Bronx Cheerleader – Tough Guy Cliches

Brooding in the basement? Feeling frustrated and slightly disaffected? Why not accompany your mellow misery with quiet-loud disciples Bronx Cheerleader? This St. Catherines-based bedroom pop outfit wrings every last drop of pathos from cryptically-titled tunes like Downspout and Our Grudges Have Handles. Whilst this record sounds quite lovely – slightly frayed arrangements are gently underpinned by a nuanced touch of reverb, with fragile harmonies delicately woven throughout – it also sounds a bit formulaic at times. At best, this could be interpreted as a tribute to acknowledged influence Elliot Smith, at worst, a pastiche of more established artists like Low, Sufjan Stevens and Iron & Wine. I will go with the former and suggest supporting Bronx Cheerleader, as they most assuredly have the talent to mature into a niche of their own making. (Karyn Bonham)

CD, Yummy Recordings, www.bronxcheerleader.com, www.yummyrecordings.ca