the north side benches, The Orange Record Label
What a great album! This recently released recording is well worth the wait. Bryson has been toiling away, creating his own brand of old fashioned heart and soul in the wilds of Ottawa for a decade or so, and prior to this release, he was best known as the guitar wrangler in Kathleen Edward’s band and on her Failer album. As a follow up to his independent album in 2000 this is a collection of eleven melancholy pop songs with a catchy, cheerful, country twang and a dash of Replacements-influenced rock.
Every soulful song is a keeper, but the real power is in the quieter, less straight-forward arrangements. Co-producing and adding the organ/piano/synth touches as well as crafting the songs on which he sings and plays the guitar, Bryson is clearly gifted. He has a knack for a soft opener that becomes more powerful with dynamic and seductive repetition. A guest vocal appearance from Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy is an appropriate added touch on the dream “Somewhere Else,” one of a few love songs and not many happy endings. “Life can be sweet if I want it to be” sings an appealing Wilco-esque voice, with most of the hope and optimism heard on the album.
With songs about being tired right from the very start and some of his bravest mistakes, Bryson claims he would consider success to be a week off after a tour. Until we get a chance to hear him live in Toronto again, put the north side benches on your stereo and let it play over and over.
-- kim logue
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