Scratching the Surface of Atlantic

While traveling on a trip to China and Asia, I discovered the ambient orchestral folk sounds of Surface Of Atlantic while scouring for local music in Taiwan.  It was playing while I was deeply rummaging unsuccessfully through their sample music stations at the Taiwan National Film Centre.

After speaking broken English/Mandarin with the friendly staff to figure out who the artist was playing in background, I later found out that the band was from Montreal. Who would have thought i’d have to go around the world only to find out about a great band right by my doorstep?

The staff were unwilling to sell me their only copy, so I ended up waiting till arriving back home to get the album.  With no local stores having them in stock, I ended up contacting the band directly for a copy.  That proved to be a challenge since the .com site was all flash and no substance, their online ordering process looked sketchy, and their myspace page was tough to find a contact or much information about them. It was also nearly impossible to find any reference to their debut album, Ephemeral As We Speak without contacting the band directly (or through a backdoor entry to their site, listed below). Luckily they had a facebook fanpage where I could contact them, and when I did they were quite friendly.

Boy, was it worth the effort.

I’ve yet to receive their 1st album coming in the mail, but their latest release “A Frame Per Season” has kept me happily tied over. The album blends a soothing mix of strings, horns, guitar, vocals and marching snare drum that is simply intoxicating.  Each track ebbs and flows into the next, transporting the listener into their dreamy soundtrack. With echo’s from Sigur Ros, Broken Social Scene (Feel Good Lost album) and Godspeed!, this 10-piece band has produced a stunning album that you have to listen from beginning to end.

Although tough to choose, some standout tracks from the album would be A Frame Per Season, No Sleep, Walk  and Cloudbreak.

Sadly, they have no 2011 shows in Toronto booked to date, so may it have to part of a road trip to Montreal to see them. As soon as they do set a date in Toronto, you all will be the first to know!

-Myspace: www.myspace.com/surfaceofatlantic
-Website: www.surfaceofatlantic
-Website (to listen to their debut album): http://www.surfaceofatlantic.com/index_surface.swf

- Robb

Add comment April 18th, 2011