Beautiful Senseless 
Who: Beautiful Senseless
What: melancholy, atmospheric rock
Where: Guelph, ON
To Contact: Andrew Hopkinson, (519) 763-4982, , www.beautifulsenseless.com.

Stirring and understated, the layered sounds on Beautiful Senseless' 2003 disc The Warmest Rain evoke both density and clarity, if such a creature is possible. The Warmest Rain is the second release for this sextet, recorded in diverse locations including Dublin Street United Church in Guelph, ON, and keyboardist Andrew Hopkinson's apartment over the course of a year. Shared duties amongst three vocalists, accompanied by mountainous guitars, keyboards and trumpets, as well as the judicious inclusion of guests Lewis Melville on pedal steel and banjo, and Cathy Anderson on cello makes for a dreamy, rootsy experience. The fact that they are from musical hot spot Guelph (Three Gut Records, The Constantines) and write self-assured, hooky pop music should have garnered them much more attention than they have received so far, but their brand of artful subtlety is more about emotional honesty than being rock stars.

Despistado 
Who: Despistado
What: clever, angular punk rock
Where: Regina, SK
To Contact: , www.despistadomusic.com.

While the band likes to label themselves somewhat misleadingly as a "traditional four-piece," this excitable young act from Regina accomplish more from their lo-fi, high-energy sound than most bands with budgets. Bassist Joel Passmore describes their sound as "indie, quirky, danceable, post-hardcore," an accurate reading of their six-song debut EP, The Emergency Response. Boasting intricate arrangements and a jackhammer delivery, The Emergency Response captures the intertwined guitars, counter melodies and complex rhythms of a band railing against the cold Saskatchewan climate. It's all about the music, according to guitarist/vocalist Dagan Harding. "There is a great music scene in Regina with a lot of talented, dedicated musicians that, in our opinion, create quality, unique music. We mostly get off playing live to people. It's where the essence of music lies. We love the spontaneity, chemistry and hopefully mutual relationship between the audience and band."

The High Dials 
Who: The High Dials
What: post-Pepper flashback garage psychedelica
Where: Montreal, PQ
To Contact: , www.thehighdials.com.

The High Dials announce their latest incarnation (they were formerly known as The Datson 4) with a throwback sound that sparkles and grooves. Their latest album, A New Devotion, is a perfect blend of influence and innovation, updating the R&B sounds of the British Invasion with a modern luster. Songwriter and guitarist Trevor Anderson has crafted a Rickenbacher-friendly, 18-track work that has garnered support from none other than Little Steven (The E-Street Band), that stays true to the bands sonic aesthetic of crafted harmonies, danceable beats and open-minded exploration. Says Anderson "I like a good, vapid, pop tune as much as the next guy, but it's the albums - the ones that keep giving up new secrets, they are the ones we hunger for." Recorded at Vespa Studios (Toronto) and Silent Sound Studios (Montreal), the album also features diverse instrumentation that includes flute, tables, violin and a horn section to sweeten up the rock punch. If you enjoy The Kinks, Love, Big Star or Supergrass, you'll certainly get a buzz out of A New Devotion.

Credit: Rod Christie is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

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