The Wet Secrets
Free Candy
The Wet Secrets are a six piece rock n’ roll dance band formed in Edmonton on a dare by Lyle Bell, Trevor Anderson and Kim Rackel.
Free Candy, the bands third release, features 11 fuzz filled tunes guaranteed to move you from your ears down to your tapping toes.
“Maybe we’ll make a plan” the strong opening song, sets the tone that continues throughout the album. The first thing you’ll notice is the wildly distorted bass guitar played by Lyle Bell. Then, as you get deeper into the song, the keyboards mixed with the horns and backing vocals will grab your full attention.
Other standouts include the Beatle like “Floating in the sky”, which makes you feel like you are, in fact, floating in the sky.
“Death of the party” is a ‘70’s Doors influence dance number that features the remarkable keyboards and horns section that define the Wet Secrets’ sound.
The infectious doo woppy backing vocals on “Nightlife” will lull you into a hypnotic state and then force you to proclaim “Hey his is cool stuff.”
The only issue I have with Free Candy is that the vocals are a bit distorted, but with the band recently signing with Six Shooter Records, hopefully this will be corrected on their next release. Their new album is schedule to be released spring 2016. I can’t wait.
The Wet Secrets are, Lyle Bell bass guitar and vocals, Trevor Anderson drums and vocals, Kim Rackel Trumpet Tuba backing vocals, Emma Frazier Trombone and backing vocals, Paul Armuson Keyboards and vocals, and Christian Maslyk on Sax and vocals.
They are scheduled to perform in Regina in October and I highly recommend that you check them out. They are a great live band, and this is a solid album. Free Candy is available to stream and download at, thewetsecrets.bandcamp.com
—Doug Kerr
Buffy Saint-Marie,
“Power in the Blood” (Truth North Records)
Power in the blood is Buffy Saint-Marie’s 14th album and her first studio recording since 2008. At the age of 74, this collection proves that Buffy has no intention to fade away into the vast Canadian wilderness.
This 12 song gem includes some adventurous reworking of classics along with two covers and some new tunes.
Her ‘70’s classic, “It’s my way” brilliantly starts off the rapid, rocky, tonal ride that is to come. It doesn’t take long to hear that Buffy continues to be relevant and hasn’t lost any of her political spark.
The title track, “Power in the Blood”, with its clever mix of traditional drum sounds, sampling and Saint-Marie’s piercing vocals will send welcomed shivers down your spine.
Of her new tracks, the country tinged “Farm in the middle of nowhere” effectively reveals her vocal maturity as well as the defiant attitude she possessed in her youth.
“Carry it on”, a Saint-Marie anthem, with its message of hope aimed at today’s youth, hits hard with the lyrics, “It ain’t money that makes the world go ‘round, that’s only temporary confusion.”
Her bold version of the UB40 song, “Sing our own song” is cleverly redone to feature new lyrics referencing the Idle no more movement.
This album pleasantly surprised me and it is by far one of her best efforts. Buffy continues to be one of Canada’s premiere songwriters and her live shows will leave you wanting more. Her voice remains strong, both in range and message, and hopefully will for many years to come.
Check it out at buffysaint-marie.com
—Doug Kerr
