Local Rabbits---You Can't Touch This--Auspicious Debut Album from Montreal

Sometimes I hear about interesting bands from unlikely places. In this example, I first heard of Montreal's Local Rabbits because they were mentioned in a book by Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics called Around the World in 57 1/2 gigs. Apparently Bidini and Peter Elkas are friends, and at some point in a hiatus of the around-the-world-on-a-shoestring tour, he winds up at some rural lake with Elkas, friends and family members, fishing, hanging out, and taking turns singing tunes. It was a nice moment in a very recommendable book, a book where Bidini ends up in places like Finland and China, playing gigs and discovering how rock music is perceived and accepted around the world. But mostly its a lot of self-deprecating humor and awkwardness. Definitely a good music read.

Later I read some more on Local Rabbits in Have Not Been the Same, a pretty hefty book on Canadian Rock, which would probably useful if your interests lie there. So with a little more knowledge on my side, I made the mouse click and gave the band a listen.

Fresh New Kicks, Advance!

You Can't Touch This is Local Rabbits' debut album from 1996 on Murderrecords, and it seems somewhat disjointed. When I saw the album cover for the first time, my first impression was that these guys are the ZZ Top of sideburns. But look past this, and you will find a musically accomplished bunch who most definitely sport their own unique sound. If you put the album on and listen to the first song, your impression is that these guys sound like 80's post-punk, pre-Franz Ferdinand. But they mostly don't sound like that here.




Pete Elkas: singing, guitars, etc.
Ben Gunning: singing, guitars, etc.
King Johnny Starr: singing, bass, etc.
Brian Waters: singing, drums


On this record they sound kind of like a blend of Pavement and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. The songs are filled with loads of interesting somewhat discordant guitar runs, with mostly tuneful harmonies laid across the top. There always seems to be a lot going on these songs, and the songs don't rely much on cliches. What seems odd is the number of blues or country numbers interspersed (not to mention a little Klezmer or Pop's & Company's Haircut 100esque stylings) in between the alternatunes, but in all honesty those are done well too. People seem to have a huge problem with things like this, but I certainly don't. It seems like they had the chops to do mostly everything. What is equally remarkable is the upbeat nature to this album--no wallowing in misery for these guys.



These guys went on to make 2 more albums which I'm told are more accomplished than this one, but I haven't heard them yet. Their 2nd album Basic Concept even hit number 1 on the Canadian College Charts in 1998. Even from this stage, it is clear that these guy began with their own pretty unique music. Certainly I think their music lies in the tradition of modern guitar bands like Television, The Feelies, Wipers, Built to Spill, Dinosaur, Jr., that aren't afraid to air out the leads. But they never let the songs drag on to tedium--they change gears well.




Since the band split up, Elkas has put out 3 solo albums, and in 2010 Ben Gunning put out Mal de Mer, his 2nd album, which is described as a concept album about living and working on a cruise ship.

This album is a pretty cool one, especially considering this is a debut album from pretty young guys. Maybe a little more falsetto than I like, but overall a big winner. A very interesting guitar album. And a lot of happiness here, I must say.