Getting On Board With Vancouver's The Hibs

The Hibs are a young band in Vancouver’s ever growing music scene but you wouldn’t quite know that after a listen to their debut self-titled EP. The five-song effort throws back to a time of twangy rock anthems, the Westerburg inspired lead single “Get Old” to the J Mascis-esque vocal melodies and pathos that populate “Harder Than Heaven” and acoustic closer “LSA”. It’s a record that is delightfully out of step with the contemporary alt folk that inhabits commercial radio but also one that doesn’t sound as passé as the classic rock that your dad and his buddies listen to on the weekend. Some of this comes down to the production of Jason Corbett, who balances the affair on a fine line between dusty and dated, and from main songwriter and vocalist David Kandle, who must’ve grown up on bands like The Replacements, Big Star and The Stones, whom are all referenced here, but adds in a modern sensibility that allows the whole endeavor to not tumble into pastiche. It’s something that looks to the past for inspiration but filters that through the awareness of musicians whose experiences are rooted in today. Done with swagger, conviction and absolutely no pretension, The Hibs is a good hang and one I recommend getting on board with.

 

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