Ladyhawk — Shots

BC has always been known for its smokable agriculture, but its music scene has always produced more indie pop and punk than stoner rock. The tides have turned since the Black Mountain Army took over the region in 2005, and their compatriots Ladyhawk are flying the freak flag high on their self-titled debut. While the music can't reach the incendiary heights of their live shows, "The Dugout" and "New Joker" are fantastic pieces of songwriting that build patiently into triumphant finishes. The haunting "Long 'Til The Morning" is a superb low-key showcase for frontman Duffy Driediger, who menacingly ambles through the disc's 10 tracks like he's wearing a bear suit. Between Steve McBean's projects, Blood Meridian and Ladyhawk, you can almost see the haze over Vancouver from the other side of the mountains.

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