The Expos – Blackwater

It’s been tough keeping up with Stomp Records in 2009.  Once known as a home for reggae and ska, they’ve recently branched out in different directions, from old school hardcore (Death By Stereo), to horror driven punkabilly (The Koffin Kats), to the pub melodies of dockside sea shanties (The Dreadnoughts), Stomp has adopted a new persona.  So in the midst of all the exciting new roster additions I had sort have stopped paying attention to the label’s ska and reggae offerings – which had been in somewhat of a rut for the past few years (Saint Alvia being the exception).

So when Stomp released an album by Aurora, Ontario’s reggae innovators The Expos, it took having the album turn up at my front door for review for me to even bother with it; and what a pleasant surprise.

I feel so negligent.  In fact, if I had the opportunity to return to my “2009 in review” write up, I would have crowned The Expos’ sophomore effort, Blackwater, the deserving title of “Most Surprising Album of 2009.”

Now, The Expos may build their sound around a traditional reggae upstroke and lazy sunny day atmosphere much like traditional acts like The Slackers, but track-by-track they layer on some of today’s biggest indie influences.  Tracks like “Rough Stone” feel like Bedouin Soundclash and Death Cab For Cutie got together for a backyard BBQ, “Dying Too Long” and “Another Place” feel like the natural fusion of Montreal’s One Night Band and current reggae trendsetters Vampire Weekend; and “Company of Wolves” and “Bring It Home” sound like some sort of Japanese influenced Arcade Fire side project.  Wow.  What a mouthful – and that isn’t even mentioning the blatant Luke Doucet/alt-country influence in “Far Too Young” and “Fire.”  Long story short, Blackwater has it all, making for some of the most relevant interpretations of reggae heard this decade.

To top it off, The Expos make it all sound so easy.  Looking back at that exhaustive list, any lesser band would have crumbled under the sheer volume of influences.  But not The Expos.  Instead Blackwaterplays like leisurely car ride around the city – the scenery may change every few blocks, but the people around you, not to mention the car, provide continual comfort and continuity along the way.

It was slim pickins’ for quality reggae in 2009, but with Blackwater The Expos have helped keep the genre relevant and moving forward.  So even if you think you’re “done” with reggae or ska, do yourself a favour and give Blackwater a listen.