Departing

The Rural Alberta Advantage | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Saddle Creek
• ASIN: B004I3U7D0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,024 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

With The Rural Alberta Advantage's album, 'Departing', the band further refines the exuberant guitar work; everything-on-the-table singing; songwriting full of conviction and detail; and majestic, keyboard-sprinkled arrangements that have won it so many fans. 'Departing' strings together themes of small towns, Canadian fall and winter, breakup, and redemption and serves as a companion piece to their beloved debut album 'Hometowns.' Highlights include the affecting
"North Star," the stark regret of "Tornado," and the storming, percussive surge of "Stamp," all of which vividly set the scene.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good band from Canada, March 12, 2011

By 

student42 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Departing (Audio CD)

Recently, there has been a lot of good music coming out of Canada, and The RAA is no exception. I am surprised there are no reviews yet. This is their second album and I believe it holds up as well as their first. With vocal styling reminiscent of Jeff Magnum of NMH and musically similar to Frighted Rabbit's first album makes this worth checking out (just go by it already and stop wasting your time reading this mediocre review... geesh!). The only complaint I have is this band only has 3 members so it is musically limited in complexity. I would love to see Nils Edenloff's wonderful vocals backed up by by multiple instruments in an larger ensemble (think Arcade Fire). Don't get me wrong, I think they do a excellent job with the musicians they have but I think one or two more musicians could take this band from 4.5 stars to a full 5 stars. When I hear this music I always expect to hear an accordion that is never there; don't ask me why because I do not know. I usually don't review albums because there are people who are far better at it than me. I just thought I would throw my two cents in since no one else has reviewed this album yet.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best release of 2011, March 17, 2011

By 

Mark Abrahamsen (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Departing (Audio CD)

I've checked out so many of the 2011 releases, thus far, and Departing definately tops my list. Of course, I love the Jeff Mangum-esque vocals (being a huge NMH fan for a long time), but it's also refreshingly simple, well-written, well-played, and well constructed. I think it's even better than their debut, and as such, deserves even greater acclaim. I always like great two or three member bands, I think fewer band members works very well in this case (and none more are needed). Basicly, buy Departing, you'll love it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the breakout album of 2011, April 4, 2011

By 

Erik C. (Clifton Park, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Departing (Audio CD)

I totally agree with all the reviewers before me, but I wanted to just echo how great this album is. I recently listened to the new Strokes album and after it was over, this album came on. And wow, the difference is amazing. While the Strokes album is good, it lacks something, and that is melodies that stick out. The Rural Alberta Advantage caught my attention with "Hometowns", an album that is incredible on its own right, with great emotional lyrics, guitar bliss, and solid melodies, but not as polished as "Departing". "Two Lovers" is an interesting first song on the album, and it is one of the slowest tempo songs on the album. It does not set the mood musically but it does musically. The next 7 or 8 songs are mid to fast tempo songs with incredible percussion, amazing lyrics, and gorgeous melodies (e.g. "North Star"). This is the album so far in 2011 that sticks out to me as the best...it will be hard to take down. The Strokes don't even come close, but perhaps it is just personal preference. But in my opinion, this band is probably the most underrated but most talented "unknown" band out there right now.