Woodpigeon "Die Stadt Muzikanten"

Those most remarkable thing about this remarkable collection (not a double album as much as two full lengths "Die Stadt Muzikanten " and the more stripped down acoustic "Balladeer" in one package) is that over 28 songs and nearly two hours of music it never once falters. An obvious testament to the amazing talent assembled on both sides of the microphone (word up Arran Fisher) but ultimately hinging on the powerfully awesome songwriting of front man Mark Hamilton.
At the center of all the crashing drums, exploding horns, soaring strings and angelic McGarrigle-esque backing vocals is Mr. Hamilton's own breathless voice and lyrical poetry (equal parts longing, dry humour and uplift.
With the similarly epic 24 song collection "Treasure Library Canada" released just last year, Mark Hamiltion might soon find himself on the "songwriters of frightening large output" list with Ryan Adams and Stephen Merrit. Do they wake up in the morning and have to wrestle their song-stuffed heads off the pillow? How about lyric migraines?
So "Die Stadt Muzikanten".... a celebration of consistent outstanding awesomeness, which is not to say their aren't a few standout tracks for me. "My Denial in Argyle" a total spirit-lifter, the Steve Albini produced "An Entanglement of Weeds" (from "Balladeer") and it's thundering cello will haunt your dreams. "The Street Noise Gives You Away" builds into something massive and massively special. But my personal fave, the startling "Our Love is as Tall as the Calgary Tower" a duet with the talk of Montreal, Jane Vain. It's simple and true and scary close to perfect.
I like that, Woodpigeon..."scary close to perfect"

10/10

http://www.woodpigeon-songbook.com/