Some things just should be gift-wrapped: unexpected little gifts that are a surprise to whomever you bestow them upon. The debut full-length from The Most Serene Republic, Underwater Cinematographer brims and bristles with exuberant energy, barely contained by the very disc it is burned upon. These six youths from the suburbs of the suburbs of Toronto are the embodiment of a group of talented musicians and songwriters and producers, ready, willing and able to try and do anything and everything at any time.
The Most Serene Republic are the first signing to Arts&Crafts without a member of Broken Social Scene involved in the project, so you know they are something special. Underwater Cinematographer shows enormous promise with its hodge-podge of musical styles that zip back and forth, twisting and turning within each song. These kids wear their influences on their sleeves, but hey, there are six of them. A lot sleeves coveredŠ from their home at Arts&Crafts, the kids at Saddle Creek, to early Flaming Lips, Built to Spill and Modest Mouse. Lead singer Adrian Jewett's vocals are distinctive, disarming, yet just one of the many sparks this group gives off. Within each song there is a note, an instrument, a bridge that takes you by surprise, and that's the key. "Content Was Always My Favorite Colour" explodes out of the swirlings of "Prologue", in the midst of "The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do In The Middle Of Downtown Traffic", the most stunning, unexpected piano line takes control, changing the direction of the song entirely. One just never knows where this group will take you from song to song.
BANDSITE
