MP3: The Constantines - Tournament Of Hearts
The Constantines hail from Canada, home of all things musically wonderful. Specifically they're from Ontario, where my annoying father once travelled just to see Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Oh to be an insane hippy in a time of amazingly perfect folk rock combos. Aaaaaaanyway, The Constantines formed in 1999 from the ashes of the obscure post-hardcore band Shoulder. Their initial lineup consisted of Steve Lambke (vocals, guitar), Bryan Webb (vocals), Doug MacGregor (drums), and Dallas Wehrle (bass). The band soon relocated to Toronto where in 2001 they released their debut self titled album on Three Gut Records. It was a huge local success and even managed to gain a much coveted Juno nomination for Best Alternative album.
The band were signed to Sub Pop for worldwide distribution in 2003 just in time to release the stop-gap Nighttime Anytime EP. Soon afterwards keyboardist Will Kidman joined the band in order to start the recording of the band's second album, that year's Shine A Light. After touring for quite a while off the back of that LP, including one massive jaunt with the quite wonderful Weakerthans in 2005, the band got around to releasing their third album (and my favourite) Tournament Of Hearts. It's qot reaaaaaaaally awful coverart but it's yet more proof that Sub Pop are probably at the best point roster wise that they've ever been. Last year alone saw great albums from Wolf Parade, Rogue Wave, Rosie Thomas, Sleater Kinney, Constantines, A Frames, Iron And Wine, Postal Service and Low, and that's just the stuff I got around to listening to. Anyway apparently The Constantines have also released a vinyl only split album with The Unintended where they do four Neil Young covers, which i'm quite literally dying to hear.
I only got into them relatively recently but I love everything i've heard. Sort of sound like an American Leatherface, or perhaps a Hot Water Music with more of a seventies influence. The two tracks below are from the forementioned Tournament Of Hearts, which I would tell any self-respected rock fan to go and buy riiiiiiiight now! For more Constantines info, tour dates, etc, try here or here.
Discography: (click to buy @ amazon.co.uk)
 Constantines (2001)  |  Night Time EP (2003) |
 Shine A Light (2004) |  Tournament Of Hearts (2005) |
posted by Jamie Summers at 4:00 pm
1 Comments:
Hey Jamie, just found your site. I'm right there with you in loving Tournament of Hearts. Not sure if it's better than Shine a Light but I don't suppose it matters when both are so good. I wish I could get my hands on their split w/ The Unintended where they cover Neil Young. Anyway, your blog looks good, I'll be coming back!
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