The Burdocks – I Have A Million Friends
(Out Of Touch Records)

There are still bands in Halifax? Wow, I had no idea. Last time I checked, it seemed they had all tried to make it big by setting up shop in Toronto. But apparently it is a mistake to assume that Halifax’s music scene has been completely milked of its talent, because there are in fact still bands there who are bringing the rock. Bands like The Burdocks, for example.

Listening to their first full-length album, “I Have A Million Friends”, serves as a pleasant reminder of the days when Halifax was a hotbed of great indie-rock acts like Sloan, Thrush Hermit, and Eric’s Trip. The lo-fi recording, fuzzy guitars, and pop hooks almost make me a little misty-eyed. The vocals sound like a mix of Jay Ferguson from Sloan and Mac McCaughan from Superchunk. The Burdocks also have a bit of the same 70’s rock edge that Sloan have been riding ever since Navy Blues, but they bring along a vitality and energy that Sloan are sorely lacking as of late.

Songs like “The Curse of MacDonald Bridge” and “School Television” are simply great pop rock songs, as fun as any of the songs that came out of Halifax in the 90’s. The trouble is, the band can’t quite maintain the same level of consistency throughout the entire record, and sometimes they take the 70’s rock jams a little too far. The song “Famous Last” makes me cringe with its high-pitched guitar and vocal wailing, while other songs just essentially seem sloppy. The stripped down production works against them here, because some of these songs could be more interesting if they had a little more oomph behind them.

Ultimately, “I Have A Million Friends” is the debut album from a young band that has a lot of potential. This record may not be an instant classic, but it does contain moments of brilliance, and I’m willing to bet that their next album will contain even more. Assuming, that is, they don’t sell their souls and move to Ontario anytime soon. — Sean