The Stills have an unexpected quandary on their hands. Nearly everyone in the music press these days seems to think their most recent album, Without Feathers, was a "disappointment." From where I was sitting, it was beloved by Canadian indie rock fans and declared one of the best albums of 2006. It was certainly a marked improvement over their debut.
Perhaps it's a provincial matter - liked in Ontario, overlooked nearly everywhere else. B.C. seemed to enjoy it; Grant Lawrence couldn't stop talking about the opening guitar riff to "In the Beginning" on his Radio 3 podcast.
The Stills were in Toronto for the second of two shows on this occasion, celebrating their signing to locally beloved label Arts & Crafts - a move that, if nothing else, will help to bolster their reputation across the country.
Their performance was not stupendous but would certainly fall into the "decent" category. They were charismatic, technically sound, and seemed to hit all of the fan favourites. The crowd was typically reserved, which may partially account for the lack of "wow." People need to drink more beer at these things.
(3.5/5)
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