Band: The Sylvia Platters
Album: Make Glad The Day
I love it when a Canadian indie band releases a debut album. It’s exciting for them to get their music out to a wider audience. It’s exciting for music lovers because you get to hear something new and fresh. Make Glad The Day is The Sylvia Platters full length debut album set to release next week and I couldn’t be more impressed.
Fresh from Langley, BC, The Sylvia Platters show how lifelong friendship and a love of music can blossom into something amazing. Described as power pop, their music reminds me of Sloan, Tom Petty, and The Beatles. And if you think that the title of their album sounds familiar, then you’re right. Borrowing the phrase “Make glad the day” from the 1824 poem “Mutability” by Percy Shelley (also known as “The flower that smiles today”), the band aimed at creating a “thematic undercurrent: a thrilling embrace of our fleeting existence.” Perhaps this theme explains why no song is longer than 3 and a half minutes, with the entire album lasting just over 30 minutes. The feeling of Carpe Diem oozes from their music, and not once is the tempo very slow or very fast, it’s just enough to get you moving. Even the pink and purple album cover reminds me of a rising sun just breaking over the horizon, reminding us to get up and embrace the day.
With 14 tracks to choose from, I’ll point out a few of my favourites. “Goodnight Persephone” reminds me of the feeling when something totally amazing comes to an end. On one hand, you are so happy that something wonderful just happened, but you are also incredibly sad that it is over. The fast-paced guitar is perfectly matched with the cleverly written lyrics.
“Girl With Curious Hair” inspires daydreams about all of the good things in life. I loved the inclusion of the female vocals in this song, and the harmony between the singing and the music. Also, the music changes to lower tones part way through the song, something that I love because it keeps the sound fresh. Like the rest of their music, the composition is simple, sticking with their guitar, bass, and drum sounds, yet it still feels incredibly complex, with layer upon layer of sounds.
“We’re All Dead!!” starts off, appropriately, with a harder sound, and then morphs into a song that is an unusual mix between punk, pop, and a touch of ska. And it feels like just as you get into the song, literally a minute later, it is over, and I found myself wanting more of that sound.
“Suddenly” is the final track on the album. And there is something absolutely heavenly about it. The effects add a slight echo to the guitar and vocals create an ethereal sound. This is by far my favourite song on this album. Unfortunately, just as they reach a beautiful crescendo and heart-tugging harmony, the song ends! But I guess that is the entire essence of this album, nothing good lasts so enjoy it while you can.
I highly recommend checking out The Sylvia Platters debut album Make Glad The Day, which will be available November 27th on Bandcamp, iTunes, and other digital music vendors. There will also be a vinyl copy of the album available in February 2016. Finally, if you find yourself in Abbotsford, BC on the 29th of November, be sure to check out The Sylvia Platters live.
Samantha Stevens is an aspiring writer who loves combining her love for literature with photography, painting, music, and all creative pursuits.
