The Great Sabatini

Pushing out their sophomore album while barely passing their second birthday, Cambridge, ON-cum-Montreal quartet the Great Sabatini are clearly productive. They're not ones to rest on laurels. There's no arguing that this album's 12 tracks are heavy and rather well performed. The drummer alone apparently has his sights set on Neil Peart's throne, while guitars and bass are thunderous blasts of thickness offset with sinewy, finger-tapped lines and other intricacies. It's progressive and made even more ravenous when pant-shitting screeches are laid over the whole ordeal. However, while such abilities have resulted in a rather aggressive affair with Sad Parade Of Yesterdays, these grasshoppers would do well to learn patience. There's an undeniable air of intent over delivery that weighs the album down, resulting in songs that feel like part/part/part savagely coupled together, as opposed to flowing bouts of doom. It's jarring but not always that easy to get into and groove with. Were they to spend a touch more time ensuring the whole was addressed rather than perfecting various segments, Sad Parade Of Yesterdays would surpass good and hit great. Still, given their ability, this is easily attainable once they embrace the composure of age and wisdom.