Brent Randall and his Pinecones

"Best known as Mark Bragg's bass player, Brent Randall steps out in a
major way. An ambitious and skillfully written effort, Quite Precisely is driven by Randall's knack for melody and tasteful piano-playing. "Television and Treasure" conjures the spirit of Mott the Hoople while "In Horsedrawn Delight" marches and soars like classic Britpop......one of the best local debuts in recent memory."


-Chuck Teed - The Coast

By Helen Spitzer
July 07, 2004

It’s safe to say there isn’t anything quite like this in Canadian music right now. With his enthusiasm for the overwrought gesture, Mr. Randall and his Halifax entourage make musical theatre for the indie set. The result is a weird distillation of the Ben Kweller, the Bee Gees and ELO, including full choir arrangements. A fondness for over-the-top is prerequisite here, though occasionally our Mr. Randall lets it get away from him. If the album suffers from anything, it is his tendency to pile it all on, every single time. The last several songs point the album in a more promising direction and opens up new terrain for the backing Pinecones. A solid effort on a debut that quite precisely introduces an original voice. - Exclaim Magazine

As I've mentioned many times before, although I live in Vancouver, it's not all nature parks and pleasantries. In fact, there are homeless people everywhere, tons of violence and copious amounts of rain. It's an incredibly depressing walk on dark Monday mornings, but today was a bit different.

Brent Randall's blissful melodies boomed out of my headphones, and it was almost like being in that Coke commercial where Grand Theft Auto-land is suddenly a sunshine filled paradise. With the bouncing bass line, horns, sleigh bells, and playful electric noodle of Bluebirds, Flowers, and Other Things dancing around whimsically I started to smile uncontrollably. And when Randall crooned - "we scrub-a-dub dub in the fountain" over the gentlest of hand claps, it was impossible not to get that extra pep in my step.

That actually holds true for all of Brent's new record, We Were Strangers in Paddington Green. He's a troubadour with a great sense of melody and an appreciation for complex arrangements. From the opening moments of Strange Love (Don't be Lazy), you can't help but be impressed by Randall's ability to manage instruments. The song starts with some xylophone, electric guitar, twinkling ivories and percussion blocks but somehow every note is crystal clear. It never seems crowded and over the four-minute song he incorporates angelic harmonies, and slow pulled strings and transports you into a mellow, dream like state.

It would be hard to listen to Randall and not mention his appreciation for Randy Newman or Nilsson, but these songs have a pop sensibility that will appeal to McCartney fans. And while the songs may include lush arrangements and countless musical instruments, they aren't dependent on them. He's a commanding enough front man to draw you close with just his piano and voice. Despite all of the accompaniment on Snowdrops, it's the ivory and dueling vocals that shine the brightest.

I know cabaret pop isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the diversity Randall shows on this record is enough that almost any listener should find something to grab hold off. Whether it's the McCartney-esque pop of Bluebirds, the bossa nova shuffle of the quick hitting The Nightingale and The Rose or the Rufus Wainright charm of Lions Valley, Randall & the Pinecones make the tracks surprisingly accessible. They are able to change emotion and tempo enough to keep you interested, for example the driving push of the infectious This House is contrasted nicely by the emotional weight of Sweet Thames and Slumberjack.

I think that has a lot to do with the time taken developing the songs and spent in the studio. When the record finished, I was left with one thought solidified in my mind. Randall & his Pinecones really pay attention to the details. Every song felt complete, fleshed out but never overstated. Nothing was added to try to bolster the sound and often the band passes the conch, letting each sound express itself clearly without too many distractions. With the help of Jason MacIsaac, Randall's visions come to life. Each note plays a role and adding a crisp percussion block or harmony at just the right moment seems to rank equally with the guitar, piano or strings.

People always talk about how same-sy the indie scene has become. For all those people, I challenge you to listen to Brent Randall. Here's a group of people trying something outside of most people's listening comfort zone and pulling it off easily. It's sunshine filled bliss with the occasional rain cloud filled grey sky and it's well worth a listen.
- herohill.com

Friday night saw Brent Randall & His Pinecones playing in a venue that didn't really match their piano driven pop wonderment. In fact, the grit and grime of the Astoria couldn't have been a more opposing force to the sweet sounds Brent plays. Cheap draft, bike messengers and men drinking alone are usually more fitting for terrible punk bands, but none the less, it was great to finally get to see this band.

Sadly, the set was far too short for me, but the band sounded great.

Cramming six people on the tiny stage at the Astoria is like watching people pile into a clown car - during sound check Brian O'Reilly actually had to stand on the stairs to give the sound man time to work and avoid standing on one foot like Daniel-san in crane kick mode - but the end result was terrific. Backed by Dave's steady drumming and the nicely synced electric and bass guitars, Brent was able to add a surprising amount of energy to the songs. With Laura and Jess providing spot-on harmonies the songs still sounded full, but had a much more lively feel than the lush recordings the band is known for. The highlight for me was Strange Love (Don't Be Lazy), but the entire set flew by much too quickly. For anyone looking for a great night of music, make sure you check these guys out as the head back across the country.

My camera crapped out, so I only got a few pics and no live recordings but you can check out some great shots here. - herholl.com