There's so much stirring joy evident within the haze of Flickering Flashlight, the eclectic musical wonderland composed by Montreal's Adam & The Amethysts, but it's nestled there in really subtle ways. A psychedelic music aficionado, Adam Waito is clearly drawn to some of the fun, sunnier aspects that typify the sound (see the crafty, almost obnoxious "Gitche Gumee Yeah Yeah," or the trippy "Auld Lang Syne" that ends "Prophecy"). But there's a darkness here too, in songs like "I'm a Medium," an elaborate cousin to any song on Joel Plaskett's In Need of Medical Attention, or the haunting "Adam Called Me Over Christmas," where emotions are raw and disjointed, as they drift in and out of the shadows, like something by Neutral Milk Hotel. Through it all, there's an obvious pride in the work accomplished here--layers of instruments and voices, all captured via a home recording set-up--that belies its sombre tone. There's much to celebrate about Flickering Flashlight, one of the finest records of 2011, courtesy of Adam & The Amethysts.
Are you a fan of Adam & The Amethysts? Have you seen their new NSFW-ish video for "Dreaming?" Any plans to pick up their new record any time soon or see them live?
I have five CD copies of Flickering Flashlight to give away to the first people on the blog to respond with correct answers to questions I'll ask on the air throughout today's show (spelling, the great equalizer, counts). If this ends up being you (once!), please e-mail vish_khanna [at] cbcradio3.com with "Canadian Tired" in the subject line, and your blog moniker and shipping address in your message.
Old or new, Canadian or otherwise, what is YOUR album of the week?