A Northern Chorus
The Millions Too Many (Sonic Unyon)
By Caroline Evans
Published: April 27th, 2007 | 2:18pm
There are many things bands can be self-conscious about, but the silliest I’ve heard so far is the actual length of the songs they produce. “With seven of the nine songs clocking in around four minutes, die-hard fans might think we’ve crossed over to the darker side of the music industry,” says A Northern Chorus’ Stuart Livingstone of the group’s latest album, The Millions Too Many. It’s true that the group’s first three LPs specialized in that sort of sprawling shoegaze that presupposes 8-minute-long tracks, but to assume that their status as indie darlings might be threatened by abandoning the formula brings a whole new meaning to the question, “Does size matter?”
The Ontario group creates vast, expansive sounds evocative of the vast, expansive Canadian landscape. Where earlier recordings cited such influences as Pink Floyd, Slowdive, and Sigur Ros, The Millions Too Many’s more upbeat, slightly more acoustic approach suggests the big room sound of Coldplay, the ringing steel strings of Iron & Wine, and the lyricism of fellow Ontarians Great Lake Swimmers. The group has also expanded its lineup on this record, which marks the return of original violinist Erin Aurich and the introduction of Ben Bowen on horns. The result is a rich orchestral pop that paints its own world without apology.
Issue #35
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