The Islands
Montreal’s Islands is out on a US tour that will bring them to Soundlab on Wednesday (April 16) for a show at 9pm. An eclectic, multi-ethnic six-piece armed with a similarly eclectic assortment of instruments (a flute, a tambourine, a rattle, a metal can), Islands can be counted on to perform a mix of originals from their debut album (2006’s
Return to the Sea), and their upcoming one (
Arm’s Way), as well as creatively revamped covers (for instance, the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset,” Sinead O’Conner’s “Red Football,” Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett’s “Monster Mash”). Just about one month away from its release,
Arm’s Way (Anti-) was recorded after the departure of founding member Jamie Thompson/aka J’Aime Tambeur (much of
Return to the Sea was recorded in Thompson’s bedroom). Co-founder Nick Diamonds (formerly of the Unicorns) now spearheads the endeavor—a noteworthy new lineup—and said in an interview that the forthcoming album will be “heavier” than the calypso-tinged pop of its predecessor. Since Diamonds was the songwriting genius behind
Return to the Sea, it’s unlikely to disappoint.