Two Hours Traffic - Territory

Tour Dates 11/27 - Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Adelaide 11/28 - East Brunswick Club, Melbourne 11/29 - East Brunswick Club, Melbourne 12/02 - Spotted Cow, Toowoomba 12/03 - Northern, Byron Bay 12/05 - The Zoo, Brisbane Discography [2005] Two Hours Traffic [2007] Little Jabs [2009] Territory

In 2008 Two Hours Traffic was short-listed for a Polaris Music Prize—Canada’s version of the Mercury Prize—alongside critically-acclaimed acts like Stars and Caribou. No small feat for a band that hails from an island province with a population of 141,000. Take one listen to their newest release, Territory, and you’ll get it: you’ll hear it: the satisfying deep release of untainted, unabashedly sweet pop music. I’d imagine that years spent on a quaint island, fishing, renewing energy, and paying lofty sales tax would keep even the naughtiest rockstar humble. Nice, even.

Absent from the album is the cynical edge so favored by New York bands or the inert depression so favored by Midwest bands. Instead, Two Hours Traffic relies heavily on catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics.  In this way, Territory is reminiscent of 90s “alt” bands like Gin Blossoms and Semisonic (if the Gin Blossoms included more four-part harmonies in their repertoire). Singer Liam Corcoran’s palatable range and gentle, understated yearning would mollify the pants off any self-respecting Gen-Xer for sure.

This is not to say that Territory is fluff. No, the sound may be joyful but the general consensus is “sincere.” In fact, the band is so convincing as melodic sweethearts, they can do without chasing a few demons; instead, penning tunes that may touch on complex issues (God: “Sing a Little Hymn”) while remaining, for the most part, optimistic.  “Heroes of the Sidewalk” is one of the catchiest tracks for good reason: Corcoran’s vocals sail at all the right moments, yet never stray too far from comfort. That’s a good adjective for Territory: ‘comfortable.’ Like cotton, denim, and other fabrics of our lives, comfortable music never goes out of style. This can be partly attributed to television and the need for background music to propagate emotional connection (“Just Listen” is so Meredith Grey doubting love!).

Besides an affinity for being charming, Two Hours Traffic are solid live musicians. This was obvious when they played in Minneapolis earlier this month. Sunshine infiltrated the 400 Bar’s chronic gloom! It was cheery. Corcoran and co. beefed up on stage, laying into Territory like summer break came early. More voracity, a bit of showy guitar work, throatiness; just goes to show that even nice boys crave naughty rockstar debauchery.*

Territory is available via iTunes, CD Baby, or the official Two Hours Traffic website. Elsewhere on the Internet: Follow / Like / Friend / Ogle. The band is currently touring Australia; visit their website for all listed dates.

*Or, more befitting, mildly unruly rockstar shenanigans.

lara () ♥ www.twohourstraffic.com ♥ myspace.com/twohourstraffic