New Brunswick native Corey Hachey who taught himself how to play guitar, audaciously named the band after his high school teacher; one who in fact gave him a failing grade on a paper he wrote communicating his vision of a band.  I think he’s going to have the last laugh!  After Hachey met Neal MacLean, they moved to Moncton in 2003 and began to collaborate on their mutual musical dreams, soon finding just the right mates in Glen and Thom.  Hachey grew up inspired by British pop groups Oasis, Travis, The Stone Roses and The Verve which are all bands that I really appreciate.  Sproll doesn’t sound like a Canadian band which may just be their ticket to world-wide success.  We all know how hard it is for Canadian bands to break open south of the border but if anyone stands a fighting chance… The only real criticism I have for Turn On Your Radio is that the CD artwork is dull, bland and uninspired and I think it could be way more vibrant, eye-catching and interesting.

Brilliantly produced by Laurence Currie, Turn On Your Radio is set in motion with “Heights”, in which a magically ethereal intro is followed by a few guitar chords that suddenly morph into a powerful, vivacious song about making the climb to success in the face of adversity.  “Oh My Stars” follows with a feisty, toe-tapping drum solo opening, quickly joined by Edge-influenced guitar.  Hachey sings this positive interpretation of a broken relationship in a higher register than in “Heights”, making me think of Tom Chaplin.  Sweeping and expansive, Sproll’s music washes over you like a cleansing, peaceful tidal wave. 

“Turn on your radio something’s coming over the air…” Indeed it is, in “Radio”.  Listen for this infectious single on your local FM station and Much More Music where it should be a chart-topper.  “On Fire” is a beautiful love undone ballad filled with burning imagery that still somehow manages to come off feeling optimistic.  In “Every Open Door”, snatches of a Boy era Bono can be heard in Corey’s voice and by “All I Wanted” (“…was a person to relate to.”) you know you’ve met a band you can relate and hold on to.  “Don’t Stay In” features wonderful keyboards and guitar in a pop/rock piece with a chorus that stays with you, making it a serious contender for a single. 

By the eighth track, “Out of Time”, I’m realizing that Sproll is sounding very Snow Patrolesque in a “Chasing Cars” way but this song isn’t quite as emotionally evocative.  “Feels The Same” is melancholic but hopeful and infused with Radiohead electronica.  By the penultimate track, “When You Say”, the musical similarities in almost all of the songs on this CD are obvious, which isn’t to say that it’s not excellent, because it is.  “Waste Your Time” brings the album to a close with its saddest song.  Turn On Your Radio is extremely enjoyable to listen to but it might just sound too much like Snow Patrol to be considered original.  I happen to love Snow Patrol, and if you do, you’ll also love Sproll. 

Be sure to listen to Sproll on their official website at www.sproll.ca and at www.myspace.com/sproll and tell all your friends about where to find them!

Christine Bode
c.bode@partyinkingston.com