The Arkells, Michigan Left, Universal

Recorded at the Tragically Hip’s Bathouse studio, the Arkells’ sophomore effort Michigan Left may in fact be one of the bigger surprises of 2011. It not only bucks the sophomore jinx, but it is also the band’s major label debut. This is an album thatis immediately accessible and a far jauntier effort than the band’s debut Jackson Square. Lead single “Whistleblower” provides a good bridge between the debut and sophomore albums, but the follow-up “Kiss-Cam” is a summery slice of can-pop that while being undeniably infectious provides a great representation of the remainder of the disc (also see “Book Club”).

About the author

Trev

A proud and over-caffeinated husband, father, runner and writer. I've written for the local weekly The Coast for over a decade and have since taken to creating and writing for HAFILAX for even longer. I hope you enjoy the musings of a guy who has loved music for the better part of 4 decades, and has an album of concert tickets to show for it.

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