Night Flares

Greg MacPherson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: G-7 Welcome Committe
• ASIN: B0008GIST6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,687 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars pure, raw and rockin', July 14, 2005

By 

J. Lyons "usedwigs" (Philly, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night Flares (Audio CD)

Don't you just love stumbling across great new music while searching for something completely different? Hoping to get info on Propagandhi's next release on the G7 Welcoming Committee website, I stumbled across Mr. MacPherson. After a couple quick listens to some free MP3s, I am now a huge fan. BTW, every band should post a couple free, easy-to-access full-length MP3s on their sites; there's no better online promotion.

The Greg McPherson Band is pure, raw emotion refreshingly produced with no studio "magic" to obscure the heartache, anger and hope simultaneously bubbling to the top and boiling over on this brilliant CD. While not a big name in the States, MacPherson has toured with the mighty Weakerthans and is making some major noise north of the border. His sound and style is far too rangy to fit comfortably into an existing genre. His punk roots infuse a vigorous and muscular vibe that is much too adventurous for the lifeless morass of today's folk-rock singer/songwriter tedium.

Some well-established rockers like to put on a gritty western accent, pluck a six-string and sing for the common folk, mostly to gain some gravitas after years of putting out so-so major label fluff. Why the hell not? It's easy to sing songs for and about the working man while you're kicking back and tending to your show horses. MacPherson on the other hand is the real deal. He's a college-educated, socially conscious Canadian who was raised on military bases, dug graves, worked in a factory and basically put the blue in blue collar while gaining an appreciation for what he sings and cares about.

To get a good handle on MacPherson's sound, simply check out "Cutting Room." He's a skilled, succinct story-teller, using a slight quiver in his emotional delivery to show his insecurity at first, but it's quickly replaced with a commanding roar that tells you something serious is going on and he keeps you hanging on his every word. This goodness lasts throughout the CD.

The arrangements are sturdy, stripped down guitar-bass-drums, mostly played a level that's allows McPherson's urgent and earnest vocals the freedom to drive each song in the direction it needs. This is not to say the band is any less important or potent. The electric guitar strumming and distorted, furious blasts on "The Show is in the Basement," is astounding in its simplicity and power. In contrast, the lush dreamy baritone guitar work and street noises that buoy the gently poignant "Pressure" brings to mind Kevin Shields' best work.

"Man Overboard" is a classic rockin' crescendo that erupts into a manic feeling of unease and dread with MacPherson's brawny pipes hauntingly alerting all in earshot, "...tell them there's a man overboard." Hairs will stand up on the back of your neck. This rocks hard.

The music has a genuine edge, a sadness and uncompromised feel to it without one hint of pathos. With this said, I still think it could find a wider audience, even with the general populace who demand so very little from their music (Must buy whatever the Gap and iTunes tells me... Must buy whatever The Gap and iTunes...)

Any decent radio station that is still interested in playing passionate, rocking music should eat up "Hotel Motel." It moves along a good clip with big meaty hooks, a great little story and a stark overall melancholy. The deeply penetrating line "I'm not coming home" will stick with you for a good long while.

With each song MacPherson displays more and more of his impressive voice. Notably, the way he breaks the gentle vibe of "California" with the booming intrusion, "I can almost see the waves break on the dial." He ends this wonderful record with the Jeff Buckley-esque "The Sun Beats Down" that should leave you with a splash of warmth and hope that good music will continue to be found. - Jeff Lyons

5.0 out of 5 stars honest and raw, intelligent too, June 18, 2005

By 

pat (toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Flares (Audio CD)

Random anecdote: I met Greg at a Bingo parlour of all places. We were helping out a mutual friend as volunteers selling game cards (2 dollars per strip), to raise money for a contemporary dance group; it was the 1 am game. I had no idea Mr M was such a talented musician, so I give this album 5 stars b/c I'm always impressed at the universe and its bingo-meetup ways. My favourite is "Kingston"; after 5 listens I still can't tell if it's about a psychopathic criminal on the warpath or a restless university kid trying to find a summer job. I like anything that keeps you guessing. Fast-paced songs about ramblin', traveling, struggle. Not for pansies.