Canary

Boston's own Canary have released their debut EP to the world titled Handsome Stranger. The disc is a delightful collection of indie rock tunes interspersed with a slight R&B touch that puts them on a whole different pedestal among the crop of new artists breaking out onto the scene today.

The disc opens up with a bang on "I Never Said", a passionate, jazzed up no holds barred track that introduces us to lead singer Jackie Berkley's amazing and passionate vocal prowess that adds a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to this and all of the other tracks featured here on the disc. We move on ahead with "You Couldn't Hold On", a more toned down number that features terrific work on the keys courtesy of Alex Hartley and Jackie's vocals moving down a couple of notches, but still retains the delicate passion that was displayed on the prior track and continues to elevate the disc to whole new heights. The EP's title track picks back up the pace displayed on the first track, and continues its exploration of R&B toned rock rhythms and Jackie's vocals once again putting all the group's ferocious firepower on display in this wonderful and captivating track. The disc's finale is the soulful "Daddy Ain't Comin' Home", a track that sees Jackie's vocals drawing some influence from the early 60's Motown era for this one and is a deep, soulful ballad that ties everything up in one neat package and is the perfect way to close out the disc. I had the opportunity to catch these guys in concert a couple of months ago at Tommy Doyle's in Cambridge and they put on an amazing show in a venue that I felt was perfectly suited for them. There's just something about performing in small bars that really makes your music pop and sizzle and gives you much more notice versus performing in a crowded bar where no one can really hear you. An absolutely terrific band and one to check out whenever you get the chance!

Overall, a great first effort from Canary, who have clearly demonstrated that they have the skills and talent necessary to get noticed in the scene and have a real knack for adding deep R&B tones into their music that makes them a very diverse and entertaining group all the way around. - Music Box Pete

“Canary  is  great.” - Filligar

"Canary is a trip back to a time when girls had pride to hang with men in a world of music that digs deep and leaves the listener with nothing but an orgasm of sounds." - Jared Cohen

It was wonderful to hear you playing the other night.....stumbling on to you was certainly a 2011 highlight for me.....keep up the great work and thank you for making Berklee (and me) look so good. I've been bragging on Canary to everyone I know.....liv - Livingston Taylor

It was wonderful to hear you playing the other night.....stumbling on to you was certainly a 2011 highlight for me.....keep up the great work and thank you for making Berklee (and me) look so good. I've been bragging on Canary to everyone I know.....liv - Livingston Taylor

"When Canary steps onto the stage...you start to understand the power of passion and strengths when they come together..."

"WOW! This is what happens when people with a set of skills
team it with their passion. Their music is off the chart." - Mark Jones

"They've got it. They've got the X factor." - Martin Dennehy, professor at Berklee College of Music - BU (written by Kedzie Teller)

Canary — Although this may be overly simplistic in description, Canary is a good ‘old rock ‘n’ roll band. Taking influences from Led Zeppelin and No Doubt, Canary has only been together for four months, but they rock hard. They performed Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” and Jet’s “Rollover DJ” with incredible energy and talent as well as playing some of their own catchy songs. Vocalist Jackie Berkley has a strong presence, and guitarist Amy Mantis, drummer Cole Bingham and bassist Kyle Hovland commanded their instruments like pros. They have already performed around Boston a number of times, and the future looks bright for these young musicians. - BU Quad