Real Estates

I'm not going to lie: my love for all music Saskatchewanian notwithstanding, I probably wouldn't have given I Can't Wait, the debut EP from These Estates, much of a listen if it weren't for the fact the band features Marshall Burns of Rah Rah. After all, given that Rah Rah's Going Steady is one of my favourite albums from last year, I was naturally curious to see how Burns' sounded in another context.

The answer: not at all like he does with his regular band. Of course, These Estates is really more the brainchild of one John Cameron, with Burns providing backing guitar and vocals, but the contrast is still startling. Where Rah Rah generally sound like they're channeling Arcade Fire, I Can't Wait shows that These Estates live at the opposite end of the "polished-unpolished" spectrum. There aren't any intricately layered arrangements here; no, as songs like "I Can't Wait" and "We Got Snakes" demonstrates, These Estates are straightforward rockers with more than a hint of the garage to their sound. The vocals are shouty, the guitars are basic, and the most complicated anything gets would probably be the album closer, the five-and-a-half-minute "Regrets", when the band shifts from a slow beginning into a faster ending. In other words, it's incredibly simple (not as simple as, say, these guys, but still pretty simple) and highly effective. I don't know if the album is out yet (I'm not going to lie, part II: knowing about the band because of the Rah Rah connection, I downloaded it from a leak site out of curiousity) , but whenever it is, it's definitely worth checking out.

UPDATE: These Estates contacted me to let me (and everyone reading this) know that the official download link is this one!

If however, you're more attracted to the whole complex/intricate/ornate thing, then if you're in Ottawa you're in luck, since Rah Rah will be stopping by our town this Friday (May 15th) at Café Dekcuf:



They'll be joined by one of Ottawa's better live acts (Sunjet), some amazing Nova Scotia transplants (Ship Shapes) and, last but most definitely not least, the band responsible for my absolute favourite album of 2008 (Ketch Harbour Wolves). It's only $7, and I can't think of a better way to kick off the long weekend!