The Constantines - Tournament of Hearts

The Constantines are a relatively new band to Australian ears, but one we’ll most likely hear a lot more from. Formed in 1999 out of the Canadian town of Ontario, but later relocating to Toronto, the band consists of Bryan Webb and Steve Lambke on guitar and vocals (Webb doing most of the singing), bassist Dallas Wehrle, keyboardist Will Kidman and drummer Doug McGregor.

The band exhibit something rare in indie rock these days, what could only be described as a rough-hewn honesty and a down to earth, almost working class emotional frequency. It’s all there in the vocals of Bryan Webb who sings with a hoarse, husky delivery reminiscent of everyone from Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs, a more raucous Britt Daniel from Spoon and even the boss, Bruce Springsteen. In fact, the band has in the past received numerous comparisons to Bruce Springsteen crossed with Fugazi, if you can fathom that.

In fact, that comparison is not so off the mark, as the songs often tell tales of fast cars, the drag of the working week and tough breaks from love gone wrong. And the music is wrapped up in angular post-punk riffs from time to time, proving the Fugazi theory semi-accurate. But The Constantines are just as adept with garage shaking grooves, soul like minimalism, and a country twist  - all with a certain trad rock delivery, albeit deliciously dark and swirling in nature.

The band’s first self-titled album was warmly embraced on the college circuit in both Canada and America, landing the group a Best Alternative Album Juno award from Canada’s music awards. Then once the word had spread, Sub Pop picked up The Constantines for their celebrated second album, Shine a Light. A tough and smart album, Shine a Light brought the band still wider attention and seemed to crystallise what it was that stood the band apart from fellow Canadian indie rock outfits. The Constantines were less pop and more hard-edged, incorporating bits of soul, punk, blues and even the avant-garde in decidedly interesting ways.

And here on Tournament of Hearts, the group continue their winning ways, as the band confidently marries intelligence and emotional depth with the brute force that is their trademark. Draw Us Lines kicks things off with a one-chord elegy complete with odd, tribal drums and abrasive guitar. It’s an impressive opening and Webb gruffly sings about ghosts and unknown buildings with a melody that’s part Scottish bag-pipes and part beer drenched sing-along.

Love In Fear lurches out of the speakers with a curious post-punk angularity that doesn’t so much attack the senses as soothe them before kicking into a chorus complete with a high-hat heavy disco beat. Somehow it works perfectly with lyrics about helicopters of desire, love and fear.

Possibly the album’s strongest cut, Lizavetta, features a scorching, slow, bass heavy blues riff and great drums from Doug McGregor. The song is emphatic, driving and urgent. When Webb sings, “You said, ‘Lover let’s run for cover. I said, ‘Lover, wait. Stay here and I’ll give up all I’m worth,’” and continues with, “It’s good….we desire disorder. With this design, we’re all born our own destroyer. In that evil hour, without defence, be sensitive, you were born to live,” you get the impression you’d better listen to the warning.

Next track, Soon Enough is the balm to follow the storm. Webb’s vocals are gloriously direct and high in the mix – in fact it’s the track on Tournament of Hearts which really proves his credentials as a voice worth listening to. The song is The Constantines does country with just a touch of ambient spacing and dynamic shifts to keep things interesting. Again, Webb tells stories which leave you with a sense of a tough life wrapped up in hope and the benefit of perspective. Soon Enough tells us, “Your gentleman father would pray for a daughter, as he walked from room to room saying, ‘Women are winning the tournament of hearts. Somebody’s got to lose…’ Soon enough work and love will make a man out of you. Through and through.”

And in the end, it’s these well worn secrets The Constantines leave us with. They are not afraid to wear hearts on sleeves, but don’t get too close to the wound up and wounded glare in their eyes because these guys don’t mess around. A worthy and hard-working record, Tournament of Hearts won’t go to the top of the charts but it might well go to the top of your listening pile for 2005.