn't there before. And mixed with such haunting vocals its hard to shake that, even after the song has finished.

Musically as well, Dallas has ventured further away from the simple acoustic guitar and piano from his first album in favor for a wide mixture including Banjo, Harmonica and Organ. These add to an ever increasing mood that just one man and a guitar would not be able to capture.

This is a strong and powerful album from an artist that is talented beyond his years and is not afraid to wear his emotions and influences heavily on his sleeves. With guest vocals from The Tragically Hip's Gordon Downie, mass hand claps and group singing, this feels like you have been invited to a group of friends intimate jamming session in a church hall more than it does just listening to an album.

It has a warm open sound but still hints at a weathered bluesy performer screaming to be let out. All i can hope is that the new Alexisonfire material takes lead from this album and turns the whole music industry on its head and surprises us all.

I throughly recommend giving this album a chance and let it penetrate your thoughts and you will find yourself pulled back to the start of the album again as soon as the last chords on the final track have fallen silent.

Review by Gavin Smith