Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3.5/5 Released: 2005 Reviewer: David Coats |
Boy is Steven Noel Kozmeniuk, originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, a most unlikely place from which to emerge as a rock star. Nonetheless, Every Page You Turn, Boy’s second record, is a delightful array of 1960s-inspired melodic pop rock. Highlights include powerful opener People Come On, lead single Same Old Song (a particular favorite with its mixing arrangements, attention to detail, and Hammond organ solo), the title track, which is bound to draw comparisons to fellow Canadian rock star Sam Roberts, and Diamonds, which is reminiscent of Oasis’ She Is Love. Perhaps the major difference between Boy and Roberts, in fact, is that Boy’s songs don’t have the same lyrical Canadian cultural commentary and autobiographical wit as Roberts’ do, nor does the record maintain its intensity from start to finish.
While at his best on the upbeat crowd-pleasers, Kozmeniuk also contributes a variety of change-of-pace songs, including the acoustic, lazy-afternoon Black Cat. The supporting cast (Steve Payne, bass; Maurie Kaufmann, drums; Rolla Olak, guitar) compliments Kozmeniuk’s songs well, as does the production of industry veteran Brenndan McGuire. While comparisons to more established artists will be inevitable, Kozmeniuk’s got the songwriting and musicianship skills to stand all on his own, and will only get better with experience. In the meantime, while not being especially mysterious, Every Page You Turn is as catchy and inviting as indie rock gets.
