Yorkton This Week Newspaper
SURPRISE... SURPRIZE
Independent
9-out-of-10
The Boomchix are another of the emerging country bands out of Vancouver – it seems like Calgary crossed the mountains.
This is a group which has reached back to an earlier time for the roots of their music, but have managed to nicely adapt the older style to something current. By bringing the past to the present they have a rather unique sound which still has more of a country heart than does most of the country getting airplay on public country radio today.
The sounds of the Boomchix comes from the vocal efforts of Janice Dunbar and Barb Wilkins, who are strong individually, but truly shine when they come together on harmonies. Dunbar for her part plays guitar, while Wilkins adds mandolin, which is a must for music with the roots this band has.
Together these gals are wonderful. I love songs such as 'Til the Searchin's Done, The Edge, Bliss and Let It Go, all songs which should make it to radio but probably won't.
This is where country belongs. The Boomchix know enough about country to be true to the style, yet are wise enough to use elements of rock, well controlled in their application, to enhance the music, not take it over. Too much country today is rock in an ill-fitting country disguise. This is not that. This is country, pure and simple, it just knows enough to draw the best from the past and the present while keeping it real.
Country fans you have to check them out - CALVIN DANIELS
- Review first appeared in Yorkton This Week newspaper Jan.2, 2008 - Yorkton, SK. Canada
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YVRmusic.com
Surprise, Surprise - indeed. What a sweet find! A classic example of the quality Roots Music being produced and performed throughout our fine city. The BoomChix serve up a fine blend of Rock, Country, and Blues with traces of jazz, strong vocal performances, and harmonies that literally melt the heart. Speaking of which...
I hear a whole lot of Heart in the sounds filling my ears right now (listening to the CD as I write) - both musically and vocally, especially in "The Edge" and "Traces" (with traces of Joni Mitchell in the mix - jazzy vocal stylings on a sparse, acoustic background). Fast becoming two of my favourite songs on the album (I have a big space in the ole ticker for Heart - and Janice's songwriting and vocals bear significant similarities to that of the Wilson sisters, especially in these two songs).
Tying for close seconds for my fave songs on this album are: "Daylight" (I've listened to this song about six times now, and I love it more every time - fallin', indeed) and "Misadventure" (Barb's vocals on this song damn near make you bleed internally).
Then there's "Rest Stop" - love the banjo - love the violin - love the overall feel - makes you feel like jumping behind the wheel of some great ole car and heading out to the country, to lose and find yourself on a hot summer's day, blue sky, no clouds above, leaving behind a long trail of dust as you sing along to a song like this played real loud.
I'm also hearing (especially in Janice's fine, fine dulcet tones) Emmy Lou Harris ("Til The Searchin's Done" and "Surprise...Surprize"), Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch (there's a fine art to singing harmonies, and like Alison and Gillian, Janice and Barb have it nailed), (Barb) Stevie Nicks (another powerful female vocalist I fell in awe of as a teen) especially in "Misadventure" and "Objects in the Mirror".
One thing I'm really loving about Barb's voice is the notable and respectable absence of leaning on overdone vibrato - I'd rather hear the power of a voice straight up - vibrato doesn't always equate with vocal control or strength - in fact, I've heard too many vocalists lean too heavily on vibrato for lack of vocal strength, and it tends to grate/turn me off. Barb's vocals are straight up, powerfully raw and evocative - no leaning required.
Listening to "Daylight" again - almost thinking I should really put this up there at the top of the list of my fave songs on this album - keeps pulling me back to it. Musically and vocally seductive - love the hypnotic weave of bluesy electric guitar (guitar actually brings British Blues-Rock band "Ten Years After" to mind, specifically the album "A Space In Time" and the song: "I'd Love To Change The World"), bright rhythmic acoustics, melancholy drums, and heart strings violin; all things combine with perfect harmonies like waves swellin', risin', rollin', ebbin', comin' on strong again. I close my eyes as I listen and I'm "fallin', floatin', driftin'" away. This song does the same thing to me that the Sirens song on "Oh brother where art thou" does; it mesmerizes me, makes me give in to it and just float for a spell. Anyone who knows me well will agree: that's a great feat. (I'm not easily stilled...) Turn up the volume, fatten the sound just a bit (on my system, at any rate) - and "Daylight" fast becomes addictive. However, I would prefer a little more time to come to my senses after "Daylight" before being hit with a "Surprise" awakening. A lengthier pause between these two songs seems necessary to me, "Daylight" leaves you in a trance - then wham! "Surprise-Surprise" jerks you up onto the dance floor and starts twirlin' you around. Such a fun and energetic tune, but it could well cause heart attacks so soon on the heels of "Daylight". Then again, some folks like soaking in hot steamy water, then diving into icy cold pools. I hear the belief is it actually strengthens the heart...
Listening to "Bliss" now - really reminiscent of early 80's Alt-Rock bands like "Happy Man" - with a touch of 60's psychedlia thrown in for good measure on the bridge - and in the vocal harmonies.
While "Surprise...Surpize" is the title track - I personally think "Daylight" and "Home" (hearing some Hyndes in there...) or even "Nothin'...But Complete" definitely have mass appeal and show off the best qualities the Chix have to offer. The rock, the roll, the heart, the soul - and, oh those harmonies.
To sum it all up:
The BoomChix have definitely made a big fan of G.
Surprise, Surprize defines Janice as a creative and passionate songwriter, and the BoomChix as a must-catch live local act. I highly recommend that you buy this album, and better still - catch the BoomChix playing live throughout our fine city sometime soon. Janice and Barb are very charismatic performers that really connect with their audience and have a great time up there on the stage. Their music kicks, their personalities shine. You are guaranteed a wonderful night if you make the effort to get up, get out, and catch them live.
Written by G (Glynis Burke)
YVR Music.com
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