On Disc

RAINE MAIDA

The Hunter's Lullaby
Kingnoise

Having heard little fanfare about this solo effort from the Our Lady Peace frontman, I had to absorb it without context and I can't say it left my ears happy. Let's weigh the pros and cons. Con: the cover displays Maida in a “fat guy” hat. Con: the funky-at-times vibe brings Crash Test Dummies to mind. Another con: album-closer “One Second Chance” with its awkward, explicit-yet-ambiguous referencing of Saul Williams, Trey Parker and Matt Stone (among others). This is music made for a Starbucks where the employees are too busy rave-dancing to serve you a macchiato. Fans of Maida's songwriting will likely be pleased that his knack for melodies and confident delivery remains intact, and at 10 songs, the disc is pleasingly short. Still, it remains too angsty, empty and self-important for clods like me. NF

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