You have no idea

I love this blog.  Maybe I don’t say it enough, and maybe I’m too hard on myself sometimes, but man, do I ever love getting new music on a regular basis, and discovering something that I wouldn’t have normally come across if I wasn’t the curator of QBiM.  It’s a dual-edged sword writing a blog, because you’re being pulled in two directions:  your own personal taste and passions, and music that you may not be a fan of, but will draw attention of new readers and garner you some pretty impressive page hits.  There are some bogs out there that are all about the page hits; others seem to be writing totally for themselves.  Lately, I think I belong with the group writing totally for themselves, because, with the exception of a few odd posts here and there, every artists and album that I blog about here is something that I would endorse.  It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a big name band working with an army of publicists or a small-time unknown band who drops me an email with an mp3 attached, if it moves me I’ll give the music some face time.

For example, if it wasn’t for this blog, I may never have heard of Tin Star Orphans, the Toronto-based band who release their debut album, Yonder, today.  This quintet effortlessly blend the alt-country flare of Wilco with the grandness of Arcade Fire, and turn out stomping, catchy songs that soar and build to crescendo after crescendo.  Front man Zachary Bennett has one heck of a howl; his vocal gymnastics  give these songs a life and vitality that make them literally jump from the speakers.  Vocally he’s a dead ringer for David Gray (with less head wobbling), and he shares Gray’s passion-filled delivery.  The band itself is a tight unit, rounded out by Travis Ferris on bass, Dean Marino on guitars (whom you may remember we introduced you to as EX~PO), Todd Harrison on just about anything, and Johnny Rowe on drums.  Marino and Bennett co-produced Yonder, creating a varied and intricate album that rocks, strums, strolls and sucks you in with just one listen.  I can’t remember the last time I heard an alt-country album that sounded this bloody good.

Tin Star Orphans will be at Toronto’s venerable Horseshoe Tavern tonight for 102.1’s Nu Music Nite, celebrating Yonder’s nation-wide release on Sparks Music, and have a smattering of dates set up in the city for the rest of the month.  Do yourself a favour, and buy this album.  You can thank me later.

MP3: Tin Star Orphans “Let You Down”
Facebook: Tin Star Orphans
Myspace: Tin Star Orphans
Twitter: Tin Star Orphans
Buy: Tin Star Orphans Yonder

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