Hero worship is a part of music. Every artist can rattle off a list of names they admire in the music industry, all influential on their music. And sometimes just listening to a band’s music, you can write a pretty accurate list in your head. Vancouver’s Minto is one of these bands. From the first guitar notes on opener “New Bones,” Neil Young (specifically plugged-in Neil Young) jumps out and basically writes the list for you. These guys love Neil, and to be honest, who can blame them? Neil Young can rock a guitar, and these guys are definitely out to rock, and with guitars! This is not to say that all you will hear are Neil Young influences on this album. Strong influences aside, these nice Canadian boys and girls are here to rock your face, or whatever other parts you’re willing to have rocked. They manage to keep the songs tight—at no point did I ever feel bored. They never manage to reach the point of head-banging rocking out like Neil can, but they’ve managed to collect here a set of songs which show definite promise. The band has their heads and hearts in the right place, but the songwriting still feels a touch derivative. Steve Albini engineered this album, and his distinctive engineering (NOT production) is present, and it sounds good. But not an interview with the band has been written that hasn’t been mostly focused on the man, and his name appears more than any other on the album. It’s actually the only reason I grabbed this album in the first place. It’s working, Minto! This is a band loaded with potential, but still has yet to find their sound. To be frank, most of this album just makes me want to go listen to the electric version of “Hey Hey, My My” more than anything, but worth a listen if you dig some solid Youngian rock ’n’ roll. (Minto Music Group, www.mintomusic.com) David Nowacki
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989