Pine - Pillow Talk

1. Dolya

2. Viable

3. (Un) Rest 

4. Jilt

5. Blue Jacket

Pine have released their second EP titled "Pillow Talk". This is their label debut on No Sleep Records. Pine has a very Lo-Fi indie alternative sound to them. They stretch the words and have more of the 90's throwback vibe that seems to be going around a little bit. This band has a similar sound to that of a Basement or a Modern Baseball, so if you are into either of those bands, you could like this album. They have done a pretty decent job here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, it has been done pretty well. It has just enough production to have a solid sound, but still have that grungy, dirty, unpolished sound that the band goes for, With the instrumentation, there isn't really much here except that the band can play. Nothing on this album will really impress you, but nothing is taken away either. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are drawn out and weary. She can certainly sing, and she has a solid voice. You can also hear everything she is saying, so the message of the songs comes out. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about self doubt, relationships from both angles, and more. These seem to be more and more common topics in younger bands music. The lyrics and the sound seem to go quite hand in hand, being doomy sounding music, with a bit downer lyrics. All in all, not a bad job. If you are looking for a single to this album, give "jilt" your attention, as the guitarists go pretty crazy at the end with the sounds and pedals. This song is also the highlight of the album, so it will give you the best idea of the album. Pine have made a second album that really fits with their sound established on the previous offering, and gives them more of a catalog to pull from. We don't know if this is really reinventing anything, or bringing something new, but it sounds promising. We can't wait to see whats next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Indie/Rock/Punk

Release Date: 2017

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Label: No Sleep Records

Pine/Dead Leaves Split

2. Waste

4. Lopri

This focuses on just the Pine songs from this split as the other band is not from Ontario. As Pine's second official release, the band contributed two songs to the split EP with Dead Leaves. These two songs show a continuation in the style and sound the band has gone with on their previous album. The band has a very Indie Punk feel to them, somewhat like Young Statues or a Metric, so if you like these artists, you could like these two songs. They have been done quite well. When looking at the recording quality of these songs, the album has been recorded fairly well here and has that raw but not too raw feel to it. The instrumentation is nothing to really go crazy about, but the band has certainly played these two tracks well. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the two songs are very raw, with the singer sounding like she is singing from far away, but it is a technique the band uses that they seem to have mastered well. You can hear all the words and they are very clear as well. We certainly like them. With the lyrics, the band goes for a song about a relationship that hasn't quite gone the way it was hopped for. They use a metaphor of flowers and how the person ruined their brain in this song Waste. While the song Lopri has a message of again another relationship where they wish the person hadn't left. It feel like the vocalist was going through a time with some during the recording of these two songs. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just listen to both songs and you will get the feel of the album. Pine have continued along with their style of Indie Punk and its a very unique thing to hear. We certainly like it. Now all that is left for the young band to do is get out and play more, as they are starting to make waves. Listen to these songs to decide for yourself what you think about them.

Genre: Indie/Punk/Folk

Release Date: November 6th, 2015

Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Website: http://www,pineband.com/

Label: Take This To Heart Records

Pine - You Bury Me

1. Letters

2. Father//Layla

3. Sound

Pine have released their debut EP titled "You Bury Me." This album shows the band in a very folky indie way. They have a raw feel to them with female fronted vocals here. The band has a similar sound to that of a Metric or a Magneta Lane, so if you like either of those bands, you could like this one. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, it certainly needs some work, but it also seems they were going for that dirty indie sound as well. The instrumentation here is pretty average, but they are a new band and they will get better with time. Now onto the vocals and lyrics. These vocals are clear and you can understand what she is singing about, but as the quality as a whole isn't the best, they are a little raw and in the background. She can sing however. With the lyrics, they are something to be worked on as well, but they are not bad. The lyrics just need more meaning and substance then they currently have. With some tweaking and progression, they could get it. Pine have done an alright job on their sort of welcome to album here. It is a nice start and it will get better with work and time. We are happy to be able to see what the band is about and get a snippet of their work. Hopefully we get to see this band grow. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Indie/Rock/Folk

Release Date: January 9th, 2015

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Label: None