In pop music, substance and accessibility often do not go hand in hand. This makes it all the more impressive when a young band like Scenic Route to Alaska combines both in a playful and easy way. With their third album "Long Walk Home" released in 2016, the Prairie-Indie trio from Edmonton has achieved a whole series of successes and received awards both in their home country of Canada and abroad. The album combines seemingly effortlessly catchy vocals and catchy melodies with complex arrangements and led to two number one placements on national radio (CBC Radio 2 & 3) and gave the band label signings in Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. The single "Coming Back" was used in several national TV commercials. As with "Long Walk Home", Scenic Route to Alaska and the established successful producer Howard Redekopp (including Tegan & Sara, The New Pornographers) withdrew into the studio for a month and worked on the ten new tracks. And "Tough Luck" picks up where the much-vaunted predecessor left the listener. Once again Howard Redekopp has excellently managed to capture the band's tight and dynamic live sound authentically. Fortunately, the production is not far away from the band's exciting and thrilling live performance. You just can't escape the charm and the songs are begging to be heard over and over again. The already released teaser single "Slow Down" perfectly embodies the different ambitions of the album. The instrumentals are almost as catchy as the harmonious vocal melodies. The influences are wide-ranging and reach back to the genius of Lennon and McCartney without neglecting the sound of the present. The lyrics of the album deal with the common musical life on tour, thematically located between self-inflicted loneliness, fleeting acquaintances and the difficult balance between touring life and the harsh contrasting programme at home. Although the words often convey the impression of sadness and sadness, the band manages to leave a positive and optimistic impression with their musical light-footedness. Perhaps the best way to describe Scenic Route to Alaska is by contrast: Young but still ripe. Curious and yet solid. Accessible yet full-bodied. Such a balance is rarely found in today's music scene, but fortunately Scenic Route to Alaska master this act in their own unique way.
