The Rural Alberta Advantage or the RAA for short, is made up of Paul Banwatt, Amy Cole and Nils Edenloff. The band formed in 2005 and recorded the album from 2007-2008 which was produced by Roger Leavens in Toronto at BoomBox Sound. They have previously released two EPs, most songs from them made it to the album. Their debut album Hometowns is composed of folk-rock songs about life and love in their home of Alberta, Canada. The album begins with "The Ballad of the RAA" which sets the tone for the album with a great opening and the emotional, yearning vocals of Banwatt. So many of the songs evoke very passionate feelings about love and relationships. On "Luciana" the band tells us "There's a fire in my chest/That will extinguish once you're dead". The album does not lack in songs that you will listen to over and over, and probably one or two that you can relate to a current or past relationship. "Don't Haunt This Place" has some really beautiful harmonies on the chorus as well as lovely lyrics about a past lover haunting your heart and seeing them everywhere in your apartment. The guitar on "Drain the Blood" is a powerful heartbeat to the song which exclaims that he is just trying to make it through the night. Hometowns closes with a quieter song, "Summertime" with some more supporting vocals from Amy Cole. The RAA may have taken their time getting their debut out, but the time was not wasted as they obviously poured their hearts into the music and lyrics. They are currently touring the US and Canada. Find tour dates on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/theraa and their official site www.theraa.com. |
|---|
