Both Winnipeg and Smallman have hit home runs around Lucky13. First we were graced with the pleasure of hearing Sights & Sounds, then we reviewed Burnthe8track who also hail from Winnipeg and now in front of me I have the latest from Winnipeg’s Sick City.

 

Sick City’s drummer is Joel Neufeld, who also helms the skins in Sights & Sounds, who must be ecstatic at having success in 2 bands – Not many people get to see the road in one band, let alone 2 that don’t suck.

 

Sick City play tightly-wound rock with just a hint of pop influences – There’s no bubblegum here though, it’s mature and refined. Sick City sound like they’ve been playing together for years. Most bands take at least an album or so to mature and find their sound but these guys have accomplished that with just an EP behind them and a history that is barely 3 years old.

 

The disc incorporates many elements from the rock genre of music – the disc is peppered with some background screams, some heavy guitar work and some upbeat tempo’s that make this a refined package – there’s something for everyone here, and that is not a bad thing. Singer Josh Youngson has a clean and distinct voice that soars above the band especially on the track Moving, Not Moving Forward.

 

I wish I knew exactly what it was that makes these bands so good. Maybe it’s the big sky in Manitoba, the exclusion and distance from any of life’s bullshit. Perhaps the air or water is cleaner, but the one thing I do know for sure is that Sick City make quality music, and they should be proud of their achievements even so early in the game.

 

So go forth, see them in your city and don’t forget to remind them how good this record makes you feel.

 

http://www.myspace.com/sickcity

 

The album is out Sept. 25^th in Canada on Smallman Records and Oct. 23^rd on Trustkill Records.