"Attack in Black - Marriage" A Hidden Gem of Canadian Rock

    Where do I even start with this album. I first discovered this band while rock climbing with a friend, he had kept on mispronouncing this bands name, calling them "Attack on Black's." Of course this sounded hilariously incorrect and racist, at the time I didn't find the band particularly riveting, I mean sure they were Canadian, but you don't see me rushing out to listen to Nickelback. It was only until months later, when I heard it again bouldering that I finally decided to give the band a bit more of a listen, at first Young Leaves, was the only song that stood out to me, I thought the folkier elements were interesting, but sadly the singing left a lot to desire. Even still, I couldn't shake this band, and fast forward a couple weeks, it just hooked. One of the bands songs was stuck in my head, and I decided to give the entire album a listen. Now, I love this album, I love the mix of folk, indie and punk, the lyrics, and the warm weather this album radiates to me. So now, fully bought into this Canadian band ended too soon, without further ado, my track-by-track review.

Marriage - Attack in Black

Come What May - 85/100 I suppose my tolerance for different vocalists is pretty high and I must admit that it does take a while for this band to grow on you, but I think you need to get past it to really appreciate these songs. I think this album gives me an odd sense of hope, especially with lines in the chorus singing about how nothing's wrong. Not to mention I really do love the saxophone (?) solo in this song. I remember putting this song up while walking through the streets of Toronto when it was finally becoming warm in spring, with the sun shining on my face, with green returning to the land, and these songs just began to make click.

Young Leaves - 85/100 Once again I enjoy the addition of some horns in this song, I think it just gives it a character and liveliness I find hard pressed to find in other songs. I also think that I enjoy the almost otherworldliness of the lyrics, sort of like why I enjoyed early Florence + the Machine. Like you don't know exactly what the lead singer is referring to but you can guess.

Hunger of the Young - 90/100 This is probably my favourite chorus on the entire album. Honestly, I don't even mind that this song is kind of short, in my mind it could probably be even longer. I think the idea of struggling to verbalize my own feelings is an experience I resonate with personally. This is where I feel like the earnestness of the album comes from in my opinion, in combination with the instruments it helps me connect to these songs and feel as if they have a strong level of sincerity to them.

Inches and Ages - 90/100 While I do like the chorus of Hunger of the Young the best, this might be my favourite song off of the album. The verses and choruses are still good, and I love the tunes as usual, but what really seals this song as one that I constantly find myself coming back to is the outro. I just love when the group vocals kick in, and then the guitar solo comes right after before they repeat themselves. It just reminds me of such pleasant, sunny weather, like how Pretty Odd. by Panic! At the Disco, or Aim and Ignite by Fun. make me feel.

Marriage - 80/100 While certainly not as strong as the beginning of this album nor does it feel as fleshed out or cohesive sonically, I still do enjoy this song. It still has all of the elements that made me enjoy the previous four tracks, though I suppose less folksy.

If All I Thought Were True - 60/100 I'm not sure what's up with the weird transition from Marriage to this song on Spotify to be honest, I wonder if this is how they actually ended it or there's just something slightly off with the Spotify version. Honestly probably one of the weaker tracks on this album, not because it sounds bad or anything like that but it is handily the longest track on the album and frankly does drag on a decent bit.

Broken Things - 80/100 Do I think the second half of this album never quite reaches the same heights as the first half? Yeah a little bit, but it's still full of great songs full of the same liveliness and energy as the first half. Like yes there are horns in this song, but they aren't as strong as in some of the songs in the first half and thus don't really hit the same. The song's still good though.

Foot Prints - 55/100 I'm afraid that like two thirds of this album are simply too folksy for me. I do love when the guitars kick in but that lasts so short and I don't think that the album does the best job of really transitioning to the piano at the end either.

The Love Between You and I - 75/100 A slower song, I just don't think it has the same intensity, passion, or exuberance I adored from earlier tracks. Still good don't get me wrong, but it doesn't quite hit the same.

Northern Towns - 80/100 Luckily, I think the album rebounds a bit once this song and the next track kicks in. It's still less fiery, and a bit lighter, but I do love the way both acoustic and electric guitar are used in this song. It helps gives the song this delightful airiness to it, helping it feel warm to me.

Husbands - 80/100 With this song Attack in Black gives viewers one more song full of the energy of the first half before they close it off. Full of the same charm that made me adore this band when this album started. 

Chimes and Churchbells - 45/100 To be honest not my favourite ending to an album. While I do enjoy the reprise to earlier tunes of the album, I just don't think sonically it fits very well, it's too ambient and electronic. I think if this track was re-done to be a simpler more acoustic affair, while still being somber, it would be much more in line with how this album has rolled up to this point. Kind of easily my least favourite track on this album.

Final Score: 85/100

    Do I tend to just throw on 85's onto albums that I'm not sure how to rank? Yes, but I feel no guilt giving this score, my conscience is clear. Honestly, when I first listened to this album fully and loved it, I was a bit concerned I was caught up in the moment and the weather, but re-listening to it again just reaffirmed everything that I loved about it. I don't just like this album because it's Canadian nor because it'd also give me considerable hipster cred. I really do love the sound of this album, it's a unique blend that reminds me of warmer seasons ahead in the best way possible. It's really a shame I'll almost certainly never get to hear this album live, though I wish I could. Maybe one day. This album is quickly climbing up my topster rankings, and the more I listen to it the more I love it. If only this was released 10 years later.