Memorial Ten Count is the latest release from the Sackville songsmith.
Jon McKiel is the kind of musician other musicians talk about. His, is the kind of name put forth as a finishing move in a credibility pissing contest. He is “the one-upper”. He is one of those hidden gems of immense creativity who move along at a steady pace regardless of who’s paying attention.
Powered by off-centre, guitar driven melodies and start-stop rhythms alongside McKiel’s own poetic, soft-spoken delivery, Memorial Ten Count is a brilliant collection of songs performed by a band on top of their game. From the strip-strutting anthemic album opener, Boss, through melodic folk-infused tracks like Unknown Source and Still Remain to the full-on garage rock energy of Conduit, McKiel and his band deliver the goods in a big way.
Backed by lead guitarist Jay Crocker (of experimental instrumental group JOYFULTALK), bassist Sean Dicey (also of JOYFULTALK), and drummer Aaron Mangle (of Cousins), McKiel and company have crafted an incredibly cohesive collection of songs guided by an undeniably infectious sonic esthetic that stretches out across each of the album’s ten tracks. This is a hot band, and this album is proof.
Albums this strong don’t come along every day. While most are simply a collection of songs, Memorial Ten Count is a true work of art.
Memorial Ten Count will be released March 10 via You’ve Changed/Headless Owl Records.
