Depending on your point of view, Rat Silo is either the latest Canadian supergroup or a new busy-work outlet for a collection of aging rock stars. Helmed by former Sons of Freedom front man Jim Newton, Rat Silo also employs members of 54-40, Jakalope, Numb and Bif Naked’s band.
Unfortunately, the most amazing thing about What the Butler Saw is how much the band had to pad the album to get it up to nine tracks, including a Ramones cover (“I Don’t Care”) and two versions of the album’s best song, “The Cock the Size of Roma.” Not to mention “Back Behind the Bike Shed” and “Shut Yer Mouth Jimbo,” both of which are just barely zygotes of songs.
What’s left of the album is actually a fun and inventive collection of blues-rock best suited to a small tavern where your cowboy boots stick to the floor, and your only option at the bar is beer. “The World’s Longest Bar” and “Getupgotoworkgohomegotobed” both drive forward with the confidence of a band that has been around the block — if only they’d taken the time to write some more songs.
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