Hospital Grade

Saint John, NB isn't exactly a town known for its thriving punk scene. That a band with as developed a sound as Hospital Grade haven't managed to eek out a name for themselves beyond the borders of their hometown is a shame, and hopefully Secrets and Sawdust is their ticket. An engagingly lo-fi mix of post-punk riffs and catchy choruses, the band balance their pop tendencies with an intriguingly mathematical approach similar to Shudder to Think or later era Jawbox. Songs like "Our House Is Still Out There" recall classic Jade Tree and Deep Elm emo, with delayed guitar and urgent, subtly complex drumming underneath hushed vocals, while "An Essay In Your Lungs" is an unashamed piece of poppy mid-'90s alt-rock. Hopefully Secrets and Sawdust won't remain a secret for long.