by Seamus Simpson
The Minor Canon is an ambitious pop act. It shows in their new album Emptiness Is Form through the compositions, lyrics, and overall attitude. That being said, I think the band’s ambition may exceed the results.
Emptiness opens strong with “If Wishes Were Horses,” a driving number filled full of horns and searing guitar leads, and “Silence At Your Side,” a jaunty, orchestral, pop gem. From there things go down a notch with the earnest ballad “Between You & Me” whose lush strings and horns allow singer Paul Larson’s voice to shimmer in-between.
But the groups’ impassioned pop starts to get a bit ahead of itself as they delve into more soulful numbers that meander a bit too much and feel lengthy. The shorter songs on the album grab a great sound that the band can build on but longer songs such as “The Safe” and “On The Rocks” seem to start off as good ideas that then drag out about a minute and half too long. Instead of keeping me captivated, I felt like I was stuck following unnecessary time changes and drawn out choruses.
Emptiness Is Form is an inspired record but it seems to be missing a cohesive group vision. I could be way off-target, but the majority of the songs sound like they were written by one member of the band and then everyone else was just brought in. Think more Brian Wilson doing Smile. Songs such as “Forget It’ and “Not There” create the impression of a singer/song writer type who brought in a backing band to fill the songs out rather than a collective interpretation.
I believe there is a really great orchestral pop band in this album, but it could do with bit of “trimming the fat.” If you are a lover of really well put-together pop songs sprinkled with soulful horns, driving piano, and solid harmonies you should give this album a listen.
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