Song, by Toad

The Wind Whistles are a band from Vancouver, Canada, who make rather sunny folk pop, with more than a little tinge of americana. This is the follow up the their debut album ‘Windowsills‘.

That album was one of my favorites of last year, and so it’s hard not to judge this in relation to the previous release. And whilst the first album is perhaps more immediate, with more obvious hooks and sing-along choruses, ‘Animals Are People Too’ is definitely a development. It’s still very accessible, but there’s a little more depth – a more prominent guitar and keyboard sound to the near acoustic recording of the debut. There’s some really nice subtle touches, like when the slide guitar and drums kick into ‘Bats in Flight’, or the chorus refrain of ‘The Fish and the Worm’ – which only appears once during the track, and so becomes more rewarding on each listen. It manages to create what so many bands fail to do – catchy songs, but with enough depth to them to keep you coming back for more.

The writing is really economical too – by that I mean each track does what it needs to do, and then moves on. Nothing ever outstays it’s welcome – only one going over the four minute mark. The whole thing bounces along with rolling drums and jaunty bass lines. Chutters described them as a more gentle Woodenbox, and I think that’s a pretty good reference point.

For me, what’s most interesting about the band is their approach to making music. Both this and the previous release are on Aaahh Records – the CD can be bought at full price from the website or at gigs, or the digital version can be downloaded on a pay what you want basis. (As an added incentive, a secret third album is made available for a minimum donation of $8).  Last time they played Edinburgh they were half way through a mammoth six month tour. They play again at the start of July (cough), and looking at the tour schedule they don’t seem to be cutting back any. From what I can tell they spend half a year working ‘proper’ jobs, saving money and recording an album, then once it’s ready they packs their bags again and spend the rest of the year touring to support the release. Aaahh records is by no means a major operation, this being only the sixth release. And so it really seems to be the band themselves organising the tours, financing it all themselves.

Really inspiring stuff.

The Wind Whistles – Bats In Flight

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