The Strumbellas – Hope – Album Review

Six Shooter Records

By Marisa Filippo

www.thestrumbellas.ca

This six-piece band from Lindsay, Ontario have been crashing the airwaves with their debut single “Spirits” off of their third studio album, Hope. “Spirits” has been topping all of the charts – Alternative Rock Radio in Canada, Active Rock Radio, iTunes’ Canada Alternative Chart, Top 40 radio, Spotify Viral Charts and Alternative Radio in the U.S.

The main goal of the album, as the title implies, is to give ‘hope’ to whoever is listening. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Simon Ward (lead singer) says, “I want people who are down and out to hear it and have it help.”

Producer, Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, HAIM, Weezer), makes it known to the fans that the band has not lost their roots with folk tracks like “Shovels & Dirt” and “The Night Will Save Us.” However, he reveals a more pop-like sound on tracks such as “Young & Wild” and “We Don’t Know.” Producing a sound that the band has become known for and blending it with mainstream noise is what’s making this album so successful.

The majority of the lyrics on each track are slightly repetitive but that is exactly what makes it so catchy. They are songs that anyone can easily sing along to. Or, if you’re anything like me – someone with a horrible singing voice – then you will definitely find yourself stomping your feet or clapping your hands.

If you don’t catch yourself doing at least one of the above while listening to the album, then you unquestionably have the volume on too low.

The Strumbellas have been having such a busy, yet extremely exciting year so far. They’ve performed at Neilsen’s pre-Grammy party, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. And we’re not even through the first half of 2016! They are scheduled to perform at some of the world’s largest and popular music festivals including: Lollapalooza (in Chicago, Illinois), Osheaga (in Montreal, Canada) and Austin City Limits Festival (in Austin, Texas).

Catch them live in your city by checking www.thestrumbellas.ca for tour updates!