What
would happen if we lost everything?
This
question is the spark that ignited Tin Star Orphan’s sophomore effort, ‘the
days of blinding fear’ (2010). Zachary Bennett’s lyrics bounce from factual past,
to an imagined future; from autobiographical, to pure fiction all the while
dealing mostly with loss. The loss
of love, innocence, sanity, and life itself are prevalent themes at the heart
of Bennett's writing. Inspired by
Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic tale, The Road, the album paints a
stark portrait of a world stripped of its natural beauty and colour, while
maintaining a faint glimmer of hope on the horizon. Sometimes funny, sometimes blunt, Bennett’s words and voice
stem deep from his soul and strike straight for the heart.
Sonically,
‘the days of blinding fear‘ is a real departure for Tin Star Orphans. The
album is more electric and epic sounding compared to the band’s previous
effort, ‘yonder’
(2009). Working once again as a production team, guitarist Dean Marino and
Bennett relied less on additional instruments, such as strings and horns, and
more on the core band, utilizing the high ceilings and lush reverbs at Marino’s
studio, Chemical Sound (Toronto). Booming drums, swelling organs and layers of
guitar pay homage to the classic ‘wall of sound’ aesthetic found on albums such
as Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ and Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘In the Aeroplane
Over the Sea’.
Bennett
and Marino, now rounded out by Johnny Rowe on drums, Steve Savage on keys and
Dave Fenton on bass are gaining accolades for being one of the most exciting
live bands in Toronto. Material from the new album has captivated audiences
around Ontario. People have been rushing the stage for anthems like “We Are
Lions”
and “Fighter”,
and yet you can hear a pin drop during emotional ballads like “Hand Me Down” or “Fire”.
Tin Star Orphans have shared the stage with such artists as Rock
Plaza Central, Burning Brides, Graham Wright of Tokyo
Police Club and Bry Webb of Constantines
They turned heads at Canadian Music Week:
"By set's end their bittersweet melodies and soaring choruses had the patrons of this Queen West watering hole tipping their hats in appreciation. This band is only going to get better as their gigging schedule intensifies in the months ahead"
- The Varsity
Garnered some kind words from the local independent weekly:
"Displaying a clear knack for catchy songwriting, verses build into stomping choruses. (They are) definitely a group of city slickers to keep your eye on, keeping things interesting with an affinity for diverse instrumentation."
- NOW Magazine
They also reached the #1 spot on the University of Toronto's radio station:
"A well deserved spot a #1 this week. Impressed from my very first listening, and the airplay only followed."
- Ron Burd, CIUT-FM Music Director
The song "Let You Down" was recently featured on the hit television show One Tree Hill.