Two Hours Traffic

Following the departure of long-time lead guitarist Alec O'Hanley, Charlottetown, PEI beach bums Two Hours Traffic return with Foolish Blood, an 11-song set of heartfelt indie rock that showcases the band's new rhythm-heavy line-up. Inspired by the transcendent chime of early Motown, the P.E.I. natives perform their best Beach Boys impression to date, delivering orchestral walls of sound on album openers "Magic" and "Audrey," as well as George Harrison-inspired jangle on "Faster 4 U" and album closer "O My Love." Infused with the limber fretwork of North Lakes frontman and newly minted bassist Nathan Gill, the group unleash a collection of propulsive power-pop, with percussionist Derek Ellis's rampant kick drum driving the band away from its melody-centric past on lead single "Amour Than Amis" and "Ready for a Look." Parting ways with producer and mentor Joel Plaskett, sound engineer Darryl Neudorf (the Sadies, Blue Rodeo) breathes life into the quartet's lustful vignettes, creating expansive soundscapes on the open chord, "Kumbaya"-esque "Strangers on the Street" and riff-heavy "Last Star." Fans of the group may be surprised by the subdued nature of singer Liam Corcoran's usually prominent acoustic strumming and bubble-gum pop harmonies, but Foolish Blood's low-end textures and diverse layers guarantee that the Maritime icons will remain relevant for years to come.