Leviride

Oct. 2004, fall issue, no. 55

In short hand, Nothing's Getting Better comes across like early XTC covering "OK Computer" in two-minute bursts.

Economic yet inventive. Anthemic yet subtle. Familiar yet strange, like hit songs half-remembered from the
better car rides of our dreams.

Throughout Leviride's debut (one of the year's best) singer Paul Lahey frequently reduces life to its biological functions.

In "Beating Real" he separates life from death by nothing more than a simple pulse, the fundamental rhythm of humanity.

"You will tire," he reminds us in his signature croon. But ultimately, he finds transcendence in the music itself and invites us to do the same.
"The beating never ceases, even
beyond the stillness of the grave."

Rarely has an album inspired by endings sounded so full of promise. - BigTakeover.com (New York City)

By Vincent Le Doeuff (translated)
December 2004

Recorded and produced in late 2003 by Stephen Pitkin (The Flashing Lights) in Toronto, "Nothing's Getting Better" is Leviride's first full-length album since its mini-album debut in 2001.

The members of the band -- Paul Lahey (vocals, guitar), Calvin Lee (guitar), Robert McKitrick (bass) and Andrew McMullen (drums) -- show, along with the likes of The Dears, what must be the extraordinary vitality of the Canadian music scene these days.

The album is an indie pop mixture, one part punk and one part rock'n'roll. It works, and the band achieves this by conconting some very dynamic and powerful pieces.

But Leviride can also skilfully pack a powerful punch with minor chords, which adds a dimension and a texture much more interesting. Thus the songs are more intense and unpredictable.

They should be too, given the voice of singer Paul Lahey -- who sometimes makes us think of Morrissey with titles like "And then I Depart" and "Juxtaposition". Still, a rather exceptional and recognizable voice, it makes Leviride a big fish in a little pond -- that being the indie rock'n'roll Canadian scene.

All the songs on the album are solid. The punk-induced pieces "Beating Real", "And Then I Depart" lean up against more indie pop songs like "Swear A Word" and "In Flames", but it works without the CD being shocked by a sudden change of musical style.

"There's Always The Sky", worthy of the best groups of post rock'n'roll, ends the album beautifully: A long, rich piece that makes it regrettable that the disc ends.

A European tour is planned for this Canadian band in 2005; one awaits impatiently with the promising melodies and the ardour Leviride demonstrates. - PopNews.com (Paris, France)

www.herald.ns.ca/Search/554914.html
By James Sandham
Jan. 2007

Sometime recently it got a little uncool to do balls-out, all-emotions-bared rock and roll.

Everyone got all coy and ironic instead. It was like being straightforward and exposed was so nineties or something. But whatever: coy irony is for the insecure. Leviride is a band secure in what they’re doing and they’ve said to hell with coy irony, producing instead that elusive rock and roll good, a balls-out, all-emotions-bared album in the spirit of rock and roll’s classic heyday.

Which isn’t to say this is a throwback album or anything. It’s got some new and modern stylings to it. But songs like “As I Lay Me Down to Sleep” and “Your Remains,” the album’s first two tracks, anchor it firmly in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen and Meatloaf. It’s a little theatrical at times, but always raw and without pretence, and you can’t help but want to rock out.

Seriously. Watch for these bad boys around their hometown of Toronto and perhaps even farther afield; the buzz around Leviride is building.
Check ‘em online at www.myspace.com/leviride. - The Halifax Chronicle Herald

Jan. 2007

Toronto-based Leviride's third full-length release, The Night of the Drive-By, captures a band discovering their sound. No doubt this is partly due to the thoughtful and layered production of Frank Gryner (White Zombie, The Dandy Warhols), who helped Leviride create an aggressive, yet interesting rock radio album.

But while listening to Night of the Drive-By, the band's sound reminded me of Can-Rock from '94-'97, and especially bands like Age of Electric, the harder edges of Moist, and the vocal phrasing of The Watchmen. However, these guys aren't throwbacks, as Leviride still has an indie rock sound (see "Venerable Homecomings" and "Future Shock"), which is more in common to current Canadian rock chart-toppers.

Opening with "As I Lay Me Down to Sleep," it's pretty apparent that Leviride are going to pick you up, and nail you in the face with as much brute force as possible. This esthetic is strengthened by Leviride's relentless attack on the title track (which features an incredibly produced rumble bass), and the manic twirl of album highlight "Seldom Does."

Accomplished singer-songwriter Emm Gryner lends her talents to two of my favorite tracks, arena rocker "Your Remains" and the acoustic based heart-breaker "Foul Play."

-- Jason Gladu - PopJournalism.ca

www.bigtakeover.com
May 2007

One-of-a-kind vocalist? Check. Guitar hero? Absolutely. Dynamic rhythm section? Yep. On paper, Leviride adds up to a classic alt-rock band beamed in from a parallel universe (in this case Toronto).

In practice—be it stage or studio—the quartet equates to even more than the sum of its considerable parts.

On their second full-length, Leviride and producer Frank Gryner (The Dandy Warhols, The Cult) deliver the goods with lean-muscle economy, coming on all bombastic/dramatic/ecstatic through tear-stained ballads ("Foul Play," singer Paul Lahey's "In My Life"), arena-shaking riff-rockers ("Daisy Satellite" featuring Calvin Brown's fuzztoned pyrotechnics) and all points in between.

The shape-shifting "Your Remains" is the album's keystone. For 3 minutes and 20 seconds, the ephemeral turns concrete, floating in on a guitar arpeggio as the ache of lost love takes shape in the room and the band charges off into a world where it's "forever rain, forever night."

It's grand stuff that still retains its soul and intimacy. - BigTakeover.com

U of Waterloo student newspaper
http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Nov. 2006

Leviride
Night of the Drive-By
Universal Music Canada, Addictive Records

This album starts as a pleasantly accessible rock album and generally stays the course. Leviride's lyrics are more thoughtful than most, as in their introductory track, "As I Lay Me Down to Sleep." The singer's vocal vibrato also proved to be a nice addition to the range he demonstrates on many of the tracks. He often sounds a great deal like Gordon Downie of The Tragically Hip in others.

There are a fair number of slow tracks to mellow out to, and these were definitely the strongest points of the album as a whole.

This album is Leviride's third to date, and that maturity definitely comes across in their music here; with Night of the Drive-By it's clear that they are already veterans of their genre.

While difficult to quantify, this was overall a very pleasurable album to listen to, and a band to look out for in the future.
— Brendan Pinto - Imprint

www.musicemissions.com
Dec. 2006

Leviride is a band that was founded in 2001 by singer-guitarist Paul Lahey and drummer Andrew McMullen. They recruited Calvin Brown and Malcom McKitrick to round out the band. In 2004 they released their debut album, Nothing's Getting Better. Now, two years later they have finished off their sophomore album and it's pretty impressive.

Night of the Drive-By (Addictive/Universal) is one of those albums that doesn't bow to conventions. I had a very hard time coming up with the similar bands here. Each song is very different and while this is indie rock it has so many great pop elements to it. It's a good thing Leviride are doing their own thing because an A&R Rep would have one hell of a time selling this to management.

It's got that air of familiarity but yet you can't place it. They kind of have a Dredg sound but not near as moody. I get a Dishwalla feel from a number of tracks but think even poppier. Paul has a great, dynamic voice that easily transverses all of the territory Leviride cover. For a band to rock as hard as the do on a number of tracks and then get all personal like on "Foul Play" shows real talent. "Venerable Homecomings" seems simple on the surface but there are some neat things lurking in the depths.

Might not be this release but give Leviride about two more albums and radio will catch on. You heard it here first.
-- Dennis Scanland - Music Emissions (Calgary, Alta.)

http://www.sceneandheard.ca/article.php?id=1891#2
December 2006

The latest effort from Toronto four-piece Leviride is their most accomplished and accessible release to date.

Frank Gryner's studio wizardry perfectly captures the driving energy of the band's live show and harnesses it for the disc's 13 tracks. Singer/guitarist Paul Lahey has faced criticism in the past for his up front vocals. Hearing this album will doubtlessly silence these critics; Lahey's voice has finally found the perfect vehicle in Gryner's layered production.

The band takes advantage of familial connections with Emm Gryner, Frank’s sister, who puts in an appearance on two of the band's strongest tracks to date, 'Your Remains' and 'Foul Play'.

'Your Remains' is a radio-ready pop anthem with definite crossover potential. 'Foul Play' and 'The Plague of You' provide a nice and incredibly beautiful change of pace. It also gives Lahey a chance to dial his vocals down a bit, revealing nuances that the disc's more bombastic numbers may gloss over.

However, it's the arena-friendly numbers where the band truly shines, particularly on the disc's opener 'As I Lay Me Down To Sleep' and the driving 'Seldom Does'. Night of the Drive-By is Leviride's strongest release to date. Hopefully this band won't remain Toronto's best-kept secret for too much longer.

-- Dean Sarrasin - SceneandHeard.ca

By Ben Obina
June/July 2006

Wickedly catchy hard rock and lush melodies; crunchy riffs and sweet vocals; this bittersweet combination is helping Leviride make a powerful statement. The band's latest release, "Night Of The Drive-By", is taking a stand against unoriginal rock and roll.

"The album is a snapshot of exactly what we're like live. That was the whole purpose behind the recording of it and how we recorded it with Frank Gryner as well; as live off the floor as we possibly could," said singer/guitarist Paul Lahey. "We have an attack attitude when it comes to getting on stage."

A rock-inspired offensive comes easy to Leviride, founded in 2001 by Lahey and drummer Andrew McMullen, along with lead guitar Calvin Lee Brown and bassist Malcolm McKitrick. Much of the band's epic sound is inspired from the past -- namely ambitious bands with frenetic energy and powerful guitar riffs.

"We like big guitar bands from a number of eras," Lahey said. "And at the same time, we have a lot of punk leanings as well, I guess that's where it evolved from. To have that desire for a big guitar sound."

Leviride's quest to export their brand of rock bombast and old-school energy has taken them from Toronto to south of the border with varying results to date.

But Lahey never propels himself too far from his stomping ground, maintaining that Toronto is a magnet for good talent.

"As a performer, it's a great place to be and a place to hone your craft because there are so many other good bands out there that push you," he said.

Leviride's 13-song sophomore CD release, "Night Of The Drive-By" (produced by Frank Gryner), is available worldwide digitally via major online retailers such as iTunes, PureTracks, VirginUK, HMV, and others. - SoundProof magazine (Toronto)

Mar. 2007
http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/

Leviride
Night of the Drive-By
Addictive/Universal

Toronto indie band Leviride has created a hard-hitting rock sound filled with subtle hooks.

Subtleties like quiet background piano, creative and skillful drum patterns and background vocals by acclaimed Canadian pop singer Emm Gryner grow on you after a couple listens.

Leviride consistently offers amazingly crafted, deep lyrics and creative rock-driven guitar riffs.

With standout tracks like “Are You Ready For the End of the World?” “Night of the Drive-By,” and “Future Shock,” it’s surprising Leviride isn’t a household name in the Canadian indie-rock scene. - The UWO Gazette