Novillero - A Little Tradition

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 26 / 2 / 2009

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Review

Canadian music has become more important (and, indeed, well known in the UK) over recent years and I am not referring to the rise of the dreadful Celine Dion. Of all the people that went down on the Titanic, surely she was a more deserving candidate that those that actually perished, had she been around at the time… Anyway, I was actually referring to bands like the Dears and the criminally undervalued (and sadly now defunct) the Organ, who have helped pave the way for others such as Novillero to come to prominence. Novillero have, in fact, been around for the best part of a decade and 'A Little Tradition' is their third long player following 'Brindleford Follies' and 'Aim Right For The Holes In Their Lives' and probably their most impressive collection to date. Despite their Mod-pop leanings, it is difficult to completely pigeon hole the band as this album offers up nods to a whole host of peers and contemporaries. Opening track ‘Life In Parentheses’, for example, appears to pay homage to the music of Morrissey’s band circa Your Arsenal, while the pure pop of the title track can surely be traced back to the jangle of the Housemartins. ‘Plastic Bag’ hints at both Oasis and Rialto and ‘Shadowboxing’ could easily be the new Strokes single. Green Day also appear to be an influence on such tracks as ‘Stand Up For Our Side’ and ‘The Printed Word (Sucks For Inflection)’. Elsewhere, album highlight ‘Lost Possibilities’ is a classic three minute pop nugget and guest vocalist Keri Latimer helps the band explore another angle on the light jazzy stroll that is ‘Daydreams & Distractions’. A fine and pleasingly eclectic set from an established Canadian band who could yet make waves overseas.

Track Listing:-

1 Life In Parentheses
2 A Little Tradition
3 Shadowboxing
4 Stand Up for Our Side
5 Plastic Flag
6 Daydreams & Distractions
7 Lost Possibilities
8 The Prank Note
9 Paco Rabanne
10 The Printed Word (Sucks for Inflection)
11 Daydream Reprise
12 Far From Too Far
13 Camaraderie or Bust