The Balconies — The Balconies

Ottawa's Balconies could easily fall between the cracks of Canada's teeming hordes of indie groups. With new groups churning out serviceable records at a breakneck pace, it's often hard to standout from the pack. Thankfully for them, and us, the buoyant enthusiasm of their live show bubbles over on their debut record.

The band are a brother-sister-boyfriend trio who aren't about to break any molds, but there's a forward propulsion to their music that never lets up. And it's the energy and passion that ultimately wins you over. All three members contribute vocals, but it's when Jacquie Neville takes those high parts, as on album highlight "300 Pages," that Balconies music really soars.