“2010: FULL LENGTH.”  These three words are literally making my year right now, especially since they are coming from the MySpace page of Braids, an experimental pop band that was formed in Calgary, but now based in Montreal.

After stumbling upon them several months ago, I simply couldn’t get enough of Braids, especially their song ‘Lemonade’, which, after at least 50 plays, still has not lost its charm.  Unlike many bands who tend to sound boring in a 7+ minute track, Braids managed to open their 2008 Set Pieces EP with a nine minute track and start with a bang.  Though clocking in at five minutes apiece, Braids’ songs have a very unique dynamic to them that demands the listener’s attention as we navigate through the twists and turns of each song.  Unlike most guitar-and-drum bands (like every band), Braids songs follow a unique pattern in which the guitar softly plucks away, taking listeners on a gentle journey involving several changed in tone and pace.  However, the drums are only introduced during the fantastical climax of addictive layers of vocals and musical tones.

After recently landing on The Ampersand’s The Canadian Futures List for 2010 and a track in one of the Line of Best Fit’s Oh! Canada mix tapes, Braids is gaining lots of popularity from fans and critics alike. Hopefully their first full length album will result in continued growth in their popularity.

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For more on Braids,
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/braidsmusic
CBC Radio 3: http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Braids

Post By Athena Ngai