Arkells - Morning Report (Deluxe Edition) '2017

Tracks list

Tracklist
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01. Drake’s Dad
02. Knocking At The Door
03. Private School
04. My Heart’s Always Yours
05. Savannah
06. Passenger Seat
07. Making Due
08. Round and Round
09. Hung Up
10. Come Back Home
11. A Little Rain (A Song For Pete)
12. And Then Some
13. Hangs The Moon
14. My Heart’s Always Yours (Acoustic)
15. And Then Some (Acoustic)
16. Knocking At The Door (Acoustic)


Since making their debut in 2008, Juno-collecting alt-rockers the Arkells have
continued to gradually increase the size of both their musical tent and the
amount of fans within it. The Hamilton, Ontario-bred quintet first emerged as a
sweaty blue-collar rock outfit with Springsteen-ian ambitions, then, over the
course of two more albums, added various amounts of pop sparkle and stadium
bombast. With 2014s Tony Hoffer-produced High Noon, they boldly set their sights
on the big leagues, delivering a colorful and often grandiose set that brimmed
with bright melodies and 80s-inspired synths. The gambit paid off, netting them
a gold record and adding two more Juno Awards to their mantle. For their fourth
album, theyve elected for a bit more of a playful mishmash, working with four
different producers on what is certainly their most diverse effort to date.
According to frontman Max Kerman, the albums title, Morning Report, refers to
getting the lowdown on the adventures and debaucheries of the previous night.
From the sound of opening track Drakes Dad, a piano-led party rocker that
features hip-hop beats and a gospel choir, the Arkells have had some memorable
nights. Private School is a sly jam with a bigger-budget Loser-era Beck appeal
and the shimmering A Little Rain (Song for Pete) is pure exultant fun. The more
heartfelt and nostalgic fare like Savannah and Making Due have an amiable pop
charm to them, with easily grabbed hooks and melodies. The decision to work
separately with four distinctive producers (Tony Hoffer, Gus Van Go, Brian West,
and Joe Chiccarelli) could have led to an utter mess, but Morning Report
actually thrives with the added variety. Its unapologetically slick with major
pop aspirations, but the Arkells have shown that they can play to the masses
while continuing to challenge and entertain themselves. ~ Timothy Monger

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