The New Music

Toronto’s Everything All The Time may have taken their name from the first Band Of Horses album (that fact is unconfirmed, but likely), but you need only seconds to hear that it doesn’t extend into their music.

Instead of reverb-heavy alt-folk, EATT are more about slick, groove-based synth pop. The sixsome certainly look to the ’80s for inspiration, but they have a secret weapon to secure them individuality: singer Alanna Stuart.

Having released their self-titled LP last year, EATT have quickly readied a new five-song EP as a follow-up.

This self-titled EP (quick, someone help them break out of this self-titling slump) further demonstrates how the band choose the lesser romanticized side of the ’80s. Instead of the more referenced artists like XTC, New Order or Duran Duran, EATT go softer, sounding more like Visage and even Starship one minute, then transcending to artier fare like Japan the next.

“Love Love” uses fat, synthetic bass lines and shimmering percussive keyboards to give Stuart the perfect launching pad for her dead-cool voice. “Start Stop” is funkier matter that allows the full band to join in on vocals to spread the overwhelming cheer.

“Losing My Mind” sounds like it could have been just the thing for Kylie in her early days, with its tender chorus and pillow soft arrangement. “Eyes” ventures out further into a dancier direction, utilizing a pulsating synth and a solid backbeat to keep the flow steady.

It’s “Lazy Days,” though, that the band should look to as a direction to explore more. Using a rickety rhythm and warm melodies, it recalls the Afro-flavoured pop bands like Vampire Weekend and Fool’s Gold have been successful with.

Listen to it here

Artist: Everything All The Time
Album:EP
Release Date:October 27, 09
Label: Independent
Genre: Indie Pop
Author: Cam Lindsay
First Spin Live Until: November 3, 09

Track Listing:

1. Love Love
2. Start Stop
3. Losing My Mind
4. Lazy Days
5. Eyes