Saskatoon quartet the Avulsions kicked off last night's (November 16) M for Montreal showcase at Café Cleopatra with a set of hazy, dilapidated post-punk. Despite the deluge of guitars, however, it was the band's drummer who sonically led the charge — his cymbal-driven attack guided most of the songs, providing ominous tension during the build-up and sweet catharsis during the release.
This drove the set's best moments, such as the track "Mars" from their recent split seven-inch with Halifax rockers Mauno. Live, the song eschews the studio version's space-rock for a more visceral approach. Their occasional forays into complex time signatures made for plenty of compelling elements to the performance, even if, just as often, their sound collapsed into a messy din of guitars and hazy vocals, with little more than the drums to carry focus.
This drove the set's best moments, such as the track "Mars" from their recent split seven-inch with Halifax rockers Mauno. Live, the song eschews the studio version's space-rock for a more visceral approach. Their occasional forays into complex time signatures made for plenty of compelling elements to the performance, even if, just as often, their sound collapsed into a messy din of guitars and hazy vocals, with little more than the drums to carry focus.