A A Wallace

I have no idea why, but I find the songs on A.A. Wallace’s debut full length record (disambiguation) strangely comforting. This is a bit odd because despite how catchy and addictive electronic music can be, it isn’t typically what one gravitates to when seeking a dose of auditory comfort. But it’s even more odd in that most of the songs seem to be about dealing with the feelings of confusion, loss and alienation that modern society cooks up in most of us. At least I think that’s what they’re about, I’m not foolish enough to claim I’m certain of the meaning behind songs on an album whose title means “remove uncertainty of meaning” – and yeah, I had to look that up.

On the other hand, I shouldn’t be that surprised I guess, after fronting one of my fave Halifax outfits (The Sleepless Nights) for years, that A.A. knows his way around a pop song. And when it comes down to it, that’s what we’ve got on this record, some great pop songs mixed with some experimental, sound-collage-like efforts. I don’t care what genre or style you want to compare them to, songs like Offline, Feels Too Real and Temporal Suspension are classic pop songs, through and through. Pretty damn impressive for an album that was created “on a laptop in a bedroom without a bed” by “using sounds found on dollar bin records and broken toys”.

Trust me, this is an album that’ll come in handy over the next few months. It’s got uptempo joints for festive good times, yet it’s also perfect headphone music for blissful summer days. And it comes in 12″ vinyl form, which you know you love, so go ahead and get yourself one. - Herohill

Welcome to the world of East Coast Canadian, AA Wallace. Many people will recognise his name from his previous band Sleepless Nights, but on this debut solo album AA Wallace has slipped effortlessly into the world of electronic music by producing a plethora of mash-ups and edits and remixes.

The former front man of that celebrated rock n' roll band has been busy gaining recognition and turning heads with his solo material. He recently released the singles ‘Shake It Out’ and ‘Bowie’, and then best of all the great dance track, ‘Offline’. On ‘(Disambiguation)’ he continues his headlong dive into a realm of music inspired by French house, chillwave and nu-disco.

Think that's good? Wait a minute. AA Wallace is also the culprit of a monthly DJ night in Halifax in Nova Scotia, and over the time he has spent doing this album has assembled a competent and seriously funked out backing band (featuring ex-members of the Superfantastics and current members of Kuato) to add to his already eye-raising live shows.

He has a knack of embedding and expanding himself into one’s consciousness effortlessly. There are frequent references to the word "discorporate" in the lyrics (It apparently means to leave your body). This excellent album has moments both where you want to freak out and others where you just want to chill out or shoe gaze for a little while.

'Offline' is reminiscent of mid-period New Order output, and drifts nicely into the strangely-titled 'Post Mortem Depression'. There are three other outstanding pieces here. 'Feels Too Real' is a shockingly good groove-ridden dancer that is sure to get sampled and remixed, as is the amazing chilled-out electro soul of 'Du What U Want'. Finally there is 'Temporal Suspension' which sports some lovely Hammond type tinkering and a groove to get anyone up and happy. As AA drifts to the end, he claims soulfully that “I don't believe in anything that does not believe in me!”

Marvellous! - Penny Black Music (UK)

A. A. Wallace self-describes as “bedroom disco”, and we think that captures him perfectly. Simple production that still makes you want to pull out your best dance moves as the album glides between pop grooves and deep distorted voice samples. Opening track “Offline” makes a technology sabbatical sound like barrels of fun, but without the internet you couldn’t press play and jam out to the song. Maybe save unplugging and going outside until after you’ve had a few listens. You can buy (disambiguation) over at Bandcamp. - SIlent Shout

(disambiguation) has two sides, and is divided into four tracks with eight songs in total. AA Wallace is a male vocalist from the Maritimes. He exhibits on (disambiguation) great originality. There is good composition of electronic beats, and the lyrics are also accompanied by various hip blip notes. (disambiguation) features synth-pop with a darker, more elaborated upon melody, and evident use of samples within the nu-wave and electronica genres. The second song surprises as it is electronic instrumental with no vocals, making the album overall, more interesting. The third song, “Feels Too Real”, is a moving crescendo of massive sounding electro-synth wave, with accompanying vocalist, AA WALLACE. The multi-layered vocal inflection is somewhat lacking aggressiveness in its mix down, perhaps due to the mastering process, if any. The musicality of the song albeit, is truly satisfying. It could be a banger at the club with some remixing? Track five, “Du What U Wunt”, is a slower more contemplative and intense chill-wave, with swirling evocative measures and a full sound. Song six on (disambiguation), “Lipsticks and Stethoscopes”, is one of the stronger songs on the album, and picks it up with electric guitar licks and vocal falsetto that satisfyingly propels the electro-synth music. The heavier vocal accents are what really stand out, and help to pull the album together. The album is both melancholic and philosophical.

By Tristin Norenberg-Goodmanson - Earshot!

By Ian Gormely
7/10

A recent trend has seen every band and their dog ditching their guitars for keyboards, trading jangly indie rock for smooth '80s synth-pop. AA Wallace (the mastermind behind Halifax, NS rockers Sleepless Nights) follows suit on his solo debut. But where too many acts end up excising personality in favour of precision, (Disambiguation) maintains Wallace's idiosyncratic style of pop craftsmanship. Embracing a lo-fi aesthetic uncommon to these types of projects, the songs reflect Wallace's push-pull with modernity. With only eight tracks, numbers like the instrumental "Post-Mortem Depression" come across like filler. But "Offline" and "Temporal Suspension" are the perfect manifestation of a musician who's spent his career making ragged rock recordings while professing his love for Vangelis.
(Acadian Embassy) - Exclaim!