FOND OF TIGERS

Post-rock doesn't always have to mean sleepy, or pretty, or boring (though it can and often is all three). Rather, as a band like Fond of Tigers handily shows, the genre also has the potential to be progressive, offbeat, and unexpected. The Canadian seven-piece (!) outfit has been making a case for keeping post-rock weird since 2006. So far, it's nabbed them a Juno Award and a bunch of festival appearances, and seen them collaborate with Swedish musician Mats Gustafsson and Toronto's Sandro Perri. ​The band (led by guitarist Stephen Lyons​) incorporates a dizzying array of influences in their instrumental sound, leaning heavily on the "post-" side of post-rock. Their new album, Uninhabit​, was produced by Lyons and Tanya Tagaq producer/violinist Jesse Zubot​, and is a cornucopia of sonic experimentation. Is there jazz? Definitely? Are there parts that sound almost like noise rock? You bet. Prog rock? Duh. Are there deranged read more...