Human Highway
Moody Motorcycle
(Suicide Squeeze, 2008)

This is one of those records where you must throw expectation to the wind. I had absolutely no expectation at the onset of listening to it. No previous knowledge that one part of this Canadian twosome is a member of both Islands and the defunct Unicorns (two bands I continually remain on the fence about). No press release to tell me about the concept or context. An opinion much less an expectation based solely on the cover art slowly began to surface in my mind, one of intrigue and curiosity and even slight amusement, but also doubt and a confusion that was somewhat off-putting. The cover of Moody Motorcycle is more than a little preposterous and it’s hard to know how to take it. And because of that, the first thing I expected was that there’s no way I was possibly going like it. The CD got set aside, buried beneath a pile of promos, but then, over time, the absurdity of the cover image flourished in my mind in a menacing way, and eventually I thought better of my misgivings: How could this not be anything but awesome? First impressions really are lasting.

The next step in the process of digesting that which is Human Highway—a direct reference to the Neil Young song—is the onset of pleasant shock as an unassuming earnestness surfaces: Simplistic, harmonized, ’50s doo-wop; a sort of modernized throwback to oldies like the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison, with some Kinks and Simon & Garfunkel too. Right from the start with “The Sound”, Nick Thorburn and Jim Guthrie harmonize, “Got nothing left but it ain’t bringing me down / I’m just gonna follow the sound,” setting the tone to a record that touches upon the impending doom of the human condition delivered with modest, familiar melodies that are oftentimes carefree, countering the loaded lyrics with music that’s rather healing in its almost naive simplicity.

“All Day” drives this healing aspect home. With its sunny day, island sort of vibe, it’s an encouraging song about lightening up with an uplifting chorus about letting the pain waste away and doing what you want to do, and yet they go on to sing, “True, but we’ve got nothing to do / Waiting for our ship to come in or even sink / Something has to happen cause it’s later than you think / There’s got to be a way, because nothing seems to last.” Juxtaposed sentiments like this pop up throughout the record. “Sleep Talking” is very reminiscent of Modest Mouse’s cover of Santo & Johnny’s “Sleepwalkin’”, a ’50s lullaby, although Human Highway’s version is the more literate of the two. That doesn’t make it any less poetic: “Dreamin’ again, just lyin’ in bed / Your movement is minimal / Now you’ll leave it in your bed / Got ideas in your head / But if they remain a dream it’s criminal / You’re sleep talkin’ / No real words come out your mouth.”

The other track I feel the need to mention is “Ode to Abner” for its indie folk intermixing with the throwback, harmonizing sounds and affecting proclamations as each line is about “I”: “I’m tired / I’m bitter / I’m hungry / Using drugs / And when I said to you, ‘I am happy’ / I was lying.” It’s the best song on this record, showcasing what they do best in exactly two minutes.

This review only offers up a sampling of nuggets to be found all over Moody Motorcycle, a surprising album spawned from a rather unknown yet magical pairing. I would call it an instant classic, except I’m not sure I can do that since it sounds like a whole other era. Even still, it feels entirely vital when propped up against the scope of this year’s releases, and I even predict it’ll end up on many year end lists. For its balance between overcast lyrics shot through with deft wordsmith and simplistic, recognizable, slyly modernized melodies, it’s a really great record. Who knows, it may even end up on mine.

Listen: Various Tracks [at myspace.com]

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