With members hailing from both Clarksburg and Banks, The Lazarettes are a modern rock band who seem to have a sonic attachment to a time I hold dear to my heart; the late 90s and early 2000s.
During that time, my mind was in its most susceptible state. When bands like Crash Test Dummies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and The Mighty Bosstones filled up the airwaves on Canadian radio, I was riding in the back seat of my parent’s car, soaking it all in.
Riding high from a summer of sold out shows and performances at festivals like Peak to Shore, The Lazarettes have been hard at work, touring their new album Sweet Misery, an aptly-titled collection of eleven tracks that covers everything from socio-political literacy, to heartbreak and longing.
With a low, dulcet tone, the vocal delivery is articulate and reminiscent of many of the post-grunge/pop-punk bands that rode the Canadian charts like a railway in the 90s/2000s. Use of full, fleshed-out electric guitar tones, driving rhythm sections, horns, band harmonies and unique accents like 1/16th note tin drum hits, gives this record a ton of undeniable Canadian-rock swagger.
The band’s sincerity in their performances is a big selling-point for me; I’m struck by the earnest involvement of the band’s multiple songwriters. It’s all too common to hear songs that feel like someone else’s idea or epiphany, but with The Lazarettes, every theme feels like it was once a real band conversation, held over beers in the garage or while driving to a gig on Queen West.
Inspired by their societal surroundings, the band dives into a crying call to action in Knock is at the Door. Through wailing harmonicas, electric guitar solos and an insistent rock beat that propels the song forward, the band asks the question “what are you waiting for,” as a plea for citizens of the Country to wake up. Regardless of political ideologies, the past five years have been a jarring awakening to the reality that media cherry-picks truth, that the power of governing bodies is terrifying, and the importance of becoming an informed and outspoken individual is growing more crucial each day. If any of that piques your interest, this song is worthy of your undivided attention.
Curtain Call is an upbeat, surf-rock-esque commentary on unrelenting desire, where it can lead and what it does to humans. The production reminds me of works from bands like Foxboro Hot Tubs, and the as the song asks questions like “did you bruise more than ego,” I feel compelled to check myself and to look inward at where I’m at with my own decisions.
Thematically, it’s evident that there are multiple seasoned songwriters in the band, made clear by the vast coverage of so much of the human experience. Musically, I’m not surprised to learn that members of the band also perform with artists like Sarah Harmer, Whitehorse, Royal Wood, Ron Sexsmith and Bahamas, as everything feels tight and intentional.
Sweet Misery is a well-developed and cohesive collection of songs that work to expand upon the difficult questions we often don’t want to ask ourselves. The Lazarettes have showcased an ability to capture a unique blend of 90s/2000s Canadian rock that feels nostalgic, frank. and relevant all at once.
Go listen to Sweet Misery anywhere you listen to music, or catch the band on tour with Lowest of the Low this fall.
Written by Marshall Veroni
