Reviews

Protest the Hero

Fortress

(Vagrant, 2008)

Few acts demonstrate a defined and sensible sonic maturity right out of the gate, particularly in a style as convoluted and head-spinning as extreme rock. This young Ontario quintet did just that with 2005's Kezia, a ferocious and technical album that rubber-stamped considerable underground hype in Canada. Fortress, however, qualifies as a genre-defining release. That's not just because melody and touch are now key components of Protest the Hero's sound ("Bloodmeat" doesn't just shred as much as Kezia did; it allows for scabbing and healing, too). It's also because, with the exception of Mastodon, no post-hard-core act of any import boils metal, punk, prog and jazz together with such tasty and timely results.

Mike Daniel

Allison Moorer

Mockingbird

(New Line Records, 2008)

Ms. Moorer, Shelby Lynne's younger sister, follows her sibling's lead to create a CD of covers by female singer-songwriters. Except that while Ms. Lynne focused solely on Dusty Springfield, Ms. Moorer picks several women to pay tribute to, such as June Carter Cash, Gillian Welch, Joni Mitchell, Julie Miller, Jessi Colter and Nina Simone, among others. Also like her sister, Ms. Moorer pens an original, "Mockingbird," that fits beautifully with the contemplative, melodic and bittersweet tone of the disc. Her take on "Ring of Fire" smolders in a quietly seductive way. "Orphan Train" and Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot" rock in plenty of moody Americana attitude. "I'm Looking for Blue Eyes" mournfully ends the record, showcasing the effortless emotions in Ms. Moorer's voice.

Mario Tarradell

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