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CRITIC’S PICK
It’s hard to believe, but there’s more going on in Toronto than just indie rock. This city has a thriving folk scene, and it’s a shame more stoic indie kids aren’t heading to Hugh’s Room to hear 40-something guitar-slingers peddle their organic tunes. One such musician (though he’s still under 40) is Jon Brooks, a wandering folkie who’s spent time playing in Poland and Bosnia. His new record is full of simple but infectious guitar tunes about Canada’s history with war. Tunes about Roméo Dallaire, the country’s mission in Afghanistan and even a haunting rendition of In Flanders Fields make this record not just a fab listen, but a thought-provoking history lesson as well.
-Bryan Borzykowski
May, 2007