Their album No Junk Mail Please has something for everyone, and they can really pull off the changes in tone well. Perhaps the more I think about it the thing which unites all of the tracks is not schizophrenia but rather that they are all crazy good.
I wasn't sure where this CD might go, but must say I was more than pleasantly surprised by the journey By 21 Tandem Repeats takes the listener. They might be underground, but they shouldn't be. They deserve a broader audience for this fine recording.
No Junk Please demonstrates that 21 Tandem Repeats possesses the chops to transcend the "regional darling" label and help fill the void once filled by such groups as The Skydiggers, Rheostatics and others. Check out the transcontinental hockey ditty On Frozen Pond for confirmation.
Reminiscent of the Tragically Hip and their down-home Canadian Folk Rock, No Junk Mail Please showcases some great songwriting, striking melodies and simple country rhythms.
21 Tandem Repeats don’t so much as make music as grow it on an organic sound farm somewhere deep in the damp heart of BC, harvesting it when the melodies are sweetest, and the musicianship is ripest.
Folk zombies go forth
Tear falls on Rheostat grave
Tielli eats brain
The immediate charm of 21 Tandem Repeats’ latest CD is the title (we don’t like ad mail, either—who does?). It even comes with cute “no junk mail” band stickers you can paste to your mailbox, which serve the dual purpose of informing Canada Post that flyers advertising home equity loans are a turn-off, while turning your mail carrier onto the laid-back, down-home folk-rock offerings of the Vancouver foursome. The uncomplicated, low-key melodies will soothe the nerves of even the most ardent treehugger after a long, hard day spent saving the world.
uncomplicated, melody-rich folky guitar pop that basically uses what its needs and disregards the rest
"I can see how 21TR have nestled themselves into Van city with a weekly bar gig; with songs like this, you could develop quite the following"
"One of the most successful and important artists in the city"
"it is held together fast by folk-infused country rhythms, catchy guitar picking, and an easy-going lyrical sensibility"
"they own the clever hooks that make the tunes so special, making several of the songs endearing treasures"
"Witty, guileless and sometimes folksy...The loose sounding arrangements and uncluttered production add to the charm."
"The beautiful guitar riffs are worth listening to."
The album opener, “Come Again,” is the strongest track—a gloriously breezy and catchy semi-pastoral backporch gallop celebrating the upside of the downer life: the authentic sense of freedom and parity found in good friends and good times. And who can’t get behind that?
“After recently finding out that The Rheostatics had broken up after nearly 2 decades of stellar service, I was left with the question of "who now will assume the mantle of most Canadian band"? Early returns had such established acts as The Sadies and The Weakerthans vying for my attention. Either one could probably be annointed as the promised ones without too much grumbling from the masses. But you know, "Most Canadian Band" is a tough thing to quantify. Ya gotta be kinda folky to show your Gordon Lightfoot roots... kinda Country like Stompin' Tom Connors (of course)... ya gotta rock like The Guess Who and you gotta be real smart, like Neil Young. That's a lot for any band to aspire to, but 21 Tandem Repeats shows real promise in all those areas... they are the quintessential 5 tool player, and will be making their move on the front runners any time now.” Red Cat Records
The headline entertainment did not disappoint. 21 Tandem Repeats led by Super Robertson and an arsenal of tunes that could destroy the most prolific of songwriters gave the audience an infectious groove and soft-spoken wit to sip on.
"Don't miss Super's Supper"
The show rocked and good times were had by all. Super Robertsons reading was off the charts funny
21 Tandem Repeats started a four or five-song set with "Wishing Machine" and sounded fine.
" you really should pay attention to this"