We shuffled five at a time into the CBC elevator to head to our final destination: Studio 211, and a unique performance by Timber Timbre previewing their beautifully crafted new album Hot Dreams (which is also one of the steamiest albums in recent memory).
The audience filed into the rehearsal space encircling the band not knowing exactly what was about to go down. Soon it was announced that cameras would be rolling inside the cramped, shoulder-to-shoulder space, the band would begin to play and the crowd, well, it was up to us to make our own fun.
It was soon obvious why bottled water was passed around.
Although the presence of cameras cut into the dark and moody vibe that pervades the album and pours out of the band, there were a handful of deep-gulp, check-yourself moments as the 30-strong throng swayed in unison to some of the lovelier tracks on the album including the drop dead gorgeous title track “Hot Dreams” and the stirring “The Low Commotion.”
“I want to lie, I want to lie me down in your stream. I want to wake, I want to wake from Hot Dreams, from Hot Dreams of you, baby.” This isn‘t music for the old Toronto stand-and-shuffle. This is music that involves both the X and Y axis if you know what I mean. Ahem.
Beyond the sheer pleasure factor, this is a band that, without doubt, knows what it wants to achieve and is in complete control of its creative process and brimming with confidence. Well, as brimming as one can get playing music that if slowed down any further it would appear to dangle immovable in mid-air before falling gently to the ground like a leaf bouncing slowly over a heating grate — a very dirty leaf.
Led by front man Taylor Kirk and his deep, haunting vocals, Timber Timbre played most of their new album as well as a few songs from previous works in preparation for a impending European tour that kicks off April 3 in Brussels, Belgium. The band returns to North America later in April and will hit Massey Hall on May 23.
The album, a follow up to their self-titled debut in 2009 and the Polaris Prize short-listed Creep on Creepin' On (2011), is scheduled for an April 1 release. For more information go to www.timbertimbre.com.
