Culture Reject
White Whale Records
Twangy and eclectic, Culture Reject is but a antidote for Belle and Sebastian fans, and others who are looking something less mainstream than Broken Social Scene. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Michael O’Connell samples from his well versed musical training, using pretty much any instrument that can create noise, adding to his knowledge of african beats which he acquired from his own personal travels. Lyrics such as “I wanna go home/ and get myself stoned” instill that honest, bohemian attitude that a lot of Canadian music these days seems to be lacking. His whispery thin vocal delivery is particularly noticeable in tracks such as “Museums” and “Oh Remain,” giving it a soft jazzy feel at times. This album as a whole is appropriate at all times and for all occasions: it encompasses pretty much the scope from jazz to random rhythmical melodies, and O’Connell’s lyrics are evocative and humble. In the track “Overflow,” he croons softly about a cruel, spontaneous woman, bewailing his unrequited love in a way that gets into your heart - a melodic and soulful musical base with that biting taste of rejection. On the whole, Culture Reject is an album designed with the sensitive of heart in mind living in a cruel, cruel world.
