The Odds

Reviews of the Odds first three albums paint a picture of a critically acclaimed yet underrated band. Singer/guitarist Craig Northhey appreciates the kudos, but would like to take a shot at making his own assessment of where their self-produced fourth LP, Nest fits on the grid of Odds releases. “We created a self-contained hermetically sealed environment to make this record, which enabled us to go from 0 to 60 in a shorter period of time. This seems to be a more distilled and direct batch of songs.” Translation: Nest has taken the typically high-octane moments the Odds are known for-the distorted guitar riffs, the delectable harmonies – and kicked them into an even higher gear, causing their rabid following in Canada to point to this record as the one that just may put them on the map in the US. “They should know,” teases Northey. “We used to have just journalists and musicians at our shows, now there are real people,”

A caustic wit is ever-present in the music as well, A quick sample of tracks like “Someone Who’s Cool,” with its deadpan lyrical jousting sting and soaring guitar riffs , or the eerie but evocative “Nothing Beautiful,” (which begins with the line: ‘first I drank insecticide a little more each day…’) reveal a confident., if highly unusual, sense of wordplay. About the latter, Northey muses: “Pop music is the last vestige of obscure art. You can sing about the demise of a cockroach if you want, as long as you supply a good melody.”

Cockroaches notwithstanding, in many ways Nest is a continuation of the crisp craftsmanship and bursts of honest emotion they displayed on their 1995 critically acclaimed gem Good Weird Feeling. “I think this one is a little more up tempo. I think we achieved a little more of the economy of style we’re always striving for, but there’s no doubt we cracked a nut with Good Weird Feeling, especially in Canada,” surveys Northey. “And we continue to improve. Anything that isn’t necessary seems to have been eliminated on Nest .”

Their arrival at such a critical turning point may have been foreshadowed by the way they formed the band back in the late ’80’s “We all met in Vancouver in late 87,” says Northey. “There was a decent music scene then. We’d watch each other’s bands and say he looks like the fucked up one in the group, let’s take him,” Eventually this process produced a lineup worthy of the no-nonsense scene that launched them. Theirs was a rarefied chemistry at work, which included Northey, singer guitarist Steven Drake, bassist Doug Elliot and drummer Paul Brennan who appeared on their first album, 1991’s Neopolitan, and the follow-up, 1993’s Bedbugs but shared duties with new drummer Pat Steward on Good Weird Feeling. Brennan has since left the band, making Steward (who turned down an offer to join the band during its infancy) the Odds permanent percussionist.

Garnering early comparisons to Squeeze and Crowded House, the Odds have now hit their own stride with four albums under their belt, and other ventures on their resume that have made them one of Canada’s most respected rock bands. “We scored and provided songs for the Kids In The Hall film Brain Candy ” says Northey. The band has been friends with the influential comedy troupe since 1993. Steven also recently worked with The Tragically Hip, mixing their new album. “Doing outside stuff helps the way we work with each other,” says Northey. “I think working on outside projects before we made this record made us more conscious of what we can offer each other.”

Though Nest was not their first attempt at producing their own records, they created an environment while making the LP that enabled them to truly rely on their own instincts from start to finish. “We didn’t need an overseer on this album to say ‘Hey, you missed something,”‘ says Northey.

His own quick run-through of some of the songs on the new album sheds some light on the parameters they set while making the LP.

“Someone Who’s Cool”: “This one gives you a direct feeling. The goal was to make your body vibrate.”

“Wonder Girl”: “This one is fun to play because there are so many mischievous notes that you wouldn’t think could ever go together,”

” Heard You Wrong”: ” It’s as close as the Odds are ever going to get lying in bed a la Brian Wilson.”

Northey also points out that he’s noticed one recurring theme that creeps into every Odds album that they set out to do. “Procrastination,” he laughs. “A lot of songs about procrastination and a lot of self deprecation going on.”

But for a group who has always put out vibrant, instinctive music, they’ve done anything but procrastinate when it comes to conveying the kind of immediacy that Northey says is crucial ingredient of any Odds’ show- or any Odds album- for that matter. It’s precisely because their appeal has always been based on rock’s best virtues that the Odds continue to confidently add to their repertoire. If anything, Nest captures a great rock band at the peak of their game.