The title of the second EP from Fredericton’s The Belle Comedians, as well as each of its five tracks, can be read as a feminine name. Could this be a nod to Slint’s Tweez from a band that doesn’t have pals named Ron or Warren?
It had me going for a minute too, but then I listened to it. Turns out “Charlotte” is the name of the street on which the band lived while recording these tunes, not some human. And it’s a quick collection of tidy folk-rock songs that travel some but never get carried too far in any given direction. Several of the tracks sound like they might stretch out well at the live show, with some rather spacey work on guitar in particular. There is an undeniable plaintive tone to the words throughout, but thankfully vocalist Benjamin Ross explores introspection in ways that go beyond wishing some girl on the bus would look at him one of these days.
Also, if you like those music videos where the band shows off how they can do anything they want in tight pants while smoking and drinking beer, then check out the one these guys released for “Rosy,” the lead single from Charlotte. If you don’t watch it all the way to its end, you’re doing yourself a disservice. (Nettwerk, bellecomedians.com) Daniel Emberg