| · IPX is the musical equivalent of peanut butter and chocolate – together.
Endearing Records is the United Nations of record labels. Geographically speaking, they are the centre of the Canadian indie scene, having an ear for poptastic music. Pairing homegrown Winnipeg artists with similar international underground acts, Intercontinental Pop Exchange No. 1 and No. 2 exhibit some of the world’s best bands, proving that the ‘Peg is cooler than its weather.
IPX No. 1 opens with America’s Wolf Colonel playing a series of lo-fi tunes reminiscent of a John Hughes movie soundtrack. The songs are catchy, with peculiar lyrics and a roughly polished sound. The anthem "Citizen’s Arrest" begs for a singalong with the chorus "Everybody’s telling me like I don’t know." Second act, The Paperbacks write sweet melodies and happy rock music. Sounding like Death Cab for Cutie, they compose beautiful songs about northern skies and the CBC.
On split recording No. 2, Paper Moon and the Leslies speak for the lovelorn. Winnipeg’s Paper Moon sing their flinty love songs for rock stars, successfully writing one of the most realistic Christmas carols in the form of, "I Hope It’s Something Good" (about being dumped on Christmas Eve by a megalomaniac). Sweden’s the Leslies don’t disappoint, displaying a true understanding of American pop with songs you can air drum to while slow dancing.
NO.1
4/5
NO. 2
4/5
KIRSTEN KOSLOSKI
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