Apostle Of Hustle — National Anthem Of Nowhere

While Andrew Whiteman might not get as much recognition as some other members of Broken Social Scene, the guitarist and singer might be the most talented guy in the lot. For three years, his band Apostle Of Hustle have been combining complex indie rock with Cuban flourishes, all coated in a BSS sheen. Canadian critics lost their shit over the band's first disc, Folkloric Feel, but they should have reserved some compliments for the truly deserving National Anthem Of Nowhere. More energetic than Folkoric, AOH's second effort is a major step forward. Recorded in about three weeks in Montreal, the disc is highly focused, layered with loads of guitars and harmonies, and has a few great singalong numbers. Standouts include the title track and opener "My Sword Hand's Anger," while "Rafaga" and "Fast Pony For Victor Jara" are sung in Spanish, giving the album Apostle's trademark international feel. Despite being in his late thirties, Whiteman sounds like he's just embarking on a very promising career.

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