Dog is Blue

This Toronto, ON duo deem their sound "garage folk." Judging by this charming second album, that's pretty accurate. Their sparse, folk-based material is shot through with enough rock'n'roll energy to keep things from ever getting twee. There's a ramshackle, loose spirit at work, partly attributable to the fact Tortoise was largely recorded live-off-the-floor with Andy Magoffin at House of Miracles. Guitarist and main songwriter Paul Watson handles most of the lead vocals, though multi-instrumentalist Laura Heaney takes the lead on "Laura's Song" and adds plenty of harmonies elsewhere. Anna Atkinson contributes backing vocals, as well as accordion and viola on some tracks. The charm of this album brings to mind that of last year's debut disc from Colleen and Paul. There's a light, whimsical feel to "Southern Ontario," while the basic riffing on the title track suggests Jonathan Richman. It would have been nice to get a couple more songs (Tortoise clocks in at ten songs in 33 minutes), but there's a lot to enjoy.