Who? This Montreal six-piece — featuring Jace Lasek (vocals/guitar), Olga Goreas (bass), Nicole Lizée (keyboards), Steve Raegele (guitar), Richard White (guitar), and Kevin Laing (drums) — is surely one of indie rock’s dark horses for 2007. Between their sunshiny harmonies and wintry, psychedelic instrumentation, the Canadian collective delivers a hypnotic post-rock/experimental sound that’s a bit dusky compared to their fellow Canucks in Broken Social Scene and the Arcade Fire. Their Jagjaguwar debut album, The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse, speaks volumes on the band’s sudden arrival, too.
What’s the Deal? The Besnard Lakes’ slow-paced shoegaze-like sound gives their music the depth that makes it better with every listen, also bringing comparisons to the founders of the genre, My Bloody Valentine. The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse consists of only eight tracks, but what the album lacks in quantity is made up for in quality — try the epic “And You Lied to Me” for echoey vocals and chilling, drawn out guitar hooks.
Fun fact: Despite their darkness, the Besnard Lakes have a lot of love goin’ around: Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas are married, while Steve Raegele and Nicole Lizée are also a couple. LAVINIA WRIGHT
Now Hear This: – The Besnard Lakes – “And You Lied to Me” DOWNLOAD MP3
On the Web: thebesnardlakes.com
Talk: Are you ready to put your money down on the Besnard Lakes?
