On their first European tour in 2007, Elliott Brood drove the backroads of France, simply to avoid the country’s expensive tollways. The cheap route accidently inspired the Toronto trio’s current album Day into Years – released in September on Paper Bag Records.
“It took us through Normandy and we ended up at Juno Beach,” Casey Laforet says, joined in the band by Mark Sasso and Stephen Pitkin. “It’s kind of spiritual because I’ve always been fascinated by what it must have been like to be sent to your death. We arrived at Juno Beach in the morning, around 8 a.m., which would have been relevant to the time the invasion happened. You smell the sea and can just imagine what it would have been like.”
Partly recorded in Avening Town Hall, a former army barracks in Avening, Ont., the band’s third full-length album contains 10 tracks partially inspired by Canada’s involvement in the First and Second World Wars.
With heavy and sometimes dark subject matter, Elliott Brood felt it necessary to amplify its alt-country sound.
“We thought it was important to thicken it up a bit,” Laforet says.
“Over the period of writing the songs I had picked up an electric guitar, so that got on the record. The mood of the record required a fuller sound. The songs required a bit more meat, so that’s what they got. They got fed. They’re fat.”
So far, the amplified approach is a success. Days into Years is receiving similar praise to Elliott Brood’s sophomore effort Mountain Meadows, an album that was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize. Some critics have even compared Days into Years to the work of Neil Young and Crazy Horse.
“That means more to me than anything,” Laforet says.
“I’m a huge fan of the crunch Crazy Horse can put together, as well as their sound and song writing. I’m pretty proud of that comparison. It’s very flattering.”
Elliott Brood brings Days into Years to the West End Cultural Centre on Saturday. Toronto alt-country act $100 will open the show.
Tickets are $20 at the venue, Music Trader, Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store and Ticketmaster or $25 at the door. Showtime is 8 p.m.
