Midnight Messenger is a subsidiary of Midnight Owl Records Inc. and [their] new in-house Midnight Owl Graphics & Promotions department.” Got that? Okay. Apparently, there are two versions of this zine – one in black & white and the other in colour – and they have substantially different cover prices. Since most of the photos are actually smaller than 35mm negatives, the colour is basically an unnecessary expenditure, so my suggestion is that mmz should just go for B&W. As far as the copy goes, there are loads of short hit-and-run musical profiles and reviews, and most of it provides rudimentary-but-solid information. The good news is that the zine isn’t just a vehicle for the label, but instead prominently showcases all kinds of Canadian artists. The bad news is that most of the information presented appears to have been lifted straight off press releases, and the sheer volume of the reviews (typically two or three per page) dilutes their quality. It would have been much better if the zine had flushed some of the superfluous articles, and breathed life into the select few that mattered (like the Dog Eat Dogma cover story that runs a mere 400 words). Their music writers should either get into the heads of the profiled artists, or provide some genuine critical analysis; release dates and vague “next big thing” proclamations don’t cut it. That said, there’s a ton of energy focused here, and a slight reappraisal of intention could make for massive improvement. (DF)
zine, #2, 36 pages, $3 B&W ($7 colour), Mark Owens, Box 65 – 2831 Shaughnessy St., Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 3H1