Joel Plaskett Emergency

“With La De Da, one of this country’s brightest young talents provides even more proof that the singer-songwriter tradition that turned troubadours like Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young into national icons is alive and well.”

- Canadian Music Network

Fully flexed, The Joel Plaskett Emergency releases their fifth and most vibrant album yet, displaying the musical intelligence of Plaskett. The album is constructed in a story format, starting with an Introduction of peculiar mixings, but once this has passed the tracks take off in perfect formation. Instrumentally, there is more prominence of digital sounds within the tracks than previous albums, especially on Fashionable People which is a nicely composed pop song comparable to Nowhere With You in its catchy beat.

On the first half of Ashtray Rock the musical style of the songs seems to progress in time, moving through the ages and the feeling of growing older, a definite theme within Plaskett's lyrics. The high point of the album comes with Snowed In/Cruisin'. If there were ever a song to transcend Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Joel Plaskett Emergency have pulled it off here.

Continuing on in perfect story form there is a fall in the tempo and the lyrics move towards reflection to make you feel that a lesson has been learnt by that person who is growing older, and cleverly ending with the Outroduction*. Lyrically this album is transfixed in the coming of age tale of young Canadians mixed with some of the most brilliantly composed music from The Joel Plaskett Emergency to date.

This is a remarkable album.

Brayden Unwin
April 2007
- Beatroute Magazine

MapleMusic ( 05/02/07)

(4 stars ****)

Nova Scotia's Joel Plaskett successfully merges his '70s-style rock side and his mellower acoustic on the Emergency's latest effort. It's a loose concept album based on the fictional story of a band from Nova Scotia forming in high school at the teen hangout "Ashtray Rock" (an actual place in Northcliffe Park), then later breaking up over a girl. The album kicks off with the sing-along party anthem "Drunk Teenagers". Following that is the title track, a little piano-led ditty (played by none other than The Faces/Small Faces Ian McLagan), and then "Fashionable People", a song likely to have fans arguing over how good it is or isn't. The song has got a great groove and a killer bridge leading into the chorus ... but then it gets to the chorus, a poppy falsetto bit that, depending on your taste is either really cool or really irritating. It's grown on me a bit, but still. That however, is the only part of the album that has me scratching my head. "Snowed In/Cruisin'" starts off as an awesome rocker that breaks down later into a dreamy, acoustic guitar-led piece. "Face Of The Earth" is another upbeat, catchy tune. It's the latter part of the album where he slows things down a bit. "The Glorious Life" is a sweeping story song and "Chinatown/For The Record" is a sweet little acoustic-plucked nugget. An awesome instrumental track with snippets of dialogue and a rocking ending builds the album towards it's grand finale in "Soundtrack for the Night" that you'll find yourself singing along to before you know it.

It takes a few listens for everything to sink in, but it's worth it. A great record.

- Moncton Times & Transcript

JOEL PLASKETT EMERGENCY Ashtray Rock (Maple/Universal)

April 2007

A minute into hoser anthem "Drunk Teenagers," there's a gang-hollered, "I hate Clayton Park!" It's a line sure to send panic shivers through the hearts of fans of Plaskett's last band, Thrush Hermit. But the lyric is merely an attention-grabbing dangle to Ashtray Rock's greater narrative. It's really a concept album about two young rockers caught in a band-fracturing love triangle. It's easily the best thing Plaskett's ever done, as well as one of the most ambitiously executed Can-rock records in years. On their own, the songs are superb. In first single "Snowed In/Cruisin'" and "The Instrumental," Plaskett brilliantly reclaims the riff-rock he'd seemingly forgotten in his solo years. The Mamas And The Papas tease of "Nothing More To Say" is ensnaring, and "Fashionable People" is like an anti-Bowie response track plucked from the past. Best, though, is that beyond being excellent songs on their own, they all work towards the greater story, which you'll be busy listening to over and over in order to uncover the subtle details. Ashtray Rock is the album where Plaskett makes his case to follow names like Young, Lightfoot and Cohen. Aaron Brophy
- Chart Attack

"Its easily the best thing Plaskett's ever done, as well as one of the most ambitiously executed Can-rock records in years…Ashtray Rock is the album where Plaskett makes his case to follow names like Young, Lightfoot and Cohen. - Eye Weekly – Toronto Star ****

"Ashtray Rock has been building since its release in mid-April. Acclaimed as this Best-ever record, the disc is sure to rocket the rail-thin rocker to the top of the alternative music scene. For once, it's time to believe the hype: Joel Plaskett's Ashtray Rock is a flat-out sonic masterpiece."

Ron Foley MacDonald
- The Daily News - Ron Foley MacDonald

I guess you could say I'm a Joel Plaskett fan. I might as well put that out there right off the bat. If you come over to my house, I'll pause the Make a Little Noise DVD at just the right moment when you can see me in the crowd, clapping and bobbing around to the melody.

I will also confess upfront that I am also a band geek. I'm a trumpet player, but any and all instrumental tunes will do.

So imagine my euphoria as Plaskett appears from backstage, clad in his unique style in white suspenders and '30s-inspired tuxedo pants, and behind him is the 37-piece Symphony Nova Scotia.

As part of the Halifax Pop Explosion and the Symphony Nova Scotia's Maritime Pop series, the two genres intertwined to create a generation-joining soiree of music.

I've never experienced a Joel Plaskett Emergency concert while sitting in a chair; I'm used to wiggling my way through a sweaty crowd to get closer to the stage. But the atmosphere of the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium was warm and inviting, just as a concert with the boy next door should be. After all, how many musicians bring friends and family along? Plaskett's dad Bill and sister Anna, as well as other friends and, of course, The Emergency nestled in with the symphony for the ideal fit.

Plaskett blended nicely in a somewhat more formal setting than his patrons are accustomed to and it was a notably different crowd than one that might rush the stage at a Keith's birthday celebration.

Many audience members raised their hands when asked if it was their first Plaskett show. Many of the university-aged groupies admitted to never having seen the symphony. So maybe it was a cultural eye-opener for all involved.

In Work Out Fine, Plaskett called for some help from the audience with the line "what the f--k" and some shocked laugher came from the Plaskett newbies.

The rich tones of the symphony rounded out Plaskett's unique melody, thanks to the noteworthy arrangements of Dave Christensen.

In typical fashion, Plaskett joked and adlibbed throughout; making the audience feel as though each song was written just for them and their concert experience.

Plaskett soloed on a few tunes, like when he brought out his famous $8 Casio keyboard out for Television Set.

The enduring home-town boy never ceases to amaze me. This show was full of talent, energy and reminded us all what we love most about music.

lkeilty@hfxnews.ca
- Daily News

“A songwriter’s holy trinity - Nova Scotia rocker Joel Plaskett reflects on touring, composing, and inviting listeners on a long ride.” - Globe & Mail

“What makes this better than his previous solo outings is the immediacy and intimacy that recording at home afforded him. It’s as if he spent most of his time honing the songs and then recorded them quickly and casually. The resulting minimalism and rawness complements the concept beautifully – and unpretentiously.”
- Now Magazine ****

“I’m not sure any Canadian artist has finally tuned their style as well as Joel Plaskett. His unique palette of influence and inspiration blends an appreciation of the history of music – fiddle, vinyl, country, R & B, the constant themes of being home and traveling the world – but avoids any of the pitfalls that plague artists that rely on the past by keeping his songs upbeat and energetic. He splices tradition with drum machines beats, crunching indie inspired riffs and clever word poetry, and as a result he’s able to expose fans to musicians long since forgotten without alienating people who fell in love with his previous efforts.” - herohill.com