Pick of the Week #29: The Parkas - You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance

Most of the picks of the week that are made on this here blog are because I really, really, like the albums; many of them are from bands that I feel are under appreciated, and, occasionally, its because I have some type of personal connection (real or imagined) with the band... this time its all of the above!

Certainly part of my connection stems from recently graduating from teacher's cottage with lead singer Michael Brown, but, I think my (vast) appreciation of the band and their work, comes from the 2006 Documentary, A Life of Crime, by Jon Eagan and James Loftus (which I wrote about here) about the Parkas cross Canada tour and the subsequent re-structuring of the band... its hard to watch something that agonizing and not come away with a connection with the band.

This connection, of course, makes the Parkas last show ever this coming Saturday and the release of their final record You Should've Killed Us When You Had the Chance, a little (or a lot) bittersweet. The new album, which Mike sent me over the weekend (and will be available at the show, and on-line later in the summer, I suspect) is a little (or a lot) bittersweet, as well. And, in some ways, YSKUWYHtC doesn't really feel like a Parkas album.

Those familiar with the band will know them for their poiniant sense of humour and the intensity of their country tinged Strokes-esque rock tunes, which, are still present, but in a more subdued sort of way. There are some moments on the album where it kind of feels like the band is trying to get it all out it its collective system, and moments of pause where they seem very conscious that its all coming to an end, but mostly its just another terrific addition in the Parkas catalogue.... and here are two songs to prove it:

[mp3] The Parkas - Don't Say No
[mp3] The Parkas - The Gang's All Gone

A Life of Crime Trailer



Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou (Swift Feet for Troubling Times)
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians
Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players
Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade
Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck
Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops
Pick of the Week #23: Still Life Still
Pick of the Week #24: Hayden
Pick of the Week #25: Snailhouse
Pick of the Week #26: Dog Day
Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou (Beacons)
Pick of the Week #28: Dog is Blue