Ira Lee

Following the roving recording of double disc Die, Ira Lee gets back to basics with an emo album of personal reminiscences and poignant observations over dark, experimental beats. Two of his darkest, most depressing songs reappear here in remix format: "Die," about a family waiting for the grandfather to die, gets smoothed out, and "Donna Jones," about an interfering crackhead neighbour, gets the club treatment. But new track "Henry," a groovy, symphonic track about an abusive stepfather, just isn't as catchy. Ira Lee also honours his family with a couple of piano ballad love songs ("Ruthie" and "I Love My Mom," the latter with bluesy jazz sax). His sincerity makes it all believable even after he admits to a pathological need to lie over a minimal drum and bass beat on album highlight "I'm A Liar." His funny little observations also lighten the mood, whether it's his Ween-like critique of his new hometown ("Montreal"), his MF DOOM-ish confession ("Other People's Bathrooms"), his admiration for quick-to-mature girls ("She's Only Twelve Years Old") or his desire to steal ("Your Little Sister's Bike"). Not quite a match for debut album Cafeteria Food, Ira Lee's My Favourite Songs By Me doesn't lag too far behind.