The Gertrudes

Dawn Time Riot is the full-length debut for Kingston, ON the Gertrudes, following their critically acclaimed 2009 EP, Hard Water. A little bit of bluegrass, a dash of folk-infused country, a dribble of ambience and a lot of passion make up Dawn Time Riot. A homegrown ensemble, their latest effort features over 100 Kingston guest musicians. While the traditional folk sounds of banjo, mandolin and harmonica are the glue that binds, the inclusion of the Theremin, brass instruments and other electronic sounds catapult the otherwise familiar, down-home folk album into a modern sphere of uncharted territory. An incredibly diverse collective, the Gertrudes don't shy away from creating insanely catchy, leg-thumbing folk pop anthems ("Wind From the South"), while paying tribute to bluegrass with the boisterous, banjo-laden "Freight Train." The aching "Sailor" showcases the their ability to translate feeling and setting through sound, crafting a howling abyss that transforms into a catastrophic storm. Standout track "You Don't Mind" is a slow, deep breath that sounds, at times, like a sombre hymn. A meticulously crafted spectrum of modern folk sounds, Dawn Time Riot is an ambitious debut for the Kingston collective, which have bigger and brighter things awaiting them.