Peter Katz

On the heels of a Juno nomination and an acclaimed, chart-topping previous release, Peter Katz draws once again from his temperate palette to offer us another round of soothing narratives. Still Mind Still remains cohesive without being dull — each song is a perfectly packaged commercial nugget of simple structures, gentle vocals and few contrasts. As such, it's a welcome respite for the headiest among us. So when Katz shares his personal, Zen-like mantra in "Still Mind Still," you're tempted to deepen your breathing and find your center. "This Town," reminiscent of Room for Squares-era John Mayer, will likely be a record favourite for fans of Katz, while finicky newcomers will find "Walking Asleep" more compelling. Unfortunately, Katz overstays his welcome by laying on too thick a coat of melodrama to his epiphanous awakening. By this point in the record, you suspect that Katz has an agenda and the sublime "Little One" solidifies your suspicions. Love songs may well deserve an eye-roll, but who could be so callous to a song about the joy and fear of watching your child grow to stand on their own? Framed by a simple piano melody, Katz's gentle voice reassures parents (in the way a lullaby would an anxious child) that it's safe to let go. Clearly, the heart-wrangling minstrel will stop at nothing to pull on our heartstrings.