Two Hours Traffic — Territory

Territory

Bumstead/Universal

Scott Bryson (CHARTattack)

09/08/2009 2:08pm

It's a difficult call when crafting the follow-up to a successful disc — do you stick with a proven formula, or branch out into new territory?

As the album name hints, Two Hours Traffic have definitely chosen the latter. This isn't a Some Loud Thunder-level departure, but there's a good chance fans of the Charlottetown foursome will find about half of Territory a little tough to swallow.

For starters, there's much more evident studio sheen here than on Little Jabs. There's also a tendency for the lyrics to veer off in wussy and hokey directions, like on album closer, "Sing A Little Hymn" ("I think Darwin is the tops/I love triceratops"). Although Two Hours Traffic mostly stick to what could be described as soft pop, they also crank up the electric guitars once or twice to take a stab at Weakerthans-style pop with questionable results.

It isn't all bad news, though. The lead single and title track is among the catchiest songs Two Hours Traffic have ever put to disc. Fans will also find solace in chugging opener "Noisemaker" and new-wavey "Drop Alcohol."

Territory is definitely not as immediately accessible as Little Jabs, but given time it may ripen if listeners have the patience to let it.

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