Grey Lands is the side project of Cuff The Duke’s frontman, Wayne Petti. I admit I have never paid any attention to Cuff The Duke and I’m happy to hear Wayne Petti with fresh ears for the first time here. The first three of the eight songs on Right Arm, released on September 11 2015, instantly bring to mind a striking resemblance to bands I can recognize.Maybe that’s just my silly old brain trying to make sense of this record quickly, but if you like Odanah, the Strokes, and Radiohead (sometimes you have to shake your head at the clear Radiohead impact, especially on “Recluse”) then you will like the sounds that this record makes in your speakers. This is definitely the production result of some old hands in the Canadian indie record-making scene. Each instrument is clear and succinct in the mix. The songs, while blending together between track endings and beginnings, are eight hook-driven individuals with plenty of angst and manly feeling throughout. Most of the tracks, but especially the halfway point, “Arabian Knights,” play with balancing bright, old school pop, Beach Boys-style sections with dark, distorted, and vaguely metal contrasts, which may not be surprising considering Graham Walsh of Holy Fuck helped produce this record. The vibe throughout is impressively split between bright and chill, and dark and driving. There is some real fancy sparkling playing on all the instruments on all the tracks, with melodic basslines, tastefully energized drumming, and a guitar playing style that must come from an equal love of blues and metal. Right Arm is definitely Wayne Petti’s labor of love, and clocking in at just 32 minutes, satisfies without over-stuffing. (Paper bag Records, greylandsmusic.com) Natalie Bohrn
Recommended if you like “Made in Canada” on CKUW 95.9