The Rural Alberta Advantage: Departing

The Toronto folk rock trio, the Rural Alberta Advantage, released their sophomore album, Departing today. If you are a  big fan of their debut album, Hometowns, you might find it quite different. The first record gives you instant gratification with it's attention-grabbing tunes, including Drain the Blood, and the Dethbridge in Lethbridge.  On the other hand, the new album, Departing is definitely a growth album, meaning the more you listen, the more it grows on you. I've listened to it more than 10 times today but my first impressions of the album were pretty weak. Committed to understanding their new sound, I persevered, and it definitely benefits from repeat listening. After having explored  every  sound bit of the album thoroughly, I find I am more fond of the second album than it's predecessor. Not that there aren't echoes of their first offering. If you are yearning for the jaunty rhythms from Hometowns, "Stamp" and " Tornado" will satiate such a desire. The rest of the album requires some time to convert you to the cause, but it's well worth the investment.

The Rural Alberta Advantage is performing on April 29th at the Phoenix

Rate: 7.5/10
Favorite track: Tornado

Click here to enjoy the full album  for free on Spinner.