Champion Heartache releases new CD May 31
May 23, 2008 - 04:30 AM
By William McGuirk
The remains of an empty bottle of rye, shattered, lie among the clumps of broken windshield amid the debris, the dirt and gravel of the highway. Light from the emergency vehicles is refracted through the glass. Each piece provides a different view of the scene around. The story, as seen through these shards, is told on the debut recording from the Champion Heartache.
Only it isn't.
When I presented my take on the record to lyricist Matt Holtby recently, at the open mic he hosts at Johnny B's Sundays, he was surprised at my assessment. Holtby, aka Matt Diamond of 94.9s New Rock @ 9, it seems, is more literal that metaphorical. He's a straight-shooting chap who is not going to take a paragraph to say I love you. (Makes for a good radio host, not so good for a music scribe.)
There is a story to the album and it's tracked accordingly. The tale is the tale of the Champion Heartache told in song. The accident imagery referred to could be the accidental way in which the Heartache grew. The first track with its rainy intro and somber piano is the first track bedded by Holtby and collaborator Billy Blasko. As the album progresses the songs reflect the growth of the band over the time it took to record. Brendan Lawless joins and his guitar licks and lines add an extra dimension. Craig Toutant joins on drums and a band grows from an initial solo project to a group and the inherent dynamics.
Now the real work of CH the band begins. Trish Robb, Sean MacLean (who created the album artwork from a piece by Geordie Lishman) and Derek Giberson are now all players. Matt says this is a democratic entity and, in his direct style, he describes them as family. I could add I notice the gleam of a tear in his eye as he speaks fondly of his friends but I won't. The last song is an ode to his brother. His new family copes with the issues of his actual.
The band will be called out when they play Johnny Bs May 31. It's the CD release. It should be dubbed the Champion Heartache Family Picnic. Blasko's band The Stables (Poor Pelly played on the album too) will open as will Jonas Bonnetta who plays on the record. Also The Stellas who, as owners of the Music Scene, allowed Matt and his mates access to whatever resources where needed.
So the music? Alt-country is an acceptable genre within which to place the CH. Wilco and Elliott Smith are influences. On this side of the border, one can hear The Hip and Lowest Of The Low in there, Jim Cuddy's Blue Rodeo, Hayden. It's carefully crafted music with the spontaneity intact.
William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.
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