SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ALEXISONFIRE – COPIES OF OLD MASTERS: VOLUME 1

ALEXISONFIRE
COPIES OF OLD MASTERS: VOLUME 1
DINE ALONE RECORDS

Following a busy year that has seen the release of five live singles and the digital reissue of the acoustic Death Letter, Alexisonfire have released Copies of Old Masters: Volume 1. The EP features four covers by Canadian bands, all originally from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Copies of Old Masters: Volume 1 opens with “Neighbourhood Villain,” originally recorded by Doughboys. There is an air of suspense to the slow opening before Dallas Green’s vocals join the reverberating echo of a lone electric guitar. As the band comes in, the arrangement grows from spacious to sludgy with layered vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of those of Alice In Chains. “Neighbourhood Villain” is an unexpected choice for an album opener, speaking to the highly curated selection that awaits listeners on Copies of Old Masters: Volume 1. This is followed by Shallow North Dakota’s “Cuz,” a volatile hardcore track that see Alexisonfire perform unrestrained. Pettit’s vocals are especially powerful in this cover over an array of dissonance, feedback, and squealing guitars.

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The second half of the record continues with The Tragically Hip’s “Fully Completely.” The track is built around a driving yet spacious, post-rock soundscape with screaming vocals heard in the distance. Covering The Hip is, without a doubt, the most ambitious choice on Copies of Old Masters: Volume 1, the contrast between the original and the cover allows for Alexisonfire to make the song their own with a powerful performance and a building arrangement, demonstrating the enduring relevance and power behind the original songwriting. The EP closes out with “Misogyny,” originally by Rusty. With a throaty lead vocal and chugging guitars, there is an element of this cover reminiscent of Motörhead; however, the track expands its pallet with a series of haunting backing vocals that linger above the distortion before kicking off into an explosive chorus.

With the exception of The Tragically Hip, Copies of Old Masters: Volume 1 shines a light on a handful of overlooked Canadian bands. Through such niche, but highly intentional, curation, Alexisonfire has returned to their roots in a way while also breathing a new sense of life into these songs. This not only speaks to the songwriting behind the original tracks, but also demonstrates the strength behind Alexisonfire as curators, producers, and performers.

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