With a team made of some of the greatest artists on the Montreal local scene (Parlovr, Martin Horn, Double Negative)  Nightwood’s first LP was bound to be a nearly perfect album. Carta Marina is a collection of carefully arranged rock songs complimented by beautiful, powerful voices. The album is a 12” vinyl and digital release only and can be purchased at shows and on the interwebs at the band’s website. Carta Marina flows freely and swiftly allows the listener to adopt each and every song. The album fits an early morning jogging as well as an afternoon nap, like that snuggly hoodie you won’t let go of.  After the very first listen you’ll feel the irresistible urge to sing along and shake your hips to the catchy guitar riffs and steady drums. “Play the Dishes/Wash the Guitar” is a clear invitation to committing the oh so pleasurable felony of public sing-along so listeners, be warned! Despite the heavy, gloomy atmosphere emanating from the music, one can’t help but feel drawn towards it, like a fly caught in a lantern all smiley faced and “Oh! What’s this! Pretty!”. The vocals set the mood, similar to what Patti Smith did with Horses and her powerful lyrics. It grabs your guts in the same torturing way and twists something inside your heart. On Johnny (a wink at Patti’s Land, maybe?) the Patti Smith influence is fully displayed with the near whisper of the first few words and the firm guitars. Nightwood make me want to listen to Patti Smith, not in lieu of their own music, but because it compliments it rather nicely. To top off this stunning album, the cover art for the vinyl was made by Montreal’s own Rick Leong, painter extraordinaire and current Parisian Laundry favourite.

Nightwood are currently on the road with their “Recession Tour” co-headlining with Modernboys Moderngirls (they vowed to settle the Montréal-Toronto rivalry by out performing each other every night; promising!) . Nightwood will be on their own at the Horseshoe in Toronto on January 19^th for a FREE show. I said free. I suggest you go. On the 21^st the band will be back in their hometown of Montréal with Modernboys Moderngirls and At The Break Of Don at the cozy Divan Orange.

Listen: myspace.com/nightwoodband

For tour information, to buy the album and more: nightwoodband.com