caledonia

I took the meandering approach to the second night of the NEMO Music Festival, deciding to stop in places I like, to hear what I could hear. And it's a testament to the festival's bookers that I only intended to stay in each place for a few songs and ended up hanging out for almost full sets.

The Abbey Lounge played host to the "Halifax Explosion," a full night of bands from Nova Scotia. I caught Caledonia, who played a mix of modern rock, reggae and country wearing classy influences like the Police, Luna and Elvis Costello on its nattily attired sleeve. They even did a spot on version of Costello's "Watching the Detectives," which gives you a sense of both their chops and what their own sense of dynamics are. Each of their originals had a sense of structure and craftmanship. Special props to bassist Zac Course who laid down tasteful, bubbly grooves under lead singer-guitarist Steve Gates' skewed licks. Really good stuff.
-Sarah Rodman - the Boston Globe

It seems that every folk or alt-country style band I’ve fallen in love with in recent days hails from our neighbor to the north. That’s Canada for the geographically challenged. Caledonia are the most recent twang-tinged band to grace our inbox and their debut album, We Are America, has been in steady rotation for a few weeks now.

I always love a good band back story. Caledonia’s bio talks of the lead singer/guitarist looking into the mirror at his friend’s apartment in Calgary. Steve Gates saw the signs of his crossroad from the darkness under his eyes and two days on a bus from the Yukon didn’t help. To commemorate the occasion he shaved his head, wandered the streets and penned the lyrics for “Restless Year,” the opening track off of We Are America.

And it’s a great track that grabs you when you realize the lyrics really say “The art fag in my is restless.” I had to rewind a few times to see if I was hearing correctly. After “Restless Year” you fall right into the Americana styled title track that starts off with vocal harmonies over an acoustic guitar before kicking into gear at the 34 second mark. A bit later you’ll hear an indie pop rocker “Friday Night Rock Song” that’s becoming the highlight of the album for me.

It’s Caledonia’s debut so there’s not much to complain about, especially since there are some really great singles, but the juice of the album seemed front-loaded and my attention began to fade toward the end. One thing is for sure, though. We Are America shows that Caledonia is a band to keep your eyes on in the coming years. - http://www.hearya.com/2009/05/22/caledonia-we-are-america-album-review/

5 SONGS YOU GOTTA HEAR TODAY:

“The Plague” by Caledonia

This seems appropriate, given what’s been happening in the world over the last month; with a song called “The Plague” we have a band called Caledonia. They’re made up of people from Halifax and Toronto and the track can best be described as a dark ska song with some interesting harmonies. Have a look at their Myspace page to hear for yourself. - Alan Cross (Explore Music, 102.1 the edge)

...Indie guitar rock blasts give way to super smooth Steely Dan-style harmonies (without the syrupy jazz leanings), which in turn slip into a Cure guitar wall of sound. Juggling various styles in a seamless fashion is a gift, and Caledonia sequence their record in grand fashion....Superb.
(4/5 star rating) - (x)Press (Ottawa) The Hour (Montreal)

...The album’s primary focus is the harmful nature of self-doubt and how it contributes heavily to blame and an utter lack of morale. It is a topic that they explore effectively, nonetheless helped by an impressive musical backdrop that exposes indie-rock in the way it should be: diverse and ardently effective.

http://obscuresound.com/?p=3001
- Obscure Sound

Just as that flu bug sneaks out of Mexico, Halifax rockers Caledonia come along with a kicking good song that's got a little bit of reggae, a lot of slamming guitars, and a way of stacking up the vocals like pancakes on Sunday. - The Globe & Mail

“As opposed to nationalistic pride or delusion, Caledonia focuses on the events that rip us all apart; death, growing older, uncertainty, leaving home and wanting nothing more than to return. Thankfully, Caledonia’s cases these deep and dark thoughts in a collection of ambitious hooks, atmospheric undercurrents and a melting pot of influences. ...an emotional density waiting just below the surface on almost every track that leaves you pleasantly off balance.” - Hero Hill

“A five-piece band based in both Canada’s east and middle, Caledonia’s a mix of individuals bringing a mosaic of different experiences to the table. What was created was an exploration of the notion of blame as an expression of our own self-doubt. A collaboration from the members’ personal experiences of both hope and anxiety. Put them on your radar.” - Indie Music Filter

We Are America is a record that is both dense and spacious—there are plenty of layers to be peeled back and devoured, but at the same time there's a remarkable clarity to the album's production, allowing for various sounds to coexist within a single song. The record ebbs and flows, making for a listening experience that can be challenging, but which is also well worth the exploration. - Vue Magazine (Edmonton)

"...the Halifax band successfully stretch across various regions of music. There’s the harmonious alt-rock title track, or the kinda funky “The Plague” & “The Victim”. Opener “Restless Year” is evocative and haunting, neither over- nor under-done, while “Too Old” and “Same Old Lies” bring a bit of psychedelica. The sadness goes from the twang of “I’m Tired” to the alt-country carry of “Light Rock Station”, not to mention the restrained fuzz of “Burning the Day”." - QRO Magazine (New York)