Garage Canvas - Lo-Fi Life (Audio) Album Review
18/09/25
Opens track 1 'Like You' from the project of Lemmi James Eaton (Plastic Passion/High Dives/Behold A Pale Horse, Death Surf, D.U.C.K), though here as Garage Canvas and a great chord sequence of acoustic melancholy, although as if it's a more stripped down version of The Cure's 'In Between Days', followed by catchy lyrics comparing himself to another telling stories of his life whilst gradually building to a huge chorus expressing demise cause he feels it's all well and truly over. Immensely great song writing here reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins 'Soothe' from the 'Pisces Iscariot' b-sides and rarities album also broadcasting perfect harmonies and the guitar magically fits the exact progression displayed in this absolute belter. Track 2 'Scream Queen' has a Libertines approach lyrically, though with a delivery more akin to Green Day. Put it this way, if Pete Doherty was on the American altrock acoustic scene and not done as many drugs as he had, he'd probably sound somewhere along the lines of this. Track 3 'You Are Right' is a stab at realism, almost like a medieval gemstone with a cascade of fire backed with a piano and fantastic chord progression followed by Alice In Chains vocal style outro reminding us that he's not ok. Track 4 'Back Room' has a Graham Coxon style guitar opening almost like '13' era Blur followed by a subtle vocal down tone as it wanders through a woodland of claustrophobia and entrapment. Track 5 'Death to the KKK' is like The Ramones reborn and reincarnated acoustically in the town of Ware. An evil cult with the need to be taken down is the core of the lyrics, also a catchy chorus that is definitely all of his own. Track 6 'Love is for Mugs' is a finger plucking rapid epic montage that Jamie T himself would've loved to have written with strings and a massive aura; guitar sequences to die for exits this tune incredibly. 'Track 7 'Romance' is a drop D "down-tune" lullaby ballad unearthed by charm and pretty lit streets of character and red rose filled parkways to boot. A truly beautiful and encapsulating melody for any romantic soul to give to their valentine. Track 8 'Highs and Lows' has a proper 90's Britpop feel like as if Menwe@r spent more time creating a great follow up record instead of alienating everyone. A great keyboard synth line in the background that has just as much forefront as the guitar and vocal. Track 9 ' A-hole' is a dig at a pub tosspot with a delivery a bit like Barenaked Ladies 'One Week', I can totally hear this in there somewhere slating some absolute tool in hope that a woman will see sense. Like a campfire song aimed at an utter wanker backed with an organ and every kind of insult toward the said Arsehole under the sun. Last on the menu Track 10 ' Goodbye' begins a sound like the intro of The Damned's 'Melody Lee', with elegant piano playing and just as you think it's about to break into a rapid fire fuelled spaz out, then it just ends thus unexpectedly bang smack pow! It's actually genius.
4/5 STARS ****
By Gavin Tate
for Gavin Tate's Music Journal