I really should pay more attention to Canada. First there was Blackie and The Rodeo Kings and now there is 54.40 reminding us that melodic rock still has a place in the modern world. Like all good bands - or so it seems - they were once signed to major labels in the nineties and now find themselves in independent label land.
Come to think of it, perhaps that is where the record business has gone wrong. Slavishly following trends - even if they made the trend up themselves - has led to the abandonment of conventional logic. By that I mean the ability to write and play songs that will actually appeal to the people who would still like to buy music has become secondary. There's no doubt that Neil Osborne, Dave Genn, Matt Johnson and Brad Merritt (who make up 54.40) will appeal to such an audience. Musically, they even manage to revive the protest song with the simple but eloquent title track "Northern Soul". Elsewhere - and especially on "Moonbeach" and "Shade Grows" - the band reminded me of Crowded House. That's no bad thing, by the way.
There's a warm, mellow feel to this album that settles well and it is gratifying to see that this band have not felt the need to reinvent themselves. If it ain't broke then don't fix it.