The Rural Alberta Advantage ~ Coldest DaysAlbum: Departing [2011]
the first rural alberta advantage record was rooted in a deep nostalgia for the province that gives the band its name. the wintry cover for their newest record, "departing", evokes that nostalgia, but also suggests the way the band twists and explores it. instead of bright and clear, it's covered with a snowy haze, reflected dimly in the rearview mirror of a car nearly lost in drifting snow. the band explores this feeling with a gorgeous sparseness and clarity, their bright keyboards, prominent drumming, and earnest guitar strumming all recorded in a way that makes them feel extraordinarily present. it's simple, direct, and powerful - the new album is much like the first one, "hometowns", in regards to it's uptempo numbers amongst slower numbers like this track. "coldest days" is most reminiscent of "summertime" from their first album, but instead focuses on the season we're stuck in at the moment. in a way, if "hometowns" was their summer album, their second offering is their winter album. i don't think they did this on purpose but it's the feeling i'm getting from it and i wouldn't be opposed to hearing future albums that feel like the spring or fall ;)
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